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
- Genetics and Environmental Influences on Behaviour
- Temperament & Instinct
- Parental/Maternal Influences and Social Learning
- Socialisation, Habituation and One-Event Learning
- Significant Developmental Periods
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- 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
- 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
- Training a Cat to Enter a Carrier (Webinar)
- Handling & Restraint Updated
- Suggested Tasks Updated
- References & Related Research
- 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
- Feline aggression and reactivity (towards people, redirected aggression)
- Housing and Welfare (Webinar)
- Managing and Understanding Multi-Cat Household Problems
- Behavioural Analysis
- Suggested Tasks
- References & Related Research
- 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
- Understanding & Dealing with Stress Induced House-Soiling
- Inappropriate House-Soiling Behaviour (Case Study)
- A Review of the Case Study: Inappropriate House-Soiling Behaviour (Webinar)
- References & Useful Resources
- Suggested Tasks
- Feline Behaviour: Module 5 Self-Assessment Quiz
Student reviews:
- Students gained real confidence advising clients on feline behaviour after learning practical, easy-to-follow explanations of fear and anxiety.
- Reviewers loved the varied learning resources—videos, webinars, diagrams, and downloadable materials—that suited different learning styles and kept them engaged.
- Students felt empowered to make positive changes for their own cats at home, from enrichment to recognising stress signs and managing behaviour.
- Professionals across veterinary clinics, shelters, and rescue centres found the course immediately useful for assessing cats holistically and helping clients understand emotional causes of behaviour.
Based on 48 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
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.
Interesting insights and evidence to keep you engaged
This course is packed full of useful information and the perfect level of resources for further learning
Great Course
Great course, giving you a thorough and detailed knowledge with many resources available for learning
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