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Grandma with curly grey hair and glasses rakes autumn leaves as a fluffy orange cat leaps into the pile beside her. 9 / 27

Opal Was Almost Done Raking the Leaves. Then Butterscotch Spotted the Pile.

AI imageorange longhair catautumn leavesfront yard

Opal has nearly finished raking the front walk, and the leaves are piled thick and crunchy in shades of rust, gold, and brown. That's when Butterscotch makes his move. The big orange longhair springs into the pile with his front paws stretched forward and his plumed tail flying high behind him, eyes locked on some imaginary prey beneath the leaves. Opal pauses mid-rake in her green cardigan and jeans, looking over her glasses at him with a wide, affectionate grin. Rubber boots, a blue bucket, a tote bag, and potted succulents sit by the porch steps, and a bicycle leans against the house.

Leaf piles bring out a cat's inner hunter. The rustling sounds and hidden spaces mimic the cover small prey would use, so pouncing into leaves is a natural way to play. It's good exercise, too. A few things to watch for: leaf piles can hide sharp sticks, insects, and the occasional surprised critter, and damp, moldy leaves aren't something you want a cat chewing. Ticks can lurk in leaf litter as well, so a quick check through a long coat afterward is wise, especially around the neck, ears, and armpits. If your cat spends time outdoors, ask your vet about parasite prevention.

Opal will be raking this pile again in a minute, and Butterscotch will no doubt be waiting to ambush it. Fall chores are a lot more fun with a ginger leaf monster around.

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