Gunhild Jensen is the owner and founder of Smiling Kitty – a Stamford CT-based cat behavior business that offers expert help and guidance to cat owners around the world. Gunhild is a certified Cat Behaviorist and holds a degree in Advanced Feline Training and Behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute (ABI) in Durham, NC. She provides guidance on all things cat, including common behavior, home needs, nutrition, leash training, declawing, cat health, and more.
When we acquire a long-haired cat, we also agree to become an expert cat groomer. A long-haired cat companion needs our help with coat maintenance to keep it glossy, reduce hairballs, and promote a calm, content demeanor. A routine of regular grooming sessions reduces the chance of a long-haired cat developing fur-related behavior problems. This…
The history of the domestic cat began about eight thousand years ago when cats first started hanging around human settlements because they provided easy access to food and shelter. Cats would eat the rodents that threatened our grain stores and sleep in our barns. In other words, the cat chose to seek out human companionship…
Food sensitivities can quietly undermine your cat’s health and comfort. They show up as skin troubles, digestive upset, or a general decline in well‑being. At first, changes may be subtle: your cat might scratch a bit more, develop a patchy coat, become a picky eater, or have occasional vomiting or loose stools. Over time, these…
Healthy adult cats sleep an average of 15 hours per day, and simply put, daytime sleeping is instinctual feline behavior. Cats are natural predators, and the birds and rodents they live on are both quick and elusive. Therefore, cats in the wild must work hard to meet their dietary needs. To achieve the necessary speed…
A cat’s body language is much more subtle and silent than the body language of dogs and other household pets. When dogs are ill, for instance, they might whimper, become droopy-eyed, or hang their tails, but cats are notorious for hiding any symptoms of pain. For that reason, learning how to read cats properly is…
Tuxedo does not refer to a specific cat breed but to a two-color coat pattern. The nature of the color pattern makes it look like the cat is wearing a tuxedo, hence the name. For that reason, most people think of a tuxedo cat as black and white, and it might surprise you to learn…
Many cat lovers hold a special place in their hearts for the orange tabby. Just have a look at our popular culture, and you will find multiple examples of orange cat characters, all with a loyal human fan base. Puss in Boots from the Shrek franchise, Thomas O’Malley from Disney’s Aristocats, Crookshanks from Harry Potter,…
Any human who lives with a cat or two is bound to have noticed the special connection between cats and sunlight. Often, our feline friends look both majestic and relaxed when basking in the sun. They will also perform strange acrobatics and yoga-like stretches to fit into small sunny spots and will even move with…
𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 When a new human baby becomes part of the family, most parents know that the house must be childproofed to eliminate any possible dangers to the child’s health. As loving cat owners, we must do the same for our feline friends. The only difference is that children eventually learn about house hazards, whereas…
What is the best option for my cat? At some point, every cat owner will face the challenge of finding good care for their feline friend. Traveling is a fact of life that, unfortunately, involves the stress of leaving our precious cats behind. This blog post provides you with a few tips for ensuring your…