Feline Behavior Solutions

07/05/2024

Public service announcement: please DO NOT toilet-train your cat!

Two experts describe why potty training your cat is a bad idea.

30/01/2024

Do you know why cats like going to high places? Dr. Marci chatted with The Washington Post about why our kitties are drawn to high spots, and how you can indulge this behavior:

Indulge your pet’s natural climbing instinct — no unsightly (and expensive) cat tower required — with DIY shelves, steps and other ideas.

20/12/2023

Looking for some last-minute holiday gifts for your cat or dog? I had the pleasure of talking with AARP about gifting tips for cats! Check out their article - there are some good gift ideas found within! - marci :)

Spoil the fur babies in your life with expert-recommended toys, bedding, treats and more

25/09/2023

Thank you so much to for having me as the keynote speaker at the clicker training event yesterday! I had a great time and was thrilled that 250+ people attended the event! I hope everyone had a great time, learned a lot, and was inspired to open a new line of communication with their cats! - marci 😻😻😻

19/09/2023

Yup, cats do like boxes. Turns out that they also like imaginary boxes as well! Check out more about this study: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-do-cats-love-boxes-so-much Follow-up question: are there any potential issues with the study that you might be able to point out?

Why do cats like boxes? Pretty much for the reasons you’d expect — except they seem to like fake boxes just as much as real ones.

19/09/2023

Guess who's going to be giving a talk about clicker-training cats? Join Your Cat Backpack by Travel Cat on Sunday, September 24, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm US ET for an exciting event! Dr. Marci Koski, a Certified Feline Behavior and Training Consultant, will share her expertise in clicker-training, followed by our special guest . But that's not all. The event will close with cat backpack & harness training tips from Travel Cat Co-Hosts in small breakout groups.

RSVP now for your chance to win fantastic prizes, and stay tuned in because we'll be unveiling new products during the event. It's going to be a purr-fectly informative and fun afternoon of hanging with other cat people! 🐾

Register here - it's FREE to attend! https://travelcatshop.com/training-event

16/08/2023

Look how much Ghost loves the new rat toy I brought him! Ghost has been urinating outside of his litterboxes for about 10 years now, but I’m confident that we’ll be able to improve his litterbox use consistency. What a handsome boy! 😻

01/08/2023

Ever wonder why cats always land on their feet? Scientific American explains why: it's all about physics, baby!

As it turns out, felines can survive a fall from any height—at least in theory

27/07/2023

Register now! The Inter-cat Relationships Kitty Course will be Tuesday, August 8th at 3:30pm Pacific time. The cost is $40. We’re limiting the course to 10 participants so everyone has a chance to ask questions specific to their situation. Register using the link below. If you aren’t able to get into this session, don’t worry. We hope to offer more of these in the future.
Be sure to check the email account you use to register. That’s where you’ll receive confirmation and instructions on how to join the sessions.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21937085&appointmentType=50751989
Can’t wait to work with you!!

Do you want to prevent or resolve behavior issues with your cat? I help cats and their people enjoy

27/07/2023

Register now! The House-Soiling Kitty Course will be Thursday, August 3rd at 4:30pm Pacific time. The cost is $40. We’re limiting the course to 10 participants so everyone has a chance to ask questions specific to their situation. Register using the link below. If you aren’t able to get into this session, don’t worry. We hope to offer more of these in the future.
Be sure to check the email account you use to register. That’s where you’ll receive confirmation and instructions on how to join the sessions.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21937085&appointmentType=50751321
Can’t wait to work with you!!

27/07/2023

Just a little teaser. Kitty Courses are back! Be on the lookout for registration info. We'll have one course on house-soiling and one course on inter-cat relationships. $40 registration for a 90-minute course including a Q&A where we can talk about your individual issues. Registration will be limited to 10 participants. More info to come...

25/06/2023

Sharing an article I wrote about the dreaded S word. Feel free to pass it along if you know someone dealing with cat spraying - LeeAnna

Cats communicate using their scent. It's understandable to be frustrated when a cat sprays urine. Here's why a cat might be doing it and how to help them.

22/06/2023

Guess who was featured in The Columbian for her work with Feline Behavior Solutions? Our own Dr. Marci! Read the interview here! 😻🐾 https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/jun/22/vancouver-cat-behaviorist-helps-guardians-get-purr-fectly-in-tune-with-kitties/

22/05/2023

How do cats smile? Dr. Marci Koski talked with USA TODAY about how cats express their emotions and how you can help keep your cat happy. Check it out right meow! (PS - that's Marci's cat, Samantha, curled up in that cozy cat bed with a little "smile" on her face 😻)

Our furry friends have their own ways of showing us love and happiness. We know dogs smile, but what about cats? They do, but not how you'd expect.

06/05/2023

Shoutout to Dr. Burhenn and the amazing at Feline Medical Clinic for treating Abbey like the princess she is! Abbey has been vomiting and her ear infection is back but we’re on the case. 😻👑🐾

25/04/2023

Does your cat want a cardboard box? YES, SHE DOES! Ingrid of Fundamentally Feline purrfectly explains why cats generally love cardboard boxes. So easy, and free! Give your kitty a cardboard box right meow! - marci 😻📦📦📦

Cat videos often show felines squeezing their way into boxes, but why do cats love to do that so much? Ingrid Johnson, a cat expert and behavior consultant, has the answer. And she reveals why dogs don't love boxes nearly as much.

06/04/2023

Does your cat "bite you out of nowhere" when you're petting her? Take a look at this great article from Modern Cat magazine that goes over signs to look for that indicate your cat is either enjoying (or not) her interaction with you. Getting consent from your cat is key! - marci 😻

Is your cat just putting up with being pet? Rethink your approach and learn how to stroke your cat the right way.

30/03/2023

Have you heard about the Travel Cat Virtual Summit? It’s totally free, and there are some aMEOWzing speakers scheduled for the event, including me! I’ll chatting with Emily, the co-founder of Your Cat Backpack by Travel Cat, about general cat training and things to consider should you and your cat decide to travel together. You can also WIN PRIZES and purchase cool stuff from Travel Cat and the summit’s partners! The summit is THIS SUNDAY, April 2nd, from 1-4 pm (Eastern). RSVP at www.travelcatshop.com/summit! Hope to see you there - marci 😻🎒😻

10/02/2023

Our own Dr. Marci spoke with Mental Floss about why cats scratch, and how you can encourage your cat to scratch furniture made just for them instead of your expensive sofa! Check it out:

You may not be able to stop your cat from scratching, but you can try to prevent them from shredding your couch to bits.

02/11/2022

Love to have you join me--LeeAnna

Don't miss this fun free event! Join cat behavior expert LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, for a night of conversation with The Bridge Club Pets to talk about all things pounce, scratch, and climb! Register for this FREE event here: https://www.tbcpets.com/events/lets-talk-cat-behaviors

The Bridge Club

04/10/2022

I know this a dog. But the process she uses getting him comfortable with the toothbrush is a fantastic example of systematic desensitization. You can see how she accidentally turns the brush on and startles him. So she goes back and adjusts the plan to avoid pushing past his comfort zone. I don't recommend electric toothbrushes for cats. But you can use this same approach for all kinds of things that make your kitties nervous. (And also I'm in love with Tucker Budzyn 🥰) --LeeAnna
https://fb.watch/fXgWsROF38/

03/09/2022

Toe beans...murder mitts...toe beans...murder mitts --LeeAnna

22/08/2022

It's Take Your Cat to the Vet Day! Most cats don't get regular medical care because we worry about the stress it causes them. A big piece of that puzzle is the carrier. But it doesn't have to be! Check out this Facebook Live Dr. Marci and I did recently on getting your cat comfortable in their carrier.
https://www.facebook.com/FelineBehaviorSolutions/videos/267109332069069/

Take it to the next level with these tips for making vet visits less scary!
https://www.facebook.com/FelineBehaviorSolutions/videos/267109332069069/

Do something wonderful for your cat today. And please feel free to share these videos with others in your feline friend circle. Help us spread the word to get cats the health and wellness support they need. --LeeAnna

17/07/2022

Are you over the age of 18 and own at least one cat that lives with you permanently? Would you like to contribute towards our scientific understanding of the important bonds we share with our cats and the environments we provide for them? Then please consider taking this online survey for Holly Clements, who is interested in cats' environments and relationships with their guardians (please note, the survey closes tomorrow): https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/msc-dissertation-survey-cat-behaviour-and-chronic-health
The survey has been approved by the Human Ethical Review Committee at The University of Edinburgh

30/06/2022

Pleased to have contributed to this article. If you're prepping your cat for 4th of July festivities, give it a read. It can be an incredibly scary time for pets! --LeeAnna https://www.consumerreports.org/pets/expert-tips-to-keep-your-pets-calm-during-july-4th-fireworks-a7799972004/

Consumer Reports shares expert tips to keep your dog or cat calm during July Fourth fireworks.

25/06/2022

This isn't actually about cats. But it's a wonderful example of how clicker training can do so much more than just teach behaviors. Give it a try with your cat. You won't be disappointed--LeeAnna https://www.facebook.com/2129037243779434/posts/6087344527948666/?mibextid=yVGKLd

26/05/2022

Do you walk your cat outdoors? Here are some things to pay attention to, via Fear Free Pets! - marci 😻

Reading Time: 4 minutes Koshka Hellqvist wanted a nice time at Boston’s Binford Park with her two Abyssinian cats, Jake and Angel. Jake, a certified therapy cat, was experienced at walking on his leash. Angel was shyer, but still willing to explore. But several dogs were running around free, again...

19/05/2022

Thanks to The Two Crazy Cat Ladies for mentioning our own Dr. Marci Koski in this great article. I had the same experience myself - no idea feline behavior and training consultants existed. Then I met and worked with Dr. Marci for my own cats, and I was hooked. Switched careers and got certified right away. I'm beyond fortunate and grateful to now be part of Dr. Marci's team at Feline Behavior Solutions. Marci is truly one of the best in the business! --LeeAnna
https://twocrazycatladies.com/education/consulting-a-feline-behaviorist/

Did you know that being a Feline Behaviorist is an actual profession? For the first 15 years as cat parents, we didn't know

17/05/2022

Anyone see what's wrong with this picture? Great reminder that just because it's made for cats doesn't mean it's made in the cat's best interest. Cats are highly sensitive to smell. We never want to cover up their natural scent with something artificial. But even worse...what smell do they really hate? CITRUS! Buyer beware. I didn't realize until I got it home. --LeeAnna

12/05/2022

Just a few spots left in tomorrow's House-Soiling course. If you tried to register yesterday and ran into issues, we apologize. There was a glitch that closed registration. But we have room! If you're interested in joining us, sign up here! --LeeAnna

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PN9K6L4Q3K64N