Cat behaviorists are individuals who specialize in working in close environments with not only the cats, but their owners, and dealing with managing the behavior of the cat. A cat behaviorist can be certified or certificated after years of academic study and practical case experience. However, it is also possible for a behaviorist to work locally without completing extensive training.

Education

In the USA, an ‘Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist’ holds a degree from a college or university. Animal behavior study is essential, with focus on biological or

behavioral science Behavioral sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioral interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through naturalistic o ...

. The degree includes a thesis conducted with intense research. The coursework requires several credits in

ethology Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour, usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait. Behaviourism as a term also describes the scientific and objecti ...

animal behavior Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour, usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait. Behaviourism as a term also describes the scientific and objectiv ...

, comparative psychology, animal learning, conditioning and

animal psychology Comparative psychology refers to the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals, especially as these relate to the phylogenetic history, adaptive significance, and development of behavior. Research in this area addr ...

( experimental psychology). Associate behaviorist requirements also need experience along with the education. The Animal Behavior Society requires two or more years of experience with applied animal behavior and interaction with particular species. At least three letters of recommendation are necessary to prove experience and education. Whereas a ‘Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist’ holds a doctoral degree with focus on animal behavior, and possesses five years of experience, or holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine that requires two years of residency in animal behavior and three years of experience in applied animal behavior. The coursework and endorsements are identical to the Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. However, a Certified Animal Behaviorist will have to obtain the skills necessary for working closely with a species as a researcher, be an intern or research assistant, and show original creations or interpretations of animal behavior.

Duties

It is a common goal for the cat behaviorist to sort out problem behaviors and to create a strong communication between owner and pet. A cat behaviorist will work with both the cat and owner to achieve understanding between the relationships. They also concentrate on the unique changes in behavior in the pet and normal behavior so they can identify any irregular activities. They can even work along with veterinarians to distinguish the right medications for the animal. As part of their duties, it is common for a behaviorist to work in a close environment with the cat, inspecting every detail necessary. A cat behaviorist must use their training of animal behavior to study responses and issues to lessen anxiety or fears rooted in the environment or elsewhere. They may question the owner's habits, house structure and living spaces of the pet to pinpoint certain concerns. It may be possible that in order to stop any unwanted behaviors, the owner of the pet will have to change their behavior first. Understanding each other is one of many steps to peace in a warring household, and a cat behaviorist exists to provide just that: a link of communication between cat and owner. They aid in preventing or stopping psychological, health, and physical problems in the cat, such as scratching, biting, fighting, obesity, urine marking and more. A behaviorist will also inform or educate the owners about development stages in the cat in order to create an understanding. Once the owner understands the physical and social needs of a cat, behavior issues and other problems will decline. A cat behaviorist will encourage socialization between the guardian and the cat to aid the process and gain a beneficial relationship. Social learning is extremely important for a cat and a cat behaviorist recognizes this and will incorporate these factors into the daily life. They promote healthy learning and stimulation with play and interaction. A cat behaviorist will also describe what is normal behavior and what is not, so that the owner can continue making that distinction and continue to help the cat.

Certification

An applied animal behaviorist or clinical animal behaviourist can specialize not just with cats, but with dogs, horses, and even parrots. Often a certified behaviorist will have undergone graduate training in courses such as

zoology Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and ...

biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary i ...

and

in certain universities. In the USA, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) are behaviorists with a doctoral degree and Associate Certified Applied Behaviorists (ACAABs) are those who studied with a master's degree. There are various different organizations and associations that provide certification. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) has a list of requirements before an individual can become board-certified, including an internship, examinations, creating a scientific journal and more. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council, located in the United Kingdom, aims to regulate courses and organisations in which to become accredited as feline behaviourists.

Employment

Once qualified, a cat behaviorist can find a place of work in different fields. The need for animal specialty care and service is expected to increase, so jobs are in high demand. Specifically, many cat behaviorists have started their own line of work as independent cat trainers and behavior modifiers, including Jackson Galaxy and Sophia Yin. Jackson Galaxy has partnered up with

Animal Planet Animal Planet (stylized in all lowercase since 2018) is an American multinational pay television channel owned by the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks unit of Warner Bros. Discovery. First established on June 1, 1996, the network is primarily ...

and provides a show called '' My Cat from Hell'', which identifies behavioral issues in cats. Sophia Yin created her own website to help individuals with problem cats. Mieshelle Nagelschneider is another example, author of the book, ''The Cat Whisperer'' (Random House Publishing). Other cat behaviorists have developed interest in veterinary jobs, animal control,

animal shelter An animal shelter or pound is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals – mostly dogs and cats – are housed. The word "pound" has its origins in the animal pounds of agricultural communities, where stray livestock would ...

s, kennels, and other animal-related work. In the UK, feline behaviourists are also known as clinical animal behaviourists, and work in a variety of sectors.

Salary

Since the employment opportunities for cat behaviorists differ, there is no set working salary. Those working for non-profit companies or researchers, such as zoos, typically earn less than those working for private companies. It also depends on the role of the job and where the behaviorist works. According to Michael Hutchins from the American Zoological Association, "Most animal behaviorists earn from $35,000 to $90,000 and more".

References

{{reflist