DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Ancient Egyptians were the first to tame the cat, using them to control pests. Cats were so important to ancient Egyptians that family members often shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when the family cat died.
Although cats sleep up to 16 hours per day, they are constantly alert and sensitive to stimuli. In other words, if you poke a sleeping cat, be prepared for him to respond accordingly.
To analyze new smells, a cat often relies on a special scent organ, called the Jocobson's organ, located in the roof of the mouth. This is why cats sometimes appear to be sneering when they encounter a strong odor.
Kneading behavior in cats is actually a remnant from kittenhood, when they kneaded their mother's abdomen to stimulate milk flow.
Some full-grown cats will knead and drool when being petted; this usually means they are happy and content.
Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw, and they walk on their toes instead of on the whole foot. Cats born with six or seven front toes and extra back toes are called polydactls.
Cats with white fur are susceptible to sunburn which can lead to skin cancer. Protect your cat by applying sunscreen to its nose and ears, or by keepin it inside.
When a cat is frightened, its hair stands up fairly evenly over most of its body; when a cat is threatening or preparing to attack, its hair stands only in a narrow ridge along its tail and spine.
An inexpensive homemade scratching pad requires only three materials: a piece of plywood or pressed wood board, a stapler and canvas used to make latch-hook rugs. Staple several layers of rug canvas to the board and get out of the way!
Cats are naturally fastidious. If your cat or kitten doesn't show interest in grooming itself, have it examined by a veterinarian. A fecal test will determine if parasites are the cause.
Fleas will make any cat miserable. But a cat that is allergic to flea bites will be doubly uncomfortable. Ask your veterinarian for a fast-acting adulticide that impairs the insect's nervous system. The flea is killed before biting.
Outward indications of stress in a cat include pinned ears, swishing tail, excess salivation and staring into space. A cat under stress will also pant and keep its mouth open.
Cats don't like to dig in damp substances. Keep your garden beds moist with mulch if you want to discourage your cat from digging.
Why does your cat gravitate to the one person in the room who is not a cat lover? Animal behaviorists believe cats have less reason to be threatened by someone who ignores them--a difficult attitude for a cat lover to maintain!
Make your cat's first night in a new home more comfortable by providiing a favorite blanket, unwashed, to sleep on. Its familiar smell will help your cat feel at home.
Mature cats can jump up to seven times higher than their own height.
After bathing, dry your cat's fur with a soft towel, not a hair dryer. The hair dryer will make your cat's coat dull.
Have realistic expectations about your cat; Nobody is perfect. Make a commitment to work through any behavior or health problems that may arise. Your cat is a friend for life.
Non-pedigree cats generally live longer than pedigree cats. Adopt an adult, mixed-breed cat from your local animal shelter.
The more cats are spoken to, the more they will speak back. You will learn a lot from your cat's wide vocabulary of chirps and meows.
The more mental and physical stimulation kittens experience while young, the more well-rounded they'll be as adults. It helps to have kittens meet children, other cats, and dogs.
Cats who stalk their owners are often bored or frustrated- that's when feet and ankles look most interesting. Cats need mental and physical stimulation, so be sure to play often.
Purring is a tension-reducing sound.
Cats don't wear their emotions on their sleeves. They're subtle. Chirping, purring, face rubbing, body rubbing, tail wrapping, or curling up in a warm lap are signs of deep trust and affection.
When a cat is completely relaxed, she will fall into a sleep deep enough for dreaming. When this happens, whiskers can twitch, claws and paws extend and contract, and teeth chatter.
A cat's normal body temperature is 101.5F,just a little higher than a human.
Unlike many animals,cats can watch tv. They do so by following the action with their eyes and heads
If your cat's back raises to meet your hand when you pet her, the cat is enjoying this contact with you.
If your cat races down the stairs in front of you, only to collapse in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, this is usually a sign that she wants to play.
Contrary to popular belief, cats can and should be trained. This isn't the same kind of obedience training that dogs get, but cats do need to learn how to behave as a member of the family.
Some cats can be trained by rewarding them with food. Once a trick or new behavior has been learned, praise and attention is enough.
Older cats may be more difficult to teach than kittens, depending on how peaceful their former lives were. Still, patience and kindness, with a firm tone of voice, should help maintain most ground rules. Hitting your pet is unnecessary and accomplishes nothing.
A spray bottle filled with water can be a good discipline tool. Catch the cat in the act of scratching the sofa or jumping on the sink and spritz the culprit with a gentle spray of water. Your cat will associate the behavior with the unpleasent experience of water, not with you.
CAT FABLE: Cats that disappear for a few days are just out hunting: there's no need to worry.
FACT: The disappearance of any pet is cause for alarm. For their own safety, cats should be kept indoors. If your cat does become lost, look for him immediately-before it's too late.
CAT FABLE: Cats can see in the dark.
FACT: Cats cannot see in total darkness. They can see better than many animals in semi-darkness, however, due to the special anatomy of their eyes.
CAT FABLE: Cats can't swim.
FACT: Cats are good swimmers, they just don't like the water.
CAT FABLE: Cats can instinctively find their own way home.
FACT: Despite many great stories about cats making their way home over long distances or across town, an ID tag is the best protection for a lost pet.
When the air temperature reaches about 97 degrees, a cat will pant to cool itself. Cats have sweat glands in the pads of their feet and scattered over their bodies, but sweating is not a temperature-regulating mechanism.
If your cat crouches low to the ground, he may be feeling uneasy. Raised hair on the back and a puffed-out tail are universal signs of hostility or defensiveness.
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