Fur Real Bond: A third of cat owners says cats are easier to understand than humans

A new immersive London pop-up by WHISKAS® puts this to the test and invites visitors to experience Purradise™ to see the world through a cat’s eyes and explore the unique personalities that make each feline unforgettable.

Today, to celebrate International Cat Day, WHISKAS®, part of the Mars Inc. family of brands, is launching Purradise™, a first-of-its-kind immersive experience for cat owners and lovers to step into the world of their feline companions.

New research by Whiskas reveals that two thirds (65%) of cat owners feel their friends and family don’t fully “get” the bond they have with their cat, and four in ten (41%) value their cat more than people. WHISKAS® has created Purradise™ to celebrate the misunderstood magic of the human-cat connection.

Taking over central London for one day only, the exclusive pop-up will play host to six interactive zones representing the six lands of Purradise™, their associated feline personality and their recommended WHISKAS® product. From playing scent-sational games that mimic how cats use their extraordinary sense of smell in Aroma Island to a relaxing massage from specialised therapists in Pamper Plains andsweet treats at Gravy Lake, each land is a vibrant world that captures the essence of ultimate cat satisfaction.

Guests at the pop-up can win exciting purrizes from WHISKAS® treats to other cat-tastic must-haves by taking part in fun challenges and interactive activities. Cat parents (and lovers alike) can also take part in a Purrsonality Quiz, created in partnership with Waltham Petcare Science Institute, to find out all about their furry friend’s character and interests.

“The ‘purr’ is a tell-tale sign of cat enjoyment and happiness,” says Dr Tammie King, Cat Behaviourist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute – the Mars science centre for petcare. “Every cat is unique, different things make different cats happy. That’s why we created our Purrsonality Quiz – to better help cat parents discover what truly makes their furry friends tick. From the Inquisitive Cat to a Pampered Cat, we wanted to highlight the breadth of personality traits cats have and celebrate this with fellow feline parents.”

In a world where over a third (35%) of cat owners say cats are easier to understand than humans, pet parents now go to new lengths to satisfy and show their love for their cats. Beyond finding the purrfect match for their cat’s dinner time in the WHISKAS® range, research shows that  nearly half (49%) of cat owners have gone as far as buying personal furniture, even including a throne and a heated sofa for their pet.

“Nearly one in five (18%) of UK cat owners believe their cat is their reason for being – a powerful reminder of just how profound the human-cat bond can be,” said Annie Argyle, European Brand Director at WHISKAS®. “We know the relationship between cats and their humans is deeply personal and often misunderstood by others. That’s why we’re bringing Purradise™ to life this International Cat Day – so that we can offer a space where cat lovers can fully immerse themselves in a cat-centric world & gain insights into their cat’s instincts & personality. We hope this will help them to understand what makes their bond with their cat so special and even how they could strengthen it further.”

This event is completely FREE, but spaces are limited, so guarantee yours by booking ahead via the Whiskas popup.eventbrite.co.uk.