Aug. 19, 2026

Triggerology™: Understanding the Hidden Forces Behind Your Cat's Behavior

Triggerology™: Understanding the Hidden Forces Behind Your Cat's Behavior
Triggerology™: Understanding the Hidden Forces Behind Your Cat's Behavior
Cat Talk Radio
Triggerology™: Understanding the Hidden Forces Behind Your Cat's Behavior

What if the behavior you're trying to stop isn't actually the problem?

In this episode, Molly DeVoss introduces a brand-new way of thinking about feline behavior with Triggerology™—the study of what triggers a cat's emotional and behavioral responses.

You'll discover why behavior never happens "out of nowhere," how cats develop both positive and negative emotional associations, and why finding the trigger is often the key to solving behavior problems. From redirected aggression and litter box issues to fear, affection, and even the famous midnight zoomies, every behavior starts somewhere.

You'll learn:

  • What a behavioral trigger really is
  • Why behavior is communication—not defiance
  • The five categories of feline triggers
  • How trigger stacking pushes cats over threshold
  • Why punishment often strengthens unwanted behaviors
  • How desensitization and counterconditioning change emotional responses
  • How to become a "Triggerologist" and better understand your own cat

If you've ever wondered "Why did my cat do that?" this episode will completely change how you see feline behavior.