Low stress ways to hold your cat, training them for those sticky situations while catexploring and more with Tabitha Kucera from Chirrups and Chatter

Wondered how to hold your cat in a way that doesn’t freak them out? Or why our cats appear stressed when we scruff them? Or what behaviours you should train your cat (and how) for catexploring?

Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician. She is the owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behaviour Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Tabitha shares all about fear free handling methods that you can use. Why we shouldn’t scruff our cats – and how we should restrain them. We also dive into how to train your cat to come when catexploring and even how to get them out of a sticky situation while you are out and about together.

What we talk about

  • What does Fear Free mean?

  • How to create a fear free happy home

  • Why you shouldn’t pet your cat while playing with them

  • How to help harness your cat’s predatory instincts

  • Fear friendly, low stress handling of our cats

  • Why we shouldn’t scruff our cats

  • Different ways to hold our cats that is low stress for our cats

  • How to restrain your cat (without scruffing them) if they get into ‘trouble’ while catexploring

  • Recall training for catexploring

  • What to do if your cat gets into a space that they shouldn’t while you are catexploring

  • How to get your cranky or upset cat to safety (while catexploring) without restraining them

  • How to clicker and target stick train while catexploring

  • What to do if you see an off leash dog while catexploring

  • Low stress ways to give your cat medicine

  • Medication training your cat

  • Low stress ways to brush your cat’s teeth

  • Using these techniques to help fear in older cats

  • Why we shouldn’t throw our cats into situations they fear

  • Advice for new catexplorers

  • Most entertaining comment about cat behaviour

  • Who inspires Tabitha in the cat space

  • Gamechanger for cat behaviour management

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Guest – Tabitha Kucera

Website - https://www.chirrupsandchatter.com/

Instagram - @chirrupsandchatter

Facebook – Chirrups and Chatter

You Tube – Chirrups & Chatter

Holding techniques

C-hold technique video & Towel hold technique :

C-hold-technique

Cat behaviour game changers

Fear Free Certification

Fear Free Happy Homes

Cat Pawsitive – Jackson Galaxy Foundation Program

Music

Music for this episode was composed and performed by Kory McIntyre.

Cover art

The photo used for the cover art for Season 7 of Catexplorer Podcast is of @spikie_spycat

Thank you to our superstar Season 7 Catexplorer Podcast Producers

Co-Producers

Roxythe_kitty, Ziggy & Charlie, luna_misty_blue, Adami, Mac, Patch & Ava, bowie_the_siberian

Senior Producers

Chester and Perry