Understand Your Cat.
Solve the Problem.
Feel Better Together.
Expert cat behavior consultations to help you and your cat overcome challenges and build a happier life together.
Personalized Guidance
Understand the Why
A Happier Home
Expert Cat Behavior Help
Because every cat has a story, and understanding changes everything.
Common Behavior Challenges
Each of your cat’s actions, habits, and movements tells a story. Whether your cat is avoiding the litter box, struggling with another cat, or keeping you up at night, my job as a cat behaviorist is to help you understand what is happening.Together, we’ll create a practical plan for achieving a harmonious home for both you and your cats.
Cat Litter Box Problems
Why is your cat avoiding the litter box?
Litter box problems can have several causes, including medical issues, stress, conflict between cats, and the litter box environment. Understanding the reason behind the behavior is the first step toward finding a solution.
As a cat behaviorist, I help cat guardians identify the underlying causes and develop practical solutions tailored to their cats and households.
Off-Limits Places
Does Your Cat Love Countertops?
Does your cat insist on exploring counters, tables, the top of the refrigerator, high cabinets, or even curtain rods? Perhaps you need to keep certain furniture or rooms off limits, or your cat tries to dash outside whenever the front door opens.
Together, we’ll look at what draws your cat to those places and create a practical plan that respects your household boundaries while giving your cat appropriate alternatives for climbing, resting, and exploring.
Cat-on-Cat Aggression
Have Your Cats Started Fighting?
Your once-loving cats suddenly seem to be at odds, leaving you wondering what happened. Or perhaps they have never quite gotten along, and you find yourself constantly watching for the next confrontation. Whether you are seeing chasing, cornering, or outright fights, understanding what is driving the conflict is the first step.
Together, we’ll look at their history, interactions, and home environment to create a practical plan for reducing tension and helping each cat feel secure. The goal is peaceful coexistence, so your cats—and you—can relax at home.
Introducing Cats
Introducing Cats the Right Way
Are you welcoming a new cat or combining households with someone who has cats of their own? You may have heard that you should simply put them together and let them “work it out,” but successful introductions take preparation, patience, and a plan.
My SOS Method for Cat Introductions provides a structured approach tailored to your cats and your household, helping you recognize progress and feel more confident along the way. The goal is not simply to get the cats into the same room—it is to help them feel comfortable being there together.
Nighttime Activity & Vocalization
Why Does My Cat Keep Me Awake?
It is 3 a.m., you need to get up in three hours, and your cat seems determined to keep you awake. Howling, meowing, pacing, or racing across your bed can leave you exhausted and wondering what your cat needs.
Together, we’ll explore what is behind the nighttime activity and vocalization, then create a practical plan tailored to your cat’s needs and your routine—so you can get some much-needed sleep and your cat can feel more settled.
Sudden Behavior Changes
Why Is My Cat’s Behavior Changing?
Your once-calm cat is hiding, eating less, or jumping at every noise. Perhaps your cat has stopped grooming or is grooming excessively, leaving you wondering what has changed. These behaviors deserve attention, as medical concerns, stress, and anxiety can look similar.
Alongside your veterinarian’s evaluation, we’ll explore your cat’s routines, relationships, and home environment to identify potential sources of stress. Together, we’ll create a practical plan to help your cat feel more secure and comfortable at home.
And More
These are just some of the challenges I can help you and your cat work through. I also offer guidance with:
- Spraying/Marking
- Separation Anxiety
- Feline Non-Recognition Aggression
- Aggression Toward Owners/Visitors
- Shy & Fearful Cats
- Overgrooming
- Pica or Chewing Non-Food Items
- Furniture Scratching
- Rough Play
- Biting
- Door Dashing/Escape Attempts
- Cat–Dog Introductions & Conflict
- Moving With Cats
- Preparing Your Cat for a New Baby
- Traveling With Cats
- Difficulty With Handling, Brushing, or Nail Trims
- Introducing Kittens to Adult Cats
Hi, I’m Rita.
Cat behaviorist, educator, and lifelong cat advocate.
I help cat guardians understand their cats, solve behavior problems, and create calmer, happier homes. My approach is kind, practical, and rooted in feline behavior science, because every cat deserves to be understood.
I am an Animal Behavior College Certified Cat Trainer (ABCCT), Fear Free® certified, and Surrender Prevention certified. I also bring more than 20 years of firsthand experience living in a multi-cat household, where I have learned how individual personalities, relationships, and changing household dynamics influence feline behavior.
Specialized Training
in Cat Behavior
30+ Years of
Hands-On Experience
Compassionate,
Science-Based Approach
Featured in Media,
Podcasts & Interviews
How Can a Cat Behaviorist Help?
As a certified cat behaviorist, I help cat guardians understand why their cats behave the way they do. Whether you’re dealing with litter box problems, aggression, anxiety, or tension between cats, understanding the cause is the first step toward finding a solution that works for your household.
When should I contact a cat behaviorist?
If your cat is spraying, avoiding the litter box, acting aggressively, hiding excessively, or struggling to get along with another cat, it’s time to look for answers. You don’t have to wait until the problem becomes overwhelming. A veterinary examination is also important to rule out medical causes of behavior changes.
Can a cat behaviorist help with litter box problems?
Absolutely. Litter box avoidance and urine marking are among the most common concerns I help cat guardians address. After medical problems have been considered, we look at the litter box setup, household relationships, environmental stressors, and your cat’s individual habits to develop a practical plan.
What if my cats aren’t getting along?
Tension between cats can show up as chasing, staring, blocking access to resources, hissing, or outright fighting. I help identify the dynamics behind those behaviors and guide you through changes that can reduce conflict, improve confidence, and help your cats feel more comfortable sharing their home.
Do virtual cat behavior consultations really work?
Yes! Virtual consultations allow me to learn about your cat’s daily environment, ask detailed questions, and help you make changes right where the behavior is happening. Because every cat and household is different, I tailor my recommendations to your particular situation rather than offering generic advice.
What Cat Guardians Are Saying
Real cats. Real results. Happier homes.
A Few Questions Before We Begin?
Every cat and household is different. Here are answers to some common questions about working together.
What if I feel embarrassed about what is happening in my home?
Please do not. Cat behavior problems are common, and I am here to help, not judge. You do not need a perfect home or a perfect explanation before we meet. Just tell me what has been happening, and we will work through it together.
Can you really help me over a video call?
Yes. Virtual consultations let your cat stay in familiar surroundings without a visitor changing the situation. Through our Zoom conversation, photos, and videos, I can learn about your cats, their behavior, and your home setup, then guide you through practical changes.
How do I know which consultation plan is right for me?
A single consultation gives us time to discuss your concerns and develop a personalized plan. The two-consultation option also includes a follow-up meeting to review progress, fine-tune recommendations, and address new questions. Email support helps you put your plan into practice.
My cat has had this issue for years. Is it too late?
A long-standing concern does not mean you have run out of options. We will explore what may be contributing to the behavior and create realistic changes for your household. Patience and consistency matter, and progress can look different for every cat.
What happens after our consultation?
You will receive a personalized written behavior plan, helpful resources tailored to your cats, and access to your consultation recording in your private Dropbox folder. You can email me with reasonable follow-up questions as you begin putting the recommendations into practice.
Do you work with veterinarians?
Yes. Because medical and behavioral concerns can overlap, I may recommend veterinary follow-up when appropriate and provide notes you can share with your veterinarian.
