A Cat's Purrspective, LLC

04/10/2026

Cats are predators and have an instinctive need to act out their natural cycle of hunt → eat → groom/bathe → sleep. Without opportunities to fulfill this instinct, cats are more likely to act in a predatory-fashion toward people and other pets. If your cat is stalking another cat, attacking your feet while you're in bed sleeping, or nipping at your ankles before darting again, your cat likely needs more play opportunities!

For more information, click here:

I have experience with: litter box issues, shy/fearful cats, former feral/outdoor cats, aggression issues between cats, behavior challenges caused by medical conditions (such as: feline diabetes, hyperthyroid, stomatitis, IBD, and arthritis), and more! As a disabled and chronically ill person, worki...

04/09/2026

What does the "Voluntary Sharing" pattern game look like with 5 cats? The video below shows one and a half rounds of one of the 2 "Voluntary Sharing" pattern games I do every morning. This one, done in the kitchen area, has Filo (Siamese) as the "plate cat". In the video, you can see me finishing the previous round by giving Inigo (brown and white tabby) and Julian (black and white) their treats before putting Filo's treat on his dish to start the next round. The all black cat is Lily and the orange tabby is George.

You can also hear construction sounds in the background. Not only can "Voluntary Sharing" help improve cat group dynamics, but it can also help desensitize and counter-condition cats--Filo is generally an anxious cat, but you can see him completely ignoring the construction sounds during the video.

The way this pattern game works is the "plate cat" cues me to start giving out the treats. I keep the same order every time: Lily, George, Inigo, Julian, then Filo. Last June, Inigo, Julian, Ethel (not in this video), and Yato (who has sadly passed since) moved into this home in which Filo, Lily, and George lived. I've been using this pattern game as a tool in this very complicated introduction process. While conflicts still sometimes happen, the cats are now able to be left completely unsupervised.

If you need help smoothing out cat group dynamics, I'd love to share what I know with you! Click here for more information about my Cat Behavior services: https://www.acatspurrspective.com/services.php

02/25/2026

Did you know that cats are among the hardest animals to read when experiencing discomfort? 🐈‍⬛

For centuries, cats have done their very best at hiding any and all possible signs pointing to pain or illness as a means of survival—and this still carries true today.

Knowing the possible warning signs for pain in cats may be crucial as a feline pet owner. 🐱According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, here are 6 potential signs that your cat may be feeling off:
🐾 Noticeable changes in body language
🐾 Changes in appetite
🐾 Changes in grooming habits
🐾 Facial expressions
🐾 Avoiding the litter box
🐾 Reduced activity
🐾 Vocalizing
🐾 Sudden/unexpected aggression
🐾 Hiding

If you believe your cat may be experiencing pain or discomfort, schedule an appointment with your local primary care veterinarian as soon as possible. Should you need us at any time, CUVS is open 24/7/365. ⏰ Call 203.595.2777 or visit cuvs.org for more information.

02/01/2026

01/28/2026

This is a space for curious trainers and anyone who values thoughtful, ethical training. Together, we explore evidence-based insights and real-world inspiration.

And yet it also feels wrong for us not to acknowledge what is going on in the United States, as, together, citizens and non-citizens have been demonstrating against the activities of federal immigration agents in their communities, and these agents' repeated pattern of extreme force, violence, and intimidation.

But what does this have to do with animal training, some ask? Everything. The laws of learning and behavior change are universal and apply to humans as well. Moreover, the well-being of animals is inextricably intertwined with the well-being of their people and the safety of the community that surrounds them.

We know that fear-based methods erode trust, damage relationships, and lead to further fallout. We know that force and intimidation may suppress behavior in the moment, but they create anxiety, unpredictability, and breakdowns.

The enforcement actions we're seeing, the use of overwhelming force, the climate of fear, the unpredictability, mirror exactly what we've moved away from in animal training because we know it doesn't work. Not ethically. Not effectively.

This isn't just about principles aligning with our methods. It's about the people in our communities, our clients, our neighbors, our fellow humans, who deserve the same compassion, safety, and dignity we advocate for on the other end of the leash.

As trainers, we understand behavior change. We ask: what sets the occasion for that behavior? What are the reinforcers? What can we change in the environment if we want to change that behavior? These questions are the foundation of how we approach change, whether we're working with a reactive dog or confronting systemic problems in our communities.

So, we will continue doing what we do: connecting with the ideas, principles, and people that ground us in compassion, evidence, and effective change. We'll keep using our understanding of behavior to work toward the world we want to see. And we encourage you to do the same, in whatever way feels right and possible for you.

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Resources our team has found helpful:
https://bit.ly/49YXaEu
https://bit.ly/4t6CqDm
https://bit.ly/49YXbZ4
https://bit.ly/4bXeLza

01/12/2026

Many cats have joint pain. Watching their behaviors--especially around play and getting on/off furniture--can help you know when to reach out to your vet.

01/08/2026

There will never be another picture of me doing the "Voluntary Sharing" pattern game with these 7 cats ever again.
(Image description: me bending down to do a pattern game with cats Ethel in the hallway behind me, Inigo sitting behind me looking at the camera, in front of me seated are Yato--brown tabby--and Julian--tuxedo, then there is George--orange--and Filo--Siamese--and Lily.)

********Content note: This post will be a bit raw and will talk about cat loss.**********

On May 31st, Ethel (19 years female), Yato (11 years male), Inigo (12 years male), Julian (8 years male), and I (... human) moved to a new home that had 3 resident cats (Filo, George, Lily). I had intended to document on here the methods I used to integrate the 2 groups of cats. And while I hope to eventually write up something about that, that's not this post.

This post is about Yato, the brown tabby in this picture.

At his first vet appointment post-move, it was discovered that he had lost more than 2.5 pounds since his last vet appointment less than a year ago. He'd had episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Initial blood work showed only 2 abnormalities: his pancreatic function was Very High and his white blood cell count was Low. The hope at the time was that the wbc was a lab error and that a small course of steroids would treat his pancreatitis and suspected Inflammatory Disease.

It did not.

Over the course of the next several weeks, Yato declined significantly. His blood work worsened--all his blood cell values started dropping--and an ultrasound showed a mass in his small intestine, with possible involvement in his pancreas.

We made the decision to euthanize Yato just 2 weeks after this picture was taken.

Yato was originally a feral cat who showed up in our old backyard in 2017. I'm dropping the "professional" for a second and going to make the statement that he chose to not be feral anymore because of me. He just started trusting me more and more. The bond we shared? It was unlike any I've had with any other cat. We absolutely adored each other. And as long as we were together, we could make it through anything--even a move out of the only home he'd ever known.

Yato was overwhelmingly loved throughout his second life as a "pet cat". The new people in his life came to love him too and he loved them back, though I was always his Person.

He had an amazing life. And I'm beyond grateful that I was a part of it.

I'm now in what I think of as the "never again" stage of grieving--when I have to come to accept that I will never again hold him. Never again clicker train him. Never again do his inhaler treatment, which he always purred so loudly for that the AeroKat became an instrument for his purrs. Never again wake up to him trying to "dig through" the blankets he's standing on. Never again hear his constant yammering.

This is the longest and hardest stage of grief for me.
And for those of you who have lost cats, I know you get it.
And I hope you know what when the time comes, I can be there for you, too (https://www.acatspurrspective.com/doula.php) .

That love we shared, though? That's still here, and will always be. So even though there will never be another picture like the one below, Yato's memory and the love we shared is always present--and will always be.

12/16/2025

I'm proud to be a CCBC!

A question for the cat behavior folks: How do you set yourself apart from those self-proclaimed "cat experts"?

The answer: earn your Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC) credential!

IAABC certifications assess your knowledge of species-specific behavior, learning theory, and how you put them together to improve the well-being of animals and their people.

Earning your CCBC proves that you are knowledgeable in feline ethology, biology, neuroscience, and how these affect the domestic cat’s behavior in the human world. It shows clients that you are committed to the IAABC’s ethical standards of supporting the cat’s well-being and that you adhere to evidence-based methods.

As a CCBC, you will be listed on the IAABC's global consultant locator, so when people are seeking help for their cat, they can easily find you!

Visit https://iaabc.org/en/credentialing-education to get started!

12/07/2025

Cats are naturally curious creatures, but some houseplants and flowers can pose serious risks to their health.

Here are some common plants that are toxic to cats:
1. Lilies: Extremely toxic and can cause kidney failure in cats, even from small exposures like licking pollen.
2. Mistletoe: Toxic to cats and can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular issues.
3. Poinsettia: Although often listed as toxic, it usually causes mild irritation rather than severe toxicity.

When thinking of holiday gifts be sure to consider pet safe plants instead.

If your cat is exposed to a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately.

For more details, explore this health topic, https://hubs.ly/Q03VjH7j0

11/18/2025

📢 We’re proud to share new updates to the Joint Standards of Practice (JSOP), a collaborative effort uniting leading organizations in the animal training and behavior field.

Since 2018, the JSOP has promoted science-based, humane, and ethical practices across the profession.

Endorsed by:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- Association for Professional Dog Training International
- Karen Pryor Clicker Training
- ADI - Assistance Dogs International
- Grisha Stewart Academy and Empowered Animals, LLC
- Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior LLC
- Understand Horses
- Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior
- IAABC Foundation

This shared framework supports professional integrity and animal well-being. The latest updates reflect our evolving understanding of learning and behavior and reaffirm our commitment to a unified, compassionate approach.

For more information, please visit https://iaabc.org/en/standards-of-practice

10/05/2025

"This is beyond my wildest dreams for these two. They’ve just been asleep on the couch for a couple of hours. I could never have imagined this back in the 3d printed baby gate riser days. Thank you."

If your cats aren't getting along, I can help! Click here for more information: https://www.acatspurrspective.com/services.php