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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: Callie is my "bad"
cat. I found her on Halloween in my basement window well as a tiny kitten.
Ever since, I’ve loved her. But she doesn’t love me. Callie will not allow
us to pick her up and she’s certainly not a lap cat. She doesn’t hesitate
to bite us. Should we ship this cat off to never-never land? Is she hopeless?
-- J.T., Greensburg, Penn.
A: What you need
is a translator, not an injection to euthanize poor Callie, who, for whatever
the reason, isn’t totally trusting of the situation at your house. Don’t
get defensive; no one’s blaming you. What we’ve got here is a major lack
of communication, which has worsened over time. What’s more, you need
to understand that some cats just don’t like to cuddle, just as some people
aren’t exactly warm and fuzzy. And forcing Callie to cuddle early on has
created further stress. Don’t try to pick up Callie; eventually she’ll
come to you.
Veterinary behaviorist
Wayne Hunthausen, of Westwood, Kan., says to reward Callie for being calm
and quiet. Begin with just one stroke while you tell your kitty how beautiful
she is.
Pet Callie as she’s
wallowing in the sun or another of her favorite places. Simultaneously
drop treats, rewarding her for being a good kitty while you pet her. Also,
when you feed Callie, pet her. Again, begin with a single stroke and work
your way up to petting her for five seconds. The point is, take it slow.
If all goes well,
in time, Callie will eventually solicit petting from you. When she does,
only comply sometimes. Remember, you’re in control here, not Callie.
Legendary dog trainer
Ian Dunbar says you can’t train a dog or build a relationship unless you
can play with the pooch. We believe the same is true for cats, albeit
the games are different. Use a Cat Dancer or one of those fishing pole
type toys with feathers or fabric at the end, and play with Callie twice
a day, five to 10 minutes per session.
Also, teach your
cat a trick or two. This can go a long way toward developing a bond. Using
a favorite treat, teach your kitty to "sit." And at the very
least, use a can of tuna to teach your kitty to come when you call.
If you don’t note
an improvement, talk to you vet. Anti-anxiety medication or a product
that calms cats called Feliway may help. And while it’s extremely rare,
some cats are just plain wacky. But that’s a call your vet would have
to make.
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