Feline Behaviour often reveals itself in subtle moments long before a crisis unfolds. It shows up in the hallway stare-down, the untouched litter box, or the sudden retreat to high shelves.
For Krista, founder of Feline Behaviour Coach (FBC), those quiet signals shaped a career devoted to restoring clarity inside tense households. She built her practice on the belief that behaviour reflects unmet needs, not defiance. By pairing evidence-based Feline Behaviour science with Motivational Interviewing, she supports both the cat and the guardian behind the concern. Her consultations extend across Canada and the United States, guiding families through stress, aggression, and environmental conflict.
In this conversation, she shares the philosophy and structured process that help transform confusion into insight and rebuild trust through informed Feline Behaviour support.
Let’s start…
Krista, thank you for taking the time for this interview with PETBIZS. Let’s start with your background. Could you introduce yourself and tell us what inspired you to become a Feline Behaviour Consultant?
I am Krista Schulte and I began my career working hands-on with cats at the Toronto Humane Society and later Toronto Cat Rescue, focusing on enrichment and behaviour cases. Over time, I earned certification as a Cat Behaviour Consultant and Fear Free Professional, grounding my work in evidence-based, force-free methods.
However, my journey really started with a realization: so many cats are misunderstood simply because they speak a different language. I’ve always been drawn to those “difficult” cases, the cats labeled as spiteful or mean. So, I wanted to be the one to show people that their cat isn’t trying to give them a hard time; their cat is having a hard time. My inspiration is the bond itself and I want to protect that quiet, special relationship that exists between a person and their cat, especially when it feels like it’s slipping away.
Linking back to the previous question; what led you to found Feline Behaviour Coach (FBC)?
I founded Feline Behaviour Coach (FBC) because I saw a gap in how we help pet parents.
Often, people are given a list of “do’s and don’ts” that feel impossible to follow. And, that is why, I always wanted to build a practice where the human feels just as heard as the cat.
Though, I’m based in Canada, I work with clients across the US too, because the need for a gentle, collaborative approach to cat behaviour is universal. I wanted FBC to be a place where science meets real-life support.
Krista, you hold multiple certifications like IAABC‑CCBC, Fear Free, and ABCCT, for example. How have these shaped your philosophy on working with cats?
These certifications gave me the science, but the Motivational Interviewing training gave me the “heart” of my communication. I often get asked why a cat behaviorist would take a medical communication course. The answer is simple: You. Behind every cat with a behaviour concern is a person who cares deeply but might feel stressed or unheard.
This training helps me listen more deeply to your story and gather the information I need without making you feel judged. It’s about working with you to find solutions that actually fit your life, because if a plan doesn’t work for the human, it won’t work for the cat.
Your approach emphasizes positive reinforcement and force‑free methods. How does this differ from traditional cat training techniques?
Traditional methods often relied on “scaring” the cat out of a behaviour, think spray bottles or loud noises. I see those as temporary fixes that actually damage trust. My approach is about building a conversation. Instead of saying “Don’t do that,” we figure out what the cat is trying to achieve and give them a better way to do it. It’s the difference between a boss who yells and a coach who mentors.
Are there early warning signs that indicate a deeper behavioural or stress issue?
Absolutely. I call it the “simmering pot.” Often, conflict isn’t a sudden explosion; it’s water that’s been sitting on the stove, slowly getting hotter.
It’s the silent stare-down in the hallway, the cat who starts spending more time on top of the fridge, or the “airplane ears” that happen for just a split second. If we can catch the simmer, we can prevent the boil-over.
What feline behaviour issues do you see most often, such as litter box problems, anxiety, or aggression?
In my experience, Litter box issues and multi-cat tension are the big ones. The most common mistake is anthropomorphism, believing the cat is acting out of “spite.” When we think a cat is being “bad” on purpose, we get angry. But when we realize the cat is struggling, our empathy comes back. That shift in perspective is usually the first step toward a solution.
As a Feline Behaviour Consultant, what are the most common mistakes cat owners make that lead to behavioural issues?
They don’t read the potential behavioural signals and we try understanding it through communication (a clarity call).
In that initial “clarity call,” we hear story from the cat owners just to discover what’s been hard for them. From there, we look at the cat’s environment and daily routine. My goal is to create a customized plan that feels like a relief, not another chore on your to-do list.
Could you share a particularly challenging case and explain how your intervention helped resolve it?
One particularly challenging case involved a multi-cat household where one cat had started urinating outside the litter box and avoiding shared spaces. The guardian traveled often, and routines shifted weekly. Tension built slowly, then escalated.
Instead of overhauling the entire home, I focused on small, high-impact adjustments that fit the guardian’s lifestyle.
We relocated one litter box to a quieter area, added vertical space to reduce resource pressure, and created predictable feeding and play windows, even during travel weeks. I also coached the guardian on reading early stress signals so we could respond before conflict spiked. The key was collaboration.
Remember, a plan that works for a stay-at-home parent will not work for a frequent traveler. By finding practical middle ground between the cat’s environmental needs and the human’s schedule, we reduced stress behaviors and restored calm in the home.
At Feline Behaviour Coach (FBC), when a new client contacts you, what does a typical assessment and treatment plan look like, from the initial “clarity call” to a customized plan?
My process is built around making sure you feel supported every step of the way. It usually starts with a “Clarity Call” we chat for a few minutes over the phone so I can hear what’s going on and we can see if we’re a good fit.
Following that, I direct you to my website, where you can choose the best day and time that works for your schedule. Once you book, you are automatically provided with a comprehensive history form. This is a vital part of the process; it allows me to review your cat’s background, health, and your specific concerns in detail before we even meet for our main session.
Our primary consultation is a deep dive, but the support doesn’t stop there. I always offer a full month of support following our meeting. This includes a 30-minute check-in, usually scheduled about two weeks after our initial consultation. This is such a critical moment because it gives us the opportunity to see how the techniques are working in real-time, keep the plan fresh, and revise anything that isn’t quite clicking with your routine.
My goal is to ensure the plan is living and breathing, just like your household. If a client finds they need deeper or more long-term coaching, I offer additional options to keep that momentum going.
How do you factor in a cat’s environment, daily routine, and the owner’s lifestyle when designing behaviour modification plans?
As I said ealier, a plan that works for a stay-at-home parent might not work for a frequent traveler.
That is why I look for the small, high-impact changes. Maybe we can’t change the whole house, but we can change the location of one litter box or add a specific type of vertical space. It’s about collaboration, we find the middle ground where the cat’s needs and your reality meet.
How long does it usually take to see improvements, and what does “success” look like for you?
Every cat is an individual, so the timeline always varies. It also depends heavily on the investment from the guardian, how consistently they can apply the “homework” and integrate the new routines into their daily life. We are working with living, breathing animals, so we always expect the unexpected. Sometimes we see a breakthrough in a few days, and other times it’s a slow, steady climb.
But for me, “success” isn’t just about the cat’s behaviour; it’s when the tension in the home starts to lift. It’s that moment when an owner tells me, “I feel like I finally understand what she’s trying to say.” When that “simmering pot” cools down, the frustration is replaced by empathy, and the household feels peaceful again, that’s the ultimate win.
Now this is very tricky question that every cat owner would like to know and only expert like you can answer: How do you balance behavioural modification with preserving a cat’s natural behaviours and personality?
I never want to take the “cat” out of the cat. If you have a high-energy hunter, we aren’t going to turn them into a lap cat. Instead, we’re going to give that energy a healthy outlet. We work with their natural instincts, not against them.
What role do enrichment, mental stimulation, and owner-cat communication play in long-term behavioural health?
It’s the foundation. A cat who is mentally stimulated and feels understood is a confident cat. Confidence is the best “medicine” for almost any behavioural issue. When we learn to communicate clearly with them, the “bad” behaviors often just fade away because they aren’t needed anymore.
Do you believe any cat, young or senior, can benefit from behaviour training? Why or why not?
Absolutely. I believe that age is never a barrier to learning; in fact, it’s often the key to a better quality of life for our older feline friends.
Whether a cat is a tiny kitten or a dignified senior, they can all benefit from behaviour training because it’s ultimately about engagement and communication. For kittens, we are setting the foundation for a confident life. For seniors, training can be a vital tool to keep their minds sharp and help manage the “simmering pot” of stress that sometimes comes with age-related changes, like declining sight or mobility.
However, the “why” and “how” change as they age. With a senior cat, we might focus less on high-energy play and more on gentle mental stimulation or teaching them new ways to access their favorite spots. I always remind guardians that a cat’s ability to progress also depends on their physical comfort and the guardian’s investment. If a senior cat is in pain, we address that first so they can learn.
Training provides a “safety valve” for their natural instincts at any age. It’s about meeting them exactly where they are in their life journey and working together to keep their world interesting and predictable.
What advice would you give to cat owners hesitant to seek professional help?
I want you to know that you aren’t failing. Loving a cat with a behaviour concern is hard work. You don’t have to navigate this alone or feel guilty about being frustrated. Reaching out is an act of love for your cat, and for yourself.
For veterinarians and pet professionals, what practices or mindset shifts do you think should be more common when addressing Feline behaviour?
I’d love to see a shift toward viewing feline behaviour as a vital sign, just like heart rate or temperature. For too long, behaviour has been treated as “secondary” to physical health, but the two are inseparable.
Moreover, I’d encourage professionals to adopt a “behaviour-first” mindset, using Fear Free handling and being proactive about stress. If a cat is terrified at the clinic, we aren’t seeing the “real” cat. When we acknowledge the simmering pot of fear in the exam room, we can provide better medical care and a much better experience for the guardian.
How do you see feline behaviour consultation evolving over the next 5–10 years?
I believe it will become much more integrated. We are moving away from the “lone wolf” consultant and toward a collaborative care team involving the vet, the consultant, and the guardian. I also see communication skills, like the Motivational Interviewing I’ve studied, becoming a standard requirement. The science of cat behaviour is useless if we can’t effectively coach the human at the other end of the plan.
Are there specific new methods, research areas, or tools that excite you for improving feline behaviour support?
I’m really excited about the growing research into feline pain and how it manifests as “bad” behaviour. We’re getting much better at identifying osteoarthritis and chronic pain in cats, which often turns out to be the root cause of aggression or litter box issues. Tools like the Feline Grimace Scale are game-changers for helping owners visualize their cat’s comfort level.
What do you find most rewarding about your work with cats and their owners?
It’s that moment of reconnection. Often, when a client calls me, they are at the end of their rope and the bond is frayed. Seeing that “aha!” The moment where the guardian finally understands their cat’s “why”— and seeing the cat visibly relax because they are finally being heard, is incredible. When the owner moves from “I’m frustrated” to “I’ve got this,” that’s the real reward.
How has your perspective on human-cat relationships changed since you started?
I’ve realized that it is a true partnership. I used to think I was just training cats, but now I know I’m facilitating a relationship. My perspective has shifted to be much more empathetic toward the human. Now, I’ve learned that the owner’s mental health and stress levels are just as important as the cat’s. If the guardian isn’t okay, the cat won’t be either.
If you could change one widespread misconception about feline behaviour, what would it be?
The idea that cats are “spiteful.” It is so damaging to the human-cat bond.
Know that cats don’t have the cognitive need for revenge; they are just trying to meet a need or communicate distress. If I could delete that one word from the feline vocabulary, households would be much more peaceful places.
Finally, what advice would you give to cat owners and entrepreneurs who want to follow a path like yours?
Focus on the human just as much as the cat. Get your feline behaviour certifications, absolutely, but also invest in communication training. Learn how to listen. For the entrepreneurs, remember that you are building trust, not just a business. Be patient, stay curious, and always keep “kindness and collaboration” at the forefront. When you support the person, the cat is the one who truly wins.
Thank you, Krista, for generously sharing your journey, expertise, and compassionate perspective on Feline Behaviour. Your insights go beyond training techniques, shining a light on the subtle ways cats communicate and the challenges families face in understanding them.
Through your dedication to evidence-based methods, force-free coaching, and collaborative support, you are shaping a more thoughtful and empathetic approach to cat care.
Your work inspires both professionals and guardians, showing how patience, observation, and science together can build calmer homes and stronger, more trusting human–cat relationships.
