Cat Care

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2010-03-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

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When You Must Give Up Your Cat

2009-12-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

by Kymberlie Adams

"Charlie the Kitten" / Photo Credit: Tricia Yeung

Giving up a pet is a heart-wrenching decision, but sometimes there seems to be no other option. Shelters across the country are witnessing firsthand the impact of the economic recession on pet parents who can no longer afford to care for their furry friends. In fact, over the past year, the numbers of cats surrendered to shelters has increased considerably as people continue to lose their jobs, their homes or are unable to pay for their pet.

Other pet parents feel forced to give up their kitties because of behavior problems or pet allergies. Whatever the reason, with many millions of companion animals surrendered to animal shelters each year, and countless stray animals roaming the streets, giving up your pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. If circumstances arise that prohibit you from caring for your cat, please consider the following options:

Talk with family members and friends about your situation. Someone you know and trust may be able to take your pet permanently, or until your situation improves. You may also wish to list your pet on Petfinder.com and call rescue groups in your area. Do not give up if you do not find a home for your cat right away! Finding an ideal home for a companion animal may take considerable time and effort, but your pet's future is in your hands.

Spread the word. Make up fliers, and take out an ad in your newspaper and on the Internet. Post fliers everywhere you can: on bulletin boards at work, in pet-supply stores, even your veterinarian's office.

Be sure to screen potential adopters carefully. Ask them for references and inquire about employment, financial stability, and previous pet ownership. Ask to visit their homes before you place your animal to ensure that the environment is suitable, and be sure to follow up with calls and visits.

If there is a behavioral issue at hand, know that in most cases there are things you can do to change your cat's unwanted conduct. Before you give up on your pet, please consult a veterinarian, reputable trainer or animal behaviorist for assistance.

Do everything you can to make your cat more adoptable. They have a better chance for adoption if vaccinations are current and they are spayed or neutered.

Relinquishing your cat to a local shelter should be your last resort. Most animal shelters operate at full capacity, and there is often a waiting list to get an animal into a "no-kill" facility. That said, it is a far better option than leaving her in an empty home or out on the street.

Re-homing a beloved cat is rarely a pleasant experience, and may take a time, hard work and a whole lot of determination. Remember, the goal is to find a loving, caring and, most of all, permanent home for your cat.

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Cold Weather Tips for Pets

2009-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

by Kymberlie Adams

Ernst Vikne / CC BY-SA 2.0

As the temperature begins to drop, we all get a little extra bounce in our step, and our pets do, too. But as we enjoy the brisk beauty of fall, let's keep in mind that winter is right around the corner, and with it, seasonal challenges for our pets. Whether you enjoy making snow angels with your pooch or braving the icy elements on morning walks, outdoor jaunts can pose serious dangers to your pets.

Simple walks through the neighborhood or a romp in the backyard can pose serious risks to our pets. It's important to thoroughly wipe off your dog's paws, legs and stomach when coming back in from snowy or icy weather. Your pooch can easily ingest rock salt or other potentially dangerous ice melting chemicals while self grooming. And keep in mind that your car's antifreeze is also a lethal poison for both cats and dogs. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle - even better, consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Winter weather can be especially uncomfortable for pets with arthritis, so ask your veterinarian about supplements or prescription medications that may help your pet feel better. A soft, heated bed may be much appreciated, especially by older pets. And for younger dogs who spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, consider getting them a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. It's also a good idea to increase their food intake, particularly protein, to keep them in tip-top shape.

Ernst Vikne / CC BY-SA 2.0

Feline pet parents, the winter season can be harsh on cats, too. While it's a good idea to keep your cat inside at all times, it's especially important during inclement weather. Cats left outside during sub-zero temperatures are susceptible to hypothermia. Another cold-related problem is frostbite, especially common on ear and tail tips. Consider fortifying your kitty's coat by supplementing her diet with essential fatty acids. Vegetable oils such as canola oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and butter can easily be added to food and will help your cat's coat grow thicker for the cold months.

Don't forget about your neighborhood feral kitties - make it a habit of banging loudly on your car hood before starting the engine. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt.

With its cold and often stormy weather, winter presents many safety challenges to pets both indoors and out. Being prepared and following these simple tips can help you keep your pet safe and warm this season.

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Behavioral Medications for Cats

2009-11-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Elf / Photo: Mare Stern

Cats are considered perfect pets by many people because they're relatively self-sufficient. If we provide a few basics - like a clean litter box, fresh water and access to nutritious food - they share our lives without demanding constant care. However, this same benefit can sometimes create problems when things go awry. When a cat develops a behavior problem, pet parents are often at a loss as to how to solve it.

As with dogs, many behavior problems in cats can be resolved with a change in management of your pet or your pet's environment. For instance, litter box problems can often be dealt with by changing the presentation of the box, the litter or other factors associated with use of the box. (For a complete discussion of litter box problems and how to resolve them, please see our article on Litter Box Problems.) Problematic scratching can be fixed by providing suitable scratching surfaces for your cat (please see our article, Destructive Scratching), and overly rambunctious play can be channeled into appropriate activities (please see our articles, Cats Who Play Rough and Nighttime Activity in Cats).

However, sometimes cats develop behavior problems that pet parents can't reduce or resolve. For instance, problems may develop between multiple cats in a household, or a cat might stop using her litter box because of a physical problem that's no longer even bothering her, or a cat might groom herself excessively, to the point of pulling all her hair out.

Jeffrey Jelly Bean / Photo: Mare Stern

When behavior problems like these develop in cats, help is available from qualified professional animal behavior experts, such as Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB or ACAAB) or board-certified veterinary behaviorists (Dip ACVB). (Please see our article, Finding Professional Help, to locate a qualified professional in your area.) After reviewing the specifics of your cat's behavior problem and all the factors that influence it, a behaviorist can design a successful behavior modification plan to resolve the problem. In some cases, a behavior problem can be treated most successfully with a combination of behavior modification and behavioral medication.

Is Medication Necessary?
You might be reluctant to give your cat behavioral medication and prefer to find a solution that focuses on behavior modification or a change in your cat's environment. However, keep in mind that some problems can be resolved more quickly - and with less distress to both you and your cat - if medication is added to the treatment plan.

The most effective approach to treating a behavior problem in a cat is behavior modification. Behavior modification plans designed by knowledgeable, qualified professionals treat a problem behavior by:

Changing the consequences of the cat's behavior

Giving the cat an acceptable outlet for her natural behavior or an acceptable behavior to do instead of the problem behavior

Using a combination of these solutions

Unfortunately, behavior modification can prove difficult in some situations. For example, natural cat behavior is sometimes at odds with a cat's environment. Many modern households have multiple cats. But cats are solitary hunters, and although they sometimes get along, it's also normal for them to avoid each other. Because living together isn't natural for them, it's sometimes necessary to help cats in a single household learn to accept each other. This can be accomplished through a kind of behavior modification procedure called desensitization and counterconditioning (DSCC). (Please see our articles, Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat and Desensitization and Counterconditioning, for more information.) Sometimes, however, cats are so excited and upset by the sight and smell of each other that DSCC isn't possible. In these cases, behavioral medication can reduce the cats' reactivity to each other enough so that DSCC can be carried out successfully.

Can You Use Medication Instead of Behavior Modification?
Behavioral medication alone isn't usually enough to resolve behavior problems. Medication serves to reduce the emotional part of a situation, but it doesn't resolve the behavioral component. Once medication gets your cat's emotional reactions under better control, behavior modification can be used to change her behavior. For instance, if your cat is afraid of another cat in your home, she might not use the litter box because of her fear. Medication can help your cat be less reactive to the other cat - but it won't help her learn to use the litter box again.

Which Medicines Are Best for What?
For the most part, four types of behavioral medicines are used to treat behavior problems in cats. These medicines are

benzodiazepines (BZs),
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The following table shows different cat behavior problems that have been successfully treated with a combination of medicine and behavior modification:

Behavior Problem	Medicine Type
General timidity	SSRI, TCA
Litter box problems caused by anxiety	BZ, TCA, SSRI
Urine marking	BZ, TCA, SSRI
Aggression	BZ, TCA, SSRI
Compulsive behavior, such as excessive grooming	SSRI, TCA
Cognitive dysfunction	MAOI

Medicines for Treating Sudden or Severe Fear, or Aggression
Just like antibiotics need to be taken for a while before they begin to fight bacteria, most behavioral medications for cats need to be taken daily for several weeks before they produce results. In situations where your cat is acting aggressive at the slightest sight or smell of another cat or has some other severe reaction to a fear of something else, a few weeks can be too long to wait. Benzodiazepines (BZs) can reduce your cat's reactivity immediately. BZs produce results as soon as they're taken, so they can treat fear or aggression within a few hours.

Some common BZs are diazepam (Valium®), alprazolam (Xanax®), chlordiazepoxide (Librium®), lorazepam (Ativan®) and clonazepam (Klonopin®). BZs work by increasing the activity of a chemical in the brain that interferes with activation of the fear networks.

Dose Effects
You can only know if a drug is working if you have an idea of what effects to expect. The following list offers expected reactions in cats to different doses of benzodiazepines:

At low doses, BZs decrease the intensity of excessive behavior and reduce excitability.
Moderate to high doses of BZs can reduce anxiety and increase playfulness, but they can also produce impaired movement and thinking, including disorientation. BZs affect some of the same parts of the cells in a cat's brain as alcohol does in a human brain, and they produce similar effects. High doses can produce increased restlessness and anxiety, particularly when an animal is already stressed when given the medicine.

Side Effects
Benzodiazepines can increase appetite and sleeplessness. They can also interfere with learning and memory, so they aren't good choices for long-term use with DSCC.
Health Issues

Benzodiazepines are metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidneys of a cat, so if your veterinarian advises you to treat your cat with BZs, he should check your cat's liver and kidney function with a simple blood test. If your cat has had problems with her kidneys or liver in the past, be sure to let your veterinarian know.

Medicines for Treating Ongoing Behavior Problems
Behavior problems that involve day-to-day household issues, such as problems between multiple cats within a household, or ongoing problems, such as excessive grooming, are best treated with medicines that are given long term, such as TCAs, MAOIs and SSRIs.

Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were first used to treat depression in people. They work primarily by increasing serotonin and norepinephrin - two neurotransmitters that are involved in regulation of emotional activity. They also affect other neurochemicals involved in emotional reactivity. The TCAs prescribed most for cats are amitriptyline (Elavil® or Tryptanol), clomipramine (Anafranil® or Clomicalm®), doxepin (Aponal®), imipramine (Antideprin or Deprenil), desipramine (Norpramin® or Pertofrane) and nortriptyline (Sensoval). Every cat is unique behaviorally and physiologically, so while one TCA might not work well for your cat, another TCA could have excellent results.

Although TCAs were originally intended to treat depression in people, they can also reduce anxiety, manage compulsive behavior and help people with anger problems. They've been used successfully in cats to help treat compulsive behavior problems like excessive grooming, reduce reactivity to other cats in the household and treat anxiety problems.

Dosage Schedule
TCAs are prescribed for use every day. If the medicine isn't taken every day, it won't work to treat the behavior problem. TCAs are not usually effective the first day - or even the first few days - that they're taken. Because at least some of their effectiveness comes from the changes they make to the brain, TCAs must be taken for at least two to three weeks before they produce results. Treatment should continue for at least two months before a decision is made regarding the success of the drug.

Health Issues
TCAs are metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidneys of a cat, so if your veterinarian advises you to treat your cat's behavior problem with a TCA, he should give your cat a simple blood test to make sure these organs are working well before beginning treatment. If your cat has had problems with her kidneys or liver, be sure to let your veterinarian know. It's recommended that a recheck blood test be done every year (twice a year for older cats) to ensure that the medicine hasn't damaged the liver or kidneys.

TCAs should not be used with MAOIs because the combination of these two types of drugs can increase serotonin to unhealthy levels.

Side Effects
TCAs can increase water retention, and water retention produces dry mouth. As a result, some cats might foam at the mouth, and they might also be extra thirsty. Because they're thirsty, they might drink extra water. Water retention can also lead to constipation and even diarrhea. All of these effects can lead to house-soiling problems. TCAs can also cause a sudden increase in heart rate.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) work on similar neurotransmitters as TCAs, but they work differently and with less selectivity, so they have a more general effect on the brain. Selegiline (Anipryl®) is an MAOI that seems to mostly affect the neutrotransmitter dopamine. It's used to treat cognitive dysfunction in older cats, and studies indicate that it can slow aging of the brain.

Health Issues
Some MAOIs can have dangerous side effects when cheese is eaten. Selegiline doesn't fall into this category, but because some humans have reactions to cheese when taking it, pet parents should avoid giving their cat cheese when she's taking selegiline.

MAOIs should not be used with SSRIs because the combination of these two types of drugs can increase serotonin to unhealthy levels.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs affect the brain chemical called serotonin. Common SSRIs are fluoxetine (Reconcile® or Prozac®), paroxetine (Paxil®) and sertraline (Zoloft®).

SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline have been successfully used to treat a number of anxiety-related behavior problems, such as fearful avoidance of the litter box, fear of other cats in the household or aggression toward other cats. SSRIs are also useful in reducing compulsive behaviors, such as excessive grooming.

Health Issues
SSRIs are metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidneys. Even if your veterinarian does a pretreatment blood test to check liver and kidney health, be sure to let him know of any medical problems your cat has or has had in the past. It's a good idea to have your cat's liver and kidneys rechecked each year if she's kept on an SSRI.

SSRIs shouldn't be used with MAOIs because the combination of these two types of drugs can increase serotonin to unhealthy levels.

Dosage Schedule
SSRIs need to be taken every day to be effective. If the medicine isn't taken every day, it won't work to treat the behavior problem. SSRIs are rarely effective the first day and, in fact, can increase anxiety in some cats before they begin to have therapeutic effects. Because SSRIs create changes in the brain, they must be taken for at least six weeks before they produce results. Treatment should continue for at least four months before a decision is made regarding the success of the drug.

Because SSRIs take a few weeks to take effect, some people also treat their cat with another medicine, such as a benzodiazepine, when they begin treatment with an SSRI.

Serotonin (5-HT) Agonists
Buspirone (BuSpar® or Bespar) is the only 5-HT agonist that's used regularly in companion animal behavior treatment plans. It's sometimes used in conjunction with SSRIs and TCAs when treatment begins, but it's also sometimes used by itself.

Dosage Schedule
Like other medicines that act on serotonin, buspirone needs to be taken every day to be effective. If the medicine isn't taken every day, it won't work to treat the behavior problem. Buspirone usually takes about three weeks to produce therapeutic effects, although this period might be shortened if the medication is taken in addition to an SSRI.

Giving Your Cat Her Medicine
If you decide to use a behavioral medication to help your cat overcome a behavior problem, you might run into a challenge when you try to give her medicine. It can be difficult to get cats to swallow pills, and some cats get so upset by the pilling process that they start avoiding their pet parents altogether. To learn how to give your cat the medicine she needs in the least stressful way possible, please see our article on Giving Your Cat a Pill.

Seek the Advice of an Experienced Professional
This article is intended to help pet parents understand common behavioral medications used for cats. It is not intended as a guide to choosing behavior medications. If your cat suffers from fear, anxiety, compulsive behavior or any other behavior problem for which you're considering behavioral medication, be sure to first consult a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB). These qualified animal behavior experts can evaluate your cat's behavior problem and help you develop a treatment plan, give you advice on suitable medications, and work with your veterinarian to maximize the success of your cat's treatment program. Please see our article Finding Professional Help to locate one of these experts in your area.

Used with permission of the ASPCA, © 2009 ASPCA. All Rights Reserved.

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Introducing Your Cat to a New House

2009-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

"Remy & Fatty Get Ready to Move"
/Photo: Rebecca Cambreleng

Most cats are not big fans of change. If they could chose, they would prefer to stay where they're already comfortable and settled in. But, at some point in their lives, most cats must move on to a new location. Making the transition as stress-free as possible for your feline companion can have big benefits, including reducing the risk of fear-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

Moving a cat to a new house involves three basic aspects: pre-move preparations, the move itself and settling into the new home. All three sections below apply to a move with a resident pet. The third section is most important if you're only trying to integrate a new cat into your existing household.

Preparation

Allow your cat time to get used to his carrier. Leave it sitting out with the door open and a comfy bed inside. Occasionally leave a couple of cat treats in it so your cat can find them on his own. Start feeding your cat in the carrier. If your cat is reluctant to enter the carrier to eat, start by just placing his dish next to it. After a few days, put the dish just inside the carrier, right near the opening. Then, over a week or two, gradually move the dish toward the back of the carrier so your cat has to step a little further inside each day. Eventually, place the dish at the very back of the carrier to your cat must go all the way into it to eat.

Put out your moving boxes a couple weeks before you need to start packing so your cat has time to get used to their presence. If your cat is nervous while you're packing, he'll probably be happier closed in a quiet room, away from the activity and noise. It's also a good idea to confine your cat if you think he might try to hide in one of the boxes.

Try to keep your cat's daily routine as stable as possible. Stick closely to his regular schedule for feeding, play and attention. A feeder with a timer can be helpful to make sure your cat eats at the same time each day.

If your cat is very skittish, nervous or easily stressed, speak to your vet about using anti-anxiety medication to make the moving process easier on him.

The Move

To prevent your cat from dashing out the door while movers are going in and out, close him in a bathroom with food, water, a bed and litter box. Place a sign on the door asking the movers to keep the door shut.

Feed your cat a very small breakfast on moving day to reduce stomach upset.

While in transit, resist the urge to open your cat's carrier to soothe him. A scared cat may try to dash out. Only open the carrier in a secure area and when absolutely necessary.

Carry a roll of packing tape in case the carrier needs emergency repairs along the way.

Settling into the New House

First, cat-proof the new house. Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where a cat could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens, remove any poisonous houseplants and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house.

Immediately take your cat to a room that will remain relatively quiet. Before opening the carrier, set up your cat's food and water dishes, litter box and bed. Place some cat treats around the room to encourage your cat to explore.

Keep your cat in this one "home-base" room for his first several days in the new house. This will allow him to gradually get used to the sights, sounds and smells of his new home without feeling overwhelmed. Keeping your cat in one room will also make it easy for him to find his litter box, food and water. If you're adding a new cat to a home where there are existing pets, please see Introducing Your Dog to a New Cat or Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat.

Spend time with your cat in his home-base room, at first doing low-key activities like reading or watching TV. When he begins to explore, offer your cat attention, treats and playtime.

When the flurry of unpacking is over, gradually give your cat access to the rest of the house, one room at a time. If it's not possible to close doors to limit his access, closely supervise your cat during short exploration sessions.

Provide a second litter box where you'll want to keep one permanently. Keep the box available in the home-base room for at least a few weeks. Once your cat has settled in, you can remove that box. Alternatively, you can keep the home-base litter box but gradually transfer it to a preferable location. To make sure your cat doesn't lose track of where it is, move the box just a foot or so away from the home-base room and toward your preferred location each day.

Used with permission of the ASPCA, © 2009 ASPCA. All Rights Reserved.

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Pretty Kitty: Easy Tips for Grooming Your Finicky Feline

2009-11-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

by Kymberlie Adams

Living in Monrovia
/ CC BY-SA 2.0

When it comes to personal hygiene, cats are on the mark-they wash their faces after every meal, file their nails on scratching posts and use their tongues as bath sponges. That being said, even the most fastidious felines can use a bit of help to look and feel their best.

Unfortunately, many cats find grooming unpleasant - and who can blame them? It can involve hair pulling, getting soaked with water, and all kinds of scary-looking tools. However, with a few simple tips and a little positive reinforcement, your kitty will be showing off her pampered paws in no time!

Positive reinforcement is the name of the game when it comes to teaching your feline new behaviors. If your cat learns to associate brushing, bathing and nail trimming with wonderful goodies-like tasty treats, catnip toys or belly rubs, she may actually learn to enjoy the spa-like treatments.

Grooming sessions can also be a great time to bond with your kitty and should be fun for both of you. Be sure to schedule them when your cat's relaxed, perhaps after exercise or eating. Keep in mind, a little patience can go a long way. If your cat is extremely stressed out, cut the session short and try again when she's calmer.

Here are a few other great tips to help guide you through some of the more common kitty grooming tasks:

Bath Time

Suzi Duke / CC BY-SA 2.0

As a rule, cats don't need frequent baths. But if your cat's extra dirty, you may need to give her a good old scrub in the tub. If that's the case, your feline would prefer a minimal amount of water and a wash cloth to do the job. Using a shampoo formulated especially for cats is also important. While human shampoos aren't toxic to pets, many contain fragrances or other substances that can irritate pets' skin, drying it out and destroying their natural oils.

Brushing 101

Pieter Lanser / CC BY 2.0

Brushing your cat's fur is one of the easiest things you can do to help maintain her stunning looks-it's also one of the most essential. Proper combing removes dead hair and skin, helps spread natural oils throughout her coat and prevents tangles from forming. It also reduces the risk of those icky hairballs, which are a nuisance and can create harmful intestinal blockages. For cats with short hair, weekly brushings should be enough to keep their coats in tip-top shape. Those with longer tresses may require more sessions with the brush. Be sure to match the comb or brush to your cat's coat type.

Nail Trimming
While this task can seem quite daunting, trimming your cat's nails is vital to her well-being. If nails get too long, they can easily break, causing pain and infection. Most people really don't handle their cats' feet until they are about to clip the nails, but it's a good idea to get your cat used to having her feet touched before you attempt a trim. Be sure to use only professional-grade cat nail clippers and only clip the hook of the nail. If you're not sure how to go about the chore or if your cat downright refuses to let you clip her claws, ask your vet or a professional groomer for assistance.

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ASPCA and Fresh Step® Litter Team Up to Help Felines in Need

2009-11-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

by Kymberlie Adams

Purrs & Paws of A.R.A.S.
/ CC BY 2.0

As alarming as it sounds, more than three million cats and kittens end up in shelters each year. And now, given the economic downturn, more cats than ever are at risk of losing their homes. In fact, shelters across the nation have seen a rise in surrendered pets from families who simply can't afford to care for them any longer. In response to the situation, the ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step® litter (a sponsor of WebMD) are teaming up to help keep cats in their homes by offering assistance to feline parents who are struggling financially.

During the month of November, the makers of Fresh Step® litter will donate 10,000 free litter coupons to aid families in need. In addition, they are distributing comprehensive cat assistance kits which will be made available in select markets nationwide (while supplies last). The free cat assistance kits will include a litter pan, scoop and cat toys, along with coupons for Fresh Step® litter and 9Lives® cat food. You can help, too. Look for details on specially-marked packages of Fresh Step® litter during the month of November or visit www.freshstep.com/aspca.

Purrs & Paws of A.R.A.S.
/ CC BY 2.0

As the deepening economic crisis continues to have an effect, and a growing number of pet parents may have to consider whether to abandon their pets or surrender them to shelters, it is important for us all to share our compassion where we can to make a difference - the ASPCA and Fresh Step® litter are proud to do so.

For more information about the ASPCA or to learn how you can help in your community, please visit www.aspca.org/freshstep.

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Compulsive Behavior in Cats

2009-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Stuart Richards / CC BY-ND 2.0

The word "compulsive" describes the repetitive, irresistible urge to perform a behavior. Most compulsive behaviors are normal activities, such as eating, grooming, moving around or sexual behaviors, but they occur in the wrong contexts and to such an extent that they interfere with normal functioning. The most common compulsive behaviors in cats are wool sucking or fabric eating (a form of pica) and excessive licking, hair chewing or hair pulling (called psychogenic alopecia). When performed compulsively, these behaviors can be harmful to a cat. Cats who eat fabric can suffer intestinal obstruction, and cats who over-groom can develop skin wounds. Sometimes a cat becomes so compelled to engage in a compulsive behavior that it interferes with her ability to lead a normal life and impairs her relationship with her pet parent.

What Causes Compulsive Disorders?
Compulsive behaviors often develop when a sensitive cat is frustrated or stressed. Initially, the cat performs a displacement behavior. She wants to do one thing but she can't, so she gets frustrated and does something else. For example, when a cat sees another cat outside the window, she might want to attack - but she can't get out, so she performs a seemingly irrelevant behavior instead, like licking herself. If stressful situations like this happen repeatedly, the cat may continue to engage in the displacement behavior. At first, she'll do it only in stressful situations, but she may eventually do it even when there's nothing frustrating going on. At this stage, the behavior has become repetitive and compulsive.

While it's not been confirmed, some experts believe that kittens who were weaned too early might be susceptible to developing compulsive disorder later in life.

Facts About Compulsive Disorders in Cats

Cats are usually less than two years of age when they develop compulsive disorders. Kittens may be as young as three to four months old when they start wool sucking, for example.

Although any cat can develop a compulsive disorder, Oriental breeds, such as the Siamese, are particularly prone to developing them. It's likely that the breeding practices necessary to create and maintain these purebred cats also concentrate genes associated with compulsive disorders.

Female cats are more commonly affected with psychogenic alopecia. There is no known sex bias for other compulsive disorders.

Compulsive disorders occur most often in cats who live exclusively indoors, presumably because indoor cats get less mental stimulation and physical exercise. Indoor cats are also more likely to face stressful situations, like fighting with other cats in the home.

Significant disruptions in a cat's life, like moving to a new house, home remodeling, or the addition of a new pet or family member to the household, can cause stress and trigger the development of compulsive behavior.

Check with Your Veterinarian First
Don't assume that your cat has a compulsive disorder just because she's licking herself or eating non-food items. Some medical conditions can cause these behaviors, so it's crucial to have your cat thoroughly examined by her veterinarian before doing anything else. A cat who licks herself excessively might be suffering from allergies or fungal infections, or she could be experiencing pain in the area she licks. A cat who eats non-food items, such as fabrics, could be suffering from a nutritional deficiency. If you have more than one cat and they all share a food bowl, it's also possible that your cat simply isn't getting enough to eat.

It's important to understand that behaviors originally caused by medical problems can become compulsive. Your cat might continue performing a behavior, even after you've resolved its medical cause.

Identifying the Cause
Once you've ruled out medical issues, the next step is to figure out what's causing your cat to feel stressed and, if possible, get rid of it. Some of the most common factors that contribute to the development of compulsive disorders include the following:

Separation anxiety, particularly if someone in the family is absent for a lengthy period of time, or if a person or pet in the family has died or left the home

A new person or pet in the household

A move to a new home

Restricted access to the outdoors

Inadequate social or environmental stimulation due to an exclusively indoor life

The presence of cats outside the windows of the home

Loud or high-pitched noises

Attention seeking

Obviously, some of these factors can't be eliminated or avoided. However, if you can't remove the source of your cat's stress, there are still ways to help her cope.

Helping Your Compulsive Cat
If your cat reacts to a specific sight or sound, you can expose her to the thing that upsets her at such low levels that she remains calm. At the same time, you'll be associating the thing with something your cat enjoys, like treats or play. For instance, if she gets stressed when you play the piano, start by teaching her that she gets tasty salmon every time you play a very quiet tune. As she demonstrates that she's comfortable with this, take several weeks to gradually expose her to louder music. Each music session should be accompanied by her favorite foods. For more information about this kind of procedure, please see our article, Desensitization and Counterconditioning.

Cats who are stressed by the presence of other cats outside the home can be discouraged from watching out windows. Remove your cat's favorite resting spots by windows, and make other places more appealing. If necessary, cover the windows with curtains, blinds or even an opaque material like cardboard. Please see our article, Keeping Cats Out of Your Yard, to learn about ways to deter outside cats from coming around.

If your cat lives exclusively indoors, enrich her environment so that she has plenty of things to do. Make sure you have structures for climbing and perching, bird feeders, fish tanks or Kitty TV for watching, and interesting toys for playing. Spend 10 to 15 minutes at least once a day playing interactive games with your cat. Some cats even enjoy a daily walk outdoors on a harness and leash. (Please see our article, Enriching Your Cat's Life.

Some cats engage in compulsive behaviors because they get attention from their pet parents. It's important that you don't unintentionally reward your cat with attention when she's engaging in a compulsive behavior. If you do, she might learn that eating fabric, for example, makes you follow her around everywhere, or that licking herself makes you come over and stroke her. It's best to interrupt your cat without interacting with her. Simply remove the item she's chewing, or clap your hands to distract her from licking.

If your cat is having a hard time adjusting to a dramatic change in her life, such as a move or the loss of a family member, medication might help her. Anti-anxiety medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac^®) or clomipramine (Clomicalm^®), are often helpful in treating compulsive disorders. Please see Behavioral Medications for Cats for more information and Finding Professional Help for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist.

Specific Tips for Fabric Eating and Wool Sucking

Keep desirable items out of reach, and prevent your cat from going into rooms where she can access bedspreads or curtains. If she sucks or chews specific items, spray them with a deterrent to make them taste bad. Please see our article, Using Taste Deterrents, for information about products designed for cats.

If your cat sucks or chews but doesn't ingest fabric, provide furry mice and soft toys as acceptable alternatives. If your cat eats fabric, provide toys made of rubber or plastic. Scatter the toys in areas where your cat would normally go to look for fabric items.

Some cats will chew on fresh catnip and cat grass as safe alternatives to fabric. A few even like to eat lettuce and green beans.

Some cats enjoy chewing pieces of thin rawhide lightly coated with fish oil or cheese spread. Others prefer to chew on raw chicken wings. Make sure they're raw - cooked bones can splinter and choke or injure your cat. Only give your cat rawhide or chicken wings when you're able to closely supervise her.

Use your cat's feeding times as enrichment opportunities. Hide small dishes of her food around the house so she has to hunt for them. You can also see if she'll eat from a food puzzle toy. You can use toys made for small dogs, such as the KONG^® or the Tricky Treat™ Ball. Alternatively, you can make a toy by punching holes in an empty toilet paper roll. Make the holes large enough for the pieces of kibble to fit through. Cover one end of the roll with tape, dump some kibble or other semi-hard treats inside, and then cover the other end, too. Set the toy down in front of your cat and roll it so that she sees the food fall out of the holes.

Speak with your cat's veterinarian about feeding her a high-fiber, low-calorie diet. She'll be able to eat more of this kind of food, which will keep her occupied for longer periods of time.

Can a Compulsive Cat Be Cured?
It's often not possible to completely cure compulsive disorders in cats. However, behavior modification, drug therapy and changes to your cat's environment can be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of her compulsive behavior, making it more tolerable for you and for her. It may help you to keep a daily diary of your cat's behavior so that you can see whether your efforts are helping. If they are, seeing it on paper will encourage you to continue with the treatment program.

What NOT to Do

Do not punish your cat for engaging in compulsive behavior. Punishing her will increase her stress, and she'll probably do even more compulsive licking, sucking or chewing as a result.

It's usually not helpful to physically prevent your cat from engaging in compulsive behavior. For example, making her wear an Elizabethan collar probably won't work. While restraint can be helpful in the short term to keep your cat from harming herself, it's important to find a long-term solution to address the source of the underlying anxiety.

Cat Care on a Budget

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As responsible pet owners, we agree to care for our furry friends in sickness and in health. But as the economy softens and veterinary costs rise, how do we do what's best for our pet?

To help you navigate these troubled economic waters, Dr. Louise Murray, author of Vet Confidential and Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, and Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor, offer the following tips to help you save money on your pet's health care.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Remember the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Well, it applies to pets, too. Don't skip your pet's yearly exam. It's much more expensive —and risky— to treat illnesses than to protect against them.

Personalize Your Pet's Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your pet's annual shots, but it does make sense to talk to your vet about personalizing your pet's vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer. Many local shelters provide resources for low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. Visit our online database to find a low-cost program in your area. If you live in New York City, check out our mobile clinic.

Brush Your Pet's Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a daily dental routine to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.

Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you'll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.

See a Specialist
Pet parents can reduce costs by getting a pet's condition diagnosed and treated by an expert as quickly as possible. Veterinary specialists are available for everything from skin disease to cancer, and will often work within your budget.

Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency vet visit or serious illness would be a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance, while your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not all plans are created equal.

Buy High-Quality Pet Food
A good quality pet food—formulated under the guidelines of the American Association of Feed Control Officials—is often more cost effective than a homemade diet. Avoid overfeeding your pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Shop Smart
Whether he's looking for pet food, medicine or grooming supplies, the smart shopper clips coupons and buys in bulk. It's also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.

Used with permission of the ASPCA, © 2009 ASPCA. All Rights Reserved.