Modern Cat Fall/Winter 2020

cat

Foraging Fun! How To Make DIY Food Puzzles For Your Cat p64

The lifestyle magazine for modern cats and their companions

FALL·WINTER 2020/21

Happy

Your Cat Needs Vertical Space

Cat!

Publications Publications Agreement Number 42496543 Mail Dept, 202–343 Railway BC V6A 1A4 Agreement NumberReturn 42496543 Return Mail Dept, SuiteSt., 101Vancouver, - 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9

10 Essentials for a Calmer, Happier Cat p30

p28

musvte ha t ca ! gear

p70

Inspiring Cats of Instagram

Cat Sounds EXPLAINED Rescue Kitten TV! moderncat.com DISPLAY UNTIL JAN 31 ‘21

$6.95

p24

Is it Play or Fighting?

How to take FLAWLESS cat photos How to help cats with vision & hearing loss p22

Catify Your Life!

A Kinder Goodbye: At-Home Euthanasia PLUS 50 Shades of Brown: a Comprehensive Guide to Cat Poop

FALL/WINTER 2020/21

cat VOL 9

NO 2

48 FEATURES 24

Is it Real Fighting or Play Fighting?

Cats Fighting: 10 ways to know if it’s real or play.

BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER

30

Happy Cat 10 easy ways to reduce your cat’s fear, stress, and anxiety for a calmer, happier, well-adjusted cat.

34

Cat Friendly Interior Design Meet the small-space designer who’s all about decorating on a budget—and cats!

BY ROSE FROSEK

THE GOODS

40

Final Moments, Spent At Home A kinder goodbye: the rise of at-home euthanizations.

22

Catify Your Life Cat-tastic finds to thrill both you and you cat.

BY DARCY MATHESON

52

How To Take Dramatically Better Photos of Your Cat Cat photographer Andrew Marttila shares how to easily and instantly improve your cat photography.

28

The Importance of Vertical Space Provide exercise and decrease tension with these vertical space solutions.

BY JENNIFER NOSEK

38

Purrfect Presents A gift guide for cats and cat lovers.

64

DIY Food Puzzles For Cats Homemade foraging toys offer cats important environmental enrichment—and can solve behavioural problems too! BY MIKEL DELGADO AND INGRID JOHNSON

62

Healthy Paws Solutions for everything from feline acne to anxiety and stinky litter boxes.

74

Rescue Kitten Reality TV The rescue organization bringing you live streamed rescue kittens 24 hours a day! BY YAUNNA SOMMERSBY

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F AL L · WINTER 2020/ 21

In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 9, Issue 2. Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 061114003. Postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

PHOTO RIGHT TINYKITTENS

74

BY MIKKEL BECKER

ndly C a t - f r i ei o r inter ps! i design t

Could Your Cat Benefit From CBD? Proponents testify it’s a remarkably effective, natural way to deal with all manner of ailments.

46

Why Is My Cat Sneezing?

Are cat sneezes normal? A vet gives the lowdown.

BY DR. SARAH MYERS

48

Vision and Hearing Loss in Cats Causes, the sometimes-subtle signs, and how you can help your cat adapt. BY TRACEY TONG

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 12 The Scoop 18 Photo Contest 78 Marketplace

24 COVER CAT Seven-week-old Bobby, photographed by Andrew Marttila.

Bobby is a rescue kitten fostered by cat photographer Andrew Marttila and his fiancé, “Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw. Find Andrew’s cat photography tips on page 52.

Inset illustration by Michelle Simpson.

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F AL L · WINTER 2020/ 21

36

DIY Stylish Cat Litter Box Cabinet How to hack an Ikea cabinet so that it hides a litter box!

58

Cat-Sitting For Free Accommodation Meet the traveler who cat-sits her way across the USA.

BY MICHELLE MORTON

BY ALEXANDRA GATER

68 Connie’s Book Club

Curl up with a great cat and a good book! Editor-in-

Chief Connie Wilson’s current must-read books for cat lovers.

70

Special Cats of Instagram These inspiring (and darn cute!) cats don’t let their challenges get in the way of living their best lives—and winning tons of Instagram followers!

BY BECKY BELZILE

72

Cat Sounds Explained Cat vocalization types and what they mean.

80

50 Shades of Brown A comprehensive guide to cat poop.

68

PHOTO RIGHT CARLA ANTONIO

44

We’re Giving It Away!

We’ve got months of cool cat stuff, from cat toys to cat trees and custom portraits, up for grabs! Turn to page 20 to see all the awesome giveaways!

INSET ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE SIMPSON

BODY & SOUL

20

CARTOON FROM ‘CATS ARE PEOPLE TOO’ BY DAVE COVERLY

52

CAT LIFE

PHOTO LEFT ANDREW MARTTILA

34

EDITOR'S LETTER

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

CONNIE WILSON WITH DAO DAO, PHOTO TANYA KING

OUR READERS WRITE

Too Cute!

@tildatheblepcat doesn’t like being interrupted when reading her favourite magazine.

W

hat a year it’s been so far. Especially in challenging times, we lean on our cats—for comfort, to make us laugh, to remind us to live in the moment—and certainly we’ve needed those things of late. More than ever, people are appreciating cats for what they are to so many of us: family.

This issue is a celebration of our remarkable friends. We share top tips for cat-friendly interior design along with DIYs for making homemade food puzzles to encourage foraging. We take a look at the incredible rescue organization bringing you live streamed rescue kittens 24 hours a day, decipher cat vocalizations (p 72), and offer up cool cat stuff to be won (p 20).

We also explore how you can improve your cat’s life, from providing vertical space (p 28) to easy ways to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety for a happier cat (p 30). Expert, actionable advice from cat behaviourists like Mieshelle Nagelschneider, known as the Cat Whisperer for good reason, will improve your understanding of our sometimes enigmatic four-legged friends. Articles like “Is it Real Fighting or Play Fighting?” (p 24) address common cat behaviour questions, while features on how to take flawless cat photos (p 52) will dramatically improve your cat photography game.

As always, we explore ways to enhance our cats’ wellness and happiness, delving into how and why to try CBD for cats, recommending the best, tested and approved toys, litters, and more, and sharing the coolest finds for cats and the people who love them. Plus, this issue features truly amazing cats who have overcome challenges and are inspiring others to do the same, and is filled with irresistibly adorable feline faces to put a smile on your face.

Bedtime Reading

Enrique reading the spring/summer issue of Modern Cat!—Rose Lupo

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together.

With love,

Catching up on the ‘mews’

Connie Wilson, Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief

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Oliver, a four-year-old Bengal kitty, engrossed by his reading.—Lisa Cech

cat

C O N TRIBUT OR S

F A L L · W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 / 2 1 VOL 9

Dr. Mikel Delgado

is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist and a Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant. She works at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis where she researches cat behaviour and the welfare of orphaned neonatal kittens. Mikel has worked with cats for 20 years, first at the San Francisco SPCA, then founding the consulting partnership Feline Minds in 2008. Mikel also co-authored the book Total Cat Mojo with Jackson Galaxy. She lives in Sacramento, CA with her boyfriend and their rescue cat, Clarabelle.

On page 64, Mikel and her Feline Minds partner Ingrid Johnson share how to make DIY foraging feeders to engage your cat’s natural instincts.

Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Design & Production

Hayley Schmidt Sales & Marketing

Linda Helme, Amanda Dalla Zanna Comptroller

Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA Accounting Services & Subscription Services

Vicki Szivos Sales & Marketing Assistant

Georgia Riddle-Olsen Audience Development Coordinator

Yaunna Sommersby Subscriptions & Office Assistant

Becky Belzile

Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 9, Issue 2.

Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at Suite 101 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Cat, Suite 101 - 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 9, Issue 2.

Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

Postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

PHONE

(604) 734-3131 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3131

FAX

(604) 734-3031 OR

TOLL FREE

(866) 734-3031

The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

An avid pet lover since rescuing her first Calico cat at age eight, Darcy Matheson is a journalist based in Vancouver, Canada. PetFundr, her animalonly crowdfunding platform, just celebrated its fifth anniversary. It has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through social media for people pursuing worthy animal projects. Turn to page 40 for “A Kinder Goodbye,” Darcy’s look at the rise of at-home euthanasia.

F AL L · WINTER 2020/ 21

Modern Dog Inc.

INTERESTED IN SUBSCRIBING? Give us a call at 1-800-417-6289 or subscribe online at moderncat.com/subscribe

Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant Ingrid Johnson is a cat lover through and through. She runs FundamentallyFeline.com, providing both in-home and phone consultations, co-developed FoodPuzzlesforCats.com, and makes her own line of feline foraging toys, scratching posts, and litter boxes.

She also lectures nationwide on cat behaviour, works for feline-only veterinary hospital Paws Whiskers and Claws, and is Co-Director of Paw Project-Georgia. Ingrid shares her home with husband Jake, seven rescue cats, and a rescued Great Pyrenees. Turn to page 64 for Ingrid and Mikkel’s DIY food puzzles for cats.

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Publisher

Copyright 2020/21 by Modern Cat Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Cat and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Cat Inc. Modern Cat is published two times a year. Two-year subscription prices: Canada $18CAD, U.S.A. $18USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Cat Subscription Services, Suite 101 - 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9

PRINTED IN CANADA

www.moderncat.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 42496543 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

@ #

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Stuff We Love

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Modern Cat staffers’ picks of the litter!

BM

1 Made with soft fabrics in a variety of patterns like this adorable rose print, this cute and cozy flannel cat bed from Sushi Cat Style will quickly become your cat’s favourite napping spot!—Amanda (from $35, sushicatstyle.com) 2 Having a multi-cat household means that litter box maintenance is top priority and having a litter that lasts is important! All natural, biodegradable, and perfume free, Naturally Fresh Cat Litter’s walnut-shell blend litter is super-absorbent, effectively neutralizes odours, and makes scooping easy. A definite litter win!—Vicki (from $16, naturallyfreshlitter.com)

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3 Cats certainly know how to make a giant mess when using their litter boxes! Keeping my litter box area tidy is easy with the Original Ribbed Foam Litter Mat from Cocktails and Meows. The ribbed design effectively traps litter and the Grey Trellis pattern is so chic!

—Leo the Bengal Cat ($22, cocktailsandmeows.com) 4 These cushions are so cute! Send your cat’s photo to Everything About Animals and they’ll make it into a pawsitively adorable custom cushion made with organic and ecofriendly fabric and ink.—Becky (from $55, everythingaboutanimals.com)

BL (

5 If you’d like to let your cat explore the outdoors but rightly worry about dangers, the Combination Barrier Kit from Cat Fence is for you! Add it to any height of fence to keep your cats safe in their own backyard.—Georgia (from $105, catfencein.com) 6 My cat is very picky about her litter box. Meanwhile, I want to make sure I am using a sustainably sourced litter! We both love the Soft Wood Cat Litter from Catalyst, engineered from upcycled soft wood fiber so it is completely sustainable while being lightweight, soft underfoot, and offering strong clumping and superior odour control.

—Cecilia ($23, catalystpet.com)

^

7 My cat Beavis is hilarious when in playtime mode—he loves to carry his toys around and snuggle with them! His new favourite is From the Field’s Bae The Hemp Body Pillow made with 12 inches of strong hemp fabric filled with their signature organically grown catnip, silver vine, and valerian root!—Hayley ($12, fromthefieldpet.com) 8 Keeping my litter area organized is essential for easy clean up! The patented HandyHolder from Litter-Lifter hides away your litter scoop for clean and easy storage. Hang it on the litter box, on a wall or use the base to position it on the floor or a shelf. Comes in a variety of fun colours!—Rosie Cotton the Tuxedo Cat ($7, litter-lifter.com)

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9 The worst part of being a cat parent? Having to weigh needed veterinary care against what you can afford to spend. Avoid this heart wrenching dilemma. Coverage through Nationwide Pet Insurance lets you see any vet and then get money back on your vet bills. Peace of mind? Priceless.—Jennifer (Plans start at $35 a month, petinsurance.com) 10 As my cat ages, I want to make sure her eyes stay healthy. The Ocu-GLO Soft Chews for Dogs and Cats are specifically formulated with feline eye health in mind! Made from a blend of 12 different antioxidants, they also include ingredients such as Grapeseed Extract, Lutein and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.—Linda ($60, animalnecessity.com) 11 A custom watercolour cat portrait may well be the best gift ever, whether for yourself or a friend. Simply send Christy Freeman Stark of Christy!Studios a photo and she’ll create a lovely stylized portrait of your cat.—Connie (from $75, christyfreeman.com)

&

THE SCOOP

SUPER CHONK ‘C

honky’ Mr. B, the Internet-famous hefty cat who finally found his forever home, is now giving back to cat lovers impacted by COVID-19.

The then 26-pound cat became a familiar face online last year after Morris Animal Refuge’s Facebook post in search of an adopter for Mr. B went viral.

Today, Mr. B is living the good life with his new family, including five furry siblings, in Philadelphia—and has lost four pounds, his mom Sarah Bergstein told Modern Cat magazine.

Sarah said she began thinking about ways to fundraise for feline advocates after attending a conference ran by a cat rescue organization last year. She realized she had the perfect audience to enlist to help make a difference—while Mr. B is losing weight, he’s still gaining attention, with more than 21,000 followers on Instagram alone.

After the convention, “I just kept thinking ‘there has to be a way to recognize the people who give so much of themselves in service to cats,’” Sarah said. Inspired, she decided to launch what she’s calling a “Random Acts of Kindness” campaign. The GoFundme, titled ‘There is SO much GOOD WE can do,’ has a $20,000 goal with 100 percent of the funds raised being divvied into smaller amounts for cat rescuers “whose lives, livelihoods, work, or worlds have been upended because of COVID-19.”

“I just kept thinking that, you know, here are all of these people who donate so much of their life, and their time, and their work, and the goodness of their heart to doing this phenomenal work in cat rescue,” Sarah said. “A lot of times they’re just not

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compensated for the amount of work that they do.”

These musings became the impetus to start the $20,000 fundraiser for those trying to help cats during the pandemic, “because I believe that the people who follow Mr. B are kind and generous humans, and I don’t doubt for a second that we could reach a goal like that.”

When the GoFundMe was launched at the end of April, Sarah said they received “overwhelming donations,” adding, “I know people are wonderful, but this is just more than I thought.” As of August, she has raised $8668, with $4000 being donated thus far to eight different organizations and individuals doing rescue work.

“These people that we’ve donated the money to so far took those funds and put them right back into cat rescue,” Sarah said. The very first person to receive a $500 donation from the campaign was out trapping a cat with a hurt leg when they got the call from her. They said, “This is going to pay for so many surgeries!”, Sarah recounts.

Sarah says that even when the goal is surpassed, she “will do this fundraiser so long as people keep contributing.”

One thing she hopes people will take away from this campaign is realizing “we all have the ability to create positive change in the world,” she says, “whether it’s just as simple as posting something on social media, to going and volunteering at your local rescue, to keeping a can of cat food in your purse so that you can feed a homeless cat—there’s so many ways, and none of them are less important than the other.”

—Michelle Morton

PHOTOS SARAH BERGSTEIN

‘Chonky’ Mr. B, the big cat with an even bigger heart, is helping cat rescuers impacted by COVID-19

THE SCOOP ng at i l c y c p u t! its bes

J

ust in time to add some levity to your life, there’s a new, even grumpier cat in town. Kitzia, a frowny-faced feline influencer, is quickly amassing a social media following, with over 94,000 followers on Instagram.

Blessed with the face of a permanent sourpuss, Kitzia (Ukrainian for “Kitty”) can be seen scowling over a bowl of food, sending death stares through the camera, and playfully rejecting affection.

The grouchy looking cat lives in Florida with her companion Viktoriia Otdielnova, a professional photographer who has put her skills to great use documenting Kitzia’s every pout and glare for the benefit of us all. According to Viktoriia, though Kitzia may look grumpy, she’s really a sweet cat with an affectionate personality. Her Instagram account is filled with likes and memes of the frowning cat to entertain and delight even nominal cat fans.

Kitzia continues the legacy of the original Grumpy Cat who passed away in May of 2019 of urinary tract infection complications. Grumpy Cat, whose real name was Tardar Sauce, was the infamous celebrity cat who inspired books, licensed merchandise, and countless media appearances celebrating her trademark scowl.

Perhaps Kitzia is next in line for the throne. Follow Kitzia on Instagram at @grumpy_kitzia.—Becky Belzile

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Samsung’s new “eco” TV packaging transforms into cat houses, magazine racks, and more As we all know, cats and boxes were meant for each other. In an extension so natural it’s ingenious, Samsung has unveiled TV boxes that are designed to transform into cat houses, as well as other useful objects, like magazine racks and shelving (to store your collection of Modern Cat magazine, of course).

The new “eco-packaging,” currently used to ship Samsung’s Serif, Frame, and Sero TV models, is made from eco-friendly corrugated cardboard that allows for easier recycling in addition to the upcycling of the cardboard boxes for creative reuse.

A dot matrix design on each side of the cardboard boxes allows customers to cut the boxes more easily, while a QR code provides instructions for transforming the packing into the range of different objects, including shelves, small end tables, and, our favourites, the cat houses and magazine racks, an innovation that earned Samsung a CES Innovation Award earlier this year.

GRUMPIER CAT PHOTOS @GRUMPY_KITZIA

The New, Even Grumpier Cat Set To Take Social Media By Storm

Turn Your TV Box into a Cat House

THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS!

CARTOON BY JOHN KLOSSNER; JKLOSSNER.COM

Test your "funny." Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderncat.com/cartooncaption. The most comic captions will be published in the next issue.

C A R T O O N © 2020 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

And the winning captions from last issue are…

The Litter Box of the Future is Here Goodbye dreaded scooping, hello effortlessly clean litter box!

Cleaning the litter box is a universally disliked task, but one that is essential to your cat’s happiness and wellbeing, not to mention key to deterring outside-of-the-box elimination.

Luckily, Instachew has come to the rescue with their new, smart litter box, The Pura X, which does the dirty work for you.

Equipped with many sets of high-precision sensors to detect all aspects of the environment around the litter box, The Pura X enables accurate and safe automated cleaning. When the sensor detects the cat leaving, it is programmed to initiate the cleaning process two minutes after the cat has left. A honeycomb-shaped sieve then allows clean litter to pour through into the inner barrel while excrement is pushed into the waste box. A plant-based deodorizer eliminates odour at the source and an app even allows for health monitoring. All you have to do is remove the bag from the waste tray when you are alerted to do so! ($399, instachew.com)

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“Does your pillow feel lumpy?”

SUBMITTED BY PATRICIA TRIPP

RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS “Nothing’s working. It’s your turn to set off the burglar alarm.”

SUBMITTED BY CHARLES HENTON

“This is how you give your owner pink eye.”

SUBMITTED BY RICHARD SUAREZ

“And now let me show you the new dance I saw on Animal Planet.”

SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH DEWAN

“Outta the way, fur ball coming up.”

SUBMITTED BY CONNIE ISAAC

R E SUP !

E T U C

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

odin

owen

puffball

nutmeg

scuba

ashton pablo

boo benjamyn

fat fat

jiffy

violet

maya

isla

tofu norman

toews murphy & maya

smudge

colby

tiguidou

simba manu

lily

Think your cat ought to grace the pages of Modern Cat? Upload your cat's photo at moderncat.com/photocontest.

Not only will he or she be entered to be our Cat of the Week, but a selection of the photos entered will appear on these pages!

leo

elliot

willow

ENTER TO WIN

We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways October through March. Go to moderncat.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every two weeks.

october

november

1st-14th

Win 1 of 12 FurZoff, the new and better way to remove pet hair from your home and vehicles.

Made in USA of 90% recycled material, it’s 100% durable!

15th-31st

Win 1 of 4 kitty litter prize packs from Neon Litter! The prize pack contains 6 bags of litter and a neon litter scoop. It comes in 5 bright colours, has zero dust and is soft-on-paws!

december

1st-14th

Win 1 of 3 feline wellness packs from Vetericyn. Includes a bottle each of their Antimicrobial Feline Facial Therapy, Hydrogel, and Wound & Skin care.

15th-30th

One lucky cat owner will be getting Armarkat’s A8001 cat tree! This tree holds up to 80 pounds, making it perfect for several cats. Plus, it’s Cat Daddy Approved by Jackson Galaxy!

january

1st-14th

Win 1 of 3 custom 12" x 12" watercolour portraits on canvas of your cat from Christy! Studios.

february

1st-14th

Win 1 of 10 Indoor Hunting Feeders from Doc & Phoebe!

Cater to your cat’s instincts while they hunt for their food!

15th-31st

Win 1 of 10 Katapult 2-in-1 interactive toys from KuhleKatz!

The unpredictable bouncing spring and catnip infused mouse promote mental stimulation and independent play.

15th -28th

Win a Pura X Smart Litter Box from Instachew! It features manual, scheduled cleanings, a deodorizer, and can even track your cats wellbeing with its health monitor.

1st-14th

Win 1 of 10 coupons from Primal Pet Foods! Coupons are redeemable for their new Raw Toppers Butcher’s Blend in any recipe.

15th-31st

Win a prize pack from Amazingly Cat! It includes some of their most popular products: a cat water fountain, marshmallow cat bed, and a selection of toys.

march

1st-14th

4 lucky winners will receive a 3-month supply of highperforming, sustainable litter from Catalyst Pet. Choose from three different formulas

15th-31st

Win 1 of 5 CBD pet health support soft chew remedy prize packs from HempVet! Includes their Immunity Support, Calm Support, and Joint Support for Cats.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning October 1, 2020 at 12:01 AM (PST) through March 31, 2021 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderncat.com/giveaways. Each biweekly giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Every two weeks, the specified number of winners for that giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderncat.com/giveaways.

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INSET PHOTO: YUKI SUBMITTED BY WARREN

s y a w a e v i G t a Gre

FAV FINDS

120

$

95

$

Finding the right scratching solution for your cat isn’t always easy. The ScratchLadder from Scratch Play Meow can be customized with a variety of textured scratching panels and toy panels to help you keep your cats engaged and scratching where you want them! scratchplaymeow.com

Handmade and purrfectly stylish, this twobowl raised pet feeder from Madrock Design can be customized with an engraved name plate and comes with stainless steel or glass bowls. madrockdesign.ca

75

$

Elevate your home décor with a stylish tribute to your feline best friend: a custom pet portrait from Illustrate-it!

Simply send the photo you’d like them to use and they’ll create a gorgeous portrait of your cat. A can’t-miss gift idea! illustrate-it.ca

Catify Your Life!

Cat-tastic designs to thrill both you and your cat!

55

$

The versatile and comfy P.L.A.Y. Snuggle Bed gives your cat several sleeping options, converting from a mat to a bolster bed and even a sleeping bag! Made with dirtresistant canvas and plush faux fur, it’s machine washable too. petplay.com

22

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Made with upcycled fabric and local premium organic catnip, these Kitty Kicker toys from Former Fibres are adored by cats and are durable and environmentally friendly too! etsy.com/ shop/FormerFibres

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Your cat is going to feel like a true hunter when playing with the Dancing Fish Cat Kicker Toy from Amazingly Cat! With a motion detecting motor inside and a refillable catnip pouch, this toy will keep your cat excited about playtime. amazinglycat.com

ILLUSTRATION MICHELLE SIMPSON

BEHAVIOUR

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PLAY OR FIGHTING? Cats fighting: 10 ways to know if it’s real or if it’s play

By Mieshelle Nagelschneider, the Cat Whisperer Illustration by Michelle Simpson

I

f you have two or more cats, you’ve probably seen your cats suddenly rolling around on the floor together, biting and kicking each other, and felt alarmed. Is it possible the behaviour you are witnessing is innocent play fighting or could it be true aggressive behaviour? Could your cats who were once best of friends have developed issues with each other?

Many cat owners often think their cats are truly fighting with each other when in fact it’s normal cat behaviour known as play fighting. They witness one of their cats attempting to pin the other cat down, biting the neck and bunny kicking the head. Even though the interaction can look worrisomely rough and a lot like real aggression, it can still be play fighting. A major difference between play fighting and real fighting is the intent behind the behaviour.

What is Play Fighting?

Cat play-fighting behaviour, also known as social play or mock aggression, is behaviour that appears to be aggressive, but without the purpose to harm the opposing cat. Some form of this pretend aggression is a normal part of all feline play. Interestingly, social play behaviour is present in almost all species. It would make sense that a cat owner would have difficulty discerning this social play activity from true cat-to-cat aggression—many of the postures and fighting maneuvers are the same that cats would display in an actual cat fight. However, even though the play may appear rough at times, it’s much less intense than a real cat fight.

Play fighting is a form of communication between cats.

“If your cats are play fighting, let them be. Play—even when it looks like fighting to you—allows kittens and cats to show off their assertiveness and strength. It helps establish social ranking within the home and so smooths out territorial and social issues”.—Excerpt from The Cat Whisperer book

Play Fighting Doesn’t End at Kittenhood.

Kittens, from as little as four weeks of age to well into their juvenile stage of six months to two years, have an intense drive to sharpen their hunting skills. As part of their feline evolutionary biology and gene-encoded behaviour, they will have the need to practice several fighting and hunting motor pattern sequences multiple times a day. The stalk and chase, grab and bite, pounce and bite, and the “kill” bite are practiced over and over again. Once they move into adulthood, play fighting is still a normal part of their daily repertoire, but the frequency  moderncat.com

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If play fighting behaviour between cats looks similar to real fighting, then how do you really tell the difference between the two? Looking at their social interaction when they are not play fighting is one way. Generally, if your cats get along well, the fighting you are witnessing is most likely your typical social play. Even cats that are not best of friends and simply seem to tolerate each other can still come together in the evening for a good play fighting session. Although play fighting can occur any time of day, cats are most active at dusk and dawn and you will often see more social play behaviour around these times. For young kittens and juvenile cats, it can be any time of the day and often. Play fighting can be a good sign that your cats are bonded and feel affiliated with each other.

If your cats do not engage in play fighting it can be due to a variety of factors such as lack of proper socialization with litter mates as kittens, health issues, environmental stress, lack of a group scent, or they simply do not like each other.

Play Fighting Checklist: Ears, Tails, Claws, Eyes: A cat’s ears will almost always be in the forward or relaxed position (not pinned back against their head). Occasionally, you may see the ears go back, but this is usually due to keeping the ears out of the way so to not have them kicked or bit during the play fight. A cat’s tail can do almost anything during a play fighting episode. Both the victim’s and aggressor’s tails can lash and thump wildly. The claws may be out at times, but without the goal to inflict harm. Their pupils may or may not be dilated.

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Body positioning: During most of the play time, you will almost always see the cats leaning towards each other instead of leaning away. Prior to the play fight you may see one cat partially hiding behind a chair, staring at the intended play fighting recipient.

2

Taking Turns: The pretend victim will lie on his side inviting the aggressor to make his move. The aggressor is usually sitting or standing approximately one to three feet away focused on the victim. The roles will eventually reverse, and the once-pretend victim is now the pretend aggressor. These roles may not necessarily be 50/50 due to different factors. A specific cat may be more

3

dominant and become the play aggressor more of the time. It can also be that a cat who plays the victim more of the time may simply be too lazy to be an active aggressor. There are many more reasons you may not see your cats taking turns equally.

Taking Breaks: Cats will take several breaks during play fighting.

You should not see constant activity. Cats will sometimes pause several seconds in between their next calculated move and a few minutes of no activity when they switch their victim and aggressor roles.

4

Vocalization: Generally, you should not hear any growling, hissing, yowling, or screaming.

Occasionally a hiss or yowl might happen if one cat goes a little too far and bites the other cat too hard. If one cat outweighs the other by a few pounds, this can also create unintentional overpowering and you may hear a shriek from the smaller cat.

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6

Grooming: Approximately 35 percent of play fighting sessions begin with one cat grooming the other cat.

Cat Fur: The cat’s fur should not suddenly look fluffier than usual, meaning the fur on the back and tail should not be standing up on end.

7 8

Bite pressure: Occasionally a cat may become too excited and sink his teeth in a little too hard, but typically bite pressure should be light to medium. Play fighting is a way that kittens learn to inhibit their bite pressure with another cat. If they want the play fighting to continue, they need to not upset the other cat by biting too hard.

9

Relationship: If you would describe your cats as best of friends or even only somewhat friendly, play fighting can be a part of their daily repertoire. Cats that are merely familiar with each other and without a bad history will also play fight.

10

Time of day: Adult cats typically play fight during the early morning hours and any time after dusk.

With kittens and juvenile cats, play fighting is frequent and can be any time during the day or night.

The next time you see one of your cats stalk, pounce, bite, swat, and ambush the other cat, don’t panic—it can all be due to natural play fighting behaviour. 

Cat Behaviourist Mieshelle Nagelschneider, also known as The Cat Whisperer, is a cat behaviour expert for National Geographic cat behaviour books, documentaries, and the television show “Animal’s Doing Things” with Howie Mandel. She is the author of the New York Times acclaimed cat behavior science book, The Cat Whisperer (Random House Publishing) which is the first scholarly-cited cat behaviour book for cat owners. To schedule a phone or video consultation, go to thecatbehaviorclinic.com.

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ILLUSTRATION MICHELLE SIMPSON

is usually less and more prevalent in the early morning hours or, like my own cats, after dusk.

Adult male cats generally also have a stronger drive to play fight than adult females.

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The Importance of Vertical Space

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C

ats have an innate need to jump and climb that dates back to their wildcat ancestry. These natural behaviours should be encouraged by providing safe outlets.

Creating vertical space encourages much needed exercise and decreases tension in the multi-cat home—if you have more than one cat, vertical spaces play a critical role in how well your cats will get along. Make your cat happy with these tested and approved vertical space solutions!

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This uniquely designed Tabby wall mounted cat shelf from Hangman Pets promotes positive scratching behaviour and provides an elevated space for your cat to climb and lounge on. hangmanproducts.com

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Armarkat’ Classic Cat Tree features several perch spots and a cozy house for your cat to lounge in. Made from faux fur and pressed wood, it also features scratching posts so your house panther can jump and scratch to her heart’s content. armarkat.com

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Happy Cat! 10 easy ways to reduce your cat’s fear, stress, and anxiety for a calmer, happier, well-adjusted cat | By Mikkel Becker

We

asked Mikkel Becker, a certified trainer and behaviour consultant and head trainer for Fear Free Pets (fearfreepets.com and fearfreehappyhomes.com) for her top 10 things you can do in your home to improve your cat’s life and general happiness. She readily shared her list. Mikkel uses positive reinforcement and non-force based training strategies rooted in scientific learning theory to help pets and their people live better lives together through kind training and bond building. Read on for her top tips to reduce fear, stress and anxiety in cats for an all-around calmer and happier cat!

1

Create a predictable routine.

Cats thrive on knowing what to expect, when, and how it’s going to happen. They’re in large part creatures of habit and relish some amount of control by having an idea of what to expect and when. (Hey, they sound a whole lot like us humans!) Reduce your cat’s anxiety by offering as regular a schedule as possible, especially for important events like mealtimes. You can even consider feeding your cat out of automatic feeders like Portion ProRX that monitor your cat’s daily intake and alert you to changes in your cat’s appetite. By doing so, you offer a predictable schedule that alleviates the angst your cat may feel wondering when their next meal might be fed—and reducing the need to wake you up if your cat is an early riser that disturbs your sleep to remind you it’s mealtime!

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Consider Feliscratch. If

you’re tired of your cat clawing up the drapes, the couch, or the bedspread, you can help to direct your cat’s clawing instinct to a more acceptable outlet like their scratching post. Feliscratch is a pheromone spray that uses an attractant that chemically signals for the cat to scratch in a given area, thereby drawing the cat away from less desirable scratching spaces.

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Offer acceptable scratching posts. Too often

the scratching posts that are offered to cats aren’t the ones that cats want.

Ensure that the scratching post offers your feline a full stretch. Ideally, look for posts that have a three foot height to allow for the cat to fully extend their legs, paws, and dig in their claws as they stretch their body. In addition, ensure it’s stable and doesn’t wobble or tilt when the cat digs in and scratches.

Encourage positive scratching behaviour with Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher

by SmartCat. Made with woven sisal to naturally promote scratching, it allows your cat to fully stretch out! ($25, pioneerpet.com)

4

Hide portions of

your cat’s regular meal or tiny pieces of treats in different places around the home that encourage your cat to explore. Try placing a catnip toy, a few treats, and a food puzzle on different levels of your cat’s climbing spaces.

5

Pet the way your cat enjoys. Unfortunately, people

often pet cats in ways that are overstimulating or upsetting. Most cats prefer to be pet or scratched in less offensive areas that include the sides of the cheeks, top of the head, or for some, the base of the tail, as opposed to a headto-tail pet or, worse yet, the tummy. For cats that tend to get over-the-top if pet too long and move to bite, consider other ways to show your cat affection, such as through play. When petting, limit touch to the places your cat actually wants to be pet and limit the time. If in doubt, stop petting and see what the cat does. If the cat leans away or moves away, or if other signs of irritation are present, such as pupils widening and looking darker, ears going back, the tail swishing or starting to wag, note that the cat has had more than enough, and aim to avoid pushing the cat to such a point in the future.

6

Trim the cat’s nails in a Fear Free way. Whether

you’re trimming your cat’s nails at home or they’re being done at the groomer or vet, it’s important that the cat’s emotional wellbeing is taken into constant account throughout the experience. The nail trim should be more akin to a relaxing pedicure than a holdem’-down struggle-and-fight event that is all too often the common experience for both cat and person during nail trims. There are ways to minimize the struggle and stress, including through the use of food distractions, towel wrapping techniques for those cats that are calmed by their use, and through training the cat to remain calm and comfortable when paws and nails are handled. You can find a Fear Free Certified Professional or Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice to work with you and your cat by visiting fearfreepets.com or fearfreehappyhomes.com and searching the directory for those certified in your area.  moderncat.com

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7

Switch it up! While

cats enjoy routine, they also appreciate variety that’s structured around that schedule. Variety keeps their minds challenged and offers exciting novelty to their day. You can rotate your cat’s toys or create homemade puzzles or toys on the cheap (see page 66) to keep your cat’s keen interest peaked and the mind engaged in healthy challenges.

Incite a frenzy of play with the adorable Frisky Furball from P.L.A.Y.! ($7, petplay.com)

8

Remember that cats are trainable and they love to learn!

Just like people, cats like to be caught doing something right and rewarded for their efforts. In fact, your cat is already trained, you just might not realize it! Cats are constantly pairing their behaviour with the outcomes they experience. For instance, meowing incessantly can result in their person walking to the kitchen to deliver their food.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t want, focus on what you do want, and build on the good by rewarding the desirable behaviour your cat already does. Or, teach your cat to do what you want them to do by setting them up for success through teaching in tiny steps that build success upon success to achieve the final behaviour you want your cat to perform.

Not only will your cat look like a genius to your friends when they’re able to perform a high five, but it offers a practical form of mutual communication that you can use with your cat that strengthens your bond and offers a way to tell your cat what you want them to do.

9

Scoop your cat’s litter daily. Cats, just like people, don’t like to do

their duty in a restroom that stinks to high heaven. Just as we would seek to avoid a porta potty that contains the smells of everyone before us, so too are cats likely to avoid going in litter boxes that contain previous smells and contents of their own eliminations and/or those of their feline housemates. Daily scooping keeps the spaces clean and limits odour buildup. It also provided your cat fresh litter to walk in that’s less clumpy and gross to step on, allowing the cat to freely sift and dig to cover up where they left off—all important pieces for successful litter box use.

The secret to easier, faster, and cleaner scooping? The revolutionary, award-winning Litter-Lifter.

It’s designed to catch even the smallest waste with the first pass without scooping up the clean unused litter. (from $5, litter-lifter.com)

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Give your cat the type of care that’s protective

both physically, as well as mentally and behaviourally. Fear Free veterinary care, grooming, and training is focused upon protecting a cat’s emotional wellbeing throughout all of their care experiences, including those at the vet, groomer, as well as in the home. A cat should never have to suffer emotionally in order to receive the physical care they need. In other words, the vet, as well as the care you provide at home, can be comforting and feel safe for your cat, rather than scary or threatening, as your cat may have experienced past vet visits. Ensuring emotionally safe experiences allows for better quality care to be provided in a less stressful, safer way, protecting cats and the people working with them. It’s a win-win for all involved. 

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CAT STYLE

CAT FRIENDLY INTERIOR DESIGN

Alexandra Gater and her cat Lottie.

Meet the small space designer who’s all about decorating on a budget—and cats! | By Rose Frosek

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ouTuber Alexandra Gater has become an authority on home makeovers on a budget, transforming small, uninviting interiors into dream spaces for millennials and beyond.

The Toronto-based 28-year-old’s YouTube channel, featuring snappy how-to’s for rental-friendly upgrades and DIY projects on a budget, has clearly tapped into a need—it’s amassed over 300,000 subscribers, with some videos racking up over a million views.

It was as a former Home Editor at Chatelaine magazine that she realized there was a real need in the world of interior decorating for pocket-book-friendly, unintimidating design how-to.

“My goal was, and is now, to inspire people no matter what their skill level to have a beautiful home,” says Alexandra.

Best of all, she has two cats—16-year-old Harriet, and Lottie, a Ragdoll who just turned one—so she knows all about creating cat-friendly interiors that don’t sacrifice style. We asked her to spill her top suggestions for creating a beautiful home that also works for your cats, including an Ikea hack for creating a litter box cabinet!

Many cat people feel like they have

Q: to sacrifice style to meet their cats’

needs. Do you ever feel that way?

A: “I don’t think you have to sacrifice style at all!

There are so many trendy and stylish products on the market—down to cute cat bowls—that, in my opinion, add to the decor of your home.

“I get so many questions asking how my home stays so stylish and clean with two cats, particularly when it

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PHOTO CARLA ANTONIO

My goal was, and is now, to inspire people no matter what their skill level to have a beautiful home.

What are your top three tips for

Editor’s Pick: ViviPet has a

selection of super-cute cat bowls and plates, like the Mini Kitten Bowl, pictured. ($9, vivipet.com)

comes to the sofa. A trick I’ve found is using velvet furniture (but good, high quality velvet). I find it easier to clean, and it’s more difficult for them to scratch velvet and ruin it.”

an art to creating harmonious Q: There’s space so that both pets and people are happy in their home. What are the top things you think cat parents need to consider in order to achieve this?

A: “I definitely think that cat parents need to think about the

litter box situation before getting a cat. Especially in a small space, it can get messy really quickly. There are so many beautiful litter boxes on the market—the Pidan “Igloo” Cat Litter Box is my fave ($140 teddybob.ca)—and also so many fun Ikea litter box hacks!” (See page 36 Alexandra’s Ikea hack for creating a DIY litterbox cabinet)

Can you share your favourite life-hacks to

Q: beautifully catify your home?

A: “All of those small details really count! Cute food bowls,

accessories, and even furniture that doubles as cat beds are easy ways to beautifully catify your home! I also keep my cats’ toys in a decorative basket in my living room. Even doing that makes the storage of their toys so much more stylish!”

Q: improvements you can make to a small

space to better accommodate cats, particularly multiple cats?

1. Invest in a litter bench/cabinet that hides their box.

2. Make sure all of their accessories are beautiful! There are so many options on the market; you just have to do a little digging!

3. Invest in furniture that doubles as a pet bed to save space.

Any fun suggestions for ways to decorate

Q: that incorporate a love of cats?

1. Get a custom pet portrait! I love Vintage Pets (vintage-pets.com)! So quirky and fun.

2. Tasteful cat art. Because who wouldn’t want a hipster cat print on their wall? (etsy.com/shop/WaterInMyPaint)

Do your cats enjoy the DIY concealed

Q: litter box? Did it take a while for them to

embrace it?

A: They do! It’s also great because it has a ton of extra storage so it’s where I store extra litter, their brushes and extra food.

It didn’t take them long at all to embrace it—within a half day they understood!

How do you keep your house smelling

Q: fresh in a multi-cat household?

A: Tofu litter has been a game-changer for me. It’s the only

litter I will use. My favourite is Pidan Original Composite Cat Litter ($15, teddybob.ca).  moderncat.com

35

craft D.I.Y.

PET PROJECT

Cat LitterBox Cabinet

PHOTOS CARLA ANTONIO

How to hack an Ikea cabinet so that it hides a litter box!

By Alexandra Gater

Supplies Needed: • Pet door • IKEA PS Cabinet • Metal drill

1

2

Assemble the cabinet that you will be using to conceal the litter box. I used the IKEA PS cabinet.

4

3 Using a drill and a metal drill bit, drill holes into the cabinet in all four corners of the marked rectangle. Please remember to wear safety glasses and gloves.

Make This!

5

Using metal scissors, cut along the traced lines. Use the drilled holes in the cabinet as a starting point. It’s okay if the lines look really messy and imperfect because the metal will be covered up by the pet door.

36 moderncat

All pet doors should come with a template.

Cut the template out (if needed) and tape it where you would like the pet door to be on your cabinet. Using a pencil, trace around the template onto the cabinet.

• Metal drill bit • Metal scissors • Safety glasses • Safety gloves

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Install your pet door on both sides of the cabinet. Every pet door is different, so for this step you’ll need to follow the instructions that come with the pet door you purchased.

6 Place your litter box inside and show your cats!

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Purrfect Presents A gift guide for cats & cat lovers!

Spoil your cat this holiday with a wall mounted cat shelf from Hangman Pets!

Available in three models, these durable, high-quality shelves help promote positive scratching and provide your cat with the vertical space they desire. hangmanproducts.com/pets

Litter-Lifter’s patented Handy-Holders are the perfect colourful companions to Magic, Pellet, Beamer, and most large scoops.

They’re sturdy, compact, hygienic, and versatile.

Hang on the litterbox, wall, or snap into the base to use on shelf or floor. litter-lifter.com

The new Black Cat Drinking Buddy Water Fountain from Cocktails and Meows helps keep your cat healthy by encouraging them to drink more! Its unique design is durable, easy to operate and keep clean. cocktailsandmeows.com

Want to show your cat a jolly good time? Yeowww! Catnip’s holiday toys are hand-stuffed 100% full of organically grown catnip and are sure to provide a euphoric holiday experience! yeowww.com

A Cats Domain offers beautiful, unique modular cat furniture systems that will have your cat purring for more! Made with highquality materials like Baltic Birch, they’re the perfect cat-friendly addition to any home. etsy.com/ca/shop/ ACatsDomain

Meet Snowball, an adorably mischievous bundle of feline fluff celebrating her first Christmas by playing matchmaker for her favourite humans.

Snowball’s Christmas is a charming romantic comedy perfect for the literary kitties on your list!

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Final Moments, Spent At Home A Kinder Goodbye: The Rise of At-Home Euthanizations

By Darcy Matheson | Illustration by Diana Bolton

It’s heartbreaking to say goodbye. At-home euthanasia makes it easier. A growing trend, at-home euthanasias are a blessing for pets and the people who love them.

K

aren Duncan has been in the room for the last minutes of the lives of many, many animals.

As the co-founder of Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue (VOKRA) in Vancouver, Canada, which can take in up to 1,800 felines each year, the animal lover has been present for hundreds of euthanizations of cats and kittens since the non-profit started in 2000.

“It’s very hard. The kittens are the hardest. They’re the sweetest little things,” she says.

Between her own pets and being with foster parents and adopters when they say their final goodbyes, Karen believes that at-home euthanization, where a veterinarian comes into the home for the procedure, is a much easier experience for both the person and pet.

“The animal feels like they’re safe lying in your arms instead of on a table in a vet’s office,” she says. “You don’t want them having stress in their last minutes.”

Growing Trend The idea of at-home euthanizations is far from a new idea in the world of veterinary medicine. In fact, house calls used to be the norm and the practice has been around for hundreds of years. Think, James Herriot, the veterinary surgeon making his country rounds treating not only large farm animals, but cats and kittens too.

But the practice fell out of practice, so to speak, as vets started clinics in standalone buildings, and multiple veterinarians joined hospitals where equipment and resources could be consolidated to be more efficient and cost effective.

But now mobile operations are coming back into focus, not just for the sake of customer convenience, but also as a more holistic measure of treatment— especially when it comes to palliative and end-of-life care.

That is especially true for older and sick animals, when the goal shifts from curing what ails them to providing comfort and compassion, according to the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, an  moderncat.com

41

organization that creates guidelines for compassionate approaches or philosophy of end of life care.

Diseases or conditions that would most frequently warrant the end-of-life approach include cancer, organ failure, severe osteoarthritis, cognitive dysfunction, or dementia or senior pets approaching the end of life. It also includes “failure to thrive,” which is described as any life-limiting condition that is contributing to an excessive burden of caregiving for a family, or treatments/ interventions that are unacceptable to the pet.

A Kinder Goodbye Dr. Jeff Berkshire started doing at-home euthanizations for a handful of clients about six years ago. Now he can’t keep up with the demand.

“The response from pet families has been the most rewarding of my career. It means so much,” Dr. Berkshire, based in Vancouver, Canada, tells Modern Cat. Between travel time, the procedure, and acting as a defacto counsellor to his clients, the at-home service takes a lot more time than it would in a clinic, at least an hour.

And that doesn’t factor in the time the longtime vet spends with clients leading up to the procedure, between reviewing the animal’s current condition, health concerns, and discussing palliative care options and prognosis, as well as quality of life concerns and end of life decision making considerations. It’s the kind of quality of end-of-life care that often isn’t possible in a busy, clinical setting.

“Hospitals do their best but there are so many people and animals coming and going,” he says.

But Dr. Berkshire maintains the time and emotional

What Vets Want You to Know About AtHome Euthanasia Dr. Laura Chenault has performed approximately 800 athome pet euthanizations. Here’s what she would like pet owners to know about having a vet come into your home for your pet’s final moments.

Do Not: Clean your house Dr. Chenault says many clients feel they need to clean before she comes over, but the last thing a vet cares about is whether the house is tidy. She is there as a collaborator, a helper, an assistant—not a guest. “I don’t care if their house is clean,” she says.

Do: Have special treats Does your cat love tuna? Cheese? Now is the time for special treats, or a final meal that they love. The only physical discomfort the animal will feel in the entire

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investment of being face-to-face in the animal’s home is worth it, both for him and the pets and their owners.

“They thank you for taking time with me, for making things peaceful for me and my pet. And although they had fears it was much easier than they anticipated it being,” he says.

After decades of working in emergency medicine, Dr. Laura Chenault created a mobile practice so she could provide end-of-life care for pets in the comfort of their owner’s homes instead of a clinical setting. Stepping Stone Veterinary Care, in San Antonio, Texas, is centred around compassionate in-home euthanizations and hospice care, and is an extension of what Chenault felt was lacking in modern vet care: Space and breathing room to help navigate pet parents through difficult end-of-life decisions for their loved ones.

She wants people to know that euthanization “doesn’t have to be this scary, clinical experience.”

“You don’t want their last experience to be one of fear going into a clinic and trying to get them onto a table,” she says.

During her home visits, she sees pet parents much more willing to display their emotions in the comfort of their own home. And that’s a good thing.

“Sometimes they will apologize for crying but I tell them not to. This is your baby. It’s good to cry,” she says.

The ability to be open with emotions is another advantage of the service. People can be more open, and loved ones can be present for the final moments as well.

The whole family, children too—Dr. Chenault sees it as a much more natural way to express grief.

process is the sedative shot administered under the skin, and Dr. Chenault says many pets can be distracted through food so they don’t even notice it.

Do: Use familiar and comfortable items Does your cat have a special blanket or bed they like to lie on? A stuffed animal they like snuggling with? This is a logical spot for the process where they will be the most comfortable.

Do: Have a support system Having family members, or other friends who loved the pet in the home, can make the process easier. Dr. Chenault says sometimes whole families will be present, including kids, who get to express their grief in a more natural and healthy way.

Do: Show emotion One of the biggest advantages of being in your own home is that pet parents can be more open with their emotions. Dr. Chenault wants people to know: It’s okay to cry. “If this was my baby I would cry,” she says.

Peaceful and Pain Free The aim of at-home euthanizations is to be as peaceful and pain-free as possible for the animal and their human loved ones. And that starts with education and preparation.

That often means multiple conversations and consultations with pet parents before a vet ever enters the home so they know what to expect when the day comes.

Pet guardians can choose where the procedure will take place. That could mean your cat’s bed, a favourite lounge spot, the floor, a beloved blanket—somewhere your cat is the most comfortable.

“If the cat is nervous or may hide when the veterinarian comes to the home, it’s best to close doors to areas where the cat might hide so they are more easily accessible for the appointment,” says Dr. Berkshire.

The procedure itself is nearly pain-free. A sedative is given and once it takes effect, a final injection is administered to put the animal to rest.

Dr. Chenault says the only part that has a physical discomfort component for the animal is administering a sedative injection under the skin, although she can usually alleviate that as well by doling out some treats while she’s doing it. She brings “make friend” treats to each appointment.

“They just get to fall asleep eating treats. I’ve told my children I want to go [that way], eating chocolate in my own bed. Who wouldn’t want to go like that, surrounded by loved ones?”

Last Moments Spent At Home Fiona Marelllo had her beloved 12-year-old Manx cat, Alto, humanely euthanized earlier this year by Dr. Berkshire.

After the beloved feline became suddenly and gravely ill, Fiona decided she wanted Alto to “pass into the spirit world” at home instead of at the vet clinic -- a place he despised.

The cat “really, really hated the vet. He would panic. It was always super traumatic for him,” she says of her visits.

Instead, Alto passed peacefully while being held in Marello’s arms, with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” playing in the background.

Although it was emotionally painful, Marello strongly believes it was the best choice for her family, and Alto, and one she would choose again for future pets.

“I was holding him on my couch—we’re not in this clinical room and we got to properly say goodbye,” she says.

“Alto was so calm. It really felt respectful and genuine and loving.”

Karen Duncan echoes those sentiments. She will continue to choose at-home euthanizations for her own pets, and believes it is the kindest and gentlest goodbye to a loved member of the family—to be with them in their last moments on earth—no matter how sad it is.

“I want to be holding the animal, to make it as peaceful as possible,” she says.

“It’s important for the animal to feel loved in the end.” 

Cats Look For Their People In Their Last Moments This was shared on Facebook by Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital and received over 130,000 shares “When you are a pet owner, it is inevitable, the majority of the time, that your pet will die before you do. So if and when you have to take your pet to the vet’s office for a humane pain-free ending, I want you all to know something. You have been the center of their world for THEIR ENTIRE LIVES!!!! They may just be a part of yours but all they know is you as their family. It is a crappy decision/day/time/event every time, there is no argument against that, and it is devastating for us as humans to lose them. But I beg you DO NOT LEAVE THEM. Do not make them transition from life to death in a room full of strangers in a place they don’t like. The thing you need to know that most of you don’t is THEY SEARCH FOR YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE THEM BEHIND!!!!

They search every face in the room for their loved person.

They don’t understand why you left them when they are sick, scared, old or dying from cancer, and they need your comfort. Don’t be a coward because you think it is just too hard for YOU; imagine what they feel as you leave them in their most vulnerable time and people like me are left to try our best every time to comfort them, make them less scared, and try to explain why you just couldn’t stay.

—From a tired, broken-hearted vet”

Grieving?

We know how devastating it is to lose a cherished feline friend so we created a space for posting memorial tributes (free of course) in remembrance of cats who have crossed the rainbow bridge. You’ll also find resources to help you cope with your loss. Remember that life is a circle and true love forever.

“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

—Helen Keller Post a memorial and find grief resources at moderncat.com/memorials

moderncat.com

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Could Your Cat Benefit from CBD? Proponents testify it’s a remarkably effective, natural way to deal with all manner of ailments

By Rose Frosek

Get started with these CBD products designed for cats!

F

rom dinner parties to progressive vet offices, there’s a reason you keep hearing about CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is commonly called, is a hemp derivative that is non-psychoactive, meaning that, unlike THC, it won’t get you or your cat high. CBD is now legal in both Canada (Health Canada recently approved a clinical trial to research the use of cannabidiol to treat animal anxiety) and the US, where it is federally legal, though some states put restrictions on buyers.

CBD proponents are many. Owners as well as vets, such as Dr. Katherine Kramer, medical director for VCA-Canada Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital, a small-animal integrative hospital in Vancouver, B.C., report that cats suffering from pain, anxiety, loss of appetite, and seizures, among other ailments, have shown remarkable improvement without suffering the side effects of conventionally prescribed medicines.

“There is increasing evidence that CBD can be helpful for pets with arthritis or chronic pain, cancer, seizures, and some behavioural issues, such as anxiety, cognitive impairment,” says Dr. Kramer, who is also a director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine.

Testimonials from cat people who have found that their cats have a new lease on life following the administering of CBD abound. To administer to your cat, you’ll want to choose a quality, third-party lab tested product formulated especially for pets. Options such as tinctures, oils, treats, and orally administered sprays, available through pet stores, dispensaries, and online shops are available.

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These high-quality hemp derived CBD pet treats from Beloved Paws CBD are designed to alleviate feline anxiety, relieve pain, support joint mobility, and decrease inflammation, all with a bacon flavour your cat will love!($46, belovedpawscbd.com)

Green Roads CBD Drops Cat Formula is pharmacist formulated especially for cats. Non-intoxicating and third party lab tested, these CBD drops can help your cat with pain relief, anxiety, and more. ($20, greenroadsworld.com)

Jasper Soren’s Feline CBD is a high concentrate formula for cats of all sizes letting you adjust daily dose for maximum results. Organic hemp oil is blended with broad-spectrum CBD isolate from Colorado growers in this double-independent labtested formula. ($109, jaspersoren.com)

Feline Blend Health Drops from Healthier Pet combine 99.2% pure CBD isolate with organic hemp oil, as well as Omega 3’s for added health benefits.

Lab-tested to human-grade standards and designed to work quickly, they help treat an array of feline ailments. (from $35, healthierpet.org)

BODY & SOUL

WHY IS MY CAT SNEEZING?

Are cat sneezes normal? A vet gives the lowdown | By Dr. Sarah Myers

acho oooo !

S

ometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. If your cat sneezes once in a while, this can be normal just like when a person sneezes once in a while. However, if your cat is sneezing multiple times in a row, and you’re seeing any type of nasal discharge or ‘snot’ accompanying this, that could be a concern.

Bacterial infections, viral infections, allergies, household irritants or, in very rare cases, parasites can cause your cat to sneeze. Start by considering if anything has changed in your home environment. Did you get any new plants? Are you using a new air freshener or cleaning product? Is it extra dusty due to home renovations? If any of these fit your situation, then you have a logical starting point to consider. It’s also possible that cats could develop an intolerance to a previously tolerated scent or product, so you can’t fully rule this out even if nothing has changed, but it becomes less likely. If the sneezing only occurs at certain times of the year, allergies would be a consideration. Allergies to pollen are possible if the windows are left open in the spring, or to dust mites when the furnace starts up in the winter, for example.

If you have most likely ruled out changes in the home, it’s time to consider an infection, or more specifically an upper respiratory tract infection. Along with the sneezing, does your cat have eye discharge? Has his appetite decreased? Is she sniffling? Does her meow sound raspy? If this is the case, it is time to call your veterinarian to have your cat examined. Along with gathering valuable information from your observations of your cat’s sneezing and general behaviour, your vet will check your cat’s temperature to see if she is running a fever and examine your cat’s gums.

Your veterinarian may suggest a test for respiratory infections called a PCR test. A long swab is used to rub the back of your cat’s throat and also under the eyelid. From this swab, a diagnostic laboratory can confirm the presence or absence of certain bacteria and viruses. The two viruses that most commonly cause upper respiratory tract infections are

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herpesvirus and calicivirus.

Cats who test positive for herpesvirus or calicivirus were most likely infected as kittens. Shelter situations or breeding catteries that have multiple cats carry a higher risk of spreading infection. While cats positive for calicivirus will initially be contagious to other cats for up to several months, cats positive for herpesvirus can have multiple flare ups throughout their lives in times of stress during which they are contagious to other cats. Many owners choose to have the PCR diagnostic test done for this reason. Although there is no cure for herpesvirus, with this confirmation comes the knowledge that you will need to try to keep stress at a minimum for your cat and that they likely will experience flare ups in the future that may require veterinary treatment.

Upper respiratory tract infections are treated in different ways depending on their severity. Because viruses cannot be cured by antibiotics, these are not always an essential part of treatment. However, bacterial infections can occur on top of viral infections when your cat’s immune system is under strain. Cats who are positive for herpesvirus or calicivirus are therefore more susceptible to bacterial infections and may require antibiotics as part of their treatment plan.

If they are heavily congested and not eating or drinking, some cats require the support of either intravenous fluids or subcutaneous fluids (fluids placed under the skin) for hydration. If your cat’s appetite has decreased, it is likely because their sense of smell is affected, which can cause them to lose interest in food. Sometimes some warmed up wet food will pique their interest as it has a stronger smell than dry food.

These viruses are not life threatening, and most infected cats live a full and fairly normal life. They may require some extra care from time to time, and a few more trips to the vet than your average cat. If you have a cat that you suspect may have a virus affecting their respiratory tract, it is important to talk to your vet before adopting a new cat, especially one of unknown vaccination status.

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BODY & SOUL

Vision and Hearing Loss in Cats Causes, the sometimes-subtle signs, and how you can help your cat adapt | By Tracey Tong

A

t around 19 years of age, Sylvia Smith’s family cat, Loekie, did something that caught her attention: he walked right into a chair.

“In my dad’s house, things were hardly ever moved, so Loekie knew his way around well, says Sylvia, who lives in Gouda, the Netherlands. “One day after vacuuming, my dad moved a chair back a little less than he normally did, and the cat walked right into it. It was just a few centimetres off—we could tell by the mark in the carpet.” That’s when the family knew: Loekie couldn’t see anymore. “After that, we just made sure that everything was in place and nothing was moved—the house, the garden, his food and water,” says Sylvia. “As long as things are where they should be, it’s no problem at all.”

Loekie also learned to make a wide berth around furniture he knew moved often, such as kitchen chairs.

On the family’s part, they made concessions for him.

“We would always be aware of bags and stuff on the floor if he was there, because we knew he could bump into that.”

Like Sylvia, Susan Harris also had subtle clues that her cat had lost one of her senses—but for 14-year-old Lahara, it was her hearing. “We just noticed a few

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months ago that she has lost most of her hearing,” the Orting, WA resident shared on Modern Cat’s Facebook page. “If she’s not sure where we are, she’ll sit and meow loudly until one of us goes to her.” Lahara can still hear some high frequencies, however. “If we clap our hands loudly or my husband whistles, she can hear it.” Susan, too, has made adjustments to communicating with her cat—she stomps on the floor to get her attention, pets her gently to wake her, and watches her carefully when she is outdoors.

While hearing or vision loss in cats are usually a byproduct of aging, hearing and vision impairment can also be caused by accidents, injury, disease, and birth defects.

In many of these instances, hearing and vision loss can only be addressed by adjusting the cat’s—and his or her human’s—lifestyle and environment. Sometimes, however, conditions can be corrected by treating the underlying cause.

If you think that your pet is losing their vision or hearing, you should see your primary care veterinarian as soon as you can, says Dr. Danny Joffe. Some causes of vision loss, including hypertension (high blood pressure), are manageable, as are ear infections and eye infections.

Addressing cataracts or taurine deficiency (an essential 

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How to help a blind cat Consider keeping your cat restricted to certain rooms or levels of the house to keep him from falling down stairs or accidentally getting outside. If your cat has to go outside, consider using a harness and a leash, or putting her in an enclosed garden.

Once a blind cat learns the lay of the land at home, try not to change anything. Keep food and litter boxes in the same place.

Blind cats love toys that make noise due to their heightened sense of hearing.

Talk to your cat frequently.

Microchip your cat and attach your name and number on his collar in case he gets out and wanders too far from home.

How to help a deaf cat To get your cat’s attention, tap your foot on the floor or knock against a surface.

Provide your cat with safe forms of visual stimulation. Get down to his or her level, and provide safe toys and decor in your home so that if anything falls and your cat cannot hear the warning sounds, he or she will not be hurt.

Use body language to communicate.

Extend your hand to call your cat, wave your hands or use a spray bottle to squirt water to correct bad behaviour.

Stick with a routine for mealtimes and feeding locations.

A deaf cat cannot hear predators approach. Keep your cat indoors, or in an outdoor enclosure to protect him.

For any cat with a sensory loss, the most important thing is to be patient.

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amino acid for cats) can also help with vision loss. For hearing, removing impacted wax or non-cancerous tumours are two root causes that can be treated. “Unfortunately, most of the other causes are not treatable, but your veterinarian can give you some very good ideas on how better to manage a pet that has become blind or deaf,” says Dr. Joffe, National Medical Director for VCA Canada and founder of Landing Animal Clinic, in Calgary, AB and Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (C.A.R.E. Centre), a 22-vet, multi-specialist referral and emergency clinic where he is currently medical director.

“Cats that develop very severe eye infections that are not treated (e.g. stray cats) can lose vision as their corneas (the clear outer layer of the eye) become opaque; this can happen at any age,” says Dr. Joffe. “Blindness more commonly happens in older cats from two different pathological processes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is common in cats, and if it is severe it can lead to retinal detachment which would lead to acute blindness—this tends to happen in middle age (eight years and up).”

Another common cause of blindness in older cats is retinal degeneration where the retina slowly deteriorates over time, leaving a cat blind, says Dr. Joffe. “In these cases, the client sometimes does not even realize that their pet is blind as it comes on so gradually that the cat adapts to the change and it does not faze them at all. This tends to happen from two to five years of age—though a congenital form of the disease that happens at two to three months of age occurs rarely.”

So how can you tell that your cat has lost his or her vision? Signs of sight loss could include walking very carefully, bumping into things initially, and being less active, says Dr. Dan Gilchrist, who founded the Waterville Veterinary Clinic, a small animal practice in Waterville N.Y. Owners might notice that their cats have “fully dilated pupils even in bright light; lack of menace reflex (not reacting or not blinking in response to a rapid movement of the hand toward the eyes); and the cat being careful not to cause air movement on the eyes that would cause a blink.” Dr. Joffe adds, “if cats lose their vision slowly, for example from retinal degeneration, many people cannot even tell that the cat is blind as they adapt very well. If vision loss happens quickly, for instance with high blood pressure leading to retinal detachment, then the cat may bump into things when walking, they act like they are disoriented or confused, and they may vocalize more than normal.”

In the end, medical causes for cats losing their sight—trauma, neurological problems, and high blood pressure—are more common than genetic ones.

Rarely, cats are blind at birth from a congenital malformation, says Dr. Joffe.

Hearing loss has its own set of signs and symptoms.

“Cats that lose their hearing often sleep very soundly or seem startled when you try and wake them up,” says Dr. Joffe. “As well, when cats lose their hearing they may vocalize very loudly as they cannot hear, so they do not modulate their tone—some cats can get very loud if they go deaf.” They also startle easily, and may not notice if their owner enters a room. A deaf cat with a hearing housemate may also look at the hearing cat for visual clues about what is going on.

According to Dr. Joffe, there are many reasons for a cat to lose his or her hearing. “Cats can be born deaf (congenital deafness)—this trait is linked to a white coat colour (and potentially to blue eye colour), though not all white cats are deaf. In older cats (likely over 12 years of age) deafness can just be an age-related change due to alterations in the nerves utilized in hearing

as they age. Very severe ear infections, or masses (mostly benign) can lead to deafness. Sometimes the explanation is simple. “Some ear medications can block the ear canal and lead to deafness at any age that potentially can be fixed by removing the ’clump’ of medication,” says. Dr. Joffe.

If the owner is still not sure, Dr. Gilchrist suggests “a test can be done when the animal is sleeping with a metal saucepan and metal spoon—rapping the pan in the cat’s proximity, loudly. Lack of response would be diagnostic in this case. Also, standing behind the cat and making a loud whistle or doing so with a referee’s whistle to note any response would be diagnostic as well.”

For many cat parents, having a feline with hearing or vision loss doesn’t make for more work nor more stress (for the cat or the owner) and does not impact the relationship between the cat and his or her owner.

Two of Sarah Quincey’s five cats are blind, but they are so well adjusted that people rarely notice right away that Hank, a three-year-old black and white domestic shorthair, and Tillie, a five-year-old domestic shorthair calico, cannot see.

The cats, who both had their eyes removed as kittens (Tillie had reversed lenses and Hank had a severe eye infection caused by keratitis), are just like regular cats, says Sarah. “They love chasing toys, playing in boxes, climbing up on towers, and even ‘watching birds’—My Hank and Tillie both move their ears and heads to birds movements outside. And Hank has even caught flies and wasps… both of them will climb, play, fight, run, explore like the rest.

When people are over, they don’t even believe they’re blind because, despite them having no eyeballs, you can’t tell.”

Cats utilize their other senses to figure things out, says Sarah. Her own cats use their hearing and their sense of smell. “But I also catch them reaching out paws, or slowly putting their head out to test things as well. If they climb up on a tower and are trying to get down, they reach their paws out to see how far the next level is.”

Many cats adapt to their disability, sometimes in unusual ways. Julie Jackson once fostered a blind tortoiseshell cat that learned to beg for treats.

Aurora, a five-year-old former stray that was missing one eye and blind in the other, loved chicken and could smell, but not see it. “She would sit upright wherever she was and beg… much like a dog, waving her tiny paws whenever she smelled chicken,” says Julie, who lives in Richmond, VA. “I laughed so hard the first time I saw it. I was so unprepared! Needless to say, it totally worked and she got a few tasty bites of chicken.”

An animal abuse survivor, Geordie has also adapted after losing his eyes after they were gouged out when he was a kitten.

In the year and a half that Shawna

When cats lose their hearing they may vocalize very loudly—some cats can get very loud if they go deaf.

Pooler has had him, Geordie has “adapted so well (that) when people come over, they do not realize he is blind,” says Shawna.

“Geordie was a hot mess when I got him. He was angry and aggressive because he could not see,” says the Jefferson City, Missouri resident. “Working with him in a constant environment has really helped him. He is more confident and sure of himself. Now he is a very loving cat.”

There are a few ways that Shawna tries to help Geordie out. She keeps Geordie’s surroundings the same. And as a volunteer foster pet parent for People Helping Paws Cat Rescue, she lets Geordie smell the new kittens she brings home. “When something is different, he will immediately put his paws out in front and swat around.”

“For those cats that have lost sight it’s important to keep their environment unchanged,” seconds Dr. Gilchrist.

“They get along fine if the furniture and other objects stay in place. Keep them confined to a one floor space if possible. Sign language is useful with deaf cats. Sometimes they can hear high pitched sound like a referee’s whistle which can be used to get their attention.”

For the most part, many pet parents don’t have to worry. “The incidence of blindness and deafness in the general population of cats is low in my experience,” says Dr. Gilchrist. What cat owners can do is to get their feline friend regular physical exams. Dr. Gilcrest recommends once a year, plus anytime a concern comes up, to ensure early treatment before health conditions lead to hearing or sight loss. “Vets and owners can work together,” he says, “to watch out for high blood pressure accompanying heart conditions and hyperthyroidism in cats, which, if left untreated, can lead to blindness, as well as ear infections, eye infections or irritated eyes or hyperthyroidism, which can be detected and treated before irreversible damage is done.”

For Shawna, there's no inconvenience. Of Geordie, she says, “he honestly does not require any more care then my sighted cats,” says Shawna. “He is not any more expensive and he is just as loving and fun as they are. All my personal cats are special needs and they are no more trouble then a perfect kitten or cat.”  moderncat.com

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How to Take Dramatically Better Photos of Your Cat

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at photographer Andrew Marttila is one of the best in the game. His strikingly adorable images of cats elevate the genre and his love and respect for his feline subjects is evident in everything he does.

Along with his fiancé, Hannah Shaw, a.k.a. Kitten Lady (the cat community’s dream couple!), he is devoted to rescuing cats, particularly neo-natal kittens, while educating cat lovers on how they too can help.

If you’re interested in taking better cat photos, be sure to pick up his new book, How to Take Awesome Cat Photos, which is packed with tips that will dramatically improve your photography, even if you just use your phone.

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Here, Andrew shares his top easy-to-implement tips to instantly improve your cat photography game:

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ALL NATURAL

First things first: Before we get started with tips and tricks, I need you guys to have a realistic expectation of photographing cats. Some felines are incredibly easy to photograph, rolling about and serving looks with every turn of their head, while others will literally dig a hole in your couch to avoid the camera. Most cats are somewhere in the middle, and it is of utmost importance that we make them feel comfortable around us. We need to do our best to maintain a peaceful atmosphere when we're shooting. You might think this sounds really bizarre, but cats can totally sense our disposition and react accordingly. If we're constantly picking up and placing the cat somewhere, making them wear silly clothes, or doing anything they're not used to, they are going to be far less inclined to show off their unique personality. Their comfort comes first, our photos come second—and our photos will benefit greatly from the former.

PHOTOS ANDREW MARTTILA

Cat photographer Andrew Marttila shares how to easily and instantly improve your cat photography

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PATIENCE

Along with the first tip, we need to employ patience. It's probably the most important attribute we can use to our advantage, so if you're an impatient person, you might want to work on your breathing techniques. Cats do not understand what we're trying to do. They might turn their heads away at a pivotal moment or jump from the area where you're shooting. It can be frustrating, sure, but we never want to let our emotions sour a photoshoot. If it's not working, reset and take a break.

Revisit it later. The worst thing we can do is force a situation so that the cat now associates a camera with an unhappy experience.

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SETTING

Try to find a clean spot where you can take a photo without too much in the background. It can be visually distracting if your shots include miscellaneous objects behind the subject or too much in the foreground. If you're able, pick a blank wall or surface to use as the backdrop. If the background helps tell a story, feel free to include it, otherwise, just do your best to limit the amount of unnecessary detail in the frame. This helps give the shots a more timeless look, and besides, no one really wants to see your dirty laundry. ď ľ moderncat.com

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Pick an area that is well lit. Natural lighting is far superior to most lights in your home, but can be difficult to find indoors or in shelter situations.

Do your best to not rely on a direct flash, as it will give an unflattering appearance to the photo. In my book, I discuss cheap alternatives that really help compensate for the lack of lighting. For example, you can get an inexpensive LED light that can be manipulated in a specific direction.

When you take the shot, try to ensure that light source doesn't come from behind the subject. It will either wash out the background or turn your cat into an unrecognizable shadow. Try to have the light source at your back or your side to gently cascade light onto the subject.

BURST MODE

As long as they're not in a deep sleep, cats move quickly and unpredictably, especially if they're kittens! If you're taking shots one at a time, you're going to find that many are blurry or out of focus. An easy way to counteract this is by holding down the shutter to take multiple shots with each press. This works for both phones and cameras, and you're much more likely to have a good shot in a group of photos than individual ones.

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GET LOW

Perspective is everything in photography, so I always encourage people to try to break the norms with their photos. I suggest taking pictures while down on the ground, or, at the very least, at the same level as your cat. I feel as though this unlocks a whole new gateway to their lives and how they interact with the world.

It looks so much better than if you were to take photos from your height, merely pointing the camera down onto them.

You'll see an immediate difference in the way your shots look and how your cat is represented in their space.

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LIGHTING

USE TOYS

Distraction is a gamechanger when it comes to photographing cats. So much of the time and effort of getting a cat to stay still and look at the camera is solved with one simple tool—a noisy toy, like a crinkle ball. Get their attention by waving it around, crushing it in your hand, and then obscure it by moving it behind your camera. Their gaze will follow the object/sound, and you'll be able to snap a shot with them looking right into the lens. This does the trick with many toys, but I've found that the best ones to use are those that you can hold easily in one hand while taking photos with the other.

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EDIT

Before you post or print anything, take a minute or two to scrutinize the photo and edit your shot. Try to make sure that the image is well lit and the colours are accurate. Many pictures indoors are under-exposed (dark) and have a warm (yellow) hue. This is easy to fix in any editing program by adjusting the brightness and temperature. If the photo looks too yellow, slide the temperature to the left to increase the cool tones. If it's too dark, increase the brightness. Be mindful to never go too far with edits as you can really disrupt the photo by making it heavily saturated with color or by applying multiple filters. 

PHOTOS ANDREW MARTTILA

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TRAVEL

Cat-Sitting For Free Accommodation!

Meet the traveler who cat-sits her way across the USA

By Michelle Morton

O

ne avid traveler says she’s discovered the best of both worlds: exploring a new country while still having some of the comforts of home— most notably feline companionship.

Madolline Gourley is a contract writer and editor based in Brisbane, Australia. She frequently travels to the U.S. where she provides live-in pet care in exchange for free accommodation, sharing her tales on her blog, onecatatatime.co.

The 30-year-old says she discovered this way of travelling through former colleagues who told her of a woman from the UK who was living in Brisbane rent-free via housesitting.

Madolline promptly Googled “housesitting” and saw there were official websites to facilitate the exchange. “They all looked pretty legitimate,” she says. “I just signed up and went from there!”

There are a number of sites Madolline regularly uses, including trustedhousesitters.com and mindmyhouse.com.

They all operate similarly: homeowners will list their property, location, the pets and care required, and the dates they need house/pet-sitting. “It’s kind of like a job-ad in a sense; everything’s there, and then you just hit ‘apply’ if you’re interested,” she says.

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Before her stay, Madolline usually meets with homeowners virtually. “Half the people I’ve sat for, they want to Skype or FaceTime beforehand,” she says. “You get to see them, and you get a sense of their actual personality.”

There are listings looking for a house-sitter willing to look after a variety of pets, including dogs and farm animals, but because Madolline’s only ever owned cats, she only applies for cat listings. “I don’t think it would be right to live in someone’s house for free and care for their pets if you don’t have any experience with that animal,” she says.

The owners prefer the idea of leaving their cats at home, even with a stranger, Madolline says, in order to maintain “a familiar and safe environment, without causing too much disruption to their routine.”

For her part, Madolline seeks out listings including cat care because she’s discovered that though she prefers solo travel, it can get lonely.

“I do miss having a companion,” Madolline says. “A cat is the next best thing. Like people, you get reserved cats, and then you get cats who just love you…every situation is different as you’d expect.”

While she is house- and cat-sitting, she stays in communication with the owners, sending them written

Madolline Gourley

updates, as well as photos and videos each day of the cat “doing cute or funny things.”

Since December 2017 and her first cat-sitting trip in San Francisco, Madolline has cat-sat in Boston, New York, Cincinnati, Nashville, Birmingham, and San Francisco again to care for the same cat, to name a few locations. She remembers each of the 30 cats she’s babysat so far, including their names and faces.

“It’s just proven to be just such a great way to travel,” Madolline says.

“Having the cat to come home to gives you a sense of responsibility, so it is a holiday, but you still feel kind of like you’re living there…you have stuff to tend to each night, like the cat and chores.”

Each stay can vary in length of time. Madolline’s longest single housesit was about two and half weeks in duration. When planning her travels, she’ll string a series of cat-sitting gigs together, with her longest trip lasting two months.

“Travelling from Australia, across the country, you don’t really want to have to pack up and go off to one or two nights [but] anything starting with three nights, I will consider. Most of the trips I take, I manage to get three, four or even five sits each time, all in different cities and states,” she says, adding if on the way to her next destination she can’t book a sit, then she’ll stay in a hotel.

While she loves taking care of the cats she sits, Madolline says she also appreciates the opportunities that come from not staying in a hotel, such as being in a neighbourhood instead of a downtown area.

“You have all the creature comforts of home, like the TV, the washing machine, the fridge,” she says. “It’s a very interesting, colourful, eclectic

environment, and I just love seeing different things in people’s houses, like different products that I can purchase and take back home.”

Even after her travels, Madolline often stays in touch with homeowners she has sat for, keeping in touch with about a third. “We follow each other on Instagram or we have each other on Facebook, so I still get to see what their cats are doing even though I’m not looking after them.”

Madolline says the friendships she has formed with the owners has been rewarding. “It isn’t just a business kind of transaction without any money, if that makes sense,” adding that many owners are “genuinely interested in you and your life and they want to stay in contact.”

“One of the couples I sat for in Seattle, they’re probably late 60s, 70s, and I’ve gone on to catch up with them a few times when I’ve been around,” Madolline says. “Without house and pet sitting, I wouldn’t have some of these friendships I have now.”

Become a Professional Cat-Sitter in Your Hometown and Make Money Looking After Cats!

Here’s a cool way to turn your love of cats into a job: become a professional cat sitter in your town or city. After all, what could be better than checking in on cats and getting paid to do so? Kitten Sittin’ offers franchise opportunities, providing you with the trusted name and experience necessary to turn your love of cats into a profession. Everyone needs someone to look after their cats while they’re away; you could be the person they turn to. Tampa, Florida-based Pat O'Shea of Kitten Sittin' is currently offering a special for the first five new franchises—$4000 instead of $6000. How much can you expect to make? "First year earnings will vary depending on how much the franchisee spends on advertising and how much they are doing as far as doing things to connect with new clients," says Pat. "My first year I made $8,000. Now I'm making $30,000." For more information, go to kittensittin.biz/franchise.

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Healthy PAWS Solutions for everything from feline acne to anxiety and stinky litter boxes.

ANTIBIOTICFREE SKIN CARE If your cat has a wound, hot spots, cuts, or skin infections due to bacteria or fungus, vet-recommended ZYMOX Topical Spray with 0.5% Hydrocortisone offers relief—without the use of antibiotics! ($18, zymox.com)

NATURAL, NONTOXIC LITTER Safe for both your cat and the environment, Snappy Paws Cat Litter is made with 100% natural, non-toxic, plant-based materials that are also 100% compostable and biodegradable! Available in Unscented, Lavender, and Vanilla varieties. (From $20, snappytom.com)

ANXIETY SOLUTION Anxious cat? Try this vetrecommended solution.

ThunderWunders Cat Calming Paw Gel is made with cat-safe natural ingredients such as oat, chamomile, and passionflower to effectively calm cats. Simply apply to your cat’s paws. ($18, thundershirt.com)

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EFFORTLESS CAT DENTAL HEALTH Maintaining your cat’s dental health is made easy with the safe, odourless, and tasteless Pet Dental Water Additive from Oxyfresh! Add it to your cat’s water bowl to help keep your cat’s teeth clean in between vet visits. ($16, shop.oxyfresh.com)

WELLNESS BOOSTER Add needed moisture to your cat’s diet with this nutritional powerhouse! The Beef Bone Broth from Primal Pet Foods ensures hydration while supporting digestion and joint and liver health. ($10, primalpetfoods.com)

HYDRATION Keeping your cat hydrated is crucial for kidney and urinary tract health and overall wellbeing! CATWATER Urinary Formula is natural spring water that is chlorine-free, mineral-free, and pH balanced to meet a cat's specific needs. (From $2, catwater.com)

ENRICHMENT

DIY FOOD PUZZLES FOR CATS!

Homemade foraging toys offer cats important environmental enrichment— and can solve behavioural problems too!

By Mikel Delgado and Ingrid Johnson

C

ats are born killers by nature, furthermore, hunting is one behaviour we never asked them to change during domestication—we wanted them to kill mice and rats. But then we brought them into our homes, handed them a bowl of food, and essentially took their jobs away. The result? Frequently bored house cats. But fear not. You can provide an enriched environment for your cat through toys, vertical space, and safe plants (among other things), as well as an often overlooked option: food puzzles!

What’s a food puzzle? Sometimes called foraging toys, food puzzles are objects that require interaction to release food or treats. This type of enrichment is often offered to animals in zoos and sanctuaries to encourage natural food-searching behaviours, whether the animal is a predator or forages for plants. We can also offer food puzzles to cats, giving them an outlet for their instinct to work for food.

Food puzzles come in different shapes, sizes and styles. You can use mobile puzzles, such as a ball with holes in it that you fill with dry food. Your cat rolls the ball around, and food is intermittently released from the holes. Stationary puzzles are boards or other stable items that have cups and tunnels that your cat can scoop food out of with a paw. Some puzzles can be modified for use with wet food as well. Many pet stores and online sources have food puzzles available, but there are also easy ways you can provide your cat with DIY puzzles using common household objects.

Why use food puzzles?

Food puzzles can offer benefits to almost every cat, young or old. Many cat owners work long hours, and their cats may

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be sitting at home with nothing to do all day but nap! Those same cats may be wound up in the evening when owners would like to sleep, or they might engage in unwanted attention-seeking behaviours like meowing or jumping on counters because they don’t have enough to keep them busy.

Food puzzles can help prevent and solve behaviour problems by providing your cat with challenge and mental stimulation.

Time spent busy with a food puzzle is time your cat is not engaging in naughty behaviour.

Food puzzles also encourage healthy feeding behaviour.

Did you know that cats are naturally grazers? Given the choice, they would eat eight to 15 small meals per day, so a food puzzle gives your cat more control over their feeding schedule. Your cat can interact with a puzzle for a few pieces of food and go back to it later when they feel like a snack.

Food puzzles slow down eating, which can be helpful if you have cats who eat at different speeds, or if you’re trying to help an overweight cat feel more satiated before they wolf down too much food.

Perhaps most importantly, when introduced and used correctly food puzzles can be great fun for you AND your cat.

Your cat will be rewarded for playing with the food puzzle, and you will be rewarded with cuteness while watching them!

How do I get started?

Your cat’s first foraging toy should be easy so they can be freely rewarded for interacting with the puzzle. Both rolling and stationary puzzles can fit the bill. Rolling puzzles often provide more challenge and can be made more difficult, whereas stationary boards can add novelty and are an excellent choice for seniors and cats with special needs.

Food puzzles also encourage healthy feeding behaviour. Did you know that cats are naturally grazers?

Given the choice, they would eat eight to 15 small meals per day.

Try These!

Modern Cat's Picks for Food Puzzles

For rolling puzzles start with clear objects with at least three holes for food to dispense. Select a lightweight, easily rolled object so it is less challenging, and initially less frustrating. Sprinkle some food around the toy to get them started.

Some cats prefer to have the puzzle placed in their normal feeding area.

For others, putting it in a new location sparks more interest. Try both! The goal is to scatter the puzzles throughout the home, especially in a multi-cat household. Fill the puzzles at least half full: an almost empty toy with 3 or 4 pieces of food left inside is very challenging and could frustrate your cat.

Encourage natural instincts while reducing binge eating Senses 2.0 Digger, from $20, catit.ca

Don’t be disappointed if your cat does not take to it immediately. There is little motivation to work for what has been readily available in a bowl for years.

Novel food often increases interest, so add a few treats for a “jackpot” reward.

Once your cats get the hang of foraging, gradually increase the challenge. Cats who have been strictly meal fed may take to foraging so quickly that they can soon transition to one- or two-holed objects. You can try puzzles that roll less predictably or are opaque so that your cats must be motivated by scent and previous experience.

Let your cat hunt for her dinner, whether wet food or kibble!

Indoor Hunting Feeder, from $20, docandphoebe.com

You can also combine toys, by taking a smaller puzzle that the cat has mastered and placing it inside a larger food puzzle. Now your cat must work even harder to achieve the reward. Yes, they really can get that good at foraging!  moderncat.com

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DO-ITYOURSELF! hid treat e the s he re!

Homemade options If you can put a hole in it, it can be a food puzzle! One of the easiest food puzzles you can make at home is to poke holes in an empty plastic water bottle. Fill the bottle about 1/2 to 3/4 full with dry food and place it on the floor for your cat.

Household items such as yogurt cups, paper towel rolls, and old medicine bottles can all be turned into a food puzzle. For stationary DIY puzzles try an egg carton, ice cube tray, or a shoe box. You can even make a wet food puzzle out of an old coffee mug! Turn the mug on its side on a placemat and allow your cat to scoop food out with their paw.

The benefits Food puzzles offer many benefits to cats. Foraging offers an often overlooked form of enrichment by providing an outlet for your cats to hunt and problem solve. These toys create “positive frustration,” meaning that once the cat solves the puzzle they are rewarded for their accomplishment.

Food puzzles can also encourage peace in your multi-cat household! Meal feeding increases competition and decreases environmental control and can lead to aggression between cats. Food puzzles increase available resources and allow for free feeding, which reduces the tension in your home. 

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By Dave Coverly Dave Coverly clearly gets cats, sending up their endearing antics in Cats Are People, Too, a laugh-out-loud funny collection of cat-themed cartoons from Coverly's brilliant nationally syndicated panel Speed Bump. This truly hilarious celebration of cats and their unique behaviours is sure to bring laughs and nods of recognition. If you’re like us, you’ll want to share each and every one of these cartoons with whoever is sitting next to you.

Other People’s Pets

By R.L. Maizes

CONNIE’S BOOK CLUB Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of must-read books for cat lovers Cat vs Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat

By Pam Johnson-Bennett If your multi-cat home is less than peaceful at times, certified cat behaviour consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett’s essential book, Cat vs. Cat, is a must-read.

Learn more about territory, boundaries, and cat communication to help improve the relationship and bond between your cats in this revised and updated edition filled with insight and advice for cat parents.

The Magic of Cats

By Amy Newmark In another heartwarming and hilarious collection of stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Magic of Cats features 101 true stories showcasing how our feline companions become valued and pampered members of our families and are there for us when we need them most. This spirit-lifting read makes a perfect gift.

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Matching wry humour with empathy, R.L. Maizes’ debut novel introduces the unforgettable La La Fine, an animal-loving young woman with a complicated family life and a criminal father. Abandoned by her mother as a child, La La was raised by her dad, a locksmith-turned-thief who made her his accomplice. La La’s attempt to break ties with her past are challenged when her father is arrested for burglary and she has to drop out of vet school to save him. This compelling, entertaining story about embracing the life you create for yourself should definitely find its way to your bedside table. We devoured this book.

Snowball’s Christmas

By Kristen McKanagh This cozy novel is just the thing to curl up with on a chilly afternoon. Snowball the kitten is spending her first Christmas at the Weber Haus, a Victorian B&B run

by Miss Tilly and her dedicated team.

Emily Diemer, the cook, quickly falls for Snowball’s feline antics; however, she isn’t sure about Miss Tilly’s nephew, Lukas, and is worried about his plans for selling Weber Haus. Can Snowball help save the B&B and can Emily open the bakery of her dreams?

Snowball’s Christmas is a true holiday treat.

Nala's World

By Dean Nicholson When planning a cycling trip around the world, Dean Nicholson was not expecting his adventure would lead to one of the most important relationships in his life, that with his rescue cat, Nala.

After finding Nala abandoned as a kitten, he took her in and she quickly became his ever-faithful travelling partner.

Nala’s World details their incredible journey together so far and what Dean has learned about life along the way.

ILLUSTRATION FROM DOG MOM: A LOVE STORY BY ISABEL SEMA

Cats Are People, Too

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Special Cats of

Instagram

In need of a pick me up? These differently-abled cats live each day to the fullest. Follow for smiles, inspiration, and feel-good vibes that will brighten your day and remind you of what’s possible!

By Becky Belzile

Rexie Cat

60,207 likes

1

16,276 likes

@rexiecat

607k followers

This heart stealer is known as a "living emoji cat" thanks to his pricelessly emotive expressions. Rexie is a male “handicat" with just two working feet, but despite not having the use of his back legs, this cutie is enjoying life to the fullest.

Follow for definite day-brightening photos guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

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2

@my_boy_belarus 327k followers

Belarus is a handsome boy with a heart-winning gaze. Born cross-eyed and rescued at the age of one, this up-and-comer boasts more than 300,000 followers on Instagram who are delighted on the daily by the antics of this adorable cat.

6,342 likes

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@willowthebeautifulcat 217k followers

With her with a fuzzy, fur-covered, heartshaped nose, Willow is truly beautiful.

Her differences just mean there’s more fluffiness to kiss! From her home in Florida, Willow inspires her followers to see beauty beyond the norm. She also employs a headscarf to great effect!

OPENING IMAGE DASHA MINAEVA

SMILE!

11,499 likes

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@smushofficial 624k followers

Prepare to fall for Smush, the health challenged rescue kitten that overcame the odds and is now one of Instagram’s burgeoning stars. Smush gets her name from her adorably unusual face, the result of genetic abnormalities and a cleft lip.

Smush’s “mom,” photographer Shannon Jackson first met the rescue kitten while volunteering to take photos of shelter pets and quickly fell for her. She was smitten and we think you will be too!

5,388 likes

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@rocky_onwheels 134k followers

Rocky on wheels zoomed straight into our hearts! This inspiring cat survived a 15-foot fall as a kitten, suffering nerve damage to his back that left his rear legs paralyzed.

Now he gets around with the help of a wheelchair and his devoted humans who rescued him, showing the world that special needs cats do not need to be euthanized.

8,944 likes

5

@tummyandgummy 163k followers

Toby and Leo suffer from a connectivetissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos syndrome that affects the skin and joints.

Toby’s unique appearance results from the syndrome, which causes the skin to become extremely stretchy due to a lack of collagen—not that he lets it get in his way of getting all the tummy scratches! These two handsome heroes remind us that being different is truly beautiful.

10,375 likes

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@meetmayacat 484k followers

Maya has a chromosome abnormality that accounts for her uniquely adorable looks. She inspired the creation of the non-profit organization Allworthy, which aims “to make our world more inclusive” by collecting kindness, a mission we can definitely get behind!

6,341 likes

6

@atchoumthecat 447k followers

With his trademark wild hair, you could be forgiven for thinking Atchoum, a young male Persian cat, looks more like Chewbacca than a regular cat. In fact, Atchoum has hypertrichosis, a condition causing excessive hair growth, which is responsible for his unreal-looking mane.

Follow for completely adorable shots of this hirsute cat that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

24,159 likes

9

@lilbunnysueroux 534k followers

Meet Roux, a cat living her best life despite being born without front legs. From her home in New Orleans, Louisiana, Roux inspires over half a million Instagram followers to persevere no matter what obstacles need to be hopped over. Super fans can even get their paws on Roux’s special Nub Hug t-shirt! moderncat.com

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CAT SOUNDS EXPLAINED Cat vocalization types and what they mean

H

ave you ever wondered what your cat is trying to say to you? Cat vocalizations have meaning and carry important messages for those able to discern them—Swedish phonetics expert and cat researcher Dr. Susanne Schötz has done the research to prove it.

Dr. Schötz is an associate professor at the Swedish University of Lund, where she teaches courses on human phonetics. She’s also a cat lover. Naturally, she grew interested in deciphering cat-speak—or meow-sic, as she calls it—employing methods typically used in analyzing human dialects to figure out what cats are communicating. With the help of colleagues and a research grant, she delved into cat phonetics in order to understand these complex vocalizations, with the end goal of improving human-cat relationships. Lucky for us, the academic findings are unpacked for the general cat-loving population in her illuminating book, The Secret Language of Cats, in which she introduces the reader to cat phonetics and the full range of feline vocalizations, explaining what they can mean in different situations.

Here, Dr. Schötz provides an intro to cat sounds and their meaning, categorizing the many different cat sounds into distinct types.

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Sounds produced with the mouth closed 1. 1 Purr(ing): low-pitched regular sound produced during alternating (pulmonic) egressive and ingressive airstream when the cat is content, hungry, stressed, in pain, gives birth or is dying; probably signals “I do not pose a threat.”

2.

2 Trill, chirr, chirrup, grunt, murmur: a short and often soft meow rolled on the tongue, i.e. a voiced trill or purr (sometimes a bit harsh) used during friendly approach and greeting, and during play. Grunts (murmurs) are usually more low-pitched, while trills or chirr(ups) are more high-pitched. Sometimes cats combine a grunt or trill with a meow sound, thus producing more complex vocalization types.

Sounds produced with an openingclosing mouth 1. 1 Meow (miaow): Meows can be assertive, plaintive, friendly, bold, welcoming, attention soliciting, demanding, or complaining, sad, or even be silent. a. mew: a high-pitched meow with [i], [ı] or [e] quality; kittens may use it to solicit attention from their mother, and adult cats may use it when they are sad or in distress or when they signal submissiveness. b. squeak: raspy nasal high-pitched mew-like call.

c. moan: with [o] or [u] vowel, often when sad or demanding. d. meow (or miaow): combination of vowels resulting in the characteristic [iau] sequence, often used in cat-human communication to solicit food or to pass an obstacle (e.g. a closed door or window). Adult cats mainly meow to humans, and seldom to other cats, so adult meow could be a post-domestication extension of mewing by kittens.

2.

2 Trill-meow: a combination of a trill (chirrup, chirr, murmur) and a meow.

3.

3 Howl, yowl, moan or anger wail: long and often repeated vocalic warning signals usually produced by gradually opening the mouth wider and closing it again. During a threatening situation, they are often merged or combined with growls in long sequences with slowly varying tone (melody) and intensity.

4.

4 Mating call (mating cry): long sequences of meow-like sounds, sometimes similar to howling and/or the cries of human infants, usually in spring during the mating season.

Sounds produced with an open tense mouth These sounds are often associated with either offensive or defensive aggression (i.e. agonistic vocalizations), but also with prey-directed vocalizations.

1.

1 Growl: a guttural, harsh, regularly, and rapidly pulsemodulated, low-pitched sound of usually long duration produced during a slow steady exhalation, [grrr..] with a vocalic [rrr...] or rhotic [ʌ], occasionally beginning with an [m]. Used to signal danger or to warn or scare off an opponent, often intertwined with howls/moans/yowls and hisses.

Feed me please 2.

2 Hiss and spit: involuntary reactions when a cat is surprised by an (apparent) enemy. The cat changes position with a startle and breath is being forced rapidly through the slightly open mouth before stopping suddenly; [fːt], [ɧː] or [çː], hissing and spitting are agonistic (aggressive and defensive) sounds produced with the mouth wide open and the teeth exposed. They sound a bit like long exhalations. The spit sounds similar to a hiss, but sometimes can begin with a t-like sound; [tʃ].

3.

3 Snarl, cry or pain shriek: loud, harsh, and high-pitched vocalizations produced during active fighting, often with [a] or [æ] vowel qualities.

4.

4 Chirp and chatter (prey-directed sounds): a hunting instinct where cats copy the calls of their prey, for example, when a bird or insect catches their attention (by making a sound) and the cat becomes riveted to the prey, and starts to chirp, tweet, and chatter. a. chatter (teeth chattering): unvoiced very quick stuttering or clicking sequences of sounds with the jaws juddering, [k̟ = k̟ = k̟ = k̟ = k̟ = k̟ =]. b. chirp: voiced short calls said to be mimicking a bird or rodent chirp, sound similar to a high-pitched phone ring, tone often rises near the end, [ʔə] or reiterated [ʔɛʔɛʔɛ...]. c. tweet: soft weak chirps, often without any clear initial [ʔ] and with varying vowel qualities, e.g. [wi] or [ɦɛu].

Back off!

d. tweedle: prolonged chirps or tweets, often with some voice modulation, like tremor or quaver, e.g. [ʔəɛəɰə].

Listen

To hear audio clips and watch videos of the cat sounds, go to moderncat.com/catsounds. moderncat.com

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Rescue Kitten Reality TV The rescue organization bringing you live streamed rescue kittens 24 hours a day!

At Shelly Roche

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TinyKittens their motto is “rescuing locally, educating globally,” and through the power of technology and social media they’re making it happen, streaming irresistible live kitten footage into homes around the globe.

Shelly Roche, the heart and mastermind behind the nonprofit organization, found her way to the world of rescue quite accidentally.

After moving to Fort Langley, British Columbia from the United States, she was awaiting a work permit and became restless. As someone who has always loved animals, she located a local shelter and started volunteering as a foster mom for kittens.

“My first litter of kittens were on the shy side and took three months to get adopted, which is agonizing as a foster parent,” Shelly says.

“Since my background is in computer programming, I decided to start livestreaming my foster kittens from birth to adoption, in hopes of finding them ‘purrfect’ homes in less time.”

Rescue kitten reality TV was inadvertently born.

For Shelly, coming from Silicon Valley where she was doing tech startups, it was a natural extension of her talents. “I’ve always loved animals, and I’ve always loved being able to build things,” she says.

As anyone involved in rescue and foster work knows, there is never a dull moment and some rescue experiences can have a particularly profound impact.

“A few litters later, I brought home 10 feral kittens who turned out to be very sick,” Shelly shares. “They opened my eyes to the suffering of feral cats that happens invisibly in every community, and I became obsessed with figuring out better ways to help them.”

From then on, she narrowed her focus to feral cats in need, in 2015 incorporating TinyKittens as a nonprofit so she could really focus on developing new ways to help feral cat communities.

“We work almost entirely with feral cats and kittens, and our ultimate 

PHOTOS TINYKITTENS

By Yaunna Sommersby

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TinyKitten Tips for Helping Cats in Need

1

Become an advocate for feral cats and spaying and neutering.

2

Share your favourite stories about rescue cats and kittens on social media because those stories will inspire compassion.

3

Support Trap-NeuterReturn (TNR) and rescue efforts in your own community by volunteering, becoming a foster parent, adopting a kitty with special social/ medical needs or donating.

# #

#

how much we care, the sleepless nights, the camera mishaps, the hilarious kitten shenanigans—and you will get to experience the joy right along with us.”

While following these undeniably adorable rescue cats and kittens will definitely brighten your day, it is also an important reminder of the stark and sad realities of what these cats could face without the help and intervention of rescue organizations like TinyKittens.

“When I started TinyKittens, I had no idea it would become what it is today, but I knew it would evolve into something special,” says Shelly. “Social media in particular has been essential in magnifying the voices of the cats we save and allowing us to tell their stories in a way that inspires compassion and action on a global scale.” 

PHOTOS TINYKITTENS

goal is to inspire enough compassion to create a surplus that will have a global impact on cat overpopulation,” says Shelly.

Without the work TinyKittens has done, many of the cats and kittens they have helped may have ended up being euthanized because they were feral, or needed additional medical care or behavioural and socialization support.

“We usually help between 100 and 200 cats and kittens a year ourselves, but we also encourage our viewers to support TNR and become advocates for spaying, neutering, and compassion in their own communities as well,” notes Shelly.

At TinyKittens HQ in Fort Langley, they usually have a small team of one to three people helping out any given day. There is also a field team of at least eight volunteers who help with the daily care of the over 200 feral cats in the Happy Forest, their largest managed feral colony.

“We livestream everything we do, 24/7, to give these remarkable yet misunderstood cats a voice, and to tell their incredible stories. Many people are shocked as they witness what these cats are capable of and how much love they have to give,” says Shelly.

Via their livestreams and videos on YouTube, TinyKittens currently averages an incredible three million views per month, coming from viewers in 101 different countries. For online support, they have a team of over 60 volunteer moderators around the world who moderate the live chats and livestreams to ensure everything is family-friendly, inclusive, and peaceful.

“If you tune into our livestreams, you will witness magical rescue stories as they unfold,” says Shelly. “You get to see everything involved in saving our cats and kittens—how hard we work,

Must-haves for you & your cat

moderncat marketplace

CATUTOPIA4EVER.BLOGSPOT.COM

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moderncat marketplace

Advertise in moderncat!

Call 1-866-734-3131 or email advertising@moderncat.com

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LAST MEOW

A Comprehensive Guide to Cat Poop

Perfect & problem poop Consistency: Soft and mushy could indicate bacterial infection, intestinal parasites or food intolerance.

Normal stool is any shade of brown with a firm consistency like play dough.

Yellowish-orange colour with

pasty consistency might mean the development of liver disease or biliary issues.

Black, tarry stool usually indicates bleeding somewhere in the stomach or small intestine and requires an immediate trip to the vet.

Grey and greasy could indicate Pebble-like shape usually

indicates constipation/dehydration.

inadequate digestion and pancreatic problems or biliary issues.

White Spots that look like rice

grains may be a sign of tapeworms.

Healthy stool is log-shaped, moist, and holds shape when picked up.

Green stool could be excessive Content: Mucus in your cat's poop?

Could be an indication of an inflamed colon. Excessive grass? Could indicate that your cat's stressed or has gastric upset. If your cat has a dermatological problem and they are losing hair or licking a lot, expect to see increased hair in your cat's stool. Small white bits? Your cat may have worms—time to visit the veterinarian!

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grass consumed, or gall bladder issue.

Or it could be caused by undigested rat bait.

Streaks of red blood and/or

mucus mixed with normal stool are typically caused by inflammation of the large intestine. It doesn’t necessarily warrant an emergency, but if it persists, see your vet.

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF PURINA’S HANDY “ALL ABOUT DOG POOP” GUIDE”

50 SHADES OF BROWN:

colour & consistency