MSI Press Blog

Our feral-turned-feline-friend, Sophia Ever had a domesticated darling go full feral in a flash? Or a streetwise bruiser melt into a trembling puffball at the vet, making you look like a drama queen for warning “He’s a killer”? Welcome to the feline paradox. 🔹 Triggers for the feral flip Even the most pampered housecat can channel her inner alley warrior when: Cornered or restrained (especially by unfamiliar hands) Overstimulated (petting that goes one stroke too far) Startled by scent or sound (new animals, vet smells, vacuum cleaners) Pain or illness (cats mask discomfort until they can’t) It’s not betrayal—it’s survival. Cats are wired to react first, apologize never. 🔹 Why ferals flop at the vet My beautiful, untouchable at the time, Sophia, a Sokoke (those last remaining remnants of the wild cat-converted-to-domesticity breeds), generally untouchable and out of reach, terroized me when I carriered her for her first vet visit after rescuing her. Oh, my! What would she do...

  Jack and Sophia playing on the cat tree. Is It Play or a Fight? How to Tell When Cats Are Just Roughhousing It’s not always easy to tell whether cats are playing rough or heading toward a real fight. The line can be thin, especially when the action is fast, noisy, or dramatic. I’ve seen this firsthand with Bobolink, who used to sprint the entire length of the hallway and launch himself onto Happy Cat—his chosen role model and best friend. They’d tumble together in a flurry of paws, tails, and mock bites, purring all the while. To the untrained eye, it might have looked violent. But to those of us who know cat dynamics, it was clearly joyful play. So how do you know whether cats are fighting or just having fun? Here are some guidelines to help you read the situation accurately. 1. Watch for Reciprocity In play, both cats take turns being the “chaser” and the “chased,” the “pouncer” and the “pounced upon.” If one cat is always on the bottom or trying to escape while the other conti...

  Ever heard of the Sokoke breed of cat? We had not -- until we adopted a Sokoke stray! Very unusual markings -- and true to the description, she follows me around like a dog, but there the likeness to a dog disappears. Instead, like other Sokokes (according to description), she is a hands-off lady. "You can come close, and please do feed me and give me lots of treats, but no-no-no, no teaching, even when I roll on the floor and tempt you with my pretty white belly exposed because as soon as you are within reach of me, I will dash away faster than you can imagine and then sit and watch you from just out of arm's reach!" I think with time, we can overcome that particular Sokoke gene! Here is the description if anyone is interested:  Sokoke Cat Breed: Size, Appearance & Personality (cats.com) Oh, and her name is Sophia -- fitting for someone with a sense of the regal! See more  Caturday  posts. Read more  posts about cats . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthl...