Cats
Cat is the popular
pet animal. Cats are domesticated carnivores that are generally small in
stature and feline. There are evidences showing that man has kept cats
in his association for 3500 years to keep mice and other rodents at bay
to protect grains.
The average life expectancy of a cat is
around thirty years, Researchers believe that the African wild cat, a
yellow, faintly striped animal somewhat larger than present-day felines
is the probable ancestor of the domestic cat.
Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7.0 kg
(5.5 -16.0 pounds); however, some breeds, such as the Maine Coon, can
exceed 11.3 kg (25.0 pounds). Some have been known to reach up to 23.0
kg (50.0 pounds) due to overfeeding. Conversely, very small cats (less
than 1.8 kg / 4.0 lb) have been reported.
The normal body temperature of a cat is
between 38.0 and 39.0 °C (101.0 and 102.2 °F). A cat is considered
febrile (hypothermic) if it has a temperature of 39.5 °C (103.0 °F) or
greater, or hypothermic if less than 37.5 °C (100.0 °F).
Cats, cuddly and cute as they are, have a
feminine aspect to their character. Even in a male character, they are a
female entity. Cats are incapable of labor much unlike other
domesticated animals. Rather, they are perceived as toys.
Thirty-two individual muscles in each ear
allow for a manner of directional hearing the cat can move each ear
independently of the other. Because of this mobility, a cat can move its
body in one direction and point its ears in another direction. Cat
senses are attuned for hunting. Cats have highly advanced hearing,
eyesight, taste, and touch receptors, making the cat extremely sensitive
among mammals. Cats' night vision is superior to humans although their
vision in daylight is inferior.
Humans and cats have a similar range of
hearing on the low end of the scale, but cats can hear much
higher-pitched sounds, up to 64 kHz, which is 1.6 octaves above the
range of a human, and even one octave above the range of a dog. Cats
conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they
grow older. Daily durations of sleep vary, usually 12 - 16 hours, with
13 - 14 being the average. Some cats can sleep as much as 20 hours in a
24 - hour period.
Cats also possess rather loose skin; this
allows them to turn and confront a predator or another cat in a fight,
even when it has a grip on them. The life of cats with kidney failure
can sometimes be extended for years by the regular injection of large
volumes of fluid subcutaneously, which serves as an alternative to
dialysis.
The particularly loose skin at the back of
the neck is known as the scruff, and is the area by which a mother cat
grips her kittens to carry them. As a result, cats tend to become quiet
and passive when gripped there. This tendency often extends into
adulthood, and can be useful when attempting to treat or move an
uncooperative cat.
For cats, the breeding system occurs five
times a year. Once the breeding season begins, in general around January
or February, the female, called the queen, will go into heat multiple
times until the end of the breeding season in October or November. The
heat cycle is greatly affected by the ratio of daylight to darkness and
by temperature. In cat colonies, for example, with 14 hours of light
and 10 hours of darkness, as well as constant temperatures, female cats
will be in the breeding cycle year-round.
The female is able to bear young as early as
7 to 9 months of age and is fertile another 7 to 9 years. Usually after
that, the cat can no longer bear kittens, although there are exceptions.
Like the male, the female should come from a good-sized, healthy litter
with a mother that delivered with ease and showed regular heat cycles.
The duration of pregnancy is 64 to 69 days.
The diagnosis can be made either by feeling the abdomen of the queen or
by ultrasound. An experienced person will be able to feel the pregnant
uterus at about day 16 of pregnancy. At this time the uterus will feel
like a string of pearls. After the 20th day of pregnancy one can easily
feel the fetuses in a relaxed queen.
Cats need to consume water with their food,
as the drive for thirst is not very strong in cats. Without water, the
cat will experience kidney and bladder problems. Feed it "muscle" meat,
such as chicken or turkey rather than organ meats. Leave out the dry
kibbles. By all means give it the shots it needs.
Cats are highly specialized for hunting and
have evolved to survive on a meat-based diet Since they have a greatly
reduced need to digest plants, their digestive tract has evolved to be
shorter, too short for effective digestion of plants but less of a
weight penalty for the rapid movement required for hunting. The domestic
cat hunts and eats over a thousand species, many of them invertebrates,
especially insects - many big cats will eat fewer than a hundred
different species.
Cats do not need flavor variety in their
food, but it is good to vary the menu occasionally, so it doesn’t become
addicted to one particular food. Although cats are classified as
carnivores, they do not do well on an exclusive diet of meat. Today cats
still require a balanced diet, and the best cat foods provide a lot of
different ingredients, carefully supplemented with all the required
amino acids (protein), fats, and carbohydrates, as well as essential
vitamins and minerals. A high quality diet of 80% dry food is
recommended. Commercial foods are far superior to diets composed of
ingredients found in our kitchens. You can ask your veterinarian for the
best-recommended food for your cat.
Cats require vaccinations for the diseases
listed below. For rabies, some states require annual revaccinations or
revaccinations from 1 to 3 years. The exact schedule may vary depending
on the type of vaccines used or your cat’s exposure to potential
diseases.
Talking of cats, there are fifty-nine
different breeds of them. They belong to Felis silvestris catus
subspecies, which are mammals. The cat (Felis silvestris catus), also
known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other
felines, is a small carnivorous species of mammal that is often valued
by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. It has
been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.
These days, Persian cats are among the most
popular breeds of cat. Well known for their gentle and sweet
personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive
features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very
demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian
breeds need very little attention.
The most common behavioral problems in cats
are Scratching Furnishings and Carpet, Eliminating Outside The Litter
Box, Scratching people, Caterwauling (whining), Spraying, Running
outside. It is due to the poor temperament and training.
The temperament of a cat can vary depending
on the breed and socialization. Many people characterize cats as
"solitary" animals. Cats are highly social; a primary difference in
social behavior between cats and dogs (to which they are often compared)
is that cats do not have a social survival strategy, or a "pack
mentality"; however this only means that cats take care of their basic
needs on their own (e.g., finding food, and defending themselves).
Grooming is a matter of health just as much
as it is a matter of looks. All cats will benefit from grooming,
regardless of the length of their coat. Although the longhair breeds
require daily attention, the shorthair varieties will benefit from a
good brushing twice a week. Most cats shed their coat in spring and
fall, but dry heat in winter, sickness or stress also can cause a cat to
drop coat.
It is especially important to groom kittens
daily, because often their coat is of a cottony texture that mats and
tangles very easily. The kitten will quickly become accustomed to being
combed and brushed.
There are shampoos and conditioners that
will enhance the different coat textures in the various breeds, it is
wise to try out various brands to see how the coat will react. assemble
all your grooming equipment, plus shampoo, conditioning or white
vinegar, two large towels, a washcloth, and a hair dryer.
Half fill the laundry tub or sink with warm
water. Then, holding the cat’s two front feet in one hand and supporting
body with the other hand, gently lower the cat into the water. Wet the
coat thoroughly all over, except the face, being careful not to get
water in the eyes or ears.
Once you have taken your kitten home, you
must decide where it will sleep. A house hold pet needs only a padded
box or basket to call its own. Put the box in an out-of-the-way corner
of a room. A cat kept outdoors requires a tight, dry house to protect it
from wind, cold and rainy weather. The house should be big enough for
your cat to stand up and turn around easily. The house should be built
for easy cleaning, and treated with insecticides to control parasites.
Fresh, clean water should always be available.
Many books have been published on the caring
and handling of cats which is useful guide providing all the information
of cats. These books enable us to make right decision in maintaining
pet.