27 Nov Remy Makes Fanny His Surrogate Cat (Nov 2024)

Single Cat Syndrome can trigger a cat’s *aggressive behavior.  Sometimes alternate measures can be the solution.  So I explained to Fanny, “Remy’s aggressive behavior with you is triggered by the single cat syndrome.”  …..

Remy awaits toys I’ve brought

Remy’s Surrogate Cat
“Remy interacts with you as he would another cat. You’re his surrogate cat.”
“He needs the right feline disciple that he can wrestle and race. A cat has thicker skin and similar resources, so a companion cat would be an even match.”
“I don’t doubt your diagnosis and solution. Be that as it may, I’d appreciate some alternative measures.”

These were the steps —

• Distract him with a toss of a toy, a loud babababa or any dramatic, sudden sound if and when he gives you that intense stare and his body stiffens —pre attack mode.
• You have to wear him out with toy therapy, chases and daily brushing or/and a gentle massage. Otherwise, he will direct this pent-up energy your way, in an aggressive way.
• Whenever you have company, mention Remy in your conversation so he doesn’t feel ghosted, rejected or abandoned.
• Give him a verbal heads up when you move about so he isn’t startled.
• Take him for some walks or runs in the hall if he feels comfortable out there, and it’s okay with your neighbors.
• A touch of catnip every other day, more often if he welcomes it, will give him a burst of energy, followed by a cat snooze.
• A cat-friendly child would be a compatible playmate because a child usually has that focus and spunk that a cat appreciates.
• Dog dates with a cat friendly dog. The dog would be on a leash to avoid any confrontations. This interaction would expend some of Remy’s energy. Don’t be surprised if they become bff.
• A telephone conversation can be “an elephant in the room” to Remy. You can keep him in the conversation if you swing a cat wand or anything so he feels engaged, included.

Remy had climbed to one of his high perches as I explained to Fanny how to keep the two of them in the comfort zone.
“Well Carole, I’ll let you know how we progress,” said Fanny.
“And I’ll get a case report off to his doctors at Washington Square Animal Hospital so we’re all on Remy’s cat walk.”

Blissed out by Fanny’s heating pad

Remy Embraces The Heating Pad
A couple of days later I received a text from Fanny:
“Remy nipped my arm while I was on the phone — a reminder that I neglected him. I took care of it and even remembered to apply ice.”
When I called Fanny, she told me there was some good news. She had the heating pad on to soothe her arm, and Remy sprawled out on the pad. I told her that heat relaxes the body and is very feline seductive. Cat-friendly heat has been a blue ribbon treatment for many of my troubled patients. It’s catnip for an anxious kitty.

Cats And Motion
I reminded Fanny that a cat is very in sync with motion—which is why her arms and legs are his targets.
“I’ll send you another link of music to play for Remy, and you can check out the CBD Drops/Capsules for cats with anxiety (See the video  in this month’s Purr Moments).  We’ll keep the option of an anti-anxiety drug on a side-bar. A homeopathic remedy is another type of treatment.”
Fanny thanked me and once again told me that Remy was the most loving and affectionate cat. Everybody adores him. “I’m his only victim.”
I reminded her that she was his victim when he had an anxiety attack because she was his surrogate cat.

“Carole, you told me to put the phone on speaker whenever we talked. I did and here he is listening!”

Tuning in to the speaker phone

I told Fanny that was because he associated my voice with his session so our phone conversation was an automatic acceptance for him. With that I gave a shout-out for Remy.

*Here is a report from Kate about her experience ….
Single Cat Syndrome — Aggressive Cat Syndrome 

Xena has found her disciple in Des

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