cat
Your Guide to the Best Stuff for You and Your Cat!
The lifestyle magazine for modern cats and their companions
Publications Agreement Number 42496543 Return Mail Dept, Suite 101 - 2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9
SPRING · SUMMER 2025
moderncat.com DISPLAY UNTIL AUG 31 ‘24
$7.95
72 FEATURES 26
Cats Not Getting Along? Expert Tips to Curb Fighting, Aggression & Stress
VOL 14 NO 1
COVER INSETS: ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE SIMPSON; PHOTO JAROMIR CHALABALA/SHUTTERSTOCK
SPRING/SUMMER 2025
46
How to help cats get along when they don’t like each other. BY DR. MIKEL DELGADO
54 Thanksgiving Dinner for Cats Goes Viral Cat rescue, privilege, and how your life’s course can change in the most unexpected ways
26
BY COURTNEY GUSTAFSON
58
Cat Case Studies
Solutions to three different, problematic cat behaviours BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER
62
Do Cats Grieve?
New study shows cats mourn the loss of fellow pets.
30
THE GOODS 22
52
Cool Cat Furniture
56
Cat Gear Look Book Your at-a-glance guide to the best stuff for you and your cat.
Fun Stuff For Cats
These Modern Cat-approved finds are super-fun ways to keep your cat busy, stimulated, and having a blast!
Catify Your Life
Cat-tastic designs to thrill both you and your cat!
BY TRACEY TONG
66
Healthy Paws
Solutions for everything from injury recovery to UTIs!
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62
IMAGES CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FROM CROCHET YOUR OWN CAT BY MIEKO SHINDO; O_ZINCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK; MICHELLE SIMPSON; PHOTOCREO BEDNAREK/ADOBESTOCK
32 How to Trap a Cat Want to help feral cats in your community? TinyKittens trapping tips will have you helping community cats!
42 BODY & SOUL
48
Cat Life Expectancy
42
New study reveals longest and shortest-lived cats.
The Best Treatment for Allergies to Cats
44
Love cats but suffer from allergies? Help is here: an interview with Lawrence DuBuske, M.D. of the Boston Allergy Group in Newton, MA. BY JULIE TOTTEN
CAT LIFE
Why Do Cats Headbutt
48
Why You Should ‘Baby Talk’ To Your Cat
20
We’re Giving it Away!
We’ve got months of cool cat stuff—from gorgeous cat trees to GPS cat collars—up for grabs. Turn to page 20 to see what you can win!
REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 12 18 79
Editor’s Letter Contributors Stuff We Love The Scoop Photo Contest Marketplace
18 COVER CAT Say hello to Geno, winner of this year’s America's Favorite Pet competition, photographed by Sydney Cisco. Read all about Geno's inspiring story on page 38!
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50
Fun Idea: Ice Cubes for Cats
68
Fetch, Kitty!
Research shows many cats are keen to enjoy a game of fetch. 72
Connie’s Book Club Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of new, must-read books for cat lovers.
74
Tiny Cat Stories
Cat love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted cat stories of no more than 100 words. 76
Interesting Cat Facts
76
Fascinating cat trivia and little-known feline facts.
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANNET_KA/SHUTTERSTOCK; KYRYK IVAN/SHUTTERSTOCK; TRAVELARIUM/BIGSTOCK; AIKO SUBMITTED BY NATALIE
46
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
W
Fan Club
hat a joy it is to get to write about cats and the people who love them—the coolest, kindest people around. We threw ourselves into the making of this issue with our regular passion for all things cats and are thrilled to share the stories, people, places, and products we discovered in the process.
The purrfect way to start the week is by cuddling up with something to read. —@felinemisadventures
Our expert cat behaviourists tackle cat problems with an inquisitive, catfirst approach. See how Dr. Mikel Delgado and Mieshelle Nagelschneider solve real-life cat issues on pages 26 and 58. TinyKittens founder Shelly Roche is the epitome of inspiring. In this issue, she breaks down exactly how to trap stray and feral cats in your neighbourhood so that they can get the help they deserve. We look at cat-inspired graphic design, explain why you should baby talk to your cat, share little-known cat facts, and publish the latest batch of Tiny Cat Stories. (If you haven’t yet, submit yours!) And, of course, we share all the must-have cat things we’ve discovered, from the most beautiful and functional cat furniture to wellness essentials for a long and happy life. We take a look at how cats grieve, unpack puzzling cat behaviour, share the latest round-up of must-read books for cat lovers, and so much more. Did I mention there’s a new batch of super-cool cat stuff we’re giving away? Flip to page 20 to check out the gorgeous cat trees, fun prize packs, GPS collars, and more that you can win.
Relaxing Reads
Bedtime reading @modern_cat_mag —@belindascats
Jump on in—we’re so glad you’re here. I’m deeply grateful for this community and for cats, always. With love,
Rescue Love
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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“I was just adopted two months ago. I love my new forever home so much. I get lots of love and am a very spoiled little guy!”—Eddie
CON TRIBUT O R S
SPRING · SUMMER 2025 VOL 14 NO 1 Publisher
Martha Pluto is an illustrator
Modern Cat Inc.
based in Toronto. Her work combines traditional and digital techniques with a focus on exploring colour. Outside of illustrating, Martha enjoys watching Formula 1, reading, and exploring Southern Ontario with her best friend. She hopes to one day rescue and/ or foster animals, helping them find permanent homes. Flip to page 54 to see her illustration for Thanksgiving Dinner for Cats Goes Viral!
Editor-in-Chief
Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director
Jennifer Nosek Design & Production
Megan Carpick Sales & Marketing
Aly Stamper Subscriptions & Office Administration
Anna Regino Marketing & Sales Assistant
Mina Zivkovic Sales
Simran Parekh Administrative Assistant
Angelie Hizon
Dr. Mikel Delgado
Comptroller
has been working with cats professionally for over 20 years. She is co-owner of Feline Minds, where she offers assistance for cat owners, animal shelters, and corporations. Mikel completed her PhD in animal behavior at UC Berkeley, and was a postdoc at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is the author of the recent book Play with Your Cat! (2024, Tarcher/Perigee) and co-authored the book Total Cat Mojo with Jackson Galaxy. Turn to page 26 for her expert advice on curbing cat fighting, aggression & stress!
Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA 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 1. 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.
Kristen De Palma is a
lettering and mural artist whose murals you can find across Nova Scotia and beyond. Recently, she launched a line of illustrated seed packets inspired by floriography. Dog-obsessed her entire life, Kristen is an avid supporter of dog rescue and volunteers matching dogs to their forever homes. Kristen lives in Halifax with her husband Justin and their rescue dogs, Yams and Big Bruce. She shares all her latest work on Instagram via @kdpletters. See her illustration for this issue on page 80.
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Copyright 2025 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.
Stuff We Love
Modern Cat staffers’ picks of the litter! 1 Eco-friendly, natural SOYSAND Tofu Cat litter has a soft, sandy, paw-friendly
feeling cats love! Plus, it offers superior odour control, tight clumping, and is 99.9% dust-free—all while being biodegradable and sustainable. Available in scented or unscented, it’s safe for cats, easy for you, and kinder to the planet! It’s self-cleaning litter box compatible, too.—Mina ($35, soysand.com)
2 Bring out your cat’s hunting instincts with this adorable lure from Chris the
Cat! Handwoven from all-natural fibers on a strip of leather, their Hare cat lure has a texture cats love. Attaches easily to any rod with a snap swivel or swivel clip!—Angelie ($9, christhecat.com)
3 Snappy Tom’s Premium Series human-grade, grain-free cat food with real
shredded meat will keep your cat coming back for more! Boosts your cat's appetite and maintains ideal body condition with this next level cat food formulated to optimize your cat’s health.—Aly ($2.79, snappytom.com)
4 Protect wounds and promote faster healing with Vetericyn Plus Feline Antimicrobial
Hydrogel. This non-toxic hydrogel creates a protective barrier, soothes irritation, and promotes healing—all without alcohol, steroids, or antibiotics. Safe if licked, it’s perfect for feline cuts, burns, and hot spots.—Megan ($19, vetericyn.com)
5 Does your cat have skin issues? ZYMOX Advanced Enzymatic Shampoo is
recommended by vets to soothe and hydrate sensitive, itchy skin. Infused with the patented antimicrobial LP3 Enzyme System, vitamin D3, and oat extract, it offers gentle, hypoallergenic relief for pets of all ages.—Connie ($16, zymox.com)
6 Let the pouncing and battling begin! Meoijuana’s Get Tangled Floppy Octopus Refillable Toy comes with a vial of premium organic catnip grown in the USA and Canada, so you can refresh this floppy, fun toy for endless excitement. —Simran ($10, meowijuana.com)
7 Transform your cat into a fierce lion with this adorable fluffy cat costume
from Pet Krewe! With adjustable sizing and a secure hook-and-loop closure, it’s perfect for Halloween, photoshoots, or parties. Let your feline roar in style and steal the spotlight!—Anna ($10, petkrewe.com)
8 The Knead-It Pad is perfect for you and your purr-babies! Designed for happy paws, this sleek, ultra-soft pad protects your lap and furniture while satisfying your cat’s natural instinct to knead. Durable, portable, cozy, and stylish—because purr-fect bonding should be claw-proof!—Buddy ($65, fluffandboots.com)
9 This revolutionary pesticide-free platform that uses a hidden water barrier to keep ants away from pet bowls, plants, and trash—naturally! It’s eco-friendly and hassle-free. Protect your home the safe way—fill it once, ant-free for months!—Jory ($40, theantser.com)
10 Gift your cat improved gut health with FeliOtic! This daily liquid probiotic uses feline-sourced Lactobacillus reuteri to support gut health, reduce diarrhea, boost immunity, and aid digestion. Vet-recommended and cat-approved!—Cecilia ($24, bluegrassanimalproducts.com)
11 Make litter disposal easy and mess-free with Red Rocket Kitty Twist'R Plus! Highcapacity, seven-layer litter bags hold up to 12 pounds of litter—no waste, cutting, or tying! It’s cute, durable, and seriously odour-free—Jennifer ($39, redrocketpets.com)
12 I’m “over the mewn” about these kitty mosaic styles by BOBS® from Skechers®!
Playfully cute and comfortable, these sneakers are from the brand that’s given millions to help save and support shelter pets like Moo Deng and Nabi —Shakira (from $55, BOBSfromSkechers.com)
Danny McBride Launches a Tequila for Cat Lovers
D
ANNY MCBRIDE WANTS TO KNOW,
are you ready to have cool times?
The American actor, comedian, producer, and writer best known for his roles in HBO television series Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals has a new passion project: bringing Don Gato tequila—“Good Tequila made for Cool Times”—to the U.S. If you’re a fan of cats, lucha libre (aka Mexican wrestling), and tequila, this is the drink for you. Over the past few years, McBride has been working on this project, documenting his journey with the famous luchador and feline-lover turned tequila maker, Don Gato. For those unfamiliar with Don Gato, the legendary largerthan-life wrestler never lost a match—and is known for his unwavering love for cats.
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“
I think that might be part of what makes Tequila Don Gato truly amazing; it’s made in the vicinity of cats and by a person who digs cats. Cats are awesome, just like Don Gato and his tequila.” In the U.S., Don Gato is now poised to be known for his additive-free tequila too, thanks to McBride’s determination to drink lots of tequila to bring the luchador’s story and his tequila to an American audience. A self-professed Don Gato “superfan,” McBride travelled to Mexico to follow Don Gato, intent on sharing his story with the world. We asked McBride the questions any tequiladrinking cat lover needs to know.
P H OTOS D O N G ATO / I N ES M
Love cats, Mexican wrestling, and agave spirits? Danny McBride has a drink for you
ON CATS AND
TEQUILA:
Danny McBride x Modern Cat, an Exclusive Interview
Q: A:
You’re obviously a tequila person. Are you a cat person also? I AM a big tequila person, it’s my favorite thing to sip, drink and gargle… I live with two cats, Chacho and Ned. I like that cats don’t care what others think. They prance to their own tune, purr to the ones they love, and are distracted by balls with a feather attached, much like myself.
Q: A:
What is the coolest thing about Don Gato? And how many cats does he have? The coolest thing about Don Gato is that he doesn’t even think about the word cool. How many? Not sure, but legend has it, he has a cat for every person he’s defeated, inside and outside the ring.
Q: A:
What sparked your obsession with Don Gato? Are you a lucha libre fan? It’s simple, I tasted his tequila. One drop set me on this path. And as it turned out his history in the luchadorian sport was far more interesting than anything I have ever come across. Of course I’m a lucha libre fan, the role of the comedian and that of the luchador are not too different. Both require incredible acrobatic skills and a punch to the gut.
“
Like anyone who’s a fan of cats, you know that they make life more exciting, more chill, and just all-around cooler.”
How did it turn into a mission to bring Don Gato tequila to the U.S.? As a tequila savant, Don Gato worships the agave as equally as he does his cats… which is a lot. My goal is to tell the story of the hero that is Don Gato and bring the personality of this incredible legend stateside. His award-winning Blanco and Reposado are now officially in the U.S., allowing us to bring cat-lovers and tequila lovers together… because they are both the best kind of people, obviously. ■
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P H OTOS D O N G ATO / I N ES M
Q: A:
CAPTION THIS!
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
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.
AND THE WINNING CAPTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE ARE…
Carton Design FEATURES Blue Cat
G
reat graphic design starring a playful cat? That’s a resounding yes from our team. The best milk packaging design we’ve ever seen features a wideeyed blue cat. The interactive design encourages the assembly of cat images—different narratives can be created according to how the cartons are displayed. Vera Zvereva, art director for the branding agency Depot, was commissioned to redesign the packaging of four milk products from the Milgrad dairy line. To stand out from competitors on supermarket shelves, she designed a series of illustrated playful cat poses. “He looks at the consumer with interest, plays with a string, looks out or freezes in anticipation,” says Depot. The illustration moves from one side of the package to the other, which creates multiple shelf display options depending on how they are arranged. Even the barcodes are shaped like a cat’s head! This packaging is clearly the cat’s meow.
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“Don’t let them get to your head— the perm looks great on you!” SUBMITTED BY BEN SMIGIELSKI
RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS
“Jerry, I think you fluffed up big time.” SUBMITTED BY EVELYN TATE
“I can’t believe the power went out right before they were going to rinse you off!” SUBMITTED BY CLINTON DURITZ
“So you bit into power cord… and then what?” SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH DEWAN
“I told you not to poop in the carrier!” SUBMITTED BY ASH HIBBS
I M A G ES CO U RT E SY V E R A Z V E R E VA / D E P OT
ADORABLE Milk
! E L I SM
moderncat’s
RILEY
Awww ! BENJAMIN BUTTON
toulouse
CHarisma
kozmos
QUEEN ASHLEY BLUE GRAYCIE
BABY
CARMELLA
HERCULES
THEO
BEAU
LUCY
tito
mello
monte
e! t u c Too
jack
sebastian
ngaw-ngaw
OLIVE
pete
simba
aiko
onyx
mimi
tooth missy
remi
boots
! e l b a r o d A Think your cat ought to grace the pages of Modern Cat?
bubba
lynx
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 May through October. Go to moderncat.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every two weeks.
May
1st-14th
Win 1 of 3 Pawfit Lite GPS Trackers for cats, plus a sixmonth basic subscription! Quick release safety collar included.
June
15th -31st
Win this amazing cat tree from MyThreeCats.com: the six-foot-tall Extra Large Cathaven cat tree in Zen Green!
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 Applaws Vitality all-natural, grain-free wet cat food prize packs of your choice worth $100!
July
August
1st-14th
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 prize packs from 4FurBaby! Includes their gentle yet effective 100% biodegradable bamboo fiber wipes in Unscented Aloe and Lavender, plus 2 pearl pet necklaces!
15 -31 th
st
Win 1 of 2 amazing prize packs from Cats Out of the Bag, including a cozy cat bed, cat toys, and catthemed accessories for you!
September
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 feline wellness prize packs from Vetericyn! Includes 2 Vetericyn Plus Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy, 2 Feline Antimicrobial Hydrogel, 2 Feline Antimicrobial Feline Wound & Skin Care, and 1 Antimicrobial Ear Rinse.
Win 1 of 3 ZYMOX® wellness bundles, including ZYMOX Ear Cleanser for Cats & Kittens, ZYMOX Ear Solution for Cats & Kittens, ZYMOX Topical Cream for Cats & Kittens, and ZYMOX Ear Wipes!
15th -30th
Win an amazing prize package from Odie Pet Insurance! Includes two Smart Litter Box Monitor Systems from Petivity Powered by Purina, a custom Odie tote bag and hat, and more!
15th -31st
Win a Stay Home With Your Cat bundle from Meow City! Includes a cat bed, a clock, socks, a mug, a box sign, an art print, and a cat toy!
October
15 -30 th
th
Win 1 of 3 litter care prize packs from Catalyst Pet! Includes a 10 lb bag of Catalyst litter, a premium scoop, a sisal litter tracking mat, and compostable poop bags.
1st-14th
Win 1 of 3 amazing Armarkat cat trees! Winner #1 gets the Armarkat Royal Perch Cat Mansion, winner #2 gets the AMNI Cat Tree All-in-One Play and Rest Station, and winner #3 gets the C46 Teepee Cat Bed.
15th -31st
Win 1 of 5 one-year subscriptions to Modern Cat magazine, chock full of helpful articles, heartwarming stories, and so many cute cat photos!
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning May 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM (PST) through October 31, 2025 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