Happy Wednesday:

• 🧑‍🍳 A guide to making cat food at home

• ⛽️ Meet the gas station sphynx who found a home

• 😸 How to afford care for you and your cat

• 🐈 Back-to-school may be hard for your cat

• 😺 Something you need for every mood

True or False?

A cat’s brain structure is about 90% similar to a human’s.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Homemade cat food can feel intimidating, but many owners are curious about making meals from scratch. Done right, it gives you full control over ingredients, which can be especially helpful for cats with allergies or sensitive stomachs.

There are three main approaches: raw, semi-cooked, and cooked. Raw diets are the most popular and require supplements to stay balanced. Semi-cooked food kills surface bacteria but may lose some nutrients. Fully cooked recipes are the safest for handling but trickier to balance.

A proper recipe should mimic a cat’s natural diet: mostly muscle meat, some bone, liver, other organs, and essential supplements like taurine. Without this balance, cats risk deficiencies over time.

Homemade food isn’t always expensive. In some cases, it can cost less than premium canned diets. But it does take planning, careful prep, and consistency. For anyone unsure, premixes or small-batch commercial brands can offer a middle ground.

For about a month, a Sphynx cat lingered outside a Texas gas station with no collar, sunburned skin, and mites in his ears. Then one day, everything changed.

A man named Fernando spotted him twice: once in early August, when the cat ran off, and again at the end of the month, when the feline ran straight to him. This time, the hairless cat was cuddly and eager for attention. Soon after, Fernando’s friends stepped in and adopted him, naming him Archiebald.

Despite his rough condition, a vet confirmed Archiebald was healthy, about three to four years old, and ready for a new start. Now, he has two dog siblings to play with and a safe, loving home.

Hairless cats like the Sphynx are especially vulnerable outdoors since they can’t regulate temperature well and are prone to sunburn. For Archiebald, staying inside means warmth, safety, and a lot of love.

Many of us dream about growing old comfortably in the home we love. But as care needs increase, so do the costs, often reaching over $5,000 a month for in-home assistance. If you’re 62 or older, a reverse mortgage can offer a practical solution by turning home equity into tax-free cash (without giving up ownership or moving out). That means you can stay in familiar surroundings, get the care you need, and preserve your independence – all on your terms.

To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be at least 62 years old.

• You must own your home outright or have a low remaining mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with reverse mortgage proceeds.

• The home must be your primary residence (not a second home or rental property).

• Eligible properties include single-family homes, FHA-approved condos, townhomes, and certain multi-unit properties (up to 4 units, as long as you live in one).

• You must demonstrate the ability to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance costs.

• You must complete a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling session to ensure you understand the loan terms and implications.

Check out Money’s list of the best reverse mortgage providers to explore some top-rated options.

Thank you to Money.com for sponsoring Daily Purr.

When school season starts, cats often feel the difference at home. Their days suddenly get quieter, and the change in family routines can leave them restless.

Cats are creatures of habit, so keeping feeding times and litter box care consistent makes the transition easier. A quick morning scoop helps keep things stress-free during the day.

To prevent boredom, leave puzzle toys or hide small treats around the house. These give cats a fun challenge while everyone’s away.

When you leave or come home, keep greetings calm. Cats relax more when comings and goings feel like no big deal. With steady routines and a little enrichment, cats can adjust smoothly, even if they miss the extra company.

Thank you to Mood for sponsoring Daily Purr.

From midnight antics to myth-busting, here’s what’s trending this week:

• 🌙 Owner checks pet cam and is speechless at what her cat does at 3 a.m.

• 🛏️ Easy IKEA DIY hack turns into the perfect cat bed idea

• ❌ Common cat myths debunked—see which ones you still believe

Daily Purr is brought to you with love from our cats. We hope they can brighten your day, just like they do ours. ❤️

Love,

Olive, Milo, and Yasmine.

🐱 Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 True or False: True. It’s surprisingly close, especially in regions tied to emotions.

😸 COTD: Give your kitty the spotlight by submitting them for Cat of the Day. Reply to this email with your best photos of your cat, their name, and a short description for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your cat’s cutest photo for a surprise in your inbox!