Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado PhD

If Cats Could Talk...Webinar hosted by Basepaws
2021-07-13 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
I’ll be speaking about signs of pain in cats, and how you can establish a routine of dental care with your cat. Hosted by my friends at Basepaws!! The event is free and there will be time to answer your questions!!
eventbrite.com/e/if-cats-could-talk-tickets-162461708343

CAT CAMP! Human vs Cat: When Litter Box Problems Cause a Rift
2021-08-07 10:00 - 11:30
I’ll be speaking with my good friend Jackson Galaxy on Saturday, August 7th, at 10 AM Pacific/1 PM Eastern.
To live with a cat is to embrace compromise. In no area of the home is that clearer than the litter box. Cat guardians will try almost anything to avoid “living with the litter box” – but at what cost? Besides creating unintended issues, the cat’s welfare could be at risk, and just as importantly, the human-animal relationship.
In this session, Cat Camp counselors Jackson Galaxy and Mikel Delgado, PhD, Cat Behavior Consultant at Feline Minds will discuss common conflicts and less-than-ideal litter box setups that they observe when helping cat guardians. They will also talk about what leads cats to stop using the litter box and what can be done to get them back on track. And finally, Jackson and Mikel will take questions from session participants to help resolve the problems they are facing in their homes. Ultimately, this session will provide cat guardians with the tools they need to live successfully and happily ever after with their cats – and their cats’ litter boxes.
Brought to you by Litter Genie.

Using science to build a better relationship with your cat
2021-08-07 14:00 - 15:00
I’ll be speaking as part of the Animal Behavior Society’s FREE Public Day on Saturday, August 7th. Prerecorded talks will be available throughout the day, and I will be part of a LIVE panel discussion at 2 PM Pacific/5 PM Eastern.
On August 7th, you can access all the amazing talks and the panel here: https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/2021/program-public.php

Inside the Feline Mind: What Your Cat Wants (and Needs)
2022-03-31 15:00 - 16:00
Cat parents aren’t psychic but years of studying the feline mind have given us the answers to what most cats want and need from their human.
Think about the things that make your house a home: it’s functional, comfortable, and enriches your life. Your cat needs an environment that does the same. What does your cat need to live a happy life in your home?
In this webinar, I’ll be chatting with Dr Liz Bales, VMD, about your cat’s core needs and how we can read their minds (and their behavior) to give them an environment where they can thrive!
We will also discuss behavioral problems that can result from a lack of enrichment in their environment, expert recommendations for keeping your cat’s mind engaged, and debunk a recent study that likens our cats’ personalities to those of psychopaths.
Can’t watch live? Register now and be the first to receive a complete recording to your inbox as soon as the webinar concludes.

How to make your cat happy!
2023-01-18 15:00 - 16:00
Join me at this FREE webinar hosted by my friends at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. Wednesday, January 18th at 6 PM Eastern/3 PM Pacific. Register here!!

Learn all about common cat behaviors, how to meet your cat’s physical and emotional needs, and how to create a healthy and engaging home environment to ensure your cat is the happiest they can be.

IAABC FOUNDATION ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONFERENCE
2023-05-04 - 2023-05-07
I’m looking forward to giving three talks at this year’s IAABC Conference in Houston, TX. I’ll be presenting on play behavior in cats, feline feeding behavior, as well as the similarities and differences in working with cats in homes and shelters (co-presented with my business partner, Dilara Goksel Parry)! I’ll also be part of a panel discussion on aggressive behaviors in companion animals. More details here!

Ongoing Webinar: Feeding Outside the Bowl
2023-09-12 - 2024-07-20
I’m excited to announce that my webinar “Feeding Outside the Bowl” is being hosted by The Science Dog on their online learning platform!

It’s all about feline feeding behavior (including problems & solutions), how cats eat, and how they should be fed (note: this is not a nutrition talk!).

I’m also excited to be their first feline offering!

Registration is $34, which also gives you access to the platform where you can ask me questions!

Kittenhood Matters - The importance of early life experiences for domestic cats
2023-10-08 06:45 - 15:45
The all day National Kitten Coalition Veterinary Conference will feature talks from Dr. Sarah Heath, Dr. Natalie Marks, myself, and more!! An all day kitten extravaganza!!!
Although kittenhood may seem short, it has an oversized impact on later life outcomes for pet cats. This talk will review our current understanding of best practices related to the early life experiences of domestic cats. From the moment of conception, several environmental factors are already potentially operating on the future health and behavior of kittens. Most kittens are born outdoors, and many more orphaned kittens are being rescued and hand-raised. What are the possible implications?
Throughout the talk I will incorporate the results of existing research on kitten socialization and behavior in kittens’ first few months of life, with an emphasis on what happens from birth to weaning to adoption,
with an eye on how we can all best help kittens thrive beyond kittenhood.

A Serious Game: Understanding cats' predatory and play behavior
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:30
I’ll be live at the San Diego Natural History Museum in October, talking about my favorite topic: play behavior in cats!! See you there on Tuesday, October 17th!

Kittenhood Matters - IAABC Pounce 2023 Conference
2023-11-18 - 2023-11-19
A two-day online conference all about cats!! Learn more here.
My talk at Pounce will be a bit more in-depth than my presentation at the NKCVC, and I will go into more of the research behind kittens’ early life experiences!
Although kittenhood may seem short, it has an oversized impact on later life outcomes for pet cats. This talk will review our current understanding of best practices related to the early life experiences of domestic cats. From the moment of conception, several environmental factors are already potentially operating on the future health and behavior of kittens. Most kittens are born outdoors, and many more orphaned kittens are being rescued and hand-raised. What are the possible implications?
Throughout the talk I will incorporate the results of existing research on kitten socialization and behavior in kittens’ first few months of life, with an emphasis on what happens from birth to weaning to adoption,
with an eye on how we can all best help kittens thrive beyond kittenhood.

Play With Your Cat! online webinar Hosted by the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center NYC
2024-03-14 15:00 - 16:00
Join me on Thursday, March 14th at 6pm ET/3 PM PT, when I’ll discuss my new book, “Play With Your Cat!: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline.”

This is a free, online-only event hosted via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to all registered participants the day of the event. Please email UsdanInstitute@amcny.org with any questions.
REGISTER HERE!

Bridgeport CT Public Library Presents: Play With Your Cat!
2024-07-18 16:00 - 17:00
Please join us for this exciting event with animal behaviorist Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado. All participants will be entered to win a copy of her new book “Play With Your Cat!: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline!”

RSVP here https://forms.office.com/r/BML01YkzPC

Did you know that play is important to your cat’s well-being? Join Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado as she discusses her book “Play With Your Cat!” This talk will focus on interactive playtime with cats, including why cats play and how to play effectively with them! She’ll address cats who might be more challenging to play with, including “lazy cats,” senior cats and cats in multi-cat homes. Learn about some of her favorite toys and tools for playtime and get ready to have more fun with your cat!

Join me IN PERSON at CatCon!!
2024-08-03 10:00 - 17:00
I’ll be at Booth 603, signing copies of Play With Your Cat! on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. I’ll be hanging out with author/illustrator Lili Chin (who also illustrated Play With Your Cat!). Come meet us both!! Details at CatCon (catconworldwide.com)
CatCon
Pasadena Convention Center
300 East Green Street Pasadena, CA 91101

Midwest Veterinary Conference
2025-02-20 - 2025-02-22
I’ll be giving SIX talks about cat behavior at the Midwest Veterinary Conference

Feb. 20-22, 2025 // Greater Columbus Convention Center // Columbus, Ohio

mvcinfo.org

IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference
2025-05-09 - 2025-05-11
I will be giving two talks about cat behavior at the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference
May 9 – 11, 2025 The Antlers, a Wyndham Hotel Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

iaabcfoundation.org/animal-behavior-conference/

iCatCare World Feline Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland
2025-06-27 - 2025-06-29
The 2025 iCatCare World Feline Congress will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from June 27-29th, 2025! I will be there giving multiple presentations and serving on multiple panels.

Hot Science: Cool Talks - How to Make Your Cat Love You. With Science!
2025-10-10 17:30 - 20:30 | University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
“How to Make Your Cat Love You. With Science!” on Oct 10th
Purrfect! Dr. Mikel Delgado shares how to play and bond with your cat, backed by science. Cool Activities start at 5:30 PM and the talk starts at 7:00 PM!

Pounce 2025: Identifying and overcoming cat caregiver barriers to daily interactive play with cats
2025-11-01 - 2025-11-02
POUNCE! 2025: Two Days of Cat-Centered Learning, Wherever You Curl Up

Get ready to pounce into knowledge! Join us for POUNCE! 2025, the fifth annual virtual gathering that celebrates all things feline — from cutting-edge science and behavior to hands-on training and veterinary care.
Over the course of two inspiring days — Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 — you’ll hear from leading experts and researchers who share not just data, but real-world strategies that make a difference in the lives of cats and the people who love them.

Where: Online so that you can tune in from anywhere — your office, your couch, or your coziest cat-friendly corner.
POUNCE! has become a must-attend event for professionals working with cats. Each year, we bring together practical know-how, fresh research, and the latest trends in feline welfare. Join CAAB, VB, and PhD speakers, including Mikel Delgado, Kristyn Vitale, Zazie Todd, and other top-tier professionals in the field.

Chronic Pain Symposium 2026: "Grumpy or Painful? How behaviour professionals can recognise and help cats in pain"
2026-04-24 - 2026-04-26
Join me at this year’s Chronic Pain Symposium! I’ll be speaking on Saturday, April 25th, and there are tons of fabulous speakers!

Online Cat Behaviour Conference: "Have a good time, all the time: How play and enrichment improve cat welfare"
2026-10-03
Welcome to the Cat Behavior Conference, the ultimate
online event for cat professionals, volunteers, guardians,
and lovers worldwide! Join us as we explore the latest
research, expert insights, and practical behaviour
modification and training techniques to better
understand and support our feline friends. With live
presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and virtual
networking opportunities, don’t miss your chance to
learn, connect, and help improve the mental and
emotional well-being of the cats you work, volunteer or
live with – all from the comfort of your home!
