In Conversation With Jackson Galaxy: Pro Cat Behavior Training Advice

We sat down with Jackson, not in a sterile studio, but virtually, amidst the gentle purrs and occasional tail swishes of unseen feline presences that always seem to accompany his conversations. It was less an interview and more a journey into the heart of what it means to truly see a cat, told through the lens of someone who has dedicated his life to translating their silent language.

Jackson began, his voice a calm river, explaining a fundamental truth that underpins all his work: the Cat Mojo. It’s not just a cute phrase; it’s a profound recognition of a cat’s instinctual needs. “Think of a cat as a creature of routine, territory, and predation,” he articulated, leaning forward slightly, his passion palpable even through the screen. “Their Mojo isn’t about being fierce or dominant; it’s about being able to express their core instincts safely and freely within their environment. When a cat loses their Mojo, it’s usually because one of these pillars has been compromised.”

He recounted a client story that perfectly encapsulated this. A once playful, confident cat, Leo, had become increasingly withdrawn and aggressive towards the family’s new kitten. The veterinarian ruled out any medical issues, leaving the family at a loss. “They were devastated,” Jackson recalled, “convinced Leo hated the kitten, or worse, them.” The conventional advice might have been to rehome one of the cats, but Jackson delved deeper, into Leo’s lost Mojo. The new kitten had disrupted Leo’s established “hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep” routine. His favorite napping spots were now invaded, his primary litter box felt threatened, and playtime had become competitive, rather than a solitary expression of predatory instinct. “We didn’t just ‘train’ Leo,” Jackson explained, “we rebuilt his world.” This involved creating separate, elevated “cat superhighways” for each cat, designating distinct feeding stations far apart, and dedicating specific playtime for Leo, using wand toys that mimicked prey, allowing him to ‘win’ and restore his confidence. The family also learned the importance of “scent soakers”—items like scratching posts or blankets placed in strategic locations to allow cats to mark their territory without confrontation. Within weeks, Leo’s withdrawn demeanor softened, and the aggression faded. “It wasn’t magic,” Jackson mused, “it was simply understanding that when a cat feels secure and empowered in their environment, their true, loving self can emerge.”

The conversation drifted to the often-misunderstood issue of litter box aversion, a common source of frustration for cat parents. “It’s rarely about spite,” Jackson emphasized, “and almost always about discomfort or fear.” He detailed another case, a beautiful Persian named Luna, who started urinating outside her box after a house move. The owners, understandably stressed, had initially scolded her, only making the situation worse. Jackson’s approach began with a medical check-up – always the first step, he stressed, citing AVMA guidelines on ruling out physical ailments. Once cleared, he focused on Luna’s sensory experience. “Imagine stepping into a dirty public restroom every time you needed to go,” he said, offering a relatable human parallel. “Or a restroom in a scary, dark corner, or one where you feel trapped.” For Luna, the new litter box was too small, placed in a high-traffic area, and filled with a strongly scented litter she disliked. The solution was multi-pronged: larger, uncovered boxes in quiet, safe locations (the N+1 rule: number of cats plus one), unscented litter, and a diligent cleaning schedule. He also suggested using a Feliway diffuser, a synthetic cat facial pheromone that can help create a sense of calm and security in the environment. “We’re asking them to live in our human world,” Jackson said softly, “the least we can do is make their most vulnerable moments feel safe and clean.”

The most profound insight, perhaps, was Jackson’s unwavering belief in the human-animal bond as the ultimate driver of behavioral change. He spoke of the “cat guardian” as an active participant, not just an observer. “We have to be present, truly present, with our cats,” he urged. “That means observing their subtle cues – the twitch of a tail, the flatten of an ear, the dilation of pupils. These are their conversations with us.” He admitted his own journey wasn’t without its challenges, recalling a particularly difficult feral cat he worked with early in his career, whose trust took months, even years, to earn. “There were days I felt like a failure, like I wasn’t getting through,” he confessed, “but I learned that patience, consistency, and showing up every single day, even when progress was imperceptible, eventually chips away at fear.” This reflective moment underscored the imperfection inherent in any deep relationship, human or otherwise. The breakthroughs, he explained, often came not from a new trick, but from a profound shift in his own energy – a calm, confident presence that signaled safety. The human emotional landscape, he reiterated, has a direct impact on our pets, a notion increasingly supported by studies on animal stress and human interaction. Our anxiety can become their anxiety. Our calm, their calm.

The deep lesson Jackson shared was that every behavioral challenge is an opportunity for profound connection, a chance to refine our empathy.