Advanced Certificate in Feline Fear, Anxiety & Aggression
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course is written and designed by an experienced, qualified animal behaviourist with a busy behaviour referral practice. It has been designed for pet professionals working with cats, fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. However, it is also suitable for dedicated cat owners who want a deeper understanding of feline behaviour.
Written with the benefit of real-world clinical behaviour experience and informed by current behavioural science.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain an understanding of feline social structure and society, and how cats communicate and interact with their environment.
- Develop a solid understanding of feline body language, learning how to read stress signals and accurately assess a cat's emotional state.
- Learn about feline behavioural development, including the importance of socialisation and other critical developmental stages in a cat's life.
- Understand how fear, anxiety and frustration can impact on feline behaviour, including common triggers for aggression and reactivity.
- Explore the link between behavioural problems and medical conditions, including how acute and chronic stress can affect feline health.
- Acquire practical skills to safely handle and work with cats, including strategies for reducing feline anxiety and preventing behavioural problems in the workplace.
This course includes:
- 8 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Webinars & videos
- Download guides & templates
- References, resources & research
- Quizzes & assessments
- Accredited certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
- Factsheets, questionnaires & templates
- Free case studies e-book
Who this course is for:
- Veterinary nurses
- Vets
- Animal behaviourists
- Cattery workers
- Animal trainers
- Cat carers / sitters
- Rescue centre workers
- Pet professionals
- Dedicated cat owners
Before you enrol:
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
This course and the Advanced Certificate in Canine Fear, Anxiety & Aggression share some content. However, although many of the module titles are the same, the course is written with an emphasis on the particular species you are studying.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Module 1: Introduction - What causes an individual to be anxious, fearful and reactive?
- Welcome
- An introduction to the topic: Definitions & signs of anxiety & fear Updated
- Genetics and Environmental Influences on Behaviour Updated
- Temperament & Instinct Updated
- Parental/Maternal Influences and Social Learning Updated
- Socialisation, Habituation and One-Event Learning Updated
- Significant Developmental Periods Updated
- Suggested Tasks Updated
- References & Related Research Updated
- Feline Behaviour: Module 1 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 2: Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Module 2
- The Autonomic Nervous System & the Physiological Effects of Stress
- Hormones & Neurotransmitters Updated
- The Amygdala
- Stress: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Pain and how it affects behaviour
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- Feline Behaviour: Module 2 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 3: Body-language & communication methods
- Introduction to Module 3
- Feline Social Society & Methods of Communication
- Reducing Feline Anxiety in the Workplace Environment Updated
- Training a Cat to Enter a Carrier (Webinar)
- Handling & Restraint Updated
- Suggested Tasks Updated
- References & Related Research Updated
- Feline Behaviour: Module 3 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 4: Fear, Frustration and Aggression
- Introduction to Module 4
- Frustration and How it Affects Behaviour
- Fears & Phobias Updated
- Feline aggression and reactivity (towards people, redirected aggression)
- Housing and Welfare (Webinar)
- Managing and Understanding Multi-Cat Household Problems Updated
- Behavioural Analysis
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research Updated
- Feline Behaviour: Module 4 Self-Assessment Quiz
-
Module 5: The link between Behaviour Problems and Medical Conditions
- Introduction to Module 5
- The Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Feline Health Updated
- Understanding & Dealing with Stress Induced House-Soiling Updated
- House-Soiling Behaviour (Case Study) Updated
- A Review of the Case Study: Inappropriate House-Soiling Behaviour (Webinar)
- References & Useful Resources Updated
- Suggested Tasks
- Feline Behaviour: Module 5 Self-Assessment Quiz
Student reviews:
- Students felt much more confident advising clients about feline behaviour after completing the course material.
- Reviewers appreciated the varied learning formats with videos, webinars, diagrams and downloadable resources throughout.
- Learners valued how complex topics were explained clearly and accessibly, even without scientific backgrounds.
- Students applied practical knowledge immediately to their work in clinics, shelters, rescues and with their own cats.
Based on 50 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Very useful
I enjoyed the course and gained some extra knowledge as well as recapping on other subjects. I do wonder if there could be a veterinary specific course as there were a few times I felt the subject area unnecesary for RVN's.
The format and lay out were well thought out and the site itself easy to navigate.
I did have a couple of things with in the content that I disagreed with in terms of handling e.g crush cages, gauntlets and burritos which I believe are outdated and totally unnecessary.
A very comprehensive and in-depth course
I started studying this course to keep myself occupied when things were quiet but it exceeded my expectations and taught me lots of new things and up to date information about feline fear, stress and anxiety. It's very in-depth but laid out in such a way that it makes learning easy and undaunting. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in cats, especially for cat behaivour professionals looking to gain further knowledge to help their human and feline clients. It's a course that gives you good food for thought and lots of new ideas!
Very useful and practical course for understanding feline behaviour
I enjoyed how the course explained feline behaviour in a clear and practical way, especially fear, anxiety, and stress. It helped me better understand cats and improved my confidence when advising clients.
The content was easy to follow and relevant to real situations. Adding more case examples would make it even better.
I would recommend this course to anyone working with cats or pet owners. As someone working in a veterinary clinic, I found it very useful in daily practice.
Just amazing
Great course for people interested in cat behaviour, wellness and conditions
Is written in a way that both Owners and professionals can understand, lots of available downloads to be able to use in practice. I would recommend course to others.
Is written in a way that both Owners and professionals can understand, lots of available downloads to be able to use in practice. I would recommend course to others.
I learnt a lot and can use the acquired knowledge to help rescue cats.
Being able to help rescue cats is great. I have learnt the best ways to help them cope with stressful situations and get adopted.
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