MSI Press Blog

Bear, Moo, Pancho, and Simba   Recently, Pancho, one of our new little kittens, left a surprise in the litterbox: blood. What was going on? He and his brother Simba had been served breakfast together (same food) with the older cats, figuring they were ready to graduate to big-boy status. They were not, and his stomach rebelled.  Why sudden diet changes can cause chaos in the litter box Cats don’t like surprises — especially in their food bowl. A sudden switch, even to a high‑quality food, can leave a cat’s stomach saying, “Whoa, what was that?” Why it happens Cats have sensitive digestive systems. A new food means: Different proteins Different fat levels Different moisture Different texture Different additives or supplements Even one unexpected meal can trigger: Loose stool Mucus A streak of blood from irritation Urgency (not making it fully into the box) A very offended expression How to avoid the chaos If you want to change foods, do it gradually: Days ...

  Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication from the forthcoming memoir,  In with the East: A Mary Poppins Kind of Life  by Dr. Betty Lou Leaver Animals of Acton: Sanctuary, Scavengers, and Sentiment Acton had its share of animals—some wild, some domesticated, all woven into the rhythm of our lives. The deer were the most majestic, but in a humbler way than the moose. During hunting season, they’d gather in our swale, grand creatures with 8-point racks among them. Somehow, they knew our land was safe. It was posted  No Hunting , and so was my uncle’s. But that didn’t stop the out-of-town fools from skulking in the woods and firing into the fields. One year, one of them shot my uncle’s prize Guernsey cow—brown, unmistakably not a deer. My uncle caught the man trying to make off with the carcass, certain that he had just bagged a deer, and grabbed him by the ear. And then the captive had to listen to a tongue-lashing! We paid a price for being a deer sanctuary. The deer...

Bobolink's last loving and painful minutes, nestled against owner, Luna .   Integrating New Cats When Older Cats Are Dying Integrating new cats into an established cat family is always a delicate dance, but it becomes even more complex when one of the older cats is nearing the end of life. The emotions in the household shift—grief, vigilance, and quiet respect settle in—and the dynamics between the cats can change in ways that are subtle, profound, or both. In most cases, the cat who is dying has been part of the family for many years, often serving as a social anchor. The newcomers, in addition to finding their place among the living members, must navigate the emotional space left by the one who is leaving. Snyezhka, Happy Cat, and the Distance of Newcomers When Snyezhka was dying from breast, liver, and lung cancer, it wasn’t the new cats who stepped in to care for her—it was Happy Cat, her longtime companion and the beta heart of the household. Happy Cat washed her when she coul...