Happy Thursday:

• 🌎 How this cat turned her mom into an explorer

• ✅ Tips for feeding your picky cat

• 😸 This company lets your cat sample their food

• 🐈 Cat of the day, Xander

Did You Know?

Unlike humans, cats cannot taste ________, which is one reason many are so particular about texture instead.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

After losing her cat to kidney failure, Lava's future mom was living abroad and grieving. She waited until she moved home to adopt again, and at her local shelter she met four black kittens. One of them was Lava.

Lava turned out to be tiny but bold from the start. Her mom began harness training her indoors, keeping things calm and positive, then slowly built up to daily visits to see family. Eventually they worked their way outdoors entirely, taking their first real trip together to a quiet cabin in northern Sweden with no crowds around to overwhelm her.

These days, Lava makes it clear when she wants to go out. She gets restless and starts chewing things she knows she shouldn't, which is her mom's cue to grab the harness. Rain or winter cold, they go out together anyway, and that daily habit has lifted both of their moods more than either expected.

Along the way, Lava's mom has seen parts of the world she might never have visited otherwise, all because one small shelter kitten wanted to see them first.

Most cat owners run into a picky eater at some point, and there's usually a reason behind it. Cats evolved eating small, frequent meals of prey that was still warm, which is part of why so many cats turn their nose up at cold food or a schedule that doesn't match their instincts. Kittens also learn their food preferences early, picking up cues from their mother, so a cat raised on limited variety may simply be more particular as an adult.

A few small changes tend to make the biggest difference:

• Keep the food bowl in a quiet spot, away from the litter box, other pets, and high traffic areas

• Rotate flavors and textures every so often to keep meals interesting

• Warm food slightly, since it mimics the temperature of fresh prey

• Try a puzzle feeder to tap into a cat's natural instinct to work for food

• Watch for other signs of stress in the home, since anxiety can dull a cat's appetite too

One thing is worth flagging clearly. If a cat suddenly stops eating or goes more than 24 hours without food, that's not just pickiness anymore, and it calls for a vet visit rather than a new food trick.

With a little patience and the right setup, most picky eaters come around. And if yours never quite does, well, some cats just like to keep you on your toes at mealtime.

Every cat parent knows the routine. You buy the food, your cat eats it for a week, then one day they sniff the bowl and walk away. So you try another flavor, and another, and end up with a cabinet full of half-used bags nobody's touching.

That's why more cat parents are turning to Smalls. Their fresh recipes are 80%+ protein and gently steamed, with the texture and moisture cats naturally look for. Many cats get noticeably more excited about mealtime once fresh food is in the bowl.

The bigger help is that you don't have to guess. Take a quick quiz and Smalls builds a personalized plan around your cat, then start with a sampler so your cat can try different recipes before you commit to anything. Your cat picks, you stop buying food on a hunch.

What cat parents notice after switching:

• More interest in mealtime

• Shinier, softer fur

• A less stinky litter box

• More energy and playfulness

• No more guessing what they'll eat

• 88% report overall health improvements

For a limited time, new customers can get free cat treats for life.

Take the quiz to get your cat’s sampler.

Thank you to Smalls for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Meet Xander, a striking gray and white beauty with pale blue eyes, submitted by Daily Purr reader Jan. At 10 years old, Xander is one sharp cat. He always knows when dinner time is approaching, hopping off the couch a few minutes early to sit in the doorway and stare Jan down until the bowl appears. He's got treat time down to a science too.

Beyond his impressive internal clock, Xander is a total snuggler. He loves curling up in bed while Jan reads, making sure every quiet moment comes with good company.

This week's Cat's Corner has one seriously unimpressed kitten and one record-breaking surprise:

• 🐈 Picky cats love this fresh food (and it comes with free treats!)

• ⭐ Maine Coon kitten's grumpy face is shaped like a tiny star

• 🏆 Mom notices something odd about her cat, turns out he's a world record holder

If your cat eats a food for a week and then walks away from the bowl, Smalls is worth a look. Their fresh recipes are 80%+ protein with the texture and moisture cats naturally go for, and you can start with a sampler so your cat picks what they like before you commit.

Take the quiz to get your cat's sampler and get free treats for life.

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

🧐 Did You Know: Unlike humans, cats cannot taste sweetness, which is one reason many are so particular about texture instead. Cats lack the taste receptors for sugar, so their food preferences are shaped much more by smell, texture, and temperature than by sweetness.

😸 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 whether your cat is a picky eater for a surprise in your inbox!