Modern Cat Spring/Summer 2026 - US

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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

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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

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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

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The Mealtime Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know

It’s not just what you feed your cat, but how.

BY DR. MIKEL DELGADO

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BY MICHELLE SIMPSON

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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

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Catify Your Life

Cat-tastic finds to thrill both you and your cat.

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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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BODY & SOUL 5 Minutes to a Happier Cat

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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.

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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!

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How to Get Rid of Litter Box Smell

Banish lingering odours with these expert tips.

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BY ROSE FROSEK

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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

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Connie’s Book Club

Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of new, must-read books for cat lovers.

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Tiny Cat Stories

Cat love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted cat stories of no more than 100 words.

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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