MSI Press Blog

  Bear (in litter robot) and Moo (following him in) Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from  Raising Happy Cat  families by Luna Norwood.  Welcoming a new cat into an already thriving feline community can feel like adding a wildcard to an otherwise predictable deck. And if there's one thing that can cause drama in the kitty kingdom, it's litter box politics. So, should the new cat get their own litter box? Yes! (At least at first.) Why a Separate Box Matters in the Beginning Territorial Security: Cats are big on personal space, and introducing a newcomer straight into the communal litter box can trigger territorial disputes. The new cat deserves their own spot to settle in, build confidence, and avoid unnecessary confrontations. Familiar Scent Integration: Instead of a brand-new litter box, consider using one that belongs to the existing cats. This helps the new cat absorb the household scent while still having th...

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...

  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...