Welcome to
THE CAT LAB
AN INFORMATION HUB FOR CAT OWNERS
DOES YOUR CAT HAVE BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS?
YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE...
CAT LAB WAS CREATED FOR CAT OWNERS
WHO NEED HELP
'I love my cat dearly, but they are driving me crazy!' is a common thing we hear. We want to hear from committed owners like you and provide you with the help you need. A Cat Behaviourist can help you to understand, and rectify unwanted behaviour issues.
'I love my cat dearly, but they are driving me crazy!' is a common thing we hear. We want to hear from committed owners like you and provide you with the help you need. A Cat Behaviourist can help you to understand, and rectify unwanted behaviour issues.
Our Services Are Available Australia Wide - No Matter Where You Live
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WHY DID I CREATE THE CAT LAB?
TO HELP CATS IN THEIR OWN HOMES
I'm Dionna, a Cat Behaviourist and founder of Animal Behaviour Australia. One of the biggest issues I faced when performing cat behaviour consultations in Veterinary Clinics was a cat's behaviour changes in the clinic environment. I couldn't see your cat's true personality. This meant getting to the root cause of the behaviour problem was laboured and tricky. The same was true when I went to client's homes. Most cats act differently when a stranger is in their home.
I have practised as a behaviourist for over two decades having performed hundreds of cat behaviour consultations in person. Pre-COVID, I developed a concept of assessing clients' cats in their own homes via video call to improve the efficiency of results. I see your cat as a sneaky, intruder! They are completely unaware, so act normally. I get to see their normal environment, and true picture, warts and all! It seemed novel back then; clients had to be convinced they were getting a superior service. However, COVID has helped people understand the advantages of video calls.
Dionna Newton BSc (Hons) AdvDipCABT VN
The CAT LAB allows me to assess your cat's behaviour in their home. I am a fly on the wall, meaning your cat is completely unaware I am performing a behaviour consultation. Video call technology allows me to see your cat's true personality and behaviour. This is vitally important. Showing me around your cat's environment, where they sleep, eat, toilet, play, favourite haunts, the garden, etc, can also prove very useful. Each piece of information helps me to get to the root cause of your cat's behaviour problems, quickly. Insert, a phew from you!
Once I have worked out the root cause, and the motivations driving your cat's behaviour, I help you to design an efficient plan to address the unwanted behaviour. We design a tailored plan to fix their problems together. A plan you are happy with and feel is achievable. Every single cat case is different. That is why I love them...
The process I use has been tailored over decades and is the best way for cat owners to get help. If you need convincing, check out the Google reviews.
AS A CAT BEHAVIOUR SPECIALIST I CAN HELP YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:
Inappropriate Toileting / Litter Box Issues
Anxiety & Separation Anxiety
Spraying & Marking
Excessive Vocalisation
Territory Disputes With Neighbourhood Cats
Needy or Restless Behaviours
Fighting Between Bonded Companion Cats
Demanding Behaviours - Food, Fuss, Attention
New Cat Integration Into The Household
Destructive Behaviours - Scratching, Chewing
Aggressive Behaviour to Family & Other Pets
Grief Related Decreased Mood State
Redirected Aggression
Waking Household Up Early / Keeping Up Late
Intermittent Aggression & Aggressive Play
Unwanted Prey Drive
Unruly Behaviour
PICA - Eating Non Edible Items
Mental Stimulation
Advice on Catio's / Cat Enclosures
Cat Training
Desensitisation to New Things
Moving Home With Your Cat
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Above are some of the common cat behaviour issues I help clients with. However, I help cat owners to combat varied and complex unwanted behaviours. It is impossible to list them all.
"Get advice early because the sooner we start to turn things around, the easier it will be for you. That said, if you have been struggling for years, don't feel defeated. Get the right advice and start moving forward positively. It is never too late."
Dionna Newton BSc (Hons) AdvDipCABT VN
WHICH TYPE OF CONSULTATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
FIND OUT MORE HERE
There are two types of consultation:
The Behaviour Consultation: To modify unwanted behaviours.
For cats with existing problem behaviours or behaviours, you want to modify.
Such as any of the cat behaviour problems listed above.
The Behaviour Prevention Consultation:
For cats with no existing behaviour problems, and you want to ensure it remains that way.
"Prevention is better than cure." This consultation is like getting a Behaviour vaccination for your cat!
It's great for a new cat you have adopted or a kitten.
Click on the buttons below for more information on the consultation options.
Are you struggling to cope with your cat's unwanted behaviour problems? Please don't despair. A Behaviour (Modification) Consultation is the right one for you. I can determine the underlying motivations so you can understand the reasons behind the unwanted behaviour. I will provide you with the understanding. Then, I will give you the knowledge and tools to fix or modify your cat's problematic behaviour.
One client, who had been struggling with her cat's behaviour for many years thanked me she said, 'This information is not available on Google.' It made me laugh. Most people don't realise how complicated a behaviour case is. But then, it's my job to make it look easy...
The Behaviour Prevention Consultation is for cats with no existing Behavioural problems.
If you still have some challenging behaviours to fix, the Behaviour Consultation is the service you need. The process is quite different for dealing with pesky behaviour problems...
If your cat is problem free currently, then the Behaviour Prevention Consultation is the right one for you. Please read on...
A Behaviour Prevention Consultation is for owners who want the very best for their cat. If that's you, then I can tell you now, I love you already! Because I know that your furry friend has a gold star owner.
Owners who prioritise their cat's lifelong well-being will find this consultation invaluable. Any cat, any age is suitable, and it doesn't matter how long you have owned them or how experienced you are.
Especially think about booking if you have just:
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Adopted a new cat;
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Brought home a furry kitten ball.
To the recent cat adopters, thank you! I can help you. To the kitten owner. Congrats! and you need this consultation 🙂
Or are you:
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Introducing a new baby? (Congrats!)
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Expecting changes to your current lifestyle?
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Moving home?
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Getting new housemates?
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Changing your job, work hours or location?
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About to introduce your new partner?
Most cat behaviour problems can be prevented. A Behaviour Prevention Consultation is like getting a behavioural vaccination and is just as important as vaccinating your pet against disease.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY:
"I have seen remarkable changes in my cats! I can't thank you enough Dionna!"
Renita Illingworth - QLD
"We saw great improvement with our cat’s mood once we started implementing Dionna’s advice and cannot recommend her service and expertise highly enough."
Adwena Shemon - NSW
"She gave heaps of tips and tricks and more importantly helped me understand my kitten better."
Angela Hancock - TAS
Renita Illingworth - Toffee & Zora
QLD
Highly recommend! If you are experiencing any problems with your cats, Dionna is the person who can help you! I was amazed at how much knowledge Dionna has and the way she explains how cat brains work and pairs this with practical helpful strategies that work, is amazing and life changing for you and your pets! I have seen remarkable changes in my cats! I can't thank you enough Dionna!
UPDATE:
Dionna's help gave us the best Christmas Miracle! As my two cats were suffering with re-directed aggression. Through following the advice, my cats were able to join us and we were gifted with the best Christmas gift ever! Which has been my two fur babies rekindling their friendship! It has just been amazing watching it emerge! They are now chilling out together, they rub against each other, starting to play again together.
Adwena Shemon & Ripley
NSW
We booked in several sessions with Dionna after moving apartments with our cat. The big change and move to a new environment sadly caused our kitty to experience a very stressful spiral. Dionna’s helpful, friendly and thorough approach saw us understand our cat and her temperament in a whole new light.
We saw great improvement with our cat’s mood once we started implementing Dionna’s advice and cannot recommend her service and expertise highly enough.
Animal Behaviour Australia will be our go to whenever it comes to ongoing behavioural care for our nervous kitty in the future. You needn’t look any further when it comes to looking after your furry family members and their way of behaving than here.
Maggie Ralston - Gigi & Lily
NSW
I accessed Dionna Newton's services in December last year.
She was very helpful, knowledgeable and supportive. I wanted her help and advice about whether it would be a good idea to get another cat companion for the existing resident cat.
I liked Dionna's approach that combined knowledge, expertise and a friendly manner without being pushy. I even learnt new things that would help me with whatever decision I made.
UPDATE:
By the way I did adopt another kitten.
Please meet Gigi and Lily, two friends comfortable with each other.
Nik Lunar
VIC
Not long had my session with Dionna. She was fantastic and really understanding about my situation.
She had some fantastic strategies and really helped me understand my cat’s predatory/prey behaviour, without being judgemental.
I would definitely recommend Animal Behaviour Australia to anyone in need. Your furbaby will thank you for it in the end.
Kristy Grant & Emmet
QLD
Dionna is very knowledgeable and caring.
I had an appointment for my cat who suffers redirected aggression and I've come away from the appointment with a bunch of ways to help him.
I would recommend this service to anyone with pets!
Angela Hancock & Minnie
TAS
I was extremely satisfied with the advice i received from Dionna, she gave insight into why my Minnie was misbehaving.
She gave heaps of tips and tricks and more importantly helped me understand my kitten better.