Guests should follow rules to make felines feel comfortable
Having friends and family over for lengthy visits or a weekend stay can become a challenge if your guests are allergic or just don't bond with felines.
Personally, I make it clear to my friends that my felines are my best friends, and if they don't accept that I suggest "perhaps we should just meet at a restaurant."
I have some tips for you when dealing with your house guests, and you may want to be more tactful than I am.
First and foremost, know your feline's personality. Shy and outgoing felines pose two different sets of potential problems for your house guests.
A shy feline may be so anxiety ridden it may not want to be bothered by your guests. Stress to your friends and family that your feline needs to come around on its own time. Ask them not to force a relationship.
If your feline has not been introduced to strangers, he or she would be more apt to be shy and not open to the new experience.
You can lessen the stress for your feline in advance by purchasing a product called Feliway Comfort Zone. It is manufactured as a wall plug-in for a room and as a spray to be applied directly on bedding and in carriers. Why does Feliway work for some felines? It mimics a natural, comforting facial pheromone produced by felines.
If you already know your feline's anxiety level with strangers is beyond Feliway, take him to the veterinarian and inquire about anti-anxiety medication to be given on a short-term basis. Your veterinarian will give your pet an exam to determine overall health and proper dosage.
You should also make sure your guests do not disturb your feline at its favorite sleeping spot. Your feline needs a place to retreat from this new noise. Perhaps, provide an extra quiet spot with fresh bedding to provide him an additional place for a cat nap.
If litter box placement is an issue when guests arrive, do not move it. It may confuse your feline. Rather, provide an additional box in a quiet place where your feline will not be disturbed.
Perhaps even leave a carrier with the door off in a quiet spot with bedding as a retreat are, or use that location for the extra litter pan. The carrier ensures more privacy.
Also, you should ask your guests to keep the door to the guest room closed. This prevents destructive marking behavior, like having your feline claw their luggage or clothing. Your guests should also be asked to keep the windows closed and to use care when exiting doors.
If your guests want to win over your shy feline, start with tossing treats. If your feline shows interest and goes for it, keep your guests tossing the treats closer and closer to themselves and the two may meet.
With rewards come acceptance. Interactive wand toys can also break shy barriers. Also, do not forget to have your own private interaction and treat time with your feline. Extra attention goes a long way in trust building.
Outgoing felines can create totally different problems for guests. You know if your feline is interactive with anyone that sits on the furniture, or jumps on table tops and counters. Warn your guests of these behaviors and that you allow it. If they are uncomfortable with the conduct, head to the nearest restaurant with undue haste.
Alternatively, you can always hope they have allergies and will decline the stay because, of coarse, you do not own a HEPA air purifier.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to the rescue of stray, abused and abandoned animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.