Domestic House Cats

Cats are amongst one of the oldest mammals, dating back to over forty million years ago. They have strong jaws and long, sharp teeth and claws for catching prey. They see best in dim light so they can see at dawn and dusk, which is said to be the best time for hunting. They also have amazing hearing.

On each of their front paws cats have five toes, though on their back paws, they have only four. This may have to do with improving their speed.

All cats are born as 100% pure carnivores. There are some owners who try to make their cats vegetarians, however, unlike humans; cats need large amounts of protein in order to remain healthy. It is said that if you feel the need to have a vegetarian pet to choose a rabbit (a small animal that can also be litter trained).

There are also those who question whether or not a cat can survive on dog food. They absolutely can not. All cats may pick at a dog's food dish and not cause itself harm. However, the vitamins and certain nutrients that a cat needs can't be found in dog food and using it for their primary source of food can lead to poor health. Living off dog food can cause a cat to go blind or even cause death.

When they are born, kittens rely on milk for their survival. After the cat is weaned they no longer require milk in their diet. In fact, when they are grown, milk will more often then not, give a cat diarrhea.

Cats are natural born hunters. Some believe a cat that is well fed will only hunt for sport, but will do so often. While outdoor (or stray) cats will hunt for food and will only kill their fill. If you want a cat that does not hunt, there are ways to do so. Some believe if you get a kitten whose mother was a non-hunter, more than likely the kitten will be born without the "hunt" instinct.

Most people see cats as the "mean and unsocial" pet. This is not entirely true. Though cats are not as social as dogs or humans, nor do they get lonely; they do enjoy being with their owners. Most cats respond to any love that they receive and even show signs of affection in their own ways. Even though cats are very sociable, it's important to keep in mind that they are still territorial. Be cautious when bringing a new cat into the home.

Some believe that the personality in their cats reminds them of "little humans." Cats however don't see themselves that way. They see themselves as large cats instead and have even been known at times to try and take down an animal the size of a deer.

One of the ways a cat will show its happiness is by purring. This occurs when extra tissue in the voice box vibrates. Another way to tell if your cat is happy is if you see them kneading or massaging. When kittens are feeding they knead their mother's belly to stimulate the flow of milk. It is a habit that almost no cat drops as they grow up.

If you are planning to breed your cat there are some things you need to know. Most people believe that breeding their cat will "calm them down." Nothing could be farther from the truth. One source uses the example, "Have you seen any human mothers become settled down after having children."

It's a common belief, also, that a cat will get fat and lazy after being spayed. This is also untrue. Altered cats will simply be non-active in the mating field and will only become fat if they are bored. Some also believe that "fixing" their cat is cruel, because it "takes away the fun and experience they would have had otherwise." However, cats only mate for reproduction and never for fun. A cat who is altered at an early age especially will not know what he/she is missing and will be a more sociable pet.

It is also important to know what sort of illness cats can carry and which ones are dangerous to humans.

First of all, there is a type of protozoan disease called Toxoplasmosis. This disease has been known to be harmful to humans. It affects an unborn child more than to an adult. This disease can be spread through the feces of the cat. Which is why your doctor will tell you not to change the litter box while you are pregnant, nor should you if you have a weak immune system. More often then not, if you have had a cat for most of your life, it is said that you very well could have already had this disease and not known it.
Toxoplasmosis can also be spread through uncooked meat. So, it is very important to cook all foods properly.

Some parasites that can also be passed from cat to human are; tapeworms, which cats get from eating infected fleas or mice. They can also get fleas and ticks. All three of these are treatable. Cats also can have tiny worms living in their stomach which cause vomiting, however, these can't be passed to humans.

Amongst other things cats can get gum disease and need to have there teeth properly taken care of. Unknown to most people, cats can also get cancer and even leukemia. Also, (though rare) cats can suffer from canine heart worms. To find out more on any of these illnesses, talk to your vet.

One of the only reasons to not own a cat (besides just not liking them) could be allergies. Most people believe that allergies are linked to fur, so that the shorter the hair the less your allergies will be affected. This is more than likely not true. When a person is allergic to a cat they can be allergic to either the cat's saliva (which covers the cat because they clean themselves) or else the dander on the cat, which is not effected by the length of hair. If you feel that you are allergic to cats, try giving him/her frequent baths and keeping him/her out of the bedroom. This may lower reactions.

When most people become parents one of the first things they do is find a new home for their cat. They fear the cat will hurt or smother the baby. In truth there is "only one verified case of a cat smothering a baby." It is said that cats hate the smell of human breath and will therefore not find comfort in sleeping on a baby's face. They do, however, enjoy warm places to sleep so if you do have a fear of the cat being in the baby's crib, place a type of mesh cover over the crib and move the cat's food and water far away from the room. Remember that cat's see our children as "human kittens" and will do their best to protect them.

If your cat ever scratches your child, the first thing you need to do is ask, "What did the child do to the cat?" A cat isn't going to attack a child for no reason and they will in fact try to avoid human children at all costs. It is important to teach at a young age not to hurt an animal. If your child sees the cat being punished for protecting itself, then the child is going to think it is okay to hurt the cat again.

Cats make great pets and can be amazing companions. If properly cared for a cat can live up to twenty years or more. If you believe that a cat is the right pet for you, then keep all of this information in mind and don't forget to take him/her in for at least yearly checkups at the vet's office. It's worth it.