Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training

18/08/2025

Don't forget to sign up for my FREE webinar this Thursday at 7 pm EST! The recording will be available as well if you can't make it.

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18/08/2025

Cats form strong emotional bonds—not only with their humans, but also with other cats and even dogs in the household. Recent research tells us that cats notice when a companion dies. They feel the absence, and many experience changes in behavior that reflect mourning.

A 2024 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science surveyed more than 400 cat guardians about how their cats behaved after the loss of another household pet. The results were surprising:

-65% of cats ate less or showed reduced appetite.
-58% of cats became more affectionate or clingy with their humans.
-48% of cats slept more than usual.
-Many also showed increased vocalization, searching behaviors (wandering through the house looking for the missing pet), or withdrawal from daily activities.

These findings suggest that feline grief is a very real emotional response. We will explore more about cats and grief in the coming days.

(The study and science article referenced in this post: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016815912400203X?via%3Dihub)

14/08/2025

I’m giving a free webinar for Meowtel.com - Book a Trusted Cat Sitter next week! Tune in for expert tips on helping your cat live their best life!

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14/08/2025

What is on our mind today? Cat p**p 💩!!!!

This is a picture of stool from a cat that lives at the clinic that Mary works for. He is being well taken care of, on treatment, also has more than one litter box available to him at all times. He is taking medications and on a special diet, but due to his diagnosis he will have episodes like this and his treatment is adjusted.

The point of this post is to let caretakers know that if your cat is having stool outside of their box, especially right next to it, that it is normally not behavioral. There is something medically that causes this behavior and if your Veterinarian insists that it is behavioral, it is time for a second opinion.

Can a medical issue have a behavioral component? It is always possible, especially if the behavior has been going on a long time, but before we can treat the behavior, we need to address and treat the medical cause.

12/08/2025

Did you know that August 22nd is National Take You Cat to the Vet Day?

Check out our blog post about the importance of yearly wellness exams for your cat,and learn some tips on how to make the most of your cat's vet visit.

As cat parents, we want our feline friends to live long, healthy, and happy lives. One of the best ways to ensure their well-being is by scheduling annual veterinary exams.

12/08/2025

What is a Cat Consent Test? This info graphic explains the steps clearly!

Allowing the cat to control the interaction can build trust, but also can prevent fear, aggression, and injuries.

Before you Pet, ask for Consent 😺

I see so many people get bitten because they didn't properly read a cat's body language and didn't approach correctly. Asking "consent" is such an important aspect of trust-building. Whether it's an unfamiliar cat or your own cat, don't just march up and assume kitty is always ready for your displays of affection. We all want to feel we have a choice.

08/08/2025

A blog post to celebrate cats, written by Mary from Minis With Mary!!!!!

This blog post is the Runner-up in the Pet Professional Guild’s Pets and Their People Celebrating Life Together  community outreach

08/08/2025

Not only is today a day to celebrate your own cats, but it’s also a day to raise awareness for community cats, learn about fostering and rescue, support local spay and neuter programs, and promote the health and welfare of all cats.

How can you celebrate?
-Share a post from a local shelter or rescue about cat welfare
-Drop off old towels and blankets to a shelter
-Donate food, litter, toys, cardboard flats, or other items from a shelter’s wish list
-Volunteer your time at a rescue or learn more about fostering
-Schedule your cat’s annual exam
-Offer your cat a new enrichment experience
-Surprise them with catnip or treats
-Add an extra round of playtime

Spread the love of cats—and don’t forget to give your feline friends extra affection from the Pawsitive Vibes Family!

06/08/2025

Cats are often misunderstood as antisocial or indifferent, but the truth is that cats build relationships on their own terms, and those relationships can be deep, affectionate, and complex.

Cats that share a strong social bond will often:
1- Groom each other, which is known as allogrooming.
2- Sleep side-by-side or in close proximity to one another.
3- Greet each other with nose touches and tails up in a question mark shape.
4- Calmly follow each other around the house to be close by to one another.
5- Play together mutually without tension, fear, or aggression.

These behaviors are signs of mutual trust and affection. When cats feel safe and connected, they engage in these positive social interactions to help strengthen and reinforce their bond.

04/08/2025

Not all cats are social butterflies with other cats and that’s okay. While some form close bonds, others prefer to coexist peacefully without much interaction.

So what influences a cat’s social preferences?

1) Early life experiences: Kittens who are exposed to other cats, people, animals, and different environments during the first 2-8 weeks of life are more likely to grow into confident, socially adaptable adults.

2) Temperament: Just like people, cats are born with different personalities. Some are naturally more outgoing and tolerant, while others may be cautious or selective in their interactions.

3) Past experiences: Cats that have experienced trauma, conflict with other animals, or poor socialization may be less likely to tolerate companionship or to form close bonds with other cats.

4) Resources: When there’s plenty of food, water, litter boxes, and safe spaces, cats are more likely to coexist peacefully or even form friendships. When resources are limited, competition can lead to tension, which then can lead to aggression.

5) Cats also need the ability to choose when and how they interact. Forced proximity, like being confined in a small space with another cat or feeding cats side-by-side, can lead to stress, tension, or aggression.

What if your cats don’t cuddle? Not to worry, many cats have low-key friendships, where they share space peacefully, take turns with resources, and simply enjoy each other’s company at a distance.

03/08/2025

"Hi Ms. Cassiday, it’s been a long time. Nothing new has happened. I was just thinking about it today and I wanted to thank you again for helping with Romeo. It’s no exaggeration to say you’ve measurably improved our lives.

Romeo is extremely happy getting all the affection in the world. Though we still tease him about his old habits, we don’t get mad at him or stress about his behavior anymore.

He’s an extremely good boy and has only had one incident (as far as I remember) since switching to clay-based litter (it had an obvious cause and was immediately resolved), he’s still the smelliest cat I’ve ever met (but at least the smelliness is not on the furniture), and my god, he LOVES his litter boxes.

I really cannot thank you enough!"

01/08/2025

Believe it or not, cats don’t follow a social hierarchy or pack mentality. Their social structure is based on territory, resources, safety, and personal preference—not dominance.

In multi-cat households or feral colonies, most cats tend to avoid each other unless they choose to form close bonds. While cats in colonies may cohabitate for survival and safety, territory still plays a key role. If an outsider attempts to join the colony or share resources, members will often defend their space and chase the intruder away.

In multi-cat households, you may also notice conflicts over key resources such as food, water, or the litter box. This happens when a cat claims a resource as its territory. Behaviorists recommend providing multiple resources throughout the home to help reduce competition.

Sometimes, their social interactions are more fluid. For example, one cat may claim the sunny spot on the cat tree one day, but the next day, a different cat might be enjoying that spot instead. And, of course, cats can create strong bonds with other cats, pets, or people, which will be discussed further in an upcoming post.

Knowing that a cat's social structure is based on territory and their own preferences allows us to understand and meet them where they are.