Whiskerito

Cat lovers around the world have long admired the elegant felines that originated in Thailand, but 2025 marked a historic milestone for these remarkable breeds. In late 2025, Thailand officially recognized five native cat breeds as national symbols: the Suphalak, Korat, Wichien Maat (Siamese), Konja, and Khao Manee. This momentous decision celebrates centuries of cultural heritage and acknowledges the special place these cats hold in Thai history and hearts.

For a country with such deep connections to feline companions, this recognition feels like coming full circle. These aren’t just cats. They’re living links to ancient manuscripts, royal courts, and traditional beliefs that have shaped Thai culture for generations.

Continue reading Thailand’s Treasured Cats: Five Ancient Breeds Earn National Symbol Status

A camera trap deep in southern Thailand has captured something remarkable. A small, nocturnal wildcat with distinctive flattened features stares into the lens, proof that a species written off as locally extinct still prowls the region’s vanishing wetlands. The flat-headed cat, unseen in Thailand since 1995, has reappeared in the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary, offering both jubilation and urgent concern for conservationists.

Continue reading Flat-Headed Cat Stuns Scientists: Thought Extinct in Thailand, It Returns from the Shadows

Curled up on sofas across the English-speaking world, millions of cats purr contentedly in homes where they are cherished family members. Yet in laboratories across the United States, Europe, and beyond, thousands of cats live dramatically different lives. These animals endure invasive procedures, painful experiments, and often premature death, all in the name of scientific research that increasingly appears both ethically indefensible and scientifically questionable.​

In 2023 alone, more than 13,000 cats were used in experiments across the United States, with disturbingly, 51% more cats subjected to painful procedures without pain relief compared to the previous year. In Germany, 538 cats endured laboratory experiments in 2022. These numbers, while significant, represent only reported cases from countries with tracking systems. The true global figure remains unknown, hidden behind laboratory doors and incomplete regulatory frameworks.​

Continue reading Behind Closed Doors: The Hidden Reality of Cats in Research Laboratories

You call your cat’s name from across the room. She flicks an ear in your direction, maybe glances up for half a second, then returns to the infinitely more interesting task of staring at a wall. Meanwhile, your friend’s golden retriever practically somersaults when hearing his name. Does your cat actually know what you’re saying, or is she just incredibly committed to ignoring you?

The short answer is yes, cats do recognize their names. But as with most things feline, the full story is delightfully more complicated than a simple yes or no.

Continue reading Do Cats Know Their Names? The Science Behind Your Feline’s Selective Hearing

Every cat parent has experienced that moment when their purring companion suddenly transforms from a contented cuddle buddy into a bundle of claws and teeth. Or perhaps you’ve watched your kitten grow from a fearless explorer into an adult cat who hides whenever the doorbell rings. These behaviors aren’t random quirks or signs of a difficult personality. They’re deeply rooted in your cat’s early experiences and natural instincts, shaped by critical developmental windows that occur long before most of us bring our feline friends home.

Understanding the forces that shape feline behavior can transform your relationship with your cat. It helps explain why some cats melt into your arms while others prefer admiring you from across the room, why a gentle stroke can sometimes end in a nip, and how to recognize when your cat is truly enjoying your attention versus merely tolerating it. This knowledge isn’t just academically interesting. It’s practical wisdom that can prevent misunderstandings, reduce stress for both you and your cat, and deepen the bond you share with your whiskered companion.

Continue reading Understanding Your Cat’s Social World: From Kitten Cuddles to Adult Boundaries