Questions for Marilyn, the Cat Coach, on Savannah Cat Behavior

[Dantes]

I know this is a bit OT but I just found out that my not quite 2-year old Ragdoll's UTI symptoms (inappropriate urination and high RBC in urine) are caused by stress. He has no infection, no crystals; just an inflamed bladder. He doesn't seem particularly unhappy, although he doesn't really like being petted much, so I just sort of let him do his own thing and let him come to me. Oddly enough, he also doesn't like being alone, either, and must be in the same room as the rest of us, looking pretty, just out of reach. He does love playing with my Savannah, and play-attacks as often as he is play-attacked, so as long as I don't see him being annoyed, I let them alone.

Is there anything else I can be doing to reduce stress for a cat?

 

[The Cat Coach]

I know this is a bit OT but I just found out that my not quite 2-year old Ragdoll's UTI symptoms (inappropriate urination and high RBC in urine) are caused by stress. He has no infection, no crystals; just an inflamed bladder. He doesn't seem particularly unhappy, although he doesn't really like being petted much, so I just sort of let him do his own thing and let him come to me. Oddly enough, he also doesn't like being alone, either, and must be in the same room as the rest of us, looking pretty, just out of reach. He does love playing with my Savannah, and play-attacks as often as he is play-attacked, so as long as I don't see him being annoyed, I let them alone.

Is there anything else I can be doing to reduce stress for a cat?

This isn't off topic at all, in fact very much on topic... I am just about to do a couple of consultations then need to take my senior cat to the vet. I will answer your question later on today.

 

[Oncilla]

This is a problem... can you play with her in the way I discussed and end it with a yummy meal? May help calm her down a little bit.

HI Marilyn,

I think you got your message crossed. You said:

<Marilyn said>
I'm hearing hormones... is there anyway you keep her separated from the girls she's reacting to for a little while?

At the moment I am keeping her in the spare room.

Gary

 

[The Cat Coach]

HI Marilyn,

I think you got your message crossed. You said:

<Marilyn said>
I'm hearing hormones... is there anyway you keep her separated from the girls she's reacting to for a little while?

At the moment I am keeping her in the spare room.

Gary

Gary, Nope... I'm responding to the part where you mentioned that she was tearing up the rug in the bedroom. My suggestion is to play with her in the bedroom, imitating the hunt and then feed her something delicious (she's caught her meal). She will eat, groom and go to sleep. It will take the edge off the stress of being in the bedroom. Also, make sure there's plenty of stuff for her to do that is entertaining for her in the bedroom (ver territory, scratchers, Hyendry toys, cat trees next to secure windows, etc...)

 

[Oncilla]

Gary, Nope... I'm responding to the part where you mentioned that she was tearing up the rug in the bedroom. My suggestion is to play with her in the bedroom, imitating the hunt and then feed her something delicious (she's caught her meal). She will eat, groom and go to sleep. It will take the edge off the stress of being in the bedroom. Also, make sure there's plenty of stuff for her to do that is entertaining for her in the bedroom (ver territory, scratchers, Hyendry toys, cat trees next to secure windows, etc...)

OH OK. You didn'tmention the playing beforeto my post. Thanks

Gary

 

[The Cat Coach]

I know this is a bit OT but I just found out that my not quite 2-year old Ragdoll's UTI symptoms (inappropriate urination and high RBC in urine) are caused by stress. He has no infection, no crystals; just an inflamed bladder. He doesn't seem particularly unhappy, although he doesn't really like being petted much, so I just sort of let him do his own thing and let him come to me. Oddly enough, he also doesn't like being alone, either, and must be in the same room as the rest of us, looking pretty, just out of reach. He does love playing with my Savannah, and play-attacks as often as he is play-attacked, so as long as I don't see him being annoyed, I let them alone.

Is there anything else I can be doing to reduce stress for a cat?

Yes, consistent schedule for play and meals, adding vertical territory, scratchers and interactive toys. Play every day w/him, toss him little treats, clicker train him... never corner him or try to pet him. I'm happy to hear that your vet has identified stress as being the trigger. There have been some recent studies, one that comes to mind was done/written by Tony Buffington. He links FLUTD to stress.

 

[The Cat Coach]

Hey everyone... Please repost your questions that I didn't answer... Now is the time...
Marilyn

 

[Marissa]

Hi Marilyn!

i was debating asking this question because i wasn't quite sure what to ask or if it was a case that he really is just lacking in the intelligence department, but My bengal named Gatti is "not all there" he is also Deaf incase that helps with answering my question.

He goes around our home constantly throughout the day and yowls, like obnoxiously yowls till it sounds like he is either dying or it sounds so un-cat-like. He will sit and stare at the wall and cry and cry until you come and show him you are there. He does this constantly throughout the day and has done it since a kitten. He gets such a scared look in his face. We call it "gatti is lost"

Is this him actually getting "lost" or do you think there is another reason he is doing it. He sounds so distressed when he yowls. Or could it be that its something to do with him being deaf. He is a very down to earth cat, by far the sweetest, most cuddly and loving cat i have ever owned. He in no way has any aggression issues or is skittish with being deaf so i really dont know what to make out of him.

thank you, hopefully you can make sense of this

 

[admin]

Hey everyone... Please repost your questions that I didn't answer... Now is the time...
Marilyn

Marilyn, I will remind everyone that tomorrow is your last day...thanks you again - your interaction with the forum has been invaluable!!! Will put links to your website and book for people to either schedule appts and/or buy your book.

 

[The Cat Coach]

Hi Marilyn!

i was debating asking this question because i wasn't quite sure what to ask or if it was a case that he really is just lacking in the intelligence department, but My bengal named Gatti is "not all there" he is also Deaf incase that helps with answering my question.

He goes around our home constantly throughout the day and yowls, like obnoxiously yowls till it sounds like he is either dying or it sounds so un-cat-like. He will sit and stare at the wall and cry and cry until you come and show him you are there. He does this constantly throughout the day and has done it since a kitten. He gets such a scared look in his face. We call it "gatti is lost"

Is this him actually getting "lost" or do you think there is another reason he is doing it. He sounds so distressed when he yowls. Or could it be that its something to do with him being deaf. He is a very down to earth cat, by far the sweetest, most cuddly and loving cat i have ever owned. He in no way has any aggression issues or is skittish with being deaf so i really dont know what to make out of him.

thank you, hopefully you can make sense of this

Have you talked to your vet about it? Important, always... to make sure there isn't anything medical going on that you are not aware of.

Here are my thoughts: First, have you checked his eye sight? In addition to being deaf, perhaps he is partially or completely blind. Or little Gatti may have some cognitive challenges. Without an evaluation, hard for me to know exactly what is going on with him. Even if he has cognitive issues, and/or other physical issues, clicker training can help. For deaf cats, instead of a clicker use the flash from a pen light as the communication device. If he is both deaf and blind, vibration or a touch will work. You start simple, just with pairing the flash from the flash light with something yummy and go from there. What clicker training will do is focus him on other activities, help him feel connected to his people, mentally stimulate him, increase his confidence. You do not have to teach tricks... even a simple pairing the communication device (flash from light followed by a treat) and target training will help. Here is a link about clicker training which goes into detail: http://www.catchannel.com/media/experts/marilyn-krieger/will-clicker-training-help-my-cat.aspx.pdf My book also has step by step instructions.