What Your Cat Wishes You Knew (Especially as They Age) Part 1
On this episode of 19 Cats & Counting, Rita Reimers welcomes cat welfare scientist and attorney Katia Colitti for a fascinating and heartfelt conversation about feline behavior, aging, and the human-cat bond. From understanding the unique needs of senior cats to recognizing subtle behavioral changes and medical issues, this episode dives deep into what it really means to care for cats at every stage of life. Katja shares insights from her Mittens Companion Project, breaking down cat welfare science, emotional well-being, and why cats are anything but “low maintenance.” Plus, they explore topics like feline hearing changes, cognitive decline, litter box challenges, and the importance of enrichment, patience, and truly listening to your cat. A must-listen for cat lovers who want to better understand—and strengthen—their relationship with their feline companions.
Listen to Episode #159 Now:
BIO:
Katia Colitti is a lawyer and writer whose work has been published in Animal Welfare (Cambridge University Press) and Global Journal of Animal Law. Katia grew up in Ukraine, lived in the U.S. for over a decade, and, since 2012, has been based in Belgium. She has shared her home with three cats for nearly two decades. Her sole remaining feline family member is Margo, a playful and communicative 19-year-old, who brings joy to every day.
A lifelong ailurophile with an MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics, and Law from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at The University of Edinburgh, Katia has a special interest and extensive experience in geriatric and diabetic cat care. Katia writes on Substack about cat health and welfare, the human-cat relationship, cats in the arts, and cat loss grief.
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