photo: jurvetson
This is the second in a series of posts about the Spirit Essences that Jackson used to help the cats you saw on My Cat From Hell (Saturdays at 8 pm (ET/PT) on Animal Planet, check your local listings).
Spirit Essences are not essential oils. They are holistic remedies, and the only veterinarian-formulated line of its kind in the world. Jackson has developed and refined the remedies based on his over 15 years of experience and the needs of his clients. They have been extremely successful, even in very difficult situations. For more info, check out www.SpiritEssences.com
And now, presenting the second installment of The Spirit Essences Report.
My Cat From Hell
City The Kitty
Issue: City The Kitty is a bengal cat, a breed that is especially full of energy! Unfortunately, he was directing that energy towards his sister cat Missy, and his owners…in a destructive way. Clawing, biting, and fighting. Not fun.
Jacksons says: “City got a healthy dose of Hyper Helper to give him just a pause between thought and (often destructive) action. His sister Missy was given Safe Space for Cats, to help her realize that the world belonged to her as well.”
Spirit Essences Jackson put to use
Mad Max
Issue: Max became known as Mad Max when he began habitually climbing over his owner’s balcony, to terrorize the neighbors, and start fights with the neighbor’s cats! Also, not fun.
Jacksons says: “Max received some help from Bully Remedy. This was to back him away from the notion that he had to patrol the world and over control, essentially over-owning the territory.”
Spirit Essences Jackson put to use
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.
Why not mention this on the show? if not name brands, at least the suggestion of the idea of supplemental help and why..
My guess is that since he has a financial interest in the company they do not want the show to become “free” commercial for it. Plus, there could be some type of liability A.P. does not wish to assume by having a product recommended. Now, I think there are workarounds for that, but essentially, I believe it is A.P. not wanting him to “advertise” his products. Besides, he’s still able to use the show to help his business. The fact we are here now shows that.
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Maybe Animal Planet is the place for my comments, but maybe there is a better chance of Jackson seeing them there?? First, being involved with Bengal breed rescue and owning two myself, along with other cat breeds, the cat called “City The Kitty” is universally agreed, among the Bengal world (Breeders and Rescue groups) to not be a Bengal breed. That the multiple scenes with the two women continually harping that these were “Bengal traits”, with them obviously not knowing anything about the breed. This is at least the second time Animal Planet has put a product out there slamming the breed (though this was a minor case compared to the one in TX). Anyway, the cat is a Manx mix. It is how he should have been introduced. My father had them and the traits he exhibited, though exaggerated here, were very similar to what I saw with his cats. The one I knew best was sweet to humans, but HAD to go outside, then would come back (sound familiar?) and would patrol and defend his territory, but mostly got along with Dads other cats. Spots are not uncommon in other breeds, especially in Tabbies. And can often be seen in breed mixes. And there are several other purebred breeds known for their spots that have NO “wild” cat in them, besides the Bengal. But people see something that looks like a “spot” and all of a sudden they become a Bengal mix (especially in shelters where they hope someone will adopt them). One other thing that tells me it was not a Bengal mix, and not just from it’s appearance, which I could give 4 other examples of “City” that I’ve never seen in a Bengal mix. But from it’s attitude. Bengals are descended from the Asian Leopard Cat, which is a small (domestic cat size) tree cat that is very shy and nocturnal. If there is a “wildness” coming from the ALC, it is most likely going to be shyness. Running away from people, not attacking them (yes, there are always exceptions). Now in many the trait has been mostly breed out after generations, but if a Bengal is going to go “wild”, that is typically the direction it will go. One Bengal trait that I have NEVER seen diluted is it’s hissing, which is different from other cats hissing and should not be regarded in the same light. It’s just a trait of the breed. When I got one little girl as a kitten, I would hold and pet her and she would hiss and purr at the same time, since she was still getting used to me. lol But she has NEVER attacked or after 6 years even put a scratch on me or anyone else.
Well, I’ll stop there. I would hope that Jackson might find some way to “correct” the miss-information, that I’m certain was unintentionally spread by this show, and by the reinforcing above that it was a Bengal.
Jackson, trust me, my comments are MILD compared to some that have been going out in chat rooms and posts. I’ve been defending you and saying that overall I believe your show could be a positive thing for cats. But for Bengals, this show might have given some people and agencies reinforcement for their campaign to outlaw the Bengal breed. Which has happened in some areas. I guess that is why it’s such a sensitive subject as many Bengal owners are now forced to live “underground” in some areas and if vets see them, are themselves breaking the law. I guess kind of like the millions in CA that own ferrets against the ridiculous law there.
Oh, sorry to make another “negative” comment. I really do like your show.
But the pic above is not of “City” nor even of a Bengal, but it appears from my casual look (I haven’t even seen if I can enlarge it) to be of a Serval or early generation Savannah. Beautiful cat, but no connection to a Bengal, which is what the above statements are about.
Thanks for any help you can provide to clear and correct this situation. I don’t suppose they’d allow you to do a voice-over showing “CIty” and telling that City was not a Bengal mix??? Just 10 secs at the beginning of the next show would be a big help and engender the Bengal community to you.
Thanks and the best of luck in your endeavors.
I agree, Connie. I’d also like to know what brand names of feline urine remover have a carbon dioxide charge to them as Jackson mentioned in one show.
it’s called Fizzion and it works great to remove smells and stains from all things that are pet icky. Urine, feces, barf. Very inexpensive compared to so many other things out there that don’t work as well. As a cat rescue with 16 cats in house, I’ve tried them all!
Not mentioning Spirit Essences may be an issue with the production,co., the channel the show is on, etc., etc. I looked Jackson up via Facebook and found the sites in his info and am waiting for the Peacemaker I ordered today.
oh come on, essences for every character feature.. magic bullets — are you serious? and people are buying it? what’s the point of promoting behavioral modification and all the intelligent explanations regarding the cats’ needs and their responsiveness if at the same time you’re promoting some cure-all potions?
Jill, I don’t know if Essences work or not myself. But just a casual read of anything on this website or put out by Jackson, will tell you that they do not list them as “magic bullets” nor as a “cure-all potion”. In fact, quit the opposite. It is meant to encourage the behavior you are working on, not be something “magic” you squirt on them and then everyone’s singing in a Disney film. If you wish to debate their merits, that would be fine. But not by lying and exaggerating. It completely negates anything else you might say, and you immediately loose your argument. Again, I do not know if they work. But I have spoken with a breeder friend of mine that says the one to help stop urine marking has really helped. So…. I’m keeping an open mind. Which you can do and STILL question. Just do it with honor and integrity. I admit, I just don’t see how it could work, but with people I know seeing results…. Who knows? lol
As a flower essence practitioner, I can speak from personal experience that often, people don’t understand the concept of how these essences work. And they are not the “solution in a bottle” but they are indeed very powerful. I usually describe them as “they are not the solution, but they are a catalyst for self awareness and emotional and spiritual healing.” They also shift energetic patterns that are out of balance and bring them back to their balanced state. Animals and children are especially responsive to essences because their energy is so pure.
The beautiful thing is that they work, even if someone doubts that they do. I have had many a skeptic come to me and after using them themselves, they finally get it. ( I have not used his particular line but have used other lines on my cat).
The beautiful thing is that the essences are completely safe. Using a “wrong” essence is not like using a “wrong” medicine…..you will not be harmed in any way. So there is no risk in trying it.
I love that he does not talk about the products on the show…for whatever reason that is.
I’ve just ordered 3 of the spirit essence products. Safe Space, Peacemaker and Obsession Remedy. I have 4 cats of my own and about a dozen or so fosters on any given week, so I’m hoping they will improve some things I see happening around the house. I’ll let you know how it goes!
i am a person that has done the research and the volentering, so what’s the next step in becoming an cat behavioralist? I’ve been interested in doing this for years and i do answer questions the vets wont answer unless there’s a fee. how did you take the next step?
SJC. Thank you! Being a Bengal owner myself there is no way that City (as handsome a boy as he is) can be a Bengal. Since he did come in from off the street there might could possibly be a way for him to have a little Bengal in him, but he is not a Bengal cat. If anything he’s a Bengal/Manx/Polydactyl mix.
Male Bengals can be quite large, my boy is about 18lbs and stands about the height of our coffee table, but it’s not always the norm. They are exceptionally intelligent and easy to train to walk on a leash, fetch, or other tricks (mine knows how to open unlocked doors). Where there are other people in the house he doesn’t know he will usually hide, but once he’s familiar with them he must be the center of attention in all things and very friendly. Very active cats, they usually find ways to entertain themselves if you don’t actively play with them which can be destructive. At least give them toys! They’re also known to jump large distances from a standstill.
While I still feel as if his breed assessment of City is incorrect, his way of treating a Bengal for me is correct based upon traits. They simply need attention and a family that is able to give them that. They are not bad or dangerous cats in any way shape or form, however in my mind they are not a cat for the “first time cat owner.” Play and companionship was very important when I got my cat, as he was given to me by a friend who purchased him from a breeder and didn’t know what he was getting into. He worked long hours, lived by himself, and kept the cat in an enclosed porch area. The cat was so bored he was pulling the wood paneling off of the wall. I got him and because my husband and I are able to give him the attention he needed, he’s been nothing but a perfect gentleman.
I watched a repeat of “City the Kitty” and I instantly fell in love with him. It was the tail (or near lack of) that did it for me. Six years ago I went to a barn in Illinois and after three hours of effort finally managed to catch a Manx female kitten. Unlike City, Cujo was shy and retiring, and it took a lot of effort on my part to convince her that I was not going to harm her. It’s been a wild ride.