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Cat Behaviour Blog

Welcome to Second Nature Behaviour’s cat behaviour blog, where you can learn more about cat behaviour, cat welfare and cat training topics. You can also find out more about the cat behaviour problems we provide support with here.

Should I Let My Cat Outside? Pros, Cons & What to Consider

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 decision to allow outdoor access is a big one, and it comes with responsibilities....

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How to Handle and Pet a Cat Using Consent-Based Touch

How to Handle and Pet a Cat Using Consent-Based Touch

As cat owners, we cherish the quiet companionship and quirky antics of our feline friends. But cats have a complex relationship with physical touch and human interaction. Learning how to handle and pet a cat using consent-based touch is important to ensure we foster...

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Understanding Cat Scent Communication

Understanding Cat Scent Communication

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 fundamental part of their social interactions. A cat’s sense of smell is far...

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How to Reduce Cats Predating on Baby Birds

How to Reduce Cats Predating on Baby Birds

Cats are natural hunters, so to find your cat predating on baby birds is not unusual. However, while this predation instinct is part of cat behaviour, it can pose a serious threat to wildlife. This is a particular concern for young and vulnerable birds during nesting...

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Understanding cat vocalisations

Understanding cat vocalisations

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, but they also have functional roles in behaviour, territory...

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Preparing your pet for Christmas

Preparing your pet for Christmas

Festive Cheer Without Pet Fear:  Caring for Pets at Christmas The festive season brings joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming for pets at Christmas. Changes in routines, unfamiliar guests, and festive decorations can create challenges for dogs, cats, and...

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Understanding cat body language

Understanding cat body language

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. And although they cannot communicate with us through human...

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Managing parrots in a multi-species household

Managing parrots in a multi-species household

Parrots and other household pets can coexist harmoniously, but it requires careful planning, training, and constant supervision to ensure the safety of all involved. Challenges: Natural predator-prey instincts: Parrots are prey animals, whereas pets like cats and dogs...

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Otis, Grace & Dom

Cat
Zoe is fantastic and spotted solutions with our cat Otis straightaway. 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

Finn & Deborah

Cat
Zoe has been really down to earth, approachable, and persistent – even at those times, I was ready to give up. 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

Harry & Phantom

Cats
Really thorough process – we felt you really took the time to understand us and the cats. We saw almost instant improvements with some of the strategies suggested. The second catflap on the first floor was a stroke of genius! Behaviour work is obviously ongoing because our cats at apparently extremely difficult individuals! But it’s

Hettie, Lily & Chester

Cats and dog
Zoe’s expertise and advice have been invaluable in helping our dog to settle at night due to separation anxiety and overcoming tricky interactions with our two cats. We have followed her advice along with great feedback and ongoing support from Zoe and our dog is now much improved! Highly recommended for tricky behavioural issues. Thank

Charlie & Milo

Grey cats

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.

Marley & Elaine

cat
It has been a comfort knowing that if I needed any more advice, you were always there. Marley is doing amazingly compared to how he was, he still sprays on new items when I bring them into the house, but has not sprayed anywhere for many many months. Without your help and advice, I do

Billie, Tammy & Mary

Cat

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

Riley & Paul

Cats cuddling
I must say the advice you gave me was excellent. I would without hesitation recommend you to anybody with a problem dog. The consultation process I found most useful in setting out the ground rules. I also found the literature to be most helpful for reference. Things have really improved with Riley on and off