Getting ready for the premiere of my new Animal Planet series “My Cat From Hell” has me reflecting a bit – it’s been a long long road, a lot of cats and a lot of people who thought that said cats hated them for some reason known only to them. Gotta say I still get a kick out of seeing the light go off in people’s eyes when they realize that there’s no reason to buy in to the cycle of who-hates-who. I’ve devoted my life to teaching the cat’s eye view, and those moments pretty much make it all worthwhile (well, and also everything the cats have given me!) -
I’m not even sure how I found out that Superchunk’s new video for “Crossed Wires” was the perfect “Cat From Hell” moment. Just the thought of Superchunk and a cat video made me do a little dance. But on top of that, this song is fantastic – one of their best after all these years!
But, of course, the cherry on top is that from now on, when my clients tell me their cat-mares with the accompanying fantasy of their cats’ agendas, I can just cue this bad boy up. Consider my weekend made.
Hey, and don’t forget, let me hear what you think about the new show. Premieres Saturday night at 9/8 Central. Even if you don’t like it, let me know. Course I’ll be a lot happier if you do! Spread the word, and let’s make it a regular part of everyone’s Saturday night!
We regret that Jackson does not answer questions posted in the comments. This is due to his demanding schedule and the high volume of requests he receives. But most importantly, since he has not met your cat, it would be contrary to his approach for him to give specific personalized advice for your specific situation. That being said, general questions and issues are addressed throughout this blog, in his book CAT DADDY and of course, the show My Cat From Hell.
I Loved the video!!! I know of some cat fanatics who would have difficulty with it, but it was fun.
I loved your show too. I picked up some hints of working with cats from your first show and have already passed them on to people who have been having concerns about working with their newly adopted cats. The making sure there are high places for the cats, was an “Aha” moment for me last Friday and then last night, when I was talking with a lady who has recently adopted a newly socialized grown cat. She had had high spaces for a cat she had for 18 years but when he passed, she started putting things on those spaces. I believe today she is dusting and removing stuff from high places.
Thanks!!!
We have been faithfully watching your new show ever since we saw you as one of the experts on cats 101. your unique style,tattoos, look and awesome glasses really intrigued my husband and I to say WOW he looks so cool and not like any cat behavioral therapist we would have imagined!! We have a wonderful cat who is VERY loving and well behaved but even so you have excellent suggestions that as cat guardians we are already employing!!! You make sense and I love how you help the people as well as the cats of course….it’s a really cool angle and I encourage you to live out your dreams both in music and in this career of helping cats. You have helped me to understand my sweet little cat in a different way too. THANK YOU!! You’re really awesome. KEEP IT UP JACKSON Galaxy!!! Rachael Layne
Jackson.
I have enjoyed watching your show “My Cat From Hell” on the Animal Planet network. It is great to see how you interact with all the cats and how much they trust you right away. I have a cat that I adopted as a stray that appeared at my brother’s home. My brother had 4 cats at the time and did not want to adopt another one so I said that I would adopt him. My brother coaxed him into the house and worked with him a little bit but he was not very scared so we decided that he had not been a stray for all that long. Once my brother had taken him to see the vet and he had a clean bill of health he brought him to my apartment, about a 75 mile trip, one Saturday morning. He brought a litter box that he had been using some dishes for his food. Once we had things set up for him we let him out of the carrier half expecting him to run find somewhere to hide for a while, but he came out used the littler box got a drink and had a bite to eat then laid down and went to sleep in the middle of the kitchen floor.
He has been acting just like this has been his home forever. In fact he is sleeping on the couch beside me right now, trying to convince me it is time to go to bed. He will usually come on the bed for the first 30 minutes or so and just lay there beside me before going to sleep. His name is Hobo and he is a great cat and I can not understand why someone would dump him out.
I hope that you have great success with your show.
David Seyb
Jackson, Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful show to the airwaves. You will help so many cat lovers and owners understand their felines.
Finally, our own cat whisperer.
I just found your show and LOVE it !! I am hoping (more than you can imagine) that someone will hire you who has a male cat that pees all over the house and how you fix it. I can’t afford to have you come to my house so having it on the show is my only hope! You really seem to know your cats! Do you have a book yet ???
(PS- just in case you are wondering ..two cats ..four litter boxes !! Still pees! UGH!
Hey Jackson,
I just wanted to say I really enjoyed watching your show last night and can’t wait for the next episode. I was actually wondering if you had any suggestions for us apartment dwellers: I saw the kitty perches! Love them but not allowed to mount anything to the wall. Also did you know of the best place to get a cat tree? Thanks! Wish you the best and those felines are lucky to
have you!!
Thanks a bunch,
Melinda
Hi Jackson,
We just purchased 2 Savannah cats who are very challenging to say the least. After watching just one episode of your new show on Animal Planet, we have learned so much! …Most entertaining AND informative! For example: the canned-air trick (used cautiously) instead of a water bottle, has had a far greater effect on keeping Budi & Simba off the family table at dinnertime. (Our meals are less soggy too.) –Keep up the awesome work !!!
BTW: If AP ever needs a couple of “exotic” cats for an episode, let us know. Your expert consulation would be payment enough!
Take Care,
Bob & Sherry
I just want to say how happy I am that you have your own show on Animal Planet. I have cats, I have tats, and I appreciate the spiritual connection you seem to have with cats: something I have experienced myself in my own life. Now that I know you have a blog I’ll be following that as well. Good on ya!
Jackson:
Even before the first episode aired I put MCFH on a season pass on the TiVo. You absolutely rock. My wife, kids and I love the show, love your insights on cat behavior and are so, so happy when the stories have a happy outcome. We love seeing the kittehs, too!
We also loved you on Cats 101, for what it’s worth.
The video is a cool concept, however my cats LuLu and Koos Koos are both Christians, and they both thought the cat was exploiting the female body! They both said they do however, have a sense of humor and it’s great to see cats getting their just tender vittles. Amen!
We really enjoyed the show last night. Two years ago we adopted a cat that was “poorly socialized” (some might have called her feral, but she had never been outdoors, and she always used the litter box, so feral doesn’t really fit either).
We had to work a lot of these things out on our own (with some help from some online forums). While watching the show, we could see explanations for some of the behaviors we had seen, and where at the time we could only guess at the reasons. For example, in our case the “up high perch” is simply the landing at the top of the stairs – she could sit up there and watch over us while we were in the living room.
Our cat still isn’t a “curl up in your lap” type of cat, but she likes to be around us. The only challenge that is coming up is that in June it will be time for her to go back to the vet for a checkup/shots, but she still doesn’t like to be handled very much, so catching her without stressing her out could be challenging.
im so thrilled to have this site. i have an adopted cat “Bob” who came to us, wounded and obviously abused. it’s taken us 2 yrs plus to clam her to accept love, and i have many scars. we still are struggling, so is she but it’s better, i wish i could stop her nightmares. they are still so sad. thank u for being here, Jackson. i watch everything i can and it’s helping some. wish i was able to help her more. we still have many problems.
Hi Jackson
I love your show!! PLEASE put out a book or DVD. And maybe a link to your music??
Your show has already made me more aware of little behaviors that I did not understand from my siamese nico (and you should know who she is named after!) FYI nico is a rescue from siamese cat rescue.
So now I know why she bites on occasion when I pet too much and how i cant leave out play even though i feel tired. I’ve figured out ways also to reduce her scratching on furniture (she loves the cardboard scratchers, and cloth hanging over backs of some chairs have kept her from scratching them.
I have one topic I hope you will cover some time. I really want to take nico out on a harness/leach since she loves the outdoors but is an indoor cat. When I did this, it just made her whine at the door for ages and attempt to scoot out. I’d like to find out if there is a way i can take her outside like that without having her cry for it all the time.
also wanted to share one of my fave sites for pix of cats with their owners:
http://www.blackandtansiamese.com/historicsiamese/stars_siamese.htm
thanks for your show and wish you lots of success!
Leslie
I LOVE this show! I am a cat fanatic, and ever since I adopted my first “difficult” cat, I have never been able to adopt anything but. There is nothing more rewarding than making that connection and making them feel safe. I love cats, I love your work, I love the show. More power to you! I only wish I were a cat behaviorist as well. I watch your work, and I take it to heart. Kudos to you and keep it up!! I’ll keep watching!!!
P.S. My cat likes you too!
Wow Jackson, I stumbled across your show just minutes into the first one and was enthralled for 2 hours! What you do, what you share of yourself and your life experiences is beyond cool. (In our house, the saying is “He’s the cat’s butt!” And that’s a great thing!)
My Housemate and I have lived rescue life-style for many years now and all that they have taught us has enriched our lives past measure. Right now, the 6 cats outnumber the other species but harmony is the norm here. Of course there are exceptions…doesn’t every household have it’s moments?!? But we do as I watched you do on your show…listen, observe and respond in a “cat manner”…til peace is easy.
I know I’ll keep learning as I keep watching so count me as a dedicated fan! I will be soon be placing an order for some of the Spirit Essences as well and know that they will assist with a couple of my “tougher nuts”, such as Gandolf and Freaky Kitty (she chose that name…don’t blame me!)
Thank you for sharing via your show…may you have a long and successful run!
Ear rubs, chin scritches and slow blinks of trust, Vykky and…well…everybody!
Hi Jackson. I am a HUGE fan of yours, and have been watching My Cat From Hell the past 3 weeks. I have 2 cats (Alice and Charlie – both females) and I feel like I understand them so much better since watching your show.
We adopted Charlie from a shelter 3 years ago (she’s almost 5) and have had Alice since she was a kitten (she’s 4) and Charlie is such a bully to Alice. She will bite her and hurt her for no reason at all. Alice loves to chase her around and be chased by her, but it’s like a switch flips in Charlie’s head all of a sudden and just attacks the hell out of her. I am waiting to see a case like this in your new show so I could get some tips! Charlie is otherwise the sweetest cats (they are both so loving) and she is sweet to Alice other than when she kind of loses it. Tips? Tricks? I would love any!
Thanks! And keep up the great work! It’s so touching that your show usually brings tears to my eyes.
My boyfriend and I started watching your show. It seems the people you’re helping are really unobservant of their animals, and often not employing their common sense (ex: if you hold your cat in a way that causes them to thrash and struggle, it means they don’t like that!).
The most helpful tip I’ve picked up from the show is the crucial importance of vertical spaces for cats. It’s something that we hadn’t placed much emphasis on in our home before– we’re definitely going to fix that.
A question for the room, though: I have one kitty (a 2-yr old male named Timtam) who is very jumpy. He’s an extremely affectionate and extroverted cat– he loves company and will run up to anyone who might pet him. But any sudden movements or sounds, and he jumps a foot in the air and runs off. I could understand the jumpiness if he were a skittish cat, but he’s not– he’s very outgoing. It just seems like a weird combination of traits.
Suggestions?
I really love this show! I have my DVR set to tape all shows. Used some of Jackson’s recommendations from the show and my cat’s behavior has changed almost a 360! He use to bite us frequently( make us bleed), scratch and since he has had regular play, purchased a perch, his behavior has definitely improved. Yea for My Cat from Hell !!!!!!!
First off, LOVE THE SHOW! You are so much fun to watch and I love how your advice really makes differences in those people and cat’s lives! Awesome! I tried you eye trick w/ my cat when she was mad at me, crouched in a ball and everything…it totally worked! I have 5 cats and will be watchin your show and getting all your newsletter to make our lives better! Keep the advice coming!
The video, it was quite funny! I laughed!
Your show is Perrrrrrrrfect!
I will watch constantly!
Your new fan,
Dani Rae
Hi Jackson!
First of all, I love love love the show. Finally, a show that is super popular that debunks cat myths! Thank you for saving so many sweet souls.
My fiance and I are looking to move a few states away soon with our two kitties. According to our maps, it will take about 3 days to get there. If you are experiencing a bit of writer’s block, would you mind terribly giving advice and suggestions on how to conduct long-distance travel with kitties? I hear so many people drug their cats, but that is something that I prefer not to do. One of my kitties is a bush-dweller and gets scared easily of big noises and changes. He is only comforted by mine and my fiance’s presence. The other cat is one I never have to worry except that she does sport a pair of lungs. That girl can HOWL!
Thanks again Jackson for your service. I love your show and it’s a pleasure talking to my feline-loving friends about it!
Jackson, thank you from the bottom of my heart for just surfacing! Its what alot of us feline parents needed! Thanks again!!
Great show. I learned the lesson about vertical space when I introduced a cat into my 3 cat household a few years back. The boys hated the new girl, but as soon as we put in a four perch cat tree they were happy as clams. Keep up the good work educating people to co exist better with these marvelous and misunderstood companions.
Hi Jackson,
Absolutely love your new show. You have a real knack for connecting with the troubled feline and quickly finding solutions to the problem. I watched last nights
episode of the white attack cat, and I was a bit disturbed by your sticking your hands in the litter box. You said there is a lot that you can determine by doing this, but what? I was embarrassed for the people as the box was very dirty. No wonder the cat peed everywhere in the room. They were using a strange roll kittybox to clean the deposits and did not realize they were spreading the stuff everywhere. Poor kitty. Cats require clean boxes to be the clean animals that they want to be. I read have read that a cat can get extremely stressed by a dirty box. Please incorporate the message to your audience as this is an important part of owning a cat. And people need to know that they need to deodorize the plastic box as well as the clump litters do an okay job however, urine still seeps to to the bottom of the box and creates a foul smell. Please teach this to people so they avoid stressing out there precious felines.
I hope this tip is helpful. I am sure you are aware of it already, but important to remind folks.
Thank you for the work that you do and I am sure you will help a lot of people out here to care better for their cat companions. You are doing a great job.
Kind regards,
Rhonda
HILARIOUS VIDEO! I watched this about 4 times today so far, posted it on Facebook, and laughed hysterically all day(while at work, mind you). So THIS is what my Angus would do if he ever got out, haha.. Thank you!
Wow! Great episodes. I never wanted a cat, but about six years ago a cat wanted me in his life. For about a year I resisted, he wouldn’t leave and I had to feed him. When Hurricane Katrina came around and I evacuated with him in tow, I finally accepted the fact that I was owned by a cat. Thanks to this goofy boy, I have a new appreciation for cats and their grace. I love your show and hope you continue for many seasons.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank You, Thank You for sharing all you have learned through the years with us.. it is helping me to help the foster cats/ ferals and tough strays I take in that no one else will…I did the slow blink with a very frightened aggressive male and he slow blinked back, since the exchange of slow blinks, his body posture is more relaxed and he seems much calmer to me. I’d love to attend a Cat’s Eye View Class, will you be teaching it anytime soon in Pittsburgh PA??????
Jackson,
Love the new show! I’ve been a cat person all my life, and consider myself pretty tuned in to their ways- but you are teaching me new things from the first show. Our upcoming challenge: me and my girlfriend will be moving in together soon, joining two cats who have already tried to kill each other (okay, to be fair, Digit, my polydactly was doing all the aggressing…). Would love to see a segment about bringing two adult cats together and overcoming territorial conflict.
Keep up the good work!
LOVE the video! . . .and the show. . .couldn’t have come at a better time!!! My beautiful, formerly feral, 3 year old spayed female has become a bully. She bullies the 17 year old who was here long before her, she didn’t bully my late 14 year old neutered 22 pound male, but she is absolutely vicious to my new 6mo old unspayed female. I rescued the little girl from an abusive home, so thin and frightened. I didn’t do the right thing, I have been told, and did not isolate the new girl. She finally trusts me but Sushi stalks her. Bully remedy and scaredy cat remedy? I give the new kitty bach’s rescue remedy and it works for her but barely scratches the surface for the bully! Will we see a bully segment on the show? I will be having the new kitty spayed in about a week. Love the show and love your philosophy!
Hi Jackson,
I too am a fan of your show, web site, rantings– all of it! Like a few others on here, I have a problem with one kitty bullying another (in a family of 3 cats), and I look forward to seeing a show on that issue. I will be DVRing and watching all of your shows from now on!
Thanks for being there, understanding our feline friends, bridging our worlds, and making it cool to be a cat lover!
Hi Jackson,
My husband and I LOVE your show. I hear it’s already cancelled and only 3 2-part episodes were filmed. Is bringing it back in the works? How many shows about over eating do we need? This is a unique show that really helps people to do better with their cats. We’ve already gone out and bought tons of toys because you showed the need for them to play. One of my cats (4 females) sprays. I would love an episode on ways to curb that behavior. Wetting outside the litter box in general is a huge problem for many cat owners. Please address that here or in some episodes if your show returns…………and bring back MY CAT FROM HELL!
Nancy
Hi Jackson,
Thank you, thank you for the work you’re doing.
I’m no stranger to animal rescue (we used to run the humane society out of our home when I was a kid, before the no-kill shelter was built in my town), but my latest rescue has been challenging. Jekyll was found as a kitten abandoned on one of the city roads; his hip was fractured and he required substantial medical care when he was first found, along with six weeks in foster before coming to live with me at eight months. I don’t know much about his circumstances beyond this, but he clearly has trust issues with humans and will resort to attacking when he’s scared. For the first three months, I was honestly scared of him. (He would “Hyde-out,” if you will.) He would bite and claw and attack every chance he had–both me and his house mates, but mostly me. The injuries were terrible, and I have quite a few scars as accounts of the first year.
I didn’t want to give up on him, especially because I knew that cats like him didn’t have much of a future in kill shelters or even in human homes. They need an understanding and patient human. Eighteen months later, we’re much better. He follows me everywhere I go and demands to sleep next to me at night. He now talks and purrs and plays and even cuddles when he’s feeling especially safe.
Though we’ve made progress, I know his trust issues need time. (For example, he still gets scared at times and will lash out, and he has difficulties when new people visit the house.) It’s day-to-day–which is why your show is so fantastic. I’ve learned so many new techniques from you and they’ve helped me make my home an even better environment for Jekyll. I can’t imagine my life without him, and I look forward to building on our relationship with your help.
You are awesome.
I think this show is fabulous. There’s so much more to pets than most realize. After having dogs all my life and limited contact with cats, someone who moved from my neighborhood had a cat and that cat found me. It was love at first sight and I am privileged to have this beautiful girl in my life. There are no coincidences. It’s been almost 5 years and I have enjoyed every minute. Saranyu is a 98% of the time indoor cat and mainly uses the outside as a litter box. We’re working to change that as we’re moving across the country and I would prefer to have her inside all the time.(We have a screened in pool so she’ll be able to lazy around the pool area. We’re also preparing for an airplane ride to go to our new home. Any tips anyone can give me would greatly be appreciated!