Bridget and Olive. Courtesy: Bridget Pilloud
Under the heading of “don’t knock it until you try it,” I bring you some insight into Intuitive Animal Communication as a way to combat litter box issues and other behavior problems in cats.
According to a Petside-Associated Press poll, most pet owners believe their pets have a “sixth sense.” It makes “sense” then (ha ha), that this psychic energy goes the other way too, does it not? You be the judge.
To better understand this practice, I interviewed Bridget Pilloud, an animal communicator who’s been talking with hundreds of animals a year for the last seven years. Bridget is mom to three human kids, three dogs, three cats and a horse named Ed. She tells me that litter box issues are the second most common reason that she talks with cats. The most common reason is end-of-life questions.
Here’s what Bridget shared with me about her talents and how they can help solve litter box problems.
Happy Litter Box: What is Intuitive Animal Communication?
Bridget Pilloud: Intuitive animal communication is the act of exchanging information with an animal through the sharing of energy. Telepathy is the ability to receive and understand that energy cognitively. Everyone intuitively communicates with their pets. We pick up information all the time about how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. Most people chalk this up to interpreting their pets’ body language, but there is something deeper going on.
HLB: What are the most common reasons cats tell you they are peeing or pooping outside their box?
BP: Most take issue with the box and litter itself.
1. They don’t like its location (for a variety of reasons).
2. They don’t like its vicinity to their food (so many people put the litter
box by the food dish. Cats never poop by their food in the wild. And well,
we humans, also don’t keep a fridge by the toilet.
3. It’s not clean enough.
4. They don’t want to share it with other cats.
5. They are worried that the dog or another cat is going to “get them.”
6. They have aches and pains or arthritis and are having trouble getting
into the box.
HLB: What is the most unusual reason a cat has given for their behavior?
BP: I once had a cat tell me that he was making the carpet smell better by peeing on it. Also, some cats like to protect their owners’ stuff by peeing on it. And of course, many cats like to pee on the suitcases of guests. This is a welcome sign. To cats, enabling someone from outside the home to smell like the home greatly increases the guest’s safety. They are literally trying to put your guest at ease. Some are laying claim to it.
HLB: What do the pets most often request their parents do?
BP: Move the litter box. Put a lid on it. Make it safe. Keep it clean.
HLB: What is the most unusual request a pet has made?
BP: A cat wanted to learn to use the toilet like people.
HLB note: I hope their parents got them a Litter Kwitter!
HLB: What do you normally tell the cats?
BP: Most cats are happy to comply with the house rules, once they know what they are. So, we talk about what’s expected. Many cats are deeply disappointed to find out that we don’t like the smell of their pee. Sometimes bargains must be made. Cats like to make deals.
HLB: Do you find you often need to have several conversations with the cat to get them to stop their peeing or do they usually get it the first time?
BP: If I can get them to stop, we only need one conversation. About 80% of the time, that’s the case. If there are ongoing issues in the home or there is a lack of follow-through on the part of the owners, talking to me again rarely fixes the problem. Sometimes cats are responding to stress in the home. There can be multiple issues going on, but usually we get to the bottom of it and get it solved.
HLB: Is there anything else I should share with my readers about how an animal communicator like yourself can help with litter box issues?
BP: Animal communicators are great at zeroing in on the problem, and also at conveying why it’s important that litter boxes are used.
I do want to stress that I always tell the cat parents to take their cat to the vet first, to rule out any medical issues. The cat may not know that’s the problem.
A good animal communicator should be able to tell you about your cat without needing much information from you. I ask for a picture and a name of the pet. They should convey the personality of your cat to you so that you recognize that they are truly talking with your pet. If you don’t recognize your pet in what they are saying, that’s a problem.
Animals do not sound like babies or children (unless they are themselves babies). They sound like people. So if you have an animal communicator who is infantilizing your pet, you’re not getting a good read.
The most important advice that I can give a cat owner is that they must not feel a lot of frustration and anxiety about litter issues, especially when changing the litter box. Thinking that the litter box is “gross” or that you are burdened by having to clean it conveys a negative attitude. I’ve had
cats decide that they were going to pee elsewhere so as to lighten that burden. Also, don’t embarrass your cat by thinking or saying anything about the odor of their litter box. Cats can be sensitive.
Also, once a cat likes a litter, that’s the litter you need to stay with. I’ve seen more cats get upset over a litter change than anything else.
Bridget, thank you so much for taking that time to share more about this field with us. Readers, you can find Bridget online at PetsAreTalking.com or on Twitter at @IntuitiveBridge. Also, if you have had experiences with Animal Communicators, please share!
