Recommendations and ideas for enriching a cat’s life and environment.
It’s a commonly held belief that cats just can’t be trained like dogs can. Cats are independent and stubborn and there’s just no way they’d “give in” to what we humans want them to do. Right? Wrong! Cats absolutely can be trained if you understand them. Don’t believe me? Read on to see if I … Read more
Do you live with a wild child who never seems to stop moving? Is your cat seemingly in need of play 24/7? Do you wish your cat would just CHILL OUT for one minute, please?!? Let’s explore some reasons for this issue and ways of creating some peace. Why It’s So Hard To Chill Out … 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
“But, my cat isn’t food motivated!” I frequently encourage cat owners to use food rewards when modifying unwanted behavior. And, almost as frequently, I hear this argument. Food is a powerful tool for changing behavior. Pairing something a cat doesn’t like with a tasty treat can change their feelings. Rewarding a behavior with a lick … Read more
Have you taught your cat to touch their nose to a stick yet? Are you wondering why in the world you would do that? Called “target training,” you may have never considering training this simple skill. But professional trainers of all types of animals know that learning to target can be the beginning of many, … 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
It’s spring and that means prom season! But not all teenagers are donning dresses and taking pictures. If you have a feline teenager, they may be terrorizing your household instead. Cats have a much longer adolescent (or teenage) phase than most people realize and it can affect them, and those around them, in many ways. … 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
“Gina Was Playing!” Those were the first words out of the volunteer’s mouth as they approached my desk. Their excitement was obvious and I had to agree! Gina was a senior cat who had been surrendered to the shelter several months earlier. When she first came in she was hissing and defensive in her kennel, … Read more