New York, NY. These reader questions were answered by experts who spoke to the crowd at the CFA-Iams Cat Championship, October 14 and 15 at Madison Square Garden. Four-year-old Calie, a female Shorthair Manx from Trenton, NJ,, also known as Furry-Foot’s Confetti of Deydream, won the hearts of the judges at the prestigious show, and at this moment is considered the nation’s most beautiful cat. 

      Q: My 3-year old cat, which I found at the age of only 5 weeks, will not stop sucking on my fingers. He’s purrs, but he also bites down. Is this because she was abandoned too young? Otherwise, she’s a wonderful cat. What can I do? T. S., Charlotte, NC 

      A: Joan Miller, legislative coordinator of the Cat Fancier’s Association, who has been breeding cats for 20 years, concurs the suckling on your fingers, is likely because your cat was separated from her mother at an early age. “Some people just tolerate it, and the behavior and in some cats goes away over time,” she says. However, no one wants their fingers bitten on. So when your kitty bites down too hard remove the finger. Hopefully, over time, your cat will learn that when she bites down, she can’t suckle on your finger.

      Still, not wanting to have wet fingers is understandable. An alternative may be for you to wear a glove, and rub your scent on it so the glove smells like you. Next time your cat wants to suckle offer the glove as a finger substitute.  

      Q: Our year old cat has a peculiar fascination with my husband’s head. She wakes him up each morning ‘grooming’ his head. Not only that, she’s all over his head whenever he sits down. It’s like he’s on a mission. We’ve noticed this doesn’t matter what condition his head is in, sweaty, recently washed or full of hair product. She doesn’t have any interest in other heads. Apparently, my long hair isn’t cat like. Can you tell us why our cat does this cute but annoying behavior?  L. S., Charlotte, NC 

      A: “It’s a mutual gooming thing, cats groom fuzzy parts on each other,” says New York City based feline behavior consultant Beth Adelman. “And some people have fuzzy parts on their heads. It might be a personal preference; you cat just likes his smell. But it’s also an expression of how your cat feels about your husband. This is very much a sign of affection.”

      However, since you suggest he’s annoyed, Adelman, who is the author of “Every Cat’s Survival Guide to Living with a Neurotic Owner” (Barnes & Noble Books, New York, NY, 2003; $6.98) recommends a substitute for your husband’s head. Try out a Teddy Bear, or similar plush toy. Your husband’s instructions begin with rubbing the toy on his hair repeatedly. And then when your cat begins to nuzzle into his hair, gently pick up the cat and give him the toy. He may accept the substitute.

      Adelman says another option is for your husband to re-train your cat to receive another form of affection. “When the cat goes for his hair, he can pick her up, look her in the face and tell her he loves her – brush the cat, give her a hug and continue talking. Cats love it when we tell them things.” It’s not easy being loved too much. 

      Q: I have a cat who urinates fine in the litter box, but the bowel movements are right next to the box. How can I get her to stop this?  T. A., Chambersburg, PA 

      A: First, visit your veterinarian. It could be that your cat has gastro intestinal and/or bowel issues which are precipitating the problem.
   
    Beth Adelman, accredited with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants says assuming your cat checks out at the vet, add a second litter box. She says, “Some cats decide they want to do one thing in one box and another in a second box.” Another easy fix may be to scoop more often. Some cats are quite finicky about cleanliness.

      Adelman also suggests peeking around the corner when your cat isn’t looking and spy on how she’s defecating. She points out that some cats squat smack dab in the middle of the box as they should, but have incredibly bad aim. Buying a larger box, such as a plastic storage container (the kind sold to keep sweaters in, for example) will probably rectify the situation. Sometimes the tabby is simply too tubby for the box; a plastic storage container is also a possible solution since these are considerably larger than most litter boxes. Some cats may kind of do a dance as they squat; finally they do business and extend their behinds over the side of the box, it’s as if they can barely stand being in the box. This is a cue that the cat dislikes the litter.  

      Q: In just the last two months our 18-year old cat wants to sleep in the litter box, whether it is clean or not. I’ve never heard of this. Our vet said the cat was healthy on our last visit, about four months ago. He eats and drinks fine, but seems to gradually be losing weight. Can you help with this perplexing strange behavior?  K. W., Cyberspace 

      A: Don’t wait – visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a veterinarian in Aliso Viejo, CA warns, “Any time there’s a change in a cat’s behavior or physical condition, particularly an older cat, contract your veterinarian. An 18 year old cat is maybe like an 88-year old person, and four months in a cat’s life is perhaps a year in a person. Maybe it’s easier now to understand how things can change quickly. Two real possibilities are diabetes and an over-active thyroid. I am very concerned about the weight loss. Diabetes can cause a kind of neuropathy, and that can cause the cat great difficulty getting in and out of the box. It’s easier just to stay in. Certainly, since this behavior is new to the cat, it’s another clue that something might be wrong.”

Beth Adelman and friend