Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling

01/22/2025

A recent study presents: "Cats with inflammatory gastrointestinal or skin disease exhibited more care-soliciting behaviors than healthy cats including purring , trainability, and sociability to people. The inflammatory group also exhibited more anxious behaviors than the healthy group, including compulsive grooming and fear of novelty."

Learn more:

Abstract OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether the behavior profiles of cats with inflammatory gastrointestinal or skin diseases differ from those of healthy cats. METHODS We identified adult cats within the patient database at the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary hospital that had been...

01/20/2025

😂couldn’t be more true!

01/19/2025

Some of our clients took the dive and said this is a great toy, we might have to try it. What do you think?

01/18/2025

This holds true for many things, including working with your cat's behavior!

01/17/2025

A very happy Friday, today congratulations is in order for friends Hobo and Mr.Boots in recognition of their completed integration!

They started off to a rocky start but in a few months time started to learn a new way of life together. These things take time and we are so happy anytime we see cats taking their relationship day by day.

Congratulations you two 🎉

01/17/2025

A new cat owners asks:
"What is the most expensive part of being a cat parent?"
Your response is... 👇

01/17/2025

A reality for many cat owners is late night/early morning waking behaviors just like this. Pouncing on feet, biting, tackling, walking across them. The question becomes "why"? Why are cats acting this way? What are they saying with these behaviors? We know, do you?

01/17/2025

Share the last cat photo taken on your phone in the comments 👇
🐾We double paw dare ya!🐾

01/16/2025

Not bad, but I would actually love a little warm sunshine ☀️🙌🏻

01/16/2025

🥶It’s cold, so we know you all need a little something to warm your hearts❤️❤️❤️
Meet our new friends Charles and Wells!

This simply breathtaking duo are loving the fun changes we’re working on and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of their journey! A big thanks to their family for this photo, and for their continued dedication towards making every day the best it could be for these two.

01/15/2025

👉Cat behavior enthusiasts…here’s your quiz:
Why do you think the cat responded this way? How might you interpret how the cat felt?
Did you see any signs before the behavior took place?
When did the cat seem most comfortable to you?

01/15/2025

From Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine 🐱Let’s keep our babies safe!

Experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have provided a resource page for pet owners and the general public on highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (H5N1).

Recently, H5N1 influenza cases have been reported in cats that have consumed contaminated commercial raw food diets, unpasteurized milk, or had contact with wild birds and cattle.

Experts recommend that pet owners discontinue raw pet diets, and limit pet access to wild birds and raw milk.

Refer to this page for updates, recommendations and more information on this evolving H5N1 outbreak: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/research-baker-institute/h5n1-avian-influenza-bird-flu

01/14/2025

"Why does my cat climb everything in the house? Kitchen counters, the table, my desk, the book case and even the curtains. I cant keep him on the ground, no matter how many times I say NO."

Even though it might seem a little odd, your indoor cat is STILL born with that instinct to climb. Vertical space provides a view of the world around them and a safe space from others. Climbing also allows them to utilize all of those REALLY great cat senses, all while stretching their muscles and using those sharp claws.

While some cats may not be big into a vertical world, those that thrive on it may bring challenges for their families. Climbing opportunities are key to working on these behaviors and if your wall/shelves or cat trees are not suiting the behavior, they likely will find another a better option (at least in their mind).

Offer multiple options, in various areas - ensuring they are large enough, study enough and easily accessible for your feline companions.

01/13/2025

Did you know?

01/13/2025

On behalf of your cats….NO Thanks!❌👇😩
What would your cat say to this?

01/13/2025

This is so very true and important for all to understand. Just because a cat does well with some, does not mean they will do well with all. Environments make a world of difference, personalities might clash. Even though we have friends, family and relationships…we may not always like those we meet.

Yes….Sometimes it will work out but other times, it won’t. Even when we work with families on introductions or cats who are fighting, we cant guarantee the cats WANT to live together/work things out. Sometimes it is just not going to happen.

We always say to consider the physical and emotional wellbeing of all involved when making those decisions. No one should be living in long term stress, this includes your family and your pets. A cat being returned or rehomed definitely can pull at your heart strings, but sometimes it is what is best for everyone. More times than not, these cats find wonderful homes and are truly so blessed to have what they finally found. ❤️

Pete, forever will find you soon - til then you’re in great hands at POA.

Sometimes everyone does their very best and it doesn’t work out. And that is okay. Not everything is supposed to work. Sometimes we are supposed to try and fail and try again. It isn’t easy, but sometimes something even better is waiting… just around the corner.

And that brings us to one year-old Pete. Found as a stray, Pete did amazingly well in his foster home. He tolerated the female cats he lived with. He loved the people and proved himself to be a loving lap cat. He was so great, in fact, that he was selected to go to the Cat Café. We thought he would shine in that environment.

Pete did not shine. We aren’t sure if it was the number of cats, or the mix, or that he has issues with males… whatever the reason, Pete was not a great fit. He was wonderful with the people but he stalked some of the other cats. He seemed to simply want to play… but they didn’t like the way he played. The other cats were unhappy and so was Pete.

So Pete was quickly moved to the shelter. He loved our volunteers. And he was so friendly and so outgoing that we were sure he would be adopted quickly. And he was. As we reported yesterday Pete was adopted. After only about a week in the shelter he was adopted on Saturday.

But as we said at the beginning of the post, sometimes things don’t work out. It turns out that a family member in the home was very, very allergic to Pete. She became sick immediately and it was clear that this was not a good situation. (No unkind comments will be tolerated. They were heartbroken but this was unquestionably the right thing for everyone involved.) So within 24 hours Pete was back at the shelter.

Obviously, this has been a lot of change in a very short period for this cat. We don’t love that. But Pete seems to be doing just fine. For Pete this is confusing but he knows that he is safe and warm and no longer on the streets. He knows that he’s getting tons of attention and love. He remains as friendly and loving as ever. He is a bloom where you are planted kind of cat, and nothing is going to keep him down for long.

Because sometimes things don’t work out for a reason. Sometimes something even better is waiting for you right around the corner. Pete knows that. We know that. Maybe you know it too? And maybe Pete is exactly who you’ve been waiting for.

To find out more or to make an appointment to meet the available cats, please start by filling out the application on our website. Our placement team will be in touch by email to answer any questions and walk you through our adoption process. And if Pete isn’t a good fit for your home or you’re not looking to adopt right now, you can still give him a hand…. errr paw…. By spreading the word so that his someone will come to find him soon.

01/12/2025

📢You asked, here is our answer:
Our favorite litter box goes to Equisicat XL Open Litter Box at PetSmart.

Why? for keeping it REAL for cats who just want simplicity.
When it comes to litter boxes there is not a one size that fits all.
For many cases WITHOUT specific needs, we go back to basics.
A open box that is easy to access, with lots of space AND sides low enough to escape if they feel they need to.

We often see that the more complex the box, the least likely a cat is to use it.

BUT just because WE love this box, does not mean it is what works for all. For specific cases that have specific needs like high sides, we will shift our focus to other boxes that will suit them best,

Link in the comments if you want to check it out!