Going Mental
Is your cat's behavior a little cray-cray? Join the Nation of Crazy Cats! Today on the Quirky Cat Nips Podcast, we'll take a look under the hood of the head of your cat – you never know what you'll find under all that fur. Meow Kitties!
Listen to Episode #14 Now:
Transcript:
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Announcer: This is Pet Life Radio.
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Announcer: Let's talk pets.
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Announcer: Cat lovers and feline friends, it's time for Adele Park's Quirky Cat Nips.
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Is your cat Livin La Vida Loca?
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A friend of mine has a cat who is literally pulling his own hair out.
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To protect the innocent, I won't mention the name of my friend or her cat, Luca.
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After a trusted veterinarian inspected the inverted mohawk Luca etched into his own back, he pronounced this handsome feline was one stamp short of going postal.
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This got me wondering, is it common for cats to saunter off the mental reservation?
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As always, I started my quest for answers with the internet.
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The first thing I learned was the word alopecia, a term used to describe any form of hair loss on a cat.
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Some of the gateway problems to alopecia include a smorgasbord of itchy options, including fleas, ringworm and mites, conditions which were thankfully ruled out in Luca's case.
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This left two other options.
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Luca was either suffering from seasonal allergies like the rest of us spring snivellers, or he had gone completely cattywampus.
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One allergy shot later, and it was apparent the blooming mulberry bushes were not the blooming problem.
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After more research, I stumbled across an article on feline hyperesthesia.
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This condition is much like human panic attacks brought on by emotional or environmental stress.
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Hyperesthesia can cause cats to be so OCD about grooming, they lick and chew their way down to the basement of their skin.
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I've been to Luca's house numerous times, so I know for a fact he's not suffering from external stress.
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The only kitty on this planet more spoiled than mine is Luca.
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Furthermore, Luca's owner doesn't believe in noise pollution, wisely opting for having the golf channel on instead of the news.
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So what can be done about a cat who has bats in the belfry?
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The first thing is to try and startle your cat out of self-mutilation.
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Next time your furry friend is carving crop circles in his own fur, make a sudden noise like clapping your hands.
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If that fails, go the route of most humans and get your cat on drugs.
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Seriously, they have antidepressants for cats these days.
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If you don't like these choices, just embrace the fact that your cat is morphing into Mr.
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Bigglesworth from the Austin Powers movies.
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Whether you're going on a trip or just tripping, Quirky Cannabis Country is the perfect audiobook to take on your next adventure.
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Find out what happens when a group of extreme kooks gathers to participate in a reality TV show near an oasis of kick-ass cannabis.
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Announcer: Quirky Cannabis Country by Adele Park.
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Get it today on audible.com.
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Announcer: Let's talk pets.
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Announcer: Every week on demand.
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Announcer: Only on petliferadio.com.