Joey Lusvardi

Cat Training & Behavior Expert

Joey is a Cat Training & Behavior Expert and Owner of Class Act Cats based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With five years of experience, Joey specializes in feline behavioral issues and customized treatment plans with the goal of integrating cats into their homes and families. Joey is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant through the IAABC and a member of the Pet Professional Guild.

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Forum Comments (1)

How to keep stray cats out of my yard

The first place to start is to make sure all cats are TNRed (trapped, neutered/spayed/released), as cats that are still intact will be much more vocal than cats that have been spayed/neutered. A better solution is to build a fence that doesn’t allow the cats to get in (there are toppers you can get to prevent that from happening that don’t hurt the cats, but block them from getting in). You can also remove whatever it is that is drawing the cats into the yard, such as food or a place to use the bathroom. River rocks (smooth ones, not sharp ones) can help make it less appealing to dig in dirt, and cats won’t be as likely to eliminate in your yard.

Q&A Comments (3)

How often do you clean a litter scooper?

Clean the scooper if it gets visibly soiled, like if there are feces or litter stuck to it. Try to replace your scooper at least once a year.

How do you know if your cat is actually hungry or just begging?

Work with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to make sure that your cat is getting enough calories each day, since that could increase the chances that your cat is actually hungry. It's best to start investigating from the nutritional side of things more than anything else.

How do you train your cat to play fetch?

Use a positive reinforcement-based method where you teach your cat that they get a treat or positive reward whenever they bring you the item you'd like them to fetch. Start this process with very, very small steps, though—don't just toss something across the room and expect your cat to bring it back. If you expect your cat to fetch something from across the room right away, they will end up frustrated and confused. Instead, start slow and gradually increase the distance that they have to go.

Co-authored Articles (3)

315 Awesome Names for an Orange Cat

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Tackle lingering and brand new odors from cat urine or poopWhether you own a cat or someone owned a cat before you moved in, bad odors—like urine and feces—may start to develop over time. These bad smells come from y...

3 Homemade Kitten Food Recipes (Raw & Cooked)

Nutritious recipes to keep your kitten happy and healthyWe want the very best for our cats, so it only makes sense that you might want to eliminate or avoid processed foods by feeding your kitten a homemade diet. But cat...