QUESTION

We've had our cat for nearly two years, and although he's not the friendliest cat ever, he's always come when called, and come into the house quite happily. Just recently I treated my carpets with a well known powdered carpet deodoriser, and now my cat refuses to come in to the house at all. He's taken to sleeping at the bottom of the garden,even in the pouring rain. We have decided not to feed him outside, so he has to come in for food, but he is obviously distressed, appearing to recognise nothing in his house, not even his own bed etc.He will not even go into the garage, where he also has a bed, and I don't have carpet in there, obviously!!In the garden he is quite normal and friendly, but inside the house, he's a different animal. I've hoovered repeatedly to get rid of the smell, but so far no joy. Please help.

Lesley

ANSWER

Dear Lesley,
I think it is difficult to get rid of the residual odours of carpet deodorisers as they get deep into the pile. Your cat obviously now feels the environment to be threatening and this is why there is a reluctance to come back in. Time may well solve the problem but a phermonal diffuser plug in might well help. These diffusers blow a pheromone (scent hormone) into the atmosphere and this exerts a calming effect on the cat. It takes a while to work but is definitely worth a try. You should be able to purchase one from your veterinary surgeon.

Andrew Geldard