Dear Fisher,

I have a problem and I need some advice. Whenever I go potty (#2), I have the urge to drag my bottom along the carpet until I’m all clean. This makes my mom really angry! She took me to the vet last year and they said nothing was wrong with me. She took me to the vet again this year because she was so frustrated at the skid marks I leave on the carpet! They expressed my glands and again told her that there is nothing wrong with me and that they didn’t know why I was doing it. I am sad because it makes my mom so upset, but it really feels good to me. Do you have any advice that would help me stop scooting across the carpet so my mom will be happy again?

Taffy

Dear Taffy,

I must say I am happy your mom took you to the vet to have this problem checked out. And, of course I am very happy that you are just fine. For anyone else out there who experiences this kind of joy ride, it is important to know you could have a gland problem or perhaps a case of worms. I only mention that because I read it somewhere. I am not authorized to give medical advice and suggest always that you first check with your vet whenever you develop suspicious habits.

Cats can be the strictest judges of their own cleanliness. Cats usually do their best to cover up their deposits to the litter box, but sometimes they cannot help but make partial deposits and then are caught in a quandary of how to handle the leftovers. They just know it feels weird or itchy. Carpet scooting becomes the obvious solution.

I have a few ideas for you and your mom:

1. Mom should be aware of your potty habits and use pet wipes (or baby wipes) to help you finish the job upon leaving the litter box. You will both conclude that you either need the help and it is just a fact of life, or, you have developed a bad habit and are willing to break it in order to keep the wipes away from your tush.
2. Your mom can get a hair clipper for cats and clip fur around the area of deposit to avoid “cling-ons” which cause your bum to feel itchy or uncomfortable which then leads to your performance of the Butt Scootin’ Boogie on the carpet.
3. I think this is my best idea – your mom can purchase a small (2 feet x 3 or 4 feet) carpet with a rubber backing to place over the house carpet, and let you do your thing. It might be best if she bought 2 or 3 in order to allow for cleaning time. You, Taffy, are then somewhat obligated to confine your dance to the newly purchased ballroom floor.

You can find more information on wipes, carpet cleaning solutions and litter box fillers at
clean-cats-behind. I cannot stress enough that going to the vet for a check up is absolutely top of all lists of things to do. You have started in the right direction and I hope all others with this inclination will do the same.

Your friend,
Fisher

On my recent visit to Kitty and Doggie News I found the real voice of reason for recovery in our current troubling times. Pay them a visit for more uplifting news. We can all use some.

And by the way, don’t forget to write and get a chance to win a free pet portrait.

Your friend,
Fisher

Taco in pink

Dear Fisher,

First of all, Mommy insisted that I write about this “issue”. I have no “issues” thank you very much, I am purrfect. But she seems to think I’m a bit of a bully. I have to chase away all cats who may be intruders and if they get a bit hurt…oh well…I myself have quite an array of battle scars. I am nice to my little sister, Sumari, as long as she leaves me alone, and I am also nice to Mango, especially now that I am much bigger than him.

But, Mango gets to go out at night, and I CAN’T. Mommy says it’s because all Mango does is snooze on the porch (oh big deal, he never does ANYTHING) and I take naps in the parking lot. The parking lot is nice and warm after the sun goes down!! And my gorgeous gray furs blend in so well, you can’t even SEE me! Mommy FREAKS! She thinks a car will squash me, oh PLEASE!! Not so, everybody loves me.

So today I dumped over the wastebasket when she let Mango out but not me. I think that’s fair, don’t you? And big deal, I shred up some important papers now and then (mommy hangs them up high on the wall). She says it’s the only place that’s safe from ME, but it’s not. I have to get my way at all times. I really do love all my humans and I do supply a good dose of cuteness so they will not be mad at me, so just let them know that I am not a bully, OK? I just have to defend my kingdom – and get my own way.

Taco

Dear Taco,

My head is swimming with all the activity you conjure up around your place. While I am sure everybody loves you, I am also sure everybody does not love your behavior. Your efforts to “protect” your domain can have some serious consequences. For instance, there is the danger of you getting a little more than just scarred in your attempts to guard your domain. Cat bites and scratches are serious and can easily become infected. I recommend you chill out a little on the fighting and give peace a chance.

Consider that your need to get your own way is getting in your own way. By retaliating with basket upheavals and shredded documents, you are undoing all your efforts at cuteness. And sleeping out overnight on a paved parking lot where your mommy cannot see you? Keep in mind if she cannot see you, neither can the cars!

Changing cat behavior takes a commitment from your humans and from you. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not impossible to train a cat. Some things to do right away:

1. Get thee to the vet. (Rule out the possibility of physical cause for mischief.)
2. Impose a new rule: all cats stay inside. (This calls for extra toys, treats, and attention.)
3. Establish a daily routine of feeding, cuddling, playtime and grooming so cats know what to expect. (This is a confidence building exercise.)
4. Keep the door closed on the wastebasket and important papers.(No comment.)
5. If aggression occurs among the now “in-house” cats, have a time-out space ready. (Impose peaceful coexistence.)

Many different aspects of cat behavior are addressed at the site, Perfect Pet Paws, and I think you can all find help there.

I do send best wishes for an all around happy homestead, but I just have one nagging question to ask: Does anyone really know for sure that the only thing Mango does all night is snooze on the porch?

Your friend,
Fisher

It’s the Mean Kitty Song! Obviously done with a lot of love!

Thanks to questions from my friends out there, I have changed the rules a little. I think you will all agree that is appropriate as long as

My friend Taco from http://catloverssite.info/

1. If you are a multiple in a multiple pet house, you can send a photo with all of you in it OR
2. If each pet writes their own letter and sends their own photo, they are added as a separate entry.
***Here’s a tip: Send photo to go with your letter and include another photo of the gang. Then if you win, you choose which one you would like for the portrait. Make sense?
This contest is a little bit of a work in progress and I am sure to do this again in the future. It is fun!

Your friend,
Fisher