Cat Planet

White Kittens: Cute Photos

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White cats in various countries have been regarded as bringing either good or bad luck. Many people, however, see white cats as beautiful animals.

Although all kittens start out with blue eyes, this eye color is more significant in white cats than others because there is a genetic connection between blue-eyed cats and deafness. Amazingly, even if a blue-eyed white cat has just a couple of colored hairs, its hearing is likely to be normal.

Not all white cats have blue eyes. Some have orange eyes, and some are even odd colored - one blue, one orange. If one of the eyes is orange, then hearing should be okay. They're all simply beautiful.

Photo above by Katesheet

Photo above by ClatieK

Silver Kittens: Cute Photos

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What do people call their silver kitten? Smokey is an obvious one. Nickel, Ashes, Sylvia, Misty, Bullet, Charcoal, Raindrop, Stormy, Shadow, Dusty...

Many of these beautiful kittens show tabby markings. You can find out more about tabbies and see beautiful pictures of mature cats on our tabby page.

Tuxedo kittens: Photos, Pictures, Information

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We also have lots of hilarious cat videos and animations for your enjoyment. We have kittens playing with a tissue box and kittens making a mess with toilet paper. One of my favorites is the kitten giving its litter-mate a massage.

Orange Kittens: Cute Photos

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The orange kittens featured on this page have a tabby pattern, sometimes called "red" or "ginger". Even if a cat appears to have a solid orange coat, it will usually have faint tabby markings on closer inspection.

More male than female kittens are born with orange coloring.

All of these kittens have tabby markings. You can find out more about tabbies and see more photos of cute kittens and beautiful mature cats at our tabby cats page.

Tortoiseshell cats: Photos and Information

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Tortoiseshell is a color pattern, often confused with calico. Tortoiseshell patterns have no white in their coats, just black and brown or red. Calico coats usually have large patches of the three colors, whereas you can see that these tortoiseshell cats have a more blended or flecked appearance.

The coloring is caused by a combination of certain genetic traits that mostly occur in females.

Markings are not symmetrical and can sometimes include areas of tabby-like pattern. Tortoiseshells are also called "calimanco" and "clouded tiger" in North America.

Calico Kittens: Cute Photos

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Aren't these beautiful calico kittens? Do you know the difference between calico and tortoiseshell markings? Are calico cats male or female - can they be both? You can find out more about calico markings and see beautiful pictures of more kittens as well as mature cats on our calico cat page. Common names for calico cats are Biscuit and Cookie.

Photo above by William McCamment

Photo above by tanakawho

Photo above by Karin Dalziel

Photo above by William McCamment

Calico cats:

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Calico cats are not a breed of cat; calico is a color pattern. To be called "calico", a cat must have black, white and orange in its coat. Variations of these colors include gray, cream and ginger. True calicos have large patches of these three colors, whereas a tortoiseshells or "torties" have a mix of these colors often blended or swirled together, rather than separate blocks of color. The size of the patches can vary from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of colour. Typically, the more white a cat has, the more solid the patches of color. In the UK, these cats are called "tortoiseshell and white". We have more photos of very cute calico kittens.

Many people are surprised to learn that most cats with this coat pattern are female. This is due to genetics. Coat color in cats is a physical characteristic related to gender. Female animals have two X chromosomes (XX), males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). The genetic coding for black or orange coat color is found on the X chromosome. The coding for white is a completely separate gene.

Since females have two X chromosomes, they can show two colors (orange and black, or variations of these) and white; creating the 3-color calico mix. Since males have only one X chromosome, they can only be orange OR black. The complex process of dominant and non-dominant genes comes into it too, but that is the basis for coat color in these cats.

I did say that most calicos are female. They can be male in rare instances. In this case, the cat will have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (XXY). Cats with this chromosomal composition are usually sterile...is similar to a human condition called Klinefelter's syndrome.

Interesting fact: on October 1, 2001, the calico cat became the official cat of the state of Maryland in the United States.

Black Cats: Stunning Photos

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Photographing Black Cats

Don't use a black background - you'll hardly be able to see the cat!
Avoid shooting the cat against a wall as the black shadow behind her may merge with her body.
Look out for dark shadows generally, especially around the head.
Have lots of light on her face.

Tuxedo cats:

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Some black and white cats have been dubbed "tuxedo" cats. This is due to the particular patterning of black and white fur, resembling a tuxedo and white shirt. This page displays a number of classic tuxedo patterns as well as wider variations. Of course, every cat's coat pattern is unique and they are all beautiful.

These cats are examples of bicolored cats - white cats with patches of color. Their coloring is due to the presence of a "spotting" gene that causes white blotches.

If you like these photos of mature cats, you'll surely enjoy seeing our very cute tuxedo kittens.

The image to the left features Sam and was taken by Tansy McNally.

Tabby Cats:

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Tabby cats are the quintessential cat. All cats carry the tabby gene. The tabby gene is an incredibly diverse gene that can create a variety of coat patterns, the most familiar of which is the striped tiger-like pattern on many domestic cats, both pure-bred and random-bred.

Even cats with single-color coats carry some form of the tabby gene. One tabby gene is dominant, known as the agouti gene. Any cat that inherits it from at least one parent will have a patterned coat. A cat that inherits the genetically recessive non-agouti gene from both parents will have a solid color coat, but if you look carefully even at solid-coat cats, you may see faint tabby markings. Because all cats carry a tabby gene, two solid-color cats will sometimes have tabby kittens in their litters.

Tabbies come in four distinctive patterns: mackerel, classic, ticked, and spotted. The tabby gene can also mix with other marking genes to create cats that display both, such as calico tabby, pointed tabbies and tabbies with white fur.

Mackerel Tabbies
Mackerel tabbies are probably the most familiar type of tabby and are sometimes referred to as "tiger cats" They have narrow vertical stripes running from their spine across the belly. They also have the stripes ringing their tails and lining their legs.
Tabby cat lying1

Mackarel tabby cats can come in many color variations but the pattern of the stripes is always the same.
Classic Tabbies
Classic, or marbled tabbies as they are sometimes called, have blotched, wide stripes that run horizontally across the cat's body, often swirling and creating spirals and bull's eyes.

This pattern appears to be the most recessive of the tabby patterns, meaning both parents must at least carry the gene to produce it, unlike the other tabby patterns, which are far more dominant. It is much more likely for a litter of mixed kittens to be mackerel-patterned (even if neither parent are) than classically-patterned.

Classic tabby
Ticked tabbies
Ticking is where the hairs show alternating bands of light and dark, giving the coat a flecked appearance. Ticking is on the head, legs and tail.
Ticked tabby pattern
Ticked Tabbies are an ancient and possibly the original domestic tabby variety. They do not have the stripes and spotted coat patterns of the other tabbies. Instead the entire cat will appear to be one uniform color until you look closely, when you can see that each individual hair is banded with two or more colors starting at the root and ending at the tip. This can cause them to have a sandy or salt and pepper-like appearance.

Spotted tabbies
Spotted tabby patternInstead of stripes, these cats have small spots and rosettes. These cats can come in any color but the spots are generally black. Some spotted tabbies can even be black cats with darker black spots on them. There is some debate about whether or not spotted cats are in fact tabbies.

10 Most Popular Cat Breeds in the World

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Back in the ancient times, a cat of Good breed was not so easy to found. They were even placed in elevated positions in civilizations like Egypt. Today, anyone can enjoy owning a cat. There are no restrictions at all in owning them, unlike other pets that require high maintenance and are subject to state or federal regulation.A cat can also help you forget an exhausting day at work or at school. It can cuddle up to you and purr. It makes you feel protective over the cat. Any cat lover out there does not need any reason or question for owning one. Yet, for those who do not have a cat they may think that this is a tremendous task.

Actually, cats are the easiest pets to own. Cats are the perfect companions. They do not require much from the owner. They only have to be regularly fed. They also need a shelter. Each breed has its own distinct characteristic and personality. This can affect how they will behave, how they play and even if they will require further maintenance.

Here I have compiled some of the most popular cat breeds from which you can choose from.

Siamese cat

Siamese cats are also very popular. They have markings in their hair that make them very distinct. They also have slender bodies and very elegant posture.

Persian cat

The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds. They are known for their long and fluffy hair that can grow up to 3 inches. They also have beautiful colors that range from white, black, gray, orange or a combination of these colors.

Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon Cat is one of the oldest breeds of cats. Everywhere in the world, there is one you will find as they can withstand warm and even cold climates. They are fun-loving.

Ragdoll

Another wonderful breed for soon-to-be pet owners is the ragdoll. This cat has medium length of hair. They are very gentle, easy-going and affectionate. They are perfect for any household

Burmese Cat

Burmese cats are shorthaired. They have big yellow eyes and very satiny hair. Stroking their hairs are enough for grooming. They only have softer voices. They can get really bonded and trusting with their owners.

Manx

The Manx cats are very distinct because of their peculiar backs that end in a shortened tail. Their structure gives them a very rounded look that makes them more adorable and cuddly.

Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are known for their proportioned bodies and their furs. Some even claim that their furs are hypoallergenic, although this is still subject to be confirmed.

Somali Cat

Somali cats are long-haired cats that wee from the Abyssinian breed. They have fluffy hair and bottle-brush tails.They are perfect for owners who want an active, intelligent and playful pet.

Russian Blue

This breed of cat has blue to bluish-gray coat. They usually have green or dark eyes.Russian Blues are very playful and intelligent. They also bond really well with their owners but they are very shy to strangers.

American Bobtail

American Bobtails are distinctly recognized for their tails that are shorter than the ordinary type and look like it has been specially bobbed. They can have short or long coats. Their eye colors can also vary.

Russian Blue, Russian Blue cat

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Russian Blue history:
The history of the Russian Blue is shrouded in mystery. Some believe the breed originated on the Archangel Isles in Northern Russia, and was brought to Europe by sailors in the 1800s. Legend states that the Russian Blue is a descendant of the royal cats owned by the Russian Czars. Originally called the Archangel Cat, the Russian Blue was first show in 1875 in England. It was first shown in its own class in 1912. In the early 1900s, the breed was imported into the United States. The Russian Blue was nearly lost during World War II as breeding came to a near stop. An attempt to save the breed started in the 1940s as breeders from different countries used other breeds to boost the waning gene pool. In the 1960s, a group of British breeders united to restore the Russian Blue to its original appearance, and worked to breed out the characteristics that resulted from these cross breedings. The breed was eventually recognized in the U.S. by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fancier’s Association (AFCA).

Russian Blue cat temperament
Russian Blues have a tendency to be shy and flighty. However, they still form strong bonds with their owners. These cats generally get along well with both children and other pets.

Russian Blue cat pictures

Russian Blue Appearance

The Russian Blue has a medium-size, slender, elongated, and well-muscled body. The legs are long and slender with round paws. The tail is long, thin, and tapering. The head is wedge-shaped and of medium size. In Britain, the head is rounder than in America. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, and green. The nose is medium length and the ears are large, wide-set, and moderately pointed. The Russian Blue's weight ranges from 7 to 12 pounds, though it is slightly heavier in Britain. They live to be approximately 13 to 15 years old.
Obviously, this breed is known for its blue coat, which can range from light to dark gray with a silvery sheen. However, White, Black, and Red variations are accepted in some countries. They are referred to as Russian Whites, Russian Blacks, and Russian Reds. The coat is short and dense, due to the double coat, consisting of an outer coat of strong guard hairs and an inner coat of water-resistant down hairs.
This breed can be playful or lack the need for activity. However, if it becomes overweight, it should be encouraged to play and exercise.

Egyptian Mau, Egyptian Mau cat

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Egyptian Mau history:
The Mau comes from Egypt. Its ancestors are the once sacred cats of the Pharaohs there. If you visit Europe, you’ll see statues of these cats made that have been preserved in the Louvre and in the British Museum. These are statues that were constructed during ancient times in an effort to worship these creatures and have been preserved over time.

These cats were imported to the United States in the early 1950s. And it has flourished ever since. These are quite popular cats because of their terrific temperaments and amazing markings.

Egyptian Mau cat temperament
While you might first be attracted to the mau's beautiful spotted coat, you will likely become addicted to the breed's temperament and personality. Known for their intelligence, high activity level, and loving devotion, maus make great companions.

Like their alleged ancestors who tagged along on bird hunts with their Egyptian worshipers, maus love to stalk, be it catnip mice, rubber balls, or wiggling fingers. In fact, they adore all mock hunting games, particularly fetch. Toss a catnip mouse and your mau will run it down and trot it back to you, toy firmly gripped in powerful jaws and eyes gleaming with predatory triumph, for repeated throwing. If allowed outside they become adept hunters, so for the sake of the local wildlife and your mau's health and safety, keep her inside. Maus are also fascinated by water – they love to dabble their toes and drink from the faucet, and some even enjoy splashing around like a dog.

Egyptian Mau cat pictures

Egyptian Mau Appearance

The Egyptian Mau is one of the few naturally spotted cats. It has an elegant, long body and a stride like a cheetah. The eyes are oval shaped and vivid green in colour with dark highlighting sometimes referred to as "mascara". There are two stripes on each side of the face next to the eyes, and banding on the legs and tail. The short coat may be one of four base colours (silver, bronze, smoke, or black), all with randomly placed black spots and black striping.

You won't find a more distinctive looking cat than the Mau. It's surprising Maus haven't become the latest unusual pet craze. Plus it's fun to have a cat that directly traces its lineage to the first cats domesticated by humans. (It was actually a two-way street. With agriculture came stored grains, followed by lots of rodents, followed by very grateful cats. They were happy to associate with us - we provided them with an easy, ready supply of food.) As with any breed, watch for the quality of the breeder, buy only from reputable breeders with clean catteries and healthy, friendly cats. The Egyptian Mau is the only natural domesticated breed of spotted cat. The Egyptian's impression should be one of an active, colourful cat of medium size with well developed muscles. Perfect physical condition with an alert appearance. Well balanced physically and temperamentally. Males tend to be larger than females.

Exotic Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair cat

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Exotic Shorthair history:
Exotic Shorthair is shorthaired version of the Persian and originated from the crossing of a Persian with an American Shorthair. In1960s American short hair breeders in an attempt to improve the color of their breed crossed American Short hair with Persians and thus Exotic Short hair was born. In 1967 CFA gave formal recognition to the Exotic Shorthair as a breed. By the late 1960s, the Exotic was recognized by most cat associations.

Exotic Shorthair cat temperament
The Exotic Shorthair has a gentle and calm personality reminiscent of the Persian, but he is livelier than his longhaired ancestor. Curious and playful, he is friendly to other cats and dogs. Easygoing and quiet, as he rarely meows. He doesn’t like being left alone, he needs the presence of his owner, but he’s always independent. They tend to show more affection and loyalty than most breeds and make excellent lap cats. Their calm and steady nature makes them ideal apartment cats for city dwellers. Nonetheless, Exotics retain some of the energetic spark of their American Shorthair forbears and they are often capable mouse hunters.

Exotic Shorthair cat pictures

Exotic Shorthair Appearance

Dubbed "a Persian in its pajamas," the exotic is a solid, rounded, stocky cat. The body style is called cobby, a cat fancy term that means the cat has a short compact body with broad shoulders and rump. The eyes are large, round and set far apart, and the cheeks and whisker pads are rounded, contributing to the sweet expression so prized in this breed. Small, rounded ears set wide apart on the broad head add to the impression of roundness. The cobby body style is easier to see on the exotic because the cat lacks the long coat that tends to soften the body's lines.

Not everyone likes the extremely broad, flat face of the show exotic, however. Those who favor the traditional or doll face Persian, which has a less flattened facial type than the extreme Persian, will like the traditional exotic. Recently accepted by the Traditional Cat Association, Inc. (TCA), the traditional exotic possesses the less extreme facial type of the traditional Persian. Since the traditional doesn't have the extremely flattened face and very short muzzle, fanciers report fewer breathing and tear duct difficulties. The extreme exotic, however, is favored in the show ring.

Persian cat

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Persian history:
Persian breed was introduced to Europe in 17th century by European explorers, who brought them from faraway Persia along with jewels, silks and spices. Persians were imported to America in the late 1800s, where they were enthusiastically received. American breeders began a breeding program to refine the coat, color, and conformation. Soon the American Persian developed a style of its own and evolved into the type we see presently.

Persian cat temperament
The Persian is an absolutely gorgeous breed that has held the attention of cat enthusiasts since their discovery in the 1600s. This docile, affectionate breed is a wonderful choice for families and couples who have time for regular grooming.
This is an especially sweet breed, known for its docility and affection. The Persian is social, gentle, and enjoys the company of other animals and humans. They need tranquility and enjoy solitude at times. They can be playful, but are rarely aggressive. They have a soft voice that they rarely use. Some Persians are good mousers. Persians live long lives of 15 or more years.

Persian cat pictures

Persian Appearance

The Persian's most celebrated feature is her full, plush, long fur. Thick, glossy, and full of life, it stands off from the body, giving the Persian the impression of roundness and size. It also comes in virtually every possible color and pattern.

Under all that fur there's a cat, however. Solid, heavily boned, broad through the chest, low on the legs, the Persian is, in fact, built like a small furry brick house. The ideal Persian is a substantial cat with an overall impression of roundness, a body style known as cobby.

There are two distinct facial types - the extreme and the traditional. In both types, the Persian has small, rounded ears set low on the head, wide, round eyes, full cheeks and a full well-developed chin. What sets the two types apart is the fact that the extreme has a more snub-nosed look. The face is very flat and the nose is short and snub with a "break" centered between the eyes. The nose is nearly as high as the eyes.

The traditional Persian's face is not as flattened. The nose is lower on the face and has only a slight break. The up-curving mouth helps give the sweet expression prized by Persian fanciers. Although the extreme is the type you'll see winning ribbons at shows, the traditional has many fans.

Persians are known for their luxuriant, long, thick coat. The outer coat is loosely fit and the undercoat is dense and wooly. Persians are accepted in just about every color form. The different categories and examples include: Self (White), Smoke (Lilac Smoke), Chinchilla (Golden Persian), Cameo (Red Shell Cameo), Pewter (Pewter), Tabby (Silver Tabby), Tortie Tabby (Blue Tortie Tabby), Tortie (Lilac-Cream), Tortie and White (Blue Tortie and White), Bi-Color Solid (Black and White Bi-Color), Bi-Color Tabby (Brown Tabby and White), Van Bi-Color (Red and White Van), Van Tricolor (Tortie and White Van). Persians with a colorpoint form (markings like the Siamese) are known as Himalayans.
Persians should be provided with a scratching post if kept indoors. However, adult Persians are not very active or destructive.
Most Persians are healthy cats. However, Persians have several health risks. Due to their large, protruding eyes, they are susceptible to eye infections, injuries, and irritations. Due to the flat nature of their faces, they sometimes have breathing problems or problems with clogged tear ducts. Deafness is common with white Persians, especially those with blue eyes.

Sick Cat Symptoms - How to tell if your cat is sick

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when your cat is sick, it can't tell you so it's up to you as a pet owner to train yourself to be observant. A good indication that a cat has a temperature, is that its ears are hot. A rectal thermometer is needed in order to take a precise temperature reading, which should be 38-38.5°C. Unless you have been taught how to do this properly, you should let your vet do it. You should check your cat regularly to make sure it is in good condition. Eyes, Ears, Nose and Mouth: The eyes of a healthy cat are clear, bright and free of redness or discharge. The nose should be cool and moist, with no secretions. The ears should be clean and dry, with pale pink skin inside and on the external flaps, and there may be a small amount of clear or dark wax in them.

The mouth should have pink gums and lips, and the breath should be free of odor. If your cat's eyes are red, have a cloudy or mucus discharge, are coated with film, or if your cat has an increased sensitivity to light or is squinting, it may have an injury or infection and should be checked over by your veterinarian. A small amount of dried mucus in your cat's eyes is normal, the equivalent of sleep in human eyes. There may be more or less sleep at times because of dust, dirt, smog or other irritants in the air.

If your cat has bad breath, it may have a digestive disturbance, infected teeth or gums, or a urinary ailment.

Coat And Skin: Your cat's coat should be unbroken, smooth and soft to the touch. Its skin should be clean and free of sores, rashes

If cat are exposed to fleas, they may become anemic. Cats can also develop an allergy to flea bites, resulting in excessive scratching or possibly skin disease. Finally, humans are also susceptible to itchy flea bites, usually on the ankles.
If your cat does not eat/drink anything for 2 days, bring them to the vet immediately for an examination.
The most common symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in cats are lethargy and apathy. If your cat is unusually tired and loses interest in exercise and regular daily activities, this could be a sign that your pet is unhealthy, possibly undernourished.

Cat illness - Cat illness symptoms

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Early detection of any ailment is the only way to help your cat live happier and longer. Every cat is susceptible to many deadly and disabling infectious diseases. As a concerned and responsible cat owner, it is important to understand and prevent these serious threats. Most all of these diseases are very preventable.

Cat flu
Respiratory tract infection. Cause: virus. Symptoms: sneezing, coughing, noisy breathing, runny eye, fever, loss of appetite. Very contagious. No direct treatment available, but antibiotics may prevent secondary bacteria infections. Early diagnosis followed by careful nursing gives the best chance of survival. Vaccination recommended.

Cat fleas
Fleas can be one of the most annoying aspects of owning a pet. The cat flea's primary host is the domestic cat, but this is also the primary flea infesting dogs in most of the world. Cat fleas can transmit other parasites and infections to dogs and cats and also to humans.

Scratching & biting at the fur is a good indicator your cat has fleas, although cats scratch & bite for reasons other than fleas. Upon close inspection of the fur & skin, you can usually see fleas on your cat, they are small dark brown insects. It is easier to see fleas if you have a light coloured cat. You may also notice flea droppings on your cat's bedding. If you are unsure, stand your cat on a white piece of paper, rough up it's fur a little & then lightly spray the paper with a demister. If you have very small brown specks which leave red stains on the paper then that is a sure sign your cat has fleas.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus affects cats, dogs, and humans. It's characterized by high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia. Around one in four hundred cats is diagnosed with cat diabetes. it seems to be more common in obese cats. A diagnosis of diabetes sounds scary, it is scary, but it is not a death sentence. Diabetic cats can live for years once their blood sugars are regulated.

Symptoms of Diabetes: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration.

Treatment for Feline Diabetes: The treatment for diabetes in cats is similar to the treatment for diabetes in humans, through diet and insulin therapy. Your cat will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections. Your cat will probably be switched to a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, like Science Diet w/d or r/d, your veterinarian will probably recommend a diet to use. This kind of a diet will help avoid elevations of glucose after eating and help with regulation of blood glucose.

ringworm

Contagious. A ring worm is an organism that can spread from cats to cats, human to cats and cats to human. So it may affect you too. Symptoms: dry skin on ears and around eyes, developing into red infected lesions.

Cat Illness - urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are quite common in cats. May have several causes and require different treatments, but most frequently is the feline urological syndrome, a feline bladder infection. Symptoms: blood in the urine, frequent urination. Treatment (antibiotics, diet) is very well possible, but feline urinary tract infections may recur. Vet would also recommend nutritional support so that the functioning of your cat's urinary tract system would be regulated accordingly. Your vet would also prescribe the proper diet that you should prepare for your cat. Commercial cat food is actually perceived as ideal here, provided that this contains the essential nutrients. Aside from cat food, hygienic practices should be observed to prevent further infection. Make sure to provide clean and fresh water as well as clean litter boxes so that healthy urination is encouraged.

Cat pregnancy - How long does a cat pregnancy last?

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Just like all animals, pregnancy in cats in a normal part of a cat's life that sometimes occurs if your cat has not been spayed.

The average length of cat pregnancy is 65 days. But a variation of four days either way is not unusual, so the whole cat gestation period may be as short as 61 days or as long as 69. For example, if your cat mated on may 5, the date of birth should be on July 10, but could be as early as July 6 or as late as July 15.

When a cat is pregnant, it’s pretty much the owner’s responsibility to help it maintain a proper level of nutrition and health. That requires the owner to actually know how to care for a pregnant cat and for the owner to know when the cat is pregnant to begin with.

There are certain signs you can look for to determine whether your cat is pregnant. You will notice a significant weight gain in your cat, particularly in the abdominal area. Weight gain, however, typically doesn’t appear until the fifth week or so of the pregnancy. You’ll also notice your cat may experience morning sickness. This is quite similar to morning sickness in human women. Cats experience morning sickness because their bodies aren’t used to larger uterine organs. You’ll also notice that your cat’s nipples will begin to grow. This typically will happen by the sixth week of the pregnancy. Her nipples will become soft and pink, and they’ll fill with milk.

Further, you’ll notice your cat behaving a bit differently than you’re accustomed to. Pregnant cats are normally quieter and more loving than they are when they aren’t pregnant.Your pregnant cat will start eating a lot more and demanding a lot more food. After all, it's eating for more than just one! A pregnant cat likely won’t start eating more, however, until just a few days before delivery. So when this starts to happen, you can be assured that she’s about to give birth.

A proper diet and nutrition is vital for a pregnant cat, just like it is for a pregnant human being. Ask your vet about what kinds of commercial cat food you should be feeding your cat at this time, since nutrition is very important for both the queen and her kittens. Feed your cat several small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large ones. Many veterinarians will recommend a vitamin mineral supplement in order to help give the cat the extra calcium that her bones will need. Just as with a human pregnancy, the babies are taking all of her strength and calcium that she needs. In order to keep her healthy, it is up to you as her owner to add it back into her diet or blood stream. This will prevent future tooth decay or bone deterioration.

When it comes down to it, you are the cat owner and it is your decision whether or not to allow your cat to get pregnant. You are the owner and you must make the judgment. If you do not want your cat to have the ability of pregnancy, it is highly recommended to have your cat spayed and to prevent unplanned pregnancies, have your male cats neutered.

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Kitten care, How to care for kittens

Kitten care - Food and Nutrition
Kittens are strict carnivores and need the nutrients found in animal protein sources. Proteins provide amino acids necessary for energy and tissue growth. Sufficient amounts of taurine help cats maintain healthy eyes, heart and reproductive organs. Cats have a higher minimum requirement for protein in their food than dogs (26-30% vs. 18-22%). Besides protein, there are other important nutrients and ingredients vital to your kitten’s diet: taurine, an amino acid, is essential to cats for maintaining healthy eye and heart function, reproduction and fetal growth and development. Taurine is found naturally only in animal protein sources such as chicken and fish. essential vitamins and minerals to help support the immune system and help your kitten stay healthy during this critical stage of growth a fiber source, such as beet pulp, that will help maintain your kitten’s digestive system health for less litter box waste and odor. These are important building blocks of nutrition. Look for them whether you choose dry or canned cat food and when you select treats.

4-6 weeks Daily Amount: ½ to 1 oz (1/4 – 1/3 cup). Frequency; 3 to 4 times per day
7 weeks – 6 months. Daily Amount: 1 to 3 oz. Frequency; 3 times per day
7 months – 1 year Daily Amount: 3 oz. Frequency: 2 times per day or 1 times per

Kittens need a premium canned food for the source of all the necessary nutrients needed to promote the development of strong bones and muscles, promote healthy teeth and gums, and to provide a source of protein and fat needed for the intense period of growth which occurs during the all-important first year. Kittens also need amino acids and taurine. Dry food should contain about 30 percent protein and about 15 percent fat. Kittens usually eat three times a day until they are six months old and twice a day until they are one year old. Adult cats may have enough with one meal a day.

Kitten care - How to take care of kittens

Milk: Do not give your kitten cow's milk - it can make them sick and give them diarrhea. You can obtain mother's milk replacer for young kittens at many of the pet stores in the area.

Litter boxes: Kittens will instinctively use the litter box as they get older, but their mother also helps to teach them. Make sure that a litter box with sides low enough for the kittens to get in and out is easily accessible. Use regular litter, not the clumping kind! Small kittens can lick themselves, swallow the clumping litter, and suffer dangerous blockages in their digestive track! Once the kitten is 3 months old, they can safely use the clumping litter. Keep the litter box clean - this encourages the kitten to develop good litter box habits.

Petting: You can help your kitten become a friendly, well socialized cat by spending plenty of quality time with him or her. He will like be stroked gently around the ears and under the chin. Be sure to pet her all over her body, so she gets used to be touched even on her paws and tummy. They enjoy being touched gently by you and will grow to enjoy your smell and your voice. Speak in a low voice - they are afraid of loud noises!

2009-12-21T05:20:00.001-08:00

Cat diseases - Cat disease causes, symptoms and prevention

Cat diseases and health - As a loving and responsible owner you'll not only be providing good food, shelter and a warm place to sleep but also making sure that all their health and welfare needs are met. There are many websites out there on the World Wide Web that specialize in cats and cat-related issues, including cat health problems, cat health symptoms and cat health insurance. The expert, of course, is your veterinarian, but if you keep yourself informed and actively involved in your cats health life you could well save your cat from any health-related discomfort. Early detection of any ailment is the only way to help your cat live happier and longer.

cat's health depends on many things including a proper vaccination program, comprehensive parasite control, grooming and training. Kittens are usually born with some immunity which soon wanes, that is why vaccinations are necessary. Some diseases are hereditary and cannot be detected early. Do you know that two-thirds of all cats will experience a potentially serious illness at some point in their lives? Diabetes, protein or blood in the urine, liver problems... early detection is vital. Many common cat diseases can be prevented in two ways: 1)Keeping your cat indoors; 2)Having your cat vaccinated according to your veterinarian's advice.

Preventing common cat diseases

We love our cats. We want to keep it as healthy and happy as possible. However, even with the best care, cats can get sick. You are lucky if you can catch the symptoms early and identify the specific cat disease affecting your pet. But this is not always the case. And often, we only discover the problem when it is at its worse stages and the cat has been considerably weakened due to the disease. This is why it becomes increasingly important for cat owners to learn more about the common cat diseases. That way, you can “discover” the cat diseases early and know what preemptive steps to take to protect your beloved furry friend.

Rabies
Of all the diseases in cats, rabies is perhaps the most widely known. Rabies is a type of viral cat disease that is often very fatal for cats or any other infected animal. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and spread through animal bites.

Rabies most commonly affects free-roaming cats as these cats are more likely to encounter and get bitten by wild animals that are infected. You can tell if your pet has been bitten by a rabies-infected animal through symptoms like: hydrophobia (your cat develops an aversion to water that is unusual even for a cat), aggressive behavior, depression, withdrawn behavior, and agitation.

The most effective treatment for rabies is vaccine. You should make sure that your cat has been vaccinated for rabies. In most states, this is required by law.

Upper respiratory infections (URIs).
URIs are similar in many ways to the common cold in humans and produce many of the same symptoms: sneezing, runny nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. However, URIs can be much more serious than common colds—they can be fatal if left untreated. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools. Separate any new cat from your other cats for at least three weeks until you are sure your newcomer doesn't have any symptoms of a URI.

Prevention is the best approach to URIs—have your cat vaccinated. But if your cat does come down with cold-like symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. The veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions. Follow them carefully and make sure your cat eats and drinks sufficiently.

Feline distemper
Also known as feline panleukopenia, feline distemper shows symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and is very highly contagious. Feline distemper transmits through human contact, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls. Best way to prevent is vaccinatiion.

2009-12-21T05:19:00.003-08:00

Cat names, Naming your cat.

Looking for funny cat names for your new kitten? A cat's name is a very important thing. Naming cat is a personal decision. There are so many cat names that you can choose from. Choosing cat names is a challenge. If you choose from the best male and female cat names and find the one which will truly match your cat personality. We would provide you a list of male and female cat names that are cute and funny, which would certainly give you an idea and then depending on the breed, color and characteristics of the cat, You can name it for it's size, color or breed. Please check the list below to see If you can't find best cat's name in our list? Please tell us the name and we'll add it!

Female cat names

Abba Acelin Afia Akina Aaric Able Aina Amy Aasiya Andrea Alena
Babs Baby Babsy Pain Bess Babe Betty Bebe Billie Bonita Buffy Bella
Callie Cleo Cindy Cara Misty Carrots Palo Cattia Cessie Tabitha Clover
Dabble Dixie Dior Dot Zena Diva Dozy Silver Dinah Dior Dizzy Dotty
Emma Mac Encore Quesa Eris Xena Tad Ertha Wendy Wilona Zyana

Felicity Tahki Friskie FiFi Fanjo Fawn Fefe Takara Forba Foxy Frannie Furball
Hera Hissy Hilda Yarima Heidi Lexie Hippy Holly Evette Linn Hope Henna Happy
Ima Iris Ida Isis Aaralyn Isha Indy Zayna Ilsa Hilara Hera Jade Jamina Kala
Pearl Aili Priss Akiva Petina Petal Petra Pia Polly Poppy Prima Panda
Sassa Yoki Sugar Sue Short Saki Sassy Shana Sile Sky Solar Star Sunny

Male cat names - Best and popular cat names

Ali Emerson Joe Algar Scamper Alien Emmet Joey Betlic Scampi
Amos Emperor Johny Udale Scat Apollo Broin Joker Charlie Schmoo
Abdel Enzo Jonah Ciro Schnitzel Archie Ernest Joplin Colan
Aristotle Errol Joshua Deon Dervin Arizona Eureka Julian Dickson
Evert Everest Esdras Scooter Arnie Farry Jumper Faelen Gawen
Hugi Exodus Juniper Scotty Itai Hussain Junky Omega Scout Jamal
Aslan Fable Jupiter Scrappy Kemen Fagan Jurgen Kenly Scraps
Barnaby Larry Kentuky Pablo Skunk Barney Fireball Molan Slalom
Bart Nico Kikki Pacino Sleepy Basil Nally Kimble Slick
Basket Fisby Kimo Paddy Slinky Payne Fitz Perry Pagan Quenton
Beans Rush King Paisley Santon Beau Fizzie Kingston Paladin Samman
Tabor Kinky Terrill Smithers Thorn Flash Kinski Toby Smokey Walter

2009-12-21T05:19:00.001-08:00

Cat food - How to choose the best cat food

The different types of cat food are endless, with variations in texture, nutritional value, flavor, and dietary needs. Choosing the right cat food for your cat depends mostly on its age, health and personal preferences.
what is a good cat food. What's the best cat food I can buy? These are very common questions. The answer usually is, depends on the needs of your pet. As pets age or require specialized diets for medical conditions, the answer may not always be the same brand of food.
Cat food is food manufactured for consumption by cats. Although cats are obligate carnivores, most commercial cat food contains both animal and plant material, supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Cat food is formulated to address the specific nutritional requirements of cats, in particular containing the amino acid taurine. Cats require certain amino acids, including taurine, which is essential to ensure the normal function of the heart, eyes and reproductive system. While most other mammals can synthesize taurine from other amino acids, felines can not, experts say. cats also need key vitamins and minerals in the diet. Many of these, such as vitamin A, are found in meat. Some others, such as vitamin E, are needed to support the immune system.

Today, most cat food is optimized for the life stage of your pet. These fall into three general categories: kitten, adult cat, and senior. When choosing the best cat food you need to make sure it is nutritionally designed to meet your pet's needs at each stage of life. In addition, there is cat food designed to help your pet lose weight, or to account for medical conditions like kidney failure, allergies, or digestive problems. Ask your veterinarian if you have any questions about your cat's health, and about which of these cat food choices is appropriate when choosing the best cat food for your feline friend.
when choosing the best cat food, look for an emphasis on natural ingredients, and few artificial colors, flavors. Food ingredients are listed according to the amount present in the food, so if the first ingredient on the label is a rich protein source like eggs or meat, you can be reasonably sure you're getting a quality cat food.

The different types of cat food

The best cat food contains the highest quality ingredients. Although cats are carnivores, most commercial cat food contains both animal and plant material, supplemented with various vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Cat food comes in a variety of different flavors. Dry, wet and moist cat foods are all available in seafood, lamb, beef and poultry flavors. There are also combinations, such as chicken and lamb or lamb and beef. Some cats are really picky about the flavors of their food, so don't be surprised if a certain flavor is snubbed. There are many brands of cat food that cater to the special dietary needs of cats. The following is a description of the three types of cat food available in the marketplace:

Dry cat food:
Dry products consist of crunchy kibbles, which help reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar on a cat’s teeth. Dry foods also have the advantage of staying fresh longer than soft-moist and canned products once the package is opened.

Canned cat Food:
It has high moisture content of 75%; therefore it meets the need for water in your cat’s diet. It is the most digestible of the three food types. Canned food can be pricey but the wide range in prices is usually in accordance with the quality of the meat. Once a can is opened, unused food should be stored in the refrigerator.

Semi moist food:
Once opened, it can remain in your cat’s dish for free-choice feeding but over time, it will dehydrate. Once the food is dried out, nutritional value is lost and cats usually won’t eat it because the appealing aroma is gone. Price-wise, it falls in between canned and dry food.

When choosing the best cat food, the ideal cat food is one that is formulated for your cat's age, health, body-type and activity level. Whether canned or dry, it is nutritionally complete, and has few artificial ingredients or fillers.
After you've done all you can to make sure a food is healthy and beneficial, take a look at your cat after feeding the food for at least a month. Bright eyes, a shiny coat, and a healthy energy level will let you know you've chosen a good source for your cat's nutrition. If you need assistance selecting a food for your cat, seek veterinary/professional advice.

2009-12-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

List of cat breeds

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The following list of cat breeds includes domestic cat breeds and domestic/wild hybrids. The list includes established breeds recognized by various cat registries, new and experimental breeds, distinct domestic population not being actively developed and lapsed breeds.

Inconsistency in breed classification among registries means that an individual animal may be considered different breeds by different registries. For example, The International Cat Association's Himalayan is considered a colorpoint version of the Persian by the Cat Fanciers' Association while the CFA's Javanese is considered a color variation of the Balinese by TICA.

The domestic shorthair and domestic longhair are not breeds but terms used in cat fancy to describe cats that do not belong to a particular breed.

[hide]

[edit] Breeds

Breed	Country	Origin	Body type	Coat	Pattern	Image
Abyssinian	Egypt	Natural	Oriental	Short	Ticked
Aegean cat	Greece	Natural		Semi-long
Australian Mist	Australia	Crossbreed	Moderate	Short	Spotted and Classic tabby
American Polydactyl
American Bobtail	United States
American Curl	United States	Mutation		Short/Long	All
American Longhair	United States			Long
American Shorthair	United States			Short
American Wirehair	United States	Mutation		Rex	All but colorpoint
Asian Semi-longhair
Balinese	United States	Crossbreed	Oriental	Long	Colorpoint
Bengal	United States	Hybrid		Short	Spotted/Marbled
Birman	Burma	Natural		Long	Colorpoint
Bombay	United States	Crossbreed		Short	Solid
Brazilian Shorthair	Brazil	Natural		Short	All
British Shorthair	United Kingdom	Natural	Cobby	Short	All
British Longhair	United Kingdom
Burmese	Burma	Natural		Short	Solid
Burmilla	United Kingdom	Crossbreed		Short/Long
California Spangled Cat	United States	Crossbreed		Short	Spotted
Chantilly/Tiffany	United States
Chartreux	France	Natural	Cobby	Short	Solid
Chausie	France	Hybrid		Short	Ticked
Cheetoh	United States	Hybrid cross		Short	Spotted
Colorpoint Shorthair				Short
Cornish Rex	England	Mutation		Rex	All
Cymric	Isle of Man	Natural/Mutation		Long
Devon Rex	England	Mutation	Oriental	Rex	All
Donskoy or Don Sphynx	Russia			Hairless
Dragon Li	China	Natural		Short	Striped tabby
Egyptian Mau	Egypt	Natural		Short	Spotted
European Shorthair	Sweden	Natural		Short
Exotic Shorthair	United States	Crossbreed	Cobby	Short	All
German Rex	East Germany	Mutation		Rex
Havana Brown	United Kingdom			Short	Solid
Himalayan/Colorpoint Persian	United Kingdom	Crossbreed		Long	Colorpoint
Japanese Bobtail	Japan	Natural	Moderate	Short/Long	All but colorpoint and ticked
Javanese		Crossbreed	Oriental	Long	Colorpoint
Korat	Thailand	Natural		Short	Solid
Kurilian Bobtail	Russia	Natural	Semi-cobby	Short/Long
LaPerm	United States	Mutation	Moderate	Rex	All
Maine Coon	United States	Natural		Long	All but colorpoint and ticked
Manx	Isle of Man	Natural/Mutation		Short/Long	All but colorpoint
Munchkin	United States	Mutation
Nebelung	Germany			Semi-long	Solid
Norwegian Forest Cat	Norway	Natural		Long	All but colorpoint
Ocicat	United States	Crossbreed		Short	Spotted
Ojos Azules	United States
Oregon Rex	United States	Mutation		Rex
Oriental Bicolour
Oriental Shorthair			Oriental	Short	All but colorpoint
Oriental Longhair			Oriental	Semi-long
Persian	Greater Iran		Cobby	Long	All
Peterbald	Russia	Crossbreed	Oriental	Hairless	All
Pixie-bob	United States	Natural		Short	Spotted
Ragamuffin	United States	Crossbreed	Cobby	Long	All
Ragdoll	United States	Crossbreed	Cobby	Long	Colorpoint/Mitted/Bicolor
Russian Blue	Russia	Natural		Short	Solid
Russian White, Black and Tabby	Australia	Crossbreed		Short
Savannah	United States	Hybrid		Short	Spotted
Scottish Fold	Scotland	Natural	Cobby	Short/Long	All but colorpoint
Selkirk Rex	United States	Mutation/Cross		Rex (Short/Long)	All
Serengeti cat	United States	Hybrid cross		Short	Spotted
Siamese	Thailand	Natural	Oriental	Short	Colorpoint
Siberian	Russia	Natural	Cobby	Semi-long	All
Singapura	Singapore*	Natural*		Short	Ticked
Snowshoe	United States	Crossbreed		Short	Colorpoint
Sokoke	Kenya	Natural		Short	Classic tabby with ticking
Somali	United States	Mutation		Long	Ticked
Sphynx	Canada	Mutation	Oriental	Hairless	All
Sumxu	China	Natural/Mutation
Thai/Old-style Siamese	Thailand	Natural		Short	Colorpoint
Tonkinese	Canada	Crossbreed		Short	Colourpoint/Mink/Solid
Toyger
Turkish Angora	Turkey	Natural		Semi-long	All but colorpoint
Turkish Van	Turkey	Natural		Semi-long	Van
Turkish Vankedisi	Turkey	Natural		Semi-long	All white
Twisty Cat/Squitten		Mutation
Ukrainian Levkoy	Ukraine			Hairless
Ussuri	Russia	Natural hybrid*		Short	Spotted
York Chocolate Cat	United States
Breed	Country	Origin	Body type	Coat	Pattern	Image

Cat

2009-12-21T05:15:00.001-08:00

"Cats" redirects here. For other uses, see Cats (disambiguation).

This article is about domestic felines. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation).

Cat^[1]

Cats
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Subkingdom:	Eumetazoa
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Mammalia
Subclass:	Theria
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Feliformia
Family:	Felidae
Subfamily:	Felinae
Genus:	Felis
Species:	F. catus
Binomial name
*Felis catus* (Linnaeus, 1758)^[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)^[3] Felis silvestris catus^[4]

The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or housecat^[5] to distinguish it from other felines and felids, is a small carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin and household pests. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years^[6] and is currently the most popular pet in the world.^[7]

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands.^{[citation needed]} Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs and toilet handles.^[8] Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.^[9] They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as cat fancy.

Until recently the cat was commonly believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt, where it was a cult animal.^[10] A study in 2007 found that the lines of descent of all house cats probably run through as few as five self-domesticating African Wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) circa 8000 BC, in the Near East.^[4] The earliest direct evidence of cat domestication is a kitten that was buried with its owner 9,500 years ago in Cyprus.^[11]

Nomenclature and etymology

The word cat derives from Old English catt, which belongs to a group of related words in European languages, including Welsh cath, Spanish gato, Basque katu, Byzantine Greek kátia, Old Irish cat, German Katze, and Old Church Slavonic kotka. The ultimate source of all these terms is Late Latin catus, cattus, catta "domestic cat", as opposed to feles "European wildcat". It is unclear whether the Greek or the Latin came first, but they were undoubtedly borrowed from an Afro-Asiatic language akin to Nubian kadís and Berber kaddîska, both meaning "wildcat".^[12] This term was either cognate with or borrowed from Late Egyptian čaus "jungle cat, African wildcat" (later giving Coptic šau "tomcat"),^[13] itself from earlier Egyptian tešau "female cat"^[14] (vs. miew "tomcat").^[15] The term puss (as in pussycat) may come from Dutch poes or from Low German Puuskatte, dialectal Swedish kattepus, or Norwegian pus, pusekatt, all of which primarily denote a woman and, by extension, a female cat.^[16]

A group of cats is referred to as a "clowder", a male cat is called a "tom" (or a "gib", if neutered), and a female is called a "molly" or "queen". The male progenitor of a cat, especially a pedigreed cat, is its "sire", and its female progenitor is its "dam". An immature cat is called a "kitten" (which is also an alternative name for young rats, rabbits, hedgehogs, beavers, squirrels and skunks). In medieval Britain, the word kitten was interchangeable with the word catling. A cat whose ancestry is formally registered is called a pedigreed cat, purebred cat, or a show cat. In strict terms, a purebred cat is one whose ancestry contains only individuals of the same breed. A pedigreed cat is one whose ancestry is recorded, but may have ancestors of different breeds. Cats of unrecorded mixed ancestry are referred to as domestic longhairs and domestic shorthairs or commonly as random-bred, moggies, mongrels, or mutt-cats.

Taxonomy and evolution

The Felids are a rapidly evolving family of mammals that share a common ancestor only 10-15 million years ago,^[17] and include in addition to the domestic cat, lions, tigers, cougars, and many others. Within this family, domestic cats (Felis catus) are part of the genus Felis, which is a group of small cats containing seven species.^[1]^[18] Members of the genus are found worldwide and include the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) of southeast Asia, the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), the Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis silvestris bieti) and the Arabian Sand Cat (Felis margarita).^[19] All the cats in this genus share a common ancestor that probably lived around six million years ago in Asia.^[20] Although the exact relationships within the Felidae are still uncertain,^[21]^[22] both the Chinese Mountain Cat and the African Wildcat are close relations of the domestic cat and are both classed as subspecies of the Wildcat Felis silvestris.^[4]^[21] As domestic cats are little altered from wildcats, they can readily interbreed. This hybridization may pose a danger to the genetic distinctiveness of wildcat populations, particularly in Scotland and Hungary.^[23]

The wildcat Felis silvestris is a close relative of the domestic cat.

The domestic cat was first classified as Felis catus by Carolus Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae of 1758.^[2]^[24] However, due to modern phylogenetics, domestic cats are now usually regarded as another subspecies of the Wildcat Felis silvestris.^[4]^[24]^[25] This has resulted in mixed usage of the terms, as the domestic cat can be called by its subspecies name, Felis silvestris catus.^[1]^[4] Wildcats have also been referred to as various subspecies of F. catus,^[25] but in 2003 the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature fixed the name for Wildcats as F. silvestris.^[26] The most common name in use for the domestic cat remains F. catus, following a convention for domesticated animals of using the earliest (the senior) synonym proposed.^[26] Sometimes the domestic cat is called Felis domesticus,^[27] although this is not a valid scientific name.^[28]

Cats have either a mutualistic or commensal relationship with humans. However, in comparison to dogs, cats have not undergone major changes during the domestication process, as the form and behavior of the domestic cat are not radically different from those of wildcats, and domestic cats are perfectly capable of surviving in the wild.^[29]^[30] Several natural behaviors and characteristics of Wildcats may have preadapted them for domestication as pets.^[30] These traits include their small size, social nature, obvious body language, love of play and relatively high intelligence.^[31] All the small Felids may also have an inborn tendency towards tameness.^[30]

There are two main models for how cats were domesticated. In one model, people deliberately tamed cats in a process of artificial selection, as they were useful predators of vermin.^[32] However, some theorists find this implausible, because there may have been little reward for such an effort: cats do not carry out commands and, although they do eat rodents, other species such as ferrets or terriers may be better at controlling these pests.^[4] The alternative idea is that cats were simply tolerated by people and gradually diverged from their 'wild' relatives through natural selection, as they adapted to hunting the vermin found in human settlements.^[4]

Anatomy

Diagram of the general anatomy of a male cat

Domestic cats are similar in size to the other members of the genus Felis, typically weighing between 4 kilograms (8 lb 13 oz) and 5 kilograms (11 lb 0 oz).^[21] However, some breeds, such as the Maine Coon, can exceed 11 kilograms (25 lb). Conversely, very small cats (less than 1.8 kilograms (3 lb 15 oz)) have been reported.^[33] The world record for the largest cat is 21.297 kilograms (46 lb 15.2 oz).^[34] The smallest adult cat ever officially recorded weighed around 1.36 kilograms (3 lb).^[35] Cats average about 23–25 centimeters (9–10 in) in height and 46 centimeters (18.1 in) in head/body length (males being larger than females), with tails averaging 30 centimeters (11.8 in) in length.^[36]

Cats have 7 cervical vertebrae like almost all mammals, 13 thoracic vertebrae (humans have 12), 7 lumbar vertebrae (humans have 5), 3 sacral vertebrae like most mammals (humans have 5 because of their bipedal posture), and a variable number of caudal vertebrae in the tail (humans retain 3 to 5 caudal vertebrae, fused into an internal coccyx).^[37] The extra lumbar and thoracic vertebrae account for the cat's spinal mobility and flexibility. Attached to the spine are 13 ribs, the shoulder, and the pelvis.^[38] Unlike human arms, cat forelimbs are attached to the shoulder by free-floating clavicle bones, which allows them to pass their body through any space into which they can fit their heads.^[39]

Skull of a domestic cat.

The cat skull is unusual among mammals in having very large eye sockets and a powerful and specialized jaw.^[40] Within the jaw, cats have teeth adapted for killing prey and tearing meat. When they overpower prey, a cat delivers a lethal neck bite with its two long canine teeth that insert between two of the prey's vertebrae and sever its spinal cord, causing irreversible paralysis and death.^[41] Compared to other felines, domestic cats have narrowly-spaced canine teeth, which is an adaptation to their preferred prey of small rodents, which have small vertebrae.^[41] The premolar and first molar together compose the carnassial pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently shears meat into small pieces, like a pair of scissors. These are vital in feeding, since cats' small molars cannot chew food effectively.^[42]

Cats, like dogs, are digitigrades. They walk directly on their toes, with the bones of their feet making up the lower part of the visible leg.^[43] Cats are capable of walking very precisely, because like all felines they directly register; that is, they place each hind paw (almost) directly in the print of the corresponding forepaw, minimizing noise and visible tracks. This also provides sure footing for their hind paws when they navigate rough terrain.

Like almost all members of the Felidae family, cats have protractable claws.^[44] In their normal, relaxed position the claws are sheathed with the skin and fur around the toe pads. This keeps the claws sharp by preventing wear from contact with the ground and allows the silent stalking of prey. The claws on the forefeet are typically sharper than those on the hind feet.^[45] Cats can voluntarily extend their claws on one or more paws. They may extend their claws in hunting or self-defense, climbing, "kneading", or for extra traction on soft surfaces (bedspreads, thick rugs, etc.). It is also possible to make a cooperative cat extend its claws by carefully pressing both the top and bottom of the paw.

Most cats have five claws on their front paws, and four on their rear paws.^[46] The fifth front claw (the dewclaw) is proximal to the other claws. More proximally, there is a protrusion which appears to be a sixth "finger". This special feature of the front paws, on the inside of the wrists, is the carpal pad, also found on the paws of big cats and dogs. It has no function in normal walking, but is thought to be an anti-skidding device used while jumping. Some breeds of cats are prone to polydactylyism, and may have eight or even ten toes.^[46] These are particularly common along the North-East coast of North America.^[47]

Senses

Main article: Cat senses

Cat's eye. Cats have extremely sensitive vision, particularly in dim light.

Cats have excellent night vision and can function at only one-sixth the light level required for human vision.^[48] This is partly the result of cat eyes having a tapetum lucidum, which reflects any light that passes through the retina back into the eye, thereby increasing the eye's sensitivity to dim light.^[49] Another adaptation to dim light is the large pupils of cats' eyes. Unlike some big cats, such as tigers, domestic cats have slit pupils.^[50] These slit pupils can focus bright light without chromatic aberration, and are needed since the domestic cat's pupils are much larger, relative to their eyes, than the pupils of the big cats.^[50] Indeed, at low light levels a cat's pupils will expand to cover most of the exposed surface of its eyes.^[51] However, domestic cats have rather poor color vision and can only see two colors: blue and green, and are less able to distinguish between red and green,^[52] although they can achieve this in some conditions.^[53]

Cats' whiskers are highly sensitive to touch.

Cats have excellent hearing and can detect an extremely broad range of frequencies. They can hear higher-pitched sounds than either dogs or humans, detecting frequencies from 55 Hz up to 79 kHz, a range of 10.5 octaves; while humans can only hear from 31 Hz up to 18 kHz, and dogs hear from 67 Hz to 44 kHz, which are both ranges of about 9 octaves.^[54]^[55] Cats do not use this ability to hear ultrasound for communication but it is probably important in hunting,^[56] since many species of rodents make ultrasonic calls.^[57] Cats' hearing is also extremely sensitive and is among the best of any mammal,^[54] being most acute in the range of 500 Hz to 32 kHz.^[58] This sensitivity is further enhanced by the cat's large movable outer ears (their pinnae), which both amplify sounds and help a cat sense the direction from which a noise is coming.^[56]

Cats have an acute sense of smell, which is due in part to their well-developed olfactory bulb and also to a large surface of olfactory mucosa, in cats this mucosa is about 5.8 cm² in area, which is about twice that of humans and only 1.7-fold less than the average dog.^[59] Cats respond strongly to the smell of nepetalactone, a compound found in catnip, and can detect this substance at less than one part per billion.^[60] Cats are also sensitive to pheromones such as 3-Mercapto-3-methylbutan-1-ol,^[61] which they use to communicate through urine spraying and marking with scent glands.^[62]

Due to a mutation in an early cat ancestor, one of two genes necessary to taste sweetness may have been lost by the cat family.^[63] Their taste buds instead respond to amino acids, bitter tastes and acids.^[64] To aid with navigation and sensation, cats have dozens of movable vibrissae (whiskers) over their body, especially their face. These provide information on the location of objects in the dark, both by touching objects directly and by sensing air currents; they also trigger protective blink reflexes to protect the eyes from damage.^[65]

Genetics

Main article: Cat genetics

Blue-eyed cats with white fur have a high incidence of genetic deafness.^[66]

The domesticated cat and its closest wild ancestor are both diploid organisms that possess 38 chromosomes^[67] and roughly 20,000 genes.^[68] About 250 heritable genetic disorders have been identified in cats, many similar to human inborn errors.^[69] The high level of similarity among the metabolisms of mammals allows many of these feline diseases to be diagnosed using genetic tests that were originally developed for use in humans, as well as the use of cats in the study of the human diseases.^[70]^[71] An interesting example of a mutation that is shared among all felines, including the big cats, is a mutant chemosensor in their taste buds that prevents them from tasting sweetness, which may explain their indifference to fruits, berries, and other sugary foods.^[63] In some breeds of cats congenital deafness is very common, with most white cats (but not albinos) being affected, particularly if they also have blue eyes.^[66] The genes responsible for this defect are unknown, but the disease is studied in the hope that it may shed light on the causes of hereditary deafness in humans.^[72]

Since a large variety of different coat patterns exist within the various cat breeds, the cat is an excellent animal to study the coat genetics of hair growth and coloration.^[73] Several genes interact to produce cats' hair color and coat patterns. Different combinations of these genes give different phenotypes. For example, the enzyme tyrosinase is needed to produce the dark pigment melanin and Burmese cats have a mutant form that is only active at low temperatures, resulting in color appearing only on the cooler ears, tail and paws.^[74] A completely inactive gene for tyrosinase is found in albino cats, which therefore lack all pigment.^[75] Hair length is determined by the gene for fibroblast growth factor 5, with inactive copies of this gene causing long hair.^[76]

The Cat Genome Project, sponsored by the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity at the U.S. National Cancer Institute Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center in Frederick, Maryland, aims to help the development of the cat as an animal model for human hereditary and infectious diseases, as well as contributing to the understanding of the evolution of mammals.^[71] This effort led to the publication in 2007 of an initial draft of the genome of a Abyssinian cat called Cinnamon.^[68] The existence of a draft genome has led to the discovery of several cat disease genes,^[68] and even allowed the development of cat genetic fingerprinting for use in forensics.^[77]

Physiology

Normal physiological values^[78]
Body temperature	38.6°C (101.5°F)
Heart rate	120-140 beats per minute
Breathing rate	16-40 breaths per minute

As a familiar and easily-kept animal, the physiology of cats has been particularly well studied and is generally similar to that of other carnivorous mammals.^[27] However, several features of cats' physiology are unusual and are probably due to their descent from desert-dwelling species.^[27] For instance, cats are able to tolerate quite high temperatures, with humans starting to feel uncomfortable when their skin temperature passes about 44.5 °C (112 °F), in contrast cats show no discomfort until their skin reaches around 52 °C (126 °F).^[79] Unusually, a cat's body temperature does not vary throughout the day; this is part of cats' general lack of circadian rhythms and may reflect their tendency to be active in both day and night.^[80] As well as being tolerant of high temperatures, cats' feces are usually dry and their urine is also highly concentrated, both of which are adaptations that allow cats to retain as much fluid as possible.^[27] Indeed, their kidneys are so efficient that cats can survive on a diet consisting only of meat, with no additional water,^[81] and can even rehydrate by drinking seawater.^[82]^[83]

A cat carrying a house mouse.

Cats are obligate carnivores: their physiology has evolved to efficiently process meat, and they have difficulty digesting plant matter.^[27] In contrast to omnivores such as rats, which only require about 4% protein in their diet, about 20% of a cat's diet must be protein.^[27] Cats are unusually dependent on a constant supply of the amino acid arginine, and a diet lacking arginine causes marked weight loss and can be rapidly fatal.^[84] Another unusual feature is that the cat also cannot produce the amino acid taurine, with taurine deficiency causing macular degeneration, where the cat's retina slowly degenerates, causing irreversible blindness.^[27] Since cats tend to eat all of their prey, they obtain minerals by digesting animal bones, and a diet composed only of meat may cause calcium deficiency.^[27]

A cat's digestive tract is also adapted to meat eating, being much shorter than that of omnivores and having low levels of several of the digestive enzymes that are needed to digest carbohydrates.^[85] These traits severely limits the cat's ability to digest and use plant-derived nutrients, as well as certain fatty acids.^[85] Despite the cat's meat-oriented physiology, several vegetarian or vegan cat foods have been marketed that are supplemented with chemically synthesized taurine and other nutrients, in attempts to produce a complete diet. However, some of these products still fail to provide all the nutrients that cats require,^[86] and diets containing no animal products pose the risk of causing severe nutritional deficiencies.^[87]

Health

Main article: Cat health

In captivity, an average life expectancy for indoor cats at birth is 14 years,^[88] although the oldest known cat, Creme Puff, lived to age 38.^[89] Having a cat neutered confers some health benefits, since castrated males cannot develop testicular cancer, spayed females cannot develop uterine or ovarian cancer, and both have a reduced risk of mammary cancer.^[90] The lifespan of feral cats is hard to determine accurately, although one study reported a median age of 4.7 years, with a range between 0 to 10 years.^[91]

Diseases

Cats can suffer from a wide range of health problems, including infectious diseases, parasites, injuries and chronic disease. Vaccinations are available for many of these diseases, and domestic cats are regularly given treatments to eliminate parasites such as worms and fleas.

Poisoning

In addition to obvious dangers such as rodenticides, insecticides and weed killers, cats may be poisoned by many chemicals that are usually considered safe.^[92] This is because their livers are less effective at some forms of detoxification than those of other animals, including humans and dogs.^[27]^[93] Some of the most common causes of poisoning in cats are antifreeze and rodent baits.^[94] It has also been suggested that cats may be particularly sensitive to environmental pollutants.^[92]^[95] When a cat has a sudden or prolonged serious illness without any obvious cause, it is therefore possible that it has been exposed to a toxin.

Human medicines should never be given to cats. For example, the painkiller paracetamol (also called acetaminophen), sold under brand names such as Tylenol and Panadol is extremely toxic to cats: even very small doses can be fatal and need immediate treatment.^[96]^[97] Even aspirin, which is sometimes used to treat arthritis in cats, is much more toxic to them than to humans and must be administered cautiously.^[92] Similarly, application of minoxidil (Rogaine) to the skin of cats, either accidentally or by well-meaning owners attempting to counter loss of fur, has sometimes been fatal.^[98] Essential oils can be toxic to cats and there have been reported cases of serious illnesses caused by tea tree oil, and tea tree oil-based flea treatments and shampoos.^[99]

Other common household substances that should be used with caution around cats include mothballs and other naphthalene products.^[92] Phenol-based products are often used for cleaning and disinfecting near cats' feeding areas or litter boxes: such as Pine-Sol, Dettol (Lysol) or hexachlorophene,^[92] but these can sometimes be fatal.^[100] Ethylene glycol, often used as an automotive antifreeze, is particularly appealing to cats, and as little as a teaspoonful can be fatal.^[101] Some human foods are toxic to cats; for example theobromine in chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning, although few cats will eat chocolate.^[102] Large amounts of onions or garlic are also poisonous to cats.^[92] Many houseplants are also dangerous,^[103] such as Philodendron species and the leaves of the Easter Lily, which can cause permanent and life-threatening kidney damage.^[104]

Behavior

See also: Cat behavior and cat communication

Free-ranging cats are active both day and night, although they tend to be slightly more active at night.^[105]^[106] The timing of cats' activity is quite flexible and varied, which means that house cats may be more active in the morning and evening (crepuscular behavior), as a response to greater human activity at these times.^[107] House cats have territories that vary quite a lot in size, in one study ranging from seven to 28 hectares.^[106] Although they spend the majority of their time in the vicinity of their home, they can range many hundreds of meters from this central point.^[106]

Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12–16 hours, with 13–14 being the average. Some cats can sleep as much as 20 hours in a 24-hour period. The term cat nap refers to the cat's ability to fall asleep (lightly) for a brief period and has entered the English lexicon—someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap".

Sociability

Social grooming in a pair of cats.

Although wildcats are solitary, the social behavior of domestic cats is much more variable and ranges from widely-dispersed individuals to feral cat colonies that form around a food source, based on groups of co-operating females.^[108]^[109] Within such groups one cat is usually dominant over the others.^[110] Each cat in a colony holds a distinct territory, with sexually active males having the largest territories, which are about ten times larger than those of female cats and may overlap with several females' territories.^[62] These territories are marked by urine spraying, by rubbing objects at head height with secretions from facial glands and by defecation.^[62] Between these territories are neutral areas where cats watch and greet one another without territorial conflicts. Outside these neutral areas, territory holders usually chase away stranger cats, at first by staring, hissing, and growling, and if that does not work, by short but noisy and violent attacks. Despite some cats cohabiting in colonies, cats do not have a social survival strategy, or a pack mentality and always hunt alone.^[111]

As part of cat sociability they use a variety of vocalizations for communication, including meowing, purring, "trilling", hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.^[9] Their types of body language: position of ears and tail, relaxation of whole body, kneading of paws, are all indicators of mood. The tail and ears are particularly important social signal in cats, with a raised tail acting as a friendly greeting.^[112]^[113] Tail raising also indicates the cat's position in the group's social hierarchy, with dominant individuals raising their tails less often than subordinate animals.^[113] Nose-touching is also a common greeting and may be followed by social grooming, which is solicited by one of the cats raising and tilting its head.^[109] However, some pet cats are poorly socialized. In particular older cats may show aggressiveness towards newly-arrived kittens, which may include biting and scratching; this type of behavior is known as Feline Asocial Aggression.^[114]

For cats, life in proximity with humans (and other animals kept by humans) amounts to a "symbiotic social adaptation". They may express great affection towards their human companions, especially if they imprint on them at a very young age and are treated with consistent affection. It has been suggested that, ethologically, the human keeper of a cat functions as a sort of surrogate for the cat's mother, and that adult domestic cats live their lives in a kind of extended kittenhood, a form of behavioral neoteny.^[115]

Grooming

The hooked papillae on a cat tongue act like a hairbrush to help clean and detangle fur.

Cats are known for their cleanliness, spending many hours licking their coats.^[116] The cat's tongue has backwards-facing spines about 500 micrometres long, which are called papillae. These are quite rigid, as they contain keratin.^[117] These spines allow cats to groom themselves by licking their fur, with the rows of papillae acting like a hairbrush. Some cats, particularly longhaired cats, occasionally regurgitate hairballs of fur that have collected in their stomachs from grooming. These clumps of fur are usually sausage-shaped and about two to three centimeters long. Hairballs can be prevented with remedies that ease elimination of the hair through the gut, as well as regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush.^[116]

Fighting

In domestic cats, males are more likely to fight than females.^[118] In feral cats, the most common reason for cat fighting is when two males are competing to mate with a female: here most fights will be won by the heavier male.^[119] Another possible reason for fighting in domestic cats is when the cats have difficulties in establishing a territory within a small home.^[118] Female cats will also fight over territory or to defend their kittens. Spaying females and neutering males will decrease or eliminate this behavior in many cases.

Cats intimidate opponents by arching their backs, raising their fur, turning sideways, and hissing.

Fighting cats make themselves appear more impressive and threatening by raising their fur and arching their backs, thus increasing their apparent size.^[112] Attacks usually comprise powerful slaps to the face and body with the forepaws as well as bites, but serious damage is rare; usually the loser runs away with little more than a few scratches to the face, and perhaps the ears. Cats will also throw themselves to the ground in a defensive posture to rake their opponent's belly with their powerful hind legs.^[120]

Normally, serious injuries from fighting will be limited to infections of scratches and bites, though these can occasionally kill cats if untreated. In addition, bites are probably the main route of transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).^[121] Sexually active males will usually be in many fights during their lives, and often have decidedly battered faces with obvious scars and cuts to the ears and nose.

Hunting and feeding

Cats feed on small prey, primarily birds and rodents.^[122] Feral cats and house cats that are free-fed tend to consume many small meals in a single day, although the frequency and size of meals varies between individuals.^[111] Cats use two hunting strategies, either stalking prey actively, or waiting in ambush until an animal comes close enough to be captured. Although it is not certain, the type of strategy used may depend on the prey species in the area, with for example, cats waiting in ambush outside burrows, but tending to actively stalk birds.^[123]

Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats may strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a leopard.^[124] Other possible explanations include that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its territory. During a fall from a high place, a cat can reflexively twist its body and right itself using its acute sense of balance and flexibility.^[125] This is known as the cat's "righting reflex". It always rights itself in the same way, provided it has the time to do so, during a fall. The height required for this to occur is around 90 cm (3 feet). Cats without a tail also have this ability, since a cat mostly moves its hind legs and relies on conservation of angular momentum to set up for landing, and the tail is in fact little used for this feat.^[126]

A domestic cat eating a captured bird.

One poorly understood element of cat hunting behavior is the presentation of prey to human owners. Ethologist Paul Leyhausen proposed that cats adopt humans into their social group, and share excess kill with others in the group according to the local pecking order, in which humans are placed at or near the top.^[127] However, anthropologist and animal scientist Desmond Morris, in his 1986 book Catwatching, suggests that when cats bring home mice or birds, they are teaching their human to hunt, or helping their human as if feeding "an elderly cat, or an inept kitten".^[128] However, this proposal is inconsistent with the fact that male cats also bring home prey, despite males having no involvement with raising kittens.^[123]

Domestic cats select food based on its temperature, smell and texture, strongly disliking chilled foods and responding most strongly to moist foods rich in amino acids, which are similar to meat.^[87]^[111] Cats may reject novel flavors (a response termed neophobia) and learn quickly to avoid foods that have tasted unpleasant in the past.^[111] They may also avoid sugary foods and milk; since they are lactose intolerant, these sugars are not easily digested and may cause soft stools or diarrhea.^[111]^[129] They can also develop odd eating habits. Some cats like to eat or chew on other things, most commonly wool, but also plastic, paper, string, or even coal. This condition is called pica and can threaten their health, depending on the amount and toxicity of the items eaten.^[130]^[131]

Play

Main article: Cat play and toys

Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of play. This behavior mimics hunting and is important in helping kittens learn to stalk, capture, and kill prey.^[132] Cats will also engage in play fighting, with each other and with humans. This behavior may be a way for cats to practice the skills needed for real combat, and might also reduce any fear they associate with launching attacks on other animals.^[133]

Due to the close similarity between play and hunting, cats prefer to play with objects that resemble prey, such as small furry toys that move rapidly, but rapidly lose interest (they become habituated) in a toy they have played with before.^[134] Cats also tend to play with toys more when they are hungry.^[135] String is often used as a toy, but if it is eaten it can become caught at the base of the cat’s tongue and then move into the intestines, this is a medical emergency as it can cause serious illness and death.^[136] Due to the risks posed by cats eating string, it is sometimes replaced with a laser pointer's dot, which cats may chase.^[137] While concerns have been raised about the safety of these lasers, Professor John Marshall, an ophthalmologist at St Thomas' Hospital, has stated that it would be "virtually impossible" to blind a cat with a laser pointer.^[138]

Reproduction

When cats mate, the male tom bites the scruff of the female's neck as she assumes a position conducive to mating.

Female cats are seasonally polyestrous, which means they may have many periods of heat over the course of a year, the season beginning in January or February and ending in late October. Heat periods occur about every two weeks and last about 4 to 7 days.^[139] Multiple males will be attracted to a female in heat. The males will fight over her, and the victor wins the right to mate. At first, the female will reject the male, but eventually the female will allow the male to mate. The female will utter a loud yowl as the male pulls out of her. This is because a male cat's penis has a band of about 120-150 backwards-pointing spines, which are about one millimeter long;^[140] upon withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina, which is a trigger for ovulation. After mating, the female will wash her vulva thoroughly. If a male attempts to breed with her at this point, the female will attack him. After about 20 to 30 minutes, once the female is finished grooming, the cycle will repeat.^[139]

Because ovulation is not always triggered by a single mating, females may not be impregnated by the first male with which they mate.^[141] Furthermore, cats are superfecund; that is, a female may mate with more than one male when she is in heat, with the result that different kittens in a litter may have different fathers.^[139]

A kitten with newly-open eyes.

The gestation period for cats is between 64–67 days, with an average length of 66 days.^[142] The size of a litter averages three to five kittens, with the first litter usually smaller than subsequent litters. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months (females) and to 5–7 months (males), although this can vary depending on breed.^[139] Females can have two to three litters per year, so may produce up to 150 kittens in their breeding span of around ten years.^[139]

Cats are ready to go to new homes at about 12 weeks old,^[143] or when they are ready to leave their mother. Cats can be surgically sterilized (spayed or castrated) as early as 7 weeks to limit unwanted reproduction.^[144] This surgery also prevents undesirable sex-related behavior, such as aggression, territory marking (spraying urine) in males and yowling (calling) in females. Traditionally, this surgery was performed at around six to nine months of age, but it is increasingly being performed prior to puberty, at about three to six months.^[145] In the USA approximately 80% of household cats are neutered.^[146]

Ecology

Habitats

Cats are a cosmopolitan species and are found across much of the world.^[29] They are extremely adaptable and are now present on all the continents (including Antarctica) and on 118 of 131 main groups of islands.^[147]^[148] Feral cats can live in forests, grasslands, tundra, coastal areas, agricultural land, scrublands, urban areas and wetlands.^[149] Their habitats even include small oceanic islands with no human inhabitants.^[150] However, this ability to thrive in almost any terrestrial habitat has led the cat's designation as one of the world's worst invasive species.^[151] Despite this general adaptability, the close relatives of domestic cats, the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and the Arabian Sand Cat (Felis margarita) both inhabit desert environments,^[4] and domestic cats still show similar adaptations and behaviors.^[27]

Impact on prey species

Feral cat eating a cottontail rabbit.

To date, there are few scientific data available to assess the impact of cat predation on prey populations. Cat numbers in the UK are growing annually and their abundance is far above the ‘natural’ carrying capacity, due to their population sizes being independent of their prey’s dynamics – i.e. cats are ‘recreational’ hunters.^[152] Population densities can be as high as 2000 individuals per km²^[153] and the current trend is an increase of 0.5 million cats annually.

Even well-fed domestic cats may hunt and kill, mainly catching small mammals, but also birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.^[122]^[154] Hunting by domestic cats may be contributing to the decline in the numbers of birds in urban areas, although the importance of this effect remains controversial.^[155] In the wild, the introduction of feral cats during human settlement can threaten native species with extinction.^[150] In many cases controlling or eliminating the populations of non-native cats can produce a rapid recovery in native animals.^[156] However, the ecological role of introduced cats can be more complicated: for example, cats can control the numbers of rats, which also prey on birds' eggs and young, so in some cases eliminating a cat population can actually accelerate the decline of an endangered bird species in the presence of a mesopredator, controlled by cats.^[157]

In the Southern Hemisphere, cats are a particular problem in landmasses such as Australasia, where cat species have never been native and there were few equivalent native medium-sized mammalian predators.^[158] Native species such as the New Zealand Kakapo and the Australian Bettong, for example, tend to be more ecologically vulnerable and behaviorally "naive" to predation by feral cats.^[159] Feral cats have had a major impact on these native species and have played a leading role in the endangerment and extinction of many animals.^[160]

Impact on birds

It has been claimed that the domestic cat is a significant predator of birds. Current UK assessments indicate that they may be accountable for an estimated 64.8 million bird deaths each year.^[122] Certain species appear more susceptible than others; for example, 30% of house sparrow mortality is linked to the domestic cat.^[161] In the recovery of ringed robins and dunnocks, it was also concluded that 31% of deaths were a result of cat predation.^[162]

On islands, birds can contribute as much as 60% of a cat’s diet.^[163] In nearly all cases, however, the cat cannot be identified as the sole cause for reducing the numbers of island birds, and in some instances eradication of cats has caused a ‘mesopredator release’ effect;^[164] where the suppression of top carnivores creates an abundance of smaller predators that cause a severe decline in their shared prey. Domestic cats are, however, known to be a contributing factor to the decline of many species; a factor that has ultimately led, in some cases, to extinction. The South Island Piopio; Chatham Islands Rail;^[162] the Auckland Islands Merganser;^[165] and the common diving petrel^[166] are a few from a long list, with the most extreme case being the elimination of the flightless Stephen Island Wren, by a single cat.^[167]

Some of the same factors that have promoted adaptive radiation of island avifauna over evolutionary time appear to promote vulnerability to non-native species in modern time. The susceptibility inherent of many island birds is undoubtedly due to evolution in the absence of mainland predators, competitors, diseases and parasites. In addition to lower reproductive rates and extended incubation periods.^[168] The loss of flight, or reduced flying ability is also characteristic of many island endemics.^[169] These biological aspects have increased vulnerability to extinction in the presence of introduced species, such as the domestic cat.^[170] Equally, behavioural traits exhibited by island species, such as ‘predatory naivety’^[171] and ground-nesting,^[168] have also contributed to their susceptibility.

Domesticated cats

Cats are a common companion animal in Europe and North America, and their worldwide population exceeds 500 million.^[10] In 1998 there were around 43 million cats in Western Europe, 33 million in Eastern Europe, seven million in Japan and three million in Australia.^[172] A 2007 report stated that about 37 million US households owned cats, with an average of 2.2 cats per household giving a total population of around 82 million.^[173] This is slightly more than the 72 million pet dogs in this country.^[173] Although cat ownership has commonly been associated with women,^[174] a 2007 Gallup poll reported that men and women were equally likely to own a cat.^[175] The ratio of pedigree/purebred cats to random-bred cats varies from country to country. However, generally speaking, purebreds are less than ten percent of the total population.^[176]

A cat pelt.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, as well as being kept as pets, cats are also used in the international fur trade.^[177] About 24 cats are needed to make a cat fur coat, although cat fur is also used in gloves, hats, shoes, blankets and stuffed toys.^[178] This use has now been outlawed in several countries, including the United States, Australia and the European Union.^[179] However, some cat furs are still made into blankets in Switzerland as folk remedies that are believed to help rheumatism.^[180]

It has long been common for cats to be eaten in some parts of China and in some other Asian countries. According to the Chengdu Business Daily, people in southern China's Guangdong province ate 10,000 cats a day.^[181] Animal People estimates that 4 million cats are killed and consumed in Asia every year.^[182]

Domesticated varieties

Main article: Cat breed

The concept of a cat breed appeared in Britain during the late 19th century.^[183] The current list of cat breeds is quite large: with the Cat Fanciers' Association recognizing 41 breeds, of which 16 are "natural breeds" that probably emerged before humans began breeding pedigree cats, while the others were developed over the latter half of the 20th century.^[29] The owners and breeders of show cats compete to see whose animal bears the closest resemblance to the "ideal" definition and standard of the breed (see selective breeding). Because of common crossbreeding in populated areas, many cats are simply identified as belonging to the homogeneous breeds of domestic longhair and domestic shorthair, depending on their type of fur. In the United Kingdom and Australasia, non-purebred cats are referred in slang as moggies (derived from "Maggie", short for Margaret, reputed to have been a common name for cows and calves in 18th century England and latter applied to housecats during the Victorian era).^[184] In the United States, a non-purebred cat is sometimes referred to in slang as a barn or alley cat, even if it is not a stray. Cats come in a variety of colors and patterns. These are physical properties and should not be confused with a breed of cat. Some original cat breeds that have a distinct phenotype that is the main type occurring naturally as the dominant domesticated cat type in their region of origin are sometimes considered as subspecies and also have received names as such in nomenclature, although this is not supported by feline biologists. Some of these cat breeds are:

F. catus anura - the Manx
F. catus siamensis - the Siamese
F. catus cartusenensis - the Chartreux
F. catus angorensis - the Turkish Angora

Coat patterns

Cat coat genetics can produce a variety of coat patterns. Some of the most common are:

Bicolor, Tuxedo and Van: This pattern varies between the tuxedo cat which is mostly black with a white chest, and possibly markings on the face and paws/legs, all the way to the Van pattern (so named after the Lake Van area in Turkey, which gave rise to the Turkish Van breed), where the only colored parts of the cat are the tail (usually including the base of the tail proper), and the top of the head (often including the ears). There are several other terms for amounts of white between these two extremes, such as Harlequin or jellicle cat. Bicolor cats can have as their primary (non-white) color black, red, any dilution thereof, and tortoiseshell (see below for definition).

Mackerel tabby cat, showing the characteristic "M" on its forehead

A Chilean torbie cat.

Tabby cat: Striped, with a variety of patterns. The classic blotched tabby (or marbled) pattern is the most common and consists of butterflies and bullseyes. The mackerel or striped tabby is a series of vertical stripes down the cat's side (resembling the fish). This pattern broken into spots is referred to as a spotted tabby. Finally, the tabby markings may look like a series of ticks on the fur, thus the ticked tabby, which is almost exclusively associated with the Abyssinian breed of cats. The worldwide evolution of the cat means that certain types of tabby are associated with certain countries; for instance, blotched tabbies are quite rare outside NW Europe, where they are the most common type.

Female tortoiseshell-and-white cat

Tortoiseshell and Calico: This cat is also known as a Calimanco cat or Clouded Tiger cat, and by the nickname "tortie." In the cat fancy, a tortoiseshell cat is randomly patched over with red (or its dilute form, cream) and black (or its dilute blue) mottled throughout the coat. Additionally, the cat may have white spots in its fur, which make it a "tortoiseshell and white" cat or, if there is a significant amount of white in the fur and the red and black colors form a patchwork rather than a mottled aspect, the cat will be called a calico. All calicos are tortoiseshell (as they carry both black and red), but not all tortoiseshells are calicos (which requires a significant amount of white in the fur and patching rather than mottling of the colors). The calico is also sometimes called a tricolor cat. The Japanese refer to this pattern as mi-ke (meaning "triple fur"), while the Dutch call these cats lapjeskat (meaning "patches cat"). A true tricolor must consist of three colors: a reddish color, dark or light; white; and one other color, typically a brown, black, or blue.^[185] Both tortoiseshell and calico cats are typically female because the coat pattern is the result of differential X chromosome inactivation in females (which, as with all normal female mammals, have two X chromosomes). Conversely, cats where the overall color is ginger (orange) are commonly male (roughly in a 3:1 ratio). In a litter sired by a ginger tom, the females will be tortoiseshell or ginger. Male tortoiseshells can occur as a result of chromosomal abnormalities (often linked to sterility) or by a phenomenon known as mosaicism, where two early stage embryos are merged into a single kitten.

Siamese cat, classical colorpoint pattern

Colorpoint: The colorpoint pattern is most commonly associated with Siamese cats, but may also appear in any domesticated cat. A colorpointed cat has dark colors on the face, ears, feet, and tail, with a lighter version of the same color on the rest of the body, and possibly some white. The exact name of the colorpoint pattern depends on the actual color, so there are seal points (dark brown), chocolate points (warm lighter brown), blue points (dark gray), lilac or frost points (silvery gray-pink), red or flame points (orange), and tortie (tortoiseshell mottling) points, among others. This pattern is the result of a temperature sensitive mutation in one of the enzymes in the metabolic pathway from tyrosine to pigment, such as melanin; thus, little or no pigment is produced except in the extremities or points where the skin is slightly cooler. For this reason, colorpointed cats tend to darken with age as bodily temperature drops; also, the fur over a significant injury may sometimes darken or lighten as a result of temperature change.

The tyrosine pathway also produces neurotransmitters, thus mutations in the early parts of that pathway may affect not only pigment, but also neurological development. This results in a higher frequency of cross-eyes among colorpointed cats, as well as the high frequency of cross-eyes in white tigers.

White cats: True albinism (a mutation of the tyrosinase gene) is quite rare in cats. Much more common is the appearance of white coat color due to a lack of melanocytes in the skin. A higher frequency of deafness in white cats is due to a reduction in the population and survival of melanoblast stem cells, which in addition to creating pigment producing cells, develop into a variety of neurological cell types. White cats with one or two blue eyes have a particularly high likelihood of being deaf.

Smoke cats: The bottom eighth of each hair is white or creamy-white, with the rest of the hair being a solid color. Genetically this color is a non-agouti cat with the dominant inhibitor gene; a non-agouti version of the silver tabby. Smoke cats will look solid colored until they move, when the white undercoat becomes apparent. It is mostly found in pedigreed cats (especially longhair breeds) but also present in some domestic longhaired cats.

Body types

Cats can also come in several body types, ranging between two extremes:

Oriental: Not a specific breed, but any cat with an elongated slender build, almond-shaped eyes, long nose, large ears (the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair breeds are examples of this).
Foreign: less slender than the oriental type, but nevertheless a cat with a slight build and generally athletic look. Typical example breeds would be the Abyssinian cat and the Turkish Angora. Some people consider the foreign and oriental body types as being the same, however.
Semi-Foreign: More or less the middle range of body conformation types, this type of cat is less slender without being stocky. Example breeds would be the Devon Rex and the Egyptian Mau.
Semi-Cobby: these cats look more rounded without looking too stocky. Example breeds would be the American Shorthair and British Shorthair.
Cobby: Any cat with a short, muscular, compact build, roundish eyes, short nose, and small ears. Persian cats and Exotic cats are two prime examples of such a body type.

Effects on human health

Because of their small size, domesticated house cats pose little physical danger to adult humans. However, in the USA cats inflict about 400,000 bites per year, with 90% of these bites coming from provoked animals; this number represents about one in ten of all animal bites.^[186] Many cat bites will become infected,^[187] sometimes with serious consequences such as cat-scratch disease, or, more rarely, rabies.^[186] Cats also pose a danger to pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals, since their feces can transmit toxoplasmosis.^[188] A large percentage of cats are infected with this parasite, with infection rates ranging around from 40 to 60% in both domestic and stray cats worldwide.^[189]^[190]^[191]

Allergic reactions to cat dander and/or cat saliva are common.^[192] Some humans who are allergic to cats—typically manifested by hay fever, asthma, or a skin rash—quickly acclimate themselves to a particular animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining an allergy to cats in general.^[193] Whether the risk of developing allergic diseases such as asthma is increased or decreased by cat ownership is uncertain.^[194]^[195] Some owners cope with this problem by taking allergy medicine, along with bathing their cats frequently, since weekly bathing will reduce the amount of dander shed by a cat.^[196] There have also been attempts to breed hypoallergenic cats, which would be less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.^[197]

As well as posing health risks, interactions with cats may improve health and reduce physical responses to stress: for example the presence of cats may moderate increased blood pressure.^[198] Cat ownership may also improve psychological health by providing emotional support and dispelling feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness.^[199] Indeed, their ability to provide companionship and friendship are common reasons given for owning a cat.^[175]

Indoor scratching

A natural behavior in cats is to periodically hook their front claws into suitable surfaces and pull backwards. This marks territory, exercises their legs, as well as cleaning and sharpening their claws.^[200] Indoor cats benefit from being provided with a scratching post so that they are less likely to use carpet or furniture which they can easily ruin.^[201] Commercial scratching posts typically are covered in carpeting or upholstery, but some authorities^[who?] advise against this practice, as not making it clear to the cat which surfaces are permissible and which are not; they suggest using a plain wooden surface, or reversing the carpeting on the posts so that the rougher texture of the carpet backing is a more attractive alternative to the cat than the floor covering. Scratching posts made of sisal rope or corrugated cardboard are also common.

Close-up of a cat's claw, with the quick clearly visible

Although scratching can serve cats to keep their claws from growing excessively long, their nails can be trimmed if necessary with a small nail trimmer designed for humans, or a small pair of electrician's diagonal cutting pliers, or a guillotine type cutter specifically designed for animal nail trimming. Care must always be taken to avoid cutting the quick of the claw, analogous to cutting into the tip of a finger and equally painful and bloody. The position of the quick can be easily seen through the translucent nail of a cat with light colored claws but not in cats with dark colored nails, who therefore require carefully trimming of only small amounts from the nails.

Another response to indoor scratching is onychectomy, commonly known as declawing. This is a surgical procedure to remove the claw and first bone of each digit of a cat's paws. Declawing is most commonly only performed on the front feet. A related procedure is tendonectomy, which involves cutting a tendon needed for cats to extend their claws.^[202] Declawing is a major surgical procedure and can produce pain, infections and permanent lameness.^[202] Since this surgery is not performed for the benefit of the animal, it is controversial and remains uncommon outside of North America.^[203] In many countries, it is prohibited by animal welfare laws. Although widely practiced in the US, declawing is ethically controversial within the American veterinary community.^[204] Both the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals strongly discourage or condemn the procedure.^[205]

Waste

Cats bury their urine and feces. Indoor cats are usually provided with a litter box containing litter, typically bentonite, but sometimes other absorbent material such as shredded paper or wood chips, or sometimes sand or similar material. It should be cleaned daily and changed often, depending on the number of cats in a household and the type of litter; if it is not kept clean, a cat may be fastidious enough to find other locations in the house for urination or defecation. This may also happen for other reasons; for instance, if a cat becomes constipated and defecation is uncomfortable, it may associate the discomfort with the litter box and avoid it in favor of another location.

Toilet-trained house cat

Daily attention to the litter box also serves as a monitor of the cat's health. Bentonite or clumping litter is a variation which absorbs urine into clumps which can be sifted out along with feces, and thus stays cleaner longer with regular sifting, but has sometimes been reported to cause health problems in some cats.^[206] Those with toxoplasmosis-infected cats living in habitat areas of sea otters^[207] may wish to dispose of droppings in the trash, rather than flushing them down the toilet.^[208] Some cats can be trained to use the human toilet, eliminating the litter box and its attendant expense, unpleasant odor, and the need to use landfill space for disposal. Training may involve four to six weeks of incremental moves, such as moving and elevating the litter box until it is near the toilet, as well as employing an adapter such as a bowl or small box to suspend the litter above the toilet bowl.^[209] When training is complete, the cat uses the toilet by squatting on the toilet seat over the bowl.

Feral cats

Main article: Feral cat

American feral farm cat.

Feral cats are wild cats that are unfamiliar with humans and roam freely in urban or rural areas.^[210] The numbers of feral cats are not known, but estimates of the US feral population range from 25 to 60 million.^[210] Feral cats may live alone, but most are found in large groups called feral colonies, which occupy a specific territory and are usually associated with a source of food.^[211] Famous feral cat colonies are found in Rome around the Colosseum and Forum Romanum, with cats at some of these sites being fed and vetted by volunteers.^[212]

Public attitudes towards feral cats vary widely: ranging from seeing them as free-ranging pets, to regarding them as vermin.^[213] One common approach to reducing the feral cat population is termed trap-neuter-return, where the cats are trapped, neutered, immunized against rabies and the feline leukemia virus, and then released. Before releasing them back into their feral colonies, the attending veterinarian often nips the tip off one ear to mark the feral as neutered and inoculated, since these cats may be trapped again.^[211] Volunteers continue to feed and give care to these cats throughout their lives, and not only is their lifespan greatly increased, but behavior and nuisance problems, due to competition for food, are also greatly reduced.^[211]

History and mythology

Main articles: Cultural depictions of cats and Cats in ancient Egypt

Egyptian sculpture at the Louvre

Traditionally, historians tended to think that ancient Egypt was the site of cat domestication, due to the clear depictions of house cats in Egyptian paintings about 3,600 years old.^[4] However, in 2004, a Neolithic grave was excavated in Shillourokambos, Cyprus that contained the skeletons, laid close to one another, of both a human and a cat. The grave is estimated to be 9,500 years old, pushing back the earliest known feline-human association significantly.^[6]^[214]^[215] The cat specimen is large and closely resembles the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), rather than present-day domestic cats. This discovery, combined with genetic studies, suggest that cats were probably domesticated in Cyprus and the Near East, in the Fertile Crescent around the time of the development of agriculture.^[4]

In ancient Egypt cats were sacred animals, with the Bast often depicted in cat form, sometimes taking on the warlike aspect of a lioness.^[216] The Romans are often credited with introducing the domestic cat from Egypt to Europe.^[217] However, it is possible that cats were already kept in Europe prior to the Roman Empire, as they may have already been present in Britain in the late Iron Age.^[32] Domestic cats were spread throughout much of the rest of the world during the Age of Discovery, as they were carried on sailing ships to control shipboard rodents and as good-luck charms.^[217]

Freya and her cats

Several ancient religions believed that cats are exalted souls, companions or guides for humans, that they are all-knowing but are mute so they cannot influence decisions made by humans. In Japan, the Maneki Neko is a cat that is a symbol of good fortune. Although there are no sacred species in Islam, some writers have stated that Muhammad had a favorite cat, Muezza.^[218] He is reported to have loved cats so much that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it".^[219]

Freyja—the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility in Norse mythology—is depicted as riding a chariot drawn by cats.

Many cultures have negative superstitions about cats. An example would be the belief that a black cat "crossing your path" leads to bad luck, or that cats are witches' familiars used to augment a witch's powers and skills. This led to the widespread extermination of cats in Europe in medieval times. The Black Plague was spread by fleas carried by infected rats. The killing of cats in Medieval Ypres is commemorated in the innocuous present-day Kattenstoet (cat parade).

According to a myth in many cultures, cats have nine (or sometimes seven) lives. The myth is attributed to the natural suppleness and swiftness cats exhibit to escape life-threatening situations.^[220] Also lending credence to this myth is that falling cats often land on their feet because of an inbuilt automatic twisting reaction and are able to twist their bodies around to land feet first, though they can still be injured or killed by a high fall.^[221]