Meet Poppy, the tail-chasing kitten named the cutest cat in Charlotte
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- Poppy, a six-month-old American Shorthair-Siamese mix, won the Observer’s cutest cat.
- Poppy chases her tail, vocalizes at the pantry for food and seeks constant affection.
- Poppy advances to McClatchy national Cutest Cat Contest, facing cats from 20 markets.
Poppy lives every day like it’s the best game ever, especially when that game involves chasing her own tail in circles and leaping in surprise when it surprises her back.
Tail chasing is the favorite hobby that the six-month-old American Shorthair/Siamese mix indulges in throughout the day, says her owner, Colleen Metz.
“Sometimes when she’s moving too fast, she’ll get spooked and jump a bit before resuming the chase,” Metz told the Observer.
Poppy’s playful antics and affectionate nature helped her earn the title of The Charlotte Observer’s Cutest Cat, but Metz would argue Poppy’s real superpower is communication. Come dinnertime, she becomes the household announcer.
“She’ll sit by the pantry door and meow-whine until she gets food,” Metz said. “We’re trying to buck the trend, but now that she knows the pantry is where the food is kept, anytime she hears the door open, she comes running.”
And when she’s not hungry, she’s asking for love.
Poppy murmurs to signal she’s ready for attention, rolling onto her back for the belly rubs she adores, Metz said. She follows her humans from room to room, nudging them for chin scratches, ear rubs or whatever affection they’re willing to hand out.
“She’s very vocal in the sweetest ways,” said Metz.
She is also a climber, Metz revealed, noting that Poppy’s not picky when it comes to choosing what to climb. Her past treks have included her cat tree, the top of her owners’ headboard or her humans’ shoulders, reached by scaling their shirts like a jungle gym.
But every queen needs a partner in play, and Poppy has Nova, her feline best friend. Together, they chase, tumble and sprint laps through the house, Metz said. On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
Poppy will move on to compete in McClatchy’s national Cutest Cat Contest, where she’ll face off against felines from nearly 20 markets across the country.
