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All About Cats
Type
Warm blooded feline- carnivorous mammal domesticated as a catcher of rats and mice and as a pet. (Felis catus )
Temperament
The domestic cat is a very intelligent, very independent animal. They only do what they feel like doing, when they feel like doing it. They will not hesitate to demand whatever they want, be it food, play, or to be left alone. Cats have different personalities. Some are the quiet type, while some meow all the time, some are fussy and very selective about food and people and some will eat anything and want attention from every person. Some like to be held and to sit on laps and some are loners and do not want much to do with people. When a cat wants to get your attention it will either endlessly meow at you, rub against your leg or follow you around. Some cats are smarter than others. Some really seem to be paying attention to the world around them. Watching, listening and taking in all that is going on as if to really understand it all. Some outdoor cats have even been known to look both ways before crossing the street. Cats are capable of all kinds of intelligent and sometimes surprising behavior. Some cats enjoy watching TV and even listening to the radio. You can tell if your cat is relaxed by lifting them up, a relaxed cat is loose and light, and a scared cat is tight and heavy. Some may even learn to do tricks, just like dogs! Cats like to take many short naps during the day, hence the expression 'Cat Nap'. Where they choose to sleep varies with their personality. Some like to sleep in places like high cupboards, secluded and out of the way, while others like to be right amongst all the action. Some like soft warm places, others like sunny nooks and crannies. Cats have a tendency to sharpen their claws and they may do this in places you do not wish them to do so i.e. the couch. Giving the cat a place where he can sharpen his claws such as a scratching post and keeping the claws cut short are recommended. Giving your cat a scratching post covered in carpet is not always the best idea as it will be teaching your cat that scratching fabric is ok i.e. your couch. Instead the scratching post should be sisal rope or carpet turned inside out. With some effort, cats can be taught that the scratching post is the designated scratching area. Some choose to declaw their cats. Declawing a cat is the surgical removal of the cats toenail, however this is very painful for the cat as a cats claw is actually a movable digit attached to muscle as a finger might be. It has strong ligaments and tendons which give power to extend and retract the claws. A declawed cat can no longer properly grasp, hold or establish footing for proper walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching, and therefore should never be let outside of the house. It will no longer be able to properly defend itself or climb a tree to get away from predators.
Spaying and Neutering
Besides the fact that there is a great over population of cats with out homes, there are many other good reasons why to get your cat spayed or neutered. Unaltered males (and sometimes females) cats may start to spray their urine around your house to mark their territory. The intact cat's urine is especially foul-smelling and can never be completely cleaned from things such as carpet, upholstery, bedding or wood. Females in heat will howl, pace and may soil in the house. This can last up to 21 days and occur three or more times a year. While a female cat is in heat, male cats looking for romance will howl outside your door. Unaltered cats have an urge to roam far from the house looking for a mate and may travel great distances in search of a mate, risking dangers from cars, cat fights and possibly upsetting neighbors. Spayed and neutered cats are more likely to be calmer, healthier, and more content. Studies show that spayed and neutered cats have average life expectancies twice as long as those of unspayed and unneutered cats.
Size
Varies depending on the breed
For adults:
About 6 - 15 pounds (2.7 to 7 kilograms)
Some cats weigh more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms).
About 8-10 inches (20-25 cm.) tall at the shoulder.
Living Conditions
Cats can live solely indoors, indoors and outdoors, or solely outdoors. Cats who are kept solely outdoors need to have some sort of shelter provided, such as a barn. Cats are one of the essential elements on a working farm. They control the rodent population keeping them out of the feed. One farmer reports that he had a rat in every stall of his barn until he brought cats into his establishment. Since then he has not seen a single rat. Cats cannot be kept in cages such as rabbit hutches, they must live inside your home or free outside. A cat will go crazy if confined to a small cage for a long period of time. If you plan to keep your cat outdoors first consider the area you live, some areas are not safe for a cat to live outdoors. A cat is a good pet for apartment life.
Clean-up
Indoor cats need to have a litter box provided where they can eliminate. Litter boxes need to be scooped daily and thoroughly changed and cleaned at least twice a week. Cats do not like to eliminate in dirty places, therefore, if you do not keep the litter box clean to your cats liking, your cat will find other places to go. This will most likely not be a place of your choice!
Grooming
Cats are very clean animals. In general they will take care of their own grooming needs, grooming themselves with their rough tongue. Some long haired cats may need to be brushed. A cat who suddenly stops grooming themselves may be showing signs of illness and should be taken to the vet for a check up. Cats whiskers should never be cut as they are used for balance; their tail is also used for balance.
Feeding
Cats, unlike dogs, are true carnivores which means they thrive on meat only diets and require no vegetable, grain, or dairy supplementation. Cats can be fed high protein dry or can food made just for cats. While can food is tastier for the cat, dry food is better for their teeth. Some like to feed a combination of dry and canned. Be sure to pick a high quality food, with the main ingredient being a meat and not a meal or bi-product. Cats are hunters and need meat to be healthy. They have a higher protein requirement than many other mammals and are unable to adjust to a low protein diet and will use body protein to satisfy their needs. There are many other nutrients and amino acids found in meat that cats need to be healthy. Contrary to popular belief, cows milk is not good for cats. The proteins in cow milk are too large for cats to properly digest which can cause intestinal upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. If fed dry food, cats can either be fed by free-choice feedings or scheduled-feedings. Cats who are fed by free-choice will usually eat every few hours all day long if left to themselves. If obesity is a problem, or only canned food is fed, scheduled-feeding, that is, feeding a specific amount of food at specified regular mealtimes, is recommended. Fresh clean water should be provided at all times.
Exercise
Most cats will exercise on their own, dashing through the house, leaping across the furniture, chasing a bug or swatting at the family dog. Young cats like to play and will find ways to entertain themselves. They will also enjoy it if you play with them. There are many great toys made just for cats, however things such as a rolled up sock will also work.
Life Expectancy
On average cats live to be 12-14 years old. Some have been known to live more than 20 years.
Health Problems
Some of the most common feline health problems are colds and sniffles i.e. respiratory viruses, urinary problems, digestive problems - if your cat vomits more than 24 hours or vomits and acts depressed, call your vet. Eye problems, if your cat is squinting only in one eye there may be something in its eye. If you cannot remove it take your cat to the vet. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva membrane. It can become swollen and reddened often making it more visible. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. Cats with conjunctivitis tend to have a discharge from their eye(s) which can be clear and watery or thick with a pus like appearance. If you think your cat has conjunctivitis call your vet. Bite wounds and abscesses (mainly in outdoor cats) Bite wound abscesses can usually be prevented if antibiotics are given within the first twenty four hours after the wound is inflicted. Never give cats aspirin, Tylenol or similar human medications. All cats should be taken to the vet regularly for shots, immunizations and check-ups.
Gestation
A female cat can go into heat as often as every 2 weeks until she is either pregnant or spayed. Female cats in heat will go to any lengths to get outside and mate. They will scream and howl calling for a mate. The gestation period for a cat is typically from 57 to 69 days, with the average of 63 to 64 days. Litter size can vary from 1 to 8 kittens with the average litter size of 2 to 5 kittens. Female cats can have up to 3 litters a year.
Origin
Domestic cats were first domesticated in Egypt, where they soon spread to Asia, Europe and the rest of the world. The domestic cat, is a direct descendant from, or a subspecies of, the African Wildcat. It is placed in the genus Felis, which represents the Domestic cat lineage - the second oldest branch of the Felid family tree. Cats were first domesticated over 5000 years ago. They are now one of the most popular pets in the world. In several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, there are more cats than any other pet. Domestic cats now live on every continent except Antarctica and have evolved into over fifty distinct breeds.
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