A Strange New Environment Causes Behavioral Issues

In California, Nila lived for one year in a small ranch house with a tiny fenced in area and deck space, then moved to a larger house without the possibility of fencing in the countryside of Sonoma County. In the beginning she was kept inside. Eventually, she and Chuckie were allowed free range in the open spaces of vineyards and stable areas. A female kitten, Sophia, had joined the family just after the move. The outdoors were home to other animals as well, such as neighborhood cats and dogs, and wild animals like wildcats, wild boar, jack rabbits, coyotes, gophers, raccoons, turkeys, etc.

At first, Nila went out often, but after some fights with raccoons, she started to stay indoors more and more often. She stopped going outside, and began eating a great deal, often waiting for the other cats to go out, finishing off their plates, and then going to the basement and throwing up the food. She also began sleeping most of the time.

Nila's new behavior of eating everything in sight and then throwing up, and also of not going voluntarily outside, was not seen before the move. Now, the other cats chased her, even though she was much older and larger than the youngest female cat. She emoted a sense of weary, frightened, victim-hood, and I believe the other animals were drawn into this projection. She did not seem to find joy in life, only in food. She had a lot of change to deal with, and not much support for doing so, as the entire family was also facing the changes she was facing.

Geni and I also discussed a belief that Nila was feeling in many ways the same as we were. It was also possible that Nila, being super-sensitive herself, was reflecting elements of her owners’ feelings and behaviors. California was strange, alien, and difficult. Country living was weird and scary at first. It was like living on Mars for all family members. After the loss of two grandparents, the family felt even more ungrounded. Food was a support and comfort to all the family members. Perhaps Nila was mirroring some of the owner’s behaviors.

Calming Nila's Stomach Issues

Geni's first objective was to see if we could get Nila to stop throwing up so much. We took her to the vet, and had her checked out, but they did not find anything abnormal. They said that cats, like humans, get upset and can have eating disorders. Nila seemed to be emotionally upset, in the realm of PTSD from the move and the interfacing with wild animals in her own yard. We wanted her to feel noticed and supported and loved, so she could begin to let go of her state of anxiety, and subsequent depression.

Genevieve remembered that Nila used to roll in the Chamomile back east, and that Genevieve has also made Chamomile tea and used it as a medicinal herb when she has had a nervous stomach and found it helpful. Since Genevieve had such positive feelings and memories about Chamomile, I decided to start with it.

Reducing Nila's Fears

The food plates were picked up at breakfast, and Nila was talked to and given her flower essences. Her dry food during the day and night was cut back. She seemed skittish. Sometimes when put outside, she hissed and growled and tried to scratch. She seemed to be sleeping the same. It was decided it would be best not to chase Nila to go outside, or force her, but try to invite her to go out.

It was then decided to add Mimulus to Nila's formula, and try to gently get her to go outside. Also, she would be brushed every week as she really loved it; it is one kind of affection she will accept; it is soothing to her, and it was thought that the removal of loose hair could help her upset stomach feel better, and there would be less fur in Nila's stomach after her self-grooming.

A Noticeable Change After Starting Flower Essence Therapy

Not long after adding Mimulus to Nila's formula, we saw a noticeable change; Nila was not throwing up every morning, and rarely if that.

Going outside even for just a short period of time was still a goal. A shady place on the deck was made for Nila so she could have a time in the midday (when it was warm) when the screen door was left open to see if she would go out on the deck. She began going out on the deck somewhat regularly during the mid-morning, on nice days. She sat and looked out over the yard. On nice evenings with a person sitting on the front porch, Nila would go out and occasionally go off into the garden. When people went inside, Nila went in also.

Nila began going outside every evening when the family went for walks. She ventured down the long driveway. She also went outside and sat on the porch, in the driveway, or even walked down it, went into the garden, or even across the driveway into the tall grass. She even went around the back of the house a few times. She continued to go out on the deck in the mornings. While she still tried to eat the other cats’ food, sometimes she skipped it. She also seemed to be fighting off her cat family attackers better. She laid on her back, growled and scratched. 

We decided to add Pink Yarrow to Nila’s mix of flower essences to see if the emotions of the people in her life were flooding her and if that would help her more with her own personal food addiction. 

A Total Transformation

Geni said, “Nila is amazing. I saw her go all the way down the driveway to the road, cross the road to go and pick on our neighbor’s cat!” This was a total personality transformation; Nila went out every evening to walk on the driveway, went out into the meadow to hunt and explore, as well as around to the back of the house. She hadn’t thrown up at all; at that point, not once in two months.

Nila was observed playing one-up-man-ship with the other female cat in her cat family. Before, she would be intimidated and yield her favorite spot. Now, when Sophia took Nila’s spot, Nila curled up in one of Sophia’s favorite hang-outs. Nila fights off the other cats she used to run from. She has become assertive.

I was struck by how clearly the flower essences worked, how notable the effects were in an animal. Nila’s transformation was a straight path, unadulterated by numerous unaccountable variables. Her stomach is no longer an issue. She goes outside regularly. She fights off other cats. She even ventures beyond her ken to “pick on” other cats on the road!

About Jaime Stover Schmitt