Happy Friday:

• 💧Why does my cat touch their water?

• 🇷🇺 The connection between cats and Russia

• 😸 How busy cat parents can get a degree

• 🐈 What’s really going on with catnip

True or False?

Cats can only see in black and white.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

If you’ve ever spotted your cat dipping a paw into their water bowl before drinking, you’re not alone. Many cats use this quirky habit, and the reasons are more instinct than accident.

Experts say paw-dipping often comes from a preference for moving water. In the wild, running water was safer than still pools, so swiping at water could be a way to “test” it. It’s also why some cats are drawn to faucets, fountains, or even tipping over your glass.

For others, it’s just fun. Cats are curious by nature, and a paw in the bowl turns water into a mini game. Some even lick droplets off their paw like a personal straw.

If the behavior doesn’t make a mess, it’s fine to let them enjoy it. A cat fountain or shallow tray can give them a safe outlet. Just supervise water play and skip anything that could be risky, like deep tubs.

Cats have been a fixture in Russia for over a thousand years, first arriving in 989 with a Byzantine princess. By medieval times, they were so valued that killing one carried steep fines. Monasteries and homes welcomed them as guardians against rodents, and their reputation only grew.

Russian rulers also embraced cats. Peter the Great required citizens to keep them, while Empress Elizabeth brought thirty expert mousers to protect the Winter Palace. Catherine the Great tolerated them in royal halls as protectors of priceless art, and their descendants still roam the Hermitage Museum today.

That royal tradition lives on in modern ways, too. St. Petersburg is home to the “Republic of Cats,” Europe’s largest cat café, where around 60 resident cats (including some retired Hermitage mousers) live, play, and meet visitors who can adopt them.

From medieval laws to imperial palaces to bustling cafés, cats have remained at the heart of Russian culture as symbols of both practicality and affection.

Liberty University ensures you have options for earning your degree. With over 600 online programs, Liberty offers you the tools you need to advance your education.

Enrollment is simple! Liberty offers assistance through every step of the admission, enrollment, and financial aid processes. And with no standardized tests or entrance exams for most programs, becoming a Liberty student is more attainable than ever! Transferring in? Students can transfer credits for up to 75% of an undergraduate degree or up to 50% of a graduate or doctoral degree. Through the Experience Plus program, you can also earn credit for qualified life experience, job experience, and military training.

Find your calling at Liberty University.

Thank you to Liberty University for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Catnip has a reputation for sending cats into playful frenzies, but what actually happens is all thanks to nepetalactone, an oil found in the plant’s leaves and stems. When sniffed or chewed, it stimulates the brain and can trigger rolling, zooming, or even mellow relaxation that lasts about 15 minutes.

Interestingly, not every cat reacts. Kittens don’t respond at all. Their scent-processing organ isn’t developed until adulthood. And while most adult cats either become playful or calm, each one reacts differently. Even lions and tigers have been shown to enjoy catnip.

Eaten in small amounts, catnip can be soothing, while sniffing usually sparks more active play. Just don’t overdo it. Too much can lead to an upset stomach.

For most cats, catnip is a safe, fun way to mix up playtime, whether that means zoomies or a blissful nap.

From festive beds to mystical names, here’s what’s trending this week:

• 🎃 Where to find pumpkin-themed cat beds that are perfect for fall coziness

• 🏠 Cat sneaks into a neighbor’s house and makes himself at home

• 🌌 Mystical and celestial cat names that are truly out of this world

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: False. They see limited colors, mainly blues and yellows.

😸 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 unique habit for a surprise in your inbox!