• ☕️ A feline barista gains social media stardom

• 🐟 Whip up a batch of tasty tuna pumpkin cat treats

• 🧼 How to keep your house squeaky clean

• 🎃 Is pumpkin good for cats?

• 🍁 Feline safety tips for fall

True or False?

There are 106 taste buds on a cat's tongue.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Waffle the Barista, an orange tabby from Santa Clara, California, has brewed her way into internet stardom, one adorable apron at a time. Thanks to her humans, Kathy and Sam, Waffle has become a viral sensation, charming her 28K Instagram followers with her adorable outfits and posing as the world’s cutest barista. What started as a fun costume idea in 2016 quickly turned into a money-making venture, with the couple selling cat-sized aprons online and even building a custom coffee shop-themed cat tree for Waffle to "work" at her very own café—Meowbucks.

But Waffle’s story isn’t just about caffeine and cute costumes. She was rescued from the streets along with her siblings by 4 Paws Strong and adopted by Kathy and Sam, who transformed her into a barista sensation. With her eye-catching outfits, Waffle has helped her family market their handmade aprons while enjoying her role as the face of Meowbucks. So, while coffee fans sip their Pumpkin Spice Lattes this fall, Waffle will continue serving up smiles.

Get ready to spoil your feline foodie with these easy-to-make treats. Combining the ocean’s finest fish with the fall’s favorite gourd, these snacks are so irresistible that even your cat might reconsider their stance on sharing.

Ingredients:

• 5 oz can of tuna in water

• ⅓ cup pumpkin

• ½ cup oat flour

• 1 tsp dried catnip (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.

3. Roll out the dough and use a pizza cutter or cookie cutter to cut out bite-sized pieces.

4. Pieces can then be rolled into a ball for round treats or left flat.

5. Place the treats onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

7. Let the tuna treats cool completely before feeding them to your feline friends.

Thank you to Active for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Pumpkin may be the king of fall treats, but can your cat enjoy this seasonal delight? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. In moderation, plain cooked pumpkin can be a healthy and tasty addition to your cat's diet. While most cats are carnivores at heart, some might develop a taste for this mild, slightly sweet veggie. Just don’t expect them all to be pumpkin fanatics. Cats have their own culinary opinions, after all.

Pumpkin isn't a replacement for your cat's meat-based meals, but it can offer some benefits, like aiding digestion, improving skin and coat health, and possibly even giving parasites a pumpkin-powered punch. However, moderation is key. Too much pumpkin could lead to a litter box disaster, and raw seeds or stems can pose choking hazards. Stick to small portions of plain, cooked pumpkin, and maybe grind up some roasted seeds for a crunchy, seasonal treat—no spices or sugar, of course.

As with any new snack, keep an eye on your kitty for signs of allergies or stomach upset. And remember, while pumpkin might seem like a fall miracle food, it's no substitute for professional vet advice. So, before you start whipping up pumpkin spice everything for your furry friend, be sure to consult your vet and keep the pie for yourself.

As fall rolls in with its crisp air and pumpkin-spiced everything, don’t forget to keep an eye on your feline friends. For indoor/outdoor adventurers, dropping temperatures, sneaky mold, and dangerous antifreeze lurking in driveways are just a few of the season's hazards. 

Even your cozy indoor-only cat isn’t off the hook, with fall allergies and festive holiday décor posing their own risks. Keep an eye on your kitty during holiday feasts too—chocolate, raisins, and anything spicy are a big no-no for their tummies. Fall may be gorgeous, but keeping your cat healthy and happy requires a little extra vigilance amid all the seasonal fun.

🐱 Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 True or False: False. There are actually 473 taste buds on a cat's tongue.

😸 COTD: Give your purr-fect pet the spotlight by submitting them for the cat of the day! This month's theme is comedic cat pictures. Send in your most hilarious or quirky pictures of your best feline friend, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.