Listen to the audio version of this article When I talk to some people about how stress affects their cats, I sometimes get very strange looks. Back in 1982 when I first started my cat behavior consulting business, the idea of stress in cats was pretty much unheard of. I even remember being laughed ...
Read More »Cat Fights: What to do When Your Cats Turn on Each Other
It can be very confusing and frustrating when companion cats who have previously lived together in harmony, suddenly decide to engage in a turf war. In some cases, the cats have lived under one roof with an ongoing degree of tension that has now turned to outright hostility and aggression. Cat parents become understandably ...
Read More »Pam’s “Think Like a Cat” Reintroduction Method
When you have cats who aren’t getting along and all your attempts at behavior work have been unsuccessful, it may be time to do a reintroduction. If the aggression between your cats is severe or if they can’t even be within sight of each other without an immediate brawl taking place, then a reintroduction ...
Read More »Cat Kisses
Bebe’s Cat Kisses Many years ago, when I was working with Bebe, a feral cat who grew to become a much loved family member, I struggled with getting her to trust me. I worked with her in a way that would’ve tested the patience of the slowest snail, but I knew the only way to ...
Read More »Is My Cat Too Fat?
Many cat parents have simply gotten used to the image of an overweight cat and perhaps no longer recognize what their cats should look like in terms of a healthy body. Are we over-feeding out of love? Lack of knowledge? Convenience? An outdoor cat who depends on his ability to hunt in order to eat, ...
Read More »Is Your Cat a Thief?
Do you have a furry, four-footed thief in your house? Has the paper clip you just set down on the desk suddenly gone missing? Or maybe it’s some food from your plate that has vanished? Your keys? A sock? Your daughter’s hair bow? If you live with a very stealthy but oh, so adorable, ...
Read More »Why Your Cats May Not be Getting Along
Listen to the audio version of this article Have you ever wondered why your two cats don’t get along and yet your neighbor’s four cats all live in harmony? Many cat parents live in households with more than one cat and there are no issues, but for others, tension is ongoing. What causes some ...
Read More »Attention-Seeking Behavior in Cats
Attention-seeking behavior can occur in any cat at any age but during my consultations I’ve seen it most often in cats who don’t receive adequate stimulation or who are left alone for longer periods. Signs of Attention-Seeking Behavior in Cats In general, a cat who is trying to get your attention will resort to whatever ...
Read More »Fourth of July Cat Safety Tips
July 4th is a day filled with family cook-outs, fireworks, swimming, and in general, good times… for the humans, that is. For pets, Independence Day can be a day (and night) of unsettling noises, separation from the family, confusion and danger. In many cases, the celebration noises start days before the 4th and extend for ...
Read More »Cats Can Have Toy Preferences
Playtime is a very important part of your cat’s daily life. No matter how old, your cat benefits from having frequent opportunities to stalk, chase, pounce, and capture. In an outdoor environment a cat would typically engage in about 12-20 hunting attempts. That doesn’t mean he’d successfully capture 20 mice, but he’d give it a ...
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