When you think of enrichment for cats, you might first think of toys, cat trees, or treat puzzles. And these are all important things! But sensory enrichment—targeting your cat’s sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—can provide more great ideas. Just like us, cats experience the world through their senses. Offering safe, stimulating experiences can improve … Read more
Have you noticed your cat slowing down as they’ve gotten older? Are they playing less, jumping less, or sleeping more? Has their behavior changed–becoming less social or tolerant of petting? What about litter box use or relationships with other pets? Are they not as good as they used to be? Cats can experience many changes … Read more
When it comes to modifying your cat’s behavior, consistency is necessary. Cat behavior is driven by both active reinforcement and habit (AKA, a history of reinforcement. To make lasting change, your approach needs to be predictable and consistent. Setting Realistic Expectations One of the most common mistakes people make is expecting instant results, and for … Read more
Could your cat be in pain? None of us want that to be the case, but knowing how to identify pain is key to supporting your cat’s well-being. There is No Test for Pain There is no test or diagnostic that your vet can run to definitively rule out pain. This includes bloodwork, urine testing, … Read more
Let’s be honest: most behavior problems in cats don’t actually have a quick fix. They require time and human effort. BUT! Sometimes a small change can make a big difference. These “quick fixes” are either focused on a thing you can do once right now (or this weekend) or specific, highly-effective changes to add to … Read more
Teaching a cat to accept medications is like any skill – you need patience, practice, and good rewards. Ideally, you would introduce this skill before you need it, but these strategies can work even if you need to give a pill today. Questions to Ask Medications can come in many forms and flavors. Based on … Read more
Chewing isn’t unique to dogs! Many cats enjoy nibbling or chewing and it can be a natural and fun activity. But for other cats and households, it can be a big problem! Photo Credit: Litkei Szabolcs/Pexels.com What is the Behavior? Chewing comes in many different forms, ranging from concerning and dangerous to normal. What are … Read more
Cats need territory with options to get off the ground to explore, avoid, and more. Creating a cat-friendly home requires more than one cat tree in the corner, but you don’t have to turn the whole house into a cat-themed jungle gym. By paying attention to type, location, and connections, you can create vertical space … Read more
Cats are more than our cute companions. They are a unique species that act as both predator and prey in a natural environment. This leads to a wide range of behaviors and needs. Cats are also learners, capable of adapting and using their behavior to get their needs and wants met. Understanding cats as predators, … Read more
Cats don’t scratch just to ruin your furniture! Scratching is a behavioral and physical need and cannot be eliminated completely. Cats scratch to stretch their bodies, condition their claws (not just sharpen them but keep them healthy), and to communicate with others in their environment. Along with the visible marks, they use pheromones from their … Read more