All 100+ posts of The Reluctant Tarot Reader are paywall free to read. To support my writing, become a paid sub or buy me a coffee. ☕️ Thanks!
{Note: I am not a vet or medical professional. This is merely a personal opinion piece. Please consult your vet for any issues with your animal.}
I couldn’t imagine being on this weird planet without pets and have never understood people who have not welcomed animals into their family. For one, pets help children — especially those who are lonely, abused or different — feel accepted and give them something to love. Animals are so wonderful and offer such a spiritual service to this often rage-filled world. I adore my pets as they are hilarious, demanding and exasperating (I’m sure the feeling is mutual) — and can’t imagine a pet free life. I was fortunate to have a parent who loved animals and as much as I’ve traveled, I’ve always had a cat or two by my side. Certainly travel would be easier without a pet — I wouldn’t be such a worried mama — but cats always find their way to me. I don’t even have to try. They just suss me out because I’m a softie and a sucker for their charms.
Pets have been some of my greatest teachers and my Avery — the first cat of adulthood — literally saved me from suicide. So you can imagine how loyal I am to my pets and am a fierce advocate for the protection and rights of animals. Each pet I welcomed into my life taught valuable lessons: to love (Avery), accept my gentleness and just chill out whenever (Henrietta) and never apologize for who I am (Zoey).
How I help Henrietta stay healthy with my pendulum and Tarot.
It can be so frustrating and scary to know something is wrong with your pet and not know what to do. You wish they could speak and tell you! I’m very attuned to my cat but they are mysterious creatures and often hide their pain. Fortunately, my friend Susan can read Henrietta in a pinch, if necessary — but I use my Tarot and pendulum to hone in and keep her healthy on the daily.
The most important steps: healthy food, filtered water and very clean litter box.
I wish I had known more about using a pendulum when I raised Avery and Zoey — who have both moved onto their next adventure — but you learn with each animal how to be a better parent. I was fortunate that they lived past 20 but like every human, each cat has specific dietary needs, allergies, quirks and issues — especially with the poisoned food system we have now.
The key: the absolute best food you can buy and filtered water — and of course, a very clean litter box (I love World’s Best Cat Litter). Cats are fastidious creatures and deserve to have a clean box because that also keeps them healthy.
Henrietta came to me from the fields semi-feral but spayed and she is the most sensitive cat I’ve ever had. Easily scared, especially of men and loud noises — and does not bond to anyone but me. I need to speak to her in a very soft, gentle tone and though I can rest my hand on her, I can’t really pet her much (some cats just do not like their fur touched). She absolutely does not want her ears touched. The only place I can scratch is under her chin and even then, she lets me know when enough is enough. I’ve had to learn patience and re-learn everything I’ve known about cats with her. She is nearly 10 and has been with me 9 years. We’ve gone to the vet twice in that time for small things and my personal belief is that the less she goes — no slight on wonderful vets — the better, since stress will shorten her life.
Next, go through every brand you have and ask whether your pet is allergic to any ingredients.
I figured her sensitive skin was from digestion issues and have cycled through various cat brands to find the perfect mix, after going through every can and dry food with my pendulum while asking, Is Henri allergic to any ingredient in this food? It’s the same technique I used when I went through my fridge and pantry to find inflammatory foods. It also works for cats!
Highest quality food for Henri: Royal Canin, Weruva, Earthborne Holistics, Wellness and Purina Beyond (which was a little shocking).
I’ve tried all kinds of organic food that she has rejected but have settled on the following brands THAT SHE ACTUALLY LIKES after asking my pendulum: Are these the highest quality foods? and then compare. I do not hesitate to buy because my philosophy is simple: cost of food — or vet visits? By far, the best brand that has healed her stomach issues is Royal Canin. She will eat nearly a can, which was rare in earlier years. She’s an enormous cat - probably part Maine coon — but is a delicate eater. I mostly feed her Royal Canin wet but like to keep a variety so she doesn’t get bored. She has a bowl of Royal Canin dry with a mix of Wellness because it has added glucosamine for her joints. I don’t parse out food. I just let her eat whenever because she self-regulates, just like I do.
I regularly use a probiotic powder and at times, brewer’s yeast, glucosamine powder, calcium and holistic drops when necessary. I always ask the pendulum if she needs it and how much before adding to her food.
Treats can be tricky. Be really careful with ingredients.
Earlier this year, I bought a new brand of treats — Bonkers — and she literally went bonkers. About a month later, I noticed a bald spot starting to form at the base of her tail and of course, immediately panicked. I pulled out my pendulum but for some reason, could not find the answer which meant that naturally, I went to the worse case scenario of a half-bald cat. Stress from the stray cat? Ringworm? Fleas? Allergies? Arthritis? I went through all of the foods again. No, no, no. Everything passed the test and of course, she was like, Where are the damn Bonkers? It drove me nuts until I went through the cabinets again and realized that the cheese powder in Bonkers were causing an allergic reaction.
Out went the Bonkers. Her fur is much better now and I switched to Greenies and Fruitables because she’s crazed and demanding with treats, which I also test with my pendulum.
Find out what your pet needs and do what you can.
Your pet may require something completely different and I completely understand anyone who can’t afford these brands, as there was a time I could only afford Friskies, etc. Again, both of my earlier cats lived past 20 so it’s not just food that keeps them alive — but it sure helps keep them together. My Avery had issues the last few years of his life, even with Reiki and herbs, and I was determined to never let that happen again with future cats — as much as I could. Fortunately, pet owners have really raised the quality of food over the years, demanding that pet food makers use better ingredients, test tuna for mercury, create fresh, to-go foods, etc. Years ago, PetCo threatened Fancy Feast that they wouldn’t carry their brand unless they changed the formula — and then FF Naturals appeared. The pet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and they do pay attention.