"My cat is always hungry" is a frequent complaint. For the past 15 years, there's been an ongoing trend for cats to be thin and portion-fed. Veterinary hospital charts show body condition images where "normal" cats keep getting thinner. Some even show visible ribs as "healthy" weight. This has led to an increase in [...]
When I started behavioral work over 20 years ago, I used humane methodology. My first client was a Dachshund with food aggression and guarding. At the time, I was stunned to learn that the majority of trainers were using punitive techniques such as punching dogs, yanking them with prong collars, "helicoptering" them — hanging them [...]
Learn more about Feline BehaviorSelf-paced tutorials by Alana StevensonApproach, Scruffing & Minimal RestraintAn introductory webinar on humane feline handling techniques. Alana explains how to approach cats to keep them calm, why scruffing should be avoided, and the basic principles of minimal restraint. (8 min.)Humane Handling Basics 1 & 2Two short tutorials covering low-stress feline handling [...]
A practical guide to feline behavior, gentle handling, and solving common behavior problems.The Good Cat Parent's Guide to Feline Behavior Modification by Alana Stevenson (Routledge Press, 2024) is now available. This science-based book provides effective solutions for common feline behavior issues using humane handling techniques—no scruffing, no punishment.Understand cat behavior, resolve feline behavior problems, and [...]
A second chance saves a life—and gives you a companion who needs you. Tens of thousands of dogs and cats—including puppies and kittens—are killed daily in animal shelters. One large city shelter can euthanize up to 300 cats and kittens in one day. Many shelters across the U.S. still use gas chambers, heart sticks, [...]
Puppies go through major developmental changes quickly. They need calories and good nutrition for physical and mental health. All puppies should be able to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Exercise, how much mental and physical stimulation the dog has, and stress all contribute to how well a dog [...]
Ear-cropping and tail-docking are two commonly accepted practices often considered "breed standard." However, the process of ear-cropping and tail-docking is not humane, nor is it necessary for health. For tail-docking, tails are chopped off, usually with surgical scissors, when the puppies are newborn. This is because a newborn puppy's cartilage is still soft. Removing [...]
Over the last 10-15 years, there has been a growing trend and obsession to have skinny cats, ironically at a time when the human population has gotten fatter. The eating habits and metabolisms of domestic cats are very different than those of humans and dogs. Cats naturally eat 10-20 small meals a day. They [...]
Don't carry kittens by the scruff. Many of us have been taught to scruff kittens (to carry and hold kittens and cats by the back of their necks) because this is how the mother cat carries her kittens. This is not the correct way to carry and hold kittens. Kittens need to [...]
Many people may not know what FIV+ means. An FIV+ kitty is a cat who has the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus is specific to cats. It is similar to HIV in humans. FIV does not frequently make a cat sick. Some cats will live their full life expectancies – up to 20 years [...]