Feline behaviour consultant
About Arianna
My approach to feline behaviour is rooted in partnership.
I grew up around a wide range of animals: horses, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals. Each species demanded something different from me.
Horses taught me that control is an illusion; partnership is earned through timing, clarity, and respect.
Dogs reinforced the power of positive reinforcement and consistency.
Small animals required careful handling, attentiveness, and environmental sensitivity.
Across all of them, one principle remained constant: behaviour is information.
That foundation shapes how I work with cats.
Why I Started
I didn't enter feline behaviour science through a textbook alone, I got into this field because I was once the exhausted pet parent sitting on the floor, dealing with severe house-soiling, vocalization, and tension in my own home. I built this practice to give caregivers the empathetic, science-backed clarity I wish I had back then.
My Philosophy
We choose to bring animals into our homes.
The responsibility is not to mold them into convenience, but to shape our environments in ways that support their needs while maintaining safety and harmony.
I do not approach behaviour as something to suppress.
Cats do not act out of spite or rudeness. When a behaviour becomes frustrating, it is serving a purpose; meeting a need, responding to stress, or navigating an environmental mismatch.
Rather than asking, “How do we stop this?”
I ask, “What is this behaviour accomplishing?”
From there, we adjust.
Sometimes that means restructuring the environment.
Sometimes it means shifting routine.
Sometimes it means adjusting our own expectations.
Counter jumping, for example, is rarely disobedience - it is curiosity, access, or opportunity. Meowing at a closed door is communication. When safe and appropriate, the solution may not be silencing the cat, but reconsidering the barrier.
Behaviour work is often as much about adapting the household as it is about guiding the cat.
On Boundaries
Cats are members of the household.
When safe and reasonable, I encourage setups that allow for agency and appropriate access rather than restriction for convenience alone. Boundaries absolutely matter - especially where safety, health, or structural constraints are involved.
But my work is not centred on control.
It is centred on creating conditions in which the behaviours we want become natural, and the behaviours we struggle with become unnecessary.
This requires participation from both the cat and the human.
Training & Credentials
In addition to my behavioural education, I work full-time in veterinary operations as a Client Care Representative. Working on the front lines of veterinary clinical care, I see common feline behaviour issues daily. I witness firsthand how severe stress, fear, and environmental triggers can directly manifest as physical illness or medically harm cats over time. Because of this daily immersion, I am uniquely positioned to help bridge the gap between your home and your veterinary team.
I am currently completing my Diploma in Feline Behaviour Science and Technology (Dip.FBST Candidate, Expected 2027) through CASI. I am a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), a Cat-Friendly Veterinary Advocate (CFVA), and an active supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
My work is evidence-informed and strictly within scope of practice. I do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatments. When behaviour may have a medical component, veterinary clearance specific to the issue is required before intervention. Responsible practice means knowing when to collaborate, when to refer, and when to slow down.
Working Together
My consultations are structured and practical.
You can expect:
- Clear explanations without blame
- Environmental and routine-based recommendations
- Realistic timelines
- Defined next steps
I will not promise instant results, and I will not frame your cat as the problem.
Behaviour is communication.
When we understand it, we can build homes that feel calmer for everyone.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're feeling confused, overwhelmed, or unsure whether behaviour support is the right fit, you're welcome to reach out and describe what's going on.