Cat Intro Flashcards
Order name, and traits
- Carnivora
- has 4 canoe teeth (2 top, 2 bottom)
- short digestive tract
Family name
- Felidae
- Alt: Felis casus, Felis domesticus, Felis silvestris catus
Maybe derived from European will cat ____
Felis silvestris
First domesticated in _____
Domesticated always _____ years ago.
- Egypt
- 5000 years ago
Evidence of cat (F. silvestris) buried with owner from 9500 years ago on island of ____
Cyprus
Cats (domestic or not) are indigenous to all continents except
Australia and Antarctica
Over ___ recognized breeds
330
Female Cat
queen
Male cat
Tom
Young Cat
Kitten
Alters
- (inshows) spayed and castrated cats
- shown in alter classes
Body is designed to be ____ & ____ predator
Triats
- fast running, agile
- digitigrade, retractable claws, more vertebra, lacking collarbone, strong jaws
Why do cats’ eyes glow green when light shines on them?
They ave layer of reflective material in retina -> “Tapetum lucidum”
Sight
- Good (?)
- Binocular
- Poor color sense
- poorer at distance
- better in low light
- tapetum lucidum
HEaring
- better than humans at high frequencies
Smell
- better than ours probability -> Cats (200 million) vs humans (5 million)
- not has good as dogs’
Taste
- no sweet receptors
- fewer taste buds
Jacobson’s organ
AKA vomeronasal organ
- especially for sexual odors (pheromones)
- Flehmen response
Skin glands
- only have seat hands on pads of feet
- scent glands
Balance is ____
exceptional
What do cats use to “fell” their way?
- whiskers
- Carpal hairs on forelegs
Cat lifespan
- Mean: 15+
- Record: 38 years, 3 days
- maybe increasing
Precautions when choosing cat as pet
- expensive (bill, feed, vet, groom, litter, play/excerxise)
- altering, vaccines, dental, accidents, death
- you’ll need and want lots of things
Costs
- ASPCA estimates: $1150/year after first year
- First year about $1900
Equipment for cats
- bed, scratching spot litter box, feed and water dishes, carrying crate, toys, color with nametag
Grooming equipment for cats
Traveling
- train kittens to handle car rides
- have good crate
- kittens should view crate as “secure” area
Altering cats
- neuter toms
- spay queens
- recommended unless wanna breed then AND have a demand for the kittens
- feral cats Herat havoc of birds, small animals, etc…
- stops some unwanted behaviors: mating, spraying, “tom-calling”, obnoxious crying while in hear
Altering cats: health benefits and risks
- eliminate uterine cancers and testicular cancers
- decreases incidence of mammary tumors
- roaming cats more likely to be run over
Altering cats: risks
- Surgical complications
– Increases in some other health conditions
– Higher incidence of obesity
Declawing
- Controversial
- Removes defense if cat is left outside
- Cats will scratch on something
– sharpens claws
– stretches muscles
– marks scents - Can trim claws regularly
- Claw covers are available
- Only need to remove front claws
Cat Breeds
Abyssinian, Birman, Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, Laperm, Manx, Maine Coon, Ocicat, Siamese, Persian, Russian Blue
Not really cat breed
- Calico/Tortoiseshell
- “Sparse Fur”
Cat Pheromone
- Feliway
– Claims to mimic “facial pheromone”
– Uses - Calm cats
- Discourage urination in unwanted areas
- Limit aggression
– Actual ingredient (?)
Catnip
- Plant
- Nepetalactone
- Mildly hallucinogenic
for cats - Affects about 80% of
cats - Safe
