Harris

Inspire Unity: Contribute to a Collage for a Good Cause

Written by: Jason and Noah, Inspire Unity Founders

Hey everyone! First off we wanted to say, we’re extremely excited @Catfluence asked us to be part of their blog and we’re honored to share the project we’ve been creating over the past few months or so for every single cat lover out there.

That being said, let’s get into it!! We’re Inspire Unity and our goal is to unify people through things we have in common, all while creating an awesome, fun, interactive, unique way of donating to good causes for as little as $1! This is made possible through the mosaic collages on our website.

A mosaic collage is thousands of small little pictures coming together to create a larger one. Which is a direct representation of how we should be as humans. All us little individual people joining together to realize we’re all here on earth experiencing this thing called “life” TOGETHER!!

Now, you’re probably asking how this came about. I’m here to answer, step by step, but it might look a little confusing so follow along.

1. The world has gone through a crazy time the past year or so with 76% of people around the world feeling that their country is divided.
2. My family recently adopted a siamese cat with feline leukemia and we absolutely fell in love with her (She’s doing amazing btw).
3. Laying in bed at night really gives you some great thoughts.

Take all three of those, put them in a mixing pot, and there you have it, Inspire Unity was born! We decided it was time to take a stand and create something that will allow people to physically see (through the collages) that we are 100% capable of ridding division, provide a more fun way of donating to organizations rather than the boring traditional donating websites (boringgggg), and do this all through things we love and have in common.

Due to the recent adoption of our family cat, my partner and I decided to run our very first project for cat lovers all over the world. How this works is people go to our website and create an account. They are then able to upload their picture(s) of their cat(s) to the collage and give their donation!

Whether it’s $1 or $1,000,000 it is all much appreciated and will impact so many lives. For donations $1-$24.99 you are able to get your picture on the collage, $25-$49.99 you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity beanie, $50-$99.99 you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity hoodie, and $100+ you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity blanket! (All shipping can only be done within the US)

This final paragraph is to anyone within the cat community. We need your help, we cannot do this alone. The world is going through tough times and it’s time to stand up. We chose cats as our first project due to the strength that comes from within the community. The amount of uploads to the site determines the impact we make on our partnered shelter.

The shelter is Fur Angels Rescue Shelter out of Toledo, OH. Our goal for this first project is 1 MILLION uploads and it’s only possible if we come together and make it happen. We would be able to add multiple shelters to that list and impact thousands of lives. WE NEED YOU! Go to the site and upload your pictures today. Thank you!

Website: inspire-unity.com

Instagram: @inspireunity_

Twitter: @Inspireunity20

TikTok: @inspire.unity

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by Harris

My First Encounter with Cat Magic & How I'm Bringing it to the Screen

Written by: Sarah Jayne Portelli, Director/Producer - Cats of Malta

HELP FUND PRODUCTION ON KICKSTARTER

There are many reasons why I believe that felines are pure magic. The strongest reason I can find however to support this bold statement does not lie in the ancient scriptures left behind by the Pharaohs who worshipped cats like Gods.

Put simply, I have experienced first hand that cats have this natural, innate sense of emotional deepness. An intuition, an ability to tap into human emotions and the human world that's stronger and unmatched by the human race and it lies in their overall existence. The first time I witnessed the power of feline intuition and their ability and tap into human emotions was many years ago while I grieved for the sudden loss of my childhood friend Samantha. At the time I was living in Sydney with my boyfriend and his house cat, Mittens. The news coming from back home in Melbourne hit me like a ton of bricks.

Mittens was not a friendly housemate, quite the opposite most of the time. The feline was a former stray turned live in house cat. She was an overweight and often defensive, smoky grey feline, a character to be wary of and not pat often. This cat would not let you get close to her without lashing out and Mittens, like other cats had her daily routine which we humans had to follow. What I was yet to discover was that there was more to Mittens, her outlandish behaviour and demanding temperament.

Mittens' morning routine would include rushing into the kitchen first thing, boisterous as soon as she saw we were up. She would head but the kitchen cupboard door at least twice, meow loudly, pacing around or circling our feet if we were there before her. Her mission clear - the cupboard contained cat food, and she wanted to eat.

The morning following the news, her behaviour, routine and her approach towards me shifted.

While standing in the kitchen, leaning my back on the bench unable to move, numb with sadness, tears flowing in big giant sobs, I looked up at Mittens, whose large frame had appeared in the doorway. We had a moment, me an this rebel cat. We held each others gaze. She did not approach for her food that morning and it was not because I was blocking the cupboard. That had never stopped her in the past.

That morning, Mittens sat unmoved and silenced in the doorway, quietly she looking up at me, and I down at her while continuing with my personal grieving. That day she did not do her usual routine, instead Mittens waited until I was able to provide her food. Mitten's did however spend a lot of time watching me quietly from a distance. She was normally talkative, a bit unruly in her actions, but that was on pause while I grieved. She did this for a few days and I, this human, this dog person who understood nothing about cats realised that she knew I was in emotional pain.

She knew.

Back in Melbourne, while attending Samantha's wake, her husband Jason revealed to me that their three cats had been sleeping on Samantha's pillow, huddled together every night since she had passed. Ever since Samantha had left home for work on her motorcycle that morning and not returned home to her family. They missed her, they sensed Jason's loss and grief, and like Mittens, these felines knew.

These two instances, along with other stories I have heard from friends about unexplainable moments they have witnessed their cats take part in revealed a truth to me – cats have an intuition that humans can not match. They feel emotions and they absorb human vibration. They are magic in animal form. Cat magic is a thing.

No wonder Egyptians held these mystical creatures in high regard. Ever since that encounter with Mittens and Jason's revelation, I've been fascinated with cats and their power. My realisation further strengthened by stories, unbelievable to some, relayed from friends about their cats interacting with spirits of family members long gone from this world, playing with them as they did when the deceased were physically in our realm.

Now that we are in the midst of a pandemic, which has lasted over a year, the human way of life and our routines have been thrown into utter chaos. There is a rise of uncertainty on so many fronts, the anxiety that comes with financial insecurity and a rise in mental illness and unbalance is what most of us are experiencing lately.

Luckily we have cats to step in as emotional healers.

Last year, while directing my companies documentary Cats of Malta, about the stray cats that live on the island, I was often reminded by the interview subjects of that experience I shared with Mittens.

With documentary filmmaking, a director goes into the job thinking about what kind of story could come out of these interviews. In the moment, you direct the subjects and the action as best you can. I had set questions and an overall vibe to was aim for, however documentary varies to narrative story telling, as I was quickly learning. The story comes out later with documentary, when a story thread is found.

Watching back the footage we discovered cats are emotional healers – and collectively Malta's stray cats are somewhat like Shaman. Personally, I find that spending time with cats is calming and meditative. While filming and even prior to the documentary process while I volunteering my time at cat sanctuaries, this was always the case.

The story thread for Cats of Malta was simple and plain in the end – an 'of course' moment that came to my-coproducer and I while speaking to our human interview subjects and from watching the footage back days later. Cats, with all their quirks, strange temperament, the nocturnal need to hunt while we sleep, and their unapologetic cattitude offer humans so much. Felines provide unconditional love, their existence alone, coupled with their natural emotional intuition, plus their calming purrs have the ability to calm, heal human trauma and contribute to a reduction in stress - they improve health. That is their cat magic. Their reason for existence.

All hail cats!

I dare you to watch a cat video on YouTube or TikTok and not smile or burst out laughing.

While at The Cat Village Spinola Bay interviewing Roza for Cats of Malta, she happily and matter-of-factly stated that “for the little that you give them, they give you so much. Cats extend life”. Personally, I can't argue with that.

The now undeniable truth is that I've experienced cat magic and it's bewitched me, transforming me into a cat convert and I'm more than okay with it. It's easy to understand why there are so many proud cat owners in this new found community of cat people I'm now a part of. I'm super excited to share Cats of Malta with this community of people and cats, and the world really soon!
There is currently a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to help Sarah Jayne and her company Nexus Production Group complete Cats of Malta in the post-production stages. You can watch the video, read the story behind the film, share and contribute here – www.CatsofMaltaFilm.com

HELP FUND PRODUCTION ON KICKSTARTER

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by Harris

Musings From a Feline Zen Master & Cat Yoga Instructor

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by Harris

Calling All Tab Enthusiasts: Tab for Cats by Tab for a Cause

Written by: Miranda Escobar, Marketing Manager, Tab for a Cause

Calling all tab enthusiasts! You know, the ones with 47 tabs open at a time? With Tab for Cats, you can help shelter cats find their fur-ever homes any time you surf the web! We have partnered with The Greater Good Charities' The Jackson Galaxy Project to provide treats to shelter cats for free!

How can we do this? Through ad revenue!

Every time you open a new tab, there will be two small ads in the right corner of your home screen. Companies pay for this space to advertise on our platform, and from there we can put that money to good use by giving it back to an organization doing great work for our furry friends. Tab for Cats is absolutely free for our users, and a great way to make an impact without breaking the bank.

While Tab for Cats is new, our team also runs Tab for a Cause which was founded 9 years ago! The original experience has made quite an impact, raising over $1 million total for charities like The Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck, The Bail Project, and Water.org. We are so excited to see cat lovers around the world join our Tabber family and make a difference for cats in need.

Want to stay connected with us on social media? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok @tabforacause! Have questions? Our team is happy to help! Just DM us or send an email to contact@tabforacause.org

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by Harris

Why Cats Are Really Man’s Best Friend: A Cat Op-Ed

Written by: Simon The Black Cat

Hello Fweinds! My name is Simon and as your resident cat, I must tell you humans that cats are the best!

Now as if you already didn’t know that, dogs seemed to have earned the title as “man’s best friend”, however, I must attest that cats can be just as loving and affectionate. Think about it, we are the best lifelong companions.

We fluffy felines are loyal to our mommies and daddies and can be emotional caregivers. As they form attachments to their fur babies, we kitties tend to do the same with our humans. In our “pawsome” way of reading our caretaker’s emotions, we know when they need a little extra loving.

Not to mention we are experts at cuddling during nap time. We love to lounge around and be lazy when we want to!

I have heard around the litter box that we kitties tend to be aloof, but that could not be further from the truth. Although we might not be the easiest pet around to read, we are used to being independent which makes us low maintenance. There is no need to take us out on a walk or have us groomed.

We cats also depend on the security of our owner in addition to an environment where we are constantly doted on. Though that should be easy because of our undeniable cuteness and adorable meows. Cats are also quick learners and can influence good behavior (aka we won’t eat your homework).

Oh! We won’t roll around in the mud either.

The best part of all is that we contribute to good health! Here at Catfluence, we are aware of the mental toll stress, anxiety, and depression can have on a human. Mental health is an important aspect of general health.

It is said by AKC Reunite that our purr alone can be medically therapeutic to people (Ranard, n.d.). It is scientifically proven that we can even have a positive effect on your physical health. We cats are very personable and know just how to make you feel better!

Now many would argue that other pets have the same qualities we kitties do, but that is simply impossible - we are one of a kind!

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by Harris

Cat Relationships: How They Forgive & Forget

Written by: Michele Burke, Partner, Alliance Benefit Solutions

Let’s talk about this relationship. My two cats are 8ish years old – they are brothers.

Lately, one of them (we will call him Roman because that’s his name) beats up on the other one. The other one is deaf. I have had them since they were kittens and Roman was mostly protective through the years.

Now, not so much. Every day I am in the middle of daily cat fights. Roman will walk over and bite the other one in his neck and the other one will hiss. It happens every morning (while I am trying to enjoy my diet coke).

I still work in my office, so I leave the house in the morning and come home at night to find them sleeping in a position that would not allow them to get any closer to each other.

Either A) my house is freezing and they are in survival mode or B) they know how to fight and they know how to move on.

So, when we use the phrase ‘cat fight’ between people, let’s not forget Phase II of a cat fight which is ….  “What were we fighting about again”? Forgive!! – or in the life of a cat - Forget!!

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by Harris

Top 5 Celebrities With Cats: Singers, Actors, & Models

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by Harris

5 Tips & Tricks For Successful Cat Photography

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by Harris

Elfonso's Cat Interiors: Exclusive & Distinctive Scratching Posts

Written by: Lars of Elfonso’s Cat Interiors

It's not called Al-Fonso, but Elfonso!

Before we get caught up in a ball of yarn of storytelling, we would like to lead you to three essential questions on a red wool thread; "How did Elfonso’s Cat Interior come about?", "How did we come up with the name?", and "What is our mission?"

1) How did Elfonso’s Cat Interiors come about? How did it all start?

At the beginning of 2020, two cat lovers named Johanna and Lars decided to make their long-term wish come true: finally becoming cat parents.

The impending first lockdown acted like a catalyst for this decision. Suddenly, there was more time to be spent at home, and therefore more time for potential furry housemates.

A perfect moment for two kittens to move in! So the two cute-as-a-button female kittens Elfi and Schepsi found their way into Johanna's and Lars' lives and hearts. Both cats are black, Schepsi has long fur and Elfi rather short, shiny hair.

But of course, such magnificent cats need an equally magnificent scratch tree, which was still missing. Careful research revealed that there was nothing suitable on the market.

Hence, the idea arose to design a cat scratching post that would meet both human and cat aesthetic and functional requirements. The next question that came up was: “How and where to build such a tree?”.

In order to develop a high-quality product, expert help was needed.

Purely by chance, Pawpi Lars remembered his glorious furniture designer friend Marco, who doesn’t only have outstanding ideas and technical skills, but also owns a workshop with all the required tools and machinery.

Luckily, Marco agreed to help our proud cat parents to deal with this ambitious task ("Yes ... we can do it!").

2) How did we come up with the name?

The work on the tree began as our happy kittens were growing and developing splendidly.

However, after a few weeks, the vet discovered that Elfi, the short-haired kitten, was actually a boy! Due to the unexpected discovery of Elfi’s crown jewels, a different name was needed.

Lars came up with ‘Elfonso’ in order to stick with his old Name Elfi. Reluctantly, Johanna accepted this change and adapted to the new situation. This is how the brand name was created.

3) What is our mission?

Our mission is to develop aesthetic and functional scratching posts for cat owners with an affinity for design.

Oftentimes, cat owners invest a lot of money and effort into their personal habitat, but miss an adequate and tasteful scratching post for their darlings.

We want to combine good taste with individual customer requirements and our vision of aesthetics.

Important criteria for the selection of materials are local sources of supply and environmentally friendly and food-safe surface treatments, so that the CO2 footprint is as low as possible and we use the best available materials.

(Photograph by Mario Irrmischer: https://www.irrmischer.com/)

We would like to thank Harris from Catfluence for the opportunity to present our story and our vision to the World. We would be delighted to have sparked interest in our work, and we are open to discuss future projects with prospective customers.

How to contact us:

• E-Mail: elfonso@outlook.com
• Website: https://elfonsos.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: @elfonsos_cat_interiors

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by Harris

Breaking The Stereotypes Of A "Crazy Cat Lady"

Written by: Holly Garcia – @meistertravelcat

How many stories have you heard about crazy cat ladies? Or really just about one universal crazy cat lady.

The spinster from down the street, who nobody actually really knows because she stays inside most of the time talking to her 12 cats, except for the occasional outing to the mailbox and back, disheveled in her bathrobe and slippers, with several cats trailing behind.

Despite the many stories I've heard about this one specific type of person classified as the cat lady, I don't actually know anyone who fits that description.

I'll be honest, I'm pretty introverted.

I generally like animals more than people, I'm far from having my shit together, and cats definitely follow me everywhere. The perfect evening for me would literally be a quiet night in with my cat, drinking wine and watching Friends.

But the problem is... I fail to see a problem with that. Does spending time and caring for my animals really make me crazy?

We all know the most popular stereotype of cat ladies: that they're crazy. But some other reasons I've heard for why we own cats is:

1. We're depressed

Although I personally struggle with depression, studies have found no correlation between mental illness and having cats.

The fact that this stereotype is so widely spread that there had to be studies done on it just to confirm that loving cats doesn't mean there's something wrong with you speaks for itself.

To me, all that means is there are more people than not who don't have compassion for all living things.

2. Cat ladies are "spinsters"

I might get married one day, I might not. But if I don't, it won't be because I can't find someone due to my love for cats.

Marriage isn't a priority for me. Besides, I generally find men difficult to deal with and not worth the sacrifice... or my sanity. I'm much more likely to be driven crazy because of men than cats.

3. Cat people are lonely

Some cat owners might be alone, but far from lonely...

Cats are great companions. Why do some people hate cats so much? I'm not sure where the common stereotypes of cats were derived from, but they're mostly negative, and definitely not true.

The problem is, like many stereotypes, people accept them way too easily instead of challenging them by doing their own research and finding out for themselves.

Another interesting (or irritating) thing I've noticed is these stereotypes are usually in comparison to dogs.

Common stereotypes of cats

1. Cats are assholes

If a cat is being an asshole to you, you probably did something it doesn't like. Could be the way you were petting it, or maybe you were invading its personal space.

Cats aren't mean for no reason.

They use their defense mechanisms in the ways they know how in order to protect themselves when they're scared or don't feel safe. Or maybe they just don't like you.

Do they really need another reason?

2. Cats don't need attention

Although cats are more independent and can take care of themselves better than dogs, cats still need lots of attention and affection.

They also need to be mentally stimulated along with regular exercise. Making time to play with your cat is a great and effective way to bond with them.

3. Cats are destructive

Many behavioral issues in cats reflect the time and energy you put into caring for them.

If you leave your cat by itself all the time and never play with it or let it go outside, then don't be surprised when your cat decides your Feng Shui is outdated and rearranges some things out of boredom.

4. They smell

Compared to what?

The great thing about cats is that they clean themselves and are practically odorless (at least to me, and people have told me I have the nose of a bloodhound). Their litter box is a different story, but at least they bury it (you're welcome).

It's much easier to clean when they go where they're supposed to, as opposed to some dogs that just shit wherever they're standing. And they definitely DON'T bury it.

5. They're too much work

Hopefully, this isn't in comparison to dogs again. Cats are much easier than dogs, although they require as much attention and love. At least they're easy to housebreak and clean up after, and are a bit more independent.

6. Cats don't get along with dogs

Let me stop you right there. Here are my cat and dog going on a walk together. And here they are snuggling. The cuddle puddle speaks for itself.

7. "Cats are stupid"

Have you met people?

8. Cat's don't care about you, and you work for them

While the old saying "Dogs have owners, cats have staff" may be true, as long as you give your cat the love and attention they deserve, they will give it back.

They're just not as needy, and cat people don't care as much about feeling needed.

The Facts about Cats

Cats are generally very social and curious

My cat, Meister is very outgoing, and he's friends with all the neighborhood cats. They all hang out every day. He's also very friendly with other people, dogs, and kittens.

Cats are very affectionate

Most cats love attention and being petted, or curling up and going to sleep in the comfort of your lap. Meister spends a lot of time outside, but comes in throughout the day to check in with me and always runs up and loves on me.

They're comforting

Cats are proven to reduce anxiety and boost serotonin levels. Seriously. Google it.

Cats are adventurous

Many people believe that cats have to always stay home. But cats love exploring, whether it's indoors, outdoors, or even away from home for some.

There's a growing community of adventure cat owners who take their kitties with them on all kinds of trips: mountain hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, surfing, you name it.

It may be hard to believe, but cat exploring is a thing. Here are a few adventure cat accounts on Instagram that are definitely worth checking out.

@bodhi_theadventurecat, @surfercatmav, @adventurrio, and curated pages such as @catexplorer.community, @adventurecatsorg, both of which have actually featured my cat, @meistertravelcat!

Surprising Cat Facts

1. They can be taught to do tricks

Meister knows how to sit, shake, high-five, fist-bump, double high-five..etc

2. They can be leash-trained

If you start from a young age and take it slow, you can absolutely train your cat to walk on a leash. Cats go at their own pace. There are many resources for cat training.

I highly recommend checking out catexplorer.co's blog and podcasts. They have a lot of useful information and tips from other cat explorers.

3. Many can be taken places (not all)

Most cats enjoy the sun and being outdoors (don't we all?), as well as exploring safely with their human!

However, cat exploring is not for everyone, and is something that should never be forced.

4. They can swim

(but always be careful and never force your cat to do anything, especially swim. I have no plans to give Meister swimming lessons because I'm terrified of water myself.)

Can you blame us for loving cats so much? Cats are amazing animals, and we would do anything for our pets. Wouldn't you do the same for your dog?

The difference there is dog people tend to choose dogs and only dogs, but all the cat people I've ever met and known have shown a deep compassion and respect for all animals.

Instead of calling us crazy (among other things), try replacing your pejoratives with things like non-discriminatory, kind-hearted, compassionate. Because "crazy cat lady" isn't a thing.

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by Harris

5 Easy Ways You Can Help Shelter Cats Right Now

Written by: Sarah Coleman - @fixyourfuckincats

My name is Sarah Coleman, better known by my Instagram name @fixyourfuckincats. I am a 23-year-old feline rescuer and advocate in Northwest Indiana.

I have been working with cats and kittens in shelters for a little over five years now, and I am currently the Kitten Foster Coordinator at a large, municipal, county shelter.

Many people see my rescue work on social media - whether it be my foster kittens, TNR efforts, or my job at the shelter and they often say something like “I wish I could do that!”

Well, guess what? YOU CAN!

Cats and kittens are always in need of help. Wherever you are or however you’re able to- you can and you should get involved!

Here are 5 easy ways you can help shelter cats right now:

1. Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of most shelters and it’s such a great, simple way to give back to your community, learn something new, and even get your foot in the door if you’re interested in a career with animals. Volunteers can offer a variety of services that go far beyond what you may think. Here are just a few ways volunteers can help shelter cats:

• Hanging out and just spending time with some of the more shy, fearful cats to help them come out of their shell and learn to trust humans. Just taking that time to sit with these cats is something that is often overlooked but SO important and can even be detrimental to many cats’ success at a shelter.
• Providing cats with enrichment, playtime, and clicker training to stimulate their minds and help them cope with the stress of being in a shelter!
• Helping staff with daily cleaning/tasks to allow them more time to work with cats. We often get so backed up with our day-to-day responsibilities that we aren’t able to do as much for our cats as we should, so we could always use a hand if you’re down to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
• Put your photography skills to good work by taking photos of adoptable cats to post on our social media! Most shelters are still closed to the public and doing adoptions by appointment only due to COVID. So now more than ever, we need high-quality photos that truly capture our cats’ personalities since those pictures are pretty much all our cats have to be seen by potential adopters!

If you have any other talents, skills, or hobbies that you think could benefit shelter cats, call your shelter and see how you can put them to use! You’d be surprised how many different ways there are to get involved.

2. Foster

Fostering a cat or kitten from a shelter is the probably one of the most hands-on ways to get involved and truly save a life. Despite what most people think, anyone can foster!

It doesn’t matter if you work full-time, have kids, or pets of your own. Fosters are needed for anything from bottle-feeding kittens to just providing a quiet space for a scared cat to decompress.

Most shelters will provide their foster parents with all the necessary supplies and training, and even cover all the medical costs. So all you really need to foster is an open home and an open heart!

3. Donate

Most shelters rely solely on donations to provide for the cats in their care.

Whether it be monetary or food/supplies, your generous donations help us better serve the cats in our community. Even just some old blankets, towels, or rags can go a long way with caring for cats!

Pro tip: Before donating, always make sure to check with your shelters to see what they are actually in need of!

This is important because a lot of shelters use specific brands of food/litter for their cats, or won’t use certain items that other shelters do. So to make sure your donations are serving the greatest good, it is always best to ask first!

4. Adopt

If you are in the market for a furry new addition to your family, please check your shelters!

Of course, there are always cats and kittens being given away for free online and while that may seem like an easier, more convenient option- it is usually quite the opposite.

Most “free” cats have never been seen by a vet, let alone vaccinated or fixed so you can pretty much guarantee spending at least $300+ right off the bat just for those things alone. Not to mention, the costs of any unknown medical or behavior issues that may arise later on.

On the other hand, when you adopt a cat from a shelter, you will pay a small adoption fee for a cat that is already spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated, micro-chipped, and has a clean bill of health.

Not to mention, whatever you do pay, will be well spent since it’s used to save more shelter cats! It’s a win-win!

5. Be Responsible

Last but not least, if you truly cannot do anything else to help shelter cats, there is one thing EVERYONE can and should always be doing, which is making an effort to be responsible, educated pet owners and community members.

Cat overpopulation is a crisis in our country and if we are ever going to solve this, we have to work together.

This means spaying and neutering your own cats, as well as any community cats you may be feeding, and doing your research and making efforts to educate and empower those around you to do the same.

If you love cats and want to be part of the solution, please reach out to your local shelters and rescues, ask questions, and find out what you can do to help because every single one of us is capable of doing something.

Even if your “something” is small, it can still make a huge difference in the lives of shelter cats, street cats, and all the cats that desperately need it.

FIXYOURFUCKINCATS MERCH

Buy a shirt, fix a cat. All profits will be used for TNR (trap neuter return) efforts in my community.

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by Harris

Top 5 Tips for Training Your Cat: Food, Clickers & More

Written by: Jordan Whitaker - @Kits_and_Tricks

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine - DVM Candidate, 2021

Training your cat can be a super fun way to bond with them as well as provide enrichment to their daily lives.

Cat training can be done as a fun activity that you can show off to your friends, or it can be useful in medically managing your cat (i.e. teeth brushing, taking an inhaler, etc).

Here are some tips that we usually recommend when starting out with your cat.

Food

Nobody does anything for free and your cat is no different. It’s important to have a treat that your cat will work for, but also be aware of how many extra calories you add in each training session.

My cats get a measured amount of dry food every day, and we use that food for training as it ensures we don’t give too many extra calories and allows for a longer training session.

If your cats are meal fed, this is much easier as they won’t be grazing all day and full by the time you’re ready to start training.

Clicker

A clicker can be used as a bridge to let your cat know they’ve completed the behavior you want them to do.

It’s immediate and prevents confusion created by a delay between the trick and the reward. I always use it as it’s easiest for us to stay on the same page about what the correct behavior was.

Be sure to begin by “loading” your clicker (have a day or two of just “click and treat” so that the association of the clicker and the reward is built).

Timing

Figuring out a good time to train your cat is essential. If you do it right before a meal they may be too hungry to think straight, and right after a meal they won’t be motivated.

Also, consider when your cat is most awake and interactive. Its important to test a few times out to see what works best for your cats.

Kitsune tends to work best at dinner time and then again around 930pm. Any earlier and she just wants to sleep through the training session.

Cues & the Language Barrier

I always ask for tricks with hand signals. It’s a language that we create together during our training sessions. When beginning with a hand signal, think about what you want them to do.

For example, when teaching to sit, I started by pointing down and with a treat in my hand, lure her butt down by holding the treat above her head.

Eventually, I can move my hand further away but the cue remains the same. If your cat doesn’t understand what you want them to do, you may have to leave it and try again later after you have had time to come up with a different way to teach them that specific trick.

It took Kitsune almost a year to roll over since I couldn’t figure out a way to teach her that she understood and approved of (her brother was much easier) but she learned the footstall (cat treadmill) in about 3 months.

Positive Reinforcement

Always keep the training session fun for your cat and ALWAYS reward them for every click.

Remember that we are training to enrich their lives and so it should be a fun and stimulating activity for both of you. The use of positive reinforcement is a great way to keep your cat happy and have fun in every session.

Remember to have fun training your cat and always end every training session on a positive note!

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by Harris