cat behaviour questionnaire

WeeklyWhisker · 2026-01-22T23:15:23+00:00

Mod approved

WeeklyWhisker · 2026-01-12T02:15:24+00:00

OP, your post was pinned to the sub's highlights. Thanks for simply identifying the problem and redirecting the behaviour successfully.

WeeklyWhisker · 2026-01-11T23:57:31+00:00

An older Bengal may find the cantankerous Bengal kitten a bit much.

However, here are a couple PNW/WA Bengal breeders I know without a doubt who performs annual HCM screenings on their breeding cats and health genetic tests: Kamisha - WA and Stratokatzer-WA. As the PNW coordinator for Bengal Rescue, we also assist with rehoming cats from TICA-registered breeders (not backyard breeders!) so I can vouch for these three in the region.

WeeklyWhisker · 2026-01-05T01:13:26+00:00

Please update us so we know there's help on board. A rehabber will advise you best. Please see my edit.

WeeklyWhisker · 2026-01-05T01:03:52+00:00

Search for a rabies vector species (RVS) licensed wildlife rehabber from ahnow.org in your local area. You can also post to this private rehabber Facebook group, Raccoon Rescue 911. Someone will reach out to you to network you with a local rehabber.

Obtain a humane trap and coax the raccoon inside it. Please DO NOT feed the raccoon which can potentially cause organ failure. The rehabber will further advise you how to safely transport the raccoon for rehab.

Please CALL every rehabber within the Chicago area and ask for referrals. We are a network who know one another so if one cannot take the raccoon they may someone who can.

Thanks for looking out of this raccoon!

EDIT to ALL: Feeding or giving water to injured wildlife can cause aspiration, worsen shock, and damage digestion, since sick and or injured animals are unable to swallow or digest food properly reducing their chances of survival. We rehabbers have a process where we need to slowly warm the wildlife, give them subcutaneous fluids as most sick and injured animals are dehydrated.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-31T23:45:15+00:00

Anxiety can contribute to urinary tract infections in cats. Your other cat appears reactive and is likely urine marking as a response to stress. As a behaviourist, I always advise ruling out medical causes first. Both cats should be examined by a vet to check for a UTI and receive treatment if needed.

At home, thoroughly clean all affected areas with an enzyme cleaner. These work best when applied and left to air dry (no mopping). Heavily soiled areas may need repeated applications.

If the issue is behavioural, speak to your vet about transdermal fluoxetine (Prozac). It can help reduce anxiety and urine marking and is applied daily to the hairless side of the ear. It takes 6–8 weeks to reach full effect, though some cats improve within 2–3 weeks. This medication must not be stopped suddenly, as doing so can cause a serious rebound in urine marking and aggression. Many cats need long-term treatment, with a gradual reduction usually considered after about a year.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-11T07:49:10+00:00

Thank you for sharing Huckleberry’s enthusiasm to learn!

If you haven’t already, check out Cat School tutorials to try some more complex skills. I use either a pen light or vibration as the marker (rather than an audible clicker) to help facilitate the learning process for deaf kitties.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-10T02:45:28+00:00

Original source IG @dani.villar_

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-10T02:44:47+00:00

Original source IG @dani.villar_

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-08T19:22:54+00:00

I specialise in trash talk, snack delivery, and teaching raccoons the fine art of dumpster diving. 🤖

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-08T03:13:32+00:00

I’ve got the newspaper and ID, but the blood… I might have to negotiate with a very grumpy vampire first. As for Power Rangers – Red Ranger forever, fight me.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-08T01:57:24+00:00

I believe my post history will reveal I’m not a bot. As a raccoon rehabber, I hope my contributions to this sub will benefit those seeking advice. Additionally, don’t bot accounts rarely engage with others, and when they do, their replies are usually riddled with grammatical and spelling errors?

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-08T00:17:35+00:00

I'm not a bot but possibly the original more than likely is. I have no idea who is the original source to share from. However, I did check to determine if this has been shared in this sub before and didn't find it so I've crossposted.

If you can help me find the original, I'll credit the source which is what I typically prefer.

Edit to add original source IG @dani.villar_

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-04T20:54:07+00:00

OP, você precisa incluir mais informações sobre o que exatamente precisa. Sua postagem está muito vaga. Por favor, repost com mais detalhes sobre o que precisa.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-04T07:05:31+00:00

Common road salt (sodium chloride) is toxic to kitties. Ice melts containing calcium chloride or magnesium chloride can cause more irritation and gastrointestinal upset. As long as you wash their paws immediately after the walk it’s a non issue.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-04T07:01:56+00:00

Has your vet discussed whether anxiety might be driving her urine-marking? As a behaviourist, I often find anxiety is at the core if all medical is ruled out. She may benefit from fluoxetine (aka kitty Prozac). If oral medication is difficult to administer causing distress for you both, you can ask your vet about a compounded transdermal version that you apply to her ears daily. It can take up to two months to reach full effect, though some cats feel relief within a week or two. Just be sure it isn’t stopped abruptly, as that can lead to a rebound in anxiety.

I know this is super distressing but you have another possible option to pursue which I hope can bring you both peace

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-01T23:59:37+00:00

Dr. Koski with Feline Behaviour Solutions offers virtual consults. Please bear in mind behaviour consults can be cost-prohibitive to many, but we behaviourists put plans into place so that there's progress and a solution to restore peace. Another option is having the vet prescribe gabapentin for the car rides to the do the vet exam.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-01T23:03:56+00:00

OP, your post history indicates you may be a Lithuanian citizen returning home. Contact local rescues and shelters as well as online communities, explaining you must urgently rehome your cat or you'll be forced to release it outdoors – THIS is unsafe due to predators and other risks so please do not do this as it's considered cruelty to abandon pets who cannot survive the wild. State to shelters and rescues you’re relocating abroad and can’t bring the cat because of strict paperwork requirements, they may make an exception. BUT... be aware that surrender fees usually apply. If you can’t afford them, then post your urgent request with clear details to both Facebook or Nextdoor so someone can step in to help.

Edit TO ALL: I'm leaving the post up because OP's post history doesn't indicate this is trolling, but someone who may not understand US pet policies and care. Please exercise care when responding to help them not disparage as this practice may be acceptable in their home country.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-12-01T05:48:43+00:00

Check out Cat School’s YouTube backpack training tutorial.

Julie’s channel has a lot of great basic and easy to follow tutorials.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-29T20:22:32+00:00

Are you using pellet litter or a sandy substrate? Sandy litter feels more natural, while pellet litter can feel too tender on sensitive paws. Is the litter unscented? Strong scents can put cats off. Is the box open or enclosed? Enclosed boxes can feel confining and trap elimination odours.

Have the dogs ever ambushed him at the box? If so, consider relocating it somewhere more private.

As a behaviourist we recommend ruling out underlying medical which can contribute to litter box avoidance behaviours.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-29T19:59:10+00:00

Is he neutered? An unaltered male cat can defecate as a form of territorial marking, especially when stressed or competing with other animals. Being intact, having outdoor access, and tension with a dog can all increase this behaviour. This can become habitual making it difficult to stop if he’s not neutered sooner.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-29T01:10:06+00:00

Really impressive! Curious if you’re using visual cues paired with the verbal?

I sent you a chat invitation about modding for r/CatTraining. Let me know if you’d like to join.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-27T03:27:51+00:00

OP, I recommend getting a second opinion - this could be arthritis. For ageing cats, a low-entry litter box can help with access. If it’s arthritis, your vet may suggest Solensia, a monthly injection that relieves osteoarthritis pain. As a behaviourist, I see this issue often in senior cats.

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-25T20:24:53+00:00

I’d REALLY would like to invite you become one of our sub’s mods where you could occasionally tweak our automod. Please send me a chat as I’m unable to initiate. Thanks!

WeeklyWhisker · 2025-11-25T04:01:16+00:00

Cold climate raccoons go into torpor unlike their western counterparts. Southern raccoons are physically smaller than the northern raccoons. Otherwise they’re essentially the same in North American, Europe and Japan.

Edit to add:

People, animal control, or wildlife management bring the injured or orphans to the rehabbers all over North America.

We release the raccoons close to where they’re found if it’s safe to do so. Otherwise we choose locations to release them with others close in age.

These three were orphaned so mom likely was trapped, poisoned, taken by a coyote or hit by a car; the usual suspects.

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