Why Might a Cat Behaviour Consultation be Needed?​

A behaviour consultation can be immensely beneficial for several reasons:

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• Preventive advice
  Preventive support can help establish positive habits and reduce the risk of behavioural problems developing.
  ​​We can assist you when:

  • Preparing to welcome a new cat or kitten

  • Introducing a new cat into a household

  • Creating a cat-friendly home environment

  • Selecting suitable litter trays, scratching areas and resting places

  • Supporting appropriate play, enrichment and daily routines

  • Helping a newly adopted cat settle into their home

Our recommendations are tailored to your cat’s individual needs, personality, age and living environment.

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• Positive reinforcement based training
  Training can improve a cat’s welfare and make everyday care less stressful for both the cat and their family.
  Using positive reinforcement, we can teach you how to help your cat:

  • Feel comfortable entering and travelling in a carrier

  • Cooperate during veterinary examinations

  • Accept medication

  • Participate in grooming and basic care

  • Become more comfortable with handling

  • Learn practical behaviours that support their wellbeing

  • Training is always adapted to the individual cat and progresses at a pace at which they feel safe and comfortable.

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• Behavioural first aid
  If your cat begins to display a concerning behaviour, we can provide short-term behavioural first aid to protect their welfare, manage immediate risks and help prevent the situation from worsening while appropriate veterinary  behavioural support is arranged.
  This may include guidance on environmental management, reducing stress, avoiding known triggers and supporting your cat safely until they can be assessed by an appropriately qualified professional.

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Important consideration

We are not veterinarians! Our counselling operates on the principle that all cats should be first assessed by a qualified veterinarian (even better if specialised in behaviour) to exclude medical causes of undesirable behaviour before any other strategies are implemented. Once health concerns are ruled out, we are here to step in and help guide you towards a more peaceful and enjoyable life with your cat. We are very happy to collaborate and communicate with your veterinarian.

 

Please read more about the difference between a veterinary behaviourist, a clinical animal behaviourist and a cat behaviour consultant here.