Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Click on any of the Amazon associate links below to learn about some of my favorite products for cats. I earn a commission from the Amazon associate program at no cost to you.
My Behavior Books
Whether you’re a novice cat parent or long-time cat lover, you’ll find lots of information on behavior, training, and cat care in my books. Cat vs Cat was the first of its kind, written especially for multicat households. It covers everything from how to introduce a new cat to dealing with long-term feline feuds. CatWise answers 150 of the questions most frequently asked by frustrated and confused cat lovers. It’s the book many shelters keep on hand for their behavior hotlines. Think Like a Cat has long been considered the cat bible by veterinarians, shelters, behavior professionals, and cat lovers worldwide. Click the links below to learn more about the books.
Interactive Toys
This type of playtime involves YOU. Cats have all kinds of toys for solo playtime but interactive play is special because cats don’t have to do any extra work to make the toy come to life — you are in charge of that part of the game. Using an interactive toy, you make the “prey” come alive through your movements. These movements trigger the instinct in the cat to stalk, chase, pounce and capture. There are many great interactive toys made by fantastic companies. Here are a few available through Amazon. Click the links below to learn more about each toy. Remember that interactive toys are different from solo toys in that they should be put away when you aren’t playing with your cat to avoid the risk of your cat getting tangled in the string.
.
Puzzle Feeders
The concept behind the puzzle feeder is that the cat has to figure out how to manipulate the toy in order to retrieve the food reward. The benefits of using a puzzle feeder include more than just the fun of seek and reward. It’s helpful for cats on weight control programs because they get some physical and mental activity while seeking the food, and will eat slowly since only a small amount is dispensed at a time. It’s also beneficial for cats who tend to gulp their meals too quickly. And of course, it’s a great boredom buster. I also incorporate the use of puzzle feeders with my clients’ cats who are in stressful situations. They can focus on the fun activity of trying to get food out of the puzzle feeder as a distraction from whatever is causing anxiety in the environment. That’s where a toy like the LickiMat is very helpful. There are many puzzle feeders available and you can match the right type to the kind of food/treats you want to use for your cat, as well as the level of difficulty. Puzzle feeders should be fun and challenging but never frustrating. To get you started, here’s an article with more information: How to Introduce Puzzle Feeders. Below are links to some of the puzzle feeders I frequently recommend for my clients’ cats.
. .
Cat Tunnels
Cats usually love to play by hiding in things. Whether it’s an open paper bag or a box, your playful cat will find a way to make a game out of jumping in it or will use it as an opportunity for an extra napping place. It’s an important part of environmental enrichment to supply those things for your cat’s fun and convenience but bags, boxes, and tunnels can serve an even more important function in your cat’s life as well. They can provide security. If you have a cat who spends most of the time under the bed or in the closet, because they’re unsure of being out in the open, you can use tunnels to increase security. The use of homemade or store-bought tunnels will allow a frightened cat to be able to feel protected enough to start to step out of hiding.
A frightened or unsure cat often chooses to remain as invisible as possible when having to navigate around a room. The cat may walk behind furniture or stay on the perimeter of the room. To walk through the open, more exposed center of a room requires more confidence. If your cat spends so much time in hiding, increase comfort levels through the use of tunnels. You can make homemade ones or click the links below to shop some I often recommend to my clients.
Cat Beds
Many cats like the security of being surrounded by the sides of a bed, while others prefer a very open, soft bed. Other cats choose to remain hidden in cave-style beds. Covered beds can provide an extra level of security as well as additional warmth. Self-heating beds are also a good option, especially for older cats. The self-heating beds are safe because they reflect the cat’s body heat back to the cat. Click the links below to learn more about some of the beds available through Amazon.
. .
Cat Perches and Shelves
Cat shelves and perches are wonderful ways to increase vertical territory. Choose perches that attach securely and pay attention to the fact that your cat may not delicately get up on that perch, but rather, take a flying leap from a distance. And, once window perches are installed, routinely check them to make sure the method of attachment hasn’t loosened over time. If you decide on cat shelves and you have a multicat household, create more than one way to descend so one cat doesn’t get trapped on a perch by another cat. Click the links below to learn more about these perches and shelves.
Scratching Posts and Mats
There are many vertical scratching posts available but it’s important to pick one that’s tall, sturdy, and covered in a claw-appealing texture, such as the SmartCat post linked below. There are other companies that make great posts as well but if you’re shopping on Amazon, the SmartCat is my recommendation. Keep in mind that some cats prefer to scratch horizontally, and that’s where the corrugated cardboard scratchers come in hand. Whether your cat scratches vertically, horizontally, or prefers to scratch on an incline, you can find the right products. Click the links below to learn more about these scratchers.
Food and Water Bowls
When shopping for food and water bowls, keep the comfort of your cat’s whiskers in mind. Cats generally don’t prefer to have their whiskers squished when trying to eat or drink so don’t choose narrow or deep bowls. Many cats, especially older ones, are also more comfortable with an elevated bowl. When shopping, choose stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. Don’t use plastic bowls because they can cause cats to develop feline acne on the chin. You’ll also see I’ve included some water fountains because some cats prefer to drink from a running water source because it keeps the water tasting fresher. Click the links below to learn more about the products.
Litter Boxes and Supplies
The litter box set-up should be comfortable, clean, and convenient for your cat. Choose a box that’s large enough for your cat’s comfort, and be sure to scoop it out at least twice a day. Regular scooping is also an important way to monitor your cat’s health. That’s just one of the reasons why I don’t recommend electronic or self-cleaning boxes. You’ll also see from the links below that I don’t have any covered boxes listed because they are often too cramped, and can cause a cat to feel trapped should another cat decide to ambush. Choose an open box, be sure it’s filled with the litter substrate your cat prefers, and keep the box clean. If you have more than one cat, you should also have more than one box. The general rule of thumb is that litter boxes should outnumber your cats by at least one. Click the links below to learn more about the litter boxes and supplies.
Cat Treats and Cat Grass
Cat treats can be a very useful tool during training. Remember though, these are treats and not your cat’s meal. Don’t overfeed. Click the links below to learn more about the treats I often recommend to clients for their cats.
Cleaning Supplies
If your cat eliminates outside of the box, the first thing you need to do is have your kitty checked by the veterinarian to rule out a potential medical issue. Don’t skip that step. Once medical issues are ruled out, you can begin to tackle the problem from a behavioral standpoint. You’ll also need to thoroughly clean the soiled areas. Start by using a blacklight, such as the one listed below, to identify all the spots. You can then use a cleaning product made especially for cat urine. Click the links below to learn more about my recommended cleaning products.
Behavior Tools
Below are all kinds of helpful tools to have in your behavior toolkit. It’s important to remember though that none of them are magical answers to a behavior problem. You have to identify the underlying cause of the problem and then incorporate a behavior plan to resolve the issue. You can find lots of information in my books to help you. Click the links below to learn about products that can be extremely helpful in your behavior plan.
Cat Carriers
It’s important to always transport your cat in a sturdy, well-made carrier, whether it’s a hard kennel-style, or a soft-sided one.
.
Pet Gates
If you’re struggling to keep your dog out of the cat’s litter box, you may need to set up a gate that has a small pet door opening. There are also tall gates available if you need interim help with multicat separation. Another option for keeping a dog out of the cat’s area is through the use of the Door Buddy door latch. Click the link below to learn more about these products.
Video Cams to Capture Behavior in Action
When you’re trying to figure out the cause of a behavior problem, or if you have a multicat household and you can’t figure out which cat is engaging in the unwanted behavior (such as litter box aversion), or you just wanted to check up on your cat while you’re at work, video is the answer. Below are links to some easy ways to use video.
Cat Trees
Another very important way to increase vertical territory is by providing cats with indoor trees. There are many companies that make good quality, sturdy ones. I don’t recommend most of the trees from Amazon because I think they’re too small and not well made. A search online will help you locate companies that design and build sturdy trees. Some companies will even create custom pieces for you. Below are links to a few of the ones I do actually like that are available from Amazon.
