Benny Is On Snuggle Auto - Beyond Needy - Carole Wilbourn
Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Therapist, has been the leading voice in feline therapy for over 5 decades. She has helped thousands of cat moms and dads explore, face, and resolve cat behavioral and health issues. Carole is truly the most trusted Cat Therapist in the United States.
Cat Therapist, Feline Therapist, Carole Wilbourn, Cat Problems, Cat incontinence, Cat problems, Cat health, Feline health, Feline Therapy, Cat Therapy, Feline anxiety,
7727
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-7727,single-format-standard,theme-bridge,bridge-core-3.0.5,qi-blocks-1.0.6,qodef-gutenberg--no-touch,woocommerce-no-js,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-title-hidden,side_menu_slide_from_right,columns-3,qode-theme-ver-29.2,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.9,vc_responsive

27 May Benny Is On Snuggle Auto — Beyond Needy

Posted at 01:20h in Blog by
Benny the needy snuggler

Not long ago I did a phone consult with Sarah, a caller from Montreal who had read a couple of my books and wanted my cat-speak on Benny, her “totally smitten” cat. She mentioned how he had  always been a snuggler, but ever since her shoulder surgery, he was on snuggle-automatic. That was two months ago.

Sarah told me that before her problem was diagnosed, she had trouble sleeping because her shoulder sometimes throbbed. As she rubbed her shoulder, Benny would leave his spot on her pillow and plant himself on her chest, with a paw on her shoulder where he would remain for the rest of the night. She realized that he sensed her pain and wanted to comfort her.

“I lead a very active life so it wasn’t until my shoulder pain interfered with my ‘life’ that I finally made an appointment with my doctor,” said Sarah. “I’m fully recovered, but Benny is still on snuggle automatic.”
Sarah appreciated his companionship during the night. But now whenever she was home, he would meow non-stop until she picked him up and held him. If she tried to put him down sooner than ten minutes or even more, he would practically trip her if she didn’t pick him up.
“ I adopted Benny when he was a kitten. We’ve been together ten years. He’s always been super affectionate, but this is over the top.”  Sarah mentioned that as she spoke, Benny was on her lap, snuggled against her.
I told Sarah that there were a few things she could do to gradually fast forward Benny’s behavior to mutual comfort for the two of them.

Benny’s Treatment Program

  • Purchase or make a cat papoose or sling that Benny could hang out in so he can be close to you as you move about. Fortunately, he is a slender, small cat so Sarah could handle his weight.
  • Continue to replay the musical recording that played during Benny’s consult to reinforce his positive associations. The more relaxed he is, the better you’ll both feel.
  • If the papoose or sling is not an option for you, consider a kitty companion for Benny. Maybe it’s time for an addition. You can refer to the Wibourn Way to choose and introduce a new kitten or cat in my books or from my Blog https://thecattherapist.com/blog/2021/10/introducing-a-new-kitten-to-an-older-cat/

“Carole, I’ll start with the music, and the kitty sling sounds like a cool idea. I know I can put one together. Let me put the new kitty idea on hold.”
“And remember to tell Benny that you are okay. Your reassurance will resonate with him by your relaxed voice and body language as you reassure him.”