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Cats are amazing creatures; majestic, comical, ever changing,
and diverse. Because of their agility, athleticism, and equipment--claws
and teeth, they are considered to be perfect killing machines.
Equally true, they are gentle companions who share our lives
and household. They love to sit on our laps and be with us but
don’t respond to training like a dog. I’ve shared my
life with cats since childhood. Here are a few basic facts for
anyone interested in this amazing species.
The first thing you’ll
notice is that cats sleep a lot. They average 16 hours of sleep
per day. When their up, they usually like to play, eat or groom.
The amount of daily sleep can vary by cat, circumstance and breed.
There are approximately 25-40 known breeds of cats. The largest
is a Maine Coon which often weighs in excess of 20 LBs. Other
cat breeds average 7-10 LB’s. The lifespan of a cat varies
depending on its breed and environment. Outdoor un-neutered male
cats have a lifespan of just 4 years regardless of their breed.
This is because many of them are hit by cars or infected with
terminal illnesses. Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor
cats due to lower stress, and lower exposure to disease. The
Maine Coon has a short lifespan of approximately 8-10 years,
whereas a Siamese often lives up to 20 years. Mixed breed cats
typically live 12-18 years, but I’ve had mixed breeds live
up to 24 years.
According to pet trainers,
cats can be trained, but always keep in mind, the cat will only
do what serves the cat’s best interest. The best way to
train a cat is by using food when the cat is hungry. Repeat the
trick over and over and give a “treat” each time.
The BODY BACKGROUND="texture2733585.jpg" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" BACKGROUND="texture2733585.jpg" of a cat is amazing.
The eyes are designed to detect the slightest movement. They
see well in the dark. Their ears move so they can pick up the
faintest sound—this explains why cats hate loud noises and
unfamiliar sounds. The spine of a cat is incredibly dexterous,
containing approximately 60 vertebrae compared to a humane spine
which has approximately 24 vertebras. The tail can reflect a
cat’s mood, and is also used for balance. Most cats enjoy
when we run our hand down their back and give a slight gentle
tug on the tail, near the base of the tail. It gives the cat
a little back stretch. The claws are retractable for ease of
walking on any surface and extend to climb trees or catch prey.
Cats are carnivores and should always eat a high protein diet.
They are amazingly resourceful and prolific. A single mother
and her first year offspring can produce in excess of 150 cats
by the third year. This is why all cats need to be spayed and
neutered before sexual maturity (approximately 6 months).
Centuries ago, humans and cats
started sharing their environment. We don’t know when this
occurred, but most likely our ancestors valued cats for their
ability to reduce rodent populations. During the Egyptian era,
cats were revered. During the dark ages they were persecuted
and wrongfully blamed for the black plague. Today approximately
30 percent of all households share their lives with cats. It’s
easy to understand why they are the most popular pet.
For more free pet care or animal
welfare tips, visit http://www.PetCareRCA.com Kate Garvery is
the founder and director of the Pet Care Resource Center of America.
She is also a freelance writer and provides professional writing
services for individuals and business owners http://www.kategarvey.net
Kate is the author of 3 non-fiction books and more than 40 non-fiction
articles.
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