Meow Feline Behaviour Solutions

06/02/2023

30/07/2022

06/05/2022

Great new study!

New research has been published on the use of laser pointers in play and its possible effects on cat behaviour. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, concludes:

"Guardians that frequently used laser light pointers to play with their cats reported significantly more potential abnormal repetitive behaviours such as spins, tail chases, chasing lights or shadows, staring "obsessively" at lights or reflections, and fixating on a specific toy."

It is worth noting that the majority of cat owners in the study (262 participants, 73.6%) did not end the laser pointer play sessions by letting their cat ‘catch’ something. The lack of opportunity to ‘pounce’ or ‘catch’ a physical toy at the end of a play session is hypothesised to be frustrating for cats as they cannot complete their natural predatory behavioural sequence. Further research is required into whether or not completing this type of play session with ‘catching’ a toy, plays a role in the development of abnormal repetitive behaviours.

Play is an important source of mental stimulation and physical activity for cats, but it is important to understand that all cats have unique preferences in how they best like to play and interact. To learn more about playing with your cat, including our top ideas for toys and games, visit:

https://icatcare.org/advice/playing-with-your-cat/
https://icatcare.org/playing-with-your-kitten/

Reference: Grigg, E.K. and Kogan, L.R., 2022. Associations between Laser Light Pointer Play and Repetitive Behaviors in Companion Cats: Does Participant Recruitment Method Matter?. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, pp.1-16.

14/04/2022

Some very good advice!

Let's talk about breed specific foods

There is no such thing as breed specific nutritional needs

Yes you read that right. A British doesn't need anything different to a Bengal who needs nothing different to a Burmese who needs nothing any different to the gorgeous rescue cat currently sitting in your lap.

This is called MARKETING. Why sell a multi breed household just one bag of kibble cardboard when you can label each bag with a different breed and that same owner will buy 2 bags, one for each breed of cat she has at home.

Cats are cats are cats and all cats are built to eat a balanced raw diet

Some cats will require more food than others due to activity level

Some cats (kittens) require more phosphorus than others to facilitate growth, hence the need for a kitten appropriate raw, though a healthy adult can eat a higher pho raw diet too

Some cats need a lower phosphorus diet due to kidney disease

Some cats need more fats due to age.. kittens and seniors need more fat

None of these different requirements has anything to do with the breed of the cat

So long as you are feeding a cat the diet they are built to eat, you can adjust it to suit the cat you are feeding. You won't find breed specific raw on the Raw Meow shelves, but you will find the tools you need to feed your cats the food they are born to eat.

Don't fall for Big Pet Foods Marketing

27/03/2022

Training the cat to scratch on a scratching post

Every wonder why a cat has to scratches everything in site. Your cat is sharpening claws and ridding the outer layer of old claw is one reason. After a cat has been declawed, they could continue to go though the motion of clawing. On the paw pad are scent glands, that will rub off the scent as they claw or scratch on an item. Once a cat does claw or scratch on the item other cats will come to smell the scent left and can have the tendency to scratch the same item to have their scent on the item. When you finding the couch or other item scratched or clawed this is when the cat is exercising.

Redirection and proper scratching post or trees will help with the exercising or energy that a cat has.
A rope can offer a stable item for the cat to scratch and claw on. Purchasing a scratch post or tree that is sturdy enough for the cat and will not be easy tip over when the cat is scratching or clawing at the tree. Making sure, the scratching post or tree is high enough for the cat to reach and be able to scratch and claw.

Rubbing orange peel or lemon on the fabric or surface of the item can help with scratching or claw the item. Using a commercial cat repellent is another way to rid the scent on your items. Cats do not like plastic, covering your furniture with plastic till, the cat starts to use the post, or tree will help. Communicating with the cat with soft words as “no kitty you are not to scratch that, this is not the place”. Then taking the cat to the scratching area and showing them this is the place to scratch will help with the redirecting the energy of the cat. Rubbing the cats paw on the post will help leaving the scent of the cat on there so they know that this is a place to scratch.

Scratching is a natural to a cat as it is for them to breathe. With gentle guides, redirection, telling the cat not to scratch on the item the cat will soon leave the furniture and couch alone.

Nail grooming a cat is also important especially with older cats and inactive cats that sleep most the time. These types of cat are usually in a curled up position with the paws tucked under them and this can cause the nails to curl. Trimming the nails is just an import to help with training. If you are uncertain about trimming the nails on the cat, call the groomers. Groomers that have been trained to trim and cut nails on cats. Taking the cat when the nails are in need of grooming, can also gives a cat a good chance to get out of the house for the socializing that it need.

Treats are another import thing when training a cat. Giving a treat to a cat for good behavior warrants the cat to continue the behavior. Treats and food on the other hand should be use when a cat wants something, like attention from the owner. Excessive meowing is another time you do not want to give a cat a treat. Treating the cat is a way of saying they are doing a great job. A reward, with rewarding with the bad behaviors will lead the cat to continue them.

Simple treats as live treats are a good treat for your cat. Most cats like the taste of liver and with the small treat, this will not over feed a cat. Once the behavior is in control, you will want to decrease the times that the cat gets a treat for the behavior until the cat is doing it with a treat. This is so that you will be able to use the treat for training for the cat with other unwanted behaviors. With the cat knowing that the taste of the treat and that with good things they are doing, the next training will be a non stressful on the cat.

Training the cat to not to scratch everything in site can be a great experience for you and your cat. With the proper training and love, communication you will be on your way to the next training behavior.

24/02/2022

Female cats are more likely to be right handed. Who knew?!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180122104019.htm

Researchers have found that female cats are much more likely to use their right paw than males.

09/02/2022

EFSA has updated its safety assessment of the food additive titanium dioxide (E 171), following a request by the European Commission in March 2020. The updated evaluation revises the outcome of EFSA’s previous assessment published in 2016, which highlighted the need for more research to fill data ...

06/02/2022

16/01/2022

Ever considered training your cat to provide theraoy services? Learn more today!

https://assistanceanimalfederationaustralia.mylearnworlds.com/course/therapy-animals-in-australia

What is an Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI)? What species are involved? Learn about the types of therapy programs utilised worldwide and find out more about the animals used and types of therapies available.

17/12/2021

Yes, they train cats too!

Everyone, meet Connor Grech ♥️ Our number 2 therapy dog and canine blood donor!

Connor is a 6 year old Wolfhound x Great Dane. He enjoys relaxing at home with his mum after a tough day out, visiting nursing homes and getting all the pats and cuddles he can handle. The residents just love his calming presence as he carefully lays his head on their knees to receive never ending love. Connor is such a good boy and bribgs so much joy to the lives of every person he meets.

Connor, like all our therapy dogs, go through public access, behavioural and veterinary assessments before they qualify for the role. All our qualified dogs hold, or are qualified to hold, the Canine Good Citizen credential, as well as the Cooperative Care Certificate from the Australian Pet Awards and the Trick Dog title from Do More with Your Dog!

Our trainers hold credentials with the Delta Institute, National Dog Training Federation, Fear-Free International and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. This means our trainers have a minimum of a Certificate 3 in Dog Training & Behaviour, with others having postgraduate qualifications in Animal Behaviour. Some of our staff also have postgraduate qualifications in disability, ageing, autism and mental health. All our staff complete annual CPD and volunteer their time to ensure our therapy animals are the best of the best.

Our volunteers and their pets receive ongoing support and training to ensure our high standards are always maintained. We are fully insured with many of our animals working across a variety of government departments and non-governmental organisations already. Unlike other Therapy Animal organisations, all of our services are available FREE of charge so nobody ever has to miss out, and yes! We are fully insured. Why?

If you are interested in organising a visit for yourelf, a friend or your workplace or community group, don't hesitate to get in touch. We are also currently recruiting other suitible dogs and their humans for training so they too can join the ranks of George Wilson and Connor Grech as Wollongong's elite therapy dogs.

Please join our main page and share this post far and wide to help us get Illawarra Therapy Animals & Pet Education off the ground.

Please follow our therapy dogs on Instagram as they continue to bring smiles to the people of the Illawarra:

Illawarra_therapy_animals

Connor at .da.goober

Our programs are funded by Deaf Dogs Rescue Australia, CLW Consulting and The Dog Lounge Co .

19/07/2021

Just another Monday with one of my favourite clients ♥️ Litter box problems? Other issues? No problem, we got this! Message us today!

04/07/2021

Another faboulous cat with a disABILITY.

https://www.facebook.com/wedontdeserveanimalsDM/videos/189595366327848/?sfnsn=mo

30/06/2021

Great for cats too!

11/06/2021

Awesome advice!

🏡 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 🐈

😅 So full transparency, when we decided to move, I dreaded bringing Bullseye over. Not because she is a difficult cat; she is actually super resilient and confident. But we had such a good routine going at our old house.

💩 Cats, under stress can do all kinda of crazy things. They can mark, poo outside the litter box, hide, escape, not toilet resulting in vet visits and the whole process can be super stressful for everyone.

➡️ As I do, I researched extensively on what I can do to reduce the stress she had. And as a result, we had a supppper easy transition with minimal issues.

🐈 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲:

🚚 We left Bullseye’s room or sleeping area as the last room to go to the new house. We used this room to secure her, as we were in and out with boxes and furniture.

☝🏽 Sometimes the change in routine can upset cats, so it was important that to her, life looked normal. I kept to her routine the exact same with no changes to feeding times etc.

✅ We created a plan for Bullseye at the new house and decided that our master bedroom was going to be where she was locked away for the first few days to settle her.

🛌 We did our best to recreate a space that she knew, so all our existing furniture was set up as we had it and we tried to keep familiar smells and sights for her.

🐱 Prior to her arrival at the new house, we set up her cat tower, toys, beds and litter ready to go.

💕 I also plugged in a FELIWAY Cat Diffuser. This special scent (odorless to people and other animals) that Feliway utilizes is a replication of the pheromone that cats leave naturally when they are feeling comfortable in their environment.

🌼 Prior to our 40 minute car ride to the new house, I fed Bullseye adding in some Original Bach Rescue Remedy Pets, I also exercised her, played with her and let her toilet.

🏡 Once she arrived at the new house, I sat with her for at least an hour whilst she explored the new space. In this time, I offered her a small meal, plenty of pats and her teaser toys.

💩 After her meal, I immediately placed her on the litter so she knew exactly where it was.

➡️ The first 3 days were no eventful. Just a lot of playing, hanging with her and keeping the room as quiet as possible.

☝🏽Initially she didn’t do a poo for 3 days. However, after adding some coconut oil to her food, she toileted fine.

✅ Once I was happy with her toileting, and her being comfortable, we opened up the house for her to explore.

🌪 She was like a tornado, zooming around, rubbing on furniture and when she finally saw the dogs and they were reunited, she purred the loudest I have ever heard her purr.

🐈 The key to a success move is to have a solid plan in place, know what you’ll do if it isn’t working and have everything as prepared as possible.

❤️ Bullseye is super happy at the new house and has settled in perfect.

04/06/2021

Microchipping $20/pet for the month of June. Book now to avoid disappointment

04/06/2021

Today we worked on litter tray use with Miss Eleanor. Another happy customer ♥️

14/05/2021

A common method of restraining cats both in animal shelters and veterinary settings is far more likely to cause them to experience stress and fear than a less restrictive form […]

13/05/2021

What we offer

11/05/2021

Yes!

Learn more about the Hide, Perch & Go™ box for cats, developed by the BC SPCA.

15/04/2021

Wow! Please follow this page to make euthanasia of healthy animals illegal in NSW.

This is Tamara. She was born with cerebellar hypoplasia, or 'wobbly cat' syndrome.

If she had been born in a NSW shelter or pound, it is likely that she would have been euthanised and never reached kittenhood. Why? Because CH cats are treated by most as 'too disabled to help'.

Tamara just truned 1 year old and with supportive veterinary rehab and take home exercises she can walk, climb and jump just like any other cat her age. Her disability certainly does not slow her down!

Tamara was lucky enough to be adopted by a vet nurse who had to beg for Tamara's life as the local pound were insistent that CH cats could not possibly have any quality of life. This is completely false. There are many cats with CH living happy lives with their furever families.

Follow this page to help end convenience killing of animals in NSW pounds and shelters.

19/02/2021

Someone has taken his Friday chill pill ♥️

14/02/2021

Who, me?

Some of the behavioural issues that I can help with include, but are not limited to:

* Litter tray / toileting issues

* Aggression (towards other cats, animals, or humans)

* Relationships between household cats / animals

* Grief - loss of a feline / canine friend or another member of your household

* Furniture / carpet scratching

* Moving house / changes in household

* Sleep routines - keeping you up all night or waking you up at the crack of dawn

* Anxious / timid cats

* Preparing for and introducing your cat(s) to a new family member (baby, cat, dog, partner etc)

* Issues around food

Send us an inbox to enquire today!

We are in Sydney Aistralia but work online with clients all over the world! In home consultations are also available.

14/02/2021

Cat behaving badly? No problem. We can help!