FALL • WINTER 2025/26
VOL 14 NO 2
62 FEATURES Stressed Cat?
Secret causes and hidden signs of stress in cats, plus proven ways to calm an anxious cat. BY DR. MIKEL DELGADO
34
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Catnip
Does your cat go bonkers for catnip? Or does your kitty simply not respond? The science of catnip explained. BY SHERI RADFORD
52
How to Renew Catnip Toys
Rejuvenate your cat’s playthings with this illustrated guide to giving catnip toys a new lease on life.
52 THE GOODS 22
Gorgeous (yes, really) cat trees.
BY MICHELLE SIMPSON
54
How Cats Experience the World
32
How to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box
How to litter-train, whether kitten, stray, or outdoor cat. BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER
62
BY WENDY TROXEL
68
70
What Breed Is My Cat?
Clues that can indicate purebred parentage. BY JANELLE MARTEL
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Healthy Paws
Solutions for everything from cat anxiety to immune support!
Sleeping with Your Cat
Is your cat affecting your sleep? A sleep expert reveals findings.
Super Fun Cat Toys! Five-star rated cat toys your cat will go crazy for.
What cats see, hear, and smell. 56
Modern Cat Trees That Will Elevate Your Space
74
Cat Gear Look Book
Your at-a-glance guide to the best stuff for you & your cat.
22
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AFANASIEV ANDRII/SHUTTERSTOCK; MICHELLE SIMPSON; PRYDE PETS
26
22 72
BODY & SOUL Have Cat Allergies?
This scientist couple engineered a solution.
The Naked Truth About Hairless Cat Skincare
46
Expert tips for caring for hairless cats. BY GEOFF TEOLI
47
Dental Disease in Cats
50
7 Things You Should Absolutely Do If Your Cat Is Approaching the End of Their Life
CAT LIFE 20
BY TORY DUCHENE
REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 12 18 79
20
We’ve got six months of incredible giveaways—from a gorgeous cat tree to a self-cleaning litter box—and winners every two weeks. See what’s up for grabs on page 20!
10
Editor’s Letter Contributors Stuff We Love The Scoop Photo Contest Marketplace
We’re Giving It Away!
30
Signs You’re a Cat Person
How many boxes do you check? BY MICHELLE SIMPSON
60
Interesting Cat Facts
Fascinating cat trivia and little-known feline facts. 64
A serial animal adopter’s kitten encounter.
COVER CAT This issue’s cover cat is Bella, an utterly adorable Ragdoll, photographed by the very talented Karen Weiler of Posh Pets Photography, based in Toronto, ON. Find her at poshpetsphoto.com.
BY LEE ARNOLD
72
Connie’s Book Club
Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of must-read books for cat lovers. 76
Tiny Cat Stories
Cat love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted cat stories of no more than 100 words. 80
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The Cypriot Kitten
Last Lick: Quotable
TOP PHOTOS L TO R: CATASTROPHIC CREATIONS; NEW PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE CAT: FROM MAGNUS CATTUS © MATT MCCARTHY
44
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
T
his issue celebrates feline life and the fascinating creature that is the domestic house cat. We’ve dedicated this issue to better understanding our ‘house panthers,’ from their incredible senses to catnip response. If you’ve ever wondered what your cat is thinking, saying or feeling, this is the magazine for you!
Curling Up with Modern Cat
SWEAR I did not stage this! He just curled up right next to my latest Modern Cat magazine I had been reading earlier. —Megan S.
Our cats’ senses differ from ours in important ways, from the colours they see to the scents and sounds they are able perceive. We delve into the differences on page 54 with How Cats Experience the World: What Cats See, Hear, and Smell. Curious about catnip? Watching a cat in the throes of catnip-induced ecstasy is mesmerizing. What is it about catnip that cats love? Is it healthy? Why do some cats simply not respond? Writer Sheri Radford dives in with Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Catnip: The Science of Catnip Explained. Plus, learn how to revive “dead” catnip toys with our illustrated guide, How to Renew Catnip Toys! Is your cat stressed? Discover secret causes and hidden signs of stress in cats on page 26. Plus, find everything you need to know about caring for a hairless cat on page 46. Convinced your cat might have purebred parentage? Check out What Breed Is My Cat? for the clues to look for! Oh, and in case it’s not yet official, turn to page 30 for Signs You’re a Cat Person.
Rescue Reader
We found Simon as a rescue kitten with The NOAH Center during Sea-Meow 2024 in Seattle. Simon was immediately right at home.—Dave & Stephanie
Of course, we’ve found all the coolest cat stuff, including a round-up of modern cat trees that will elevate your space on page 22. (One of the easiest ways you can improve your cat’s life is by providing vertical space!) We also share interesting cat facts, science-backed wellness picks, great gift ideas, giveaways, and so much more. So jump in! As always, thank you for being a part of our amazing community of cat lovers. With love,
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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Time Well Spent
Lemon’s two favourite pastimes: looking out the window and reading the latest @modern_ cat_mag. —@felinemisadventures
CON TRIBUT O R S FALL · WINTER 2025/26 VOL 14 NO 2
Geoff Teoli is the co-founder of
Publisher
Mr. Wrinkles and a devoted Sphynx cat companion based in Vancouver, BC. Inspired by the unique skincare needs of his own cats, he’s become a go-to resource for pet parents navigating the world of hairless cat care. When he’s not cleaning tiny ears or avoiding judgmental sideeyes from the bath, he’s sharing tips to help other cats live their smoothest lives. Turn to page 46 for his expert advice on hairless cat skin care, and learn more at mrwrinkles.com!
Modern Cat Inc. Editor-in-Chief
Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director
Jennifer Nosek Design & Production
Megan Carpick Sales & Marketing
Aly Stamper Subscriptions & Office Administration
Anna Regino Administrative Assitant
Mina Zivkovic Sales
Simran Parekh Comptroller
Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA
regular Modern Cat contributor and full-time illustrator located in Ontario, Canada. She works with many publishing companies. Michelle’s favourite thing to draw is animals, and she has two furry co-workers that provide inspiration! To see more of her work, visit michellescribbles.com. Turn to page 30 for her Signs You’ve Officially Become a Cat Person and page 52 for her illustrated guide on how to renew catnip toys.
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 MODERNCAT® (ISSN 1929-3933) Volume 14, Issue 2. Published semi-annually by Modern Cat Inc. at Suite 101 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 In Canada POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Cat, Suite 101 - 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 In USA POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Cat, PO Box 4767 Blaine, WA 98231-9901. 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.
Tory Duchene is a Certified
Pet Grief Specialist, End-of-Life Pet Doula, and the founder of Empawthy Pet Support. Tory helps pet parents navigate the complexities of aging, chronic illness, and the deep emotions surrounding grief and end-of-life care. Her work honours the powerful bond between pets and people. Based in San Francisco, Tory offers services online nationwide (empawthypet.com) and in person. Turn to page 50 for things you should absolutely do if your cat is approaching the end of their life.
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Copyright 2025/26 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 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.
P H OTO O F G EO F F T EO L I BY R E D B A R K P H OTO G R A P H Y
Michelle Simpson is a
Stuff We Love
Modern Cat staffers’ picks of the litter! 1 Slip into purrfect comfort in shoes byBOBS® fromSkechers®. From the philanthropic
brand that’s donated over $13 million to help save and support more than 2 million shelter pets to date.—Aly (from $60, BOBSfromskechers.com) 2 A celebration of the magic of cats, Caught in a Cat Romance is a gorgeous photo-poetry book combining art, photography, and poetry to celebrate the joys of a life shared with felines.—Jessica ($30, aberstoatpublishing.com) 3 Offload litter box cleaning! The Litter-Robot 4 is a self-cleaning, odourcontrolling, smart litter box that tracks your cat’s health in real time, all while blending seamlessly into your home. Say goodbye to scooping and hello to smarter living.—Jory ($699, litter-robot.com) 4 ökocat’s Low Tracking Mini-Pellets Clumping Wood Cat Litter is especially ideal for long-haired cats. It’s exceptionally low tracking, soft on paws, and made from sustainably sourced natural wood for cleaner floors, happier cats, and zero compromise. Less mess, more purr!—Shakira ($18, healthy-pet.com) 5 Restore, refresh, and reinvent your cat’s beloved cat tree with cat tree parts from Feline Design! From sisal rope columns to cozy beds and perches, every piece helps bring new life to your cat’s beloved tree, because their favourite spot should never get old.—Megan (felinedesign.net) 6 Find the best vet, groomer, boarding, and more! ZooDoc’s website and app make it easy to search and compare vets, specialists, and other animal care experts in your area.—Simran (zoodoc.org) 7 Stay fresh and fuss-free! Calitti CRYSTALS silica cat litter delivers fast absorption, zero dust, and instant odour control, all without sticking to paws. The result? A cleaner home and more quality time with your cat!—Louis ($20, calitti.com) 8 Let your purr-baby nap in luxury! Fluff & Boots dual-sided Portable Lounge Mat blends style and function with a durable carrying strap, a soft top, and plush, faux fur underside. Fold, loop, and go! Your cat’s favourite nap spot is now ready to go anywhere life takes you.—Anna ($89, fluffandboots.com) 9 Discover the cat litter that your cat will love, and the environment will thank you for! Catalyst Pet’s Soft Wood Litter is a lightweight, biodegradable litter made from upcycled wood—gentle on paws, tough on mess, and kind to the Earth. With superior absorption and excellent odour control, it’s a win-win for you, your cats, and the environment!—Jennifer ($23/month (10lbs), catalystpet.com) 10 An adult colouring book featuring the stories of real-life rescue cats? Yes please! Enjoy heartwarming rescue stories and the therapeutic effects of colouring with Madeleine Belanger’s charming Rescue Cat Coloring Book.—Connie ($11, medialabbooks.com) 11 Say hello to easy, smell-free litter disposal from the makers of Diaper Genie! The Litter Genie Platinum Stainless Steel Pail is sleek, durable, and odour-locking, sealing in unpleasant odours to keep your space fresh. Pair with the new Litter Genie Light Clumping Litter for an all-around pleasant and easy litter box experience!—Mina (littergenie.com) 12 A Friend for Ruby is a charming children’s picture book that will delight cat-loving kids. In her quest for a friend, Ruby the cat encounters a bunch of creatures that don’t quite fit the bill, before receiving her very own kitten— the perfect playmate for a cat that was losing hope of finding a best friend. Adorable!—Cecilia ($24, amazon.com) 13 Hold on to what matters most. Celebrate the bond you share with your cat with a handcrafted custom photo magnet from Furever Framed. Featuring vibrant colour and a sleek, glossy finish, each piece turns a treasured moment into a timeless keepsake. Great gift idea!—Chili ($9, fureverframed.com)
Discover Your Cat’s Warrior Name Follow the instructions below to reveal your cat’s secret Warrior Cat name
1. Pick the First Letter of Your Cat’s First Name N – Nettle O – Oak P – Petal Q – Quick R – Raven S – Spotted T – Tawny U – Urchin V – Violet W – Wasp X – Vixen Y – Yellow Z – Breeze
2. Pick the Month You Were Born January – Tail February – Paw March – Song April – Heart May – Tooth June – Pelt
July – Wing August – Claw September – Star October – Leaf November – Nose December – Whisker
My Cat’s True Warrior Name Is: The name corresponding with the first letter of your cat’s name
The name corresponding with the month you were born
PA R A N O I C / B I G STO CK
A – Ash B – Briar C – Cloud D – Dove E – Eagle F – Fire G – Gray H – Hawk I – Ivy J – Juniper K – Kestrel L – Lion M – Mist
New “Salty Licorice”
Cat Coat Pattern Linked to Genetic Mutation
H
ere’s some fun science! A collaboration between the University of Helsinki in Finland and the pet genetic testing company Wisdom Panel has identified the genetic mutation behind the recently discovered “salty licorice” coat colouring seen on some Finnish cats. The striking “salty licorice” cats with their distinctive white fur pattern were first spotted in the Finnish village of Petäjävesi more than 15 years ago. They were given the name “salmiak” or “salty licorice” by researchers due to the unique coat colouring’s resemblance to the popular Finnish candy—black licorice dotted with white salt. Salty licorice cats look similar to tuxedo cats but with distinctive colouring: ombré strands of fur that start out dark at the base before fading to white. These felines have dark markings on their faces, but their fur becomes increasingly white towards the back of their bodies, ending with the tip of the tail being primarily white.
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Geneticist Hannes Lohi and his researcher team at the University of Helsinki—which houses a biobank of 5,000 blood samples from more than 40 feline breeds—were curious how these cats got their unique look, so they studied their DNA, with cat owners and breeders offering their cat’s DNA for the research. The scientists’ study, published in the journal Animal Genetics in May, found that a novel gene mutation is responsible for the exceptional fur pattern. The team called the gene variant w-sal, for salmiak. Each of the salmiak cats had two copies of the recessive gene. A few of the other cats had one copy (not resulting in the unique salty licorice colour), while the rest of the regularcoloured cats had none. The gene is a variant of the KIT proto-oncogene (KIT) gene, which is “associated with an absence of melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles,” the researchers found. Gene variants that give cats and dogs white fur can sometimes cause deafness, though that doesn’t seem to be the case with w-salmiak.
The name “salmiak” or “salty licorice” comes from the popular Finnish candy: black licorice dotted with white salt.
Lohi says the main goal of this work, “is to understand the molecular and environmental causes of feline disorders.” Are salty licorice cats going to be the next big thing? “It is possible that breeders will choose to develop a population of salty licorice cats,” says Lohi. “However, the health of the salty licorice cats should be followed in more detail to confirm the absence of any colour-related health issues.” ■
TO P P H OTO : A R I K A N K A I N E N ; I N SE T P H OTO TO B I A S A R H E LG E R / A D O B ESTO CK
Genetic mutation behind Finland’s “salty licorice” cats identified
CAPTION THIS! 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 RTO O N S BY J O H N K LO SS N E R ; J K LO SS N E R . CO M
I'm Luna!
MOST POPULAR
AND THE WINNING CAPTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE ARE…
CAT NAMES
rustedHousesitters, a platform that connects pet owners with individuals willing to pet sit in exchange for free accommodation, analyzed their database of more than 100,000 pet names to determine the most popular cat names of 2025. The following, from human names to more classic cat monikers like Pepper, Coco, and Shadow, topped the list! TOP CAT NAMES OF 2025: # # # # # # # # # # # #
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1. Luna
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3. Lucy
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5. Leo
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2. Charlie
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4. Bella
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6. Oliver
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8. Lily
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10. Loki
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12. Kitty
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7. Max
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9. Milo
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11. Cleo
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13. Olive
14. Willow
15. Sophie 16. Ollie
17. Pepper 18. Coco
19. Shadow 20. Gracie 21. Oscar
22. Chloe 23. Rosie 24. Jack
25. Frankie
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“I found a place to hide that mouse…” SUBMITTED BY DAVID BASS
RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS “If you hit the right spot, she'll kick out her leg and hit the automatic feeder with her foot.” SUBMITTED BY TERI DILLON
“I'll keep her occupied while you look for snacks.” SUBMITTED BY SUSAN GALE WICKES
“During the day I’m an instructor, at night I work Security.” SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH DEWAN
“Cat, Cow? Well, if we’re the cats, then who’s the cow?” SUBMITTED BY KORINNE GRIFFITH
“I'm not doing much, but I think I need a nap.” SUBMITTED BY JOE AYELLA
L E FT P H OTO : TO P P H OTO E N G I N E E R / B I G STO CK
T
OF 2025
! E L I SM Awww !
moderncat’s
miso
honey lachlan & caspian
kevin
phoebe
manford
louis
beans
tipsy
maple
nova
ranger
SIMBA
scout
milo homer
e! t u c Too Xander
nalla
ricky & prints
bean
yuri
PENNE & ZOEY
skye
scarlett
marceline
winnie diesel
leia
! e l b a r o d A DORY Think your cat ought to grace the pages of Modern Cat?
milo
DEXTER
Upload your cat's photo at moderncat. com/photo-contest. 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!
ENTER TO WIN We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways from November through April. Go to moderncat.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every two weeks.
November
1st-14th
Win 1 of 5 Cat-Inspired Personalized Soy Candles from My Three Cats! Winners choose their candle designs and fragrances! Non-toxic, long-burning, and made of natural soy wax.
January
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 prize packs from Kitty Poo Club! Includes an XL Box with Fine-Grain Silica Litter, 1 XL Dome, 1 scoop, 1 DryMate litter mat, 2 stickers, and 5 cat toys!
March
1st-14th
Win 1 of 3 prize packs from Catalyst Pet! Includes 6 months of cat litter, a premium scoop, natural tracking mat, and highly compostable waste bags!
December
15 -30 th
th
Win a Leo’s Loo Too Super Starter Bundle from Casa Leo! Includes a Leo’s Loo Too Self-Cleaning Litter Box, litter mat, 50 waste-drawer liners, 2 boxes of carbon filters, 3 toys, and a 3-year warranty!
15th -31st
Win 1 of 3 $200 prize packs of Pure Cravings cat food, the only 100% mercury-tested tuna and salmon for cats. Human-grade, non-GMO, and grain-free, plus it’s sustainably wild-caught and 100% traceable!
15 -31 th
st
Win 1 of 2 prize bundles featuring 7 fun, cat-centric books and games from The Quarto Group!
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 Ultimate Hairless Cat Skincare Kits from Mr. Wrinkles Pet Care! Includes a Skin Cleanser, hydrating Skin Elixir, Waterless Cleansing Foam, and nourishing Toe Bean Oil—everything your Sphynx or hairless cat needs!
15th -31st
Win 1 of 10 three-month subscriptions to the Spoiled Cats Club, a themed monthly box of the best toys your cats have ever zoomed for!
February
1st-14th
Win a PetPace AI Smart Cat Collar allowing real-time monitoring of your cat’s health and 24/7 global telehealth and telemedicine! Subscription required.
April
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 feline wellness packs from Vetericyn! Includes 2 Vetericyn Plus Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy, 2 Feline Antimicrobial Hydrogel, 2 Feline Antimicrobial Wound & Skin Care & 1 Antimicrobial Ear Rinse!
15th -28th
Win an Armarkat Amni Cat Tree, the all-in-one play and rest station featuring natural branches, OR 1 of 2 adorable, plush, and cozy Armarkat pumpkin-shaped cat beds!
15th -30th
Win 1 of 5 one-year subscriptions to Modern Cat magazine, chock full of helpful articles, heart warming stories, and so many cute cat photos!
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning November 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM (PST) through April 30, 2026 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/or 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: MOYA SUBMITTED BY VANESSA
s y a w a e v i G t a Gre