Articles and information about life with cats.
Leaving a beloved pet home while you travel can be a source of stress for many people. It can also be a very stressful experience for the pet. In the post Jessica Dwyer Bartlett, a professional pet sitter and cat behavior consultant, adds her insights on setting your cat and your pet sitter up for … Read more
UPDATED: May 2022 – This post was originally written in 2019. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of helping many families introduce or reintroduce their cats. I’ve also continued my education on the topic of cat social behavior. This post has been updated to reflect some changes in my thinking on the topic. Although generally … Read more
Play is an essential part of a cat’s life. It provides an outlet for energy, a way to build confidence and trust, and fills a natural need to hunt. Interactive play between you and your cat is typically the most valuable form of play you can provide. However, there’s another layer to the story. Routine … Read more
The past few months have brought me many cat guardians looking for help with annoying or aggressive behaviors. There are many reasons for these behaviors, but typically one of my first recommendations is around increased play. Behavior problems in cats can often be tied to boredom or lack of outlets for necessary behaviors. The next … Read more
Happy New Year! Was “work out more” on your resolution list? Might I suggest adding “help the cat” in front of that? “Help the cat work out more” – much better! Just as in people, exercise has lots of benefits for cats. Stretching and working muscles relieves tension and builds strength, physical activity helps maintain … Read more
Raising a healthy kitten takes more than just picking the right food, going to the vet for a check up, and keeping them safe from physical dangers. A kitten’s mental and emotional health must also be considered. Kittens that don’t have the right experiences when they are young can grow up to have a range … Read more
Want a super easy way to improve your cat’s life and behavior? Two words: Food Puzzles! Food puzzles are a great way to support your cat’s physical and behavioral health. They are one of the main recommendations provided by the American Association of Feline Practitioners’ in their recent consensus statement about how to feed cats. … Read more
Cats and dogs don’t have to fight like… well, cats and dogs. They can live peacefully together and even develop close bonds. But first they need to be safely introduced. Before You Start Considerations for New Roommates While many cats and dogs can live happily together, not all are suited for it. Consider some of … Read more
Introducing cats can be a tricky situation. Different people will find different steps to be the “key” to harmony. But floating around the internet are a few suggestions that I really dislike. Many well-meaning cat lovers and owners are eager to share their stories and advice. Unfortunately these people may not fully understand the behavior … Read more
More and more, cat owners are recognizing the need to keep their cats indoors for their safety and the safety of wildlife in the community. Outdoor cats can easily be injured, exposed to disease, or threatened by the people and animals they meet outside. The good news is that cats can be perfectly happy indoors … Read more