Radiant Cats Behaviour & Training

03/30/2025

For the last 9 months I've been writing various feline behaviour resources with the Edmonton Humane Society, and I'm excited to share the two newest handouts: "Petting Etiquette and the Cat Consent Test" and "Human Directed Aggression in Cats" (I'll share the links in the comments).
Check out the EHS website or the resources page on radiantcats.ca to see the rest of the handouts we've published together.

Here's a look at the infographic included in the Petting Etiquette handout.. Isn't it pretty? 🐱

02/20/2025

02/20/2025

As your cat ages, it’s important to observe physical changes, especially in how they move around the home.

Some changes, like weight loss, grooming habits, and eating patterns, are easy for most caretakers to notice. However, subtle shifts in mobility can be harder to detect.

Aging cats often develop arthritis, lose flexibility, and experience daily aches and pains. As a result, they may adjust how they play and navigate their environment.

For example, your cat may prefer to simply watch their toys rather than chase them. This is perfectly fine—they are still engaged and mentally stimulated. You might also notice them using stairs differently or struggling to jump onto or off high surfaces. This is because their joints may be sore, and they are trying to minimize discomfort.

Additionally, your cat may stretch less, use vertical scratchers less frequently, or have difficulty grooming their hind end and hips. These behaviors often indicate that certain movements are becoming painful.

Another key change to watch for is difficulty getting in or out of the litter box. If this happens, consider adjusting your setup to make it more senior-friendly.

If you notice any of these changes, consult your veterinarian. There are medications and supplements available to help keep your cat comfortable and happy in their senior years.

02/14/2025

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month. Here are a few steps you can take to show how you are a responsible cat caregiver. Create a Cat Friendly environment to ensure a safe space with multiple exits and separate resources (food, water, litter, scratching posts). Engage your cat with hunting-like play using interactive toys. Tailor positive interactions to their preferences and allow scent marking while minimizing strong odors for a safe space. For more tips on being a responsible cat caregiver visit https://bit.ly/2RFmBT7.

02/08/2025

Cats are experts at hiding pain and illness, making yearly vet visits essential for their health. Here’s why annual exams matter:

✅ Preventative Care & Health Tracking – Regular check-ups help monitor your cat’s weight, dental health, and overall well-being. Prevention is key!

🔎 Early Detection of Disease – Subtle changes can signal health issues. Catching problems early leads to better outcomes.

🩺 Open Communication with Your Vet – Noticing changes in appetite, behavior, or litter box habits? Regular exams keep the conversation going.

🐱 Cats Hide Illness Well – By the time symptoms are obvious, the condition may be advanced. Routine exams help uncover hidden issues.

Schedule your cat’s annual exam today to keep them happy, healthy, and purring for years to come! 🐾

If you are hesitant about taking your cat to the Vet for any reason, call and discuss your fears and work with the Vet Team to design a plan specific for you and your cat.

02/07/2025

Want to keep your cat engaged even when you're not around? Interactive play is essential, but safe solo toys are just as important for enrichment! Too often, they end up forgotten in a corner. Keep things fresh by rotating toys, adding a sprinkle of catnip a couple of times a week, and placing toys in fun, unexpected spots for your cat to "hunt." A little effort goes a long way in keeping your cat happy, engaged, and entertained.

01/31/2025

I'm very excited for this workshop! Cooperative Care training is so important for protecting the emotional health of our pets during vet appointments and routine care (like nail trims).

01/28/2025

01/27/2025

It's the same for cats! Expecting cats to just "get over" something they find scary or unpleasant can lead to learned helplessness. To avoid this, it's important to provide options and respect your cat's choices (for example: does the cat want to stay or do they want to hide? Are there multiple options for safe hiding spots? When they are in their hiding spot, are they allowed to stay until they choose to come out?).
Another way to help your cat is to use positive reinforcement training to build their confidence and trust.

Terminology Tuesday ~ Learned Helplessness 🐶

As trainers who work closely with families, we are often asked the question of “will they just get used to the baby/ toddler over time?”

Something we always take into consideration is avoiding something called learned helplessness at all costs… But what does that mean?

Learned helplessness in dog training happens when people intentionally or unintentionally put their dogs in situations that the dogs are uncomfortable in repeatedly until they seemingly stop reacting.

This lack of a reaction doesn’t mean that they are comfortable, it means that they feel that no matter what they do, they will be forced into the situation so they begin to shut down emotionally. They feel as if they don’t have any other choice.

This is very dangerous as it can result in bites or reactions that people often describe as “out of nowhere” - which we know there is often no such thing as an “out of the blue” bite

To avoid learned helplessness in our dogs, we want to actively watch their body language for clues to how they might be feeling and respect their boundaries when they tell us that they are uncomfortable by adding in success stations and space!

We want to provide choice, not force 💚

01/25/2025

This is another reason why I'm proud to be starting KPA's professional dog trainer course in March. KPA's integrity and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive practices are very important and in alignment with my values.

We believe diversity is a source of strength, equity is worth pursuing, inclusive practices foster humanity and progress, women's and LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, retaining control over our outcomes is fundamental, and kindness reflects true character. We reaffirm our commitment to foster inclusivity in training and behavior. In 2025, we will expand our scholarship opportunities for those who represent and/or support underserved and underrepresented communities. We will continue to evaluate and explore ways to further support this through our various platforms and brands in the weeks, months, and years ahead. More: https://bit.ly/4jKjlCD

01/25/2025

Instead of relying on punishment and sq**rt bottles, a more effective training approach involves understanding the purpose of the behavior and providing better alternatives. For example, if the cat jumps on the kitchen counter, identify the motivation behind the behavior. It could be the smell of food, a desire for a better view out the window, a need for elevated safety, or a bid for the cat parent’s attention. Once the underlying reason is determined, a suitable alternative can be provided. If the behavior stems from a problem in the environment, such as a cat being ambushed by another cat, positive behavior techniques should be employed to diffuse the situation. Squirting the cat with water is not part of a sound and loving training plan.

Cats respond to positive training but it’s crucial to start the process by recognizing that every behavior serves a purpose. Cats don’t misbehave out of spite or defiance. Behavior makes sense to them. Proper training strengthens the bond, restores confidence, and reduces stress.

01/16/2025

01/10/2025

Karen Pryor changed the way people train and interact with animals, and the benefits of her influence are widespread and absolutely incredible. Millions of animals in homes, zoos, and the wild, have a better life because of her. Karen's legacy lives on in every learner who hears a *click*.

I've been fortunate to have taken a few of the courses offered through Karen Pryor Academy, and I'm proud to say that I've been accepted into the KPA Professional Dog Trainer Program and will be starting at the end of March, 2025. The skills I will learn will allow me to help more cats and their families, and I will be forever grateful to Karen for generously sharing her skills and knowledge with the world.

With profound sadness and immense gratitude, we honor the life and legacy of Karen Pryor, a true pioneer in the fields of animal behavior and positive reinforcement training. Karen’s groundbreaking work revolutionized how we communicate with animals—and each other—leaving an indelible mark on science, education, and the lives of countless species around the world.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4214rRG

01/10/2025

Cats' hearing is approximately four times more sensitive than humans' and they can detect higher frequencies, including ultrasound. However, they struggle with localizing sounds and can be startled by loud noises. To help keep your cat calm, maintain low noise levels, especially in new environments. You can also play soothing music if your cat seems agitated AND speak in a soft, calming voice. For more calming tips, visit https://bit.ly/3dPXKYx.

01/10/2025

Play aggression in cats is a common behavior that occurs when a cat becomes overly excited during play, leading to biting, scratching, or pouncing that may seem aggressive. This behavior often stems from a combination of natural predatory instincts and excess energy, especially in young or under-stimulated cats.

You may also notice your cat stalking your hands, arms, feet, and legs as if they were its targeted prey. This usually occurs when you are going up or down the stairs, when you are resting and your cat has pent up energy, or when your cat engages a sneak attack on you.

To help manage this behavior:
1) DO NOT use any part of your body as a toy for your cat, especially your hands or feet.
2) Schedule 5-10 minute interactive play sessions with your cat twice a day to allow a proper outlet for their energy.
3) Provide plenty of solo toys for your cat to interact with and rotate them often to keep the toys exciting.
4) Provide daily enrichment to keep your cat's mind engaged.
5) Redirect biting behavior and reinforce calm behaviors during play.

12/07/2024

As you begin decorating your home with holiday cheer, take steps to safely secure items that could potentially harm your pets. These hazards may include decorations, wrapping supplies, delicious foods, or even alcoholic beverages. A good rule of thumb: if an item seems unsafe for a child, it’s likely unsafe for your pet as well.

Here are a few commonly overlooked hazards to keep in mind:

Essential Oils and Diffusers: Many essential oils are toxic to pets, especially cats. While we often enjoy their benefits and pleasant aromas, they can cause serious health issues in pets, including neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, and damage to major organs.

Tape: Packing tape and wrapping tape can sometimes be irresistible to pets. Unfortunately, ingesting these can lead to blockages, requiring an emergency trip to the vet.

Spices: As we mentioned in our Thanksgiving post, some spices that add comfort and flavor to our holiday meals can make pets sick.

Electrical Cords and Lights: If your pet is a cord chewer, the holiday season can pose extra risks. Protect your pet by covering cords to prevent chewing, which could lead to electrical burns or even more serious injuries.

12/07/2024

Very often when we're wrapping gifts, our cats are right there to offer "help" and supervise, so it's important to be aware of the dangers of ribbon and string.