When I was reading about nutrition recently, The Food For Life by Tim Spector, one insight stood out: our bodies all respond differently to food. What nourishes one person might leave another feeling sluggish. There is no universal diet that works for everyone.

That idea instantly resonated with me as a cat behaviourist. Because when it comes to feline behaviour, there is no single piece of advice, no magic formula, that works for every cat in every household.

A Web of Uniqueness

Each case I encounter is like stepping into a unique tapestry. It isn’t just the cat in front of me—it’s the whole picture:

• Their history and the experiences that shaped them.

• The physical home they inhabit, with its rhythms, corners, and safe spots.

• The people they live with, each bringing their own energy, expectations, and relationship with the cat.

• The other animals, if there are any, and the delicate negotiations of territory and companionship.

Every strand of that tapestry affects behaviour. A cat hiding under the bed in one home may do so for completely different reasons than a cat hiding under the bed in another.

The Myth of Generic Advice

It’s tempting to look for shortcuts—lists of “dos and don’ts,” quick fixes, universal answers. But cats, like people, don’t fit neatly into generalisations. What reassures one cat might stress another. A solution in one context can create problems in another.

This is why behaviour work cannot be reduced to soundbites. The heart of it lies in careful observation, curiosity, and an openness to complexity.

Embracing the Particular

What excites me about this work is precisely that complexity. No two cases are ever the same. Each visit is an opportunity to discover a fresh combination of factors, to listen not only to the cat but to the space and the relationships that surround them.

Just as personalised nutrition acknowledges the individuality of the human body, personalised behaviour support honours the individuality of the cat—and the uniqueness of the life they share with their people.

It means there is no single recipe. And perhaps that’s the real lesson: that supporting a cat’s wellbeing is not about imposing a universal rulebook, but about uncovering and respecting the uniqueness of each living relationship.

To contact Anita email: info@catbehaviourist.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anita Kelsey holds a first class honours degree in Feline Behaviour and Psychology (work based BA Hons) and runs a vet referral service dedicated strictly to the diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in cats. She is also a qualified cat groomer and specialises in grooming challenging or phobic cats. Anita, a strong advocate of a vegan lifestyle, is based in East Sussex but consults all over the UK as well as international requests. She lives with her husband, a music producer, and 1 Norwegian Forest cat, Kiki.

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Her first book ‘Claws. Confessions Of A Professional Cat Groomer‘ was published by John Blake in 2017 with her second book, Let’s Talk About Cats self published via Amazon worldwide in 2020. The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats is Anita’s third book out now.