• Daily Purr
  • Posts
  • 🐈 Your cat's litter box has something to say

🐈 Your cat's litter box has something to say

Friday 2/20: Sponsored by Whisker - litter habits, tough rescue, understand words

ā€œThe greatest compliment a cat gives is staying.ā€

Happy Friday:

True or False?

Play can reduce stress-related behaviors in cats.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Health Clues Hiding in the Litter Box

It may not be glamorous, but the litter box is one of the best health trackers in your home. Changes in your cat’s stool are often the first sign that something isn’t right.

Most healthy cats poop about once a day, though kittens may go more often and some seniors may occasionally skip a day. Diet, hydration, activity level, and medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease can all affect frequency.

Color and consistency matter. Normal stool should be dark brown and firm but not rock hard. Black, tarry stool can signal digested blood, while very light stool may point to liver or pancreatic concerns. Ongoing diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours, strong foul odor, or visible blood or mucus warrant a vet call.

Seeing small amounts of fur can be normal, but large clumps may suggest overgrooming. Rice-like pieces often indicate tapeworms. Even pooping outside the box can signal stress, litter box issues, or health changes.

Monitoring these details may feel tedious, but subtle shifts in stool often provide early clues that help protect long-term health.

A Smarter Litter Box for Modern Cat Parents

Choosing a litter box should be simple—and Litter-Robot makes it easy to get it right.

As the leading self-cleaning litter box brand, Litter-Robot is backed by more than 50,000 5-star reviews. Traditional litter boxes mean constant scooping, frequent cleaning, and lingering odors. Litter-Robot changes all of that by automatically handling waste for you.

After your cat leaves the globe, waste is sifted into a securely sealed drawer, helping control odors and minimize litter tracking. With the Whisker app, you can stay connected by tracking your cat’s activity, health trends, and knowing exactly when it’s time to empty the drawer.

Thank you to Whisker for sponsoring Daily Purr.

The Rescue Cat Born for Couches

When a long-haired black cat wandered into an Indianapolis cat colony, he wasn’t exactly welcoming. He kept his distance, ate quietly, and vanished the moment humans got too close. But over time, patience worked its magic.

The caretaker, Kelsey, showed up daily with food and calm energy. Slowly, the shy newcomer allowed a touch. Then he disappeared for four months without a trace—only to return transformed into a full-blown affection enthusiast who launched himself into her arms for pets.

Winter sealed the deal. After spotting icicles hanging from his chest fur during a snowstorm, Kelsey brought him inside. Olive protested the carrier, hid under a bed for hours, then reemerged to reclaim lap privileges like nothing had happened.

A vet visit revealed old scars and a healing bite wound beneath severe matting. After grooming, antibiotics, and a reset indoors, Olive leaned fully into domestic life. He now spends his days pressed against his person, watching television, tolerating the resident orange cat, and perfecting his signature move: full-body cuddle collapse.

Do Cats Actually Understand Us?

If you’ve ever called your cat and gotten a slow blink—or nothing at all—you’re not alone. Cats don’t understand language the way humans do, but research shows they do recognize certain sounds and patterns.

Studies have found that cats can distinguish their owner’s voice from strangers and often respond to their own name with subtle movements like ear flicks or head turns. In one study, fewer than 10% of cats actually approached when called, but many clearly reacted.

Experts estimate cats may recognize around 20 to 40 words, sometimes more. Still, it’s less about vocabulary and more about association. Cats link words with tone, body language, and outcomes like food or play.

That means how something is said matters more than what is said. A consistent, gentle tone paired with positive experiences helps cats learn patterns over time. Talking to them may not result in obedience, but it strengthens the bond—and they absolutely recognize the voice behind it.

Cat’s Corner

From silent communication to sky-high courage and closer connections, here’s what’s trending this week:

Final Purr

A litter box can say a lot about your cat’s health—if you’re able to track it. Litter-Robot automatically cleans after each use and connects to the Whisker app, where you can monitor activity and spot changes early. It’s a cleaner home for you—and clearer insights into your cat’s wellbeing.

Meet The Team

Daily Purr is brought to you with love from our cats. We hope they can brighten your day, just like they do ours. ā¤ļø

Love,

Olive, Milo, and Yasmine.

🐱 Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 True or False: True. Regular play lowers anxiety and destructive tendencies.

😸 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!

šŸ’Œ Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with if your cat loves to play for a surprise in your inbox!