Intro to Cats

Question 1

order and characteristics

Answer 1

Carnivora
4 canine teeth (2 top, 2 bottom)
short digestive tract relative to body size

Question 2

first domesticated in

Answer 2

egypt, 5,000 years ago
likely second animal to be domesticated, after dogs

Question 3

female

Answer 3

queen

Question 4

male

Answer 4

tom

Question 5

young

Answer 5

kitten

Question 6

spayed/castrated cats in shows

Answer 6

alters

Question 7

cat anatomy

Answer 7

canines, incisors and molars (sharp)
digitigrade
more vertebrae than other mammals
lack of collarbone
strong jaw

Question 8

sense of sight

Answer 8

binocular vision, good depth perception
poor sense of color, distance vision
better in low light

Question 9

tapetum lucidum

Answer 9

tissue in back of eye on retina
improves night vision, reflects light around eye, causes “glowing” eyes

Question 10

sense of hearing

Answer 10

better than humans at high frequencies
may be able to hear rodents chewing

Question 11

sense of smell

Answer 11

200 million receptors
better than humans (5 million receptors)

Question 12

sense of taste

Answer 12

fewer taste buds
no “sweet” receptors

Question 13

jacobson’s organs

Answer 13

sexual odors/pheromones
Flehmen response: curl upper lip to expose jacobson’s organs and inhaling to smell where female is in reproductive cycle

Question 14

glands

Answer 14

sweat glands on pads of feet
scent glands (sebaceous) used for communication; around anus, cheeks

Question 15

whiskers

Answer 15

help with balance, feeling around
also use hairs on forelegs

Question 16

are cats expensive to get?

Answer 16

no

Question 17

are cats expensive to keep?

Answer 17

yes

Question 18

cat expenses

Answer 18

feed and litter, ongoing
medical expenses: vaccinations, dental, spaying/neutering, accidents/illness, disposal after death

Question 19

spaying/neutering benefit on behaviors

Answer 19

cuts down numbers of feral cats that kill birds, small animals
stops spraying, tom-catting (looking for mates), crying while in heat

Question 20

health benefits of spaying/neutering

Answer 20

eliminates uterine, testicular cancers
decreases chances of mammary tumors; changes hormone levels
roaming cats more likely to be run over

Question 21

declawing cats

Answer 21

removes defense if cat is left outside
claw covers available
last resort

Question 22

feliway

Answer 22

nepetalactone, same ingredient in catnip