Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training

Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training Pawsitive Vibes offers cat behavior and training services virtually and in person in Baltimore! If you have a cat with a problem, we'd love to meet them.
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Our training philosophy is grounded in science-backed methodology and current industry best practices with an emphasis on least-invasive minimally-aversive (LIMA) humane training techniques. With your consultation, you will receive a custom training plan for your cat’s unique needs, created with kindness, patience, and empathy in mind. We are able to serve the Baltimore metro area in person, as we

ll as meet with you virtually from anywhere in the world! Our specialties include:
- Litter box issues
- Destructive behavior
- Aggression towards people or animals
- Fear, anxiety, and stress
- Inter-cat relationships
- Kitten socialization
- Clicker training
…and more!

Do you want to learn more about Cooperative Care?Do you want to learn how to create an enrichment plan?Does your cat not...
09/07/2024

Do you want to learn more about Cooperative Care?

Do you want to learn how to create an enrichment plan?

Does your cat not seem interested in play and you want to figure out why?

Mary can help with these issue plus many other minor issues. If you want to book an appointment, please click the link and learn more!

https://pawsitivevibescats.com/minis-with-mary/

If you want to learn more about Mary, let her know in the comments. She understands she is new to you and you don't know her well. Just like a cat, sometimes you just need to know a bit more about a person before making a decision.

The last type of aggression we will discuss is Fear Aggression. Fear Aggression occurs when a cat becomes fearful and ca...
09/05/2024

The last type of aggression we will discuss is Fear Aggression. Fear Aggression occurs when a cat becomes fearful and cannot escape from the situation. He may be cornered by another animal, he may be in his carrier and a strange person reaches in for him, or he may be in a situation where someone is using punishment to correct his unwanted behavior.

The cat will display defensive body language, such as making himself as small as possible, tail curled up next to him as tight as possible, ears back, and he will be hissing. He will lean away from the frightening stimulus, but if pushed to the point of fight or flight, he will defend himself.

If your cat shows signs of fear aggression frequently, I suggest hiring a professional to help you. Living in constant fear and high alert is not a good quality of life for a cat. There are proper steps and techniques that can help your cat live a calmer, happier life.

Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is in a high state of arousal—whether from fear or excitement—and cannot physica...
09/03/2024

Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is in a high state of arousal—whether from fear or excitement—and cannot physically reach the source of that arousal. The cat then redirects its frustration or fear to whoever is closest, which could be another cat, a human, or another pet in the home.

One situation where this type of aggression might occur is if Cat A is sitting at a glass door and notices a stray cat outside. Cat A becomes defensive of his territory and begins to growl and hiss at the intruder. If you or Cat A's companion, Cat B, approaches to check on him, Cat A might lash out and attack. This could be a one-time occurrence, or Cat A may associate you or Cat B with the situation and continue to lash out whenever he sees one of you.

Another situation that could trigger this behavior is a loud, frightening noise. Examples include fireworks, thunder, a tree falling, or even something breaking inside the house. The cat becomes scared and attacks out of self-defense.

Tips to Help Manage Redirected Aggression:

1) In many cases, you may never know what triggered your cat to act this way, but if you do, you may be able to prevent it from happening again. For example, if you know that a stray cat frequently appears in your yard in the evening, you could close the door and blinds to block your cat’s view. Alternatively, you could apply a frosted sticker to the lower part of the door so your cat cannot see outside.

2) If the aggression occurs between two cats, immediately separate them and reintroduce them slowly, just as you would if they were meeting for the first time. Be sure to associate their reintroduction with plenty of positive reinforcement.

If the attacks are severe, consider hiring a professional as soon as possible to assist with the reintroduction process.

3) If your cat becomes aggressive toward you or another person, I recommend seeking professional help right away. The level of aggression can be high and difficult to resolve on your own, and the longer your cat behaves this way, the harder it will be to correct.

09/02/2024
Moving beyond the labels: Summary labels like "aggressive," "shy," or "independent" are often used to describe our cats....
08/31/2024

Moving beyond the labels:

Summary labels like "aggressive," "shy," or "independent" are often used to describe our cats. But while these labels might seem helpful, they can actually limit our understanding of their behavior.

Instead of just labeling your cat's actions, ask yourself: What’s causing this behavior? When we describe what we see—like a cat hiding under the bed when the carrier comes out—we begin to understand the triggers behind it.

This shift in perspective helps us move from simply naming the behavior to understanding it, allowing us to intervene in more meaningful ways. By focusing on the environment and the context, we can better support our pets and make positive changes in their lives.

08/30/2024

The results are in. My math professor husband spent an hour yesterday crunching the numbers. This is what he wrote:

“Cats widely prefer clay to both p*e and p**p for every other type of litter. Otherwise there is no general overall preference.

For p*eing, cats prefer Grass and Tofu. In a head to head matchup, cats prefer Grass over Pea Husk, Cereal, Olive, and Coffee Grounds (in order of strength of preference). There is no preference for Grass or Tofu, but cats will take Tofu over coffee.

For p**ping, cats will use coffee over anything that isn’t clay. The only other litter they used was pea husk and grass and neither was statistically significant different from no usage.“

It’s worth noting that out of 10 cats who participated in the experiment, four were 5-month-old kittens who had been raised on clay litter for as long as they had lived indoors. Had we started them on tofu, would the results have been different? Did they just go to what they were familiar with?

The same could be asked of the remaining six adult cats in the study. Out of six, four had been with us since kittenhood and always used clay litter. The two remaining had been using clay litter exclusively for at least five years in our home, although since they were adopted as adults, we can’t know their history prior. Interestingly enough, although we did not track individual cats’ preferences (too much work), it appeared that these two cats who were adopted as adults were the most likely to try the new choices.

All cats had access to eight other litter boxes, all with their usual clay litter, in other rooms of the home at all times during the study. These boxes were not tracked, though all were used regularly, especially at night.

What are your thoughts? Although not in his write up, my husband also was able to determine that there was no strong preference between scented/unscented litter, which is something that cat behavior professionals including myself preach on all the time — don’t use scented litter!! But my cats didn’t seem to mind or care. It’s a small sample and a small study, but that was the most interesting finding for me.

This video is of my blind cat, Puff. I loved how he used scent and touch here to find the clay litter after I rearranged the boxes, since he doesn’t have any sight.

Territorial aggression is typically directed toward another cat, but it can be directed toward a human in certain cases....
08/30/2024

Territorial aggression is typically directed toward another cat, but it can be directed toward a human in certain cases.

When there is a change in the household dynamics, such as an addition or loss of a cat, you may notice an increase of aggression between cats. This normally occurs around the cat's resources throughout the home. Resources are anything that a cat finds important, such as resting areas, food and water bowls, litter boxes, and even your attention.

Signs of aggression can be obvious or subtle. Obvious signs include hissing, growling, chasing, and physical fighting. More subtle signs may involve blocking access to resources, staring down another cat, or stalking as the other cat uses a resource.

If a cat is showing territorial aggression towards a person, it normally occurs when an unfamiliar person enters the cat's territory and the cat feels the need to defend his space.

The best way to prevent territorial aggression between cats is to make sure you have plenty of resources throughout the home. A good rule of thumb is to have one of each resource for each cat plus one. This ensures there is always an extra available. Also, resources should not be concentrated to one room or floor, they should be distributed around the house to minimize conflict.

If physical fights do occur, it is best to separate the cats and try to slowly introduce them again. If this does not work or the fights are severe, then enlisting a professional to help you is the best route.

Non-recognition aggression can occur between cats that know each other and live together. This typically happens when on...
08/28/2024

Non-recognition aggression can occur between cats that know each other and live together. This typically happens when one cat leaves the home—often for a vet visit—and returns with a different scent or altered behavior due to anesthesia or medication. It can also happen if a cat visits a groomer and comes home smelling or looking different.

Scent is crucial for cats in recognizing one another. When a cat returns home smelling of a hospital or with the fragrance of a grooming product, it may seem unrecognizable to the other cat.

The cat that stayed home may start stalking and attacking the returning cat, behaving as if it has never seen the other cat before.

Tips to help prevent or manage non-recognition aggression:

1) Try to take all your cats to the vet at the same time or on the same day. This way, they will all carry the same vet scent, reducing the chances of non-recognition.

2) If your cats are regularly groomed, schedule their grooming appointments for the same day.

3) If you've experienced non-recognition aggression before, take steps to prevent it:
a) Bring the returning cat inside in its carrier, covered with a towel, so the cats can't see each other.
b) Place the cat in a separate room for a few hours to allow it to decompress and to give the other cat time to re-acclimate to its presence.
c) Wipe the returning cat with a blanket that has its scent on it, or wipe both cats with a pet wipe, to help them smell the same and re-establish their bond.

08/27/2024

My litter box experiment will still be running for a few more days. Yesterday, I switched up the order again and refilled/refreshed all the boxes. Here is foster kitten Peter acting like a human woman in the ladies room considering which stall they want to use in a long line 😂

So far, the clay litter is winning by a landslide. In second place is the grass litter, and tofu and pea husk are following. Coffee grounds has been the least used. My personal least favorite is the olive pit. Just sticky and disgusting to scoop.

I’m very excited because my math professor husband’s colleague will be using my data for her statistics class project this semester!

08/26/2024

This is a video of me giving Perry his medication. It’s clavamox, so it’s bitter and terrible. This video isn’t perfect, and I get nervous about sharing videos of me working with cats because I’m my own worst critic. However, I want to show that it is realistic and possible to drastically minimize stress levels even when giving a nasty horrible liquid medication. Even in this type of chaos.

When he was prescribed clavamox, I cringed. He is a foster through a rescue, so I’m limited in what I can request because he’s not my cat and I’m not paying for his medical care. I desperately try not to have to give cats liquid meds, even compounded flavored ones, because it sucks every time. Perry was trapped outside at between 8-10 weeks old and was totally untouched by people, so socializing him has been difficult and a process. I’m so proud of how far he’s come. He’s actually getting adopted tomorrow by a great family, and I’ll probably cry. But I desperately did not want to hurt our relationship and trust that I worked so hard on building.

So this is what I did. This is my “sandwich” method. Perry actually comes running when I sit down on the floor and put the blanket on my lap, even though it means meds are coming. First, he gets a bunch of good treats. His favorite is lunchmeat. I have to go with super high value to make it worth his time. Then, once he is warmed up, I gently blanket wrap him in my lap and administer the meds. The blanket wrap is there to allow me some gentle control over his body without having to resort to anything harsh like scruffing.

This part isn’t perfect. He scrambles when I go to lift him, but settles down quickly and stays calm and quiet while I get the bad stuff done. Yes, his face shows signs of stress, but look how quickly he bounces back and comes to me again for more treats. He knows what’s coming next. This the Premack Principle – the idea that an animal will put up with something undesirable because they know that an incentive is following it. It’s a powerful thing. It’s the same reason you’ll eat your vegetables because if you don’t, you won’t be allowed dessert.

I hope you get something from this and it gives you some idea of simple ways you can make unpleasant things easier on you and your animal.

Petting aggression can be very distressing for cat owners, as many do not understand why their cat bites or scratches wh...
08/26/2024

Petting aggression can be very distressing for cat owners, as many do not understand why their cat bites or scratches when all they want to do is show affection.

While some cats can be petted for hours without showing any signs of aggression, others may become overstimulated by the sensation of touch. When overstimulated, a cat may bite, swat, or scratch to signal that they want the petting to stop.

This behavior can also occur when owners try to brush or groom their cat, pick them up, carry them around, or even give them hugs or snuggles.

To help manage petting aggression:

1) Learn your cat’s body language. It's important to understand your own cat's signals. Many cats display subtle signs of frustration that can be easily missed, leading to an eventual aggressive response.

2) Use positive reinforcement. You can train your cat to accept gentle petting. For example, approach your cat and offer your hand. If your cat rubs against you, reward them with a favorite treat. Then, try petting their head once. If there’s no sign of aggression, reward them again. Gradually, you can build on this to increase your cat's tolerance for petting, or they may even begin to enjoy it.

3) Respect your cat’s preferences. If your cat genuinely doesn’t like physical affection, don’t take it personally. Just as some people don’t enjoy hugging or cuddling, some cats prefer other forms of interaction. Instead, try engaging them in play, clicker training, or simply enjoy their company as they relax nearby.

If you need a glimpse as to what it’s like to be me, this is pretty much it. Here, I am trying to give one cat medicatio...
08/24/2024

If you need a glimpse as to what it’s like to be me, this is pretty much it.

Here, I am trying to give one cat medication. Seven cats have shown up to take medication.

By the way, I got my foster kitten, Perry, to willingly climb into my lap so I could wrap him in the blanket to take his clavamox tonight. Clavamox is bitter and unpleasant. I set it up the same way every day, sitting on the floor with the blanket, so he knows what’s coming. He still shows up. His bounce back after I gave it tonight was instant. He knows I will make it worth his time.

I love cooperative care. It’s not my strong point, but I’m really proud of accomplishing this with him.

Hello, it's Mary, and I would love to help you and your feline companion!😺Does your cat have an attention seeking behavi...
08/23/2024

Hello, it's Mary, and I would love to help you and your feline companion!😺

Does your cat have an attention seeking behavior that you would like to break?

Does your cat scratch at your door before bedtime?

Or maybe, your cat is biting your ankles as you walk around the house?

Let me help you and your cat by creating a mini plan to curb those behaviors and strengthen the bond you have with your cat.😻

30 minutes sessions that focus on 1 troublesome and minor behavioral issue.

Check ME-OWT!😹

https://pawsitivevibescats.com/minis-with-mary/

You’ve probably heard that yelping when your kitten bites or scratches will teach them to stop. Whoever popularized this...
08/22/2024

You’ve probably heard that yelping when your kitten bites or scratches will teach them to stop. Whoever popularized this idea and made it some of the most common advice for handling rough play has a lot to answer for—seriously, how did this bad advice catch on? The idea is that mimicking the sound a littermate might make when hurt will signal to your kitten that they’ve gone too far. Sounds logical, I suppose. Unfortunately, it often has the opposite effect.

Here’s the deal: when you yelp, your kitten might think you’re still playing—just in a louder, more exciting way. Instead of backing off, they could get more wound up, thinking the game is getting even better. Plus, some kittens may not even understand the yelp as a sign of discomfort, since they’ve learned to play rough without consequences.

So, what should you do instead? When your kitten bites or scratches too hard, it’s game over. Calmly stop the play and redirect them to a toy, or simply give them a moment to settle down before allowing them to try again.

Don’t put them in timeout, either! Timeouts for kittens often backfire because they can unintentionally reinforce the very behavior you’re trying to stop. Picking up a kitten to place them in timeout can actually reward them with more attention, making them more likely to bite or scratch again. Instead, putting *yourself* in timeout by calmly walking away shows them that rough play means the fun ends, without giving them a chance to escalate the behavior.

And don’t forget to reinforce polite requests for play! If your kitten approaches you without biting or scratching, make sure to reward that behavior with attention and playtime. This positive reinforcement helps them learn that gentle behavior gets them what they want, reducing the chances of rough play in the future.

In short, skip the yelping and focus on teaching your kitten what’s appropriate through calm, consistent actions. It’ll save you both a lot of frustration in the long run!

Play Aggression is one of the most common types of feline aggression. It typically occurs in young cats and is often dir...
08/22/2024

Play Aggression is one of the most common types of feline aggression. It typically occurs in young cats and is often directed toward their owners, an older, less active cat in the household, or even a canine companion. You may see this behavior at dawn and dusk, which is when cats are the most active.

These young cats are full of energy and eager to practice their natural predatory skills. They may stalk you, wait for you to come around a corner, chase you on the stairs, or seem to appear out of nowhere after watching you from across the room. Play-aggressive cats usually target your ankles, feet, and hands—areas that are easily accessible to them.

Here are some helpful tips to manage play aggression:

1) If you're planning to get a kitten and already have an older cat at home, or if you don't have any cats, consider getting two kittens. They can play with each other and spare your appendages from becoming their hunting practice targets.

2) Do not use your hands or feet to play with your cat. Doing so teaches them that it’s acceptable to bite and scratch, which can lead to play aggression issues.

3) If your cat bites you during play, stop the session immediately and walk away.

4) Teach your cat what appropriate interactive play looks like, and ensure you have a play and enrichment schedule to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated.

**Real Talk: Why Having a Large Number of Cats is NOT a Good Idea**Let me cut straight to the chase: having a large numb...
08/20/2024

**Real Talk: Why Having a Large Number of Cats is NOT a Good Idea**

Let me cut straight to the chase: having a large number of cats is *not* glamorous, and it’s definitely not something I’d recommend. I know there’s a romanticized idea out there about being the “crazy cat person,” surrounded by dozens of happy, purring cats, but that’s just not realistic.

I’m living proof that even with all the knowledge and resources at my disposal, taking care of multiple cats is overwhelming. In the last few weeks alone, I’ve had to deal with the unexpected death of one of my cats, emergency pyometra surgery for another with already complicated medical issues, and a cystitis flare-up in a 5-month-old foster kitten. It’s been brutal, both emotionally and physically.

As a professional, I can’t imagine that anyone with cat numbers in the double digits or nearing it is truly able to give them the attention and care they deserve. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, and I might even catch some heat for it, but it needs to be said: *Having too many cats is not in their best interest.*

Cats need individual attention, care, and enrichment. When you have too many, things start to slip through the cracks. Health issues can go unnoticed, behavioral problems can spiral out of control, and the overall quality of life for each cat suffers. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not sustainable for you.

I don’t encounter it often, thankfully, but I will not work with clients who have more cats than they can realistically care for. My job is to advocate for the well-being of cats, and part of that is being honest about what’s best for them—even when it’s not what people want to hear.

So, if you’re thinking about adding “just one more” to your already large group of cats, please take a step back and ask yourself if you’re really doing what’s best for them. Because when it comes to caring for cats, quality always trumps quantity.

And in case you’re wondering: Right now, I have 7 indoor cats, 4 outdoor cats, and currently 4 fosters indoors as well. Yes, I needed to hear myself say all this too. I’m working on it.

08/19/2024

Today’s update: Puff tried the tofu litter last night. I actually really liked how it clumped. Really low-mess. I wish the cats liked it more. Maybe they’re still figuring it out.

For now, enjoy this video of old man Sunny considering his options and ultimately deciding on the grass seed.

Tonight, I intend on moving all the boxes around and changing the order to see if anything exciting happens when I do.

Cats typically show signs of aggression when they feel stressed, fearful, or anxious, but they may also exhibit this beh...
08/19/2024

Cats typically show signs of aggression when they feel stressed, fearful, or anxious, but they may also exhibit this behavior if they are in pain or unwell. Since cats have limited ways to communicate that something is wrong or that they need something, aggression may be one of their ways to express it. It's important to monitor your cat for any sudden changes in behavior, as this could indicate a medical issue causing the aggression.

Once a medical reason for the aggression has been ruled out, it’s important to focus on identifying the cause of your cat’s behavior. There are six main types of aggression, and in the upcoming posts, we will discuss each type and the signs you may notice in your cat.

Remember, never punish your cat for aggression. They are simply trying to communicate their needs or boundaries to you, another pet, or someone else in the home.

08/18/2024

Today’s litter update: Nothing much new to report. Still, the only two cats (out of 12) to try new types of litter are Sunny and Juniper. My foster kitten, Perry, lets us know very clearly here what he thinks about the blueberry scented pea husk litter. The four foster kittens use the boxes in this room frequently and have picked clay every single time, no hesitation or consideration.

Who’s coming to Ohio with us this October? Mary and I will both be speaking at The Acatemy  '24 and I’ll be doing an “As...
08/18/2024

Who’s coming to Ohio with us this October? Mary and I will both be speaking at The Acatemy '24 and I’ll be doing an “Ask Me Anything” session for CFA International Cat Show and Expo. Pawsitive Vibes will have a booth there as well! Come hang!!

Get your all-access pass to the biggest cat rescue event of the year!

I changed up the setup a little bit. I moved the regular clay boxes out of the room and added three disposable boxes in ...
08/17/2024

I changed up the setup a little bit. I moved the regular clay boxes out of the room and added three disposable boxes in the lineup with clay. One on each side and in the middle. The cats still have access to regular boxes in other rooms, because I just have too many cats for this experiment to be the only choice.

Yesterday we had 5 p*es and 1 p**p in the clay boxes, 1 p*e in the olive pit box (Sunny) and 1 p*e in the grass seed box (unknown, but I think Juniper.) Juniper was also observed p*eing in the grass box this morning.

Sunny appears to really just not care about the litter type and will p*e on anything. Juniper appears to have a strong preference for the grass. Everyone else is not interested in trying anything new at all.

I do really like the grass litter and I may add a box or two with that as a choice after all this is done. The olive pit litter is a strong no thank you. It does not clump well and was really gross to try to scoop out. Just a mess.

Let's put it all together!-When correcting unwanted behavior, use POSITIVE reinforcement! Do not use punishment of any k...
08/16/2024

Let's put it all together!

-When correcting unwanted behavior, use POSITIVE reinforcement! Do not use punishment of any kind or in any way.

-When training your cat, remember that PATIENCE is key. Have fun with your cat as you train them. Some may learn quickly, while others may need more time to understand what is being asked of them.

- Cats love routine, so setting aside dedicated time for training helps to create PREDICTABILITY in their schedule.

-Always PROVIDE an alternative behavior to replace the unwanted behavior.

-Do not forget to use POSITIVE ways to interrupt unwanted behavior. Engaging in negative interactions with your cat will only make behaviors worse and can break the bond you share with your cat.

-Make sure to keep your cat physically active and mentally stimulated to help prevent unwanted behaviors.

Morning update! It’s been a little less than 24 hours since I began my experiment. We’ve had three boxes used: Grass see...
08/16/2024

Morning update!

It’s been a little less than 24 hours since I began my experiment. We’ve had three boxes used:

Grass seed twice to p*e, by Juniper

Cereal used once to p*e, by Sunny

Pea husk in blueberry scent once to p*e, by Sunny

Unscented clumping clay litter in a standard litter box just off camera used… many many many more times than that.

My thoughts so far:

Sunny has chronic upper respiratory issues and can’t smell anything. I highly doubt any other cats will be attracted to the blueberry scented litter. However, as far as the pea husk goes, it clumps nicely and scooped easily.

It’s interesting that Sunny would go for two litters that are the same type of shape and texture. He is 20 years old with arthritis and I typically tell senior cat owners to stay away from anything with pellets. I’ll keep monitoring for a pattern. He may just be a “I don’t give a heck” kind of cat.

The grass seed is really nice and super fine and lightweight. Juniper is a long haired cat with “grinch feet” and tracking was minimal compared to clay. It’s probably what I would give the highest recommendation of thus far.

The cereal litter was very sticky when I scooped it and kind of gross. For $16 for a 5lb bag, I expected more. It clumped, but absorbancy was a meh.

Please join me and many other fabulous presenters this weekend for The Pet Professional Guild’s event, Celebrating Life ...
08/15/2024

Please join me and many other fabulous presenters this weekend for The Pet Professional Guild’s event, Celebrating Life Together. I will be presenting on using pattern games effectively when introducing cats. If you’ve been my client, you’ll know how much I love using pattern games and how great they can be! The event runs all day on Friday the 16th, Saturday the 17th, and I will be presenting on Sunday the 18th in the afternoon. There are several other great cat talks this weekend as well! It’s not too late to register!!!

https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/your-pet-approved-event/

I am trying all those weird new types of cat litter so you don’t have to. For science. We have:Dofu Cat Cereal Cat Litte...
08/15/2024

I am trying all those weird new types of cat litter so you don’t have to. For science.

We have:

Dofu Cat Cereal Cat Litter ($16.89 per 5.5lb bag)

SmartCat Grass Litter ($12.42 per 5lb bag)

Gingerbread Pet Supply Pea Husk Litter in Blueberry Scent ($24.99 per 16lb box)

Paco and Pepper Olive Pit Litter ($16.99 per 11lb bag)

Vetreska Tofu Litter in Oasis Cactus Scent ($12.34 per 5lb bag)

Eticat Coffee Ground Litter ($15.99 per 13lb bag)

This is not the most formal study ever conducted (I’ve already been lectured about my confounding variables), but I do have a camera set up and I do have 12 cats in my house so we are going to see soon what all these cats think about these litter options. I’ll also let you know what I think about them as time goes on. Stay tuned!

Not only should you use positive reinforcement, gentle methods to discourage unwanted behavior, and positive training te...
08/15/2024

Not only should you use positive reinforcement, gentle methods to discourage unwanted behavior, and positive training techniques, but you also need to provide ways to prevent unwanted behavior.

The best way to prevent unwanted behavior is to ensure your cat's physical and mental needs are met. As a caretaker, this means providing opportunities for your cat to burn off energy and engage their mind.

By offering activities that allow your cat to play, climb, run, and jump, along with puzzles and varied stimuli, you'll keep them occupied and prevent the boredom that often leads to negative behavior.

Check out our new article published on CattleDog Publishing - The Legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin on the importance of playing ...
08/14/2024

Check out our new article published on CattleDog Publishing - The Legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin on the importance of playing with your cat!

All cats, no matter their age, benefit from consistent interactive play sessions with their caregivers.

When your cat engages in unwanted behavior and you're training them to learn an alternative behavior, it’s helpful to ha...
08/13/2024

When your cat engages in unwanted behavior and you're training them to learn an alternative behavior, it’s helpful to have a positive way to interrupt them.

The days of using sq**rt bottles, clapping, shouting, chasing, or anything else that might seem threatening to your cat are over. Instead, to maintain a strong bond and continue building trust with your cat, you should find a positive way to get their attention.

One approach is to train your cat to go to a specific spot when asked. This spot could be a cat bed, a mat on the floor, or any other convenient place that you can easily teach your cat as their "place." Or you might prefer to train your cat to come to you when you call their name. This way, when you notice your cat about to get into trouble, you can call them over and redirect them to a desired behavior.

Another option is to throw a toy in their direction to get their attention, or start an interactive play session to redirect their focus. You can either continue the play session or use the toy to guide them toward a more appropriate behavior.

Lastly, and this one is particularly challenging, you could ignore the behavior, especially if it’s attention-seeking. For example, if your cat wakes you up at night, it can be tough to ignore, but eventually, they’ll learn that this behavior won’t get them the attention they want.

I’m excited to partner with Mission Meow!!!
08/13/2024

I’m excited to partner with Mission Meow!!!

Seven summers ago, I rescued a six-month-old kitten named Dragon, who had been abandoned outside in a feral cat colony. ...
08/09/2024

Seven summers ago, I rescued a six-month-old kitten named Dragon, who had been abandoned outside in a feral cat colony. Despite initial reservations (I did NOT want to keep him), he quickly became an irreplaceable part of my life and the foundation of my career.

Dragon was no ordinary cat. His intelligence was astounding—he mastered clicker training in minutes and learned over 20 different cues and behaviors. His ability to understand human emotions and cues was remarkable, and he became my official greeter cat, seamlessly helping to integrate over 200 fosters into our home.

Dragon's impact extended beyond his social skills. His need for mental stimulation pushed me to explore and understand the importance of enrichment for cats. He thrived on solving complex food puzzles, and I constantly sought new ways to challenge his brilliant mind.

But perhaps the most important lesson Dragon taught me was about introducing cats. His innate ability to connect with and guide new fosters was unparalleled. Watching him effortlessly manage these relationships gave me invaluable insights that now form the core of my work in helping other cats find harmony in multi-cat households.

More than just a pet, Dragon was a mentor in my work with cats, teaching me the nuances of feline behavior and communication. His wisdom, companionship, and love have left an indelible mark on my heart and the lives of countless other cats. Dragon's life had a profound meaning, and I owe much of my success to him. His memory will forever inspire my work.

Thank you, Dragon. I miss you so much.

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Baltimore, MD

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