UNDERSTANDING YOUR FELINE COMPANION
Lucia Fernandes, Feline Behavior and Environmental Enrichment Specialist (CoE, Oplex Certified)
My Credentials and Professional Background
Hi, I'm Lucia Fernandes, a Feline Behavior and Environmental Enrichment Specialist and founder of Better Cat Behavior.
My work is grounded in formal education, ongoing professional development, and years of direct experience supporting cats and their families through science-based, compassionate guidance. This page documents the training, certifications, publications, and research that inform everything I do.
QUICK ANSWER
Lucia Fernandes holds a Diploma in Feline Psychology and Behaviour from the Centre of Excellence (graduated with Distinction) and an Advanced Pet Nutrition and Veterinary Nursing CPD (OPLEX) certification (completed with Higher Distinction). She has fifteen years of practice experience, has supported over 100 cats through rescue and rehoming, and is the author of The Litter Box Solution, Scratching Solved, and The Advanced Play Handbook.
Professional Certifications
Feline Behaviour and Psychology Diploma
Centre of Excellence (UK) - Graduated with Distinction (May 2020)
This diploma provided advanced-level training in feline emotional intelligence, body language interpretation, fear-based behavior, trust-building, and the implementation of positive, non-punitive behavioral modification strategies. It is the foundation for understanding why cats behave the way they do, and how to support lasting change without punishment or suppression.
Understanding Feline Anxiety Diploma
Centre of Excellence (UK) - Graduated with Distinction (March 2022)
This diploma deepened my understanding of the physiological and emotional mechanisms behind anxiety in cats, including stress responses, fear conditioning, and the environmental and sensory triggers that sustain chronic anxiety in indoor cats. It directly informs the way I approach cases involving litter box avoidance, aggression, and withdrawal in cats who appear outwardly calm.
Level 4 Award in Pet Nutrition Advanced CPD Certified (Oplex, UK) - Higher Distinction (December 2020)
Many behavioral problems have a physical component. This certification gave me the tools to understand how diet, nutrition, and metabolic health intersect with mood, anxiety, and behavioral regulation in cats.
Level 4 Award in Veterinary Nursing Advanced CPD Certified (Oplex, UK) - Higher Distinction (January 2021)
This certification deepened my understanding of how pain, illness, and physical discomfort contribute to behavioral change in cats, and why ruling out medical causes is always the first step in any behavioral assessment.
My Publications
I am the author of The Litter Box Solution, a behavior-based framework for resolving persistent litter box problems that combines behavioral science, environmental modification, and stress management into a structured protocol for guardians.
My second book, Scratching Solved, is an enrichment-based guide to understanding why cats scratch and how to redirect the behavior without punishment or suppression.
My third book, The Advanced Play Handbook, is a specialist guide to play as a behavioral and therapeutic tool for indoor cats, drawing on enrichment science and predatory behavior research.In parallel, and as a Cat Music Researcher, I am developing original compositions designed specifically to reduce feline stress and support emotional regulation in indoor cats, an area that connects my background in music production with applied behavioral science.
The Litter Box Solution, Scratching Solved, and The Advanced Play Handbook are currently in pre-launch. Early subscribers receive priority access before public release, a 30% discount on the regular price, and a bonus case study delivered to their inbox within minutes of joining. If any of these titles would help you and your cat, you can join the waiting list here.
Early subscribers receive priority access before public launch, 30% off the regular price, and a complete bonus case study delivered to their inbox within minutes of joining, showing exactly how one cat stopped bed-peeing in 12 days. No obligation. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cat Music Research
My background in music production, developed over five years of formal study in London, continues to directly shape the way I observe cats and the environments they live in. Sound, rhythm, and frequency play a far greater role in feline emotional regulation than most people realize, particularly for indoor cats navigating overstimulating or unpredictable home environments.
Living and working alongside over a hundred rescued cats led me to notice something important: cats do not experience sound the way humans do. Music that feels calming or pleasant to us can be overwhelming, unsettling, or even stressful for cats, particularly where sound is constant, enclosed, and unpredictable. Through behavioral observation and practical experimentation, I have been exploring how specific soundscapes, rhythms, and frequencies can either increase stress or gently support calm, predictability, and emotional safety in cats.
I am currently developing original compositions informed by behavioral science, sensory regulation research, and observed emotional responses in rescued and sensitive feline populations. This work sits at the intersection of sound design, environmental enrichment, and feline behavioral science.
Real-Life Experience That Matters
As a Cat Music Researcher and trained music producer, my work explores how sound, rhythm, and frequency shape emotional states in cats. Before dedicating my work fully to feline behavior, I spent five years studying music production in London, a background that continues to directly inform my research.
Living and working alongside over a hundred rescued cats led me to notice something important: cats do not experience sound the way humans do. Music that feels calming or pleasant to us can be overwhelming, unsettling, or even stressful for cats, particularly in indoor environments where sound is constant, enclosed, and often unpredictable.
Through research, behavioral observation, and practical experimentation, I have explored how specific soundscapes, rhythms, and frequencies can either increase stress or gently support calm, predictability, and emotional safety in cats. I am currently developing original music compositions informed by behavioral science, sensory regulation research, and observed emotional responses in rescued and sensitive feline populations. This work sits at the intersection of sound design, environmental enrichment, and feline behavioral science.
Understanding Cats Beyond What We See
Before dedicating my work fully to feline behavior, I spent five years studying music production in London. That background continues to directly inform how I observe cats and the sensory environments they navigate. Sound, rhythm, and frequency play a far greater role in feline emotional regulation than most people realize, particularly for indoor cats living in environments where sound is constant, enclosed, and often unpredictable.
Living and working alongside over a hundred rescued cats led me to notice something important: cats do not experience sound the way humans do. Music that feels calming or pleasant to us can be overwhelming, unsettling, or even stressful for cats, particularly in indoor environments where sound is constant, enclosed, and often unpredictable.
Through research, behavioral observation, and practical experimentation, I have explored how specific soundscapes, rhythms, and frequencies can either increase stress or gently support calm, predictability, and emotional safety in cats. I am currently developing original music compositions informed by behavioral science, sensory regulation research, and observed emotional responses in rescued and sensitive feline populations. This work sits at the intersection of sound design, environmental enrichment, and feline behavioral science.
Methodology
My approach is built on four principles that run through every resource, case study, and piece of guidance on this site.
The first is that behavior is communication. Every behavioral challenge is treated as information about what a cat is experiencing, not as defiance or dysfunction to be suppressed.
The second is that environment precedes correction. Before any behavioral intervention, the physical and sensory environment is assessed and adjusted. Most behavioral challenges reduce significantly when the environment is right.
The third is that emotional regulation takes priority over behavioral compliance. A cat that feels safe behaves differently from a cat that is simply being managed. The goal is always genuine calm, not performed calm.
The fourth is that every cat is individual. What works for one cat may not work for another. Assessment, observation, and adaptation are built into every approach, which is why every written assessment starts with your specific cat's history, environment, and behavioral pattern, not a generic checklist.
Where to Go Next
If you would like to see how this training and experience translates into practical guidance, these pages are a good starting point:
Meet Lucia — my personal story and what led me to this work.
Cat Behavior 101 — the foundations of understanding feline behavior as communication.
Behavior Stories — real cats, real homes, and the changes that made a difference.
Work With Me — if you would like individual assessment for your cat's specific situation.
If you have a question about your cat's behavior, you can reach me directly. Every message is read personally.