Cat behavior experts tell Bored Panda that they've loved cats from a very young age. But what pushed them to turn their passion into a career was seeing felines and their owners in need of help.
"I’ve always loved cats. Growing up as an only child, my cats were my closest companions," shared certified feline behavior consultant Heather Alvey.
"I initially worked in aviation, but after 9/11, the industry became unstable, and I experienced several layoffs. Before my final layoff, I had started developing a cat-only pet-sitting business as a side project.
When I lost my job, I decided to give it a try full-time. Fortunately, the business took off right away - cat owners appreciated finding a sitter who focused exclusively on cats. Within six months, I was earning enough to support myself, and within a year, I hired my first employee."
After running her cat-sitting business for 14 years, Alvey discovered the field of feline behavior, and it immediately resonated with her.
"Over the years, I had seen cats surrendered or euthanized for behavioral issues—often after a baby arrived—and I knew those cats were simply reacting to stress or change in their environment. I just didn’t yet have the tools to help. That realization led me to pursue a certification in cat behavior and ultimately start my current business, Felidae Behavior Consulting."
Similarly, cat behavior consultant Molly Kelsey also grew up with cats.
"My love of cats was fostered from a very young age, my parents were gifted two kittens at my baby shower, who I grew up alongside," she shares.
"Before I became a feline behavior consultant, I was a veterinary nurse and came across countless cats and their owners who needed behavioral help, but at the time didn't know where to turn to. I found there were not too many people out there with the skills to help these people and their cats, so I thought, Why not me?"
Having grown up with cats, these feline experts have probably seen every possible cat behavior. So we were curious to know about their favorite ones.
"I love all the quirky, individual preferences and behaviors that cats display," Alvey says. "Each cat is truly unique, and those little peculiarities highlight just how distinct their personalities are. That individuality is one of my favorite things about working with them."
Why Are Cat Memes So Funny?
Cats have been ruling the internet since the early days of YouTube, and it's not hard to see why.
Their complete indifference to human expectations, combined with the occasional burst of chaotic energy, makes them the perfect meme subjects. A dog will do what you ask. A cat will stare at you, knock your coffee off the table, and walk away. That tension between dignity and disaster is comedy gold.
Psychologists actually have a term for it: "benign violation theory." Something is funny when it's wrong or unexpected, but not actually threatening. Cats embody this perfectly every single day. If that slightly dark edge to humor is what gets you, dark jokes are worth a scroll too.
These are just a few behaviors that are typical of cats. But there are many more that are unique to them that first-time cat owners might not be aware of.
"They are obligate carnivores and tend to drink a lot less water for their body size compared to other animals (which is why encouraging water intake is very important)," says Kelsey.
"People often tell me they had no idea that their cats require small, frequent meals vs. one or two big meals a day to mimic their wild counterparts. Most appear to come 'pre-programmed' to use a litter box, versus dogs, who require toilet training. Being both a prey and predator species, cats are risk-averse and can take some time to get used to changes that may seem small to others," she listed further.
