Cat Parent Hub!

If you’re the type of cat parent who ain’t afraid to represent (i.e. has more than one cat t-shirt in your wardrobe), or better yet loves all things cat (cat tote, cat kitchen towels, cat mug …), Life will likely lead you to CatCon. What is CatCon, you ask? Or, if you are a CatCon veteran of yesteryear, how is the 2022 CatCon? Allow me to give you an insider view.

The countdown to Butch & Cassidy’s graduation from foster care is booming in my ear like a grandfather clock, but I’m reminding myself to be present and savor this precious time with them. Alas, the most precious moments are often unwitnessed. And almost certainly un-photographed. Such as when Butch and Cassidy shimmy like kangaroo babies to tuck in close as the three of you sprawl on a fleece blanket on the floor. Or when Butch asks to be your little spoon and purrs so loudly when you oblige that he drowns out the AC. Or when Cassidy gingerly licks your face and you wonder — who needs La Mer when you’ve got this kind of glam squad?

Nyagomidokoro founder Hiromi is a cat mom extraordinaire and creative soul. She started hand making cat toys for her adopted tabby, Myu, who would get into all sorts of mischief swallowing components of mass produced toys. Since starting her cat toy shop, Hiromi has made and delivered over 20,000 cat toys around the globe – that is a lot of happy cats and cat parents! An ever curious and dedicated cat parent, Hiromi is currently pursuing her certification in feline nutrition, holistic pet care, and more! I’m so delighted to share our conversation:

You know how many experiences have a honeymoon period? Well, it’s Day 15 of my first kitten fostering journey, and … the honeymoon is going strong! In fact, I am somehow even more in love with Butch & Cassidy. I mean, just look at these two perfect beings. Of course, there have been learning moments and aching backs (all that sitting on the restroom floor!), and my definition of honeymoon has expanded to include “studying poop while wearing a headlamp.” Plus, fostering kittens made me take up swimming. But first — an update on Butch & Cassidy:

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this weekend? If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you may know that Junipurr, Favorite Parent, and I have been hosting two very special guests: Butch (orange & white boy) and Cassidy (calico girl), two six-week-old siblings who were found in a car engine. Since coming to our home, they have learned how to eat, use the litter box, climb (everything), purr, enjoy lap naps, and play exuberantly with new friends. For today’s Tell Junipurr It’s Friday (TJIF), instead of the a link pack, I thought we’d do something a little different. Let’s call it… Foster Friday!

Last week I shared a guide for new cat parents on the essentials of cat care. To be clear, though: I am not a perfect cat parent. I'm not even sure such a person exists. There are incredibly wonderful cat parents to be sure, but purrfect? Either way, I, for one, am far from that ideal. Afterall, it's no secret that Junipurr has a Favorite Parent, and that is not me. Gah! Which brings me to my point: Cat mom guilt is a thing, y’all.

So you adopted a cat … HOORAY! GET OUT THE BALLOONS AND GOOD CHINA, FOLKS! Congratulations on one of the most heart-opening and joy-activating decisions of your life. Here is a resource kit for first time cat parents to walk you through all you need to know about care.

Woohoo! It’s Good News Wednesday! Oh you ain’t heard? Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.2773, aka the “Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2021.” Sponsored by Michigan Democrat Debbie Dingell, this bill “provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, territories, or the District of Columbia; and (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects.” (117th Congress, House Bill 2773)

Recently a dear friend of mine inherited a cat, and she asked me: How much should I budget for cat care? This got me thinking: Despite the tidal wave of awesome financial education and the many wonderful people talking about cat care, we don’t often discuss topics like how much is cat care, whether or not to get pet insurance, etc. So, I polled a number of cat parents across North America and we are spilling the beans!

If you have ever thought about learning to play the ukulele or guitar, I hope that Life has been kind enough to lead you to Bernadette. The creator behind Bernadette Teaches Music, Bernadette is a teacher, a musician, an incredibly wise soul — and a cat mama! I am so delighted to have her join us for this edition of Cat Parent Interviews. In this open-hearted conversation, we talk about her journey as a content creator; KitKat’s adoption story; cats and babies; and, so much more. Here’s Bernadette:

I admit: I am one of those cat parents to whom litter box cleaning is almost a meditative practice. To be clear, it's not that I enjoy it -- after all, how many people besides the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra actually enjoy the act of meditation? Nay, as a confirmed germaphobe, I'd gown up in PPE for a cleaning sess even before the pandemic hit us. But good litter box hygiene is essential for our furbabies, and cat litter history and science is so fascinating.

Cat lover Negeen, who is an aspiring psychiatrist, has fostered many kittens before. But when she met a cute-as-a-doll bottle baby, something felt meant to be …

Like 6 million other people, I became a fan of The Great British Bake Off in recent years and began dreaming in bread. Simultaneously in the cat world, bread has been a topic of fervent conversation, too. The question “What kind of loaf is my cat?” has a dedicated subreddit. Here’s a breakdown of how it got started, a few cat bread exemplars, and, of course, a breakdown of what kind of bread Junipurr is.

I am not a big shopper, but there is one category of products that I can’t seem to say no to. You guessed it - Cat toys! Despite my minimal waste intentions, I have yet to meet a cat toy that does not spark joy. For me. Junipurr, on the other hand, has been a muse and champion of free entertainment via her habit of ignoring most toys I buy for her and opting instead to be enthralled by the door stopper or a particularly bountiful gathering of dust bunnies. So, following her cue, we have been enjoying toys and games created with everyday objects. As Jenny from the Block taught us so long ago, love don’t (need to) cost a thing. Here are 7 free cat enrichments we have come up with:

Hello friend! Can you believe it? Today Junipurr turns five years old! Her expressions have grown softer, her eyes wiser, and her treat-winning game Queen’s Gambit level. Voila her annual “report card,” if you are curious how she has grown this past year!

Cats and Climate Change! Kitchen Counter Rebellion! Flowers that have suspiciously cat-like ears! February has been a busy month in Junipurr’s house. Here’s what we’ve been up to …

A nerdy cat parent’s guide to protecting our furbabies from fleas, ticks, & other pest.

Big Spoon or Little Spoon? Juni v. Raccoon staring contest - who wins? What part of Juni is #thicc? You may know a lot about our Chief Muse Officer Junipurr, but I bet you didn’t know these 10 things! Read on, friend!

Changes abound in Junipurr’s household this spring. We moved (not to worry, all seven cat trees came with us). We, the parents, returned to the office for work while Lil Juni held down the fort. And we even had our favorite pet-sitters come by for the first time in a long time. Here are four fun other fun things about life with Junipurr lately!

Before I began my zero waste journey, I used to buy cat gear like Christmas came everyday for cats … which is why I ended up with seven cat trees in an one-bedroom apartment. I’ve since learned that sourcing well-made, durable cat gear is not only good for the wallet but also vital for the environment. I’ve also learned that not all cat trees are made equal. To help you avoid the chemical-laden and the wobbly, I’d like to share with you, friend, some do’s and don’ts of buying cat trees.

It’s Earth Day, friends! I am very much a beginner on this journey of minimal waste living with a cat, but I’ll share the four life habits I’ve implemented thus far. As with all other subjects we explore here at Junipurr Studio, let’s learn in community!

Recently Junipurr went to see her veterinarian twice - once for her annual wellness exam, and a second time for an allergy-induced skin condition. Though both visits were relatively short, and her parents did all they could to make the process as low-stress as possible (packing a suitcase full of her favorite scent soakers and toys, cooing to her on the way to and fro, preparing her favorite treats immediately upon homecoming etc.), Junipurr is not without tribulations. Today, she breaks down going to the vet from a cat’s perspective. Behold, Junipurr speaks!

Remember that Arianna Huffington TED talk “How to succeed? Get more sleep”? Pretty sure Arianna, wise as she is, got her knowledge from an even wiser oracle: Cats, the true subject matter experts on sleep. Today, we deep dive into clinical and veterinarian literature to explore how much sleep is too much AND how to build a good sleep ritual for the entire household.

From podcasts with a mission statement of creating a humane environment for all cats to podcasts that give us cat parents an unfiltered peek into the life and mind of our furbabies’ veterinarian team, Part Two of 5 Best Podcasts for Cat Parents unveils more unmissable audio gems!

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this 4th of July? Junipurr is going to exercise her courage muscle, and I’m looking forward to an outdoor picnic + festivities that do not involve explosions. I used to love fireworks, but meeting this beautiful grey fox last year made me realize the impact a few minutes of fireworks has on the local ecosystem. Did you know that fireworks, in addition to terrifying many indoor companion animals, causing wildfires, and harming the environment, also cause countless wildlife injuries — and even deaths? I know it’s a somber topic for a holiday weekend, but for today’s link pack, let’s explore some info every person should know (plus, a hilarious cat linguist & a cat tree inspiration mood board!)

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbaby up to this weekend? Junipurr is going to create a glorious mess thanks to a cardboard box full of tissue paper, and I am going to create a ‘lemonade bar’ with home squeezed lemon juice + an assortment of mixers like cardamom sugar cubes, lavender bitters, and fresh rosemary twigs. We livin’ that fast & furious life, I know 😸 For today’s link pack, since bringing home a new furbaby has been on the mind, voilà TEN inspiring, innovative, & delightful animal shelters and adoption campaigns:

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbaby up to this weekend? Junipurr is hoping to discover some spiderwebs, aka her version of cotton candy, and I’m looking forward to my weekly volunteer shift at the wildlife rehabilitation center. A friend and fellow volunteer texted me this: “I was cleaning the dove aviary on Sunday and watched a baby swallow making itself comfy on the back of an adult mourning dove. The dove walked around with it on its back trying to get it off, and finally gave up, letting the baby sleep on its back.” Doesn’t that just give you all the feels?! Voilà five fabulous cat gems from around the www to beam you into the weekend:

Happy Friday, friends! Any plans for Memorial Day weekend, my US folks? I’m going to attempt to deep clean the windows so that Junipurr has a clearer view of her land. A cat mom’s life is a glamorous one, I tell ya!

Voilà six unabashedly nerdy and fun cat-related gems from around the www:

Happy Friday, friends! The weather is getting so toasty, Junipurr and I are tempted to go straight from breakfast to popsicles. Speaking of which, are there popsicles for cats? The answer is yes, and apparently, you can also make your own Catsicles! Voilà more fun feline links from around the Great Interwebs

Happy Friday, friend! What treats are you looking forward to this weekend? I’m re-reading Hannah Shaw’s “Tiny But Mighty: Kitten Lady's Guide to Saving the Most Vulnerable Felines” in prep for a workshop this weekend to become a foster kitten mama! Juni is showing her full approval by gnawing on the pages like Toothless the Dragon :) Here are some Friday Feline Finds for your heart:

Last night as all three of us were loafing on the living room floor, Favorite Parent asked out of the blue: “What if Junipurr has a great sense of humor?” We simultaneously looked at Juni, who was wearing her signature judgy professor look, and burst out laughing. But maybe, just maybe! In celebration of that possibility, today’s Friday Feline Finds (#linkpack) is all about furbaby humor, specifically cat comics. Voilà seven of my favorite illustrators who create funny comics about cats. Enjoy!

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this weekend? Junipurr and I are traveling to Japan! Virtually, that is :) After 11 hours of research — equivalent to the duration of a flight from US to Japan, coincidentally! — we’ve found some seriously fabulous Japanese cat product gems. Check it out!

Happy Friday, friends! What are you up to this weekend? Favorite Parent and I recently started a game of surreptitiously setting treats on Junipurr's back in that tiny zone she can’t easily reach -- you know, the Bermuda triangle between the base of the neck and the shoulder blades. Her little nose sniffs the air with much appetite, but she doesn't realize the treat is on her person. Us pet parents are easily amused, aren’t we? ;) Speaking of good entertainment, this week’s Friday Feline Finds is all about animal related gems on Youtube!

Happy Friday, friends! What are you and your furbabies up to this weekend? With Spring officially in the house, Junipurr and I have gotten into birdwatching. Actually, she’s always been into birdwatching. In fact, Juni takes her role as a citizen scientist quite seriously, investing about 85% of her awake-and-not meowing-for-food time on this activity everyday. Housecats are the original armchair ornithologist after all :) Speaking of birdwatching … do you know about Next Level Cat TV?

Happy Friday, friends! What are you up to this weekend? We are hosting Junipurr’s fun-loving grandpa, and Juni is already getting the zoomies in anticipation. I foresee pre-dawn games of chase, tissue paper mountains, and tickle sessions between the two :)

It was Junipurr’s birthday this week, so you know I got some fun feline finds in the bag ;) Here are some fun links for cats and cats parents

Merry Christmas, dear friends! Today is a very special day indeed, as it is also the last Tell Junipurr It’s Friday - our weekly pet parent forum - of the year. To celebrate this special occasion, Junipurr and I’ve put together an extra juicy link pack, community discussion prompt, plus lil extra somethin’ somethin’ for you. ENJOY!

Christmas is just a week away! Are you and your furbaby baking cookies or biscuits? Putting up a Christmas tree or bringing down all the ribbons and ornaments? Wrapping up gifts or hopping into boxes and claiming them yours? Oh, the possibilities of #holidaywithcat! Here are a few animal-related news stories guaranteed to ignite your holiday cheer

Who is Your Spirit Animal? This is one of Junipurr and mine favorite topics to discuss. I'm convinced that elephants are mine. Juni is more fickle. How about you? Which animal do you relate to? Bring on the visual aids and essays to let us know why! P.s. A baby elephant who got caught eating sugarcane & tries to hide behind a narrow pole. #Relatable

It may not surprise you that I collect cat songs. As in: I have multiple playlists on Spotify with names like “Junipurr’s Lullabies” and “Songs That Mention Cat (1x or More)” and “Songs by People/Bands With Cat in Their Name.” Yeah, no shame. So… do you have any favorite songs about cats, by cats, to cats? All languages welcome!

Hello there, friend! How are you feeling this Friday after Thanksgiving? Did you feast on food that tasted of family and traditions, or experiment with something new (vegan Thanksgiving! Mukbang over Zoom! Pie And Only Pie!)? Importantly: What did the furbabies eat?! If you do not live in the US, do you have a holiday that has evolved to represent intentional thanks-giving?

Are you a part of the esteemed league of people who became a pet parent during the pandemic, or a perhaps shelter staff/volunteer? This week on the pet parent forum, we are talking all about covid pet adoption! Plus, a fabulous Instagram artist, a mouthwatering Youtube channel called Cat’s Kitchen, and a creative pet adoption campaign that gives a nod to Macklemore and Iris Apfel!

A shopping-cart waltz between a cat parent and his two Scottish Folds, a lawyer/animal rescue advocate cat, and cat portraits made from paper and old magazines, oh my! Plus, little blessings, like blinking “hello, I love you” to neighbors’ cats.

Hygge is a Scandinavian term for coziness and conviviality, especially when the weather gets cold. As professional cozy-seekers, cats are essentially hygge masters. This week on the cat parent forum, let’s talk season rituals and gear for cat cozy-making! Plus, a Swiss card game called Cat in the Sack, a Vietnamese cat mama’s autumn ritual, a Mr. Rogers-like Vancouver vet, and more!

Tell Junipurr It’s Friday! This week, we are discussing the movement to end superstition and violent crimes against black cats. Let’s brainstorm solutions and spotlight joyful black cat adoption stories! Plus, fun black cat links from around the web