MSI Press Blog

  Precerpt (excerpt from prepublication book) from Raising Happy Cat Families by Luna Norwood -- Coming in from the Cold And then there is the situation where a feral cat literally comes in from the cold (often not by request). One moment, they’re out there, surviving in the chaos of open space, and the next—they’re dropped into a world bounded by walls, filled with strange smells, expectations, and no visible escape routes. For a feral cat, this abrupt shift in territory can be deeply shocking. Outdoors, territory is fluid and layered: open air, moving sunlight, shifting alliances, and the constant demands of self-defense. Indoors, by contrast, is static and enclosed. It smells of humans and other cats. Boundaries are suddenly vertical—cat trees, shelves, window sills—not horizontal. Social rules are tighter, proximity is unavoidable, and the absence of hiding places can feel like exposure rather than comfort. Some cats take this change in stride. Many do not. While some cats thr...

  Every year on May 30 , cat lovers worldwide have an excuse—if they needed one—to shower their feline friends with affection. It’s International Hug Your Cat Day , a time to celebrate the special bond we share with our whiskered companions. But as any seasoned cat guardian knows, not every cat is keen on hugs. To Hug or Not to Hug? That Is the Question Cats, those enigmatic creatures, have an array of preferences when it comes to receiving affection. Some will gladly nuzzle into a warm embrace, purring away contentedly. Others? Not so much. If your cat stiffens up or struggles when hugged, don’t take it personally—they’re just asserting their comfort zone. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to make them feel loved. Finding Their Sweet Spot Many cats adore belly rubs, while others treat them as an act of war. Ear scratches? Those can melt even the most aloof feline. And if you’re looking for a nearly foolproof spot to make a cat blissfully happy—try scratching where t...

  Leashed Bear in the mulch Not every cat wants to walk on a leash. I’ve lived with many cats, and only two— Murjan and Bear —have truly embraced the idea. Both are big cats: 16-pounders, long and tall, confident in their own skin. And both knew exactly what “out” meant. Murjan, now departed, had a distinct “mwout” meow whenever the leash appeared--or he wanted it to. He was leashed for the first time as an older cat and took to it with remarkable calm. He would pad slowly down the stairs, settle under the trees, and gently explore the planted area. Anyone could walk him—he was that serene. Walking Murjan was like meditating with a feline sage. Then came Bear. Bear doesn’t just want to go out—he needs to. When he hears “out,” he bolts to the sliding glass door and sits there, tail thumping, waiting for the leash like a hopeful dog. But Bear is no calm sage. At just two years old, he’s full of fire and athleticism. He charges toward fences, tries to scale them, and makes me earn ev...