90 articles
T.J. Banks is the author of several books, including Catsong, which received a Merial Human–Animal Bond Award. A contributing editor to laJoie, T.J. also has received writing awards from the Cat Writers’ Association (most recently a Certificate of Excellence in 2019), as well as from ByLine and The Writing Self. Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including Chicken Soup for the Single Parent’s Soul and A Cup of Comfort for Women in Love, and T.J. has worked as a stringer for the Associated Press, as an instructor for the Writer’s Digest School and as a columnist.
We ranked the 6 best cat toys of 2026 by play style, safety, and budget tier, from an $8.79 ball track to a 72-inch cat tree, plus wand, kitten, catnip, tunnel, laser, and puzzle toy advice for bored indoor cats.
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Interactive cat toys deliver mental stimulation, healthy weight management, and calmer behavior. Learn how long play sessions should run and how to match a toy to your cat's hunting play style.
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White cats have many fascinating myths and legends associated with them. They symbolize rebirth, happiness, prosperity, healing and more.
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Are male or female cats more affectionate? A working look at what the research supports, the six behaviors that actually signal feline affection, the coat color confound almost nobody mentions, and why neutering matters more than sex.
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Learning how to introduce a kitten to a cat takes patience, scent swaps, safe rooms, supervised meetings, and clear warning signs. This step-by-step refresh helps your adult cat accept a new kitten while keeping both cats safe.
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Do cats know when another cat is dying or sick? Yes, and their reactions can surprise you. Learn how cats sense illness and death in other felines through scent and behavior, why some comfort and others withdraw, and how to support a grieving cat.
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Cat separation anxiety is a real behavioral condition affecting social cats. Unlike dogs, cats often show signs only during longer absences. Learn the warning signs, causes, and how to help your anxious cat.
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A caracat is a hybrid of a wild caracal and a domestic cat that can top 25 pounds. Learn caracat size, price by F-generation, legality, temperament, and whether this exotic cat makes a good pet.
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There is no perfect cat. Compare the pros and cons of 11 popular cat breeds plus mixed-breed cats by temperament, grooming, activity and health to find the right match for your home.
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Some cats bond deeply with just one human. Here's the science, the signs, the breed traits, and the behaviors behind one-person cats.
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Does your cat hiss, hide, or act out when you give attention to others? Learn the real signs of a jealous cat, why it happens, and vet-backed tips to fix it fast.
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Most kittens learn the litter box in about a week. Here's the box, litter, and step-by-step plan that works, plus when accidents mean it's time to call the vet.
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