Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Behavior & Nutrition

Addressing cat behavior issues like litter box problems or inter-cat aggression can be stressful, frustrating, and challenging for the entire family.

If you're facing stressful behavioral problems that affect your well-being, your family, and your cat(s), seeking professional guidance is important. Misinformation online can often worsen the situation. As a professional cat behaviorist, I can help uncover the root causes and guide you toward feasible solutions.

Just like you’d take your car to a mechanic instead of trying to fix it yourself, a qualified behavior professional can help identify what’s contributing to the issues in your home and guide you toward the right solution.

Experience is great, but education and experience is better.

I understand you have options, and I appreciate your trust in my expertise. Cats are often misunderstood and treated as second-class citizens compared to dogs. I want to help you see your situation from your cat’s point of view, without an anthropomorphic lens. 

I believe in science and in addition to my years of education and experience, I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Animal Welfare and Behavior at Virginia Tech to support my clients and their cats even better. 

Your cat is neither a dog nor a small child. Behavior is complex and shaped by early life experiences, genetics, and the environment. I specialize in cats, and my background in nutrition and veterinary medicine allows me to approach your situation from multiple perspectives. 

I also specialize in intersection of feline nutrition and behavior. Many cases involve both aspects, and my experience in both fields will benefit your case, whether you booked a nutrition or behavior consultation. 

During the initial consultation, we will review the intake form together to ensure I understand the situation and the order of events correctly. When handling behavior cases, small details can sometimes make a big difference, and I want to make sure I fully understand your concerns. Sometimes updates or lab results come in on short notice, and I want to make sure I don't overlook anything. 

The written plan you receive after the initial consultation will include recommendations and instructions.

Depending on your situation, you can book as many follow-ups as needed.

Depending on your situation, you can book as many follow-ups as needed. 

Virtual consultations are like in-person meetings, but without disturbing the cat(s)' environment. The intake form helps you summarize the case, allowing me to better understand the situation. Zoom provides an efficient way to communicate over long distances without traveling. 

Before we spend valuable time together on Zoom, I have already invested a significant amount of time and effort to understand the situation. It is often helpful to review the facts on paper before we talk. During the virtual consultations, I will ask you to give a tour of your home to understand how your resources are distributed (a virtual tour of your home is not necessary for nutrition consultations).

Email is an excellent way for me to communicate effectively and thoughtfully. When it comes to nutrition consultations, we often discuss very detail-oriented topics. I want to make sure my clients have a chance to go back and review what was discussed during our sessions and what they have talked to the vet about. 

Many nutritional terms sound alike (e.g., arachidonic acid, arginine, taurine, MER, RER). Seeing these terms in writing helps us stay on the same page when it comes to caring for your four-legged child.

Email is also a very convenient way to communicate across multiple time zones. Many of my clients live in different parts of the world, and through email, we can both stay in touch easily.

It really depends on the situation. You can always send me an email to ask. Many factors influence the situation, such as how long the unwanted behavior has been occurring, how many cats live in your home, and whether you recently moved or experienced changes in your household. 

Most nutrition cases need only one session to develop a plan moving forward. Many behavioral cases require multiple sessions, which is why I offer follow-up visits. 

Specifically, when introducing cats, be prepared to work with me for several months. Each case is different, and the introduction process depends on various factors and the time and effort you can dedicate. 

As a rule, if more than one cat is involved in the unwanted behavior, if the behavior has been going on for months or years, or if your cat is actively attacking and biting you, booking a package is the best option. For cat introductions, plan for more sessions. 

In my line of work, offering a guarantee would be highly unethical. While I cannot promise to fix your problem, I assure you I am exceptionally good at what I do. 

However, many behavioral cases require changes to the environment, feeding routine, and, especially, expectations. Progress might not be as fast as you want; the cats set the pace. That's why I offer different follow-up packages. 

Many studies show that punishment can damage your relationship with your cat. My goal is to teach your cat appropriate behavior instead of focusing on what not to do. Squirt bottles, scat mats, and scruffing are outdated methods. They are inhumane and have been proven ineffective in the long run. 

If you have been recommended methods like a squirt bottle, a scat mat, or loud noises, please know you are not alone. Many trainers still believe in punishment. But I promise you, once we discuss the side effects and you see how incredibly smart and sensitive cats are and how well they respond to training, you will not want to go back to punishment. 

My goal is to help strengthen your bond with your cat, and rewarding good behavior has proven to be the most effective approach. 

In cases of sudden behavioral changes, excessive vocalization, and litter box issues, we require that your cat be checked for underlying medical issues prior to a behavior consultation.