UPDATE: as I predicted upon inspecting this toy, not a keeper. Once the cats get over their initial excitement, they lose interest.
That's because unlike the hide and seek toy, which has feathers they can actually grab and bite, there's no way to catch or bite the feathers inside this box. There are very few automatic toys I recommend for clients.
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Cat Butler for the win... so far so good. Testing out a new reasonably priced automatic toy. When you need a little time to yourself ... Haha!!
Patience and daily positive interactions are key with cats, especially super fearful, not "human-oriented" or semi-affectionate ones like Belly. It took almost 3 years to get to THIS!
Out takes! Wait for it... ! Trying to make a step-by-step video on how to make a DIY puzzle feeder. I am NOT a natural born tool user. The struggle is real 😂
#firsttake
#foodpuzzlesforcats
#drillfail
A cool pattern game called super bowls. The owner puts a treat in one of the bowls, and the cat has to look up at the owner to get the next treat in the next bowl. Once the cat learns that they can control the human AND when they get the treat, they really enjoy this! Go back and forth a few times.
This is powerful operant counterconditioning tool that can help you change a negative emotional response that one cat has towards another one, like when doing a reintroduction (use case shown).
Other great applications of using this training tool are making the cat less fearful when in a new situation, such as a vet visit, or training them to go into a carrier willingly.
Just a few minutes a day and you can change your cat's behavior for the better!
It's all lovey between siblings until it's not. TAKEDOWNS!
Alternating who initiates play (back-and-forth) is a sign thet this is play rather than fighting. As are sheathed claws, pauses and lack of vocalizations.
However, between the ages of 2 and 4 cats go through a development phase called social maturity, when even previously bonded pairs can develop more territorial instincts and fighting can begin. Relationships can change over time. So I'm monitoring these two closely, and already have seen some food aggression and mild bullying.
Cats are very subtle communicators. This six year old female is telling us, in no uncertain terms, that she is not comfortable with the scent on that sock!
That scent belongs to the one year old male cat she lives with. She rarely would get off of a high perch and onto the floor, because she was so afraid of him!
In this video, she pulls her head away, licks her lips (straight up towards her nose) and yawns, all of which are signs of mild stress.
Learning to read these subtle communications can help both you and you and your cats live a more stress of free life!
After a few months of gradual introduction with positive reinforcement training, the cats are able to be together comfortably!
#certifiedcatbehaviorconsultant #groupscentexercise
Did you know in the US that there is a MAJOR health risk for cats:
About 60%* of cats are overweight (10%-19% over ideal body weight) or have obesity (20% or more over ideal)
SO - weigh your cat! This simple exercise is FUN for your cat and will keep them healthy, Especially important as they age and calorie requirements may decrease.
Tips:
- Don't give too many treats - higher in fat / calories than regular cat food (no more than 10% of total daily calories)
- Feed your cat small, frequent (5-6) meals instead of one or two large meals
*Source: 2022 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) National Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey
Learn more and evaluate your cat(s) shape using the body condition score here:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/catbcs
Did you know in the US that there is a MAJOR health risk for cats:
Nearly 60% of cats are overweight (10%-19% over ideal body weight)
15% of cats are obese (20% or more over ideal)
SO - weigh your cat! This simple exercise is FUN for your cat and will keep them healthy, Especially important as they age and calorie requirements may decrease.
Tips:
Don't give too many treats - higher in fat / calories than regular cat food (no more than 10% of total daily calories)
Feed your cat small, frequent (5-6) meals instead of one or two large meals
Learn more and evaluate your cat(s) shape using the body condition score here:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/catbcs
Weigh your cat - the easy peasy Gold Standard!!
Did you know in the US that there is a MAJOR health risk for cats:
Nearly 60% of cats are overweight (10%-19% over ideal body weight)
15% of cats are obese (20% or more over ideal)
SO - weigh your cat! This simple exercise is FUN for your cat and will keep them healthy, Especially important as they age and calorie requirements may decrease.
Tips:
Don't give too many treats - higher in fat / calories than regular cat food (no more than 10% of total daily calories)
Feed your cat small, frequent (5-6) meals instead of one or two large meals
Learn more and evaluate your cat(s) shape using the body condition score here:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/catbcs
#certifiedcatbehaviorconsultant #healthycat #healthycats
#thepurrfectcat
Enrichment tip for indoor cats. Bring the outdoors in!!!
Tunnels can provide a great play area, but they also provide some safety for a fearful cat (like Belly).
A fearful cat likes hiding under things, like chairs, furniture or beds. Measure the increase in your cat's confidence by how willing they are to walk through or lay in/near the middle of a room.
Top ways to increase a cat's confidence: Keep a consistent schedule (feeding, play & training), play with your cat regularly, play pattern games or do training, reduce intercat tension.
