Happy Monday:

• 🐱 Can your cat’s happiness be measured?

• 💆‍♀️ The spa cat who picked a lucky traveler

• 😸 How teachers can save on back to school shopping

• 🐈 Cats of the day, Sonny and Cher

True or False?

Cats only headbutt people they consider part of their close social circle.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Cats are notoriously good at hiding when something's wrong. As both predator and prey in the wild, they evolved to mask illness and discomfort, which makes it easy to miss the subtle signs at home and even at the vet's office. A vet exam only captures a brief snapshot, and cats often behave differently once they're out of their familiar surroundings.

That gap led researchers to develop something new called the Feline Quality of Life questionnaire, or FelQoL. Pet parents fill it out in under ten minutes, answering questions about how active, social, relaxed, and food motivated their cat has been at home. Researchers tested it on more than 1,300 cat owners and found the scores held up reliably over time, and a few clear patterns emerged in what actually moved a cat's score higher.

Environment made a real difference. Cats with access to shelves, perches, or cat trees tended to score higher on activity, backing up what researchers already suspected about the value of vertical space at home. Age and health mattered too: younger, healthier cats generally scored better on mobility and sociability, while older cats or those with known health conditions scored a bit lower in predictable ways. Outdoor access showed an interesting wrinkle. Cats who spent time outside scored differently on some measures, possibly because that time outdoors, hunting or exploring, happens outside their owner's view entirely.

Ofir and her boyfriend woke up in Koh Tao, Thailand, without much of a plan. The weather ruled out the beach, so they wandered into a small massage parlor instead.

The waiting room was quiet and nearly empty. The only other person there was an older man with a cat asleep on his lap. Not long after she settled into her chair, the cat hopped down, walked right past her boyfriend, and climbed into her lap instead. Then she started kneading, matching the massage happening around her.

Ofir had never been that close to a cat she didn't know, and she felt a little unsure at first. The staff put her at ease right away. As it turned out, the cat was theirs, and they clearly adored her.

Ofir had been missing her French bulldog back home for weeks, which made the timing feel like more than luck. A day meant for nothing in particular became the best part of the trip, all because one cat picked her out of everyone in the room.

The most wonderful deals of this back to school season? They’re at Staples.

Not only can teachers save 20% in store, but they can take advantage of supplies as low as 25¢ and brand-new laptops up to 40% off. Plus, Staples has one of the largest selections of classroom bulk products (hello, extra savings).

And Staples has made it even easier for teachers to get everything they need for the year ahead: Easy in-app shopping, 30-minute in-store pickup, curated classroom bundles and more.

Shop Staples and get ready for the 2026–2027 school year. Click here to see the deals.

Thank you to Staples for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Meet Sonny and Cher, an orange tabby and sleek black duo submitted by Daily Purr reader Shelagh. These two make quite the pair, striking a perfectly matched pose together on the couch like they knew today was their day to shine. Sonny's got that classic orange charm while Cher's golden eyes give her a real air of mystery.

Whether they're lounging side by side or just striking a pose for the camera, this duo proves that best friends really do make everything cuter. Simply adorable, just like Shelagh said!

This week's Cat's Corner has one long-overdue happy ending waiting to happen and one myth-busting study:

• 🖤 This tuxedo cat has been waiting almost a year for a home

• 🛒 Teachers can get 20% off in-store Staple’s purchases

• 😅 Turns out your cat might not be as stress-relieving as you think

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. This bunting behavior is a way of marking territory and showing trust, and cats are selective about who and what they do it to.

😸 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 favorite thing about Daily Purr for a surprise in your inbox!