Frequently Asked Questions
What is a feline behavior consultant?
A feline behavior consultant works with cat guardians to help with a wide range of issues. Fear, anxiety, house soiling, human aggression, cat-to-cat aggression, introductions to other pets, training, and cooperative care are just some of the challenges that can be addressed with a feline behavior consultant, using positive behavior modification and training methods.
Are Feline Behavior Solutions’ behavior consultants certified?
Dr. Marci Koski and LeeAnna Buis are both certified through Animal Behavior Institute, a leader in specialized, interdisciplinary animal care curriculum that emphasizes practical applications and problem-solving, promotes a greater understanding of animals’ physical and behavioral needs, strengthens the human-animal bond, and promotes the highest levels of animal care and welfare.
Why does feline behavior certification matter?
Your feline behavior expert should be certified through a credible organization! The feline behavior industry is not regulated. Anyone can call themselves a feline behavior consultant, specialist, etc. But that’s no guarantee they have science or experience-based training, an understanding of positive behavior modification techniques, or even acceptable ethical standards. A certified behavior professional should have post-nominal letters following their name, such as CFTBS (Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist) or FFCP (Fear Free Certified Professional).
What is Fear Free Certified?
Dr. Marci Koski and LeeAnna Buis are proud to be Fear Free Certified (FFCP). This means they’ve completed a formal certification process and committed to uphold the ethical standards set by Fear Free, a worldwide movement that educates veterinary professionals, pet trainers, groomers, shelter staff, and pet owners on creating calmer, safer, and more positive experiences for animals. The initiative emphasizes science-based, behavior-led strategies to reduce stress in pets in all environments, including homes, veterinary clinics, grooming facilities, and shelters.
Can AI do what a certified feline behavior expert does?
AI learns through the information it can access. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of inaccurate and unethical information online about feline behavior. Without knowing where your AI recommendations come from, you can’t be sure of their accuracy or alignment with your personal ethics. Additionally, every situation is unique. The smallest detail, from a cat’s personality to the layout of the home, the noise level outside, and more, can influence the success of a behavior modification plan. Having an expert who can analyze your situation in real time and make adjustments is vital.
Are virtual feline training sessions as effective as in-person training sessions?
Virtual feline behavior sessions work just as well as in-person sessions. Most cats will not behave normally with a stranger in the home. This is particularly true with fearful or aggressive cats, or those being introduced to other pets. We work with the human, teaching you the tactics you’ll need for ongoing, daily work directly with your cat. Feline Behavior Solutions has done virtual sessions with clients all over the world with great success.
Can cats be trained to stop unwanted behavior?
A combination of training and other positive behavior modification techniques can help stop unwanted behavior from your cat, like scratching furniture, counter surfing, waking you up at night, and even more serious issues like aggression and house soiling. Training is also fantastic mental enrichment and a lot of fun.
Can cats be trained like dogs?
Cats can benefit from the same kind of positive training methods that work so well with dogs. For example, most cats do really well with clicker training. You can use it to teach fun behaviors, like high fives and running obstacle courses. But it’s also fantastic for cooperative care, like nail trimming and medicating. Clicker training can even be used in work with fearful and aggressive cats. And it’s something we love teaching to cat guardians!
Why does my cat pee on my clothes?
If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, they need your support. There’s either a medical, emotional or litter box setup issue that needs to be addressed. Peeing on clothes and other items heavy with your scent is one way cats self-soothe. Mixing their scent with yours is comforting during times of stress or heightened fear. It’s also a way for cats to say, “Hey, are we OK?” If there’s a change in your relationship or maybe you’re gone for a week on vacation, your cat may pee on your clothes or other you-scented items as a kind of olive branch, to help strengthen your relationship (though it usually has the opposite effect for people.)
Why is my cat meowing overnight?
There are many reasons your cat may meow or vocalize at night. Senior cats may get vocal as their sight or hearing changes. Feline dementia can also be a trigger. Mice or other critters being active outside or in the walls can keep cats up and talking overnight. Even physical discomfort or stress can cause nighttime vocalizing. But boredom and hunger are probably the most common triggers. The good news is that all of these can be addressed with the help of your veterinarian and a feline behavior consultant.
Why does my cat poop outside the litter box?
Pooping outside the litter box is a sign that your cat is struggling with either a medical, emotional, or litter box setup issue. In most cases, there’s a medical component, whether it’s a current issue or a resolved issue that left your cat with residual stress or negative associations. So a trip to your veterinarian is vital. But your cat can also benefit from litter box adjustments, stress reduction, and other positive behavior modification techniques. This is a case where a feline behavior consultant is extremely helpful!
Do female cats spray?
Both male and female cats spray. Spraying is a communication tool that conveys messages like “This is my space, I was here recently, I’m ready for a mate,” and more. Cats may also spray when they’re stressed, fearful, or in pain. Being surrounded by their own scent is comforting. But that doesn’t mean you want your cat spraying around the home. This behavior can be addressed with a certified feline training and behavior consultant who can help identify the spraying trigger and help your cat feel safer and more secure in their space, reducing the instinctual spraying response.
Does punishment work to change a cat’s behavior?
Punishment can change your cat’s behavior, but not in the way you’re hoping. It damages your relationship and adds stress and fear that are likely to make the original issue worse. Positive training techniques are the only appropriate way to work with your cat. Focus on rewarding the behaviors you want and calmly and neutrally interrupting the behaviors you don’t want. It’s also important to think about the “why” behind your cat’s behavior. Then you can provide alterative ways to meet those same needs, that work better for you.
Is a slow introduction necessary when you introduce a new cat to your family?
Some cats can meet each other and be fine right away. But cats more often feel fear and aggression when meeting a stranger cat. It usually takes a slow, careful introduction process to show them that they’re safe, don’t need to worry about resource competition and can let their guard down. Working with a certified feline training and behavior consultant can be a huge help for challenging introductions.
What type of new cat will your resident cat get along with?
If you’re considering adding a new cat to your family, one of the best tips is to try matching energy levels. A very high-energy cat (like a kitten or young adult) may not mesh well with a low-energy cat (like a senior). That can lead to play aggression and tension. Similar energy levels tend to do better together and have less conflict. But a slow, careful introduction is still vital.
Why are covered litter boxes a bad idea?
Cats are prey animals in the wild. They’re very vulnerable to predators when peeing and pooping outside. The instinct to choose a safe spot to eliminate doesn’t go away just because they live indoors. To feel safe, cats want open sightlines so they can see if any danger is heading their way. Stepping out of a covered litter box feels like a game of whack-a-mole, especially if there are other high-energy cats in the home or pets they don’t get along with. Open litter boxes feel safer. That’s just one reason cats prefer them.
Are automatic litter boxes a good idea for cats?
At Feline Behavior Solutions, we’re not fans of automatic litter boxes for several reasons. They’re often covered, which feels less safe for cats. The interior is usually very small. They move, which can startle your cat and send them looking for safer places to pee and poop. Most importantly, they don’t let you monitor your cat’s behavior in the box. Changes in litter box habits very often mean something is medically wrong. And it could be an emergency. The more you can monitor what comes out of your cat, the better chance you have of catching medical issues quickly.
Why are your cats suddenly fighting??
There are so many things that can trigger a change in cat relationships, like medical issues, seeing a stranger cat outside, tension in the home, one cat coming back from the vet smelling different, resource competition, fear, anxiety and more. This is where a certified feline training and behavior consultant can help. We look for specific triggers, give you tactics to rebuild relationships, and include ways to reduce stress and build confidence overall, so your cats are less reactive to each other and outside triggers.