Claire Stares

Claire Stares

Claire Stares is a freelance writer and book author. She holds a BA (Hons) in English and a MA in Creative Writing and is currently enrolled on the MSc Clinical Animal Behavior program at the University of Edinburgh. Claire has a particular interest in feline behavior, welfare, and training, and holds an International Cat Care Certificate in Advanced Feline Behavior for Cat Professionals and a Diploma in Feline Health and Welfare. She has completed the ILLIS Animal Behaviour Courses Advanced Animal Training course and the Karen Pryor Academy Train Your Cat course. 

She shares her home with five cats and volunteers for a cat welfare charity, so she's passionate about exploring how cat guardians can use positive reinforcement training and environmental enrichment to facilitate cooperative care, prevent problem behaviors, improve cats’ quality of life, and strengthen the cat-human bond. 

Latest articles by Claire Stares

Grey and white cat defecating outside

How to stop a cat from pooping in your yard

By Claire Stares published

How to Desperate to learn how to stop a cat from pooping in your yard? We reveal what this behavior means and how to prevent it…

How to
Ginger cat roaming in the park.

How far do cats roam? An expert reveals what your feline really gets up to

By Claire Stares published

Behaviorist's guide We explain how far do cats roam, what drives this behavior and how to curb your kitty’s wanderlust.

Behaviorist's guide
Tabby kitten playing fetch with a metallic blue and gold foil ball

Can cats play fetch? How to teach them to play ball

By Claire Stares published

How to Can cats play fetch and is it beneficial to teach them? The answer may surprise you.

How to
Cat play biting a human's hand and grasping their arm with its paws

Why is my cat play biting? A behaviorist reveals 3 reasons

By Claire Stares published

Behaviorist's guide Wondering ‘why is my cat play biting?’ From predatory instincts to communication, we reveal the most common causes and how to nip this behavior in the bud.

Behaviorist's guide
Cat looking up at a mouse on the table

Do cats keep mice away? An expert reveals whether this is actually true

By Claire Stares published

Behaviorist's guide Do cats keep mice away? You shouldn’t bet on it but never fear, there are humane deterrents that will keep those pesky rodents at bay.

Behaviorist's guide
Cat and feet

Why does my cat attack my feet? Expert shares 6 reasons and how to stop this

By Claire Stares published

Behaviorist's guide Why does my cat attack my feet? Here are the reasons (some of them may surprise you) and how to stop this.

Behaviorist's guide
Ginger cat lying on its owner's chest in bed

Why does my cat sleep on my chest? Expert reveals five reasons

By Claire Stares published

Expert's guide Why does my cat sleep on my chest? A behaviorist and vet nurse reveals the five most common reasons for this purr-plexing behavior.

Expert's guide
Is clicker training for cats recommended?

Is clicker training for cats recommended?

By Claire Stares published

Do you wish you had a better way to communicate with your cat and could teach them desirable behaviors? Clicker training for cats could be the answer

Cats
Cat sniffing around

I tried ‘nosework’ with my cats and it’s transformed our bond

By Claire Stares published

FEATURE Cats are born to hunt, so how can you stimulate indoor cats to express their natural predatory behaviors?

FEATURE