Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - November 10th thru 16th, Feline Behaviorist Marilyn Krieger [ ]

This month we have the pleasure of hosting a forum about our feisty felines. Marilyn Krieger will be here to answer your many questions regarding our crazy kitties and how to work with a kitty who may have as we would like to politely call it...issues. So please join me in welcoming Marilyn and take advantage of her expertise by bringing her your many many questions.

Marilyn Krieger, a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, owner of The Cat Coach, LLC(www.thecatcoach.com) offers both on-site and phone consultations for all breeds of cats. Her weekly cat behavior column can be read on CatChannel.com. Additionally, Marilyn writes the monthly cat behavior column (starting January '09) for Cat Fancy Magazine. Marilyn has also written for Catnip magazine, the Tufts University publication as well as other publications.
Marilyn and The Cat Coach, LLC have received attention in such prominent media outlets as USA Today, MSNBC, San Francisco Chronicle and others. She frequently guests on television and radio programs, providing valuable tips and insight on how to improve cat behavior.
Marilyn both sits on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and is co-chair of the Cat Division.
To find out more about Marilyn please check her site out: The Cat Coach, LLC. ( www.thecatcoach.com ).

Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: Welcome!

I just want to take a moment to welcome everyone, especially Ms. Krieger to this moderated forum. Starting Monday November 10th bring your love of cats and your many questions for a week of feline learning. I know I will have a few questions of my very own!

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:57 am Post subject:

Butch is a purebred (neutered) Manx foster failure. He was an owner surrender in Aug. 2007. A month later he was still there, didn’t show well, & had URI. He was 18 months at surrender & the reason was listed as “doesn’t get along with other kitten.” He is huge for a Manx - too tall, long, heavy for the breed. He & our resident cats had a long slow intro after he recovered from the URI.

Fast forward - 90% of the time he ignores our other 3 cats & it’s mutual. He never bothers the Queen. He sometimes plays with my Maine Coon mix - a large male. He sometimes terrorizes my other female who is rather small. He often reaches out & swats at people as they pass him. He sometimes jumps on my female & bites the back of her neck (looks almost like a mating behavior). The only ones he plays well with are the dogs.

I would like to find some way for him to get along with my small female and stop smacking people. It’s not aggressive but he’s going to end up with an at-home declaw at this rate. He’s gotten claws caught in clothing without the people knowing it. He just doesn’t seem to know how to communicate with people or cats.

Thanks - and Princess thanks you too. She's fed up with him.

Marilyn's Answer:
I am assuming that he doesn't have cryptorchism, and is a completed neutered boy.

I would start by insuring there are plenty of tall cat trees that Butch can use to show his status in the hierarchy. The taller the better, the more shelves the better. They need to be located in different areas of the house. This is a better way of showing status then neck biting. You may also want to consider getting a safe collar for him and hanging a bell from it so that all of the cats are aware of his location.

As far as people swatting is concerned, I don't know if Butch is swatting to play or for attention or if there is something else going on. One thing to try is to have scheduled and consistent play times with him. Make sure you never use your hands or a glove toy to play with him, instead use a fishing pole toy. When he does swat, immediately turn your back to him, not interacting with him at all. If this is a status issue, then the recommendations would be different. Without more information, it's a little difficult for me to make solid recommendations.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

I have two cats that have lived together for the past 4 1/2 yrs. Unfortunately all of a sudden they have decided they hate each other. They are both altered males, they never were best buds but never fought...now its like Ultimate Kitty Fight Championships. Its been the last two or three weeks, there have not been any changes to the home...environment etc...Is there any way to encourage a peace treaty? They are each fine with the other cats, just not one another. Thanks!
Petadmin

Marilyn's Answer

This sounds like redirected aggression. Redirected aggression happens when something agitates a cat and the cat doesn't have access to the source of the agitation. So... they turn to the nearest cat, dog or human and vent their frustration and anger on them. The original source of agitation might have been an outside cat wandering by the window or a dog or who knows what... the cats now have developed a negative association with each other, and that needs to be turned around.

Even though it's been a few weeks since the initial incident, it's important to separate the cats from each other and reintroduce them to each other. The goal is to change the aggressive and angry associations they have now with each other to something positive and fun. While the cats are separated from each other, engage them in fun activities... such as feeding them at the same time on both sides of the closed door, pheromone exchanges (petting the cheeks of both cats with clean socks and then putting the other's sock in the other cat's area), encouraging them to play with each other under the door with a double ended toy. It could take a few weeks until they are buddies again... the secret is to take it slow and one step at a time.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: Over Night mess

Hi Marilyn, I have a few bengals in my home. Laughing

Every other morning I find that one of them has pooped on a rug or the floor during the night. Sad

It looks formed fine - not sick. I clean the boxes each evening before I go to bed - What is one of them telling me??
Thanks for your info

Marilyn's Answer
Hi PJ,
Your Bengal might not like the box locations or may feel he doesn't have enough choices or he might not like the boxes. Check the boxes you are using. I don't recommend regular cat boxes, they are too small. I do recommend the large 66 qt. Sterilite Clearview storage containers instead. Cats can see through the sides and since they are not covered, can jump out at the sign of any potential threat. The locations are important as well. Cat boxes should not be located in areas cats can feel trapped such as bathrooms and closets. Also, it's important that you have one box per cat and one for the household. ... and they should not all be located in the same room. Make sure they are located throughout the house.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

Hello, I have a senior cat 15yo. (I own this one, a 16 yo and a 14 month old) She has been ripping her hair out till she bleeds. After she rips her hair out, she will sleep in her litter box all day, even though we have a nice bed for her. We use clumping litter and this turns into a mess on her skin. We have gotten another cat in the house this past month ( a foster cat)but that cat has been on the other side of the house and not introduced to her. This older cat stays in a back room a good portion of the day; She doesn’t get much exercise, because she is so arthritic. she was a feral kitten when we got her. She has ALWAYS had a licking problem but never this bad. I have tried giving over-the-counter cat relaxers but she refuses to eat her food then (I sprinkle it on her food) I really don’t know what I can do for her at this point. I have no intention at all of going the “PTS” route. Could anything else be done for her? Thank you for your time.

Marylin's Answer
First it's very important that you have your senior kitty checked out by a vet. She may have allergies to either food or the environment, also she may be in pain because of the arthritis. Your vet can help determine if it is an allergy, also can prescribe medication to help with the arthritis.

I don't recommend that you introduce her to the foster cat. I do recommend that you provide her a rich environment and that you put her on a schedule. If she likes to be gently groomed, then groom her every day at the same time. If she likes to sit in your lap, have regular lap sessions with her. If she has a favorite treat, then give her treats at the same time every day. Also because of her arthritis, make it easy for her to climb up on furniture. Provide her kitty steps, etc. She would probably appreciate a perch next to a window so that she can watch the passing birds and other activities.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:13 am Post subject:

Hi Marilyn, Fist let me start off by saying what fan I am of your articles and I'm loving your new blog too! Thank you.
My problem(s) is this... Up until this past June, I've had a bengal mix female, she's not the more personable cat, but she's always loved me and wants nothing to do with my husband. In June we brought home what I thought was a playmate for her, a F4 female Bengal. I did all the proper introduction steps, used all the products to help calm the situation and it did help. My problem now is the Bengal Mix (2 1/2 yrs. old) is not involved with her normal activities like she use to, and my new Bengal (8 months) will not stop running onto her and biting her neck. My F4 is very playful and sweet as can be with us. She's been very dominant since she walked in the door in June. I just want them to get along and be little cuddle buddies like the other Bengals. They can't play together, because the F4 will take over and kick my Bengal Mix out of the picture. I just feel so sorry for my Bengal Mix because she's constantly being harassed and can't even sleep sometimes because she's pounced on and bitten on the neck by the F4. Da'Bird use to be my Bengal Mix favorite thing in the world, now she can't even play with us because the F4 is so dominating and won't allow her to play. I just want them to get along! Both cats have been fixed too.
What do I do Marilyn?

Marilyn's Answer

Thank you for reading my columns and my blog. I'm glad you like them.

First of all make sure you have plenty of tall cat trees throughout your house. They need to be at least 6 feet tall with plenty of shelves. Also, have consistent play sessions with both cats, but separate the older cat from the youngster during the older cats play sessions. Also, provide your older cat with lots of one on one attention, separated (in another room) from the youngster.

Additionally, your new youngster probably has a much higher energy level then your Bengal mix. Bengals are extremely active, and when they are kittens and adolescents, their need to play and their energy levels far exceed most other older cats. so... make sure you provide plenty of other outlets for the youngster. Play with the youngster using fishing pole toys (don't leave them out when you're not there to supervise), provide interactive toys such as puzzle boxes and Turbo Scratchers. Treasure hunts are always a hit with the cat set. Hide treats and dry food around the house for the cats. Hide the treats in the cat trees, in the puzzle boxes, in the Turbo Scratchers, etc. Be creative!

Your two girls may never be buddies, but hopefully they will at least be able to coexist peacefully with each other.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:14 am Post subject: Skittish Kittens

Posting for a member:

Mikki
Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Total posts: 1
Gender: Unknown Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:58 am
Post subject:

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I rescued a litter of four kittens and their Mom when the kittens were just 3 days old in August 2007. I’ve had these kittens their entire life and two of them are very skittish. The other two are well socialized and enjoy human contact. The two skittish kittens are now 15 months old (both are spayed) but they still haven’t warmed up to me. They have never been abused in any way and I don’t understand why they are as skittish as they are. I would like to know what I can do to tame them or will they always be this way?

They each run away from me and if I am able to touch them I can feel their body become tense. I don’t force myself on them other than to trim their nails which isn’t very often because I don’t want to stress them. Other than nail trimming, I give them whatever space they feel they need from me. They will come running to me when I get their wand toy out to play but I still cannot touch them. Any movement on my part will send them running. Mom cat and my other 3 cats are all very friendly and they all get along with each other and enjoy playing with each other. I believe the two kittens are comfortable in their surroundings – they romp around and charge thru the house like a herd of cattle. I have two dogs and the kittens are friendly toward the dogs and will try to rub against them. The dogs are trained to not interact with the cats and I am confident that they follow their training.

One of the kittens will allow me to pet her if she is up on my bed or if she is down in the basement. She will follow me to the basement and meow and we talk back and forth for a while. After a minute or so, she will jump up on the washer and roll over purring. It is as if she really wants the interaction with me but her fear prevents her from doing so.

When they first came to my home, I kept them in the basement family room and kept them isolated from the other cats and my dogs until they were about 12 weeks old. I visited with them twice daily to feed them, play (sometimes for several hours), and socialize them. However, my efforts to socialize somehow went awry with two of the kittens. My initial plan was to find homes for them but because of their lack of socialization, I cannot place them. So, they have become my kitties. I have no problem with keeping them but I would like them to feel more comfortable when they are around people.

Thanks so much for any help you can give to me.

Mikki

Posted Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:05 am:

Marilyn's Answer

Food is your friend. Every time you are anywhere near the kittens, toss them something yummy. You want the kittens to see you as the provider of everything good and delicious. Depending on the situation, sit near them and read a book, occasionally tossing them a delicious treat. Over time, decrease the distance between you and the kittens. Take it at the cat's pace and don't force the cats or try to pick them up. They need to proceed according to their own safety zones.

The way to formally greet a cat is by putting one finger out towards them, at nose level. The cat needs to come to you and touch your finger with her nose.

Clicker training is an effective tool to use for socializing skittish and shy cats. Clicker training uses a device that makes the same noise everything it's clicked, and is paired with a motivator, something the cat loves, usually food.

Clicker training is a bit to complex to go through in this forum. You can find more about it in Cat Fancy Magazine and on catchannel.com and you can also google "clicker training & cats" to find out more information.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:57 am Post subject: Brushing Persian Cat

Posting for another member:
ety1967
Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Total posts: 1
Gender: Unknown Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:20 pm
Post subject: problem brushing persian

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Hi ,
> I need help with my Persian female cat. We rescue her in January
2007 and since than she is with us and we love her so much but she
hates to get brushed and picked up. She is 6-7 yars old and the Vet
hospital be adopted her from said they found her in the garbage bin.
She may have been abused before I do not know but is imposible to be
held and I cannot even think of brushing her belly . She is warming
up with us but not with the spped I was hoping for. If any one know
how to help me please advise.

Marilyn's Answer
With patience and counter conditioning and desensitization.
Start by letting her smell the brush and rewarding her either with tiny bits of food and affection. Then touch her with the brush, when she is displaying no anxiety or displeasure with a simple touch of the brush, reward her with tiny treats and affection. Then stroke her once, once only. Again, reward her with tiny treats and affection when she is displaying no anxiety or displeasure. It builds from there... gradually. If she starts getting anxious, stop, you're moving too fast. Have another session later in the day and start from the place where she was OK. You need to let the cat set the pace.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Hi Marilyn,

My problem child is a 4.5 year old neutered male purebred Maine Coon. I have two questions that I need to ask, if you don't mind. He is not what you would call a friendly boy. I'm the only one who can pick him up or pet him. Anyone else he will bite and actively attack--not a retreating attack, but an aggressive forward assault including chasing that person until he/she leaves the room. This is a huge problem when he goes to the vet. They have to "box" him (put his carrier with him in it inside a plastic bag and anesthetize him in order to remove him from the carrier). This costs about $100.00 extra in the exam room AND he is never awake for exams. This was a recent problem because he was injured and the vets needed to see him move to accurately assess the injury. What can I do about his extreme aggressiveness to anyone other than me?

Second problem relates to his injury. He has a torn ACL that I'm waiting on an appointment with an ortho to fix. This injury occurred as he was being chased by my 150lb mastiff through a cat door. The dog and cat are friendly towards each other and the cat entices/baits the dog for these games of chase. As you can imagine, the dog ran into the cat as the cat was midway through the door and the resulting injury is the cat's torn ACL. Any advice on discouraging this type of play?

Thanks so much!

Marilyn's Answer
This is a process, more then I can answer on the forum, but here's how to start:
First find someone who is willing to help you. Your friend should come over every day. Make sure he's armed with your Maine Coon's favorite treat. he shouldn't approach the cat, should sit a distance away and toss small treats in the cat's direction every time he comes over. He should be sitting when he does this. Also, he should not look directly at the cat, should be very relaxed... After awhile, the MC will start to associate your friend with food. With time, depending on the cat's response to the food toss, your friend can decrease the distance between the cat and him by throwing the food a little closer. Your friend should never make any attempt to pick, up or try to pet the MC. This is the beginning... it would take me about 10 pages to describe the next steps... but this gives you an idea of a way to approach the aggression. Clicker training is another great tool to use for these types of problems.

Personally, I would only allow the dog and cat together when you can supervise the interactions. Also, make sure that there is plenty of areas the cat can go that the dog can't... in other words, tall cat trees, window perches, places inaccessible to the dog. You also need to train the dog to not chase the cat. Dog should know the meaning of "leave it", even when the cat is teasing the dog.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC
www.thecatcoach.com

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