March 02, 2008
What's in This Issue:
A quick list of what's in this issue:- Site Updates
- Kitty Crazies
- Kitty Prozac
- Specials
Updates to the site
News and updates:I've been doing a lot of "housekeeping" on FLOC in the last month. If you are subscribed to the RSS feed, you will notice that pages you didn't know existed are popping up. I've been rewriting and cleaning. I'm checking links to make sure things work.
There have been some email issues with my computer (Apple) and Hotmail email service. I've moved my email to Yahoo! for counseling, so if you have the old address from a past issue we've discussed, please use that to let me know you have a new issue. I will move the email to the Yahoo! address and respond from there. I really hope that Yahoo! is not purchased by Microsoft, as I will only be left with gmail as a free email service. Microsoft is trying to "do away" with the Apple computers, but the viruses are so bad with Internet Explorer and Windows, that I was forced into the Apple about a year ago. So, just be aware that the Hotmail address is not actively used for counseling any longer.
I made all the pages on the sitemap live - so you can click on them and you will be taken to that page. The sitemap does not mirror the navigation buttons. There are items that I wanted to link differently, so I did. I will be working as I can to update the navigation to reflect the sitemap. I believe the sitemap is more intuitive.
The e-Book is being re-written. I've taken it down so that it is not available right now. I'm adding a whole lot to it, and there will be a special mailing to all subscribers when it is done with download instructions. I would attach it to the mailing, but that might cause problems. If you lose the email with the download instructions, there will be no information on the website to find it, and you will have to purchase the book, instead. I hope you like the new, expanded, version of the e-Book!
Kitty Crazies
When you get a cat - under a year old - you end up with kitty crazies. There is no way to get around it. It is a stage of development in feline physical and mental growth.PHYSICAL:
The cat is growing at a phenomenal rate - maybe not the same as when it was just weaned (according to our eyes) but it is filling out, becoming sexually mature, developing muscle mass and building bone - just like a kitten. Teeth are coming in, fur colors change during this development, and mental processes are developing, building and firming up.
A lot of cats become actively sexual during this period. If your cat has not been spayed/neutered, now is the time to do that. A male cat spraying around your home is odiferous, and a female in heat every 3 weeks can ruin your sleep. Not to mention that any kittens you end up with will soon be cats and can be hard to find homes for. If you are a professional breeder, you have the litter sold before you even mate your queen, but for most of us, we don't even know about the blessed event until the kittens are popping out.
A cat recently spayed/neutered will still exhibit behaviors related to sexuality, but will no longer be able to reproduce. Given a couple of months, the behaviors disappear. If they do not, the primary tools are herbal remedies that ease discomfort and calm the nervous system.
MENTAL:
This is the time your cat is testing all the boundaries. Sometimes, it is testing us! There will be many new behaviors. Some look like they are extensions of normal kittenish behavior, and that's true to an extent. However, your cat is testing you to see what it can do and what it can't. This is the time in your cat's life that you need to be firm in your training and boundaries. If you definitely do NOT want Scruffy on the counter, you need to make sure that he knows it and does what you say. The word "no" will become a regular one out of your mouth.
You will learn to "read" your cat during this time. You will learn when your cat is getting ready to misbehave, just by the way it looks at you or fails to look at you.
Successful tools to use in training your cat include re-direction and enticements. Punishment will completely backfire on you, and your cat will take any rough play as a norm. An aggressive cat will be the result, so if you have pulled whiskers, toes, tails or fur - STOP now! Do not continue this behavior because your cat will be grown before you know it and may be very dangerous around children because of your training. Instead, use the tickler wand, balls with bells, furry mice and fishing pole toys.
I suggest pulling all catnip and catnip laced toys for the few months your cat is going through this phase. Probably your kitten leading up to this phase was not that interested in catnip anyway. Now, however, it will be either rejected permanently or accepted with gusto! So, I suggest holding it in reserve until your cat reaches a year old. What a birthday for Scruff!
You will understand your cat much better by realizing it is only going through a normal growth phase is common to all adolescents and teens, in both human and feline species.
Kitty Prozac
Many clients come to me when their veterinarian has offered to put the cat on Prozac, Wellburtin, or similar drugs. These are primarily prescribed for OCD behaviors, but can also be used for depression or an uncontrollable cat.While the medications are not "toxic" in the sense that poisons are toxic, they are very expensive and it's hard to wean your cat off them. The behaviors often return as soon as the medication is withdrawn, and there are often new behaviors related to the medication.
If your cat is completely out of control, or exhibiting OCD behaviors, start with herbal remedies instead of chemicals. These ease the fixation. Then, write to me and we will work with your cat to ease the compulsions and therefore ease the need for medications.
March & Easter Specials
 Hudson Pocket Album Small Black Hudson Pocket Album Large Black These are available in red or black. |
|
Severe Flea Care Kit for Cats |
 Bits And Pieces Murder At Bedford Manor Mystery Puzzle |
|
|
FURminator deShedding Tools - Large |
This newsletter is produced for YOU, the reader. Please let me know if you want to see anything in here that hasn't been covered for a while. You can view all the past issues and look deeper into the new information I've found.
You can always write to me about the content in the newsletter.
To tell your friends about CatLover Magazine, forward this newsletter to them and ask them to subscribe.