Feline Facts

Cats have been domesticated for many thousands of years. These furry pals are known to be agile, and seemingly able to always land on their feet. It's a myth that cat's always land on their feet, but they may fall feet first. The cat's closest ancestor is the African wild cat. A normal day in the life of a cat consist of playing, eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom. There are distinctive features that make us love these animals.

Cats usually weigh between 5 to 16 pounds. Some breeds can even exceed 25 pounds. Some cats have been known to reach up to 50 pounds, but this is due to overfeeding. This is not healthy for the cat, and can be prevented through diet and exercise, this is especially good for cats living indoors. An average house cat should weigh around 10 pounds. Feeding your cat with a proper diet can have many benefits like a longer life, lessened risk of illness, and overall happiness.

Some foods are dangerous to cats. Most cats are lactose intolerant, but media tells us otherwise. Onion powder or onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Canned tuna is not an adequate source for all the vitamins needed in a balanced cat diet. Chocolate, coffee, or other products can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system. Citrus oils or juices can trigger vomiting. Feeding a cat dog food can result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart. Grapes and raisins are harmful to the kidneys of felines. Macadamin nuts, liver, and mushrooms can be deadly to a cat's body. Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves have oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. Raw eggs and raw fish can lead to loss of appetite, seizures, and even death. Salt and sugar should be avoided, as well as in human consumption.

Indoor cats usually live between 14 to 20 years, although the oldest known cat lived to the age of 36. Domestic cats tend to live longer, if they are not permitted to go outdoors. Outside exposure can increase the risk of injury from accidents or diseases. If they are spayed or neutered the harmful risks involved from going outdoors is greatly decreased. Spaying and neutering cats also produces a less chance of developing testicular or ovarian cancer. Once a female cat has her first litter it's advised to have her spaded, because this helps reduce the risk of mammary cancer.

Cats can have many periods of heat over the course of a year. A period may last from 4 to 7 days. If the female is bred the period will be longer, and if not bred the period will be around four days.

A female cat may mate with more than one male when she is in heat. Different kittens in the same litter may have different fathers. Mating might be mistaken for a fight as there's a lot of howling and hissing involved. A cat can be spayed or neutered from 6-8 weeks. This surgery also prevents territory marking in males and yowling in females. If an animal is neutered after such behavior has been learned, however, it may persist. Sizes of a cats litter averages around three to five kittens, with the first litter usually being smaller than the rest of future litters. Kittens are weaned between six and seven weeks. Kittens reach sexual maturity at 4-10 months for females and to 5-7 months for males. Kittens can be adopted by human parents at about 7 weeks old, or when they are ready to leave their feline mother.

The cat's ancestor, the African wild cat, is from a desert environment, so it's only natural that domestic cats love the sun. They also sleep with their nose tucked into a blanket, paw, or your arm. A cat's nose regulates their body temperature, so tucking the nose in a warm spot helps defend against the cold. Cats have little resistance against fog, rain, and snow. Cold and wet climates force cats to struggle to maintain their body temperature of 30 degrees.

A cat's tail is the indicator of how happy they are. Highly raised in the air means they are very happy and glad to see you. A tail held at mid level means I am so-so. If the tail is down or twitching that shouts displeasure. Cats with no tail, such as the Manx, possess only a small stub of a tail. They move the stub as though they have a full tail. It is not nearly as communicative as that of a fully tailed cat, but it gets the job done.

If the cat feels safe they will role onto their backs exposing the stomach. Generally, cat's don't like to be rubbed on the stomach area. Happy cats are known to paw their owners. They sit with a kneading motion and will claw. Cats often use this action with purring to show contentment and affection for their owners. It is instinctive to cats. They use it when they are young to stimulate nursing. Cats that are hand-raised by humans may lack this reflex. Also, pawing is a way for cats to mark their territory. The scent glands in the paws release small amounts of scent onto the person or object being pawed. The scent marks ithe object as "theirs" in the same way they would urinate to mark their territory.

Purring is another sign of happiness in cats. There were many theories to explain how cats purr, including vibration of the cat's false vocal cords when inhaling and exhaling, the sound of blood hitting the aorta, vibration of the hyoid apparatus, or resonation directly in the lungs. It is believed that purring is a result of rhythmic impulses to the cat's larynx. Purring is also used to signal distress.

The cat's meow comes in many forms. The meow is used for a variety of emotions. Meows can indicate pain, request human attention, call other cats, or talk to prey. A kitten's call first starts out as a high-pitched squeak-like sound, but then deepens over time. Some cats do not exercise their voices, so their call may remain similar to that of a kitten through adulthood.

Loving to play, cat's will use string, papper bags, boxes, shoes, or anything that moves. Most toys bought at the pet store consist of feathers, catnip, bells, and carpet. Ruff surfaces inspire a cat to claw. To avoid having claw markings on furniture making a scratching post is an easy inexpensive task. A piece of wood, covered in carpet, and catnip on top is simply irresistible! Indoor cats should be played with at least 15 minutes a day.

Sleeping 12-16 hours a day is a way that helps conserve a cat's energy. The term cat nap refers to the ability to fall asleep for brief periods. Someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap."

Cat's are known for their cleanliness. Grooming is done by licking their fur. The cat's saliva is a powerful cleaning agent. The saliva can provoke allergic reactions in humans. Cats also enjoy grooming humans or other cats. Cats may regurgitate hair balls of fur that have collected in their stomachs from grooming too much. Longhaired cats are more prone to this than short hairs. Certain cat foods can prevent hair balls. Regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush can include the elimination of the hair.

A litter box containing sand or similar material is sufficient for a cat toilet. It should be cleaned daily, and changed often depending on the number of cats in a household and the type of litter. If not properly cleaned the cat will stop using the box or can develop an illness.

All you need to do to adopt a cat is take a trip to the local animal shelter. Cats are there awaiting a home, loving parent, toys, food, a little sun shine, and a littlerbox too. Cats make good friends and hunters. To keep unwanted pest around it's nice to have a feline buddy. The first domesticated cats helped Egyptians from many rodent infestations. The Egyptians even have a Goddess, Bast, dedicated to cats. Several ancient religions believed that cats were exalted souls, companions, or guides for humans.
Source: Catfacts.org