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How to keep indoor cats happy and healthy

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Our goal is to help you and your cats have the best life together you possibly can. How can we help you today?

Start with our Basic Indoor Cat Needs section to begin to enrich the lives of your cats. Here we provide a detailed checklist and some suggestions for making helpful changes.

The Understanding Cats section tells about how cats behave in nature, and how we can provide outlets for these behaviors indoors.

The Feline Life Stressors section describes the common situations that affect cat's health and welfare, and how to avoid them!

The Problem solving section is the place to go if you are looking for help to solve problems related to litter box problems, conflict between cats, anxiety, and boredom.

Our Keeping Indoor Cats Healthy video (.wmv file) shows you how to create an enriched indoor environment for your cat.

The Pet Identification section will tell you about how to be sure your cats can be returned to you in case they get lost.

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Photography: Linda Marin

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Our goal is to help you and your cats have the best life together you possibly can. How can we help you today? Start with our Basic Indoor Cat Needs section to begin to enrich the lives of your cats. Here we provide a detailed checklist and some suggestions for making helpful changes.

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Cat behaviour and enrichment articles

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Filter through cat behavior and enrichment articles from your trusted online pet health & safety resource. Preventive Vet is a collective of veterinarians, certified trainers, behaviorists, educators, and pet lovers.

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One kitten or two? Find out why it's best to get two kittens instead of one.

How to pet cats (and dogs). The best way to stroke a cat, including where cats prefer to be petted, the body language to watch out for, and how to give cats a choice.

How to find a missing cat. Over at my Psychology Today blog, I explain how to reduce the likelihood of it happening, and how to search for your cat if it is missing.

You are the secret to your pet's happiness. How interactions with you (and other people) can affect your pet's welfare.

How to make the world better for cats. Seventeen experts answer the question, "What's the one thing that would make the world better for cats?" Read this important post for lots of ideas on feline behaviour and welfare!

BC's 2018 ban on declawing cats was good news for cats, study shows. These results contradict one of the main arguments people make against declawing, so if you're working towards a ban where you are, make sure to check out this study.

Behaviour Problems in Cats

Cats' im-purr-fect homes are stressing them out. The biggest animal welfare issue for pet cats is behaviour problems due to a poor home environment.

Does playtime for cats reduce behaviour problems? Toys and opportunities to play are important parts of a cat's environment. This study looked at how many toys cats have, how much their owners play with them - and found the cats whose owners played with them for at least 5 minutes a day were less likely to have a behaviour problem.

Education about cats may reduce feline behaviour problems. It turns out that providing information to new kitten owners is a really good idea.

Can synthetic pheromones help with problem behaviours in cats? Promising results from a study that compared Feliway MultiCat to a placebo suggest it helps as part of a program to resolve aggression between cats that live together.

Enrichment for Cats

It's not just catnip: Olfactory enrichment for cats. Most people have heard of catnip, but did you know there are other natural substances many cats respond to in a similar way? This study found out how many cats respond to catnip, silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian.

Your cat would like food puzzle toys. Give your cats a chance to work for their food.

Vertical space is good enrichment for cats. Cats like to have high-up spaces.

Shelter cats like a box to hide in. This study shows just how important hiding spaces are to cats - and why cats like cardboard boxes so much.

Training is purrfect enrichment for frustrated shelter cats, who were taught to do a hi-five. They had better health and became more contented than a control group of cats who did not have the cat training session.

Reward-based training is for all our pets. Yes, even cats!

Feline Behaviour

The sensitive period in puppies and kittens. When it is, what it means for kitten owners, and why it's called the sensitive period for socialization. Important information about the building blocks for a behaviourally-healthy adult cat.

What your cat's nose knows. Learn more about the role of scent in your cat's life and how you can use it to improve welfare.

A cat's gotta scratch... reports of a survey on appropriate and inappropriate scratching behaviour in cats.

How much do cats sleep, and where do they like to sleep? All you need to know about your cat's sleeping habits.

Cats and their owners are more in sync than you think. A study of feline activity levels show they are influenced by the owner's behaviour.

The cat at the window. Why do cats spend so much time at windows, and what do they watch?

Cats and dogs. What one study tells us about how cats and dogs get along.

Does it matter what age you neuter your kitten? Research into the effects of early neutering of kittens on feline behaviour.

Food for Cats

Feeding the felines: Does food intake change with the seasons? This study found cats eat more in late Autumn and Winter, and less in the Summer months.

Food enrichment for cats. This study looked at the effects of providing bits of sirloin, dangling on a string, as an enrichment item for cats. They seemed to like it. This study also showed that if you have multiple cats, you need to provide multiple enrichment items, in case any one cat monopolizes them.

Does your cat sniff new food? Because it turns out that's not a good sign as far as your cat liking the food goes.

How to help a fat cat lose weight. Portion control, a food diary, food puzzle toys, and more playtime are all part of the solution.

For Fun

If you like reading, check out the books read by the Animal Book Club for some great books on cats.

Perceptions and History of Cats

Most owners say cats are part of the family, and feel confident about their ability to care for their cat, although there are ways in which welfare could be improved.

Why do people pick pedigree cats? This looks at differences between the people who pick non-pedigree and pedigree cats, and pedigree cats with extremely flat faces (brachycephaly) i.e. Persians and Exotic Shorthairs. It also has a photo of the more traditional doll face Persian to compare to the current standard.

What kind of cats do people prefer? Looks at people's preferences for coat colour, eye colour, coat length, and head shape (brachycephalic - squashed face; mesocephalic; or dolicocephalic - long heads).

Perceptions of stray and feral cats in New Zealand.

What was the role of cats in Anglo-Saxon England? A fascinating insight into our past relationship with cats.

Public opinions on feral cat management. This study in Athens, Georgia looked at people's opinions of catch and euthanize, Trap-Neuter-and-Return, and the establishment of a sanctuary for feral cats.

Do children prefer baby-faced animals? Children show a preference for kittens, and cats with baby-like features rather than those without.

Why don't people want pets? Part 1: Cats. The reasons people give for why they don't want a cat as a pet.

What pets do children have, and which do they prefer?

An Ancient Egyptian mummified cat. Results of a radiological examination of a cat mummy.

The surprising history of veterinary medicine for dogs and cats.

Shelter Cats

Proof the internet helps cat adoptions. Great photos and the inclusion of a toy help with speed of adoption.

Shelter cats like a box to hide in. For shelter cats, a cat-sized hiding space may be a necessity rather than enrichment. Examples include the BC SPCA's Hide Perch and Go and Cat Protection's Feline Fort.

Even shy shelter cats can learn tricks. Clicker training is suitable for all shelter cats, and even cats that are shy at first are still trainable.

Clicker training is purrfect enrichment for frustrated shelter cats. Cats that were getting frustrated in the shelter became more content and had better health after a set of clicker training sessions.

Homing and re-homing Fido: How many newly-adopted pets are still in the home six months later? It turns out 10% are not - but those that are returned to the shelter are typically returned very soon after adoption.

Homeless cats in Canada. A summary of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies report on cat overpopulation in Canada.

Homeless cats: Lessons from Australia. The source and outcome of cats arriving at shelters in Australia.

Homeless pets: A UK survey of the economic costs of un-owned animals.

How to Train Cats

I keep a list of research resources on the science of cat training.

The best way to train cats is with food. This study looked at whether it helps to use a marker or secondary reinforcer, and found that using food alone worked best.

Even shy shelter cats can learn tricks. Shelter cats of any age can learn tricks like touching a target or high-five, even those that are shy at the start of training - and it may help the cats to adjust to their environment and get adopted.

Interview with Dr. Sarah Ellis on The Trainable Cat. How to help your cat be happy in everyday life. "...it's really about training for better welfare, to improve the wellbeing of the cat," explains Dr. Ellis.

Cats at the Vet

Cats trained to use their carriers find vet visits less stressful.

Less stress at the vet for dogs and cats. Lots of links to resources on how to make vet visits easier, including how to teach your cat to go into a carrier.

How many cats are stressed at the vets? It may not surprise you that it's actually a lot.

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One kitten or two? Find out why it's best to get two kittens instead of one. How to pet cats (and dogs). The best way to stroke a cat, including where cats prefer to be petted, the body language to watch out for, and how to give cats a choice.

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International Cat Care is the home of free expert advice on all aspects of cat care.

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Help your pets live their happiest, healthiest, fullest lives at home, at the vet, at the groomer, and everywhere in between.

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"I have to hand it to Bradshaw and Ellis: Once you suss out their basic cat-training philosophy, their methods totally work." -- Slate The Trainable Cat is the essential cat bible for cat owners and lovers.

We often assume that cats can't be trained, and don't need to be. But in , bestselling anthrozoologist John Bradshaw and cat expert Sarah Ellis show that cats absolutely must be trained in order to enrich the bond between pet and owner. Full of training tips and exercises -- from introducing your cat to a new baby to helping them deal with visits to the vet -- The Trainable Cat "I doubt you'll find a more well-informed or scientific book on cats that better shows you how feline thinking works." -- Times (UK)

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The Trainable Cat: A Practical Guide to Making Life Happier for You and Your Cat

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The Trainable Cat: A Practical Guide to Making Life Happier for You and Your Cat: Bradshaw, John, Ellis, Sarah: 9780465050901: Books - Amazon.ca

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Jackson Galaxy is the host and executive producer of Animal Planet's long running hit show "My Cat From Hell." Jackson, an animal advocate and cat behavior and wellness consultant, is also a two-time New York Times best-selling author with more than 25 years of experience working with cats and their guardians.

Long before Jackson was known as the "Cat Daddy," the working musician found he had a unique ability to connect with cats when he took a job at a local animal shelter. During the decade that followed, he worked with thousands of cats, successfully lowering the euthanasia rate at his shelter. His work at the shelter led to a private practice of working with cat guardians and cats in their homes, which helped keep cats out of the shelter in the first place, and became the premise for Animal Planet's "My Cat From Hell." An immediate hit, the show has been a broadcast staple for nine seasons and has become a global phenomenon, placing Jackson at the forefront of a worldwide obsession with all things feline.

All along, Jackson has stayed true to his roots as a shelter worker, educator, fervent advocate and in-home cat family therapist. At the root of Jackson's unique approach is a philosophy known as "Cat Mojo," which teaches cat guardians the skills to help their feline friends build confidence and thrive within their environment, and to better the human/cat relationship at the same time. Jackson has extensively detailed his work and life in his growing collection of authored books. His first, "Cat Daddy," is a memoir, telling the story of a life-changing relationship with a cat named Benny during his years as a musician, shelter worker and an addict struggling to find a path towards recovery. His subsequent books, "Catify to Satisfy" and "Catification." Each landed on the New York Times Best-Sellers List.

Jackson has always been committed to bringing better products to the market that live up to his high standards. Jackson Galaxy Solutions, the only line of flower essence remedies designed by a behavior specialist and a veterinarian, has been helping animals live happier and healthier lives since 1995. More recently, his partnership with Petmate has brought a 20-year vision to fruition, providing innovative toys and products for every stage of a cat's life.

True to his goal of helping to save all animals, Jackson started the Jackson Galaxy Project in 2015 (www.jacksongalaxyproject.com), which seeks to better the lives of at-risk animals by transforming the places they live and helping the people who care for them. Jackson spends much of his time these days devoted to growing the reach and impact of the life-saving JGP programs and partnerships.

Jackson has been featured on 20/20, The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with Steven Colbert, The Tonight Show, EXTRA, The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and more

*** The world of Cat Mojo is hitting new heights in 2017. His new Animal Planet series, Cat Vs Dog premiered on November 11th at 10PM ET/PT, and his new book "Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat" hit shelves on October 31st. For more information please visit www.jacksongalaxy.com, and, like millions of others, stay up-to-date with Jackson on YouTube.com/jacksongalaxy, Facebook.com/jacksongalaxy, Twitter.com/jacksongalacy and Instagram.com/thecatdaddy.***

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Catify to Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home

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Catify to Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home: Galaxy, Jackson, Benjamin, Kate: 9780399176999: Books - Amazon.ca

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Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy

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Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy

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Zazie Todd, PhD, for Companion Animal Psychology

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Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy

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Learn about Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy by Zazie Todd--the book your cat wants you to read.

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We were inspired to create this website after we published our paper about food puzzles in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery with Drs. Tony Buffington and Leticia Dantas! We felt this website would be a helpful supplement to the manuscript.

Boredom, frustration, and environmental stress are some of the most common reasons that cats exhibit behavior problems. We strongly believe that encouraging foraging behavior is one of the best things you can do for your cat and we are here to show you how to do it!

Please check back regularly as we will be adding new content frequently! You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

We do not endorse or recommend any one toy or brand over another. Our goal is to educate cat guardians and make implementing this type of environmental enrichment as easy as possible.

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Welcome to Food Puzzles for Cats, a one stop resource for information about feeding your cat using foraging toys! We were inspired to create this website after we published our paper about food puzzles in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery with Drs. Tony Buffington and Leticia Dantas!

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How to Put a Cat Harness On | Preventive Vet

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Want to walk your cat? Wrangling a cat into a harness requires patience and positive training! Learn how to fit and put a cat harness on with these tips.

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The Facebook page "Untrainable Cats" is full of excellent cooperative care ideas.

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Untrainable Cats. 1,850 likes. Meet Fenrir and Arktos - and help them end the myth that cats are untrainable!