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

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Featured Image: Anastasiya Stoma/AdobeStock

Interested in submitting your own Tiny Cat Story for publication in an upcoming issue? Email [email protected]. (Word count strictly enforced; accompanying photos welcomed.)

Tuna

There’s a cat on the porch that I feed twice a day. Ten years ago, or so, he was found feral in my yard, un-neutered and injured. I trapped him and had him “fixed” all around, but he needed meds, so I put him downstairs. Alfred hid very well for two years, but I still fed him and cleaned his box. Finally, I trapped him and put him back outside. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, but now I see him all the time. He lets me pull off ticks and rub his head. Trust… takes time, effort, and tuna.—Joseph A. Dewan 

Mean Streets of Chicago

Live-trapped on the mean streets of Chicago, he had many medical problems that a local animal group took care of. All fixed up, he needed to be domesticized. Many fosters later, he made his way to Milwaukee. He was too much to handle for a young couple there; they put a foster request out. I was smitten—he looked like my childhood cat.  

Meet Sharky. He has lived with us in Richland Center, Wisconsin for three years now and is his mom’s big boy at 21 pounds.—Len Harris 

Love at First Sight

Before my partner and I adopted our cat, Mina, I was studying abroad and feeling a bit lonely living by myself. My partner who was visiting convinced me to adopt a cat. I said, “don’t fall in love with the first cat you see.” When we walked into the local SPCA, guess who was in the first kennel on the right? Mina ran right up to the bars and tried to reach us with her paws. Of all the cats there, she was the most affectionate. A year later, I feel so lucky we fell in love with the first cat we saw.—Ian Carpick

Muffin’s Search Party

We had gotten a new kitten. Everybody loved him. One evening we couldn’t find Muffin anywhere. He didn’t go out alone, so we looked for him in the house, then moved outside. It was getting dark. Still no Muffin.

Neighbours with flashlights joined the search party. I decided to go back in the house one more time. Passing the master bedroom, I saw my husband’s sock drawer was open a few inches. Muffin was blissfully sleeping in a pile of socks, oblivious to everything going on outside. I started to cry, but these were tears of joy!—Anne Pauga

Dinner Time!

When it’s dinner time, I let my cats Olga and François know by shouting out “Who’s hungry?” No matter where they are in the house, when they hear those words, they quickly come running to the kitchen. One night I was getting ready for bed. The two cats were already laying on the bed, so I looked at them and said, “Who’s sleepy?” They both immediately jumped off the bed and ran for the kitchen. This proved that they don’t know English quite as well as I thought they did. Yes, I gave them a snack.—Rand Higbee

The Trouble with Trouble

Trouble was highly intelligent and very full of himself. When a new roommate moved in, Trouble had to investigate items she placed on a shelf. He then proceeded to knock the items off one by one until I grabbed him off the shelf and put him in the bathroom, shutting the door securely. I said, “wouldn’t it be funny if he came walking out?” My roommate replied, “If he does, I will do all the cleaning for a month.”

Two minutes later, Trouble came walking down the hallway, and I swear he had a smirk on his face.—Anonymous

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!

Curl up with a good cat and a good book! Modern Cat Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s round up of book picks for cat lovers

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Featured Image: Charlie by Lola Dupre; from New Photography of the Cat by Lucy Davies

Frankie

 

 

 

 

 

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. 
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Modern Cat’s top picks to keep your cats active, happy, and entertained.

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Featured Photo Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock

1. An Indoor Cat Playground

Vertical space and scratchers are cat environment essentials. Armakat’s Ultimate Cat Playground S1501 keeps cats occupied while looking good in your living room! This interactive scratch post and activity center features sisal rope, rolling balls, and a hanging toy, combining style, durability, and functionality to keep your feline entertained and your furniture safe. ($43, armarkat.com)

2. Critters and Bugs

You should aim for two to three short, 10 to 15-minute play sessions per day with your cat, especially kittens or high-energy cats, to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A great cat toy can help make this more fun for you both. Get your cat excited for playtime with Rompicatz Critters & Bugs toys. These high-quality, highly recommended toys make realistic movements that mesmerize and entice cats. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and work with any rod. Excellent for endless play and bonding with your feline friend! ($9-15, rompicatz.com)

3. Like Whack-a-Mole— but for Cats

Unleash your cat’s inner hunter with the Peek-a-Prize Toy Box from Pioneer Pets. This durable wooden box has toy treasures secreted inside to stimulate natural predatory behaviours, keeping indoor cats active. Perfect for solo play and mental enrichment! ($33, pioneerpet.com)

4. Bubble Fun!

Kitty Love Bubbles from Atomic Bubbles bring pure delight with every pop! These enchanting whisker-safe, vet-approved bubbles are catnip-infused to spark extra stimulation for indoor cats, turning every moment into a magical feline adventure! ($14, atomicbubbles.com)

5. A Wand Toy to Delight Your Cat

Wand toys are an essential for a reason— they let you effectively mimic prey to entice your cat to play. Keep your cat entertained and engaged with Cheerhunting’s Moo Tassel Wand Toy. Featuring vibrant, prey-like tassels and a lightweight design, it promotes exercise, bonding, and endless fun. A fantastic way to keep your feline stimulated and active! Best of all, its purchase supports the Tree House Humane Society in their mission to make a difference in the lives of sick, injured, and stray felines. ($10, treehouseanimals.org)

6. Fresh, Running Water

If your cat is fascinated by running water, get them their own water fountain! Bonuses include fresher, filtered water for your cat and improved hydration (as descendants of desert dwellers, cats are notoriously bad at drinking enough water). The pumpless and wire-free Cheerble Pet Fountain Elfin E1+ is a smart, safe, and simple water fountain for cats that delivers thoughtful design, effortless cleaning, and pure water, always. ($100, cheerble.com or amazon.com)

7. Catnip Kick

Catnip is an excellent way to provide some fun for catnip-responsive cats. A member of the mint family, catnip causes a euphoric, happy state in many cats. You’ll often see them become more playful and energetic before relaxing. Spice up playtime with Yeowww! Catnip Strawberries. Packed with organic catnip and durable cotton twill, these fun, crinkle-textured toys are the purrfect way to delight your feline friend. ($17, yeowww.com)

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!

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Featured Photo BOBS from Skechers

The Modern Cat team tries out A LOT of cat products. if you’ve ever wondered what the staff’s favourite products are, wonder no more! From cat food and treats to litter, cat toys, wellness picks, and more, the following is what the Modern Cat staffers are currently obsessed with!

The Modern Cat Staff’s Favourite Cat Products

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! Meowijuana’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! High-capacity, 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)

 

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!

Cat-tastic designs to thrill both you and your cat, as featured in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Modern Cat magazine!

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Featured Photo thepurrgola.com

1. The stylish, highly-rated Kitangle Corner litter box is designed to hide in plain view! Elegant yet heavy duty, it neatly tucks into small spaces, while the patented, high wall, seamless design controls odours and prevents spills! $139, kitangle.com 
   

2. This ingenious device solves a real-world problem simply and easily. The Door Buddy Cat Door Prop stops dogs from litter-box snacking and keeps babies away from cat food while allowing your feline free access. Just peel, stick, and it’s done! A no-cut, no-hassle solution for creating cat-only spaces! $21, thedoorbuddy.com 
   

    

3. Show off your cat mom pride with this adorable Cat Mom baseball cap! With its distressed vintage look, it’s the perfect accessory for farmer’s market forays or café meet-ups with friends! $22, catsoutofthebag.shop 
   

    

4. Elevate your cat’s world with the Purrgola! This safe and stylish window catio is designed to fit easily and securely into your window track, offering your cat environment-enriching access to fresh air and a fresh perspective! $299, thepurrgola.com 
   

    

5. Meet the future of litter boxes! Leo’s Loo Too is their smartest and safest self-cleaning litter box yet. With Alexa/ Google voice control, UV odour control, and triple-layer safety tech, it keeps your home fresh, and your cat protected. Whisper-quiet, spacious, and stylish—for the always clean litter box your cat deserves. $600, casaleopet.com 
   

    

6. Ovvi is the world’s first fully automated wet food feeder. It opens, serves, and disposes eight cans on schedule. No scooping, no fuss—just load, set, and go! Ideal for feeding wet food on an automated schedule. $700, faunalogy.com 
   
   

Check out this too-cute milk packaging!

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Images Courtesy Vera Zvereva/Depot

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.

 

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!