A Cat's Purrspective, LLC

09/03/2026

08/21/2026

Good advice about non-recognition aggression from my colleague Allison!

What can we actually do to reduce the risk of non-recognition aggression after an outing? In my continuing series this month on non-recognition aggression, I’ll focus on prevention--what I’ve learned from research, an informal survey, and my own experience

Two approaches that appeared helpful in my small informal survey of other cat owners were taking cats to the vet together and separating them for a few days after a vet visit. Separation gives the cat who left time to groom and reestablish familiar household scents.

Since conducting my survey, I’ve also read about another potentially useful idea: before the veterinary visit, wipe the cat with a towel and set the towel aside. When the cat comes home, use the towel to help reintroduce familiar scents.

If unfamiliar scent is the main issue, separation or scent transfer may help. If stress or the experience of the outing itself also plays a role, taking the cats together may help some households.

Unfortunately, these strategies weren’t enough for some of the cat owners I surveyed. Over time, they became less successful with my own cats as well.

I remember one incident when Rainy and Bootsie had been separated for a week and then had lived together peacefully again for another week. By that point, Bootsie should have had plenty of time to groom herself and reestablish her normal household scent. Yet one day, when they passed very close to each other in the hallway, Rainy suddenly chased and pinned her. Before these incidents began, the two had been wrestling buddies, so aggression was not their normal relationship.

That experience made me question whether unfamiliar scent can really explain every case of non-recognition aggression. In conversations with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, who has written about non-recognition aggression, he also suggested that there may be more involved than scent alone.

We still don’t understand everything involved in non-recognition aggression, but scent is one factor we can try to manage. For cats with a history of these episodes, I’d be cautious after veterinary visits, grooming appointments, or other outings.

08/12/2026

Can you lower stress for cats in shelters by changing your lighting? One study suggests just that.

In research looking at the effects of light on stress levels in shelter cats, 101 cats were studied for hiding behavior and cortisol levels in various lighting conditions. Cats in dim blue-depleted light had lower cortisol levels and hid less than cats in other studied lighting conditions.

Takeaway: "This work demonstrates for the first time that room light manipulation, in conjunction with the length of a shelter stay, may help shelters enact easy and inexpensive changes that make the adjustment period shorter and less stressful for incoming cats."

Read the complete study here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12182317/

08/11/2026

What can you tell about the relationship between these two cats from this picture?

(Image: Filo, a brown and tan Siamese cat, is on a perch hanging on a door looking at me; while Julian, a black and white tuxedo cat, is crouched on the floor behind looking up at Filo.)

07/17/2026

Cat safety during poor air quality!

When there is an alert for poor air quality, such as from wildfire smoke, the pollution concentrations and particulate matter in the air can reach hazardous levels that are unhealthy for the general population, including our pets.

How might poor air quality or wildfire smoke impact my cat’s health?

The risks of poor air quality to pets are similar to those that pertain to people, and they mainly impact the heart and lungs. While people can wear masks that can minimize inhalation of small particulate matter, unfortunately, our pets cannot, which may put them at a greater risk.

What symptoms should I look for?

The most common signs of the irritation that smoke can cause to the throat, nose, and eyes are redness and watery discharge from the eyes, coughing, gagging, nasal discharge, a fast respiratory rate even when they are at rest, increased respiratory effort, difficulty breathing, weakness, and disorientation. Contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet's exposure risk or if you observe any of these symptoms.

How should I minimize my cat’s exposure to poor air quality?

When the air quality is poor, the best way to protect your pet is to limit their exposure by staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed. Consider using air purifiers or filters indoors, and pay careful attention to updates and evacuation warnings provided by local health and safety officials.

07/17/2026

PSA!

With wildfire smoke creating poor air quality across the U.S, the AVMA is reminding the public that wildfire smoke can pose serious health risks not only to people, but to pets and livestock as well.

Smoke from wildfires contains fine particles that can cause respiratory issues in animals, especially those with pre-existing heart or lung disease. Pet owners should keep a close eye on their animals during poor air quality events and contact their veterinarian if any of the following signs appear. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wqddp3

06/22/2026

🙀 Disciplining cats with yelling, sq**rt bottles, or physical punishment can:

🚩 Increase fear and stress
🚩 Lead to more unwanted behaviors
🚩 Damage your bond with your cat
🚩 Make it harder for your cat to learn new habits

Instead of punishment, change your behavior and use positive reinforcement.

⬇️ Download the Addressing Unwanted Behavior Handout.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4q5T44h

06/11/2026

The 4th of July will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start preparing and to reach out to your veterinarian if your cat needs medications. See the infographic below for more details on how to prepare.

05/10/2026

🐾 Cats' claws aren’t just for scratching, they’re essential multitools to help them climb, hunt, play, and defend themselves. Thanks to their ability to retract, claws stay tucked away in a furry sheath when relaxed, ready for action.

Scratching on surfaces helps cats to care for their claws, keeping them sharp and helping them not to grow too long. It’s also used for communication. When cats scratch, they leave a visible mark and a scent signal from special glands between their toes, helping them establish territorial boundaries.

See how you can support your cat’s scratching needs 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/scratching-on-furniture-and-carpets

04/10/2026

Cats are predators and have an instinctive need to act out their natural cycle of hunt → eat → groom/bathe → sleep. Without opportunities to fulfill this instinct, cats are more likely to act in a predatory-fashion toward people and other pets. If your cat is stalking another cat, attacking your feet while you're in bed sleeping, or nipping at your ankles before darting again, your cat likely needs more play opportunities!

For more information, click here:

I have experience with: litter box issues, shy/fearful cats, former feral/outdoor cats, aggression issues between cats, behavior challenges caused by medical conditions (such as: feline diabetes, hyperthyroid, stomatitis, IBD, and arthritis), and more! As a disabled and chronically ill person, worki...