The sleek, silhouetted form of the black cat has long proved alluring to pop culture artists and writers, especially those working in the medium of moving pictures. Whether starring in movies, popping up in TV shows or even lighting up the social media scene, here’s a salute to 10 sophisticated black cats on screen.

Felix The Cat

A pioneering icon among animated felines, Felix The Cat debuted in the black-and-white silent movie days. Sporting a permanent widemouthed grin, Felix’s shenanigans propelled him to stardom — until he was upstaged by a certain talking cartoon mouse from the Disney stable. Here’s a fun fact: Felix was the first cartoon likeness to be made into a parade balloon. He made his debut appearance in the 1933 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Snowball II

When The Simpsons’ white cat Snowball unfortunately passed away in a car accident, Homer and the family replaced her with a black kitty. Keeping things suitably screwy, they named the new feline Snowball II. Since then, the lineage of Snowball has reached a fifth incarnation of the cat — who retains the moniker Snowball II so as to save money on having to buy new food bowls.

Salem Saberhagen

The kitty co-star of the Sabrina The Teenage Witch TV series is an animatronic black cat called Salem Saberhagen who claims a fantastical origin story: According to lore, Salem is actually a 500-year-old witch who was sentenced by the Witches Council to live out the next 100 years in the form of a black cat. Salem’s crime? Just a little something called attempting world domination, as all self-respecting megalomaniacal felines are wont to attempt.

Kitty

Back in the 1960s, The Munsters battled The Addams Family in a TV sitcom ratings battle. Supporting the Munster clan’s ghoulish gags was a no-nonsense feline named Kitty who ruled the roost at their 1313 Mockingbird Lane abode. Kitty’s calling card? A fondness for letting out an almighty lion’s roar when disturbed.

Thackery Binx

Set in the city of Salem, the opening to the 1993 family fantasy flick Hocus Pocus features the character Thackery Binx being magicked into a black cat by a trio of witches played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. Granted with immortality, Binx steps up to guard the homestead on Halloween so the meddling witches cannot be summoned back — a task he undertakes with great determination and bravery.

Jiji

In the enchanting 1989 Studio Ghibli animated movie Kiki’s Delivery Service, the aspiring witch of the title zips around town on her broomstick carrying out good deeds, while her black cat companion Jiji contributes less-than-helpful sarcastic quips. In the American version of the film, Jiji’s sardonic asides are relayed by the voice of Saturday Night Live comedian Phil Hartman.

Rover

Strutting into the social media realm, Rover is one of the black cat kings of Instagram. This foppish feline has dubbed himself “your favorite runway meowdel” and delights his 300,000 followers by donning fashion-forward outfits and parading up and down his in-home runway. As Rover brags in one video while sporting a flamboyant, fluffed-up, feather scarf, “The tail is everything.” Check him out @rover_thecat.

Princess Monster Truck

The legend of the fantastically named Princess Monster Truck begins in 2013 when a Persian kitty with an overbite tumbled out of a bush on a street in New York. After being offered a forever home by the humans who rescued her, Ms. Truck now spends her days delivering pro-adoption messages to her loyal army of Instagram fans. Check her out @princessmonstertruck.

Luna

Everyone loves a talking anime cat — and Luna from the Sailor Moon franchise is one of the genre’s most treasured felines. Sporting a signature moon on her forehead, Luna takes on a mentor role to the Sailor Team, becomes romantically smitten with the astronaut Kakeru, and reveals that her computer password translates as “the rabbit on the moon bakes mochi cakes.”

Isis

A shapeshifter who switches between human and feline forms, Isis is a sci-fi kitty who inhabits the Star Trek universe while sporting a signature bejeweled collar. Isis’s first key appearance aired in 1968, where during the episode Assignment: Earth she helped sabotage a nuclear missile. Fast forwarding to the 23rd century, Isis is also credited with thwarting a plot to assassinate Spock at the 2293 diplomatic Khitomer Conference.

The post Ode to Famous Black Cats by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

We’ve all seen cute social media pictures of cats enjoying cuddles with their humans. But why are those cat cuddles so easy to come by with some felines — and why do some kitties seem to strongly avoid any form of cuddling? And how can you go about encouraging your own cat to get cuddly with you?

Let’s dig into the science behind cat cuddles.

How and why do cats cuddle?

When cats cuddle, they are carrying out behaviors they learned as kittens. Back then, snuggling with mom would provide a kitten with warmth and a sense of security. So, when your cat hops up on your lap and curls into a ball while you’re lounging on the couch, or when she decides to cozy next to you while you’re snoozing in bed, she’s cuddling with you to feel safe and warm.

Why do some cats cuddle more than others?

A lot of your cat’s personality and temperament is determined during her early weeks of life — and a cat’s likelihood to cuddle is no different. According to Sally E. Bahner, a feline consultant and pet writer, it’s vital that kittens are socialized at the very young age of two to seven weeks. “That means being handled and petted regularly, which will get them used to being cuddled early on,” she says.

Do some breeds enjoy cat cuddles more than others?

Even accounting for different levels of socialization and a feline’s inherent tendency toward finickiness, certain cat breeds are more likely predisposed to enjoying cat cuddles over others. “I would think that the more sedate breeds such as Ragdolls and Persians would enjoy cuddling more than the active, high-energy breeds like Bengals and Abyssinians,” says Sally.

Older cats who might be suffering from medical ailments like arthritis might also show an aversion to being cuddled, Sally points out. So, if you’re looking to adopt a feline with a preference for cat cuddles, consider the age and breed.

How should you give cat cuddles?

If your kitty is open to cat cuddles, it’s imperative that she’s always well supported, whether you’ve scooped her up or she’s cradling in your lap. Support kittens and cats like newborn babies, and always avoid squeezing or applying unnecessary pressure while cuddling. Adding some chin scratching to the mix can also help put your cat at ease; in general, petting while cuddling can encourage your kitty to enjoy cat cuddles.

Sally says that one of her own cats, Mollie, doesn’t particularly like being held. When she picks Mollie up, she makes sure she’s well supported and is always released at the first signs of any struggle. “Then I’ll thank her abundantly,” she says, “because it has to be on the cat’s terms; if you force [cuddling], you will make it a negative association.” Similarly, if your feline becomes overstimulated during a bout of cat cuddles and decides to bless you with a cat love bite, that should be taken as a clear signal it’s time to end the snuggle session.

What if your kitty hates cuddles?

Unfortunately, some felines just do not enjoy cat cuddles. Sally says this is likely the result of a lack of proper socialization, especially not being handled regularly during kittenhood. She also points out that a bad experience — “such as hearing a loud noise while being held” — can spook a kitty out of enjoying cat cuddles.

If your cat hates cuddles … does he hate you?

Sally maintains that just because a cat does not seem to derive pleasure from cuddling, that does not mean that the kitty isn’t affectionate at heart: Even if those full-on cat cuddles are out of the question, your cat still likely experiences a whole lot of comfort and a feeling of safety simply by being close to you.

• Read Next: The Cat Slow Blink — What It Means

Featured Image Credit: Simone Hogan, Shutterstock

The post Cat Cuddles — What to Know About Your Kitty’s Snuggling Habits by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cat cafes are popping up all over the place these days — but how do you go about making your kitties-and-coffee venture stand out from rest of the clowder? In the case of The Catcade, which opened in Chicago in 2017, you add a bunch of vintage arcade games to the mix.

The brainchild of Shelly Casey and Christopher Gutierrez, The Catcade came to fruition after they visited other cat cafes around the country and became inspired to debut one in Chicago. Christopher says they always wanted to add a rescue element to their cat cafe and decided to target high-risk kill shelters in both Chicago and southeast Kentucky, with the goal of transporting cats facing a death row situation to the safe haven of The Catcade. As Christopher also has a side hobby rebuilding and restoring retro video game cabinets, they decided to integrate that into the design of the space. Inside The Catcade you’ll find five multi-play stations hosting throwback games like Galaga, Ms. Pac-Man and The Simpsons, video game-themed decor like a rug fashioned after an 8-bit Nintendo joypad controller, plus a few old cabinets repurposed into carpeted cat snoozing stations.

Naturally, the resident felines at The Catcade have taken to claiming the video game rigs in their own finicky fashion. “They treat them like cat trees,” Christopher says. “They climb up, in and around them. Usually, you’ll find them sitting down on the [horizontal] cocktail games because the monitors are warm, especially during the winter.”

The idea of satiating your retro gaming kicks by playing a few rounds of Defender while supported by a team of cats might sound fun and fantastical, but there’s also a serious side to The Catcade that comes from Christopher and Shelly’s decision to help felines at risk of euthanasia. This means the cats they take in often come with medical or personality issues as a result of abuse they’ve suffered in the past. When The Catcade opened with a group of 10 cats, one of them named Bruno took over four months to find his forever home due to his shyness and nervousness. But once Bruno was finally adopted, Chris says, “It’s been amazing to get updates from his adopter on how he’s blossoming and so happy.”

In a more heartbreaking case, a 9-year-old senior feline was discovered by animal care and control wandering the streets in an emaciated condition. He was rescued by The Catcade, but unfortunately “ended up with kidney failure from years of neglect and passed while with us.” Despite the luminous glow from the arcade game screens lighting up The Catcade, this is the darker element involved in cat rescue and rehabilitation. But as Christopher says, it’s always important to keep the faith: “We know we can’t do anything to change a cat’s history, but we can give them the best chance at a better future.” For more information, visit thecatcade.org.

Learn more about adoption and cat shelters at www.catster.com:

• 5 Ways to Support Your Local Shelter During Kitten Season
• Remember Me Thursday: Help Promote Pet Adoption Today
• Cat Adoption Checklist: Are You Really Ready for Cat Adoption?

Feature Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

The post The Catcade: Chicago’s Cafe With Vintage Games, Kitties & Coffee by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

We all love showing off a gazillion pictures of our cats on our phones these days. Unfortunately, many of those photos are terrible. This comes to a head during the festive season when you’re guaranteed to receive at least one holiday card starring a photo of a friend or relation’s cat who winds up looking like some sort of demonic-eyed monster from a horror movie.

But hold on! You don’t have to be that person! With some smart insider tips from three professional cat photographers — Casey Elise Christopher, Christina Gandolfo and Andrew Marttila — here’s how to pull off five slick photo scenarios with your festive feline.

The 5 Tips for Taking Holiday Pictures of Your Cat

1. How to get your cat to wear clothes or a costume

Some cats might not enjoy being dressed up — but that doesn’t stop us from trying to slip them into costumes for holiday cards. If you’re looking to capture a shot of your feline in an ugly sweater, Christina warns that patience is required.

She recommends a reward system — whether treats or positive reinforcement — to build up trust. “With my cats,” she says, “once they understood that dressing up is not how I’m going to have to exist and it’s not going to last forever, they’ll tolerate some clothes.” Casey says popping a hat onto your cat can be an easier way to doll her up for a photo shoot, especially if you can get her to “lie down like a loaf so the hat will stay on better.”

Just remember: Whatever costume you have in mind, prepare a clean and clutter-free area in your home to take the pictures before you dress your kitty up. “You don’t want to get the perfect shot of your cat in an antler hat and suddenly realize you have the bathroom with the toilet seat open in the background!” Christina says.

And never dress up a cat who doesn’t like it! If you try to dress up your cat and you’re getting signals that she’s in distress or not liking it, stop immediately. There are tons of other tips to get cute holiday photos without costumes (see below).

2. Set your photo against a good backdrop

One way to avoid a cluttered background is to set up a quick backdrop. Christina recommends pinning up a colorful sheet or using foam core to create a clean setting. You could also use wrapping paper to fashion a funkier backdrop for your feline, whether you tape the paper to the wall or wrap a flat box with it.

Do consider how any color and pattern might clash with your own cat’s markings. As Casey says, “A simple background makes the cat stand out more and is less distracting.” When constructing a backdrop, you’ll also want to make it larger than you might think you’ll need. Why? As Christina says, “Once you start backing up to get your cat in frame, you might lose the edges of the backdrop.”

Finally, for a pro-looking feline portrait, you’ll need to get down to your cat’s eye level rather than shooting from above, which can be unflattering. “That way it’s easier to get the cat’s facial expression and also not have your own shadow cast on them,” Casey explains.

3. How to take a photo with a human and your cat

Once you’ve selected a clutter-free location, pulling off a human and feline photo is all about working with your cat’s tolerance to being held.

Andrew recommends starting with the following tactic: “I’ll do almost like a baby cradle, with your non-dominant hand under the cat’s front legs and then cradle them with your dominant hand so you’re hoisting them but they’re well supported.”

This way, he adds, “you can turn them to the camera” before capturing a family moment. Just don’t forget to smile yourself.

4. Using festive props

Posing your cat with a cat-safe ornament or trinket is a smart way to pull off a holiday card. “The cat will usually interact and check out a new thing on their own, especially if it’s the size of a toy,” Casey says. But be ready to snap quickly: As Christina points out, your kitty might become disinterested in your cherished tree ornament pretty quickly.

With any portrait of your cat, it’s exceptionally important to scope out the lighting situation in your home before you create the photo. Andrew advises that flashes on camera phones can be “really harsh” and often end up “blinding the cat and washing out the photo.” He recommends turning your phone’s flash off and shooting by a window with natural light. “Aiming for mid-day or in the morning near a window is your best opportunity to get a well-lit photo.”

5. Taking photos of two (or more!) cats

If you live in a multi-cat house, you’re going to want to use a favorite plaything to make sure both cats look at the camera at the same time. Andrew puts his faith in crinkle toys: “Anything that makes sound and reflects light is really easy to draw a cat’s attention with. Bring the toy behind the camera and the cat will gaze right into the lens.”

You can also consider a helper when trying to capture multiple cats. “I had one shoot where the cats’ foster mom stood behind me,” Casey says. “The cats would rather look at her than me, so having the owner stand behind with a wand toy helped.”

About the professional panel

Casey Elise Christopher

Casey Elise Christopher is an animal advocate and photographer living in Los Angeles. Her passion is photographing animals to help them find a home, and she strongly believes that photography is a critical part of the adoption process. Here she is with her former foster kitten Rigby. See more at caseyelise.com.

Christina Gandolfo

Christina Gandolfo is a Los Angeles-based advertising and editorial photographer whose cat photos have appeared in such publications as Harvard Business Review, The New York Times Magazine, The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Magazine and Catster in addition to advertisements for national brands like Friskies and Mars Petcare. You can follow her work + personal photos of her three cats — Lucy, Doo & Blondie — on Instagram @gandolphoto.

Andrew Marttila

Andrew Marttila’s photography depicts the lives of celebrity cats, shelter cats and house cats with intimate detail. Andrew reaches thousands of cat lovers through his social media (Instagram: @iamthegreatwent), where he documents his travels promoting shelters across the country, taking photos for clients and snuggling with his cat, Haroun. His book, Shop Cats of New York, offers a close-up look at the lives of cats living in NYC’s storefronts. See more at thegreatwentphoto.com.

Read more about the holidays and cats on Catster.com:

• Kitty vs. The Christmas Tree — Be Aware of the Holiday Dangers
• Leaving for the Holidays? Tips on Holidays and Cat Care
• How to Make Sure Your Cat Is Comfortable This Holiday Season

Featured image credit: GolubaPhoto, Shutterstock

The post How to Take Holiday Photos of Your Cat: 5 Simple Tips by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

At three o’clock in the morning, when you’re meant to be benefitting from the deepest part of your night’s sleep, there are few more annoying sounds than hearing your cat whining. And whining … and whining. But beyond the inconvenience of getting woken up by a bout of cat whining, what exactly causes your feline to express herself with this strange cat sound? And when is cat whining a cause for concern?

First, What Does Cat Whining Sound Like?

Cat whining is different from normal, everyday meowing due to the way a feline pronounces her cat vowels. According to Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a cat behaviorist from the Cat Behavior Clinic and author of The Cat Whisperer, there are two cat vowels involved in the meow vocalization.

“When a cat is tense or stressed or perhaps in a weakened state, the meow can become lengthened, vowels become flattened, and also become higher pitched,” she says. “This sounds more like a whine than the two syllables of me-ow.”

Why Is Your Cat Whining?

Now that we’ve pinpointed the sound of cat whining, what causes cat whining? As you might have guessed, hunger might cause cat whining. This could be learned behavior from your cat’s kitten days, when he would meow to let his mother cat know he’s hungry. Or, as Mieshelle says, “Not being fed on time, frequently enough or too few calories can also cause this kind of vocalization.” This could explain late-night or early-morning whining when kitties decide what they really need right this second is a post-midnight snack.

A key part of the motivation behind cat whining can also come from the cat feeling stressed, frustrated or even ignored. Mieshelle throws up the example of a cat seeing a bird frolicking outside of a window and not being able to chase it. “This frustration could cause a cat to vocalize intensely and have a flat and drawn-out meow that could sound more like a whine,” she explains.

Another common prompt for cat whining is an owner leaving the home. In this case, the whining tells you that your cat would prefer that his beloved human stay home and lavish him with attention. Or treats. (Sometimes, it’s truly about the treats.)

Is Cat Whining a Cause for Concern?

“Most often, cats will meow or yowl in urgent repetition over a long period of time to elicit a response from the owner or because they are stressed,” says Mieshelle, when asked if cat whining is a symptom of a more serious issue. She adds that when a cat doesn’t feel well and is in a “weakened state,” whining might be a way of communicating this pain or distress to a guardian.

If it seems like your cat is experiencing health issues, take her to a vet without delay. As Mieshelle puts it, “All loving cat owners want their cats to be happy and should be concerned as to why their cat is vocalizing in this way.”

What Should You Do About Cat Whining?

Beyond any medical problems, the root of all that cat whining might be a behavioral issue — like a feline who wakes you up in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning with a repertoire of whines and yowls. In these cases, Mieshelle says it’s “best to figure out why the behavior is happening and then make changes to eliminate those reasons.”

Oftentimes, your own behavior — or reactions — might even contribute to the cat whining in question. As Mieshelle points out, “Sometimes, the only reason a cat continues with intense or lengthy vocalizations is because the owner has been reinforcing it.” So, perhaps take a look at your own behavior next time you’re cursing your cat for waking you up in the early hours of the morning with all that whining!

Thumbnail: Photography © SensorSpot | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

Read more about cat noises on Catster.com:

• Caterwauling — What Is It and Why Do Cats Do It?
• Why Is Your Cat Howling?
• Cat Won’t Stop Meowing? 7 Reasons For All That Cat Meowing

The post Why Is Your Cat Whining? When to Worry & What to Do by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

When cats first plotted to take over the internet, they used entertaining YouTube videos as their chief mode of propaganda. We all remember being transfixed by Keyboard Cat tickling the ivories and Maru attempting to smoosh himself into all manner of undersized boxes. But as social media has turned into everyone’s first online portal of call, our feline overlords have shifted to using Instagram to broadcast their shenanigans to the world. The accounts of superstars like Nala, Lil BUB and Grumpy Cat all service gazillions of fans. Let’s spotlight the next generation of cats of Instagram.

The 5 Cats of Instagram You Need to Follow

1. Eddy the Catty, @eddythecatty

Living it up in The Netherlands, Edward bills himself as “a fluffy Persian.” That might be an understatement — this chap looks like a plush, luxurious gray-and-white cushion in feline form. True to Edward’s upscale image, his human says he enjoys “acting like a royal cat.” This means constantly being on the hunt for attention and posing for photos that show off his “large lion’s mane.” Best of all, if you follow Edward you’ll get sneak peeks of his little sister, Cathy, who’s a fellow Persian blessed with a set of adoring eyes that will melt your heart.

2. Princess Cheeto, @princesscheeto

Princess Cheeto’s account is an obvious choice for cats of Instagram to watch since it’s one of the most vivid in the entire Instagram universe. Photographed against bold, single-colored backdrops, the tuxedo kitty finds herself in wacky scenarios that involve foodstuffs like chocolate bunny ears and citrus fruits magically appearing on her head, sporting a kooky array of hairdos and casting her shadow as a lion. Princess Cheeto’s human uses a bag of digital tricks to create this feline’s distinct world, but he’s always sure to allow her personality to shine through. “I think it’s important that photography captures an actual moment that occurred,” he says. “The more surreal that moment is, the better!”

3. Lobstah the Cat, @lobstah_the_cat

Lobstah makes our list of cats of Instagram to follow because his social media feed will literally claw for your affections. As his crustacean-inspired name suggests, he’s a special-needs kitty who possesses a front paw that looks like a lobster’s. Rescued when he was 4 months old from San Francisco Animal Care and Control, Lobstah began life in a perilous fashion when X-rays showed his insides were close to spilling out due to issues with his sternum. But from an icky start Lobstah has found his forever home where he’s perfected the habit of lounging around while letting his lobster claw hang low.

4. Katie and Frankie, @katieandfrankie

Katie and Frankie showcases two Munchkin cats with “tiny legs and big hearts.” Frankie, a long-haired feline, is said to balance an “independent and adventurous” streak with a sideline as “a serial napper.” Katie is a British Shorthair who’s “affectionate and quite goofy” and partial to daily bouts of the zoomies that involve careening around the house like a crazed kitty. You’ll regularly see the two of them fancied up in bow ties, floral tiaras and even regal crowns. Dedicated fans know Katie is actually a boy, but he was so small when he was born the vet bestowed him with a lady cat’s name.

5. Small Fry and Poutine, @smallfryandpoutine

Small Fry and Poutine are graduates from Hannah Shaw the Kitten Lady’s rescue program. The duo’s backstory is a dramatic one: According to their human, Small Fry began life by transforming from “a tiny, sickly kitten on the brink of death to a sassy, healthy, hilarious cat.” As Small Fry’s bonded best friend, Poutine naturally had to move into a forever home with her, too. Now the felines’ fans get to witness Small Fry playing the classic cat role — “sometimes she’s lazy, sometimes she’s crazy, sometimes she’s completely cuddly”— while Poutine pulls off her best canine impersonation by playing fetch and seeking belly rubs. Thanks to their potato-based names, these famous cats of Instagram are affectionately known to followers as The Taters.

Thumbnail: Photography via @princesscheeto.

Phillip Mlynar spends his days writing about cats, hip-hop and food, often while being pestered by his rescue, a mackerel tabby named Mimosa. His work appears in Vice, Pitchfork, the Village Voice, Bandcamp and Catster. He’s won various awards at the Cat Writers’ Association Communication Contests, some of which are proudly on display at his local dive bar in New York City.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Catster magazine. Have you seen the new Catster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting area of your vet’s office? Click here to subscribe to Catster and get the bimonthly magazine delivered to your home.

Read more cat news on Catster.com:

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The post 5 Cats of Instagram You Need to Follow by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Bella has been one of the most popular cat names in the United States for the last five years. Why? Because people went crazy for the name Bella after the success of The Twilight Saga series of vampire books and films, with fans wanting to honor the protagonist, Isabella Marie Cullen, by naming cats after her. Now let the record show that Bella is a solid if unspectacular name for a pet — but the rest of a recent Top 20 list of male and female feline names is thoroughly uninspiring stuff.

Max, Oliver, Lucy and Chloe all feature, along with Luna and Simba. All fine cat names, but what if the world does not need any more tabbies named Simba or black cats called Shadow (another regularly popular cat name). How do you go about picking an eye-catching and individual name for your feline without stumbling into anything that’s humdrum, ridiculous or regrettable?

Cats names after pop culture trends

Begin by taking a cue from Bella and dipping into the fruitful world of pop culture. Think about your all-time favorite musicians, songs, movies and books, and see if they spark any inspiration. If you want to be right on the wave of trending cat names, hot tips include Rey (Skywalker), after the heroine of the new Stars Wars flicks, and Ghost, in homage to the noble albino direwolf that Game Of Thrones’s Jon Snow roams with. (Naming your feline after another species character is totally legit.)

As you muse over pop culture-inspired monikers, side toward the classic. The name Bella is broad and plain enough to endure through the ages — it also means beautiful in Italian — but be cautious about burdening your cat with a title derived from an overnight hot thing. The world of pop culture moves at warp speed, and today’s sensation can be tomorrow’s fad. Returning to the Star Wars theme, think of those beleaguered kitties struggling to navigate the wilds of 2018 while called Jar Jar Binks. Oh, the horror! On a similar tip, calling your cat after a sports star who’s just won your team the title is destined to backfire once the player inevitably transfers to a rival franchise. Vintage players make for sturdier cat names.

Too-clever cat names

There are pros and cons with the idea of anointing your feline with a tricksy title, too. We all love a good pun, but be wary of trying to be too clever with your cat’s name. Calling your latest feline leader Chairman Meow is a fine quip with which to entertain a clowder of close friends over cocktails, but there might be public occasions where the name is seen as less appropriate.

Also, stay away from modern politics, please: Using your cat to push home an agenda is a disingenuous move. Plus, we all know cats would nap through voter registration.

Food cat names

A better naming tactic is to saunter over into the non-partisan world of food. After all, we’re all social media foodies these days. Successful sustenance-sourced names abound: Rye and Olive are a tortie and a calico rescue duo from Philadelphia who’ve become Instagram celebrities (@oliveandrye); Lobstah is a special-needs kitty named for his distinctive crustacean-shaped claw (@lobstah_the_cat); and Professor Pizza is the most infamous cat to have passed through the anime-themed Kawaii Kitty café (@thekawaiikittycafe).

Individual cheese cat names are ripe for plundering (Brie! Fontina! Camembert!), and Taco Cat is a classic that’s palindromic to boot. Feel free to snack heartily while considering chow-based sobriquets.

Be wary of too-long cat names

A word on nomenclature length: Granting your furball a grandiose triple-barreled name is totally fine. Just make sure that the root of it can be easily shortened.

A friend’s cat is named Maximillian Jeffrey III. He’s a distinguished tuxedo gentleman with a habit of fishing strawberry tops out of the trash. His full honorific is obviously a mouthful, so on a day-to-day basis he’s known as Maxi. The system works, people.

Don’t know what to name your cat? Try this.

Ultimately, the best way to find the ideal name for your cat is to relax and stop overthinking it — even if that seems impossible with all the excitement a new kitty brings. My own cat is called Mimosa. When we adopted her she was named something else. She had been rescued by a veteran who found her under a car in a parking lot and took her to a shelter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that’s colloquially known as the Cat Loft. While there, this 5-month-old kitten was tagged Rosalita.

Now Rosalita isn’t a bad name, it just didn’t fit her look and personality. After racking our brains for a few days and throwing out and quickly discarding a fruitless series of suggestions, my girlfriend and I were stumped.

So we popped to a local bar where a friend used to work and serve us mimosas at midnight. That’s when it hit us: The cat’s name should be Mimosa. Thanks, serendipity (which would also be a fine cat name).

ROVER.COM’s 2017 Top Cat Names

TOP CAT NAMES FOR FEMALE CATS

1. Luna
2. Chloe
3. Bella
4. Lucy
5. Lily

TOP CAT NAMES FOR MALE CATS

1. Oliver
2. Leo
3. Charlie
4. Milo
5. Max

Other ideas for cat names:

1. Pop culture cat names: Rey, Bella, Chloe, Simba, Yoda, Buffy, Anakin, Rey, Binks, Ghost, Sansa, Arya, Bart, Chewie.
2. Sports cat names: Jeter, Tiki, Ali, Babe, Carmen, LeBron, Bolt, Brady, Aaron, Eli, Jordan, Dale, Breez, Odell, Mia.
3. Food cat names: Olive, Jellybean, Cookie, Coconut, Oreo, Biscuit, Taco, Brie, Bacon, Waffles, Peach, Potato, Muffin.
4. Destination cat names: Paris, Kawaii, Kona, Zulu, Dutch, Miles, Scooter, Austin, Bali, Dakota, Napa, Minya, Verona.
5. Superhero cat names: Captain, Batman, Thor, Flash, Wolverine, Robin, Bruce, Hulk, Loki, Mario, Samus, Zelda.
6. Flower cat names: Willow, Rose, Iris, Fern, Daisy, Buttercup, Violet, Primrose, Poppy, Belle, Lily, Coco, Clover, Tulip.

Thumbnail: Photography ©kimberrywood | Thinkstock.

Phillip Mlynar likes to consider himself the world’s foremost expert on rapper’s cats. When not chronicling the antics of his rescue, Mimosa, for Catster, his musings on music can be found at Red Bull Music Academy, the Village Voice and NYLON. He’s won a number of awards at the Cat Writer’s Association Communication Contests, some of which are proudly on display at his local dive bar.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Kittens, a special issue from Catster magazine. Look for Kittens on a newsstand near you! 

Read more about your new cat on Catster.com:

• How Long After Your Cat Dies Should You Wait Before Getting a New Cat?
• What to Know When Introducing Cats to a New Cat
• Kittens in Your Future? Make Your Home Safe for Them First

This article was originally published on November 30, 2017 and was updated on May 22, 2018. 

The post Let’s Talk Cat Names and How to Name Your Cat by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Sometimes there’s a solid kernel of truth at the heart of stereotypes — like Japan’s obsession with cats. In this case, the infatuation goes deeper than that lovable Bobtail with the pink bow you all know as Hello Kitty. Historically, the love affair began when cats were brought over on ships from China to protect revered Buddhist scriptures from sea-faring vermin as the religion was introduced to the country. Since those days in the sixth century, the role of cats has gone on to electrify Japanese pop culture.

Top 6 Cats In Japanese Culture

1. Maneki Neko

Let’s start with the ubiquitous Maneki Neko, those feline figurines with raised paws that are said to bring good luck to shops and businesses. Originally appearing on the scene in the 1800s, the Maneki Neko (which roughly translates as “beckoning cat”) has become part of Japanese folklore.

One of the most popular origin yarns involves a down-on-his-luck storekeeper who, despite teetering on going out of business, takes in a hungry stray cat. After satisfying his belly, the cat posts up outside the business and beckons customers to come in and shop (hence the idea of the moving paw).

These days, the role of the Maneki Neko has been broadened to bestow good luck on all who welcome one into their home or study area; and it’s said that the Calico Maneki Neko is the luckiest figurine of all.

2. Hello Kitty

The Maneki Neko is a common sight in Asian restaurants and businesses across the world, but it cannot hope to live up to the popularity of the most famous Japanese cat of all. Yep, we’re talking about Hello Kitty.

Formally introduced to the world in 1974 by the Sanrio company, the kawaii-styled Kitty-chan is a white Bobtail cat who sports a pink bow in her hair. (Chan is an honorific added to the end of the names of youthful people ­— or, in this case, cats.)

At first, Hello Kitty was marketed to young girls, but she’s now become a global pop culture heroine whose various product lines and endorsements bring in so many billions of dollars that perhaps only Oprah can compete. Super fans can hop a Hello Kitty jet, staffed by stewards dressed as Kitty-chan, and embark on an escapade to one of her vibrant theme parks. Just don’t stare at Hello Kitty too much or you might notice the disturbing truth that she does not have a mouth.

3. Doraemon

Building on the popularity of cartoon cats, we enter the kooky world of Doraemon. A big, goofy, robotic blue-and-white kitty, Doraemon paid his dues as the star of a series of manga comic books that debuted in 1969. His adventures involve traveling back through time to help Nobita Nobi, a kid struggling through school and being targeted by bullies.

Stepping up for battle, Doraemon is aided by an ability to dip into his special 4D pocket and conjure up magical gadgets like a headgear helicopter, a dress-up camera and even a slice of bread with memory-boosting powers. Just like Hello Kitty, Doraemon has gotten into the merchandise market, and these days is as likely to be spotted on key chains, lunch boxes and sneakers as well as in the pages of a manga.

4. Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli Animation House

Digging deeper into the cartoon cat domain, we come to the secret feline history of Hayao Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli animation house. Known for blockbuster mainstream successes like Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro, someone at the company is also a devoted member of the kitty club: The whimsical witch story Kiki’s Delivery Service co-stars a sarcastic black cat named Jiji, and over the years the studio has produced a series of beautiful line-drawn animated commercials for various brands, one of which seems to involve a mischievous small black cat stealing a fish from a larger white feline who also happens to have a tuxedo kitty balanced on her head.

Going full-on feline, in 2002 Studio Ghibli released The Cat Returns, a flick that stars a girl named Haru who has the dreamy ability to speak to cats. She ends up marrying Lune, the prince of the Cat Kingdom, and embarks on adventures and shenanigans in his furball realm.

5. Cat Cafes

Back in the bricks-and-mortar world, Japan has become a beacon of the cat cafe universe. Sure, technically the concept might have been invented in nearby Taiwan (with 1998’s Cat Flower Garden), but it’s Japan that has popularized the setup of packing a room full of cats and spiking it with coffee for humans.

Cat’s Time (Neko No Jikan) opened in Osaka in 2004 and, at a modest count, the country claims over 150 similar ventures. What’s the reason for the popularity? Well, the densely packed topography of many areas of Japan are said to be a factor, with a clowder of cat fans residing in apartments that are unfortunately too small to comfortably house a cat.

6. Feline-Inspired Fashions

Thankfully, Japanese feline fanciers cooped up in dinky apartments can still enjoy the cat-centric mash-up of HANGRY & ANGRY and h.NAOTO. If none of those names ring a bell, let me explain: HANGRY & ANGRY is a vivacious J-pop duo whose members graduated from the ASAYAN TV talent show after being handpicked to front up a line of harajuku clothing crafted by the designer Naoto Hirooka (aka H.NAOTO), whose fashions bear strong gothic and punk influences.

Oh, and cats. Lots of cats. Especially, lots of black-and-white cats featuring Halloween-style stitches, scars and crosses, plus, in HANGRY’s case, a flame-red mohawk and, apparently, a nuclear bomb hidden in her eye patch. Bless us with a HANGRY & ANGRY Maneki Neko and we’d be able to reach complete Japanese cat perfection.

Read more cat news on Catster.com:

• A Cat Named D.O.G. Helps Train Dogs at Support Dogs, Inc.
• Finally, Recognition for Félicette — the First Cat in Space
• Denver Outlaws Declawing Cats

Featured Image Credit: Photography ©Gado Images | Alamy Stock Photo.

The post Inside Japan’s Obsession With Cats: 6 Japanese Felines, History & Pictures by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

We’ve all caught our cats in the act of standing upright on their hind legs like some peculiar mix between a meerkat and a marionette puppet — but why do our usually regal and poised felines insist on carrying out this curious behavior? Is there any science behind it? And what’s really bubbling in the brain of a cat standing up on his hind legs? Let’s dig in and find out (and watch some fun videos in the process!).

The 6 Main Reasons Your Cat Stands on His Hind Legs

1. A Cat Standing Up on His Hind Legs Wants to Ward Off Predators

As funny as a cat standing up on his hind legs looks, the origin of the move is serious business. When cats feel threatened by a devious predator, they will often attempt to make themselves appear as large as possible. You guessed it: Perching up on the back legs is part of this survival tactic. In extreme cases, you might even see cats shuffling along sideways while in this upright position — which is another attempt to look as large and fearful as possible. Do not mess with a cat standing up on his hind legs.

2. A Cat Might Stand Up Just for a Head Boop

Back in the calm and lazy world of the average domestic cat, popping up on his hind legs can be used to coerce a human to dish out some extra head petting. This move often takes place after some good old fashioned ankle brushing has gone on. In the case of my cat, Mimosa, she hops up on her back legs as soon as she realizes the grooming brush is in play. We’ve taken to calling the move “on her twos.”

3. Your Cat Stands Like a Human to Reach for Treats

Another way to get your cat to perfect the two-legged stance is through the tried-and-tested tactic of tempting him with treats. Even the most reserved cats can be coerced into propping themselves up on their back legs when the rustling sound of the treat bag is in play.

4. Yes, Cats Standing Up Look Like Meerkats

Let’s be honest, when cats decide to get up on their hind legs, they totally look like meerkats — although technically meerkats are part of the mongoose family. So, let’s just chalk this similarity up to being another curious kitty quirk.

5. Here’s Why Munchkin Cats Stand Up on Their Back Legs a Lot

Munchkin cats are born with short, stumpy legs due to some sort of genetic mutation science. As a consequence, these squat kitties can frequently be found standing up on their back legs. It’s all about the low center of gravity, you see.

6. Some Special-Needs Cats Stand Entirely on Their Hind Legs

For some special-needs cats, learning to stand and get about on just their hind legs isn’t just an eye-catching move — it’s a necessity. A couple of these kangaroo cats, as they’ve been dubbed, are stars and advocates on the social media scene. The grandiosely titled Lil Bunny Soux Roux was born without her front legs but has become an Instagram sensation thanks to pictures of her hopping around like some sort of marvelous kangaroo-Tyrannosaurus-rex hybrid.

Roo is another social media celebrikitty who’s all about owning his kangaroo-cat status. He was born with radial hypoplasia, which stopped his front paws from growing and developing properly — but these days he’s more than happy hopping around for his legion of fans alongside his similarly famous kitty sister, Venus the Two-Face Cat.

Thumbnail: Photography by adogslifephoto/Thinkstock.

Read more about cat behavior on Catster.com:

• Here’s Why Cats Hate Water — And What to Do About It
• 7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive
• Cat Spraying — Why Does It Happen and What Can You Do?

The post Why Is Your Cat Standing Up on His Hind Legs? 6 Reasons (& Fun Videos!) by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

When a bijou ginger kitten was delivered to the Massapequa Pet Vet facility on Long Island inside a box of macaroni and cheese, it was only fitting that he was blessed with the name Mac ‘n’ Cheez.

“Some good Samaritans had found a litter of kittens and placed most of them,” recalls Donna, the office manager of the facility, “but they noticed something wrong with [one] so they brought him to us.”

The problem with Mac, as he has become known, involved his back legs. Namely, they didn’t seem to work, instead flopping on the floor, as unfortunately happens with paralyzed limbs.

Thankfully, under the watch of Dr. Ned Horowitz, the team at Massapequa Pet Vet stepped up and give Mac the best chance at a mobile life they could.

As Gabby Nania, a vet tech, says, “When he first came in he had absolutely no use of his back legs. He was mostly dragging them around. So my first impressions of Mac were basically I hope this cat gets better, I hope we can help this cat, and my first instinct was I wanted to be the one to help him.”

It wasn’t long before Gabby would come good on her initial hunch and offer Mac a foster home.

At that point, Mac began a comprehensive course of physical therapy.

“We’ve been doing things like full-range motion and stretching his legs so they mimic how they should move,” begins Gabby, listing his regime. “We’ve been applying his own body weight on his back legs, doing some water therapy to make him swim and kick with his back legs while in the water. The range of motions he goes through help keep his muscles from tightening up.”

In case you’re wondering, when it comes to Mac’s water sports, he apparently “tolerates it a lot better than pretty much any other cat would,” to the point where most of his protests rarely get beyond the occasional cry and attempt to scoot out of the tub. Video evidence exists.

Gabby adds that recently Mac has undergone a course of laser therapy.

“The light is meant to stimulate the cells in his body to help make them stronger,” she explains. “They also reduce any inflammation he might have.”

Earlier, Mac was fitted with two versions of a kitty wheelchair. It turned out Mac wasn’t exactly enamored with his wheels: Not only did he grow out of each wheelchair quickly, but he started to fall over to the side and become agitated about the predicament.

After Gabby noticed Mac “trying to place his feet underneath him and get in the correct position,” vet staffers suspended the wheelchair experiment.

Now that Mac has reached 16 weeks of age, his right leg has begun to show very positive signs. Gabby estimates that it’s functioning at around 90 percent of its full capability. The only downside? Mac has begun to drag his lower left leg along the floor — which could lead to sores if he continues to limp around this way.

While Gabby says amputation of his left leg has been considered, vet staffers are waiting until he’s older before making such an irreversible decision.

In the meantime, this little kitten — who, incidentally, “totally knows that he’s a superstar” — is living with Gabby and her husband. Each day after work, she takes him home; each morning, she brings Mac back.}

Well, that’s the schedule at the moment.

Gabby confesses of her foster kitten, “My husband and I are thinking of keeping him due to the medical issues he’ll potentially need in the future — and also because we’ve fallen head over heels for him.”

Follow Mac’s story at his Facebook page. You can also donate to his medical fund via PayPal.

The post Mac ‘n’ Cheez Is an Orange Kitten Aiming to Beat Paralysis by Phillip Mlynar appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.