Frequently Asked Questions

At Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling, we believe in the importance of clearly understanding the different roles within the animal behavior field—and respecting the unique expertise each professional brings to the table.
 

Trainers are skilled professionals who work on teaching animals specific behaviors and skills. This can include foundational work like harness training or more advanced enrichment activities such as agility or scent work. Their focus is on teaching desired behaviors, building engagement, and supporting ongoing learning through positive reinforcement.
 

Behavior consultants, like those at Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling, go a step further by specializing in behavior modification. Through continued education and hands-on experience, behavior consultants use techniques such as clicker training, desensitization, counterconditioning, and environmental modification to address behavioral concerns. We look beyond the behavior itself to consider contributing factors like an animal’s history, environment, genetics, and lifestyle. Our goal is to help families make meaningful, lasting changes using evidence-based, force-free methods.
 

That said, it is critical that trainers and behavior consultants operate within their scope of practice. We do not diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions, nor do we offer advice on medications or supplements. These services fall under the domain of veterinary behaviorists—licensed veterinarians who have completed advanced, specialized training in animal behavior. Veterinary behaviorists are uniquely qualified to assess behavior through a medical lens and can integrate behavior modification plans with medical diagnostics and treatment when necessary.

In many cases, trainers and behavior consultants work in close collaboration with veterinarians or veterinary behaviorists to provide the most comprehensive care. If your veterinarian has recommended working with a veterinary behaviorist, and you're considering behavior consulting services with us, we encourage you to speak with your vet first to ensure it aligns with your pet’s care needs.
 

At Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling, we are committed to ethical practice, collaborative care, and referring out when a case exceeds our scope. Our priority is always the well-being of the cat and family, and we are proud to be part of a compassionate, knowledgeable network of pet professionals.

• Inter-cat conflicts / bullying*

• New cat introductions

• House soiling / elimination behaviors 

• Furniture scratching

• Boredom or Restlessness 

• Aggression*

• Dog / cat relationships 
  (Just the cat side of things of course!)

• Counter surfing / trash diving

• Waking behaviors

• Fear / anxiety /stress related behaviors

• Support for newly adopted cats

• Desensitizing to brushing, nail trims and other routine care

• Carrier training 

• Relationship building

• Establishing calmer meal times

• Trick training & more!​
  
  ** Severe or complex cases of aggression may be referred out to a qualified veterinary behaviorist so that you and your cat(s) have the best support moving forward. 

Nope! We understand that most cat's would prefer to not travel from the comfort of their home, so we made the decision to be a 100% mobile company. All consultations are done in person or virtually so when it is our scheduled appointment time, all you need to do is be there!

Yes! We offer discounts on your first service for clients with referrals from:

-Veterinarians
-Rescues / Shelters
-Animal Care Providers

     (In Our Network)

-Existing Clients

Be sure to note this on your questionnaire to receive your discount.
 

In both in home and virtual behavior consultations, we take a thorough background questionnaire and then ask supportive questions to get a good understanding of the behaviors you are seeing and your cat's history. ​We will also take a look at the environment to make note of any recommendations we can provide that may further help you on your journey. With our combined education and experience, we are often able to draw a conclusion of what is occurring with your cat(s) based on the information we gather. 

We welcome families to capture videos of the behaviors they are looking to work on for us to assess at our consultation. We only would recommend doing this if safe to do so (do not put dueling cats together for the sake of assessments).

This combination of approaches allow us to have the best possible assessment of your cats behavior. 

While certain behaviors may appear undesirable from a human perspective, it’s important to recognize that many of these actions are normal ways cats communicate, cope, or respond to their environment and experiences.
 

Cats may exhibit challenging behaviors for a variety of reasons, including genetics, age, health status, physical discomfort, environmental stressors, inconsistent routines, past trauma, or unresolved conflict with other pets or people in the home.
 

Please note: if your cat’s behavior is influenced by a medical issue, it is essential that they receive care from a licensed veterinarian. Our behavior consultations do not replace routine veterinary care, and we cannot treat behaviors that are rooted in medical conditions. We always recommend ruling out underlying health concerns with your vet before beginning a behavior modification plan.

Any change in your cat’s behavior should be treated with the same level of seriousness as a physical symptom. Before pursuing behavior support, your first step must be a visit to your veterinarian to discuss your concerns and rule out any underlying medical conditions.
 

Behavior issues such as aggression, house soiling, or sudden withdrawal can often be linked to undiagnosed health problems—including pain, illness, or systemic changes that may not be visible externally. Even if your cat has had a physical exam within the last year, it does not guarantee that new or subtle medical issues aren’t present. Diagnostic testing is often needed to uncover what a standard wellness exam might miss.
 

We require that all cats be seen by a veterinarian prior to scheduling a behavior consultation. This is not only for your cat’s safety and well-being, but to ensure that behavior work is appropriate and effective. If, during your consultation, we observe signs that warrant veterinary attention, we will immediately advise you to follow up with your veterinarian. We are also happy to collaborate with your veterinary team to support a comprehensive approach to your cat’s care.

 We start with a 90 minute comprehensive behavior consultation with your behavior consultant, Amanda Caron.

During the consultation process we will start with taking a thorough history of your cat(s) and picking apart the behavior concerns at hand. Then we will follow our discussion with a tour of your home and review of any supporting photos/videos of the behaviors you may have.

Through the information we have gained, we will complete our assessment of your cat's behavior and explain our conclusions with you.

Finally, we will show you the best methods to begin to work with the behavior, being sure to provide you with an understanding of how these methods work to get you to your goals. 

At Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling, we believe the most effective behavior modification happens with your cat—not to your cat. Our goal is to help you build a relationship based on trust, communication, and mutual understanding—so you're working with your cat, not against them.

Our methods are rooted in science and focused on your cat’s emotional and physical well-being. We use only force-free, fear-free approaches that respect your cat’s natural behaviors and needs. These include:
 

• Clicker training to create clarity and confidence in learning new skills and ways to naviagte challenges
   

• Environmental modification and management to reduce stress and set your cat up for success
   

• Strategic desensitization and counterconditioning to help your cat respond differently to challenges over time
   

• Positive reinforcement to encourage and maintain desired behaviors in a rewarding, relationship-building way
   

• Addressing and assessing your cats needs and building a predictable and consistent routine.
   

Each behavior plan is tailored to fit both the cat and their family—using gentle, cat-friendly techniques that support progress without compromising welfare. This approach not only fosters better behavior, but strengthens the bond between you and your cat along the way.

In short, a love for cats and and interest in animal behavior and psychology led us to this amazing career choice. In addition to our passion, we have extensive education in feline behavior and behavior modification and hold multiple certificates in various aspects of cat behavior. Check out our About page to learn more!

We understand the decision to book a consultation may come with many questions, so we welcome you to schedule a FREE introductory call with us so that we cover your questions about the process. We fully believe in feeling comfortable with your consultant and ensuring it is the right fit before you commit.NO hassles, NO obligations to book.

Feel free to check out what our clients are saying HERE! 

We recognize that we may not be the best fit for EVERY case, ensuring you and your cat are in the best hands is what means most to us so we are happy to refer families to reputable resources when/if possible.

In home appointments can pay by cash, check or Debit / Credit Card. All virtual appointments must pay by Credit / Debit Card.

Sorry we do not accept Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Care Credit. 
​

Payment is due in full on OR before the day of your first appointment. 

Yes, your involvement is the single most important factor in your cat’s progress.

While we provide you with guidance and a clear behavior plan, you are the one who brings it to life each day. Your consistency, patience, and willingness to follow through are what make real, lasting change possible.

​

After our session, it will be up to you to actively implement the strategies we discuss. This may include adjustments to your cat’s routine, thoughtful environmental changes, structured interactions, and dedicated training time. Don’t worry—we’ll guide you every step of the way and ensure the process feels manageable and realistic for your lifestyle.
 

The more effort you invest, the more progress you and your cat are likely to see. Behavior change doesn’t happen overnight, but with commitment and compassion, the results can be transformative—for both you and your feline companion.

Remember: your cat is learning from you. When you lead with patience and consistency, your cat has the best chance to thrive.

While we are committed to offering compassionate support it’s important to understand that behavior is complex and each cat is an individual.
Many families see meaningful progress through our work together, but we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. Because of this, we do not offer refunds.
 

Some behaviors may require collaboration with your veterinarian—particularly if medical factors are suspected. In cases where progress is limited or the behavior is beyond our scope, we may recommend referral to a board-certified Veterinary Behaviorist for further evaluation and support.
 

Our promise is to approach every case with care, professionalism, and honesty—always prioritizing the well-being of both you and your cat.

While we provide the tools, guidance, and support, lasting change depends on your follow-through. Each case is unique, but one thing remains true: the more time, consistency, and effort put into your cat’s behavior plan, the more meaningful your results are likely to be.
 

Many clients begin seeing progress shortly after implementing their plan—some even after a single session. However, more complex behaviors often require time and multiple sessions to see sustainable change. On average, we find that most clients benefit from at least three visits to build momentum, troubleshoot challenges, and stay on track.
 

By committing to the process and working closely with your cat, you’ll not only see improvement—you’ll strengthen your bond and deepen your understanding along the way.