Poggies help for Moggies. Cat behaviour advice and cat sitting by Leanne

17/04/2026

Why are tortoiseshell cats usually female? 🐈

Tortoiseshell cats are known for their uniquely beautiful colours. Tortoiseshell isn’t a breed, it’s a coat pattern, just like tabby. 😻

🧬 Tortoiseshell cats have not one, but two co-dominant colour genes (black and orange) working together to make the unique coat patterns.

🧬 Most tortoiseshell cats are females because it’s the two X chromosomes that carry the genetic information for coat colour. The Y chromosome that males have, doesn’t impact on their coat colour. But sometimes a male cat can be born with XXY chromosomes, making it possible but unusual for a tortoiseshell coat!

Do you have a tortoiseshell cat? Share a photo with us! 📸

08/04/2026

This sweet guy got a little overexcited during a play session and decided I was the prey, misdirecting his predatory play onto me.
No harm done here and I redirected him onto more suitable options such as a wand toy.
Sometimes when predatory play behaviour is directed at people, it can be a problem, we can get accidental injuries in the forms of bites and scratches, being ambushed when trying to go from A-B. Our own reactions can exacerbate the problem.
If not dealt with correctly the cat can become frustrated resulting in more intense attempts and injuries to us.

This behaviour can occur for various reasons such as boredom, lack of alternative outlets for the natural behaviour, or due to inappropriate play involving hands, feet.

If you are struggling with this, don't worry there are things that can be done. I've successfully helped many owners with this.

Please get in touch to arrange a remote consult if you need help with this or other behaviours.

04/04/2026

Some of my lovely reviews

31/03/2026

For my last post this month I am sharing this info graphic from International Cat Care.
There are many stressors for cats around vet visits and so many variables on the day that can affect what your cat is feeling emotionally, even having to skip breakfast or spotting the rival neighbourhood cat earlier.
But there are things we can do to prepare cats for visits and remove some of these stressors.
One of these things is cat carrier training.
Their website and youtube channel is a good resource in learning how to do this.
https://icatcare.org/articles/travelling-with-your-cat

Carrier choice can also be crucial. From personal experience, top opening carriers allow the cat to sit in the bottom of their carrier, where in that moment they feel safest. Sometimes a little hidey blanket or towel loosely placed over the top of them can help facilitate examinations and injections safely with little or no restraint. Whilst giving them the feeling of being hidden, one of their coping mechanisms.

We understand that visiting the vet can be a stressful experience for both cats and caregivers. Our top tips will help reduce some of that stress and anxiety 👇

🐱 Choose a sturdy and secure carrier, place a blanket from home inside for a familiar scent.

🐱 Leave the carrier out at home as an extra bed or safe space, so your cat doesn’t always associate it with leaving.

🐱 Spray the carrier with synthetic feline pheromones at least 15 minutes before putting your cat in it.

🐱 Cover the carrier with a cloth or towel while you are travelling to help keep your cat calm. Rather than holding the carrier by the handle, which can cause it to swing, carry it with both hands from underneath.

🐱 Visit an accredited Cat Friendly Clinic so you know your cat will be handled gently, with respect, and their unique needs will be understood. Find your nearest 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-friendly-clinic/for-owners-and-caregivers

Take a look at our website to find more of our tips for making vet visits less stressful, including a free downloadable guide! 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/taking-your-cat-to-the-vet

28/03/2026

28/03/2026

Last week I said goodbye to one of my favourite regular cat sits 🥲 as they are moving away.
As she had her boundaries, I wasn't sure if she would want to interact with me. But not only did she grace me with her presence, she seemed happy to spend time with me and even indulged in some leg rubs and playtime. I will miss Maggie and her owners 😊

22/03/2026

Trips to the vets and groomers can be stressful for pets and humans.
Adopting a cooperative care approach can make visits less anxious and safer for your cat and all people involved.
Cats like to feel in control. When they lose this and feel threatened, they show protective emotions and behaviours, which can result in bites and injuries.
Being stressed can make diagnosing more difficult, exacerbate symptoms or cause significant health issues.
Cooperative care is a training process where cats can become willing participants in their care, from examinations, nail trims, and other grooming procedures.
Owners make use of training tools such as positive reinforcement and gradual conditioning.
There are some good videos out there that can teach you how to do this: http://www.youtube.com/
As well as cat behaviourists and trainers who can support you (particularly if your cat has already experienced some stressful visits)

Let's reduce fear and stress this month and make things safer for all. It is never too late to train your cat.

15/03/2026

Let's talk about cat marking behaviour this month
Marking is a normal part of your cats behaviour. They are depositing pheromones/scents into their environment. These act as a communication tool for other cats and help the cat to feel secure in their environment.

🐈 cats have various pheromone centres or scent glands on their body (several on the face, the tail, and footpads), which they use for visual and chemical marking by rubbing against objects or people and scratching objects

🐈 they excrete pheromones in their urine and faeces, which act as chemical or olfactory communication.

🐈 they have a special organ that detects these scents (can anyone name that organ? Place your answer in the comments)

If urine marking or scratching in the home is a new behaviour or is occurring more frequently, it could be a sign that your cat is feeling anxious.

It's important to rule out any medical causes with your vet first, but once done, your vet or vet nurse can help you look into any potential stressors your cat is facing, or refer you onto a behaviourist.

🐾 Do not punish your cat (it will only make things worse) they are not trying to annoy or be difficult. They don't hate you.
Remember, it isn't bad behaviour, it's just their way of communicating that something is not right.

05/03/2026

The final pillar is about respecting a cats sense of smell

🐈 A cat leaves pheromones when they rub their face, tail base, and other parts on furniture and other areas around the home. Avoid cleaning away these rub marks as they help a cat to feel secure in their environment
🐈 Some cats may find external smells that you bring into the home threatening. These can be carried in on shoes, coats, bags etc. This may cause some cats to mark these items in particular with urine spraying.
💡If your cat is marking these items, consider how they are stored so that your cat will not come into contact with them

🐈Scents from cleaners, candles, and plug-in diffusers can be overpowering and offensive to a cats sense of smell. Some can also be harmful, so it's important to do your homework and find what is safe.

You can find more information on the 5 pillars here 👇👇👇
https://catvets.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FelineVMA-Environmental-Needs-2026-Web.pdf

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X13477537

03/12/2025

05/11/2025