Media – Healing Trauma & Feline Politics

“You are invited to get my help with a behavior problem by participating in a Zoom group behavior conference. Visit https://drjeffnichol.com/zoom-group-conferences/ to sign up.”

 

 

A colleague of mine recently treated a couple of tiny homeless feline littermates. One baby had a fractured leg, the other a back injury. These kittens were found in bad condition and, since neither speaks a human language (all they’ll say when asked is “meow, meow, meow”), we can only guess at what happened.

Baby bones heal fast. Within a couple of weeks the girl kitty with the leg fracture was a fully functioning curtain climber. Her brother’s back, while not painful, has improved slowly. The little guy’s rear legs don’t operate normally. He ascends the furniture by spar pole climbing, showing potential as a lineman.

Both kittens are happy, playful, and living permanently with their doctor and her significant other. They have a dog who loves everybody of any species and a 5-year-old indoor cat named Sterling. He’s the challenge.

Like all self-respecting felines, Sterling is an inveterate hunter. Around dusk his innate predatory proclivities escalate, causing him to approach those little striped rug rats in unsettling ways. He has stalked, pounced, and wrapped all of his appendages plus his mouth around them. No one has come away with wounds but there have been a few tears. These folks needed help. They already knew that reprimands and other punishments would only heighten Sterling’s agitation toward the little ones. Everybody’s wellbeing would worsen.

The hard wiring of our cats’ brains includes a predatory mindset starting at nightfall. All feline creatures, great and small, must only associate sweetness and light with their togetherness. If the kittens are going share a home with the big guy, only good times can be allowed. They needed a reliable plan.

Sterling and the kids were to be completely separated in the evenings. If the big fellow showed even a hint of tension toward the young’uns at other times they were to be gently separated. Activities in the open space of the backyard, on the other hand, have gone predictably well. Sterling has even found it in his heart to groom the babies.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (505-792-5131). Each week he shares a blog and a Facebook Live video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet behavioral or physical questions on facebook.com/drjeffnichol or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.