cat
Your Cat Has Opinions About Dinner: It’s Not Just What You Feed—But How
The lifestyle magazine for modern cats and their companions
SPRING · SUMMER 2026
SPRING/SUMMER 2026
VOL 15 NO 1
22 FEATURES Does Your Cat Miss You When You’re Gone?
Do cats miss their owners? Is your cat sad, lonely, or even mad when you go to work, out to dinner, or on vacation? The answer is yes… and no (at least in the human sense). BY MIESHELLE NAGELSCHNEIDER
32
Cats Get Dementia, Too
Yes, cats can get dementia—and it resembles Alzheimer’s. A new study links feline cognitive dysfunction to the disease. BY SHERI RADFORD
54
Want to Get a Man’s Attention? You’re Going to Need to Meow Harder
A new study finds that cats greet male caregivers with more vocalizations.
66 THE GOODS 22
Toys to delight and engage every cat, from energetic kittens to reluctant-to-play seniors.
BY ROSE FROSEK
58
The Mealtime Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know
It’s not just what you feed your cat, but how. BY DR. MIKEL DELGADO
64
BY MICHELLE SIMPSON
66
30
The (Entirely Subjective) List of Cutest Cat Breeds
Get to know these cute cat breeds and the adorable traits that make them irresistible! BY JANELLE MARTEL
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The Cat Gear Look Book Your at-a-glance guide to the best gear for cats.
How to Train Your Cat to Accept a Kitten
An illustrated guide to successful, low-stress cat introductions.
7 Cat Toys to Suit All Play Styles
56
Catify Your Life
Cat-tastic finds to thrill both you and your cat. 70
Healthy Paws
Solutions for everything from cat anxiety to smelly paws and stagnant water bowls.
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IMAGES L TO R: NEW AFRICA/SHUTTERSTOCK; ALEXANDER PETUKHO/SHUTTERSTOCK; MICHELLE SIMPSON. COVER INSETS: NATALYA/ADOBESTOCK; MARA ZEMGALIETE/ADOBESTOCK
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80 22
BODY & SOUL 5 Minutes to a Happier Cat
44
Why your cat should play with their food. BY AMANDA CARON
“Happy drool” vs. signs of trouble: When drooling is normal—and when to worry.
18
BY JANELLE MARTEL
CAT LIFE 20
We’ve got six months of incredible giveaways— from cat litter and food to deluxe cat trees and GPS cat collars—plus, winners every two weeks. See what’s up for grabs on page 20!
REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 12 18 79
Editor’s Letter Contributors Stuff We Love The Scoop Photo Contest Marketplace
We’re Giving it Away!
50
How to Get Rid of Litter Box Smell
Banish lingering odours with these expert tips.
32
BY ROSE FROSEK
72
Living with a Cat Allergy
Love cats, hate the allergies? These expert-recommended strategies can help feline fancying allergy sufferers.
COVER CAT Say hello to this year’s America’s Favorite Pet Competition winner, Sammy, an adorable eight-yearold Ragdoll from Detroit, Michigan! Photographed by Sydney Cisco. Turn to page 40 for more.
BY SHERI RADFORD
74
Connie’s Book Club
Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of new, 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
11 Fascinating Kitten Facts
Fascinating cat trivia and little-known feline facts.
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IMAGES L TO R: OKSANASUSOEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK; ANURAK PONGPATIMET/SHUTTERSTOCK; YAVDAT/SHUTTERSTOCK. LEFT INSET FROM CAT BY PHAEDON EDITORS, ART BY M.CHAT, PHOTO BY FERDINAND FEYS
Drooling in Cats
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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
here’s something entrancing about cats—affectionate yet independent, disarmingly expressive yet always a little mysterious, retaining as they do one toe in the wild. In this issue, we explore that delicate balance, diving into the science, behaviour, and heart behind what makes our feline companions so captivating. Have you ever wondered what your cat really feels when you walk out the door? In “Does Your Cat Miss You When You’re Gone?” (p 26) we unpack the nuanced truth behind feline attachment—revealing that while cats may not pine in quite the same way we do, their bonds with us are real and meaningful. That emotional complexity continues in our look at the surprising ways cats communicate—and why they meow more at male caregivers. “Cats Get Dementia, Too” (p 32) sheds light on Feline Cognitive Dysfunction—and how it mirrors Alzheimer’s Disease in humans. Of course, life with cats is playful. From toys to suit every play style to the secrets behind better mealtimes, this issue is full of practical tips to deepen your connection. Thinking of getting a feline friend for your cat? Our step-by-step illustrated guide to introducing a kitten helps ensure harmony at home, while our (entirely subjective) roundup of the cutest cat breeds celebrates the sheer joy of cat appreciation. We’ve also curated a range of must-have, tested and approved cat products, from toys and scratchers to stylish gear that enhances both your cat’s environment and your own. And because wellness matters, you’ll find expert advice on everything from enrichment to life-changing litter box management strategies. Of course, there are giveaways galore (p 20), bite-sized cat stories, and delightful kitten facts that remind us why we adore these small but mighty creatures. Whether you’re here to discover, shop, or simply smile, this issue is a celebration of cats in all their complexity—quirky, clever, and completely unforgettable.
Find Us at the Vet!
When you get extra comfy waiting for your dog at the vet & discover the best magazines ever!!!! —@akay.on.the.go
A Purr-fect Weekend
Lilibet’s weekend is booked with reading the latest @modern_cat_mag! —@felinemisadventures
With love,
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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Cats and Cat People Agree...
Me and my rescue cat Mina love Modern Cat! Here she is inspecting the latest issue.—Ian
Stuff We Love
Modern Cat staffers’ picks of the litter! 1 Keep your dog out of the cat food and litter box! Door Buddy Cat Door Prop keeps
doors open just wide enough for cats to enter while blocking pups, saving your sanity and your cat’s dignity. ($21, thedoorbuddy.com)
2 Turn tap water into clean, mineral-balanced hydration with this self-cleaning
filtered water bowl. The GOpure Pet Bowl combines a double-walled stainless-steel
design with advanced ceramic filtration. The built-in natural purification system removes toxins and prevents biofilm, delivering your cat the same purified water trusted by thousands of GOpure’s human customers. ($50, gopurepod.com)
3 Bid adieu to stinky litter boxes! Leo’s Loo Too automatic litter box is loved by
cats and owners alike thanks to its safe and quiet operation, sleek design, and excellent odour control. It even includes app integration with weight tracking for added health insights. ($599, casaleopet.com)
4 Relieve discomfort from facial injuries or allergies with Vetericyn Plus Feline Facial
Therapy. Designed to clean and heal common feline issues like acne, eye discharge,
ear infections, and skin irritations, this non-toxic, safe-if-ingested antimicrobial spray speeds healing without antibiotics or steroids. ($13, vetericyn.com)
5 Author Lorraine Abrams’s lively picture book, A Cat's Historical Yarn or the
Taming of the Humans, puts cats at the center of hundreds of years of history.
Fun illustrations bring this cat-centered re-imagining to life. A delightful picture book for cat lovers young and old alike. ($14, amazon.com)
6 Mosaic Mirm’s beautiful custom mosaic cremation urns honour the memory of your beloved companion. Lovingly handcrafted and designed to hold ashes, each urn is one of a kind—just like your cat—and can include photographs, tags, and your cat’s name. ($370, etsy.com/shop/MosaicMirm)
7 Fussie Cat delivers a knockout kitten food with their creamy and flavourful
Tuna & Chicken with Pumpkin in Goat Milk Mousse Kitten Recipe. High protein, hydrating, and easy to digest, this DHA-rich food delivers everything kittens need for healthy growth. ($2, fussiecat.com)
8 Why have legends of cats having nine lives persisted throughout the centuries?
Are the molecules of cat mummies embedded in our morning cereal? Dive into these thought-provoking topics and more in Mews and Views for the Curious Cat Lover, a fascinating look at feline mysteries, behaviour, adaptations, and history. ($13, amazon.com)
9 Replenish your cats natural gut flora with good bacteria. Ideal for stress, diarrhea, post-illness, or daily support, FeliOtic is the only daily liquid probiotic with lactobacillus reuteri developed from the cat, for the cat! ($24, bluegrassanimalproducts.com)
10 Make sure your senior cat gets everything they need with WellyTails Senior Cat
Care ADVANCED. Super-star ingredients like DHA & EPA Omega-3s, probiotics and
digestive enzymes, cancer-fighting phytonutrients and antioxidants, cranberry extract, and glucosamine support overall wellness. ($35, wellytails.com)
TikTok’s Bridgerton pet-name trend fuels real-life popularity surge
W
ITH THE LONG-AWAITED SEASON FOUR of Netflix’s hit
series Bridgerton now streaming, mania for all things inspired by the alternative-history regency romance is at an all-time high. The show has already left its mark on fashion and beauty, but there’s another, lesser-known influence beginning to emerge— Bridgerton-influenced pet names.
TOP BRIDGERTON-THEMED PET NAMES IN THE UK: #1. Daphne #2. Lady #3. Violet #4. Colin
#5. Simon/Penelope ( TIE)
WHAT'S YOUR PET'S BRIDGERTON NAME? #1. Lord or Lady
#2. Your pet's name
#3. Your pet's favourite food + ‘ton’ at the end #4. ‘of’ your pet's breed
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After the previous season dropped in May 2024, a new TikTok trend emerged. The viral “Bridgerton pet name reveal” videos worked by choosing Lady or Lord, then combining your pet’s real name with their favourite food and adding ‘-ton.’ To complete the full title, “of” and the pet’s breed is added to the end. Comical results like Lady Poppy Cheeseton of Persian, Lord Joey Cheerioton of Tabby, and Lady Willow Shrimpton of Scottish Fold had many cat lovers jumping on the bandwagon. The trend was huge, with some videos racking up over half a million views—but for some pet owners, this wasn’t just a viral moment. Among the show’s devoted fanbase, actual Bridgerton-inspired pet names are growing in popularity. Delving into the trend, global pet-sitting platform TrustedHousesitters surveyed its members to reveal the most popular Bridgerton-inspired pet names in the UK. Out of the 75,000 registered pets in the UK, these were the top-ranking Bridgerton-inspired names. In the #1 spot, Daphne—the eldest Bridgerton daughter— embodies elegance and grace. Next up, Lady gives a regal feeling. For the male pet names, Colin topped the charts. The Bridgerton character is known to be charming and loyal, much like many loved pets. Simon was the second most popular boy’s pet name inspired by the show. The character is known to be loyal to those he loves, just like our four-legged friends. In addition to leading monikers like Daphne and Lady, the names Charlotte, Portia, Lord, and even Benedict received honourable mentions.
FEATURED IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX; INSET IMAGE SHUTTERSTOCK AI GENERATOR/SHUTTERSTOCK
Most Popular Bridgerton-Inspired Pet Names Revealed
I L LU S T R AT I O N S : P E T P L A N
How Cats See the World Around Them New sensory insights reveal how our cats experience the world around them—and how we can adapt our homes to match
E
ver wondered what the world looks like through your cat’s eyes? Insights from Nicky Trevorrow, Behaviour Manager at Cats Protection and cat expert for Petplan, reveal interesting facts about how cats perceive colour, movement, and space.
The Science Behind Our Cat’s Vision
Contrary to popular belief, cats cannot see in complete darkness, though they do have incredible nighttime vision. Due to their larger corneas their nighttime vision is eight times better than a human’s, allowing cats to detect things in low-light levels. Though greens and reds are harder for cats to make out, fast-moving objects or vehicles appear more intense. Cats have a blind spot right under their chin.
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Compared to a dog’s 20/75 vision, cats have slightly better long-distance vision at 20/30. They also have a wide 200-degree field of vision (20 degrees more than humans), allowing them to detect movement from the sides, making them excellent hunters.
A cat’s nighttime vision is eight times better than that of a human. “Knowing how your cat sees the world— including their need to be close to objects to see them clearly—helps us better understand their behaviours, from those intense stares to their sudden pounces,” says Trevorrow. ■
The Science Behind Creating a Cat-Friendly Space Anywhere * While cats struggle to see
reds and greens, their eyes are alive to movements and shapes, and the way that light is reflected.
* Selecting toys in shades of
blue or yellow can help your cat to spot it better.
* Colour isn’t everything; cats are excited by motion.
* Despite the popular belief, cats cannot see in complete darkness.
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.
THE PHYSICS OF A PERFECT LANDING Why Falling Cats Always Seem to Land on Their Feet A 130-year-old mystery solved: The secret physics behind every cat’s perfect landing
AND THE WINNING CAPTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE ARE…
F
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“I tried meowing. Now, we escalate.” SUBMITTED BY LAURA BENJAMIN
RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS
“Just 30 more seconds till 5:00 a.m.!” SUBMITTED BY CHRIS WHITACRE
“Wake up! It's gizzard and rice day!” SUBMITTED BY PAUL WHITING
“Next time, she'll think twice before getting out the squirt bottle!” SUBMITTED BY KAREN HUDZIK
“I call this next percussion piece ‘3 a.m. Breakfast Song.’” SUBMITTED BY BEN SMIGIELSKI
P H OTO : A . H E M P / SH U TT E R STO CK
OR MORE THAN A CENTURY, the “falling cat problem” has fascinated scientists and puzzled physicists: how can a cat dropped upside down twist midair and land gracefully on their feet—without violating the laws of physics? Now, new research is offering one of the clearest answers yet, blending anatomy with physics in a way that feels almost poetic. The mystery dates to 1894, when French scientist Étienne-Jules Marey used early high-speed photography to capture a cat reorienting itself mid-fall—seemingly defying the conservation of angular momentum. As one modern observer put it, the phenomenon appeared to contradict “how a body in free fall” should behave. But cats, it turns out, confound expectation. Recent research highlights a crucial insight: a cat’s spine is not uniformly flexible. The front half—supported by a highly mobile thoracic spine, which can turn much like our necks—can twist far more freely than the stiffer lower back. This allows cats to rotate their front half first, then bring the rear into alignment milliseconds later in a precise, sequential motion. “The anterior trunk rotates first, followed by the posterior trunk,” researchers explained, describing a movement that is less like a single flip and more like a coordinated two-step dance. This elegant maneuver resolves the long-standing paradox. Cats don’t break physical laws—they exploit them. By bending and twisting different parts of their bodies independently, they conserve angular momentum while still achieving rotation. What makes this discovery compelling isn’t just that it solves a quirky scientific riddle. It opens doors to real-world applications. Understanding how cats control their bodies in midair could improve robotics, particularly in designing machines that can reorient themselves during falls. It may even inform veterinary medicine and spinal injury treatment. Still, part of the wonder remains intact. After all, even with equations and high-speed cameras, there’s something mesmerizing about a falling cat righting themselves with effortless precision. Or, as one summary of the enduring puzzle suggests, scientists may finally understand the mechanics—but the magic is harder to pin down.
! E L I SM
moderncat’s
MIKEY
PISTACHE GERONIMO
! Adorable
WALLY MEATBALL
CHARLIE
ELSA
BAILEY BLUE
MUNCHKIN
COBA
Awww ! HUDSON & BEEZUS
RANGELEY
POSIE MAY
LILITH
PRINCESS PAIGE
SOPHIE
NOODLE
EVIE
HUGO
CASPIAN
REX
Too cu te!
GODFREY
BANDIT
LOKI
NELSON
ALICE
WINSTON
SPACEMAN
FUZZY
SESAME Think your cat ought to grace the pages of Modern Cat?
MOUSA
MIMIKYU
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 2 Vetramil natural skincare prize packs, including 5 full-size Vetramil medicalgrade honey products: Vetramil Shampoo, Paw Wax, Spray, Ointment, and Auris.
June
15th -31st
Win 1 of 3 Armarkat Cat Tree/Bed prizes! Winner #1 gets Armarkat Classic Cat Tree A4801; Winner #2 gets Premium Cat Tree X2905; and Winner #3 receives Armarkat Cat Bed C15HHL/MH!
July
1st-14th
Win 1 of 2 prizes: four 12-packs (48 cans!) of Pure Cravings Minced Tuna for Cats—the only 100% mercury-tested tuna for cats, made with sustainably wild-caught, human-grade fish cats love.
Win 1 of 2 cat grass planters from Mom’s Indoor Cat, along with a 2-year supply of cat grass! Cats love the organic non-GMO grasses, and can play, sleep and eat in the large tray!
th
Win 1 of 4 Cat Print Suits from Kim of the World Art Shop! Includes ‘Cat Lady’ pants and jacket blazer in your choice of six cat lady prints.
August
1st-14th 15th -31st
Win 1 of 2 Pawfit Lite GPS Trackers for Cats, plus a breakaway cat collar and a 12-month premium app subscription!
September
1st-14th
1 -14 st
Win 1 of 2 prize bundles from Alice’s Cottage! Includes a large tote, spiced hot pad, flour sack pad, and potholder, plus an array of adorable, organic catnip-filled toys, including their tea bag, wine bottle, fish, candy corn, candy cane, and bird kicker cat toys!
15th -30th
Win 1 of 3 prizes from Catalyst Pet! Includes a three-month supply of Catalyst Pet litter (formula of your choice), their litter tracking mat, scoop, and Catalyst Pet’s highly compostable waste bags!
15th -31st
Win a prize pack from Dr. Elsey’s! Includes 3 forty-pound bags of Dr. Elsey’s Ultra long lasting, dust-free cat litter, plus 3 bags of Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein chicken recipe, the kibble cats love!
October
15th -30th
Win 6 months of BoxiePro clay litter and Scoop & Tie Litter Bags, plus one Scent Free Probiotic Litter Extender!
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 for dogs and cats!
15th -31st
Win 1 of 3 sets of two Suitical Recovery Sleeves—one in black and one in tiger print—offering targeted, breathable, and safe protection for front leg wounds, sutures, hot spots, and skin issues.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning May 1, 2026 at 12:01 AM (PST) through October 31, 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: LUCY SUBMITTED BY SIENNA
s y a w a e v i G t a Gre