Shanti Zinzi is a passionate and experienced holistic feline behavior therapist, with a deep understanding of behavior, Traditional and classical Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, somatic & energetic modalities with a strong background in providing local and international consultations.
The AdvoCat also offers education in sacred relationships with local fauna, and flora & educates on how to co-exist with our beloved mountain lions in an effort for lions to prosper and to ensure the safety of humans/pets/livestock.
This game changer’s extensive experience encompasses a history of rehabbing hundreds of animals slated for medical or behavioral euthanasia from shelters, working with rescues, preventing abandonment by offering services to the public, caretaking 100 animals at a homeopathic hospice sanctuary, serving at wildlife hospitals, raptor conservation, and inspiring sacred interconnectedness as a wildflower docent. Truly embodying holistic care, she has also offered energy medicine, sacred palliative and hospice care from both Western ed and training in the Himalayas.
She was also formerly employed practicing TCM and acupuncture on veterinary patients. This is legally approved by California boards and left to veterinary discretion if working on-site with the veterinarian. After massive success with patients, the leading veterinarian asked Shanti to help train new vet staff & advise on point and treatment suggestions and applicable formulas.
Shanti has been called on to assess so-called “vicious” animals by animal attorneys to deem them misunderstood and was often asked to help county shelter staff handle animals due to her innate and cultivated whispering skills. Trained in herbs, nutrition, functional & ancient med paradigms, somatics, psychology, and behavior at the graduate level, her skillset spans paradigms. In the 1990s, a vacuum in feline humane handling and understanding created her specialty in feline behavior. Using a unique & gentle approach to address challenges, she fosters and inspires a steward’s innate and harmonious relationship with the sacred, natural world to enhance the relationship and life with your adored pet.
Learn more about this fascinating woman in the latest MysticMag interview.
Can you explain the role of spirituality in the lives of felines? How does it influence their overall well-being and behavior?
Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for the invitation & am delighted to be here today.
To be honest, I do not differentiate or see these planes as separate.
I believe they all exist simultaneously. It is the influence of the Western Cartesian paradigm on society and education that has led to the neglect of our inherent awareness of the interplay between these planes. The corporatized Western mindset often assumes that the spiritual plane is disconnected from the physical and emotional planes, but I believe they are all interconnected. I have worked with all kinds of mammals through communication realms from mountain lions to orcas to domestic cats and dogs to the flowers, trees, and star messages.
Since the questions are focused on domesticated felines – they have evolved as both predators and prey, which has led them to develop highly attuned senses to assess their surroundings for threats or for food constantly. They will hear, sense, and smell something that does not register consciously to us. They have perfected stealth and stillness to survive. In a way, this teaches us to emerge or “pounce” when aligned or at the right cosmic moment or we may not be successful. And that is fine bc life is full of misses and successes and we celebrate life in its entirety.
In a sense, cats can be seen as guardians of the spiritual realm, just as dogs are guardians of the physical realm.
To truly earn the love and trust of a feline companion is to gain access to the secrets of entering other realms and develop a heightened sense of dimensional interplay & awareness. They teach us how to make offerings to create sacred space by their pleasure purring. They teach us how to honor and touch sentient beings with embodied presence, respect, and love.
Honestly, I do believe all sentient beings offer this in their own unique as well as species-specific ways. (and to speak of what some define as inanimate for ex- Rocks, there is a different dimensional awareness)
Due to our domestication of felines and what was historically a symbiotic alliance, we have been granted access to their special and unique expressions & their “medicine offerings”.
Holistic health often encompasses physical, mental, and emotional aspects. How do you address the emotional and mental well-being of felines in your approach to holistic pet care?
Based on my extensive experience, diverse training, and broad perspective, which includes Classical and Traditional Chinese medicine, ancient paradigms, somatic psychology, ecology, holistic veterinary sciences, and shamanic paradigms, I recognize the interconnectedness of the body, mind, spirit, soul, ancestors, and environment. When approaching any case, I thoroughly assess genetics, history, biology, relationships, environment, diet, and level of fulfillment to identify any imbalances or deficiencies.
Additionally, it is evident that all sentient beings face numerous challenges such as poor food supply, exposure to toxins, regular medical procedures, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and EMF exposure. Similar to the teachings found in the ancient text Huangdi Neijing or functional medicine, I frequently encounter gastrointestinal issues and disrupted microbiomes in animals undergoing stress, as well as liver stress issues affecting all beings, as noted in both Chinese medicine and functional medicine. These conditions can manifest differently in animals— for instance, a restless kitty heavily sedated with seizures, cranial abnormalities, and a history of babesia often experienced seizures between 1-3 a.m. This timeframe corresponds to the liver and ethereal Hun, suggesting her spirit was not grounded. Despite the heavy dosage of anti-seizure medication, it only hindered her ability to fully enjoy her life. However, with our efforts, we managed to improve her condition, and after five years, she began purring again. These imbalances can also manifest as anxiety, irritability, and various other patterns.
In cases where clients desire it, I am willing to work with the psychic aspects of illness and the energy realm. I have performed extractions for sick kitties and incorporated communication to develop a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of life, both subtle and tangible. I have also been asked to enhance a program of introductions between new animals or notify them when the guardian will be on vacation.
It is important to recognize that frustration and confinement disrupt the flow of qi, leading to the accumulation of anger, frustration, and ultimately disease. Some of these diseases can even pose life-threatening risks.
Strong arming is received as abuse and harm, just as any person would receive it as such.
Even more so, bc they can not rationalize why they are restrained by multiple people, and put in a mask for a medical procedure. It just tips into terrifying overwhelm & grossly disorganizes their sacred physical body, psyche, and mind.
So we need to reassess how we engage with them.
Many pet owners believe that animals, including felines, have a spiritual connection with their human companions. How do you perceive this connection, and how can it be nurtured for the benefit of both the pet and the owner?
I strongly believe that we have soul contracts with our beloved animals, and some of them are considered “familiars” while others serve as saviors, providing us with unending unconditional support. Others mirror and highlight areas of our own personal wounding that require attention and healing. Whether we choose them or they choose us, all animals that we share our homes with or choose to care for have a profound influence on our energy fields and theirs.
In fact, many of them even experience similar health conditions to us. This is partly because we often treat our animals the same way we treat ourselves. If we have learned to be aggressive towards ourselves, it is likely that we will exhibit the same behavior when our animals fall ill, which only further diminishes their well-being. Additionally, living in the same household exposes us to the same environmental toxins. If we eat fast processed food we feed them the equivalent.
However, I have witnessed the incredible healing power that exists between humans and animals. Although animals can heal themselves, our connection with them activates a higher vibration and promotes healing through a parasympathetic frequency, especially when we experience their soothing purring.
Currently, animals are facing greater challenges due to cumulative exposure to toxins. I can recall an incident from 20 years ago when a breast cyst appeared in a human guardian, vanished, and then reappeared in her cat before disappearing again and happening twice over. This demonstrates the interconnectedness and healing potential that exists between us and our animal companions.
Felines can experience stress and anxiety, just like humans. What holistic methods or practices do you recommend for reducing stress and promoting relaxation in cats?
To alleviate stress and anxiety, it is important to create a fulfilling environment for your pet. Whether they go in your yard or not, you should establish a natural and safe area with plants, trees, birds, earth, soil, perches, and access to pheromones in the breeze and fresh air. Additionally, engage their biological need to play, as this is how kittens learn to survive and catch prey.
Provide a healthy and clean biologically appropriate diet, as a healthy microbiome promotes a healthy mind. Take the time to learn your pet’s triggers and how to mitigate them. If you share a home with overzealous dogs, ensure they do not have access to cats until they are calm and trusted. The same applies to overly excited children – teach them gentle and contained touch, as well as self-regulation. Learn how to cultivate a healing touch and understand your pet’s body language. This teaching & showing by example also helps children cultivate a sense of self-mastery and teaches how to regulate their excited experiences in their body which will serve them well as adults.
If your pet becomes overstimulated, it is likely because you are not reading their cues and responding appropriately or have not. I see this far too often and I find it sad. It is not fun to have one’s boundaries violated over and over. It is awful to not feel respected when one genuinely sets a boundary. The reason your cat is biting is because along his/her way- he was repeatedly violated and taught his boundary does not matter. Take a step back and reevaluate the situation. As a part of a multi-modality approach consider using flower essences, environmental enrichment, and homeopathy to help alleviate stress. Provide environmental enrichment and access to perches, natural tactile scratching surfaces, give ample opportunities for sunbathing, bird watching, and nature viewing from the home or windows. These activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation. You can also re-create the cornucopia of earth they have evolved with inside the home.
Modern design is working against their sensibilities and soulful ways.
Nutrition plays a significant role in holistic health. How do you approach the nutritional needs of felines from a holistic perspective, considering both physical and spiritual well-being?
It is important to consider a mix of Eastern and Western approaches, as well as genetics, biological needs, & common sense when it comes to the food chain and pet food. Make the best possible choices for your pet’s nutrition within your budget.
Diversity in their diet is also crucial. Rotate protein sources bc they are not eating the same thing in the wild although rodents were a primary food source.
Biologically appropriate nutrition should be prioritized, taking into account their individual needs and any imbalances they may have.
Take note of what textures and flavors your pet enjoys. For example, if they like crunchy textures, get creative by adding some dehydrated beef liver to their meals.
Give thanks and gratitude to the animals who have sacrificed their lives to feed your pets. Make offerings and prayers.
Remember that their normal ancestral diet, such as mice, contains about 70% moisture.
Understand how their digestion changes over time, just as it does with senior humans.
Avoid harmful ingredients soaked in atrazine, corn, sugar, glyphosate, neonicotinoids, animal fat flavoring, rice gluten, wheat gluten, and other unwanted additives commonly found in pet food. Fat may taste good but when loaded with an ingredient-deprived formula-it can be loaded with toxins as the body tends to store them in fat.
Be cautious of rat poison used by neighbors, and businesses – as it can harm both domestic and wild animals over time and it is an awful death process.
Many pet foods are equivalent to dried cereal, but they lack essential nutrients, or life force and prana. The synthetic vitamins added may not be effectively utilized.
Some pets prefer raw food, while others may prefer cooked biologically appropriate recipes.
If cost is an issue, supplementation can always be considered to ensure a well-rounded diet.
Consider feeding according to the seasons and the prevalence of certain diseases during specific times of the year. For example, warming thermal foods are more suitable in winter or for pets with deficiencies. Also consider age, under 3 needs a lot more calories.
One common issue in older cats is kidney problems, which may be a result of a combination of factors such as dry diets and repeated annual vaccines. Now it is important to protect when young, etc., and – find a sensible holistic vet and one can use titers as they age if they have access to the outdoors.
Some hypothesize the animal organ ingredients in vaccines that are harvested may contain viruses that affect kidneys.
An east/west approach can be beneficial, focusing on low-phosphorous meats, high-quality moisture-filled diets, and moderate protein.
To address specific kidney issues, determine whether it is kidney yin, kidney yang, essence deficiency, toxic burden, or a combination of factors. Be mindful to not overload with sodium. However, remember sodium is also an essential electrolyte.
Choose appropriate options and make them palatable. For instance, recipes using onion-free broth, boiled chicken, eggs, shrimp, and lower-phosphorous white fish can be added as a supplemental lunch snack.
Consider supplementing with lamb, beef, liver, and ginger to address secondary anemia, kidney deficiency, and nausea.
Feed more frequently to help with acid stomach, rather than waiting long intervals between meals. Four meals per day is fine. Even more if as in the wild they can be catching insects or a rodent with multiple meals when accessible.
In certain cases, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can help diagnose conditions based on symptoms rather than relying solely on diagnostics. For example, there are 29 different patterns and etiologies of IBD in TCM, ranging from liver qi invading the stomach to tai yin deficiency or excess. Osteoarthritis can have 36 different patterns in TCM. It is far more complex than allopathics and we don’t need labs to understand issues. We can spot them years before they appear in labs.
Feline enrichment and engagement are essential for their overall health. Can you share some holistic strategies or activities that can help foster a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in a cat’s life?
Interactive play, intimacy, and gentle sweetness build a room or create a space for your mystical practices & allow them to access.
Encourage and allow them to stargaze even if that means slow positive association building harness acclimation on your deck under the full moon.
The subtle information they receive far exceeds ours bc capitalism has trained us out of this innate awareness
We are unaware of the shifting skies and animals such as raccoons passing but they are not. They can smell the tomcat two blocks away
This is all stimulation for them.
If you live in a studio- then you can use screens on your windows. If you live in hummingbird zones, you can attract the hummers with red flowers. (Be careful with sugar mixtures due to mold and plastic). Build a pollinator-friendly deck, window attachment, or yard to benefit local wildlife so your indoor feline can view.
Make sure they can access high places and play. Remember to collect yourself and do not overstimulate them with play which would be the human failing to regulate themselves and encoding them with unhealthy excitation patterns.
Appeal to their senses. Outdoor cats have evolved hunting to survive so recreate that for them.
Recreate an environment that mimics their biological imperatives – places to retreat, vertical high space that doubles the square footage of your living space, and places to pounce, scratch, and climb. If you give sturdy natural material scratching posts they are less likely to scratch the sofa.
When we fulfill their needs, we create very happy animals
