What do You Know About Cats?
Cats are among the
little carnivorous mammals that have been tamed (Felis catus). It is the only
domesticated species in the Felidae family, and to distinguish it from the
other wild cats in the family, it is commonly referred to as the domestic cat
or house cat. Humans cherish domestic cats for their companionship and for
their capacity to destroy rodents. Around 60 different cat breeds are
recognized by many cat registries.
Cats communicate with one another via meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, snarling, and grunting, to name just a few vocalizations and nonverbal cues. It is capable of picking up sounds that are too high in pitch or too weak for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small creatures.
Cats were revered
in ancient Egypt starting around 3100 BC, therefore it was long believed that the domestication of cats started there. However, more recent discoveries in
archaeology and genetics have revealed that the domestication of cats actually
started in Western Asia around 7500 BC.
A common ancestor
of the Felidae family, which includes the domestic cat, existed about 10-15 million
years ago. Around 6-7 million years ago, the genus Felis separated from other
Felidae.
For thousands of years, domesticated cats and early farmers coexisted in harmony. Domesticated cats also spread as agricultural practices did. Later on, Egyptian wildcats contributed to the domestic cat's maternal gene pool.
Compared to the
European wildcat, the domestic cat has shorter bones and a smaller skull. Its
average head-to-body length is 46 cm (18 in), its height is 23–25 cm (9–10 in),
and its tails are about 30 cm (12 in) long. Larger than females are males. The
average adult domestic cat weighs between 4 and 5 kg.
The cat skull is
unique among animal skulls in that it has a strong, specialized jaw and
relatively large eye sockets. Cats' jaws have canines designed for ripping meat
and killing animals. When a cat has the upper hand, it will bite its target in
the neck, breaking the spinal cord and delivering a devastating neck bite that
will leave the victim permanently paralyzed and dead.
The claws on cats can
extend and retract. The skin and hair covering the paw's toe pads act as a
sheath for the claws in their natural, relaxed state. This enables the quiet
tracking of prey and keeps the claws sharp by preventing wear from contact with
the ground. Typically, the forefeet have sharper claws than the hind feet.
Cats can see in
conditions that are just one-sixth as bright as those needed for human vision
and have great night vision. The domestic cat's ability to discriminate between
red and green is somewhat limited, and it only possesses two types of cone
cells that are specialized for sensitivity to blue and yellowish green.
Although they tend
to be significantly more energetic at night, outdoor cats are active both
during the day and at night. Most of the time, domestic cats stay close to
their houses, yet they can go hundreds of meters from this hub.
Cats sleep more
than most animals do to conserve energy, especially as they get older. The
average amount of sleep per day is between 13 and 14 hours, but the range is
typically between 12 and 16.
Several
vocalizations used by domestic cats for communication include purring,
trilling, hissing, growling/snarling, grunting, and various meowing sounds.
Their body language, which includes their tail and ear positions, overall body
relaxation, and paw kneading, are all signs of their mood. Particularly crucial
social signaling organs in cats are the tail and ears. Flattened ears imply
antagonism, whereas a lifted tail denotes a kind greeting.
Cats have a habit
of spending a lot of time licking their fur to keep it clean. The papillae, or
backward-facing spines, on the cat's tongue measure 500 m in length. These are
made firm by the keratin they contain, making the papillae function like a
hairbrush. Some cats, especially those with long hair, can occasionally
regurgitate fur balls that have accumulated in their stomachs as a result of
grooming.
Male domestic cats
are more likely to engage in conflict than females. Competition between two
males for a female to mate with is the most frequent cause of catfighting
among wild cats. In these situations, the heavier male typically prevails in
battles. The challenge of creating territories inside a tiny home is another
typical cause of conflict among domestic cats.
Cats hunt tiny
prey, mostly birds and rodents, and are usually utilized as pest control.
Cats have two hunting techniques: aggressively stalking their prey or sitting
in ambush until the prey gets close enough to be caught. Cats prefer to
actively stalk birds while tending to wait in ambush outside of burrows,
depending on the local animal type.
The most
well-known aspect of cats' hunting activity, which is sometimes misunderstood
and horrifies cat owners because it resembles torture, is that they frequently
release and re-capture prey, giving the impression that they are
"playing" with it. This conduct of the cats toward the mice results
from an innate desire to make sure that the prey is vulnerable enough that it
can be killed without harming the cats.
The display of prey
to human guardians is another aspect of cat-hunting behavior that is little
understood. According to the dominance hierarchy, in which humans are treated
as though they are at or near the top, one explanation is that cats accept
humans into their social group and distribute extra kills with other members of
the group. Another theory is that they try to educate their guardians on how to
hunt or how to assist their humans as though they were feeding "an old cat,
or an inexperienced kitten." This idea conflicts with the observation that
male cats also bring home prey despite playing a very small role in rearing
kittens.
Domestic cats are
renowned for their enjoyment of play, particularly in young kittens. This
mimicking of hunting behavior is crucial for teaching kittens how to stalk,
catch, and kill other animals. Cats play fight with people and with other cats
as well. Cats may engage in this behavior to perfect their fighting techniques
and possibly overcome any anxiety they may have about attacking other animals.
Generally, cats
treated as pets live longer lives on average. It was roughly seven
years in the early 1980s, increasing to 9.4 years in 1995 and roughly 15 years
in 2021. The oldest cat known, Creme Puff,
died at the proven age of 38. Some cats have reportedly lived into their 30s.
There are about 250 heritable genetic disorders in cats, many of which
are identical to inborn metabolic mistakes in humans. Because animals'
metabolisms have a significant degree of similarity, many of these feline
disorders can be identified using genetic tests that were initially designed
for use in people. Cats can also be used as animal models to investigate human
diseases. Acute infections, parasite infestations, wounds, and chronic
conditions including renal disease, thyroid disease, and arthritis can all
affect domestic cats. Many infectious diseases can be prevented by
vaccinations, and parasites like worms, ticks, and fleas can be treated with
medications.
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, arthropods, and worms can
infect or infest cats and cause human disease. The cat may occasionally show no
signs of the illness. The sickness can then manifest in a person. Age and
immunological condition both affect a person's tendency to contract a disease.
People who live with cats or are in close proximity to them are more prone to
contract the disease. Infections from cat excrement and parasites that leave
the cat's body could possibly spread to other people. The most concerning
illnesses include toxoplasmosis, cat scratch disease, and salmonella.
Many ancient faiths held the view that cats are elevated souls,
companions, or guides for humans who are all-knowing yet mute in order to
prevent them from influencing human judgments.
Cats are the subject of cat-hating superstitions in many cultures. An
illustration would be the notion that running into a black cat ("crossing
one's path") brings bad luck or that cats serve as witches' familiars,
enhancing their abilities.
There is a widespread misconception that cats have several lives. They
are said to have nine lives in many places, while in Italy, Germany, Greece,
Brazil, and other Spanish-speaking nations, they are seen to have seven lives,
and in Arabic traditions, they are thought to have six lives. The story is thought
to have originated because cats are naturally flexible and quick to flee
danger.
Nine Benefits of Owning a Cat According to Science
It should come as no surprise that actual cat ownership offers a number of advantages as studies have shown that simply watching cat videos online may increase a person's energy and elicit happy emotions. Here is a couple.
1. It's Better For The Environment to Have a Cat
You should consider getting a cat instead of a dog if you're concerned about your carbon footprint. According to a 2009 study, the resources required to feed a dog over the course of its lifetime have the same environmental impact as a Toyota Land Cruiser. Cats, who generally consume less food and prefer fish to foods with corn or beef flavors, have about the same carbon footprint as a small hatchback.
2. They'll Support You in Coping
Although losing a loved one is tremendously traumatic, having a pet is
one of the easiest ways to cope. Cats have been discovered to speed up the
grieving process and display fewer outward signs of suffering, such as sobbing.
Despite the fact that they are merely animals, cats provide comfort to people
when things are tough. Since it is often better to communicate to something
that won't answer and can't judge than to another human being, people in sorrow
describe talking to their pet to work out their feelings.
3. Cat Helps to Locate a Life Partner
Get a cat if you're a lonely man struggling to find a date! According to
a British survey, 82% of women admit that they find animal-loving males to be
more attractive. A staggering 90% of single women believe that cat-owning males
are "nicer" than other guys, despite the fact that having a dog will
greatly improve your dating life. Indicating that you have a cat on your dating
profile could increase the number of answers you receive, but keep in mind that
cats are pets for life, not just when you're looking for a relationship.
4. Cat Owners Are Smart
People who own cats are more likely to have college degrees than people who
own dogs, according to a 2010 survey of pet owners in Britain by the University
of Bristol. A Wisconsin researcher concluded that cat owners were also smarter
in 2014 after polling 600 college students. (However, the researchers behind
the Bristol poll noted that since brighter individuals typically put in longer
hours at the office, cats are a better pet for the busy intellectual because
they require less attention than dogs.)
5. Your Heart Will Be Healthier
Any pet ownership is beneficial to your heart. Particularly cats reduce
tension and anxiety in your life—possibly because they don't demand as much
work as dogs do. Cat petting has a relaxing impact on the body. According to
one study, cat owners had a 30% lower 10-year risk of dying from a heart attack
or stroke than non-owners.
6. Cats Satisfy Your Desire For Company
That dogs are more affectionate than cats is a stereotype is all it is.
In actuality, especially for women, cats may be equally terrific friends as
dogs. According to a 2003 Austrian study, having a cat at home had the same
emotional impact as having a love partner. Studies have demonstrated that cats
will remember the kindness done to them and repay the favor in the future in
addition to frequently initiating contact.
But in these relationships, cats really do prevail. After thousands of
years of domestication, cats have mastered the ability to emit a noise that
nearly resembles the cry of a newborn baby.
And when a cat makes a demand like that, it is nearly impossible to
ignore it since our brains are wired to react to our children's distress.
7. They Can Reveal a Lot About Your Personality to You and Others
Your selection of a pet says something about who you are. Cat owners are
more reserved and introverted than dog lovers, who typically are the life of
the party. But when it comes to how trustworthy they are and how much they
trust other people, they rate quite well. Additionally, cat owners are more
modest and less manipulative.
8. You'll Get Better Sleep
People (particularly women) prefer to sleep with their cats than with their partners, and some even claim that they sleep better with a cat than with a human, according to several studies and polls conducted in the UK. They may have a point, according to one research from the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine, where 41% of participants stated their pets helped them sleep better while only 20% said it disturbed their sleep.
9. Having a Cat Reduces Allergy Symptoms
Unfortunately, it's too late for you, but if you're expecting a child, now might be the perfect time to get a cat. In a study published in 2002 by the National Institutes of Health, it was discovered that children under the age of one who were exposed to cats had a lower risk of developing allergies in general. Early exposure to a lot of pets looks to offer protection not just from pet allergies but also from other common allergies, including those to dust mites, ragweed, and grass. While the cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii poses a risk to young children, experts agree that if you keep your cat indoors and change its litter box daily, you should be protected from allergies.
11 Negative Effects of Owning a Cat
Cats can be quite joyful for their owners, but they can also be highly labor-intensive, destructive, and expensive to maintain. Even while we adore our cats just as much as any other cat lover, let's consider the drawbacks.
The Following List of 11 Bad News About Owning a Cat:
1. Cats Are Reserved
Cats, in contrast to dogs, are not people-pleasers, to put it simply.
Cats won't wait at the door with their tails wagging in anticipation for you.
Despite the fact that recent research has shown that cats may develop
relationships with people, other cats, and even dogs, do not expect a cat to
behave like a dog.
Cats were initially tamed as a vermin control measure. Breeders only
started creating programs to selectively breed for particular personality
traits in the last 50 years. Cats have a long way to go before they catch up to
their canine counterparts in terms of sociability.
2. Cats Will Trash Your Belongings
Sometimes having a cat means saying goodbye to pleasant things. Cats are
known to knock objects off shelves and tables, scratch furniture, and damage
carpets.
For a number of causes, cats scratch various surfaces. Removing the
outer covering of his claw is one of the key purposes for which cats scratch
surfaces. A more pointed claw can then be released as a result of this. For
cats, scratching serves as a type of exercise. They are now prepared for
demanding tasks like hunting.
Scratching is another means of communication used by cats. Cats use the distinctive aroma that is produced by sweat and scent glands on their paws to mark their territory. On the other hand, cats will knock things off of shelves and tables either to play with them or to seek your attention.
3. Cats are Susceptible to Stress
Several negative behaviors in cats have been linked to stress. Even
worse, continuous or chronic stress in cats might result in medical issues.
The worst part is that it doesn't take much to stress your pet cat. Visits to the veterinarian, the arrival of new family members—human or animal—moving to a new home, parties, and even the acquisition of new furniture or other items are among the most frequent stressors for cats.
In essence, this means that your cat has the power to threaten your
life. The adjustments you intend to make must be considered carefully in light
of the potential effects they may have on your pet's welfare.
The reality that your life will revolve, at least in part, around your
cat's uneasiness must be accepted, even though there are a few techniques you
may use to reduce, if not completely eradicate, a cat's tension.
4. Training Cats is Difficult
You face an uphill battle whether you want to teach a cat a cool skill or just get it to act a certain way. Cats are more difficult to train than dogs. conceivable but challenging.
The functioning of your cat's brain plays a significant role in this.
Unlike dogs, which will go to great lengths to exhaust prey, cats weigh the
benefits of doing something against the risks. If your cat does not believe the
prize you are offering is worthwhile the effort, he will not respond to
training.
The fact that cats are still basically wild animals is another reason
why they are more difficult to teach than dogs. Cats have not been domesticated
to the same extent as dogs. Cats still have a lot of their feral instincts, in the big part.
In a cat’s mind, its people are just larger cats. Additionally, they do not really grasp the concept of having a boss.
5. You must constantly clean the litter box.
Owning a cat has several benefits, one of which is that you may teach
your pet to use the toilet whenever he needs to. There is no reason to leave
the house when it is snowing or pouring at inconvenient hours. But the same
benefit can also have significant disadvantages.
You must routinely clean the litter box in order to prevent the scent
from spreading and to prevent injury to your family and pet.
Cats are picky creatures, and if they think their litter boxes are
dirty, they won't use them. The least of your worries are peeing and pooping
outside of the litter box when your cat doesn't use it.
The worst case is that your cat will stifle his urination and feces.
These, in turn, may result in health issues, such as a blockage in the urinary
tract.
Cats can infect humans with diseases like Toxoplasma through their
excrement. Additionally, kitty litter handling should be avoided by the elderly
and those with weakened immune systems.
The chore of cleaning the litter box is not the most enjoyable. However,
it is essential for the health and well-being of both you and your cat.
6. Cats Can Make People Allergic
A third of Americans have allergies to dogs and cats, according to the
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). There are twice as many
persons who are allergic to cats as to dogs out of that total. If you or a
member of your family is allergic to cats, you are more likely to develop an
allergy to your cat.
When a person has a cat allergy, his immune system works to protect him
against the allergen. The proteins included in a cat's fur, saliva, dander,
dead skin cells, or urine can act as an allergen in this situation. Your immune
system attacks these particles when you breathe them in, which results in
allergy symptoms.
Fatigue, severe asthma, and other respiratory issues have all been
linked to cat allergies.
Keeping your distance from cats is your best line of defense against a
cat allergy. If none of those work, your doctor may recommend leukotriene
inhibitors, corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium, or antihistamines. Investigate
immunotherapy, which helps patients get desensitized to allergens, as another
option.
7. You'll Receive Dead Animals From Cats
Cats may live in packs, despite popular misconception. Cats can create
ties with other cats and people they regard as part of their pack, despite the
fact that they are more than capable of surviving alone.
And while learning that your cat sees you as a part of his group may be
nice, there is one significant disadvantage that you need to be aware of: your
furry little friend can bring you "gifts." Numerous centuries of
domestication haven't significantly altered cats' natural characteristics, such
as their predation instinct.
This prey drive can be an essential trait if you live in a rural region
and can help you manage the rodent population on your land. But whether you
reside in a city or a suburban region, this could mean coming home to a mouse,
lizard, or cockroach that is dead (or partially dead).
In addition to their natural hunting tendencies, cats give their owners
dead animals as gifts because they want to share the spoils of their hunt. As a
result, your cat is attempting to feed you and teach you how to hunt since he
views you as a member of his family.
It gets worse—you can't get rid of these tendencies. Fortunately, play
may be used to change this behavior.
8. There Will be Cat Hair All Over The Place
There is cat hair on everything, including the mattress, furniture, and clothes. When you get a cat, you will have to adjust to the fact that there will always be cat hair.
Cats who spend almost all of their time outside typically shed
significantly twice a year to keep up with the seasons. But as more cats spend
the majority of their lives indoors, they are exposed to artificial light
virtually constantly. Their internal clocks and bodily rhythms are thus
disrupted by this. Simply put, this implies that your cat will shed almost
constantly.
And even while you can take some steps to reduce the amount of fur that
your cat sheds, such as giving it a regular brushing and feeding it healthy
food, you will still have to deal with cat hair all about you.
9. Cats Have Picky Eating Habits
When the sun hasn't yet risen, your cat gets on the bed and cries
nonstop in an attempt to wake you up. Feed him now. You awkwardly get to your
feet and walk over to the shelf. You open a new cat food can that you recently
purchased and pour the contents into the bowl.
Your cat then simply ignores his food. Cats are known for having particular food preferences. And scientists have developed a number of explanations for this phenomenon.
Cats only consume meat in the wild. They lack taste receptors for sweets
on their tongues. This trait continues to exist in domestic cats. Cats should
consume diets high in protein rather than ones that are primarily composed of
carbohydrates because of this.
Additionally, cats are hunters who would rather eat slowly and ideally
by themselves. On the other hand, dogs must contend with other dogs because
they are pack animals.
This means that while eating, your cat needs to remain calm. For this
reason, some felines invite their owners to observe or pet them as they eat.
Cats have a few preferences as well. Cats enjoy foods that have a strong
fragrance, for starters. Since their sense of taste is less developed, they
must rely on their sense of smell to make up for it. Additionally, they favor
hot foods since they have stronger aromas. They will also effortlessly select
foods with a wet and substantial texture.
10. Cats Urinate All Over The Place
You invested in the greatest litter box you could manage because you
felt your cat deserved it. He then thanks you by urinating somewhere else other
than the litter box. The issue of inappropriate urination is one that cat
owners commonly deal with. Either behavioral issues or medical ailments can be
the cause of this difficulty.
Urinary tract infections, the development of bladder stones, bladder
inflammation, and metabolic illnesses are some of the most prevalent medical
conditions that have been associated with untimely urination in cats.
A dirty litter box may deter a cat from using it. Keep in mind that cats
are meticulous animals. They may decide not to use a litter box if they detect
even the tiniest odor of excrement or urine. The fact that cats can detect
certain smells even if you can do not help.
Stress may also be a major factor in this improper behavior. In
particular, the incumbent cat may feel intimidated if you have adopted another
pet and stop using the litter box to relieve himself.
Sometimes, even the tiniest changes to your home might upset your pet
and cause him to urinate in inappropriate places.
11. Humans Are Awakened In The Middle Of The Night By Cats
You were exhausted from working long hours and went straight to bed when
you got home. However, shortly after you get into bed, your cat jumps in and
makes an effort to wake you awake.
Cats are nocturnal animals by nature; they sleep during the day and are active at night. The majority of cats, nevertheless, can adjust to their owners' routines. Additionally, if your pet wakes you up in the middle of the night, it can be a sign of a bigger issue.
For instance, it is very possible that your cat will become bored if you
leave him home alone for an extended period of time. He'll be looking for
company and engagement with you when you arrive home. Your cat will have to
stir you up if you spend most of your time at home napping in order to earn
your attention.
If your cat becomes hungry or thirsty in the middle of the night, he may
also wake you up. If they are unable to use their litter boxes because they
have been disturbed, some cats may also wake their humans.
The undesirable behavior could potentially be a symptom of your cat's
illness. High blood pressure, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism are some of the
most prevalent diseases that might cause this behavior.
Your cat may occasionally wake you up simply because your routines are
no longer coordinated. To achieve this, you must teach your cat—as well as
yourself—to sleep when he does.
In Conclusion
A big life choice that shouldn't be rushed is getting a cat. Because
people adopted pets impulsively, there are a lot of unwanted cats in shelters. Not
just the advantages should be known if you intend to get a cat into your home.
You should, more importantly, be aware of the downsides.
And only then should you proceed with introducing a cat into your home
if you believe the benefits exceed the drawbacks and you are prepared to assume
the burden of caring for a living being.
