12
An exclusive look at the magical world of cats FOREWORD Dr. Jill Villarreal Purina® Animal Behavior Scientist We know that cats experience the world through their senses. Those senses, and the things we as cat owners can do to ignite them, are what help enrich our feline friends’ lives, allowing them to experience adventure, discovery and play. But the question still remained: what do our cats do all day when we aren’t at home? Sure, we’ve made some assumptions. We arrive home and toys have been scattered across the living room floor. The water dish is mysteriously repositioned in the center of the floor. Traces of cat hair line the kitchen counter. But we wanted to know more. What specific activities and adventures do our cats enjoy each day when they are home alone? This knowledge can help us provide our cats with more sensory stimulation in their living environments to help them live a playful and active life. Fall 2009 Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats First, Friskies® brand cat food surveyed American cat owners and learned that they share the same curiosity about their cats’ lives. In fact, almost half of all cat owners say they wonder what their cat is doing when they are not home, and 71 percent of the cat owners said they think their cat is sleeping. To prove there is more to life than a cat nap, Friskies then conducted a first-of-its-kind feline focus group that allowed the cats themselves to show us what they do when we aren’t at home. We armed 50 roving “repurrters” with special cat cams – a digital camera attached to a cat collar – to capture a cat’s-eye view of their magical world. They wore the cat cams for one week whenever their owners left the home, capturing still photos every 15 minutes. This edition of the Scratchington Post takes a look at the findings of our observational “repurrter” focus group to help us better understand what cats do when we aren’t at home, and how we can improve our cats’ sensory experiences to help them live a playful, happy life. First-ever Cat Focus Group A CAT’S EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD

Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    2

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-1-

An exclusive look at the magical world of cats

FOREWORDDr. Jill Villarreal Purina® Animal Behavior Scientist

We know that cats experience the world through their senses. Those senses, and the things we as cat owners can do to ignite them, are what help enrich our feline friends’ lives, allowing them to experience adventure, discovery and play. But the question still remained: what do our cats do all day when we aren’t at home? Sure, we’ve made some assumptions. We arrive home and toys have been scattered across the living room floor. The water dish is mysteriously repositioned in the center of the floor. Traces of cat hair line the kitchen counter. But we wanted to know more. What specific activities and adventures do our cats enjoy each day when they are home alone? This knowledge can help us provide our cats with more sensory stimulation in their living environments to help them live a playful and active life.

Fall 2009

Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

First, Friskies® brand cat food surveyed American cat owners and learned that they share the same curiosity about their cats’ lives. In fact, almost half of all cat owners say they wonder what their cat is doing when they are not home, and 71 percent of the cat owners said they think their cat is sleeping. To prove there is more to life than a cat nap, Friskies then conducted a first-of-its-kind feline focus group that allowed the cats themselves to show us what they do when we aren’t at home. We armed 50 roving “repurrters” with special cat cams – a digital camera attached to a cat collar – to capture a cat’s-eye view of their magical world. They wore the cat cams for one week whenever their owners left the home, capturing still photos every 15 minutes.

This edition of the Scratchington Post takes a look at the findings of our observational “repurrter” focus group to help us better understand what cats do when we aren’t at home, and how we can improve our cats’ sensory experiences to help them live a playful, happy life.

First-ever Cat Focus Group

A CAT’S EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD

Page 2: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-2-

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Home & Garden

Food

Travel

Business & Politics

Arts & Entertainment

Sports

3

5

7

8

9

11

12

How Friskies Conducted the Feline Focus GroupFriskies® invited 50 cats to participate in the first-of-its-kind feline focus group, which did not use traditional quantitative research methodology but rather was observational in nature. To ensure full and balanced “repurrting,” the participants included indoor cats from various living situations around the United States, including cats that live in houses versus apartments and those that live with other pets versus only with humans.

For around-the-clock coverage, each cat wore a tiny digital camera on its collar. The “cat cams,” which were made specifically for cats, were automatically set to take pictures every 15 minutes. The cats’ owners then uploaded the 10 best photos that their cats took each day to a Friskies Flickr community page. To view all the pictures the feline “repurrters” took, visit www.flickr.com/groups/friskiescatcam.

Dr. Jill VillarrealPurina® Animal Behavior Scientist

Dr. Jill Villarreal is an animal behaviorist who received her doctorate in Biology, Behavior, and Neuroscience from Indiana University in 2006. During the pursuit of her doctorate degree, she also earned a minor in Developmental Psychology and a Certificate in Animal Behavior. For the past three years, Jill has been working at Nestlé® Purina® PetCare as a member of the Behavior Team. In this capacity, Jill designs educational programs about cat behavior and sensory development and creates new socialization, training,

and enrichment programs for cats and kittens. These programs result in incredibly friendly, happy cats. Her programs are science based but are conducted with love and compassion. She also enjoys training caregivers on how to interact with their cats to nurture a strong relationship built on knowledge, understanding, and trust.

Jill’s passion for pets extends beyond the workday. Jill is the Chair of the Animal Behavior Society’s Educational Film Committee, serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Saint Joseph Animal Control and Rescue Shelter, is a member of Missouri Western State University’s Animal Care and Use Committee, and teaches a course in Animal Behavior at Missouri Western State University. Through community service, she hopes to promote pet well-being by increasing the number of pets that find loving, caring homes and educating the community regarding animal care and welfare issues.

Using her cat behavior expertise, Jill analyzed all of the photos that the “repurrters” took in the Friskies feline focus group to determine what they revealed about the playful days and sensory experiences of cats when they are home alone. The findings of this first-of-its-kind observational study provided new insights into the lives of our feline friends.

Page 3: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-3-

A CAT’S EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD Let me welcome you to my world – the world of a cat. I am a sensory being, relying on constant mental and physical stimulation to keep me entertained throughout the day. This includes using my senses to satisfy my adventurous ways when you are not at home – whether it’s chasing dust bunnies, playing in the jungle (household plants to humans) or stalking the unsuspecting family dog. Without my heightened senses, life wouldn’t be nearly as much fun!

Here are some of my favorite tips to help you stimulate your cat’s senses:

SIGHT As cats, we have excellent night vision, which means we don’t need nightlights! We also have the ability to distinguish different colors – especially greenish yellows and blues. Keep this in mind when choosing my accessories, beds and toys. According to Dr. Villarreal, cats enjoy watching TV and computer monitors. “This is a modern age, even for cats. The color intensity contrasts, rapid movements, and sounds of TV and video programs stimulate the cat’s senses,” says Dr. Villarreal.

SOUND (Source: friskies.com) Sometimes you may think that I am hearing imaginary sounds, but they aren’t! Our ears contain five times as many muscles as a human’s do, allowing each ear to rotate 180 degrees and acts like a funnel. This helps us detect the origin of the faintest of sounds that our owners can’t even hear.

SMELL (Source: friskies.com) We truly live in a different world, complete with delicious and not-so delicious fragrances. In the magical world of a cat, where our sense of smell is fourteen times more acute than a human’s, we can smell almost everything. I love it when you hide Friskies kibbles around the house or in a treat ball when you’re not home – it’s a fun adventure to find them. We also associate your scent with companionship, so please leave

your t-shirt in my favorite sun spot – it offers a nice, cozy place to sleep.

TOUCH Dr. Villarreal says you can make our environment more tactilely pleasing by creating a jungle adventure. “Climbing on tall objects, jumping from place to place, hiding behind a planter to ambush a toy or playmate – these are the most physical forms of play,” she says. For a more relaxed experience, we love finding our favorite spot on a windowsill to sunbathe and get in tune with nature, fresh air, warmth, and the sounds of nature.

TASTE (Source: Friskies.com) Cats are carnivores and require a balanced diet with specific nutrients to keep all of our senses functioning at the highest levels. To truly satisfy our senses, choose a cat food brand known for its wide variety, like Friskies® brand cat food, which offers a complete line of more than 60 wet, dry and treat varieties that offer different tastes, textures and smells. Select a different menu every day and I’ll be a very happy cat!

THE SIXTH SENSE - play and companionship! Although “play” may not be an official sense, don’t

underestimate our need for social interaction. I may spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping, but that’s well-earned rest because I play hard when I’m awake. In my fellow repurrters’ photos, cats were often captured playing with their animal housemates – bunnies, dogs and, of course, other cats. Dr. Villarreal explains, “Cats attend to their sensory world and their relationships with other pets within the household help to ignite those senses, whether it’s relaxing or playing with their furry friends.”

Page 4: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-4-

The “Repurrters”Friskies would like to thank our very special “repurrters” and their owners for participating in this first-ever focus group. The photos that follow in the remaining sections of the Scratchington Post were taken by our 50 “repurrters.”

Amanda Hunter and Kona

Amy Anderson and Casper

Amy Mcallaster and Krazy

Angela Scaletta and Charlotte

Anne (Sharp) Panagiotides and Lizzy

John Southard and Sir Winston

Ashley Jones and Ahi

Ashton Williams and Mojo

Brian Reynolds and Tater

Brian Saghy and Parker

Chiara Ogan and Smudge

Chris Napolitano and Kai

Colleen Connor and Malaki

Debbie Raith and Pumpkin

Edward Sonnenschein and Awesome

Elizabeth Parker and Virgil

Ingrid Olson and Mia

Irina Nikolayeva and Smokie

James Lynn Kleinhans and Salem

Jan Purdy and Woody

Janice Morris and Baxter

Jennifer Yugo and Eddie

Jessica Balter and Gus

Jessica Flottum and Turkey

Josh Goldman and Mr. Worthington P. Whiskers

Josh Selinger and Stewie

Kate Switalski and Nutmeg

Kathryn Lasky and Ravioli

Katie Adauto and Lilli

Kha Vu and Meme

Lara Jensen and Phoebe

Laurie Cinotto and Charlene Butterbean

Lisa Fields and Percy

Lyn Thornton and Leo-Hector

Mary Claus and Elphaba

Mary Wilhite and Ebie

Monica Pontrelli and Fisher

Morgan Rhoad and Pirate

Paula Powers and Max

Kristyn Pomranz and Pushkin

Renee Redmond and Venus

Samantha De La Rosa and Charlie

Sara Wolcott and Kisa

Scott Baker and Wrigley

Shannon Carey and Buckeye

Susan Griffin and Lance

Terri Garraffa and Slinky

Anonymous from Pennsylvania

Anonymous from Florida

Anonymous from Ohio

Page 5: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-5-

HOME & GARDEN

Cats Living the High LifeWhether sitting on a window perch, leaping onto a countertop or finding their way to the top of a bookcase, one thing is certain: cats enjoy high places. Purina® animal behavior scientist Dr. Jill Villarreal helps cat owners understand why their feline friends prefer the “High Life.”

Q: What is it about high places that appeals to cats?

A: Cats love to climb. From up high, they can actively survey their environment – taking in all of their surroundings or enjoying a relaxing cat nap.

Q: What can be done in the home to create safe elevated spots for cats?

A: Providing safe, elevated perches and climbing surfaces allows cats to fully exercise muscles and maintain agility. If you have multiple cats in the house, having several vertical spaces allows each cat to find his own preferred spot when he wants some “me time” or to share with a furry friend when they want some “snuggle time.”

Q: How can cat owners create safe, appropriate climbing surfaces for their cats?

A: A catwalk can easily be built using 2 x 4 boards and you can add as many cat walks as you want to your room. You can also cover a corrugated tube with sisal and attach it to a solid base to create a fun climbing pole for your cat.”

Condo LivingOur Friskies® repurrters uncovered a growing trend in cat society – the second home. While many cats find their main residence to be full of many of life’s necessities, including designated dining areas, cushy couches, and baskets of toys, others splurge for a little added luxury with a Kitty Condo. Cats love a space to call their own and a place where they can exercise their natural clawing instinct in a healthy way. “Our repurrters’ photos revealed that the best place to put a kitty condo is in a sunny spot, preferably by a window. The warmth of the sun and the beautiful views of the local landscape make for pure kitty nirvana,” said Dr. Villarreal.

I’Z NOT COMING DOWN TILL U GIVE BACK DOG.

Features to look for in a Kitty Condo1) Sturdiness. Be sure the base lays level on the ground and is

proportionate with the height of the tower.

2) Multiple Levels. Most cats enjoy climbing so having a few levels will satisfy your cat’s desire to venture on up.

3) Playtime Accessories. Built-in scratching posts and dangling toys appeal to the cats’ senses and encourage spontaneous play.

4) Sleeping Rooms and Compartments. After a day of play, nothing says bliss like curling up in a tunnel. Does Friskies® deliver?

MONORAIL CAT GARAGE

A Room with a ViewWhich Friskies® “repurrter” has the best view from his window?

Page 6: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-6-

HOME & GARDEN

Designing for the Senses Because cats love to explore their sensory world, they appreciate all of the sounds, sights, smells and tastes that are part of their home. Dr. Villarreal reports what some of the roving “repurrters” had to say:

• Lizzy: I enjoy fine art far more than my owners do. My owners seem to pass artwork by on a daily basis without truly appreciating the finer details. In my spare time, I sit and ponder the colors, the textures and images that hang on our walls. Dr. Villarreal: Did you know that the cat’s eyes have a membrane called the tapetum lucidum? The tapetum lucidum reflects light that passes through the retina back into the eye, thus allowing the cat to see very dim light.

• Charlene Butterbean: Don’t close the blinds, curtains or drapes. The outdoor views intrigue us, and we get some glorious sun spots to bask in throughout the day. Dr. Villarreal: Just like it does for us, sunbathing provides cats with warmth and may elevate mood. No wonder it is a favorite pastime for cats.

• Leo-Hector: Keep sinks and tubs clean. I enjoy jumping around and playing with my favorite ball…then once I am worn out, I usually fall asleep in the tub or the bathroom sink. Dr. Villarreal: Sinks and tubs also appear frequently in the photos the cats took. The coolness of the sink and tub provide a fun thermal contrast for cats. A cool sink may be the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer day. The droplets of water we leave behind in the sink and tub may be appealing to cats. Some cats will use their paw as a sponge to soak up and taste the water droplets.

Purrspectives: A cats-eye view of home decorCats are particularly attuned to color intensity contrasts and patterns, making stair balusters and railings especially appealing. Stair balusters and railings become even more interesting for cats as the sunlight shifts, causing new patterns to form through the rails,” commented Dr. Villarreal.

Who Invented the Cat Door Flap?A. Sir Isaac Newton B. Bob Vila C. Albert Einstein D. Benjamin Franklin

Answer: Sir Isaac Newton

DIY for C-A-TSometimes “cats” and “crafts” can go together – whether it’s a cat on your lap when you’re knitting or a craft you’re actually making for your feline friend. Following are some fun and safe homemade gifts for your catpanion. (Source: Friskies blog)

• Make your own Cat Mansion. Martha Stewart loves cats too, and she’s offering DIYers directions on how to construct a cool Cat Playhouse. Made by combining three cardboard boxes with a little love and elbow grease, this cat playhouse is the ultimate in feline fun. And it’s easy on the eyes too! Visit www.marthastewart.com/how-to/cardboard-cat-playhouse.

• Make tunnels out of paper bags. Cats love to explore tunnels. Cut the bottoms on several paper bags. Roll a cuff on each end to prevent collapsing, and then tape the bags together. If you make a long tunnel, cut out some extra escape holes midway through. This is important in multiple cat environments so no one ever feels trapped.

• Boxes can be great toys. With large boxes, create tunnels, beds, and hideaways. With small boxes, create puzzle feeders and games. Cut a few paw-size holes in the box, tape the opening closed, and place pieces of dry Friskies kibble in there. Kitty will enjoy searching and discovering the food treats.

Page 7: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-7-

Feed the Senses Taste is but one of the cat’s five senses, but a very important one at that. And, when it comes to food that excites your cat, Friskies® brand cat food is dedicated to providing the ultimate sensory experience. The Friskies team understands flavor profiles cats love, aromas that entice and fun shapes and textures that appeal to the feline palate. From wet food in cans or pouches to dry food and treats, every Friskies option is specially created to thrill your cat and unlock a magical world of sensory delights.

Friskies offers six varieties of dry cat food to meet multiple taste preferences, as well as lifestyle and special dietary needs. And, mealtime is always fun with Friskies’ full line of over 50 wet cat food varieties that offer different daily menu selections.

How else can you max out your cat’s mealtime sensory delight? Following are a few tips from your friends at Friskies:• Keepfoodandwaterbowlsclean,aswellastheareaaround

the bowls.• Putfoodbowlsinalow-trafficarea,whereyourcatcanrelax

and savor the food.• Mixitup!Catslovevariety,sobesureyourotateflavorsand

textures (that’s why Friskies offers Meaty Bits, Prime Filets, Shreds and traditional Loaf-style wet foods and multiple crunchy shapes in its dry varieties).

• KeepafewpackagesofFriskiesPartyMixhandywhereyouand your cat hang out – maybe the bed side table, TV room or office area, so you can surprise your cat with a tasty treat on a whim!

• Whenleavingyourcatalone,hideafewtreatsinhisfavoriteareas of the house for tasty surprises while you’re not home.

FUN WITH FOOD “The aromas, colors, and textures of Friskies® brand cat food captured the attention of many of our repurrters,” observed Purina® animal behavior scientist Dr. Jill Villarreal. “To prevent kitties from helping themselves to the whole bag and to keep their minds active when you’re out of the house, put some Friskies dry kibble in a treat ball that has holes in it. As the cat rolls the ball around the floor, a few kibbles will fall out as a reward. This keeps kitty minds and bodies active while you’re away.”

Setting the TableHere we have a handy rimmed placemat with a festive and colorful food bowl sitting on a cool tile floor, perhaps in a kitchen.

FOOD

Silly Wabbit!The family rabbit is tempted by this cat’s personal café, accented with cozy carpeting and his favorite Friskies Indoor Delights.

Double Delight A neat plate for wet food and what appears to be a bottomless kibble dispenser!

Dr. Villarreal’s Observations of Cats’ Top Spots for a Great MealThe Friskies® repurrters submitted photos capturing unique views of their top dining spots when their owners aren’t at home. While top spots for feline feasts vary from household to household, one thing remains constant: cats know where to go when they crave a delicious, mouth-watering meal!

 

SECUND BOWL FOR ME, RITE?

Page 8: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-8-

TRAVEL

Tips on Staycations for the SensesForget packing your cat’s bags. According to Dr. Villarreal, you can help them enjoy the ultimate “staycation” by igniting sensory experiences around the home. This year, many cats can take after their owners and opt for playful adventures and places to explore right in their very own home! And you don’t even have to pack the litter box!

1) Enjoy a Good Book: Our cat “repurrters” showed us they’re fans of the classics. For relaxation, cats can stare with fascination at the home’s volumes and curiously ponder the mystical human behavior called ‘reading.’ Keep plenty of colorful books shelved in your home to help nurture your feline librarian.

2) Spa Day: Many cat “repurrters” spent time in human grooming areas, like the bathroom. Give your cat the VIP spa treatment and groom him from head to toe, spending extra time on belly rubs and massages. See if your cat will return the favor by “making biscuits” with his/her paws on your back or shoulders!

3) X-Treme Sports for Cats: Cats thrive on the adventures you can create for them in their home, and nothing says adventure like a game of cat-and-mouse, hide-and-go-seek or kick- the-toy

4) Class Reunions: Help your cats get reacquainted with their animal friends and family members. The Friskies “repurrters” often took photos of their four-legged housemates, as well as their scratching posts where they leave special markings for their friends. For a cat, a scratching post is like our message board on the refrigerator, so keep plenty on hand.

5) A Day at the Theatre: Although a cat’s eyes do not have full color vision, they can perceive some hues especially in the greenish-yellow and blue range like those shown here on the TV screen. Cats are keenly observant of moving objects in 2 or 3D. Many cat owners report their cats love to watch the movement on TV and computer monitor screens.

Adventures of a Jungle SafariYour house may seem calm and serene to you, but it can be an exotic jungle adventure for your cat. Dr. Villarreal observes that these photos show how rich and complex the home really is from a cat’s eye view. The “repurrters” captured images of how they play and explore in their “jungle” habitat. They may hide behind plants or planters as they stalk their pretend prey, pouncing out at just the right moment. Cats may also sample the plants and grasses in their home, so it’s important to have only non-toxic plants.

DON’T WORRY BUNNEH, I GETS U OUT!

Page 9: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-9-

Cats Befriend Dogs; Pigs Still Unable to FlyDespite myths suggesting that cats and dogs mix about as well as oil and water, new evidence from the first-of-its-kind Friskies® feline focus group suggests that they are, in fact, the best of friends. Friskies “repurrters” went undercover to provide us with a glimpse of the cats’ magical world, and the photos they snapped indicate that their family canine counterparts play a big role in their playful lives.

“It’s only natural that cats and dogs raised together would get along when living together,” says Dr. Villarreal. “Cats love to explore and discover the world around them, and their relationships with other pets within the household help ignite their senses, unlocking a new dimension of a cat’s playful world.”

Is this a sign of the breaking down of animals’ social barriers? Mice disagree.

BUSINESS & POLITICS

Sleeping

Eating

Bird watching

Looking out the window

71%

52%

47%

47%

When I’m not at home, I suspect my cat is ...

By the NumbersTo answer the age-old question, “what does my cat do while I am not at home,” Friskies® enlisted 50 feline “repurrters” to wear cat cams on their collars when their owners were away. The cat cams snapped photos every 15 minutes to provide a cat’s-eye view of their magical world. Here are the results of this first-of-its-kind focus group, which revealed new insights into the lives of our cats.

Looking out windows: 21.6%

With other animals: 11.8%

Playing with toys: 5%

Eating, looking at food: 4%

Sleeping: 6.1%

Looking at TV, computer, books, DVDs (any media): 6.1%

Hiding under table: 6.3%

In the sink/tub: 1.7%

Climbing (on chairs, kitty condos): 7%

In the bedroom: 8.1%

In the bathroom: 3.1%

In the kitchen/dining room: 9.9%

In the living room: 12.7%

In the home office: 5.2%

BAD DECISHUN IN 3 … 2 … 1 …154

36

44

45

50

22

91

84

29

44

12

58

71

37

U BLINKED.

Page 10: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-10-

BUSINESS & POLITICS

Cats Daylight as Entrepurrneurs

It seems that as the stock market gains and wanes,

humans aren’t the only species taking notice. Friskies®

“repurrters” showed us that they, too, take a keen

interest in the ups and downs of the market … but for

different reasons.

“We received several photos of our

‘repurrters’ viewing stock analyses

on their owners’ computer screens,”

said Dr. Villarreal. “But it’s more

likely the colors and shapes of

the monitor screen – the sensory

input – that caught the

attention of cats.”

DIS NOT MEAN WE CUTTING BACK ON NOMS, RITE?

I LUV MY FRISKIES.

In addition to being stock market explorers, cats also

seem to take a shine to the business world based

on the spaces they occupy when their

owners aren’t home. Home offices, computer desks

and newspapers are just a

few of cats’ favorite “work

places,” as revealed by the

Friskies “repurrters.”

Page 11: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-11-

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Art AppreciationAre felines finicky when it comes to art? It would appear not. Anything can capture their attention – from cat figurines on a bookcase to photos hung on the wall to a framed poster propped on the floor.

When choosing art to stimulate your cat’s senses, consider that cats can see some colors, especially greenish-yellows and blues. In addition, cats seem to be drawn to certain subject matters, including birds and other cats. Perhaps this is art imitating life, as cat owners are more likely to have cat-centric art in their homes. Either way, our feline “repurrters” seem to appreciate it.

So remember, whether it’s a poster, painting, photograph or objet d’art, cats appreciate a little Clawed Monet around the house.

Cats on Books. Dr. Villarreal on Cats. Humans may not consider cats to be enthusiastic readers. However, the Friskies® “repurrters” show that cats have a high level of interest in reading materials. Newspapers, books and magazines all made a showing in their observations.

Conversely, there could be more to this than meets the eye (or cat cam). While we are not dismissing the possibility that cats get some sort of stimulation from seeing written words on a page, there’s the likelihood that the draw is actually in the page itself.

You be the judge. Was Turkey reading the morning newspaper or enjoying the smooth surface of newsprint for his nap? Was Smudge pondering the bookcases in search of a good book or considering his next playtime perch? And while Bertie stared at a pile of hardbacks – thinking he needed to get serious about his reading or contemplating how much air he could gain by using the stack as a launch pad – there’s clearly no question that Lizzy was actually reading her bag of Friskies®.

Maybe cats are pondering bookcases rather than the actual books, but the evidence is clear that cats love reading material around the house. Because, of course, cats can’t read…right?

Top 10 Cat Names (Source: friskies.com)

Here kitty, kitty . . .

Compiled below is a list of the most popular Friskies Explorers Club cat names (www.friskies.com) to see how it compares to the national favorites. Check and see if your cat’s name made either of the lists:

Friskies Explorers Club Top 101. Tiger2. Kitty3. Smokey*4. Tigger*5. Baby6. Shadow*7. Oreo*8. Princess*9. Midnight10. Lucky

National Top 10** 1. Lucy2. Molly3. Oreo*4. Kittens 5. Smokey*6. Princess*7. Shadow*8. Tigger*9. Angel10. Missy

*Names that made both Top 10 lists

**A survey done by PetFinder.com in 2008

While the lists are slightly different, five of the ten names — Smokey, Tigger, Shadow, Oreo and Princess — are on both.

Celebrity SightingsRepurrter Leo-Hector is our resident member of the Feline Paparazzi. Check out who he captured in his daily at-home adventures.

Leo-Hector finds out what

Jon Gosselin is up to this week while watching

Larry King Live.

Leo-Hector also loves to

look at photos of his owner hobnobbing with Hollywood

bigwigs.

Page 12: Friskies Uncovers the Magical World of Cats

-12-

SPORTS

TonedBy: Beesly the Cat Ladies, I know many of you think I was born this good lookin’, but this bod of mine came from many hours of hard work, dedication and deep concentration. So if you want to maximize your optimum pouncing power, follow these tips to svelte success:

• Don’tforgetthatwecansprintupto30mph!Whilealternating speeds, run up and down the stairs at least three times a day. Your calves will love you.

• Lungesworktheinnerandouterthighs,butwhenyoucanjump five times your height, you really focus on the gluteus maximus. Lunge forward, followed by a jump. Do 15 reps twice a day.

If this regimen is too much to handle, that’s understandable. So let our “repurrters” show you how they turn playtime into a calorie-burning workout.

Fantasy Football Recruits 1. Smokey — Lineman

2. Gus — Wide Receiver

3. Guinness — Kicker

Fun “Repurrter” ActivitiesIn its first-of-its-kind feline focus group, Friskies® received more than 700 photos from the 50 roving “repurrters.” Dr. Villarreal shares some of the cats’ favorite activities as documented by the Friskies® cat cams.

1. Being the King of the Castle

2. Playing Hide-and-Seek

3. Primping

Climbing. Bonus: Breathtaking views from up high!

Soccer (or football for some of you).

Dog Limbo.