Frequently Asked Questions

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Clients usually contact me for four primary reasons: inter-cat tension or conflict, house soiling issues, help with enrichment or training, and fear or anxiety in their cats. In the appointment, I begin by helping clients assess their homes for potential stressors, as these often contribute to unwanted behaviours and modifying the environment can resolve many issues. We then discuss management and prevention strategies to mitigate these behaviours, and incorporate enrichment and training into the cat's daily routine to teach them desired, alternative behaviours that will enhance their well-being and promote stronger bonds between cat and caregiver.

You can ask, but I will tell you to contact your veterinarian for all non-behaviour questions. If a behaviour concern stems from a medical diagnosis, or if your veterinarian has diagnosed your cat with a behaviour disorder, I would love to work with you and your veterinarian to create and carry out a treatment plan. You can reach out to me directly through my For Cat Guardians page, or you can request a veterinary referral. Your veterinarian can send the referral through my For Veterinarians page.

No, but I can understand the confusion! There are a million certifications and titles out there, and it's challenging to know what they all mean. The title of "behaviourist" is only for Veterinary Behaviourists (DACVB) and Certified Applied Animal Behaviourists (CAAB). 

For the same reason, I do not call myself a "behaviour specialist". As a Registered Vet Tech (RVT), I must complete a rigorous skills assessment and board examination before I can earn the title of Specialist. I plan to write my board exams in 2028 to become a Vet Tech Specialist in Behaviour (VTS-B), but until then, I'm simply a cat behaviour expert or consultant (which are not protected titles). 

Radiant Cats is specifically focused on cats because they are often misunderstood and forgotten, and I know I can influence positive changes for both cats and their guardians. I also just love our feline friends, and it's incredibly rewarding to help people strengthen their bonds to their cats. 

Currently, I offer behaviour consultations and training assessments for dogs through the Edmonton Holistic Vet Clinic on Mondays. If you would like to hire me to help with your dog, please reach out to the clinic at 780-436-4944.

There are MANY dog trainers out there, but it's an unregulated industry so it can be hard to know who to hire. I caution dog parents that many trainers range from ineffective to downright harmful,  so choosing a training professional can be a challenging but critical decision. Here is an article with info on how to choose a dog trainer: companionanimalpsychology.com. 

I focused my consulting towards cats because I feel like they are often misunderstood and forgotten. I have experience handling, caring for, or providing veterinary care for a variety of animals like horses, birds, reptiles, rabbits and other small mammals. I would never say no to learning how to help any animal. If you have other pets that you want to ask me about, feel free to send me an email with the species and your question, and if I'm confident I can help you we can discuss setting up a consultation. If I'm not confident, I will direct you to someone who is more familiar with your species or specific concerns.