Reviewing "The Cat Whisperer"

You may have seen cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider on television or in popular magazines. I love that cats are finally getting mainstream airtime and enjoyed Jackson Galaxy's book last year, so I recently checked out Nagelschneider's new book "The Cat Whisperer." Unlike Galaxy's memoir, there are no gritty details of drug addiction and the difficulties of holding down jobs and making rent. Whereas Galaxy seems to have a spiritual and deeply empathic connection to felines, Nagelschneider bases all of her findings on science and her rigorous training. If you are new to being a kitty parent or simply want a broader understanding of cat behavior norms, I'd recommend "The Cat Whisperer." Keep in mind that like me, you may be live with a delightfully "different" kitty or two who defy "normal."

Nagelschneider makes great suggestions for setting up your home to maximize feline satisfaction and enrichment, especially if you have multiple cats. Placing tall kitty condos in areas that offer some views, not in windowless corners; offering water in areas away from food (such as the bathroom) since most cats like to drink separate from eating; and maintaining scrupulously clean litter boxes in a variety of spots in the home rather than all in one place are all ideas I encourage as well. She illustrates her points with real life cases and speaks out against declawing with a sad tale from her days as a vet tech. I do however strongly disagree with her suggestion that free feeding is optimal in a multi-cat home because it discourages competition for food. She claims that most cats won't overeat to the point that they become overweight yet in the U.S. 55% of domestic cats ARE overweight and from my experience free feeding dry food because it's convenient and less messy than canned or raw is to blame. Nagelschneider doesn't discuss diet much or point out that changing to a whole foods (usually raw and/ or homemade) diet can make a huge difference in a cat's behavior. I think maintaining a twice a day feeding schedule lets you cat feel secure that he won't get too hungry while allowing time for proper digestion. If you snack all day how can you ever work up an appetite for a healthy meal? Of course senior cats often need small, frequent meals with lots of moisture content. A section, or perhaps an entire second book, on senior kitties would be wonderful since our companions are living longer than ever before.

Nagelschneider discusses clicker training, which I have yet to try but live with two kitties who would be excellent candidates. I can't see how it could work if a cat wasn't food motivated and in my experience probably less than half the kitties I meet are. I've included a link to a Best Friends video on clicker training. Raed is the furry white and black kitty pictured and one of my favorite felines to follow on their blog! As adorable as he is, Raed has had some trouble getting adopted into a permanent home because he dislikes other cats and tends to get overstimulated and swats at people. Clicker training has channeled some of this energy into a positive outlet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_gaxjzYONw

Having you kitty checked out medically is naturally always the first course of action if he or she starts missing the litter box or yowling all night. Again, advancing age accounts for cognitive decline that makes cats confused, and often harder stool and stiffness in the spine and back legs make using the litter box more challenging. Talking to an animal communicator if the vet gives your kitty an all clear may prove insightful. Utilizing alternative wellness techniques such as acupuncture and supplements may also make a difference over time. Just like the film "Best in Show" comically illustrates, your stress level contributes to your companion animal's stress level. Spending time playing, cuddling and napping with your kitty is a good de-stresser for everyone. My take-away regarding "The Cat Whisperer" is that there are lots of good techniques to try if your kitties have some bothersome habits, but keep your expectations under control and remember that your kitty might just be "special." Reframing his habits as endearing and unique to him might be more helpful in the long run, just like you do with the humans in your life. "Cats have taught me much... I really don't think I could ever be completely happy without having them around me. They have always been my truest friends," comments Nagelschneider in the afterword and I totally agree.

Cutest Station Master ever

http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Tama-Station-Master-Extraordinaire402?origin=FK_Trivia_3_5_2013

I love this story about an entire destination spot in Japan devoted to a delightful calico kitty named Tama. She is quite the Kitty Star!

Great White Hero Kitty!

Emily, my Mom's kitty

 

 

I love all kitties of course but white kitties are especially magical to me. Maybe it's the combination of pink ears and nose and usually pale green or blue eyes. Perhaps because totally white kitties are far more unusual than many other color variations such as black, tabby and tuxedo. It's rare to find white cats in feral colonies for obvious reasons; "moggies" (striped tabbies) are the ideal pattern that allows for survival in the outdoor world.

 

Here's a short, heart-warming story about a true hero who happens to be a white kitty. Enjoy!

http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation90.html

Just my cup of tea...

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Trending-The-Creature-Comforts-of-Cat-Cafes361?origin=FK_Trivia_2-14-2013

Hot coffee or tea, a delicious sweet and and a sweet kitty to hang out with - isn't that the best part of your day some days (most days maybe)? Some poor unfortunates can't actually live with a kitty or perhaps like me, they just can't get enough feline affection, so here's the ideal business! If anyone reading this is interested in investing, I'd love to chat about opening a shop just like this. Seriously, call me!

Fabulous Feral Site Shelters

http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/architects-for-animals-gives-shelter-to-feral-cats

Maintaining a feral cat colony (in which all the kitties are sterilized and vaccinated against rabies of course) is so hip that New York City architects are getting their grove on designing housing for these cats! Most colony caretakers I know utilize the old plastic storage tub from Fred Myer with a doorway cut into it with a jigsaw and the sharp edges covered with electrical or duct tape. Straw, wool sweaters or fleece make good insulation. Or they find Styrofoam shipping crates on Craigslist and easily cut doorways into those. Pretty much any box made of waterproof material that you can cut at least one door into (two is ideal if it's large enough) will work. But for caretakers who want to unleash their creativity, here are some cool cat cubby ideas.

Not so feral friendly

You've probably already seen the NY Times article attributing the deaths of over 14 BILLION birds and small mammals in the U.S. every year to  free roaming cats.  The American Bird Conservancy and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have been trying to dissuade the growing number of humane organizations advocating trap/neuter/return (TNR) of cats who are not considered adoptable to the average person seeking a "pet" cat. These cats may be truly feral (never socialized to humans) or simply accustomed to living outdoors due to a course of events in their lives. My point being that they are individuals and do indeed have preferences and agency when allowed. Taking into account that a percentage of cats are cruelly abandoned and would relish the opportunity to become a 100% indoor couch potato again given the chance, plus tiny kittens (preferably 5-6 weeks of age) born outside who can still be socialized and offered a plush indoor life, other cats will only be happy and sane outdoors with minimal human interaction. It's rarely a black and white issue although "scientists" do their best to make it appear so.

News of note that was omitted from the original story is that one of the Smithsonian researchers was actually arrested for poisoning cats outside her work site and apparently also acts as spokesperson for a zoo, which I think speaks volumes about how she objectifies and perpetuates the exploitation of animals. The NY Times piece follows, along with a very impressive follow-up by a cat advocate.

It's heartening to remember that spay/neuter clinics, such as the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project here in Puget Sound, are breaking records every year achieving higher numbers of surgeries performed on both owned and free-roaming kitties, and there's a bill being heard in our state capital this week that would enable more low-cost surgeries for dogs and cats in WA. So people want to work towards a no-kill community; the feral and free-roaming felines just need a little extra help from those of us who "get it."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html?_r=1

http://www.voxfelina.com/2013/02/garbage-in-garbage-out/

One Incredible Journey

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/one-cats-incredible-journey/?ref=todayspaper

Holly, a beautiful calico kitty, was lost almost 200 miles away from home and yet she found her way home. Cats especially are good candidates for microchips since many of them "accidentally" lose their collars until the guardian gives up putting one. I recommend "Beastie Bands" since they are stretchy and soft but even with these some cats will try to get out of them and then be stuck with it around their chest and one arm out. Consider a snug fitting harness while traveling, certainly if you have to take them out of their carriers such as at an airport. Or better yet, hire a wonderful pet sitter so your cat can avoid the hassle and stress!

Being on the road as much as I am I see quite a few dogs loose in moving vehicles or sitting in the driver's or passenger's lap. It is illegal to drive with a dog in the open bed of a pickup truck but there are no companion animal restraint laws similar to laws for babies and children that I am aware of. I have heard of dogs being expelled from cars that are in accidents and either dying at the scene or being lost. Think about it - how would your dog (or cat, although I know anyone reading this is far too intelligent to let kitty ride loose in the car) survive being thrown around a vehicle if you were hit or simply had to slam on your brakes to avoid an accident? Every pet supply store sell restraints sized for individual dogs that attach to the car's seat belts or for small dogs, a carrier could be secured in the back seat. Many of us think of our animals as our "kids" but it would be unconscionable in this day and age for any parent to let their human child stand up in the back seat while the car was moving. (It was different back in the 1950s when my sister had her front teeth knocked out when mom had to hit the brakes hard.)

I will end this post on a positive note: I just today heard the happy ending to a lost dog story I was following. A senior dog was lost when his also senior guardian was rear-ended while driving his dogs to the vet in Kirkland. Paramedics had to access the car to get the man out, resulting in both dogs fleeing from the car. One dog was immediately caught but the other poor girl was lost for 11 days! Fortunately volunteers posted fliers throughout the surrounding neighborhoods and a kind person who had the dog in the backyard and had been feeding her saw the fliers. Yeah!