Cat Grief

Dear Readers,

Bailey Showing Concern

From time to time, one of my colleagues alerts me to a need that I've yet to address. For this topic, I thank Bailey who is concerned about a cat of her acquaintance who is dealing with the death of his feline companion.

Just like purrsons, each of us grieves differently. Sometimes the disappearance of a fur purrson or a beloved human from our lives seems to make little difference. Some of us go on as if nothing has happened. Other times it is a BIG deal. According to veterinarian Bruce Fogel in his book The Secret Life of Cat Owners, we can take up to six months (or so) before we adapt to the changes that loss brings. Exactly how long it takes and the nature of the process is very individual.

If you are fortunate and your purrson was able to thoughtfully prepare in advance, s/he may bring the body of your companion home after euthanasia. This can be a kindness, for it gives you the change to sniff and explore the physical form of the lost one and recognize that s/he is well and truly gone.

Hissy Cat Becomes the Victim of Fights in Multi-Cat Household: Felice

Dear Greyce,

Raisin, Felice and Schatzi: When Times Were Good

I am a stunning, nine-year-old spayed Sphynx (that's me in the top right corner of the photo) who is terribly insecure and is being picked on by other cats in the household. This can occur at any time of the day or night and in any place in the house!  On Herself's bed. In 'my' room (the spare bedroom). In the kitchen near the food dishes. On the scratching post. On the stairs. You name it, I'm fair game. Both of the other cats have scratched me and I don't have much protection in the way of fur. Believe me, I don't like them being around me! 

A few weeks ago, things escalated. In the middle of the night, Raisin attached me viciously. And now the other cat, Rufus, is back at it, too. 

It got so bad that Herself separated me from the rest of the group - and then felt guilty about that. (I also detest not being on the bed with her at night - because the bed is where everyone else congregates. That meant it could be the scene for fights. Or, if I were separated out, she could hear my incessant cat opera at the indignity of it all. Somehow this doesn't seem to mix well with her need for sleep.)

In the interests of keeping me protected I'm living with a neighbour as an only-cat, until a new plan of action can be developed.

So Greyce, why does everyone pick on me so much especially since I don't ever attack them? Do you think I might just be one of those cats who should be an only-cat? What on earth happened?

Book Review: Playtime for Cats

Purrhaps you are told that you are being a pest, when all you want is some interactive play. You may be tired of hearing your purrsons say that they have better things to do than pull out your favourite fishing-pole toy for a quick game. Or maybe you live with someone who is so unimaginative that s/he can barely dangle the darn thing in front of you and you are bored, bored, bored.

There is hope for you yet!

Reach into your catnip allowance savings and get a copy of Playtime for Cats (Activities and Games for Felines, by Helena Dbaly and Stefanie Sigl).

These authors know cats. Helena Dbaly is based in Switzerland, has worked in cat protection and has bred Burmese. Stefanie Sigl, a companion animal behaviourist, lives in Germany. So it is no surprise that this book is well-written and in sufficient detail to enable your purrson to become competent in feline play and in making (or purchasing) the right kind of toys for you.

What's in it for you? Lots of different kinds of imaginative toys and games suitable for a wide array of felines. And a chance to educate your purrsons about feline play. Believe me, they could use an education if they are anything like Herself.

What's in it for them? Ways to keep you stimulated and occupied many of which do not, I repeat, do not, involve their participation! There are photos and instructions for making and using really worthwhile homemade toys, in addition to those you can purrchase.

Game Box in Prep

My friends Raffiki, Black Berry and Lucky Little Guy started by saving their empty toilet rolls and a shoe box. According to the book, the Game Box (as I call it) gets mounted on a stable chair or table so it is upright. (Read the book to find out how). Your purrson hides treats in some of the cells and your job is to reach in and find them.

Well Lucky couldn't wait. So before if could be mounted, he was reaching in and even wearing a roll like a bracelet as he searched for his treats.

The book begins - as any good book on this subject must - with the rules of play, to educate your folks. And then the treasures are revealed: chapter after chapter contain items on
- the use of scent,
- the lowdown on hunting toys,
- search and unwrapping games,
- how to use water as entertainment,
- ways to bring the outdoors in (for you indoor-only types),
- training,
- obstacle courses,
- acrobatics, and my soon-to-be favourite - 
- strategy boards.

So start saving your used toilet rolls, shoe boxes, bottle caps, beer mats, wrappers from individual tea bags, and cardboard boxes for transforming into really great toys for you.

Black Berry's Egg Box

My colleagues Lucky Little Guy, Raffiki and Black Berry give this book 12 paws up. And that really has to count for something, because Black Berry is polydactyl. And so she cannot really use the Game Box I showed above, because her paws are too big to fit. BUT she loves this box of plastic eggs, within with treats are hidden. She started out simply: just one level of eggs until she got the hang of it. Now she is an accomplished master of many layers of eggs -- all in search of a treat!

Purrs of thanks to all three of them for this refurrence. 
Greyce

Cat No Longer Sprays! Indy Checks In

 Hi Greyce,

Blissed Out on the Deck

As you can see from this stunning photo, I am a very happy guy these days! It's warm enough to go outside, though I still don't like it when anyone comes in my yard (cats, deer, squirrels - you name it). I brought a nice, fat robin - live - into the house for Herself. She didn't appreciate it; but what's a guy to do when Mothers' Day is so close at paw?

Humans! Will we EVER understand them?

I AM behaving myself in the house. I get my medication (Clomicalm) every day and I am so much happier. I do not spray indoors anymore. 

Okay, there was a brief relapse one week when the folks were out of town. I will only take the pill from Himself so my caregiver delivered my medication by transdermal gel rubbed on my ear, instead. It doesn't work as well as my pill.


Thank you for all your help. Themselves thank you, too, for training them how to meet my needs properly.

Yippee! It's Spring!

Best,
Indy

Kitten Scared of Humans: Parker Tries to Fit In

Dear Greyce,

I am having trouble adjusting to my new home. I am afraid . . . very afraid.

I am 15-week-old Burmese male who came (via airplane) to my new home a few weeks ago. When I arrived, Herself took me to a bedroom that she uses as her closet/library, opened my kennel door and left the room. About an hour later, she came in to check on me.

That was too soon for me because I was just coming out of the kennel. So when she opened the door I bolted out and hid. The next day she had to get me out of my hiding spot so we could go to the vet and get my check up. But now I'm getting used to my room. And only my room. While I live in a three-bedroom house, I have not been outside my room because Themselves are afraid that I will hide somewhere else and they will not be able to find me.

I have a well-established routine. Every morning Herself comes in with my wet food; she stays for about 45 minutes. Then she checks on me again just before leaving for work. When I am alone, I have access to dry food via a timed feeder. As soon as she gets home, she brings my second bowl of wet food and stays with me for about 30 to 60 minutes. She returns later and spends another one or two hours sitting on the floor in my room, either watching movies and playing with me. Just before bed, she comes in to say good night.

Himself comes in from time to time and gives me treats. He plays with me, usually later in the night.

I am eating and drinking well. I am brave enough to eat beside Herself's leg when she brings my meal(s).

And I have no problems peeing or pooping. I got a bigger litter box than the one I started out with because I shovel litter on to the floor. I also like to bring my teddy bear and one of my toy in there.

I love being perched on a box on top of the desk so I can look outside. I have a cave bed that I cuddle in, with a towel and my teddy bear.  And toys  . . . lots of toys: jingle balls and mice and an s-shaped track with a ball in it that I hit and chase back and forth. And I like to play with Themselves using anything on a string. My hiding place is under a chair.

So what is the problem? I hiss at my purrsons. And I run away and hide when they move even the littlest bit.  Even though I will eat next to Herself's leg or let Themselves give me treats, I will run away right after that.

Herself  tried to hold me a couple of times, but I resisted and cried until she let me go. Now she is afraid to touch me. In the hope of helping me relax, she installed a Feliway diffuser in my room last week.

It bothers her a great deal because she has had cats before, but never one like me. Can you explain why I behave this way? And what we can do about it?


Fearfully,
Parker