Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, speaking engagements anywhere, phone consults nationally and internationally. She also sees patients by appointment at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Her newly-released book (Dec. 2007) is The Complete Guide To Understanding And Caring For Your Cat. Her recently released CD of spoken cat advice and soothing music is Caring For Your Cat, The Wilbourn Cat. Subscribe to the Wilbourn Way News, Carole's free newsletter.
Come back to Carole's home page monthly for cat news and Carole's most recent replies to behavior inquiries from worried cat guardians. To have this home page emailed to you after the story update, click here. You will receive this exact page by email, and it will link you to the other pages in her site, and to the rest of the IDA web site.
The Fabulous 13 and Older Cat Contest
This contest is in memory of Diana-Moon-Dust, my 18-year-old cat who was very, very FABULOUS.
The Prize Winners, chosen by the IDA office staff, are:
- 1st Prize Winner: Ruben receives an IDA "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved T-shirt, IDA commuter mug, IDA greeting cards set, and a phone consultation with The Cat Therapist.
- 2nd Prize Winner: Ollie receives an IDA "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved T-shirt and an IDA commuter mug.
- 3rd Prize Winner: Patsy receives an IDA license plate frame and black IDA logo lanyard.
All other entries will receive a short-sleeved "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt.
CATS ON THE COUCH, Tuesday, May 2008
ORION, AND THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
"Orion, why are you peering into the fountain? It's never interested you before?" It was a table fountain filled with pebbles and shells. As I spoke, Orion leaned over the fountain and slowly turned his head to look my way. I suddenly realized what he was saying. He was without water! I quickly refilled his water bowls that I had washed out and returned them to their usual spots ----- with Orion running right beside me.
I can't answer every email I receive, so please check the archives. Your answer may be already there. Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.
CAT THERAPY IS A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
"Hello Carole, " said Lynn, as she greeted me at the door. " John told me you were coming, and you're my birthday present but what . . . . . " I'm the cat therapist", I said, as I handed her my card. I'm going to do a therapy session with your cats but you and John are also included. I'm going to be listening to the four of you."
John and Lynn introduced me to their two cats as I gave them a CD of soothing music to play during the session. Lynn explained that Trouser, their neutered, orange Maine Coon rescue was was five, and Chloe, their spayed, white Persian rescue, was a year old. She and John were now living apart. He was doing a medical fellowship here in Manhattan while she was in her last year of graduate school in Buffalo, N.Y. During this time, Chloe lived with Lynn and Trouser moved with John. She and Chloe had flown in from Buffalo for the weekend.
"Chloe is affectionate at bedtime when we sleep together, but she's not very affectionate otherwise, " Lynn said. " Trouser is aloof with me, adores John and not always accepting of Chloe."
By the time I had finished the cats' case history, they were stretched out on the floor and it was clear to me why Lynn felt left out and Trouser sometimes intimidates Chloe. " So what do you make of it? " Lynn asked.
"It's a combination of new kitten competition, separation anxiety, and your high energy, " I answered.
I explained that there was natural new kitten competition when Chloe was introduced to Trouser but he none the less managed to accept her. Yet when he was left with a cat sitter, and she took Chloe with her to New York to see John, Trouser felt betrayed. He experienced separation anxiety, plus resentment towards her and Chloe.
"I took Chloe with me because she was still a kitten and I thought Trouser would be more comfortable at home. Apparently I was only allowed to take one cat on the plane. But later on Trouser moved in with John wouldn't be cat-deprived, " Lynn said.
"Yes, and for the most part, the two cats do well together whenever Lynn visits me, " said John.
"So Trouser prefers John because his energy is so mellow. " said Lynn. "How can I get him to forgive me and to be more accepting?"
As Lynn spoke, Trouser rolled over and looked her way. I told Lynn that she should let him seek her out and to be sure to include him in the conversation when she interacted with Chloe and to credit him verbally whenever she praised Chloe so he would feel that she was his find. Lynn felt she could do that.
"But how can Lynn get Chloe to be more affectionate?" John asked.
I told them that when Lynn studied, she could hang out on her bed , which would recreate her bedtime ritual when Chloe was affectionate and replaying the music CD would be continuous therapy for both cats.
"It's your body language and tone of voice that you cats are affected by, so you're talking to them all the time, " I said.
As we said good bye, I sprinkled some more catnip on the floor and reminded them to give me a progress report.
I was very pleased with the cats' progress. Both cats had slept with them on the bed that night. Trouser was friendlier with Lynn, more playful with Chloe, and Lynn was very happy with her birthday present.
MISS KITTY IS EMOTIONALLY DEPENDENT
Dear Carole Wilbourn,
I have a pretty little tuxedo girl that was taken from a crack cocaine user. She was left outside throughout all the seasons and all kinds of weather. Her former guardian would demand attention from her and then ignore her for days and weeks. She had to fend for herself but still stayed close by.
When she was brought to me, I had just lost my nine year old Tommy Cat. I was devastated, but friends thought I would heal sooner if I had this little creature for whom to care for. It took hours of careful brushing to clean her beautiful fur coat. And when I set her down, she disappeared into my home for the next few months. I knew she was eating as the food dishes would be empty, and I could hear the electric cat box raking clean.
In the last month, she has become quite the loving little thing. She's never more than a few feet away from me. She comes into the shower with me and even sleeps on me. I can be on my back, belly, or side and she will balance herself on me somehow. And she never uses her nails.
If I leave the house, I come back to find her lying on my dog Annie, a rescued pit/pointer mix. I'm worried that Miss Kitty has become too dependent - - - emotionally dependent. Even now, she has situated herself on my lap, and under the bed tray I use with my laptop. I don't want to push her away but she stays closer than a sucking baby. Is this healthy? Will she eventually outgrow this neediness? Is there something I can do without hurting her feelings?
A Seriously Frustrated Guardian,
Laureen
Dear Guardian Laureen,
Miss Kitty is, indeed, a love, but I must admit she may be a tad overbearing. Her behavior is a result of her tumultuous existence with her previous guardian. She's now making up for lost time. She can't get enough of you, and your dog Annie is her surrogate for you.
There are ways to ship away at her residual separation anxiety:
-When you play with Annie, include Miss Kitty in the action.
-Try brushing them together.
-Whenever you interact with her, include Miss Kitty verbally to increase their friendship. Include Annie whenever you address Miss Kitty.
-If Annie is cat toy friendly, perhaps you can encourage her to bring Miss Kitty her toys.
-My CAT CARING CD would be a valuable security object for the two of them.
Another angle would be to adopt a young male kitten who would become Miss Kitty's ardent fan. A robust, playful kitten who prefers cats to people would be the ideal match. You could refer to my book, THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND CARING FOR YOUR CAT for the best way to introduce them and other tips.
You and Annie were so fortunate to find Miss Kitty and it is clear the feeling is mutual.
HOW CAN I BE ALLERGIC TO SOPHIE?
Hello Carole,
Take a look at Sophie. Isn't she the best? Anyway, she's our new cat. She's six months old, spayed and such a looker, but I can't get near her without sneezing. My eyes water too. This is ridiculous! Years ago I had this problem but I took over-the-counter medication and within several months or more, I became immune. No more medication and no more allergic reactions. We even had two cats living with us, and we are planning to adopt a companion for Sophie. Our eighteen years old Bugsy passed on in December. We adopted Sophie a couple of weeks later.
Why am I suddenly allergic again and what's the best thing to do?
Frustrated and disappointed in L.A.,
T.G.
Hello Guardian T.G.,
I can see why you are despairing, but don't worry. There's a reasonable possibility that your three month without a live-in cat were enough time for your "acquired" immunity to weaken. Why not take the medication that worked before so you can build up your resistance? After awhile, you can slowly stop the medication and see if you're sneeze-free. If not, give it another try. I'm rooting for this to work.
Sometimes people can be allergic to one cat's fur and saliva but not another's. If this were the case, you might have to continue with medication, consider allergy injections, chiropractic adjustments and/or homeopathy. A Hepa air cleaner is another consideration.
Here's to regained immunity very soon!
Prevent The Ebb And Flow Of Stress With My New CD
Remember that your cat can mirror your stress. My CARING FOR YOUR CAT—THE WILBOURN WAY CD will help to relax both you and your cat. Listen with your cat/s for instruction, relaxation and increased good guardian-companion energy. Click on to my site (http://www.thecattherapist.com/caring4yourcat.htm) and order now.
Guardians, Learn to Think Like a Cat!
My cat, Orion, and I were speakers at the NYC Cat Acatemy that was overflowing with feline guardians. It was a fun-filled catmosphere.
The Meow Mix Cat Acatemy has now finished their annual national tour. If you were unable to attend the Acatemy in person, you can learn to think like a cat with cat napping and my other online lessons. Score well on the aptitude test and you can get your online degree. The more you think like a cat, the better your feline relationship will be. You may need a little help from your cat. But won't your cat be proud of your choice in higher education where the tuition is free? Click here (http://www.meowmix.com/acatemy/lessons.htm) to participate in the fun.
Feed Homeless Cats for Free
Find out how you can help feed homeless animals for free with a simple click (http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3).
Oscar the Cat Predicts Death
Oscar is the feline resident at a nursing home in Providence, Rhode Island who seems to have predicted the deaths of 25 of the residents. In case after case, when he has curled up next to someone, it usually means they have less than four hours of life left. I was interviewed about Oscar by NBC-TV.
Read all about Oscar on their site. To watch my video, click here.
TEST YOUR CAT’S APTITUDE
Click on to meowmix.com
CLICK ON TO YOUTUBE TO VIEW A FREE CONSULTATION
GUARDIANS, PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
My cat Orion and I will be making a return appearance on Wednesday, May 14, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at:
The Mid-Manhattan Library
455 Fifth Avenue (at 40 Street)
New York City
Tel: (212) 340-0880
Please come and bring your questions.