A Talking Cat

A client complained that her young male cat talked incessantly which was tolerable during daylight hours but not at night. When I connected to him, it was apparent he was a young cat soul, having little experience with humans and their routines. He was stressed and anxious whenever any change to his life occurred. A sudden change in the home increased his fears. Although he had been a feral cat who deliberately picked his caregiver, arriving on her doorstep one wet and cold day, he was really not happy with everything that happened once she rescued him. 

She allowed him access to the outside, but lived in the country. His outside life was filled with possibilities for natural hazards and disasters, like coyotes, snakes, farm dogs and large owls to name a few. For him to live a long life he needed a safe outdoor space that he could access while being protected.

As well, there were dogs in the house. Big, rambunctious dogs and he was expected to navigate pathways between and around them. Routines in the home were varied and although the humans were able to respond to life circumstances in a fluid manner, this cat was unable to do so. Yet, he and his caregiver had history between them. In a past life she been a trapper and he had been a lynx. He was curious about her. At times she shared her food with him and they grew to be companions of sort, him resting close to her fire at night and accompanying her when she walked her trapline. He chose her in this life as he knew he could access inside and outside with her and would have few restrictions.

In order to help him with his anxiety it was important she talked to him whenever change was coming. She needed to put shelves up on the walls so he had a means of navigating the home without dogs in his way. He needed regular, consistent feeding times, with the largest meal at night. His digestive tract had been compromised when he was very young so he needed several small meals during the day to calm his digestion with the largest meal at night.

He talked to her about being unhappy, feeling afraid, complaining about the dogs, complaining about changes – well, you get the picture. He talked. Loudly. Often.

Once his caregiver followed my suggestions, his talking subsided dramatically, particularly at night. He was happier and less anxious although always would be a talker.