September 01, 2007
Well, Let's try this again, shall we? The automatic system (razza frazza shooma) sent the ezine issue before it was ready to go out. Sorry about that.
What's in This Issue:
Whose House Is It, Anyway? When kitty takes over the house, we often have a situation when people are unhappy and things don't work so well. Sometimes, kitty is just used to being in charge and won't give the people credit for having brains. In other cases, kitty might be justified. Look at your treatment of kitty and see how you promote kitty's belief that she is in charge of things.Scoop-n-Smooch is such a valuable technique, that I'm including it again this month.
Page updates and changes: I've dropped a troublesome supplier, so most of the product pages are in the middle of a major re-do. If the page is not completed it has been de-listed. It's still there, and maybe you will be able to find the item - or not. That's why I dropped them. As the products are replaced, the pages will be added back to the Cat Marketplace. The links have been removed from the marketplace, but the rest of the information is still there. When you click on a product link, you may get a "page error 404" or you may get the page you want. You should get redirected to their homepage, but that is very frustrating. This is the third time they've pulled products or redesigned in three years and since I had so many of their links, it's been very work-intensive at inconvenient times. At least this time they gave me notice. I decided to diversify and add more suppliers, and give you a more varied offering, instead. The process of feedback becomes very important in this case. Please use the testimonial form and let me know how your shopping experience worked out. Any difficult suppliers will be dropped.
Story Submissions have a new form right now. I'd like some stories to come in so that I can evaluate the process. The new form also allows other readers to vote and comment.
Contests: It has been suggested that due to popularity of the "Pretty Kitty Contest" perhaps another contest is due - "Cutiepie," "Naughty Kitty," "Cat Napper," "Counter Kitty, "Kitty at 12:00 High," "Cats in Trouble," "Angry Kitty," and others might be ideas. I'm unsure of which to do first. Also, I can't really afford to pay prizes each month. So, I'll be looking for prize donations and please send me your feedback on which to do first. I like holding the contests and seeing the pictures. Voting will be fair. The "star system" will be used and an email address will be required for each vote.
Whose House is it Anyway?
What can you do when kitty runs the house? I mean, tells you when to sleep, eat and where to sit? Whether you can sleep when you need to, if you are going to be able to eat without a paw in your plate... It can get much worse than this.We often allow our cats to run the house. We want our cats to be happy, and forget that we are the dominant, or alpha, in our homes. By allowing kitty to become dominant, we actually train them that this behavior is acceptable. And being a natural predator - up there on the food chain - they accept our submissive behavior as their due. The feline genetic pool includes the Lion, king of the savannah; and the Tiger, a powerful, stealthy hunter. By submitting to our domestic felines, we are augmenting that dominant behavior that is always present in their genetic makeup.
There is a fine line between respect and submission with a cat. We need to be sure that our large size doesn't threaten our cat. We comment and apologize if we step into or on our feline friend. We talk to them when we change routine and tell them we are going to bed. Sometimes, kitty wants cuddles in bed - but what if kitty won't let us sleep? Other times, kitty won't let us eat because we've trained her to expect our food by giving table scraps. Let's take these items one at a time.
Respect or submission? Well, respect means you treat your cat as a living, breathing, thinking and feeling being. Submission means you put Fluffy's needs ahead of your own. Now, I'll be first to admit that my cats often eat better than I do - that is because they have a fixed diet and I eat what ever is in front of me (much as they do) and often refuse to cook (too hot/cold). Be that as it may, my cats know that when I need to get up, they need to move. They know that if I'm trying to work on the computer, they might get a scratch or 2, but forget trying to be center of attention - although sometimes when I'm not quite awake, Beasley may get on my lap and try to help me type. However, my cats know me as "Great God of Food Giving and Litter Box Cleaning" so they respect me.
What about sleep? Well, if kitty isn't letting you sleep, there might be a problem. Let's explore a little bit and if you still have a problem, contact the Cat Whisperer. Looking at the basic cat comfort, we see that cats like to sleep with us. We are warm sleeping surfaces, and unless you run a race during the night, or are otherwise restless, kitty can sleep safely and soundly next to us. Cats often get non-threatening cuddles in bed. You are prone, or laying down, so not as threatening and large. As a matter of fact, you look up to see kitty's face! That makes kitty feel very superior and safe.
Cuddles at bedtime are fine, but if it becomes demanding beyond reason - like kitty waking you up every 5-10 minutes or not letting you sleep at all, then there's a problem. Sometimes, Beasley will meow and play long into the night and I end up having to close kitties out of the bedroom. Some may get locked in with me (good thing there's a litter box!) and sleep soundly. Those locked in feel special and snuggle nicely then allow me to sleep.
When I was younger, I had at one time 17 cats. Yes, I know, way too many. I was not in control of what was going on in my life at the time because of other stuff going on - stuff we won't discuss here. Anyway, there were so many cats that controlling them and giving each cat enough love and food was difficult. As a result, it was difficult to eat without sharing with the cats. I realized early on that the cats only did this because we gave them scraps from our plates after we finished. The cats were impatient! So, stopping all table scraps helped a lot. Some of the more insistent cats had to be closed up in another room, and when they learned not to beg, they were allowed out during meal times.
Counters and tables are favorite places for cats. We feel that them being on these surfaces is not sanitary or dangerous, so don't like it. Cats are looking for a high spot from which to look down on the world. Often, if a cat can get to an even higher spot, they will. Many cats will get to the top of the china hutch or top shelf on the bookshelf. From there, they will look down on the world with security. Jaguars do their hunting from trees over the path, so is this behavior so very unexpected? Provide a tall cat tree if you have room. There are many to choose from or your can design your own. Contact Burt Elias for that. The reasonable price will surprise you!
Training Tools
OK, so your kitty is exhibiting some of the same behaviors that are listed in the article. What do you want to do about it? I suggest first letting your cat know that you love her and hold her in great esteem. This includes the "scoop-n-smooch" technique to show your esteem. It includes some gentle discipline and treats for behavior modification. And remember always to talk to your cat! If you can't sleep for the demands, then a carrier or cage is helpful. To protect furniture from the cat hair, there are some throws you can use, and claws need to be trimmed or you can use scratching deterrents. Counters work well with the scat-mat products.
Sticky Paws | Control cat scratching behavior humanely. Sticky Paws are transparent adhesive strips that easily apply directly to furniture, carpets, fabrics, stereo speakers, rugs, drapes, counter tops and anywhere else cats should not be. These strips effectively stop cats from scratching furniture and other household items. Sticky Paws strips are water-soluble so they wont harm cats or furniture and wont leave a sticky residue when removed. |
Kennels and Cages are on this page - I didn't want to choose one for you because you know what size you need. |
 Scat Mat | The Scat Mat will help keep your cat off the counter. This is the manufacturer/international supplier. I hope you like working with them. |
Scoop-n-Smooch
When ever you come in from outside - whether for 5 minutes getting the mail or a week from a vacation - pick up your cat. Hold it close like a baby. Kiss the top of the head and cheeks. Stroke if you can safely do so around the ears. Then GENTLY place your cat on the floor by your feet. NEVER let your cat jump down. Control it at all times.
Once you begin this technique - you MUST do it every time you come in. Consistency is key, here. Even though your cat struggles, it secretly likes this special treatment. Your cat will actually pout if you forget! Treats are not needed. And if you forget, there is little you can do to "make up" but walk outside and come in - then give the treatment. Kitties are such sensitive critters!
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