International Feline Behaviourists - IFB

International Feline Behaviourists - IFB IFB aims to offer informative advice to cat owners and professionals to enhance the happiness and welfare of all cats.

18/09/2025

Interactive playtime is important and beneficial but always offer your cat the choice of whether to engage or not.

18/09/2025

Don't use plastic bowls for food or water.

18/09/2025

If your cat is displaying a behavior that is unwanted, identify the underlying cause. Is the behavior due to an undiagnosed medical issue? Is the cat trying to communicate something is wrong? Is the cat doing the best he can under the circumstances in the current environment? Is it a natural, instinctive behavior being displayed in an unwanted way because you haven’t met the cat’s needs? Here are a couple of examples. A cat who eliminates outside of the litter box isn’t being stupid or spiteful. Maybe the cat has a medical issue and is in pain or perhaps associates the pain with the box itself. Another reason for litter box avoidance is that the box conditions may not be tolerable, or perhaps the cat is being ambushed by another cat when in the box. If furniture scratching is the concern keep in mind that scratching is a natural, and very beneficial aspect of cat health. If the sofa is the target, it may mean you don’t have a scratching post or perhaps it’s not one that meets the cat’s needs. Look at behavior being displayed from the cat’s point of view. There’s always a reason for the behavior. Your job is to figure out what your cat is getting from it so you can provide a better option. In other words: think like a cat!

18/09/2025

Even though cats are known for sleeping quite a bit, they are also creatures of habit. If you pay attention, you should be able to notice if your cat is now sleeping more than normal.

12/09/2025

By setting your cat up for success through kindness and trust, you’ll reduce stress for both of you, and make every grooming session, medication, or veterinary visit a calmer, more positive experience.

12/09/2025

Even when it comes to behaviors you don't like, it's important to remember that the particular behavior always makes sense to the cat. Your job is to identify the reason for the behavior so you can provide a better option.

10/09/2025

Does your cat wake you in the middle of the night or early in the morning? Here's a tip to hopefully change the behavior.

10/09/2025

When deciding on litter box location, keep comfort, convenience, and safety in mind. Cats generally feel more comfortable in quiet, relatively private locations when it comes to litter box placement. Don’t place the box in noisy, busy, high-traffic areas as well as locations where your cat could feel trapped without escape potential. Don’t place the litter box in an area that could put your cat at risk of ambush by other pets in the home. And of course, never locate the litter box near the food and water station.

Make sure litter boxes are easily accessible but don’t line up multiple boxes in one location. While it may seem convenient, cats will view those closely spaced litter boxes as one giant box. In a multicat household, that could create intimidation, guarding, and fear. It’s recommended to space litter boxes around the home in a multicat household so one cat doesn’t have to pass through another cat’s preferred area when nature calls.

Finally, it’s also recommended that litter boxes should outnumber the cats by one.

10/09/2025

For most cats, smaller, more frequent meals are more comfortable.

09/09/2025

When we're scared or worried, we very often find comfort in being hugged or held. For cats though, comfort is found in having the choice to hide somewhere safe and remain invisible. If your cat is fearful or showing signs of concern, offer the choice to hide. Let your cat determine the best option for comfort. For some cats, being held is what provides comfort, but always let your cat have the choice.

31/08/2025

Don't serve food directly from the refrigerator.

30/08/2025

Cats are master of communication. You can tell a lot from their body language. Pay attention to whether your cat is inviting you closer or asking for distance.

Address

Exeter
EX100

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when International Feline Behaviourists - IFB posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to International Feline Behaviourists - IFB:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

About us

Our motto at IFB is Feline welfare at our core!

It's not only our canine friends that can have behavioural issues, our feline friends can too. International Feline Behaviourists (IFB) was formed in 2019 and is the feline division of ICB: International Canine Behaviourists ltd.

In 2018 it became apparent that although there were many organisations for canine behaviourists to join, there were none for feline behaviourists. International Canine Behaviorists (ICB) founder Brigitte Barton realised the need for a feline behaviourist organisation and after a meeting with feline behaviourist and feline expert Roberta Roscini, International Feline Behaviourists (IFB) was formed.

International Feline Behaviourists (IFB) will have the same rigorous application process for membership that ICB has.