Pet/Animal Stories ~ A cat's comfort zone

When first arriving here in Phoenix, a friend of mine asked if he thought I might help him with his cat. She had been going to the bathroom in the bathtub. I was sure I would be able to get something and proceeded to ask the cat some questions. The calico is exceptionally friendly and talkative and immediately climbed up on my chest and proceeded to tell me what the issue was. It seems the litter box is in the ugliest room of the house and had no privacy. She was not comfortable with its placement and wanted it moved to a more private as well as aesthetically pleasing room. What had me most intrigued was that she seemed to speak with a British accent. It was quite amusing as she sounded like royalty to me. I relayed the message and my friend was quick to reply that the litter box was indeed in a very ugly space and did not have any privacy. His cat also asked that the box be cleaned often because she was sharing it with another cat and did not like using it after the other had been in there.

Communication with animals is usually quite clear and when they request something to change their behavior, it is imperative that we comply. Building clear, honest communication with your pet, then listening and following through with your pet's request will create a clear change in behavior and build a stronger level of trust.

If, however we ask our pet what they need to feel more comfortable and to change their behavior, and we do not follow through, we can be creating more of an issue. I mention this because it took my friend weeks to comply with his cat's request and I let him know that she might not be so ready to share her needs next time something came up.