MSI Press Blog

  It’s not every day that Caturday and Flag Day collide, but when they do, there’s no better time to reflect on the shared spirit of independence between cats and the American experience. From the founding ideals of self-determination to the unapologetic autonomy of every feline, both cats and the American spirit thrive on a love of freedom. Cats are masters of their own destiny—choosing where to lounge, when to demand affection (or ignore it entirely), and how best to rule over their human subjects. In much the same way, the American story is one of forging a path, resisting outside control, and declaring sovereignty over one’s own fate. Across cultures, cats have long been symbols of independence: 🐾 Ancient Egypt: Cats were revered as sacred creatures, embodying both protection and autonomy—qualities deeply tied to the nation’s self-governing ideals. 🐾 Norse Mythology: Freyja’s feline-drawn chariot symbolized prosperity and individual strength, much like the enduring Ame...

  Murjan (left) and Happy Cat relaxing together on the lazy boy rocker Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from Raising Happy Cat Families (Norwood) Introducing a new cat into an established feline household can feel like balancing teacups on a trampoline. Conventional wisdom suggests weeks of scent-swapping, slow introductions, and tension-filled supervision. But what happens when those rituals simply don’t work—or when your cats aren’t typical? In our home, integration almost always begins not with separation, but with negotiation —and not with the new cat, but with the ones already in charge. Our alpha cat, Murjan, was a Turkish Van with the commanding calm of a diplomat. He ruled not with claws, but with presence. Unlike many dominant cats, he didn’t need to assert himself constantly. He just needed others to recognize his leadership and not disrupt his routines. So when a new cat arrived, we didn’t hide the kitten or sneak him into the territory. We invited Murjan to be p...

  How many litter boxes should you have? Now, that is an interesting question. The general advice floating around—from cat professionals to the cat-loving masses—is one more litter box than the number of cats you have. That means if you’ve got three cats, you should have four boxes. Five cats? Six boxes. But let’s be real—when you’re living in a multi-cat household, that rule starts to sound less like practical advice and more like a logistical nightmare. If you’ve got a big cat family, are you really supposed to turn half your house into a feline bathroom? Probably not. So, how do you balance feline bathroom etiquette with the realities of space and household harmony? The “One More Than the Cats” Rule: Why It Exists This guideline isn’t just about forcing humans to find space for an ever-growing collection of litter boxes. It’s based on some solid feline logic: Territory & Privacy: Cats can be picky, and some don’t like sharing litter space, especially in a household wit...