AboutNorman Auspitz Expertise I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
Question HI Norman,
My 6 yr old female de-sexed burmese has been re-homed to me from a breeder and has settled in extremely well. My cat and i live by ourselves and have developed a strong bond. The only problem is that although she is happy to have cuddels and play time with my boy friend she is unhappy and will not settle when we go to bed. I have resorted to sleeping in the kounge room with her by myself as it is the only way she will settle (if it is just her and i). Please help with any suggestions of how i can help her settle at night time when my boyfriend is here,
Thanks
Jess (australia)
Answer Jess,
You probably won't like this answer (most people do not). However, I cannot give you an easy fix, given the nature of cats.
Your cat has learned how to manipulate your behavior when your boy friend is there. You just have to ignore her penchant to not settle down (although you have not explained what you mean by not settled down).
At bed time, I would not let her decide where you will sleep and ignore any behaviors she might employ to manipulate your behavior. Cats are nothing, if not persistent, but you can grit your teeth and tough it out if you want to get her to settle down eventually (it may take a number of weeks, or even months).
