The awareness of the needs of our smaller friends among pet owners is constantly growing. The same goes for the sense of responsibility for the fate of their pets. It’s no wonder, after all, most people find in dogs and cats kindred spirits, treating four-legged friends as equals with other family members. As we care more and more about the welfare of our furry companions, visits to zoopsychologists are becoming increasingly popular.
The demand for therapeutic services for animals, in turn, leads to increased interest in the qualifications necessary to work as a cat behaviorist. The price of a comprehensive service, which includes an initial interview, observation, home visits, and training sessions for both the cat and the owners, ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 PLN – so it’s no surprise that some animal lovers choose to pursue this specific career path and become full-time dog or cat psychologists.
A zoopsychologist specializes in treating anxiety disorders, the causes and effects of prolonged stress, and trauma resulting from unpleasant experiences, difficult living conditions, or violence that animals have experienced from previous owners. Therapeutic sessions can help gain the trust of a withdrawn or aggressive cat, so that the animal, affected by fate, can regain its mental balance and return to the path of social development. The idea of seeking advice from a cat behavior expert is beneficial when it comes to adapting a difficult animal to new conditions, for example, when we want to get a cat used to changes in living arrangements, such as when we move from the city to the countryside and vice versa. Visits also help combat aggression towards people and other animals and are essential in cases of long-term depression after neutering or spaying. In addition, a cat behaviorist assists in combating troublesome behaviors such as eliminating outside the litter box. Cats can project their frustration both literally and metaphorically onto objects and elements of home furnishings for various reasons, ranging from inappropriate litter to a lack of attention from the owner or health problems – there can be numerous causes for such actions by the pet. Which one pertains to your pet? A specialist in feline psychology will answer this specific question.
However, becoming a qualified specialist in animal mental health care requires more than just willingness and love for four-legged friends. They have a complex psyche, so you will need to undertake the study of a profession such as cat behaviorist. The course must be in accordance with the regulations and patterns dictated by the Ministry of National Education. The studies consist of several modules, and obtaining qualifications is finalized after defending a diploma thesis and passing an exam. To work as a cat behaviorist, veterinary studies are not required. However, you can choose this direction as part of postgraduate education and supplement your knowledge in helping animals with these specific qualifications. If you want to start working as a cat behaviorist, the salary in this profession will certainly allow you to support yourself and your family, provided you put effort into preparing during the courses and developing your business. This type of enterprise, however, is not free from additional costs.
Therefore, before you start considering working as a cat psychologist, you need to establish a good business plan, take into account travel to clients, the headquarters of your business, and other ancillary costs associated with helping our four-legged friends.