Did you know that being a Feline Behaviorist is an actual profession? For the first many years as cat parents, we didn’t know such a thing existed. I often wonder about a number of issues we could have faced and resolved differently with our cats had we known.
In 2018 we watched an interview with Dr. Marci Koski of Feline Behavior Solutions. We were dumbstruck. Not only did we not realize people dedicated their lives to understanding feline behaviors, we were amazed at the information she shared. It was as if she spoke cat. At the time, were were going through some complicated challenges with our Pooh Bear. He was aggressive, he liked to pee and poop outside the litter box – and we were at our wits end.
Consulting a Feline Behaviorist changed everything.
Here’s what we’ve learned.
- Always rule out a health issue contributing to a behavior issue. This is especially important if there is any sudden change in behavior. Cats do not show pain. It’s part of their survival instinct not to show any weakness. Ruling our any health issues allows us to focus on understanding why a cat is exhibiting certain behaviors.
- Cats don’t to anything without a reason. They are creature of strong instincts. And they are purists. They don’t do anything out of our humanized emotions like anger, spite, or meanness. Their emotions can be simplified into love, fear, and basic cat instincts. Behaviors like aggression, scratching, litter issues, vocalizing, inter-cat fighting – all can be explained by a qualified feline behaviorist.
- Feline behaviorists are one of the most underutilized resources for us cat parents. They are as important as a good vet for those of us struggling to resolve difficult behavioral issues. Cats with these issues require and deserve individualized care and attention. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Our Pooh Bear is now a well adjusted member of our family. Better understanding his personality has eliminated his aggression and litter issues. Cats can seem mysterious, but a qualified feline behaviorists can help unravel issues and find the root of their behaviors.
If you are dealing with behavioral issues, don’t lose hope. There are people who can help! Here are links to two of our most trusted consultants:
Linda and Rita with Cat Behavior Alliance
Dr. Marci Koski with Feline Behavior Solutions
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