Radiant Cats Behaviour & Training

06/27/2025

How can you help ensure a successful vet visit for your kitten? 🐱

1. Bring treats. High-value treats for rewards and distractions. Churu and other lickable treats are great too!
2. Practice gentle restraint and examinations at home. Practice holding them for brief periods while offering treats. Keep practices short and enjoyable. Stop if they start struggling. Check their ears, feet, mouth, etc, while you're at it. Handling and cooperative care-based training while young can make future vet visits much easier for everyone! If you plan to trim your kitten's nails at home or at the vet, this is even more important!
3. Advocate for your kitten. Ask for procedures and exams to be done in the room, whenever possible. If you notice your kitten becomes fearful, ask for a break and for them to try again unless it becomes too stressful.
4. Bring your kitten in for happy visits! You can bring them in for weight checks and let them say hi to the vet team. Or just practice traveling somewhere. They can have a good time without anything scary being done to them. Always ask your clinic first before visiting.
5. Start carrier training ASAP. Get them comfortable and confident spending time in the carrier at home, in the car, and while moving in the car. This is something you should continuously practice throughout your cat's life to make vet visits and other travel less stressful on everyone!

If you've recently brought home a kitten and are struggling, please reach out to schedule a Pawsitive Beginnings: Kitten Problem-Solving and Prevention consult! We would be happy to help 💙

06/03/2025

Caring for young kittens in a shelter or foster setting means more than just meeting their physical needs—it’s about supporting their emotional wellbeing, socialization, and stress-free development.

06/01/2025

Happy Purrride! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

05/25/2025

Update for the summer and fall of 2025: I’m thrilled to share that I'm expanding my training expertise by attending Karen Pryor Academy's Dog Trainer Professional course until September.
I’m currently experiencing high demand and reduced capacity, leading to delayed response times and longer appointment wait times.
If you are in urgent need of assistance, please consider reaching out to Little Weirdos Dog Training and Behaviour Consulting. Vicky is a skilled and knowledgeable behaviour professional who is dedicated to force-free, positive reinforcement training for cats and dogs.
I truly appreciate your patience and understanding as I work to better serve you and our feline friends!

Thank you for your continued support!
Alicia & Radiant Cats

05/09/2025

05/09/2025

03/30/2025

For the last 9 months I've been writing various feline behaviour resources with the Edmonton Humane Society, and I'm excited to share the two newest handouts: "Petting Etiquette and the Cat Consent Test" and "Human Directed Aggression in Cats" (I'll share the links in the comments).
Check out the EHS website or the resources page on radiantcats.ca to see the rest of the handouts we've published together.

Here's a look at the infographic included in the Petting Etiquette handout.. Isn't it pretty? 🐱

02/20/2025

02/20/2025

As your cat ages, it’s important to observe physical changes, especially in how they move around the home.

Some changes, like weight loss, grooming habits, and eating patterns, are easy for most caretakers to notice. However, subtle shifts in mobility can be harder to detect.

Aging cats often develop arthritis, lose flexibility, and experience daily aches and pains. As a result, they may adjust how they play and navigate their environment.

For example, your cat may prefer to simply watch their toys rather than chase them. This is perfectly fine—they are still engaged and mentally stimulated. You might also notice them using stairs differently or struggling to jump onto or off high surfaces. This is because their joints may be sore, and they are trying to minimize discomfort.

Additionally, your cat may stretch less, use vertical scratchers less frequently, or have difficulty grooming their hind end and hips. These behaviors often indicate that certain movements are becoming painful.

Another key change to watch for is difficulty getting in or out of the litter box. If this happens, consider adjusting your setup to make it more senior-friendly.

If you notice any of these changes, consult your veterinarian. There are medications and supplements available to help keep your cat comfortable and happy in their senior years.

02/14/2025

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month. Here are a few steps you can take to show how you are a responsible cat caregiver. Create a Cat Friendly environment to ensure a safe space with multiple exits and separate resources (food, water, litter, scratching posts). Engage your cat with hunting-like play using interactive toys. Tailor positive interactions to their preferences and allow scent marking while minimizing strong odors for a safe space. For more tips on being a responsible cat caregiver visit https://bit.ly/2RFmBT7.

02/08/2025

Cats are experts at hiding pain and illness, making yearly vet visits essential for their health. Here’s why annual exams matter:

✅ Preventative Care & Health Tracking – Regular check-ups help monitor your cat’s weight, dental health, and overall well-being. Prevention is key!

🔎 Early Detection of Disease – Subtle changes can signal health issues. Catching problems early leads to better outcomes.

🩺 Open Communication with Your Vet – Noticing changes in appetite, behavior, or litter box habits? Regular exams keep the conversation going.

🐱 Cats Hide Illness Well – By the time symptoms are obvious, the condition may be advanced. Routine exams help uncover hidden issues.

Schedule your cat’s annual exam today to keep them happy, healthy, and purring for years to come! 🐾

If you are hesitant about taking your cat to the Vet for any reason, call and discuss your fears and work with the Vet Team to design a plan specific for you and your cat.

02/07/2025

Want to keep your cat engaged even when you're not around? Interactive play is essential, but safe solo toys are just as important for enrichment! Too often, they end up forgotten in a corner. Keep things fresh by rotating toys, adding a sprinkle of catnip a couple of times a week, and placing toys in fun, unexpected spots for your cat to "hunt." A little effort goes a long way in keeping your cat happy, engaged, and entertained.