If you live in a city or visit popular tourist destinations, you’ve almost certainly seen cats strolling about outdoors, seemingly living a life of carefree freedom. But not all outdoor cats are sharing the same experience, and each of those varied experiences has a different name. In other words, they’re not all strays. Then what are they? Strays are domesticated cats who have previously lived with, or been cared for regularly by, humans. For whatever reason—lost, abandoned, dumped—these unfortunate kitties no longer have the home they’re used to and are not receiving regular care. These are ..read more

A Brief History of Cat Furniture Before we can really tackle the history of cat furniture, we need to step back a bit and consider the history of domesticated cats. No, we’re not going all the way back to Ancient Egypt and their worship of kitties as divine creatures, but to a more recent century, when cats truly began to take over American homes. And, if you’re not already around 90 years old, you’ll probably be surprised to find out when this was. When?! Cats have been claimed by humans for millennia, but they didn’t regularly begin to live indoors full-time until the late 1940s, and there’s ..read more

Training cats isn’t especially difficult—you truly just need a bit of patience and a positive attitude! As Newsweek reports, cats aren’t as dependent on humans as dogs are, so it can take a bit more effort, but many enjoy the mental stimulation and togetherness of this training, which should feel like playtime. Happy, confident cats take best to training, but even shy and aloof cats may be open to learning tricks with the right person and right environment. Just remember never to get frustrated or disappointed if your cat fails. Continue the step you’re on until she gets it, and if that day ne ..read more

While the first known cat café opened in Taiwan in the 1990s, it wasn’t until they reached Japan in 2004 that the world began to notice. Since then, cat cafés have expanded to Europe, North America, and beyond, but they’re not necessarily the same everywhere you go. Two cat cafés in the same city may have different goals, rules, and costs. Regardless, they’re all super fun and great for both the cats and the people of a community. What are the different goals of cat cafés? The earliest cat cafés in Asia were primarily built as a mental health boost for humans. Many apartments in these cities a ..read more

Training cats isn’t especially difficult—you truly just need a bit of patience and a positive attitude! As Newsweek reports, cats aren’t as dependent on humans as dogs are so that it can take a bit more effort, but many enjoy the mental stimulation and togetherness of this training, which should feel like playtime. Happy, confident cats take their best to training, but even shy and aloof cats may be open to learning tricks with the right person and the right environment. Just remember never to get frustrated or disappointed if your cat fails. Continue the step you’re on until she gets it, and ..read more

Dearest Cat, No, not "my" dearest cat, because I'm well aware that you own me, and not the other way around. Thank you for allowing me to continue feeding you, grooming you, and living in your charming home, which I also pay for. It's truly an honor. I so appreciate that you've cultivated this perfect home for us, even though your esteemed lineage traces far back to Ancient Egyptian royalty when your ancestors roamed the wild world with fierce dignity. It's so generous of you to spend so much time indoors now, caring for me and nurturing me, and even providing me with mental and physical stimu ..read more

We're in cozy season, with comfortably cool weather begging for plush blankets, comfy sweaters, and the return of seasonal warm beverages. Sure, winter may have snowfall, fireplaces, and hot chocolate, but those come with frigid conditions, messy roads, and the darkest days of the year. Bundling up in winter is about survival—cozying up in fall is about comfort. And what could be more comforting than delicious treats?! To help you and your kitty get in the autumn spirit, we've rounded up some tasty homemade cat treats to share with your furball as you indulge in fall favorites. A word on ..read more

As with most things you've seen and heard online, the fascinating statement that Disneyland nurtures a colony of 200 cats to rid its premises of rodents is only loosely true. Very loosely. The best part of this story is that there are many cats who ironically set up shop in the California home of the world's most famous mouse. They seem to be official residents now, but most of the urban legends surrounding them are just that—legends. Disneyland itself is mysteriously quiet on the subject, and even park employees (called Cast Members) are famously cagey on the subject, so the world may never k ..read more

Not a dance, not a culinary technique, and not a fashion movement, Japandi style refers to an interior design sensibility that combines key elements from both Japanese and Scandinavian principles to offer maximum calm and cozy with minimum fuss. Blending the casual comfort of Scandi design with the soothing refinement of Japanese interiors, CNN reports that Japandi style took hold in America in late 2020. This was the first winter of the Covid pandemic after we’d spent more time than usual in our homes and sought a more thoughtful design that decluttered our minds and spaces while ma ..read more

Congratulations on the decision to live with cats! For your first reward, we’re going to give you a little bonus pointer that isn’t even one of the five tips we promised: You won’t be owning any cats; they’ll be owning you. While you’ve probably heard a cat person say, “This is the cats’ house. They just let me live here!” it’s not entirely a joke, especially if you want to have a good relationship with your furball. Unlike dogs, who live to please and who often seem to be awaiting your next command or recommendation, cats will tend to cultivate their independent interests outside of their rel ..read more