Aloha For Me... Alone Time for Her

By Daniel Quagliozzi

All of us deserve a vacation once and a while. Just some time to get away and go somewhere else, without a care in the world. But, as a cat guardian, it's often very hard to step away from our homes for more then a few days without calling in reinforcements to take care of our furry friends, while we bask in the sun or hike a mountain trail, miles away from home.

I am extremely fortunate to have friends and colleagues at the SF/SPCA that are available to look after my senior cat, Matilda. In her golden years, Matilda is not the kind of cat that you can just put out a fresh bowl of food and water and leave. She requires a savvy cat sitter who knows her well and can tell if she's feeling a little wonky. With cognitive dysfunctions, spinal arthritis, intermittent vomiting, low appetite and the need for subcutaneous fluids every few days, Matilda is quite the challenge to care for. Again, I am extremely lucky to have a great cat sitter that not only gives her love and attention, but was kind enough to document each day with pictures!

World's Best Cat Sitter : Donna watches over my broken down cat Matilda

If your cat is lower maintenance, the best thing to do for long absenses is to ask friends or hire a pet sitter to check in – to feed and provide fresh water, clean the litterbox, and groom your cat at least once a day. Ask them to engage in some interactive playtime with your cat. It will provide exercise and mental stimulation, and the exercise can reduce stress. Someone who is familiar with your cat is ideal.

If you are going away for more than 2 weeks, it is best to have someone who can spend the night at least a few times a week while you are away.

When hiring a cat-sitter:

• Get references from friends, your vet, or local animal rescue.
  



• You may prefer to use a pet-sitter who is bonded and insured, and they should offer you references if requested.
  



• Ideally, have the pet-sitter meet your cat before you hire them, to see how they interact with your cat.
  



• Make reservations early, as pet-sitters can get booked up quickly, especially during holidays.
  



• Leave carefully written instructions for the sitter about where food, litter and medications are located. Also note your cat’s preferences for grooming, treats, affection and interactive play.
  



• Buy extra supplies in case your travel plans change.
  



• Make sure your cat has an ID tag and microchip. Have current photos available in case she gets lost while you are gone.
  



• Have a friend who has a back up set of keys and is willing to be an emergency contact.
  Make sure the pet sitter has your contact information for the duration of your travels.
  



• Have a written letter authorizing the pet sitter to approve emergency veterinary care in your absence.
  


• A written contract outlining fees, method of payment, and the terms of the services offered (amount of time spent with pet, time of day they will visit, other services they will provide such as checking mail or watering plants) is recommended

Boarding

Sometimes there is no choice but to board your cat. Boarding can be stressful, as your cat will be out of their familiar territory, surrounded by strange people, noises, and smells. If you must board your cat:

• Call ahead of time; kennels book up quickly during holidays.
  Many vet offices and animal hospitals also do boarding.
  



• Visit the kennel before committing.
  Many kennels require proof of up-to-date vaccinations, so inquire ahead of time about what shots your cat might need.
  



• It’s best to bring along familiar items for your cat – bedding, something with your scent, toys and whatever food they currently eat. Also bring along any medications your cat needs.
  



• Give the kennel detailed information about your cat’s preferences and needs, as well as your contact information.
  
  

If your cat is staying at someone else’s house…

Although not ideal, sometimes you have to take kitty to another home to stay. A “safe room” should be provided for your cat – away from noise and other animals. Some cats will need to stay in one room for the duration of the visit, depending on how outgoing (or shy) your cat is and how comfortable they are with strangers, other animals, and new environments. Security is a big issue, so make sure there is no chance for your cat to escape (through open windows, cat doors or other doors left open) – if she does she will be lost and far from home.

It's a Matter of Felin-ality

This is the final article written by Barbara Kohn in this week’s three-part series about special programs at The San Francisco SPCA (The SF/SPCA) for cats, featured on www.examiner.com.


Looking to adopt a new cat? If you prefer a cat with a feisty or spunky personality that is vocal, consider a tortoiseshell. Maybe you are better suited to a mellow feline companion. If so, an orange tabby might be a good fit. These, of course, are just generalizations about the various cat breeds and there are many exceptions. Furthermore, every cat, especially an older one, has a history that has influenced its temperament and behavior. But since cats, like people, are not all the same, the odds of a successful, mutually satisfying adoption are better when you match your needs and preferences to the behavior and personality of the cat you add to your home.

The SF/SPCA wants to make sure that you and your new feline companion stay together for a long time, so about a year ago implemented a very unique program called ‘Meet Your Match' developed by the ASPCA, Meet Your Match helps adopters to get a better understanding of each cat and an expectation of how it will fit into a new household.

Daniel Quagliozzi, cat behaviorist at The SF/SPCA, explained that the shelter previously focused only on a cat’s behavior when it arrived at the shelter and did not factor in its personality. Now they do both.

“The first days at the shelter are often extremely stressful for a cat, so an initial assessment might not give you a true picture of the cat’s real personality or how it will adapt to a certain household,” Quagliozzi said. “Meet Your Match attempts to get a more accurate reading of each cat that we place for adoption.”

A few days after a cat arrives at The SF/SPCA, cat behaviorists with the help of volunteers give it a 15-minute assessment to determine how social it is and how well it adapts to new situations and people. Behaviorists put the cat through its paces, timing its cat-to-human approach, grading its reaction to petting and a variety of other tests — including hugging and tail tugging – and how much it interacts during a five-minute period.

Based on the observations and interaction, the shelter assigns each cat one of nine felin-alities, ranging from the independent and cautious ‘Secret Admirer’ to the gregarious and valiant ‘Leader of the Band.’

“Most cats grade out as 'Sidekicks,' a middle-of-the road cat who is social and affectionate and deals fairly well with new situations and enjoys plays,” Quagliozzi said. He also pointed out that a cat’s felin-ality generally begins at about nine months of age.

Each potential cat adopter also takes a survey, which asks questions about the household environment and expectations about interacting with an adopted cat, such as is it important that the cat likes being held or will it need to get on with children or other animals and more.





The San Francisco SPCA would like to thank Barbara Kohn of www.examiner.com for devoting the week to our shelter, especially with the dissapearance of our blind kitten Jack Daniels. Be sure to read her cat column every day!

KITTENS?....I GOT YOUR KITTENS RIGHT HERE!!!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

One persons burden can easily be another persons blessing. A day does not go by that I am not reminded of the gravity of the situation happening at the SF/SPCA. Summer is officially here, although you wouldn't know it if you lived in San Francisco, as our weather has been quite foggy and a little bit humid this month. However...if you work with shelter animals in any capacity, summer has nothing to do with weather. Summer is just another word for "Kitten Season".

Daniel Quagliozzi marvels at the overwhelming number of kittens.

We brace for the summer months every year. It's not like it takes us by surprise or something. The thing is, you can never truly anticipate just how many kittens are going to invade your shelter and this year posed a very unique threat....The Economy!!! Sure, blame the economy right? Everyone is pinning their woes on the economy these days. Lets face it, people are tightening their wallets and being very mindful of their money. Parallel with poverty, people are also losing their homes and subsequently their companion animals as a result. You put the two together and what do you get? A shelter filled to rafters with cats!!

Here at the SF/SPCA we are compensating for the kitten storm in very inventive ways. Aside from being really creative about housing the cats (3 or 4 to a room and rolling kitten cages into our lobby) we are also hosting an Adoption Fair on June 20th, reducing our fees to help out our adopters ( Fees on Adult cats over 6 are WAIVED!!) and we are even having a party called "CATNIP" on June 25th.

Please spread the word about the state of affairs here at the SF/SPCA. Open your heart and your home this summer. Skip the BBQ's and chew on some food for thought instead. These little guys don't want to spend the next few months sitting in a kennel. They would much rather go home with you.

Click here to see over 130+ AMAZING SUMMER LOVERS

BONDED PAIRS: A San Francisco Tradition!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe ALL feline bonded pairs should be recognized equally, whether they are one male and one female, two males, two females or even one cat and one dog. Bonded pairs are twice the fun, easier to keep happy through life's unpredictable transitions and let's not forget double the love!

What is a "bonded pair"?

Due to unforeseen circumstances, cats that have lived together for many years are displaced and surrendered to animal shelters, where they are forced to adjust to sudden changes and find a new home. At least they still have each other, right?

Simply put, two cats that will be incomplete without each other are a bonded pair. In some cases, they are un-adoptable on their own. The pain of being alone makes their behavior regress and their life condition take a turn for the worse. Illness, depression and lack of socialization will soon take over, leaving no inkling of the cats they once were together.

In many shelters across the country, keeping two cats together is unrealistic, due to space and time constraints. At The SF/SPCA, our adoption staff will not separate a bonded pair for a quick or convenient housing solution. Our experience has taught us that separating a bonded pair is, quite simply, inhumane. Instead, we do everything in our power to place these animals in a loving home where their bond is respected and where their love (and the human-animal bond) will flourish.

It’s not always easy or cost effective to respect a bonded pair. We accept that we might be criticized for our adoption policy. But this is San Francisco. And if we don’t lead the way, who will?

THE AMAZING BONDED PAIRS OF THE SF/SPCA

Sugarfoot & Gus

Like many victims of the poor economy, Sugarfoot & Gus lost their home and were estranged from the people they learned to love together. They wound up at San Francisco Animal Care & Control where they would wait for placement into the SF/SPCA Adoption Program. Shyness, loss of appetite and extreme fear had seemingly taken over for them. With the assistance of our volunteers, staff and Cat Behavior Team; Sugarfoot & Gus baby stepped their way back to the affectionate and quirky couple they once were. They are still looking for a happy ending to this story. Add two more reasons to wake up in the morning to your daily routine.

PUFF DADDY & NORMAN

Defying all odds, Puff Daddy & Norman did not come in to the SF/SPCA as buddies. Instead, they found their precious bond through a life threatening disease called FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Although FIV cats are compromised and may live shorter lives, it does not change the ties that bond two animals together. It's our job as humans to keep these cats indoors and smothered with love and proper medical attention in order to give them the quality of life that they will need to carry on. The SF/SPCA will pair off cats with FIV to help make room for even more cats that need our attention. Luckily, these two cats, bonded by blood... got along famously!

Puff Daddy gets his very appropriate name because like most "Tom Cats" he came in to shelter life from a prior life outdoors. His male pheromones inflated his cheeks, making his head sort of look like a triangle. Thankfully, it has since deflated. Puff Daddy's charm, zest for play and commitment to his buddy Norman make him a solid addition to a home that wants to watch a zany comedy unfold each day.

Norman is no slouch either. He demands attention from people and will sort of compete with Puff Daddy when it comes to being the center of attention. In the very first picture, you can see Puffy sneering at Norman after a quick argument about lunch. They get over it real fast and will soon be affectionately cleaning each other in the picture window. Norman prefers to go first, of course and won't waste his time unless he has an audience.

The San Francsico SPCA takes great pride in keeping bonded pairs together. Support this great cause by inviting a twosome into your home. Your life will change. I promise you.

If you would like more information about:

Sugarfoot (A7078656) & Gus (A7078619)

Puff Daddy (A7343894) & Norman (A7279115)

Call our Adoption Center at 415-522-3500 and ask for more details about these incredible pairs.

Velcro Kitties: Pointers for 9 to 5 guardians and their over-attached cats

By Daniel Quagliozzi

For those of us lucky enough to be working these days, a nine to five gig is a blessing, but for our housebound feline room mates, this time of the day can be downright traumatic. The consequence of forming a tight and routine bond with our animals can often be displayed as anxiety when we leave the inner sanctum and decide to leave for the day.

Cats are solitary by nature. They can get along just fine without the company of another cat, although there are many exceptions to the rule. While maintaining a life of independence, they tend to bond strongly with their human caretakers, even when they are paired off. After all, we are EVERYTHING to them! Humans are the providers of love, conversation, physical comfort, food, water and interactive play. Another cat simply can not provide this.


How do you know if your cat is stuck to you like Velcro? My guess is.... you won't even have to ask this question!

Signs Of Feline Separation Anxiety

• Over-attachment to the owner such as following the person to every room of the house (heal chasing).
  

• 
  
  Distress as the owner prepares to depart: This can take many forms, but some of the more common reactions are meowing, sulking, apparent depression, slinking away and hiding. (No, seriously it's true!)
  
  




• Vocalization (crying, yowling, meowing) right after the owner has left or even when you are sleeping.
  




• Anorexia – the affected cat is often too anxious to eat when left alone.
  
  




• Inappropriate elimination – often in the form of urine marking. Deposits of urine or feces are often near to the door from which the owner has departed or are on that person’s clothing, bed sheets, or places like bath mats, rugs and behind or under furniture.
  
  









• 
  
  Excessive self-grooming. This starts as a displacement behavior but can progress to compulsive self-grooming if unchecked. See: Don't Lose Any Hair Over It
  
  




• Destructive behavior – rare, but some cats may claw and scratch door edges presumably in an attempt to escape their solitude. This can also happen while you are sleeping to get you to wake up and give them attention.
  
  
  


• Exuberant greeting behavior – as if greeting you after you left on a long vacation. ( Where have you been ?!?!?!)

Here come the solutions!

Enriching the cat’s "home alone" environment is the key to success! This can be achieved by means of:

Giving the cat a view of the outside world! Add climbing structures, cat trees, open windows with screens.

Strategically position bird feeders near the windows with a view.

Leave toys all over the house and change it up every now and again. The same defeated mouse that your cat played with two days ago is no longer a challenge. Hide toys in creative places like the peek-a-boo box above.

Putting the day’s ration of dry food in a puzzle toy will keep your cat focused on eating instead of your absence. Although cats with separation anxiety tend not to eat when left alone, hunger is a great motivator when other sources (YOU) are no longer available. Some caveats apply if cats refuse to eat for more than a day or so. Consult your local vet if this turns out to be the case and try to work out some kind of compromise. It can get tricky.

Leave the radio on. The "white noise" effect of the radio drowns out the otherwise perturbing sound of silence. We find that classical music has positive effects on loneliness.

If behavior modification by independence training and environmental enrichment do not work it may be necessary to resort to anti-anxiety medication for the cat for a while. Consult with a veterinarian about the use of drugs like Prozac to help calm an anxious kitty.

Ok, Now go to work and rest assured that kitty is not making long distance calls, ordering pizza or rearranging your apartment while you are away.

Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Our recent blog, My Cat Made Me Do It and My Alarm Clock Is Hungry sparked some seriously interesting replies from our readers. It's good to know that I am not alone in my situation with Matilda, the 18 year old tortie-terror.

As promised, I have compiled a lot of the replies that I found most intriguing and have posted them below. What amazes me the most about your emails and comments is the popularity of cats that drink from glasses, sinks and non-pet specified decanters. Maybe we're on to something here? Enjoy the comments and thanks to all of you for contributing to LDYK!

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...

My little Matilda's name was Klarizza, big gold eyes and black she owned me! Also not only did she drink from the glass she would cup her paw in the glass and drink that way. But what I still miss is I couldn't figure out why I didn't always here the alarm. Because Missy Klarizza would walk on or around my head and stand with her from legs on the snooze button and then go back to her pillow and back to sleep. That was my girl and I still miss her.

~ SFGATE comment

Double ditto on the water glass. And if the water level is too low for the little pink tongue to reach it, in goes a cupped paw to get the water up to tongue level. Cats have staff.

~ Heandi

Daniel has Matilda the cat. My roommate Karole has Betsy. Betsy drinks out of a medium sized blue mug located on top of Karole's bookcase. Usually she dips her front paw into the water and then licks it off. Over time Karole has tried to replace it with other styles of mugs, but Betsy refuses to drink from them. Betsy also likes to collect random objects from all over the house and deposit them on Karole's bed. Yesterday's haul was a plastic straw and a quarter.

~ Jamey

I am currently the owner of two adorable, large, quirky cats. They are both physically eccentric, which makes me even more fond of them, and in my eyes very enjoyable to watch in their day to day activities. One of my favorite things to watch these little rug rats do is drink water. I swear, I have tried every shaped water dish for cats you could find. They refuse to drink out of water bowls, it's just not in their nature. They eat of out normal cat dishes, but when you place the water next to it, they could really care less. Usually, they just pig out and get food in the water, thus turning them off even more.

So how do my cats stay hydrated? My bathroom sink! I could hire Mr. Clean and I still would have a consistent amount of kitty paw prints on my sink counter. Lily literally wedges her entire body into the sink, head towards the faucet, only to enjoy just the smallest dribble of water. I can be doing my make up, brushing my teeth or cleaning and she will still just get all up in the sink, like she owns it. I guess it's therapeutic for her? She reminds of a fat raccoon washing in a stream - except it's my big girl cat who knows she's getting her way.

~ Jessica

Soze balances on the toilet ledge, using his one front arm to steady himself, and then dunks his head into the water. I mean full on facial dunk into the toilet, like he needs a refreshing dip with his beverage? He will also meow/howl if the toilet seat is down, only to stop once you lift the lid for him (don't assume I'm rude b/c my toilet seat is always up!). He also gets annoyed if the toilet is in use, because apparently toilets only exist to keep my cat's thirst at bay (for the record, he only drinks clean toilet water!).

I suppose this is bad kitty behavior, but I have literally tried to detour them, and it just won't work. It also doesn't help that they can open doors, so shutting them out of the bathroom is just a joke to them. All in all, they are good kitties, and I am a sucker so therefore they get their way. I must admit, it's pretty entertaining to see 12+ lb cats wedge and dunk in my bathroom, when they could just simply lap out of a water dish. Although, I must admit, life is pretty good when the only living thing hogging your bathroom is your cat....

~ Stacey

It doesn't end with water. Some people shared all kinds of stories with us...

My number one cat had a list of tricks to play on me, seventeen pages long, single-spaced. She never had to go beyond page one. One of my current cats came to me when he was eight years old. He is still training me; I am so stupid.

~ SFGATE comment

I had a cat like Matilda. Her name was Gina. Funny, also a torti. And funnier still - with that exact behavior of turning in circles under the covers until she found her exact comfy spot. One cute thing she did was she would curl up around my neck and let me wrap an arm around her to which she would raise her arm and drape over my arm. God, I miss that.May she rest in peace 1989-2007

~ Tortimom

My 14+ year old 16 pounder also has her list of commands, which include: 1) I should stay home all day every day (it's a challenge, what with the full time job and all) 2) Water in the same locale Matilda prefers--and it had better be fresh! 3) Shade pulled up JUST enough to let her see out and make maximum use of afternoon sun 4) food bowl NEVER EVER SHOWING THE WHITE AT THE BOTTOM! 5) litter box cleaned WAY more than I do it. Apparently I am still not quite fully trained, but I'm working on it! God I love cats.

~ SFGATE comment

My feline companion, LittleBit, comes to me in the afternoons and demands I tuck him into bed. He will sit there and cry, then race to the bedroom and proceed to burrow under the covers by my feet. I have to stay put for at least 10 minutes or he gets cranky. He also let's me know when the kitty litter is getting nasty by having me follow him to the back, placing one paw in the litterbox, then looking up at me. He's such a good boo.

~ SFGATE comment

First off, I would like to commend your most recent blog about Matilda's quirks, it was a very fun read and it's nice to know that my cat wasn't the only one to demand cold water out of a glass :) Missy hated anything and everything with a strong odor. So I suppose it goes without saying that everything scented had to go. No more lotions, perfume, hair products, air fresheners, incense, smoking, even gum - it all had to go. She was blessed with many crazy quirks, which can never be duplicated quite the same, and despite her passing last year I still plan on keeping my house ever more scent free...

~ Kirsten

And FINALLY, We saved the BEST for Last...

My cat Violet was born to a feral mother who lived somewhere among the runways at SFO. She's never been a particularly affectionate cat (with humans, that is. She loves her cat companion, Junie, like crazy), but she has ways of asking for the kind of attention she's comfortable with.

This video shows her engaging in her nightly bid for some "buttbone-bumping" with my foot:

~ Dennis

Wait....before you click to see Violet's Ritual, take note of the two links below it. Ok, now you can watch the video.

* VIOLET'S RITUAL *

We love your stories. Keep them coming! Email any stories or requests for Cat Behavior advice topics to catbehavior@sfspca.org

Also, don't forget to visit http://www.sfspca.org/ to get up to speed on EVERYTHING The San Francisco SPCA is doing.

My Cat Made Me Do It

By Daniel Quagliozzi

One of the things that I find truly fascinating about cats is there keen ability to train human beings to do their bidding, no matter how inconvenient the task may be. We go to all sorts of lengths to keep our cats happy, eating, drinking and using their litter boxes, even if it means displacing ourselves in our own homes.

Cats are quirky animals. They could even be described as eccentric in their methods. Sure, human beings are particular about things too, but cats seem to boggle the mind when it comes to their likes, dislikes and habits. No one ever said that living with a cat would be easy. As long as you are trainable, a cat will have no worries at all.

Let's use my very own Matilda for example. As a product of her old age and experience, Matilda has decided that there are certain conditions that she must have in order to get through the day. Most of these conditions happen at the our expense.

1. Matilda must have very cold water presented to her in a drinking glass, located on the night stand next to our bed. (We found this out the hard way when my wife set a glass out for herself in case she got thirsty during the night)

2. Matilda must sleep under the covers and on top of my chest... the moment I lay down for bed each night. This requires me to lift my comforter up so that she can spin around several times on my chest and get comfortable. Other times, she prefers to be tucked in like a human.

3. In the absence of a blanket, Matilda will attempt to crawl under my bathrobe. As you can see, this is only partly successful as there is only so much bathrobe to go around and I am wearing most of it.

4. Matilda asks that her wet food be served exactly at 7:00 Am and 9:30 PM and will resort to trampling all over me (See: My Alarm Clock is Hungry blog) until I finally give in to her cries for attention and her standing on my wind pipe. Her night time demands are more subtle but still effective.

5. Once the food is served, Matilda will have three or four bites of the food, walk away and make herself comfortable in the now empty master bed. She will remain in our bed until roughly 7 pm when we return home.

6. For her daily work out session, Matilda requires that a shoe lace attached to a stick be forever dangling from the same night stand she perches on for water. She has decided that she does not need us for this activity. I guess we can't be counted on.

Cat guardians across the country can relate to Matilda's story. Her needs, although not that outlandish... are still her own. Some cats have color preferences, while others may like the way something feels when they lay on it. Ever wonder why a cat will choose to sit on a magazine when there are so many other places to sit? Freedom of choice is a cats prime directive. They do what they want, when they want and there's nothing you can do about it.


Have an interesting and unique story about your cat and its eccentricities? Email it to catbehavior@sfspca.org and we will post it in our upcoming blog!!

And now, a word from a guest blogger:

YOUR CAT WOULD LIKE A WORD WITH YOU

by Rod Kilpatrick
SF/SPCA Cat Volunteer

We've all said it. "Oohh, who's a pretty kitty? You're a pretty kittty! Oh, yes yes yes!"
My own cats, Gary and Sponge, finally divulged to me a closely-held feline secret: They find this kind of talk rather condescending. They'll tolerate it, if it eventually results in a treat or a belly rub. After all, cats are nothing if not realistic. They tell us what they want, what they need, what they love and what they're afraid of, and if we're smart enough to understand, they'll get what they're asking for.

Of course, cat communication is far more subtle than that. If we pay attention to their tone of voice, their body language, their ears and their eyes, we can learn a lot more about what they have to say.

But here's what's really interesting: it's a two-way street. Cats don't speak human any better than we speak cat, so they pick up the very same kinds of non-verbal cues from us that we pick up from them.

Want proof? Well, if you're lucky enough to be owned by a cat, try this. The next time you have a good day, or a bad day, or any kind of day, sit down and talk to your cat about it. Not in some kind of made-up cat language, but in your own language, whether it's English or Espanol or Francais. Exactly the way you'd say it to a human friend.

Your cat may at first look at you as if you're crazy. But keep at it. Eventually, your voice, your face and your body will automatically communicate to your cat in ways that transcend spoken language. And while you might not find answers, I guarantee you'll find at least two sympathetic ears.

So try it. Have a chat with your cat. They always get the last word anyway.

Don't Lose Any Hair Over It!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Personal hygiene is very important to our feline friends. Some cats will spend hours licking themselves clean so they look just right for you when you get home. You'd be just as concerned about your appearance if you had to sit in a sand box and do your dirty work! There's no way that you're going to exit that situation unscathed.

With cleanliness being high on the priority list, cats can launch themselves into an obsessive chain of over-grooming when times of stress take over the day's normal and predictable routine. A sudden move, new addition to the home like another cat, infant, dog or even furniture can upset a cat so much that they lick themselves bald from the intrusion. Why is this?

It is thought that feline "Psychogenic Alopecia" may be a displacement activity resulting from anxiety or frustration, which in time might become compulsive. Nervousness, lack of stimulation and the desire for human contact can result in excessive grooming as well. Changes in the owner’s schedule and inappropriate punishment will only add to the anxiety!

So what can you about this? First you will need to rule out any underlying medical cause that may be prompting them to lick themselves. Itching, burning or skin disorders caused from flea bites, food allergies or household cleansers may be a factor. If the skin feels icky, your cat will lick the area clean to alleviate the discomfort.

Next, be observant of how long your cat is grooming and when it seems to be most prevalent. If there is no skin irritation noted and your cat seems to be stressed out or anxious, you may have an over-groomer on your hands.

There are a number of approaches to this kind of problem, both medical and behavioral. We always recommend that you consult a veterinarian before you try any behavior modification on your own.

Sometimes, an Elizabethan or E collar can be helpful to stop a cat from being able to lick areas while you treat them with medications to stop the itching or in extreme cases, to calm you cat down. Common medications, such as Prozac & Buspar have been very effective in eliminating the anxiety which may be the root of the cause.

Increase the attention that you give your cat each day! You would be surprised how valuable a few moments of love can be. A little goes a long way in the average day of cats life. Afterall, you are their whole world.

Happy distractions are the key to stealing the focus away from the over-grooming. Play with your cat!!! Activity and enrichment are essential to your cats quality of life. Boredom can lead to obsession. Get your cat focused on fun and you will be surprised how quickly they will forget to keep on licking the same spot!

Don't change your routine. Predictability is the one thing can make a cat worry less. No worries equal no anxiety. Keep the furniture moving, strange visitors and partying to a minimum. Your cat will thank you by licking you instead of licking themselves bald!

Give Your Cat An Over-Stimulus Plan

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Just like people, cats are unique is so many ways, especially when it comes to petting and playing. Of all the activities a human can provide for a cat, they seem to love these two activities the most. Probably because it's near impossible for a cat to pet itself or wave a toy around. This my friends... is why we were put on this earth. Hands were made for petting cats, holding toys and opening cans of food! Well, from a cat's point of view anyway....

Your cat may think that your hands are only for petting and show no interest in an interactive toy. Or...perhaps your cat gets confused about your hands all together and decides to give you a bite whenever the opportunity knocks? The question is, when is it ok to pet and when should you stop?

Cats can get overstimulated from petting the same way humans can get annoyed from a bad back rub or too much physical interaction. Sometimes, you simply do not want to be touched or talked to for that matter. Ever get on a crowded bus after a long day at work and some stranger wants to tell you their life story? You want to get home and crawl into a ball.

Well, cats tell us their feelings in many ways, some obvious, others very subtle. Here are some clues:

Opposite of dog communication, cats often wag their tails when they are getting overstimulated from petting. Also, they will look at your hand as if to say, " Uh...you keep at this and I'm going to let you know when to stop... with my teeth". They will spin around and direct their heads back into your hand, a sly way of telling you where they prefer the attention or they might just simply walk away from the action all together. Remember, just because kitty is showing you the belly, doesn't necessarily mean it's an invitation for petting. Most likely, it's a trap!

In extreme cases, cats flatten their ears, roll the skin on their backs, dilate their pupils, kick your hand with their hind legs, growl, hiss and swat. If you've gotten to the point where you cat is showing this level of aggression, your going to need to be more aware of the limits they are trying to convey to you.

So what can you do to prevent an over-stimulus reality check? Be able to see it coming. Know that if your cat has bitten or swatted before that they are likely to do it again. Give breaks when your cat is getting antsy. Come back later and pet in small doses. Try re-directing the aggression to an appropriate toy instead. Never pet a cat that has bitten from over-petting while you are tending to something else. For instance, if your cat is sitting on your lap while you pet and watch TV. Chances are you won't see the bite coming!

The most common behavior mistake that people make is to "hand wrestle" with a cat that gets nippy. Some people think its cute or spunky, but what they are really doing is training a cat to think it's acceptable to bite harder and harder each time. Keep play and petting separate!

Cats that overstimulate are more likely to be playfully aggressive, mistaking your hands for toys. So... one more time...if your cat is biting at your hands in a playful way, withdraw the reward (your hand), maybe give a verbal correction like, "NO!" and re-direct the focus to a toy. Switch the routine to an option with more value for play than your fingers.

Low activity and boredom are likely to contribute to your cat's biting behavior more than anything else. You have to create an environment in your home that is stimulating and fun. Otherwise, it's going to be you that your cat uses as a toy. A few simple additions to your home environment can make any cat feel more at ease and a lot less likely to choose biting over play time, or even just looking out a window at the birds outside. Remember, although cat's do just fine living inside our homes, they were not intended to be couch potatoes. They need to exercise, climb, play, hunt and just be cats.