Happy Thursday:

• 🐱 The travel kitten that left a lasting impression

• 🖤 The new coat color that was just discovered

• 💵 This credit card comes with free pet insurance

• 🤔 Why does my cat always sit on things?

True or False?

Cats can purr continuously while inhaling and exhaling.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Travel has a way of surprising people, sometimes in the form of animals who leave a lasting impression. For one lifelong animal lover, that moment came in a small village in Cyprus, where a thin brindle kitten quietly approached in a town square.

The kitten was shy but affectionate, accepting a gentle scratch before moving on in search of food. What stood out wasn’t just her gaze, but the way she dragged one hind leg as she walked, a small detail that stayed long after the day trip ended.

Cyprus is known for its long history with cats, and many locals care for community strays. Still, this kitten felt different, stirring memories of a beloved cat lost years earlier and the lingering question of whether more could have been done.

The kitten wasn’t rescued or brought home. Instead, she became part of a different kind of healing, inspiring a painted portrait that now serves as a reminder of love, loss, and acceptance.

Sometimes, the animals met briefly along the way leave the deepest marks, not by staying, but by helping something quietly fall into place.

Cat coats may seem endlessly varied, but scientists have just added something new to the list. Researchers studying cats in central Finland identified a previously unknown coat pattern nicknamed “salmiak,” inspired by the region’s salty licorice candy.

At first glance, salmiak cats resemble classic black-and-white or tuxedo cats. Look closer, though, and the dark areas appear finely mottled instead of solid, creating a speckled effect that can show up on tabby, tortoiseshell, or diluted coats.

Genetic analysis traced the look to a newly identified variant of the KIT gene that controls white patterning. The salmiak pattern only appears when a cat inherits two copies of this recessive gene, one from each parent.

So far, salmiak cats appear healthy, with no known conditions linked to the pattern. While the look may grow in popularity, researchers caution against selective breeding until more is known.

For now, salmiak cats are a reminder that feline genetics still has surprises left to reveal.

“New Year, New Me” sounds great until your cat decides to test gravity from the top of the bookshelf. This new year, be prepared for any way your cat tries to reinvent themselves.

With free accident and illness coverage included in the Nibbles pet rewards credit card, you can be ready for anything. You also get 3x rewards back at the vet and at pet stores, so you can make next year the best yet with extra treats and more cat towers in their future.

Get the card that every cat wants for all their acrobatics.

Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles card is issued by Lead Bank. Fees and T&C apply. Eligibility rules apply.

Thank you to Nibbles for sponsoring Daily Purr.

No matter how many cozy beds are available, cats always seem to choose whatever is currently in use. Laptops, books, phones, and papers become prime lounging spots the moment attention shifts away from them.

Warmth is part of the appeal. Devices, freshly handled items, and sunlit surfaces give off gentle heat that cats naturally seek out for comfort.

Scent plays an even bigger role. Objects in use smell like their favorite person, and sitting on them helps cats feel close while mixing their scent in for reassurance.

There’s also a social angle. When a cat plops down on something important, it’s often a polite interruption disguised as confidence. The message is simple: attention should be redirected.

This behavior isn’t stubbornness or spite. It’s comfort, bonding, and curiosity rolled into one fluffy obstacle, proof that in a cat’s world, shared space matters more than productivity.

From tiny teachers to road-trip twists, here’s what’s trending this week:

• ✋ Toddler successfully teaches an orange cat how to high-five

• 💵 How to be prepared for your cat’s vet bills this year

• 🧳 Cat goes missing during a road trip — then comes the unexpected call

If your cat’s resolutions include more chaos, a little backup helps. Nibbles includes free accident and illness coverage—just for having the card.

Get free pet insurance.

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. They can purr in both phases of breathing.

😸 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 favorite game for a surprise in your inbox!