Jackson Galaxy is a long-time cat behaviorist with a big heart and a personality to match. It only takes a few minutes of watching him interact with “problem cats” to know he really, really likes cats.
He knows cat kisses and the non-grabby hand and extends his glasses to a cat to sniff as an introduction. This is wonderful modeling of the proper way to meet a cat.
Each hour-long show features two different couples, each with a problem cat. Often, they have other, non-problem cats, who must be what I call “easy cats.” They didn’t need any expertise to have a good relationship going with these cats.
Then there’s the “Cat From Hell.” I’m sure the title came directly from Marketing, and not Mr. Galaxy. Because he works with the people to fix their cat problem. As he demonstrates, it’s not the fault of the cat. How can it be otherwise? Yes, these folks were doin’ it rong, but they didn’t know any better.
No matter how bad things look at the beginning, I’m impressed with the way these folks, reluctant to give up their cat despite the problems, will change their behaviors… and then change the way their cat behaves.
Why am I so thrilled? I’m very pleased with the caliber of advice Mr. Galaxy offers; it’s informed by true cat understanding. If there’s any “reality TV tricks” going on they do not detract from the lessons on offer.
The other reason? Well, it sure can’t hurt to have people on television who are unashamedly fond of their cats. Just look at this review, in a major media outlet, of My Cat From Hell:
And You Used to Think Hairballs Were Bad
Scientists now agree that the shortest measurable amount of time is the micro-instant between when a person first acquires a cat and when that person feels the need to use the phrase “bad kitty.”
Anyone not in the cat-owning club is likely to look at these situations and think: “What is wrong with you people? You’re being held hostage by a danged cat. Get rid of it.” But Mr. Galaxy’s philosophy seems to be that there is no cat-human relationship so messed up that it’s not worth trying to fix.
One young man starts out adamantly proclaiming that he is not a cat person but ends up taking his fiancée’s cat for walks with a leash. Advocates of the macho brand of maleness will be hooting at this fellow’s emasculation. The cat, though, seems pretty pleased with itself: another human properly trained.
This kind of half-this/half-that is the usual kind of praise cats get. It’s undoubtedly part of the reason we Cat Appreciators had to wait so long to get what dog people take for granted. This excellent show is a step forward.
It’s currently scheduled for 8 PM EST on Saturdays. The previous show airs an hour earlier if we need to catch up. And I live-twitter it @WayofCats. (Not on Twitter? I post my tweets on the sidebar at right.)
Find out more about the show at the Animal Planet website, My Cat From Hell. Spread the good word!
How did these cats get so messed up? Find out my take in What causes the cats in My Cat From Hell?
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This has been on Animal Planet for a while. It’s interesting to contrast the cat problems in this show to the dog problems in “It’s Me or the Dog.” Generally, it seems to me that dogs have the potential to be much more destructive and even more aggressive. That’s my take on it at least.
I saw a few episodes of this and I would love to see more if it’s still being made! I really like the cat behaviorist. My favorite was the couple that had a cat that was terrified of them and ran away and hid and with a few changes to the environment and a few other tips, the show ended with the cat calmly sitting there being petted by one of its owners….
I could’ve used this guy’s help during my recent 6 week catmare! I was able to solve the war between my 2 boys with Feliway.
We love this show. This is the second season, and it’s important to spread the word so that it gets renewed for another season. This show helps save cats’ lives. There will be three more new episodes this season, for a total of six.
As you said, even though there’s the usual reality tv stuff going on for dramatic effect, and even though the title wouldn’t have been Jackson’s choice, either, this show goes a long way toward helping people truly understand what cats need. And I love how it’s almost always the humans who need “rehab.” The cats are just being cats.
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