The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [86]
A Most cats are not fans of the three C’s: Car, Carrier, and Clinic. Oscar definitely does not put any of these on his Top 10 List of Feline Favorites. Even though you think you are not doing anything to tip him off, Oscar is tapping into changes in your body chemicals (you are more anxious) and body language (your muscles are more tense). That’s all he needs to initiate the under-the-bed dash.
FELINE FACT
Cats have 290 bones in their bodies, compared to 206 bones in a human.
Some cats do well when they are cared for by veterinarians with feline-only practices, because there are none of those dreaded d-o-g-s hanging out in the lobby. But cats like Oscar would fare even better if they could be seen in their homes. By examining frightened, fearfully aggressive, and people-phobic cats on their own turf, visiting veterinarians are able to obtain more accurate health readings on their patients. For example, some cats display artificially elevated blood glucose levels and blood pressure values due to stress when examined at a clinic. House-call vets can also gather clues about a cat’s environment that may help in treating medical conditions. They get to see where the litter boxes are located and witness the interactions of the cat with other family pets.
House-call vets make sense for people who have three or more cats; forget about trying to bring that many cats all at once to the clinic. You are risking the chance of one escaping or your sanity being tested far more than it deserves. This way, you receive one-stop care instead of having to book multiple appointments.
Visiting vets are also the answer for people with busy schedules who have difficulty squeezing their cat’s appointment in between their children’s soccer and band practices; for people who can’t drive; for those who may have medical conditions of their own; and for celebrities who prefer not to be mobbed by autograph hounds at a veterinary clinic.
House-call fees are not as steep as you may imagine, but prices do vary by location. So save your arm from scratches and keep Oscar’s stress level from escalating by booking an appointment with a house-call vet. Check your local yellow pages for listings or look on the Internet.
Yikes! We’re Moving!
Q I am moving to a new apartment in six months with Misha, my 11-year-old cat. I am wondering what I should be doing to make this move less stressful for her. She has had a history of urinary tract problems — all resolved — and with that came a habit of over-grooming to the point of pulling out her hair. She is alone all day, but I do play with her at night. I would refer to her as a bit high-strung. Any advice on how to make this move go smoothly for her?
A Moving is stressful for everyone. Cats detest breaks in their routines. The sight of furniture being moved, items being packed, and strange men coming in and out of their feline “castle” can take a toll on their self-confidence and trigger some unwanted behaviors (like hiding, not eating, or inappropriate urination).
Cats are also territorial. They don’t like to vacate their home turfs, and in strange new places, they feel insecure and stressed by new sounds, smells, and the quest to find safety zones.
You mention that Misha is a bit high-strung. Since moving takes a toll on all members of the household, you will be feeling the stress as well, and she will be detecting your signs of tension. If you are uptight, then she may surmise that something is terribly wrong.
Fortunately, you can do a lot to prepare Misha for your move and the new apartment. The most important step is to introduce her to feeling safe inside a carrier long before