FALL/WINTER 2013
cat VOL 2
NO 2
I L LU ST R AT I O N K I M SM I T H
56 FEATURES 32
The Expressive Cat How to read your cat: deciphering feline body language, facial expression, and vocal cues. BY STEVE DUNO
38
Meet the Cover Cat! Introducing Mr. Magoo, the blind kitty that could!
40
The Cat Whisperer An exclusive interview with cat behaviour expert Mieshelle Nagelschneider. BY CONNIE WILSON
44
Get Your Whisper On Life-changing advice re: dining etiquette.
46
Nifty Enrichment Ideas Keep your cat happy, active, and mentally challenged with these easy to implement tips. BY ROSE FROSEK
52
11 People Foods For Cats Get snack-tastic! Creative, healthy treats for your cat.
60
Stars & Their Cats A Q & A with actress Mayim Bialik.
68
De-Cat Your Home Clean, disguise, and corral the mess with these seven indispensible domestic tips (eight if you count the robot), so you can get back to more important things —like cuddling with your cat. BY ROSE FROSEK
BY LAUREN CHEAL
BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER
BY ELIZABETH SCOTT AND LAURA PASK
BY CHRISTOPHER AMERUOSO
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32 THE GOODS 36
Cat Scratch Fever The coolest cat scratchers going.
48
Let's Play! Engage your cat with these terrific interactive toys.
56
Cool Cat Fantastic finds for the feline obsessed.
BREED PROFILE 24
The Himalayan Nothing but the best for this purebred beauty. BY TANYA KENEVICH
BODY AND SOUL 50 Simplify: 12 Ways to De-Clutter While Doing Some Good; Cat Dreams DVD; Take a "Me" Break 51
Aquatherapy; Study Finds Connection Between Neutering and Lifespan
From The Big New Yorker Book of Cats © 2013, Random House
62 LIVING 28
We’re Giving it Away! We’ve got months of fab giveaways from an amazing cat play structure to super-cozy cat beds, just waiting to be won!
30
10 Brilliant Ideas for Inclement-Weather Fun
75
BY LAUREN CHEAL & JANE HOPE
62 58 How I Met My Cat Delilah. BY TRACY RASH 64
48
REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 12 The Scoop 22 Meow! Photo Contest 78 Marketplace
COVER CAT Meet Mr. Magoo, winner of our third Modern Cat Cover Contest with over 20,000 votes! Mr. Magoo was photographed by the very talented pet photographer Brooke Jacobs in Brooklyn, NY. Turn to page 38 for more on this amazing cat.
7 Things You Should Be Doing For Your Cat (but probably aren’t) DIY Craft: Petal Cat Make your cat a costume!
66 Ice, Ice Baby Ice cubes, the low-rent cat plaything found in your freezer. 71 Cat Dancing Lesson #392 from your cat: dance like there’s no one watching. 72
Art Attack Brooklyn-based artist Jenny Belin on her lifelong love affair with her inspiration and subject matter—cats.
75
Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good cat and a good book. Editor-in Chief Connie Wilson’s fall round-up of must-reads.
80
Last Lick What goes around comes around. BY SUZANNE BEECHER
BY ROSE FROSEK
In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 2, Issue 2. Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.
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Fetch (kitty caps)
ED ITO R ’S LE T T E R
Ou r R ead er s Wr it e
Connect With Us!
Love your magazine, love your website! Your latest e-newsletter, titled “Would you rescue a cat,” sounds like me. I have a house full of strays and rescues and have for the last 30+ years. I always feel I should be doing more. Keep up the good work!—Georgia Morris
CONNIE WILSON WITH DAO DAO
H
ave you noticed that simply watching your cat—whether she's batting a toy around the living room, going ballistic on a catnip-laced scratch post, or simply purring contentedly on your lap—makes you feel calmer and more centered? Such is the power of our cats, our experts in the “now,” helping us still our minds and enter the present moment, a place where we leave past concerns and future worries behind. This “real” time has measurable health benefits, from lowering blood pressure and lessening anxiety to generally providing a feeling of happiness. Power of Now author and guru Eckhart Tolle believes that pets act as our “guardians of being” and credits them for keeping millions of people sane. Whether or not we can attribute our healthy state of mind to our feline friends, I'm sure we can all agree they certainly make our lives more complete (and interesting!) in myriad ways. How to reward that wonderful cat of yours? With Modern Cat, of course! We’ve packed this issue with all manner of cat-tastic goodness. From insight into your cat’s behaviour to must-haves for the home, toys to thrill your cat, and cool DIY cat projects, we’ve got you covered! Rounding that out is expert cat advice on training and nutrition, mustread books, a feline body language instructional, and so much more. Get ready to be inspired by new projects and ideas galore! With love,
Connie Wilson, Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief
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I heard your interview on CBC radio the other day. I am excited to have another cat magazine to read. I hope you have lots of articles of TNR. I am a foster parent of adult cats for Ca-R-ma, whose mandate is TNR but who also foster cats that they think suitable as house cats. I have had success with two fairly feral cats—one I adopted and the other is up for adoption now. It is such a great feeling when you can make that connection with a feral cat.—Ellen Lutes [We’re huge advocates of TNR and applaud your work. Stay tuned for an article on TNR in the next issue!—Ed.]
I noticed that you've given some press to Little Bear, the cat with radial hypoplasia who had surgery to correct him. I wonder if you would think about giving equal time to “twisty cats” who manage just fine without surgery. They adapt and get around just fine with their deformed front legs. I have had a cat named Bug for 14 months (since he was 10 weeks old) and he is a twisty cat…I think it is important for potential adopters of these wonderful twisty cats to know these cats are not in pain and do not need to be fixed. They will have a better chance of getting adopted if people don't feel there's something “wrong” with them that would take great expense to "fix.” —Valerie Schumacher [Interested in Bug’s journey? Check out Bug's Facebook page at facebook.com/ bugthehandicat—Ed.]
For a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to in the MC offices, the latest breaking stories and videos, cool contests, events, and exclusive giveaways, become a fan of Modern Cat on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Pinterest. Go to facebook.com/moderncatmagazine, twitter. com/moderncatmag & pinterest.com/ moderncatmag.
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C ON TRIBUT OR S
FALL/WINTER 2013
We were simply delighted to enlist the very talented Brooke Jacobs to shoot this issue's cover model, the winner of our Cover Cat Contest, Mr. Magoo (or Gooey as he is known to his many fans). Brooke is a super-talented pet photographer based in Brooklyn. Chances are you've seen her work on greeting cards, calendars, book covers, or in magazines. She's a girl after our own hearts, committed to animal rescue and is very active with TNR and cat rescue in New York City. Turn to page 38 to see the photos of the adorable "Goo," then go to brookejacobs.com to see more of Brooke's awesome work.
VOL 2 NO 2 Publisher
Modern Cat Inc. Editor-in-Chief
Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director
Jennifer Nosek Circulation Manager & Marketing Director
Jessica Nosek Circulation Supervisor
Jane Hope Audience Development Coordinator
Lauren Cheal PHOTO SAGE JACOBS
Design & Production
Maxine Matishak Design & Production Assistant
Vanessa Dong Sales & Marketing
Sara Lima, Mary Liu, Julia Klymenko Accounting and Subscription Services Assistant
Celine Benipayo Controller
Armed with a mantra of “Just Do It,” photographer Christopher Ameruoso has carved himself a unique and successful niche in Hollywood, gaining access to some of Hollywood's most sought-after stars and becoming famous for his portraits of pets and the celebrities that own them. He has been photographing actors, actresses, and models since 1998 and has released two bestselling photography books of his work. With over 60 magazine covers to his name and his own show on Comcast On Demand, we're thrilled to have Chris contributing to this issue of Modern Cat. Turn to page 60 for his interview and shoot with the lovely and fascinating Mayim Bialik and her hairless Peterbald cat, Esau.
Cecilia de Roca Chan Donations Program Liaison
Jessica Nosek Honourary Editor-at-Large
Jytte Wilson Subscription inquiries call (800) 417-6289 Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 2, Issue 2. Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Cat, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 2, Issue 2. Published semi annually by Modern Cat Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 061114003. Periodicals 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 FAX
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F AL L /WINTER 2013/ 14
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. Copyright 2013/14 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. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Cat Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4
PRINTED IN CANADA
www.moderncat.com P H O T O DAV E M I Z N E R
Veteran pet behaviorist Steve Duno has to date authored 18 books and scores of magazine and web articles. He has covered a wide variety of subject matter on both cats and dogs, including basic training, aggression, environmental enrichment, behaviour modification, breed profiling, trick training, and pet health care. He currently lives in Seattle with his family and an ever-changing assortment of rescued pets. Turn to page 32 for Steve’s insightful contribution to this issue, “The Expressive Cat.”
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