Unstacking Triggers: Reducing Stress to Resolve Behavior Issues

Behavior issues in cats are often rooted in stress. What does this mean? Something, or more likely things, are causing the cat to feel unsafe, frustrated, uncomfortable, painful, annoyed, or bored. Stress reduction may be necessary to resolve behavior problems. It may also be recommended by your veterinarian for health reasons. Why can tackling stress … Read more

Don’t Make Your Cat Ask: A Case For Routine Playtime

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

Cats and Control

There’s a common misconception that you must constantly prove to your pets that you are in charge or they will become poorly behaved or aggressive. The reality is that having control feels good and that’s totally okay. Feeling good because they know they have some control over their life doesn’t mean your cat is bent … Read more

Four Peeing Cats: A Case Study

Often I meet families who are overwhelmed with their cat’s behavior problems. They feel they have tried everything and wonder if there is hope for their situation. One of the main things I bring, as a professional, is an ability to see the details and understand how these big problems can develop. This is a … Read more

Not Random: “Redirected” Aggression

The meme of the randomness of cats is so popular you may not often look for a deeper explanation. But when your cat appears to “randomly” attack another pet or human family member, you need to understand what’s going on and what to do next. Not Random, Redirected “Redirected aggression” is aggression directed toward something … Read more

Jealous Cat?

“My cat only pees on my boyfriend’s clothes!” “Our cat is hissing at the new baby!” “Since I got a new puppy, the cat refuses to use her litter box!” “MY CAT IS JEALOUS!” Sound familiar? Some cats seem perfectly happy with just their person and no one else, thank you very much! A new … Read more