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The Coolest Cat Finds For The Interior Design-Obsessed (p54)
The lifestyle magazine for modern cats and their companions
5 WAYS TO
FALL· WINTER 2015/16
Top Cat Myths
BRIGHTEN YOUR CAT'S DAY
EXPOSED p56
howet to p cat your Publications Agreement Number 42496543 Return Mail Dept, 202–343 Railway St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4
p62
3 Legs, No Problem!
Quiz: What Kind of Cat Do You Have? Turn to page 46 to find out!
p22
I'm Adoptable!
Cute Cats Galore! p74
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WIN COOL CAT STUFF! p20 10 UNIQUE CAT BREEDS FASHION'S FELINE OBSESSION MUST-HAVE TOYS, SCRATCHERS & MORE!
Your Cat Wants These Toys
How To Help Your New Cat Adapt + What To Do When Your Cat's Playful Behaviour Crosses The Line
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NO 2
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FEATURES 24
When Cute and Fluffy Turns into Saber-Toothed Tiger What to do when playful cat behaviour crosses the line into predatory aggression.
BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER
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8 Top Cat Myths Exposed These dangerous misconceptions are harming cats. We've got the facts for you.
34
Adopt This Kitten (and Her Adorable Brother) Luna Lovegood and her sibling Neville Longbottom want you to know once-feral kittens make awesome pets!
KNOW YOUR CATS 68
A Cat Less Common Play detective with this guide—you may see some of the unique traits of these less common breeds in your mixed-ancestry cat!
BY KELLY CALDWELL
THE GOODS 28
Want It! Essentials for every self-professed cat lover.
38
Look What We Found! What we’re loving right now. A House Is Not a Home Without a Cat Cat finds for the interior design obsessed. Happy Cat Thrill your cat with these fun finds!
36
6 Ways to Brighten Your Cat’s Day
BY ROSE FROSEK
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7 Reasons Senior Cats Makes Awesome Pets In praise of old cats.
BY LAUREN CHEAL
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What Kind of Cat Do You Have? Take this quiz to determine you cat's personality type.
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Fashion's Feline Obsession When it comes to couture, cats are all the rage— just ask Karl Lagerfeld.
BY NOA NICHOL
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How to Help Your New Cat Settle In Follow these tips to help your new cat feel right at home!
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P H OTO TA N I A H E N N ESSE Y
P H OTO SA R A H CL A R K A RT
Luna's adorable bow tie is from Sweet Pickles' Designs (sweetpicklesdesigns.com)
Want
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it!
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In USA: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 4, 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.
BODY & SOUL 60
Know Your Nip There's catnip & then there's catnip. Your cat deserves the good stuff. Artisanal catnip producers are delivering divine, tailored blends that will delight your cat.
62
How to Pet Your Cat: an illustrated Guide
64
Get Zen; The Easy Way to Medicate Your Cat; Can I Crash on Your Couch?
65
Inspiration Cards
BY KIM SMITH
REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 12 The Scoop 22 Photo Contest 78 Marketplace
28
MARKISSA ODESSA SUBMITTED BY GALINA YASENEVA AND LEONID MITKO
36 LIVING 20
We’re Giving It Away! We've got months of amazing giveaways, from cool cat lofts to toys your cat will go crazy for, just waiting to be won! Turn to page 20 to see what's up for grabs.
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Marmalady the Tri-Pawd Kitten A cross-border love story with all of our favourite elements: triumph over adversity, an unlikely meeting, and the happiest of endings.
60
Cats and Their Non-Cat Besties Smile! For these cuties, love knows no bounds.
66
How Does It Work? These nifty products solve vexing problems!
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DIY Craft: Desktop Cat Make this adorable Pagami Paper Craft Cat by simply folding paper! BY NATALIE GAGNON
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Perfect Match These sweet senior cats are in search of their forever homes. Could your new best friend be one of them?
I M AG E S U PA H . CO M
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P H OTO TA N I A H E N N E SS E Y
Adopt me!
I'm adoptable! The adorable Luna Lovegood—along with her handsome brother Neville Longbottom—are available for adoption through Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA)! Turn to page 34 for more info. Photographed by Tania Hennessy, professional cat and kitten photographer and longtime VOKRA foster mom.
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P H OTO TA N I A H E N N ESSE Y
COVER CAT
GEO SUBMITTED BY ISMIR BUCAN
Much love,
Connie Wilson, Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief
The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn't been fully recognized.
They keep millions of people sane. —Eckhart Tolle
OUR R E ADE R S WR IT E
Super Cute Cat Shoes! I made a pair using your article for inspiration and guidance. Very quick and inexpensive to do. Got lots of attention at the cat adoptions where I volunteer. —Ma LA
DISH TRENDYPET.COM
>> moderncat.com/diycatshoes
Whisker Fatigue Alert Good to know [about whisker fatigue]. Glad my cat now has a better food bowl that helps alleviate this problem.—Bryson Kahaloa @Jared NEW DISHES FOR TUMS—Rhonda Carol >> moderncat.com/whiskerfatigue
It's True Love! Love this article [9 Signs Your Cat Loves You]… I am definitely loved by both my cats...My male of 19 years does all of these! My female of 2 ½ years is my nearby cat… but she is definitely warming up to closeness… —Stephanie Dorsey Nice to know my cats love me! I have one "nearby" cat who follows me everywhere (except to bed because my other cats are there and they don't get along) but won't let me carry her and won't lie in my lap although she will knead on my stomach! —Larraine Sinclair >> moderncat.com/ 9signscatlove
Mixed Breed Detective!
Laid back and adorable is correct for my rag doll mix. 'Clown' would also apply, lol. —Connie Parliament Engley >> moderncat.com/terrificcats
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ILLUSTRATION KIM SMITH
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f you’re reading this issue, it’s a safe assumption you’re crazy about cats, which makes you our kind of people! One of the very best things about putting this magazine together (and there are many) is being part of a community of animal lovers. To be amongst those that “get it,” that value a connection with animals and understand the depth of communion one can develop with one’s cat, is both a blessing and an inspiration. Our cats are our family, our guides, our babies (granted with fur and four legs) and best friends; they are grace on four legs, walking discernment, our connection to nature. As every cat person can attest, you don’t just receive a cat’s love you earn it. We’re here to make sure you’re up to the task! Our goal is to help you deepen the bond you share with your cat, as well as to help you problem-solve and better understand sometimes mystifying feline behaviour. This issue (like all our issues!) is a tribute to and a celebration of cats and our relationships with them. Our aim is multi-fold: to engender better relationships by improving understanding of feline behaviour, motivations, and species-specific needs (p 46); to make cats happier (p 36); to promote rescue (p 34 and 80); to provide joy (p 74); and to share all manner of awesome cat-finds (see pretty much every page of the magazine!), from toys to thrill your cats, to products that deliver real results, to just plain cool things we want in our living rooms. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together! Thank you for being part of the Modern Cat family.
CONNIE WILSON WITH DAO DAO, PHOTO TANYA KING
EDITOR'S LETTER
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C ON TRIBUT OR S When New Zealand artist Tania Hennessy moved to Vancouver, BC, in 2008, she had no idea that she’d find herself at the centre of a kneading, mewing vortex. Since becoming involved with Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA), she’s fostered over 100 cats and kittens! Her unique access to these feline friendsin-need turned into her specialty: smileinducing cat and kitten photography that helps fosters find their forever homes. For the cover of this issue, the immensely talented Tania photographed adorable, adoptable VOKRA foster kitten Luna. For more info on this feline cutie, turn to page 34! See more of Tania’s absolutely lovely cat and kitten photography at taniahennessy.com.
F A L L · W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 / 1 6 VOL 4 NO 2 Publisher
Modern Cat Inc. Editor-in-Chief
Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director
Jennifer Nosek Audience Development & Digital Marketing
Lauren Cheal Social Media & Events Coordinator
Taryn Cheal Design & Production
Natalie Gagnon Sales & Marketing
Juila Klymenko, Jacqueline Lowndes, Angela Wang Accounting & Subscription Services
Celine Benipayo Subscription Services Assistant
Lily Nguyen Controller
Cecilia de Roca Chan Honourary Editor-at-Large
This issue features the illustrative work of Taryn Gee, an award winning (and cat loving) internationally published illustrator who lives in Ajax, Ontario. Taryn specializes in editorial and narrative illustration for magazines (case in point – see page 50), books, and film and is an avid sketchbook artist who loves drawing portraits of the wonderful people in her life. When she isn't drawing, you can find her knitting and watching sitcoms. She has a cat named Abbi who doesn't really like anyone but is very loved regardless. See more of Taryn’s work at taryngee.com.
Jytte Wilson INTERESTED IN SUBSCRIBING? Give us a call at 1-800-417-6289 or subscribe online at moderncat.com/subscribe Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERNCAT (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 4, 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 4, 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. PHONE
In this issue, Modern Cat regular contributor Mieshelle Nagelschneider, the Cat Whisperer, explains what to do when playful cat behaviour crosses the line into aggression. Mieshelle is a worldrenowned cat behaviourist adept at feline behaviour modification, oftentimes altering the environmental landscape within the household to affect change. She has a deep understanding of cats and we couldn’t be happier to share her wisdom with you. Turn to page 24 to read Mieshelle’s expert advice on how to address play turned predatory!
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