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Felidae Behavior My name is Heather Alvey. I am a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant.

25/08/2025

I’ll admit it—I haven’t kept up with Frankie’s clicker training lately. We started agility months ago, but between moving, projects, and life in general, her training took a backseat.

This weekend, some plans got canceled, and I actually found myself with free time (and a little bored). I decided to see what Frankie remembered and where we could pick things back up. I planned to start simple with her tunnel, but she breezed right through it—so I added the stool and even her skateboard.

She did amazing! Watching how much she enjoyed the session (and how deeply she napped afterward) made me feel a little guilty for letting it slide, but it also reminded me how much fun this is for both of us.

Her jumping pole didn’t survive the move, so I need to rebuild that. And someone in my previous post suggested adding a slide! I still have a couple of ramps from the Boomer and Impy days, so I think new elements will keep things exciting for Frankie—and motivating for me too.

I just spent a week and a half traveling the Ecuadorian coast by bike and bus. I expected to see a lot of stray animals,...
18/08/2025

I just spent a week and a half traveling the Ecuadorian coast by bike and bus. I expected to see a lot of stray animals, but what surprised me was how many cats were clearly loved and cared for. Almost every hotel or restaurant I stopped at seemed to have a resident cat.

Of course, there were feral cats too, and a couple in particular were hard to say goodbye to. I picked up cat food along the way so I could make sure a few had at least one easy meal.

Cats were everywhere—some healthy and cared for, others just scraping by. Seeing all the cats made me appreciate both how resilient they are that, while they can survive without us, their lives can be greatly improved the people around them.

Generally, I recommend rotating your cat’s toys to keep things fresh and exciting. But there’s always an exception: the ...
28/07/2025

Generally, I recommend rotating your cat’s toys to keep things fresh and exciting. But there’s always an exception: the favorite toy. You know the one—your cat’s OBSESSION. The toy you and your cat both panic about when it goes missing or starts falling apart.

For Frankie, it’s her pink mouse. (Pink mouse is the best mouse.) She carries it around, throws it in the air, and somehow it always ends up under the couch. I don’t rotate this toy out. It stays available because it brings her so much joy.

When a toy becomes a source of comfort or a treasured possession, it earns a permanent spot in the toy lineup.

Toys and play are such individual preferences. One cat’s paper ball is another cat’s pink mouse. In my latest blog post, I ramble on a bit about cats, toys, and playtime. Check it out on my website—link’s in the bio.

This is a great example of why I love timer dishes and often recommend them to clients. It is still 2 hours before lunch...
09/06/2025

This is a great example of why I love timer dishes and often recommend them to clients. It is still 2 hours before lunchtime, and instead of yelling at me to be fed, Frankie is laser-focused on her feeder. Timer dishes help take you out of the feeding equation, which can really help with food-related stress.....for both cats and their people.

Our cats seem to love getting in the middle of whatever we're doing—especially if it involves being still and focused. W...
02/06/2025

Our cats seem to love getting in the middle of whatever we're doing—especially if it involves being still and focused. Whether I'm reading, knitting, or trying to do yoga, Frankie somehow always finds a way to make it more… complicated.

These might be classic “cat lady” hobbies, but the irony is that cats aren't always the most helpful companions when you're trying to enjoy them.

What are your cat-interrupted hobbies? I’d love to hear what your cat makes harder (or more entertaining).

Has your cat ever surprised you by suddenly loving something they used to ignore?I’ve been thinking a lot lately about h...
19/05/2025

Has your cat ever surprised you by suddenly loving something they used to ignore?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how often I hear people speak in absolutes about their cats:
“They don’t like cat beds.”
“They used to play with this toy, but not anymore—so they don’t like to play.”

But cats aren’t robots. They’re always learning, changing, and sometimes they're just in a mood.

When someone tells me their cat won’t play with the toys they loved as kittens, that actually makes perfect sense. When you were 20, did you still enjoy the same things you did when you were 10?

As cats grow, they develop more specific preferences—just like we do. And some of those preferences are shaped by what they were (or weren’t) exposed to earlier in life.

Frankie, for example, has never been very into boxes or cat beds—unlike my previous cats, who couldn’t get enough of both. She was rescued as an adult stray from the countryside, and I suspect she just didn’t have much experience with either one.

But just because she hasn’t shown interest in something yet doesn’t mean she never will. Lately, she’s had some positive experiences in boxes, and I’m starting to see her jump into them voluntarily. Usually I’m her preferred cat bed, but when I’m not available, I've caught her snoozing on some curtains I’ve been meaning to hang up. Once I finally do, I’ll try putting a towel or bed in that spot and see what she thinks.

The bottom line? Don’t box your cat in (pun intended). Their preferences can evolve—especially with a little patience and creativity.

06/05/2025

I just published a new blog post all about Nosework for Cats, featuring an interview with Hanna from — and I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a fresh, fun way to engage your cat’s brain.

I first tried Hanna’s program years ago with my cat Impy, but at the time I was running two businesses and couldn’t consistently stick with it. Still, I’ve recommended it to many of my clients over the years as an excellent enrichment activity — especially for food-motivated cats.

Now I live with Frankie, and I had a hunch she’d enjoy nosework too. She’s got a great nose for finding tasty treats, and sure enough, she picked it up right away. I’ve included a few videos here of her working through some of the steps. I don’t record every session, though — one of my favorite parts is just stepping back and watching her think it through.

This kind of enrichment isn’t just good for our cats — it’s a great way for us to better understand them, too. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to resist the urge to help. When I give Frankie space, she always works it out on her own.

Read the full post on my website — link in bio!

(Enjoy the double time Tom Waits in the last slide. Lol)

29/04/2025

Last week I talked about luxury splurges for your cat with your tax refund... but what about those of us that had to pay taxes instead? (Shout out to all the small business owners out there!)

Good news: your cat doesn’t care how much you spent — they care about fun, comfort, and connection.
Here are some FREE ways to spoil your cat:

*A ping pong ball, a cardboard box, and some wadded up paper for endless entertainment

*A dried leaf from the yard

*A treat toss session (perfect for when you're feeling lazy but your cat wants to play)

*Scrap yarn tied to a knitting needle for a DIY wand toy

*A cozy homemade nest using a blanket and some pillows

*A good old-fashioned paper ball chase

Swipe to see Frankie enjoying all of these budget-friendly ideas.

Remember, it’s not about how much you spend — it’s about the quality and variety of ways you interact with your cat.

What are your cat's favorite free activities?

I recently had to move houses. I knew it was coming, but it ended up happening really fast.The last time I moved was whe...
31/03/2025

I recently had to move houses. I knew it was coming, but it ended up happening really fast.

The last time I moved was when I still had Boomer and Impy. I was able to work with them for months to get them ready.

This time, I had so much to organize in such a short amount of time that I completely spaced on preparing Frankie. She is a cat who gets really anxious in new spaces and around new people, so I feel bad for dropping the ball on this.

Less than a week before the move, I realized I hadn't done any carrier training or put much thought into her experience. Since the vet comes to us, she had no negative associations with the carrier, which was helpful. I quickly tried to create a positive experience by bringing the carrier into the living room and tossing treats inside. First, I left the top open, and then I sealed it up.

I only started this a few days before our move, but luckily, when the time came, she went right into the carrier, and I was able to zip it up behind her. Food-motivated cats are the best!

When we got to the new place, I set her up in a small room with all her things, opened the carrier, and let her come out on her own. It took a few hours, but eventually, she cautiously started exploring her new home.

Now, a week later, she's confident and comfortable, and all the trauma seems to be forgotten.

While in Lima, Peru, of course I had to visit a local cat café! This cozy space is home to eight cats who are all availa...
18/02/2025

While in Lima, Peru, of course I had to visit a local cat café! This cozy space is home to eight cats who are all available for adoption. I was delighted to see that there was plenty of vertical space, comfy beds, and hidey-holes for when they need a break.

One of the cats who had just arrived that day was feeling nervous and hiding away in a little cave bed. With some patience and play, she slowly gained confidence—coming farther and farther out until, by the end of our 20-minute session, she was playing right out in the open! 

Play is such a powerful confidence booster for shy cats, helping them feel more comfortable in new spaces.

I actually went back for a coffee a few days later and she was snuggling with the active black and white kitty in front of the window.

If you're in Lima, I highly recommend stopping by .pe for a coffee or maracuya soda and some kitty time.

One of the reasons I love coming to Lima: I don’t have to choose between yummy food and kitties! Here, I can enjoy both—...
11/02/2025

One of the reasons I love coming to Lima: I don’t have to choose between yummy food and kitties! Here, I can enjoy both—picarones and cats at Parque Kennedy.

Vacation Mode: Activated (Sort of!) I’ll still be checking in while I’m away! When we travel, it can be very stressful ...
03/02/2025

Vacation Mode: Activated (Sort of!)

I’ll still be checking in while I’m away!

When we travel, it can be very stressful for our cats. Suddenly their people are gone and their routine is different.

One way to help minimize your cat’s stress is to hire a professional cat sitter to visit your cat everyday.

So, what should you look for in a cat sitter?
✔️ Are they truly a cat person who understands feline behavior?
✔️ Are they insured and bonded?
✔️ Do they know how to handle emergencies and read cat body language?

I was a professional cat sitter for 19 years, so if you need help finding the right fit for your cat, feel free to ask!

I hate leaving Frankie, but I know she will be much happier chilling at home with a sitter instead of traveling with me.


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