Cat Behaviour Advice and Tips from Clinical Animal Behaviourists
Welcome to Second Nature Behaviour’s blog, where you can receive cat behaviour advice and tips. You can also find out more about the cat behaviour problems we provide support with.
What to Expect from an Animal Behaviour Consultation
An animal behaviour consultation is about far more than the one issue you called about. Here’s what to expect and why we look at the whole picture.
Desensitisation and Counterconditioning: Why Working at Your Pet’s Pace Matters
Discover how desensitisation and counterconditioning help pets overcome fear — and why working at your animal’s pace is essential for lasting results.
Animal Behaviourist Accreditation: Why It Matters
ABTC, APBC, FABC, CCAB, PACT, APDT… if that looks like a jumble of random letters, you’re not alone. These are animal behaviourist accreditation acronyms, and understanding what they mean could make all the difference when choosing the right…
Are My Cats Playing or Fighting?
If you live with more than one cat, you’ve probably watched them chase, pounce, and wrestle — looking like tiny tigers in combat. It can be difficult to tell whether your cats are playing or…
Why Clinical Animal Behaviourists Work on Veterinary Referral
The Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists at Second Nature Behaviour only see pets following a vet referral from the pet’s primary care vet, but why is this? Here’s why an animal…
Should I Let My Cat Outside? Pros, Cons & What to Consider
Some cats thrive lounging on the sofa, while others are born explorers, itching to get outside and roam. Whether your cat prefers the comforts of home or craves the great outdoors, the…
How to Pet a Cat Properly Using Consent-Based Touch
Do you believe you know how to pet a cat properly? You might be surprised to know that many cats are very particular about the way they like to be touched and…
Understanding Cat Scent Marking Behaviour
One of the most important ways cats share information with each other—and even with humans—is through scent. Unlike humans, who rely primarily on verbal and visual cues, cats use scent as a…
How to Reduce Cats Predating on Baby Birds
As both a cat owner and wildlife lover, you may have wondered how to stop cats killing birds. Cats are natural hunters, so finding your cat predating on birds is not unusual.…
Understanding Cat Vocalisations – What Your Cat Is Telling You
Cats are capable of producing a wide range of sounds, each with a specific purpose and meaning. Scientific research has described up to 21 different vocalisations which are primarily used for communication,…
Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas – A Behaviourist’s Guide
Festive Cheer Without Pet Fear: Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas The festive season brings joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming for pets at Christmas. Changes in routines, unfamiliar guests,…
Understanding Cat Body Language – A Behaviourist’s Guide
For many of us, cats have become indispensable companions, so understanding cat body language and communication signals can enhance your bond with your feline companion and help you better meet their needs.…
Keeping Parrots with Other Pets – Managing a Multi-species Household
Keeping parrots with other pets can be managed safely and harmoniously, but it requires careful planning, training, and constant supervision to ensure the safety of all involved. Challenges of Keeping Parrots with…
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Ella the vet
Nicki the vet
Zoe has worked absolute miracles on cats, dogs and parrots and given pet owners chance to build a more understanding and deeper relationship with their pets. I have loved seeing clients back with smiles on their faces after implementing Zoe’s instructions in order to manage the issues they have had for a long time.
Behavioural issues are very complex and with a communication barrier from man to animal creating an even more difficult task, a highly qualified behaviourist with lots of experience is absolutely invaluable and for me, Zoe is just that. An invaluable asset to my work as a vet to ensure you can get the best out of your relationship with your family pets.
I will always recommend 100%. Thank you for everything, I look forward to continuing to work with you.
Otis, Grace & Dom
He’d bite calves in the morning, hurrying us along for breakfast and would swipe and latch onto feet and arms and bite and rake at us aggressively. He was chewing plastic and thin cables. We’d tried many approaches without success. Zoe stepped in, observed Otis with us at home and came up with a plan.
His behaviour has gotten much better and this wouldn’t have happened with Zoe. She’s quick with feedback, a pleasure to deal with, genuinely looks for new solutions and is a brilliant animal behaviour specialist.
Thank you, Zoe, without you our home wouldn’t be as harmonious!
Grace & Dom
Finn & Deborah
I had a longstanding worry with my male cat urinating in the house and vocalising a lot. I was overwhelmed. This was a complex situation. The home assessment and report was great, and then lots of practical advice, written advice, follow up calls and solutions have followed. The issue is much improved and we continue to talk about ways to make my cat’s experience and mine better.
It is an affordable service. I sincerely wish that I would have approached as soon as the behaviour began.
Part of the process is my cat having a health assessment with the vet before her consultation, and this was a wonderful thing because he did have some health needs. Zoe really benefitted from understanding his physical health needs to give us the best advice.
Zoe even helped us to learned clicker training! My cat loves it.
Deborah
Harry & Phantom
Hettie, Lily & Chester
Charlie & Milo
The help you have given us has been so useful with our two cats who weren’t getting along. It has enabled us to make some changes which appear to be gradually helping the cats live more happily. The continued support and contact have worked well for us. Thank you, Angela.
Billie, Tammy & Mary
Zoe, I can’t thank you enough for all your help and support with my cats. Your advice has been invaluable. The problems with my cats eased so much, as I was at my witts end. I would highly recommend you to anyone that has problems with their pets. Thanks again. Mary