Difference between revisions of "Cat" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
 
| color = pink
 
| color = pink
 
| name = Cat
 
| name = Cat
 
| status = {{StatusDomesticated}}
 
| status = {{StatusDomesticated}}
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| image = Cat_outside.jpg
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| image = Cat03.jpg
 
| image_width = 200px
 
| image_width = 200px
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| image_caption = [[:Images of cats|other images of cats]]
 
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| familia = [[Felidae]]
 
| familia = [[Felidae]]
 
| genus = ''[[Felis]]''
 
| genus = ''[[Felis]]''
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| species = ''[[Wild cat|F. silvestris]]''
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| species = '''''F. catus'''''
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| subspecies = '''''F.s. catus'''''
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| binomial = ''Felis catus''
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| trinomial = ''Felis silvestris catus''
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| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
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| trinomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
 
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''cat''', also called the '''domestic cat''' or '''house cat''', is a small [[carnivore|carnivorous]] [[mammal]] of the subspecies ''[[Felis]] silvestris catus''. Its most immediate pre-[[domestication]] ancestor is believed to be the [[Felis silvestris lybica#African wild cat|African wild cat]], ''Felis silvestris lybica''. The cat has been living in close association with [[human]]s for somewhere between 3,500 and 8,000 years<ref>{{cite web | title=Speaking of Animals| url=http://www.judithstock.com/Speaking_of_Animals/History_of_Cats/history_of_cats.html| accessdate=August 15 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>.
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The '''cat''' (or '''domestic cat,''' '''house cat''') ''(Felis catus)'' is a member of the [[Felidae]] family of the [[Carnivora]] order of the [[mammal]]s.  
  
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There are [[List of cat breeds|dozens of breeds]] of cat, some [[Sphynx (cat)|hairless]] or [[Manx (cat)|tailless]] as a result of mutations, and they exist in a variety of different colors. They are skilled [[predator]]s and have been known to hunt over one thousand different [[species]] for food. They are also [[Animal cognition|intelligent]] animals, and some can be trained or learn by themselves to manipulate simple mechanisms such as lever-handled doors and flush toilets.
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The domesticated cat has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years, and it is one of humankind's most popular [[pet animal]]s. The numerous adaptations that allow it to be an effective predator of [[agriculture|agricultural]] and household pests, such as [[rodent]]s, also have made it valued in human society, and likewise is prized for the companionship and wonder it brings to people.  
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They communicate by calling ("meow"/"miaou"), [[purr]]ing, [[hiss]]ing, growling, chirping, clicking, grunting, and about a hundred other vocalizations and body language.<ref> "[http://www.channel3000.com/news/1472741/detail.html Meows Mean More To Cat Lovers]" ''Channel3000.com''. URL Accessed June 14, 2006.</ref> Cats in colonies use a mix of vocalizations and body language to communicate with each other.
 
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Because the domestication of the cat is relatively recent, cats may also still live effectively in the wild, often forming small [[feral cat colony|colonies]]. The cat's association with humans leads it to figure prominently in the [[mythology]] and [[legend]]s of several cultures, including those of the [[Egyptian mythology|ancient Egyptians]], [[Chinese mythology|ancient Chinese]], and [[Norse mythology|Norse]].
 
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==Scientific classification==
 
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The domestic cat was named ''Felis catus'' by [[Carolus Linnaeus]] in his ''[[Systema Naturae]]'' of 1758. [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]] named the [[wild cat]] ''Felis silvestris'' in 1775. The domestic cat is now considered a subspecies of the wild cat: by the strict rule of priority of the [[International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]] the name for the species thus ought to be ''F. catus'' since Linnaeus published first. However, in practice almost all biologists use ''F. silvestris'' for the wild species, using ''F. catus'' only for the domesticated form.
 
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In opinion 2027 (published in Volume 60, Part 1 of the ''Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature'', [[31 March]] [[2003]] <ref>{{cite web | title=Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 60(1) March 2003 | url=http://www.iczn.org/BZNMar2003.htm | accessdate=August 8 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>) the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature "conserved the usage of 17 specific names based on wild species, which are predated by or contemporary with those based on domestic forms", thus confirming ''F. silvestris'' for the wild cat and ''F. silvestris catus'' for its domesticated subspecies. (''F. catus'' is still valid if the domestic form is considered a separate species.)
 
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[[Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben]] named the domestic cat ''Felis domesticus'' in his ''Anfangsgründe der Naturlehre and Systema regni animalis'' of 1777. This name, and its variants ''Felis catus domesticus'' and ''Felis silvestris domesticus'', are often seen, but they are not valid scientific names under the rules of the [[International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]].
 
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==Nomenclature==
 
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[[Image:Booboo.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Domestic shorthair tabby.]]
 
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A group of cats is referred to as a '''clowder''', while a male cat is called a '''tom''', and a female is called a '''queen'''. The male progenitor of a kitten, especially a pedigreed kitten, 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 [[rat]]s, [[rabbit]]s, [[hedgehog]]s, [[beaver]]s, [[squirrel]]s and skunks). In [[Britain in the Middle Ages|medieval Britain]], the word ''kitten'' was interchangeable with the word ''catling''. A cat whose [[genealogy|ancestry]] is formally registered is called a  [[pedigree (cat)|pedigreed cat]], [[purebred cat]], or a [[show cat]] (although not all show cats are pedigreed or purebred). 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 (almost exclusively new breeds; cat registries are very strict about which breeds can be mated together).  Cats of mixed ancestry are referred to as [[domestic longhair cat|domestic longhairs]] and [[domestic shorthair cat|domestic shorthairs]] or commonly as random-bred, moggies, mongrels, mutt-cats or alley cats.  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 feline population.<ref>''ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats'' by James R. Richards, DVM</ref>
 
  
 
==Characteristics==
 
==Characteristics==
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===Physical features===
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Domestic cats are considered to be descended from the wild cat ''Felis silvestris,'' which is found naturally over much of [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Africa]], and which is one of the smaller members of the cat family. It is thought that the original ancestor of the domestic cat is the African subspecies, ''Felis silvestris lybca'' (Nowak 1983).  
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[[Image:Cat cleaning itself.jpg|thumb|220px|A cat grooming itself]]
 
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Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7&nbsp;kg (5.5–16&nbsp;pounds); however, some breeds, such as the [[Maine Coon]] can exceed 11.3&nbsp;kg (25&nbsp;pounds). Some have been known to reach up to 23&nbsp;kg (50&nbsp;pounds) due to overfeeding. This is very unhealthy for the cat, and should be prevented through [[dieting|diet]] and exercise (playing), especially for cats living exclusively indoors.
 
  
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In captivity, indoor cats typically live 14 to 20 years, though the oldest-known cat lived to age 36.<ref>{{cite web | title=Feline Statistics | url=http://www.pawsonline.info/feline_statistics.htm | accessdate=August 15 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>  Domestic cats tend to live longer if they are not permitted to go outdoors (reducing the risk of injury from fights or accidents and exposure to diseases) and if they are [[spayed or neutered]]. Spaying and neutering a cat also decreases the risk of [[testicular cancer|testicular]] and [[ovarian cancer]], and female cats spayed before their first [[litter (animal)|litter]] benefit from reduced risk of [[mammary tumor|mammary cancer]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Spay and Neuter Your Pet Cats | url=http://cats.about.com/od/reproduction/a/spay_neuter.htm | accessdate=August 8|accessyear=2005 }}</ref> [[Feral cat]]s living in modern [[Urbanization|urban]] environments often live only two years, or less. Feral cats in maintained colonies can live much longer; the British Cat Action Trust reported a 19-year-old feral female.  The oldest feral cat was ''Mark'' who was maintained by the British charity [[Cats Protection]] and who reached 26 years of age.
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Wild cats weigh about 3 to 8 kg (6 to 18 lbs) and domestic cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kg (5.5 to 16 pounds); however, some breeds of domestic cat, such as the Maine coon, can exceed 11.3 kg (25 pounds). Some have been known to reach up to 23 kg (50 pounds) due to overfeeding. Conversely, very small cats (less than 1.8 kg / 4.0 lb) have been reported.  
  
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One interesting fact about the domestic cat, is that it is one of the few four legged animals, which does not possess a collarbone{{citation needed}}.
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Like all members of the Felidae family, cats are specialized for a life of hunting other animals. Cats have highly specialized [[tooth|teeth]] and a [[gastrointestinal tract|digestive tract]] suitable to the digestion of meat. The [[premolar]] and [[Molar (tooth)|first molar]] together compose the [[carnassial]] pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently functions to shear meat like a pair of scissors. While this is present in [[Canidae|canines]], it is highly developed in [[feline]]s. The cat's [[tongue]] has sharp spines, or [[papillae]], useful for retaining and ripping flesh from a carcass. These papillae are small backward-facing hooks that contain [[keratin]] and assist in their grooming.
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====Ears====
 
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[[Image:Jackson-sun.jpg|thumb|left|175px|A half-Siamese kitten showing the ears he inherited from his mother.]]
 
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Thirty-two individual muscles in the ear allow for a manner of directional hearing; <ref>{{cite web | title=At Home : Care / Health : Understanding Cats | url=http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_pets_care_health/article/0,1801,HGTV_3152_1380540,00.html | accessdate=August 15 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref> the cat can move each ear independently of the other. Because of this mobility, a cat can move its body in one direction and point its ears in another direction. Most cats have straight [[ear]]s pointing upward. Unlike [[dog]]s, flap-eared breeds are extremely rare. ([[Scottish Fold]]s are one such exceptional [[genetic mutation]].) When angry or frightened, a cat will lay its ears back, to accompany the growling or [[hiss]]ing sounds it makes. Cats will also turn their ears back when they are playing, or occasionally to show interest in a sound coming from behind them.
 
  
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====Metabolism====
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Cat senses are attuned for hunting. The senses of [[smell]], [[hearing]], and [[vision]] of cats are superior to those of humans. Cats' eyes have a reflective layer, which greatly improves their vision in dark conditions.  They can not, however, see in total darkness (Siegal 2004). To aid with navigation and sensation, cats have dozens of movable [[vibrissae]] (whiskers) over their body, especially their face. Li (2005) reports that due to a [[mutation]] in an early cat ancestor, one of two [[gene]]s necessary to taste [[sweetness]] has been lost by the cat family (Li 2005).
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[[Image:Orangetabbysleeping.jpg|thumb|220px|An orange tabby taking a "cat nap"]]
 
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Cats conserve energy by [[sleep]]ing more than most animals, especially as they grow older. Daily durations of sleep are various, usually 12&ndash;16 hours, with 13&ndash;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 &ndash; someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap".
 
  
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Due to their nocturnal nature, cats are often known to enter a period of increased hyperactivity and playfulness during the evening, dubbed the "evening crazies", "night crazies" or "mad half hour" by some. <ref>Animal Doctor (July 9, 2002). "Dear Dr. Fox". ''The Washington Post'', p. C10.</ref> <ref>* Ring, Ken and Romhany, Paul (August 1, 1999). ''Pawmistry: How to Read Your Cat's Paws''. Ten Speed Press (Berkeley, California), p. 10. ISBN 1580081118</ref>
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Thirty-two individual [[muscle]]s in the ear allow for a manner of directional hearing; the cat can move each ear independently of the other. Because of this mobility, a cat can move its body in one direction and point its ears in another direction. Most cats have straight ears pointing upward. Unlike [[dog]]s, flap-eared breeds are extremely rare. (Scottish Folds are one such exceptional [[genetic mutation]].) When angry or frightened, a cat will lay back its ears, to accompany the growling or hissing sounds it makes. Cats will also turn their ears back when they are playing or to listen to a sound coming from behind them. The angle of a cat's ears is an important clue to their mood.
  
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The temperament of a cat can vary depending on the breed and socialization. Shorter haired cats tend to be skinnier and more active, while cats with longer hair tend to be heavier and less active.  
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[[Image:Cat anatomy diagram.png|right|350px|Diagram of the general anatomy of a male cat.]]
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Cats also possess rather loose [[skin]]; this enables them to turn and confront a predator or another cat in a fight, even when caught in a grip. The particularly loose skin at the back of the neck is known as the "scruff" and is the area by which a mother cat grips her [[kitten]]s to carry them. As a result, cats have a tendency to relax and become quiet and passive when gripped there. This tendency often extends into adulthood and can be useful when attempting to treat or move an uncooperative cat. However, since an adult cat is quite a bit heavier than a kitten, a pet cat should never be carried by the scruff, but should instead have their weight supported at the rump and hind legs, and also at the chest and front paws. Often (much like a small child) a cat will lie with its head and front paws over a person's shoulder, and its back legs and rump supported under the person's arm.
  
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The normal [[thermoregulation|body temperature]] of a cat is between 38 and 39&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]] (101 and 102.2&nbsp;°[[Fahrenheit|F]]).<ref>{{cite web | title=Normal Values For Dog and Cat Temperature, Blood Tests, Urine and other information in ThePetCenter.com | url=http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/nv.html | accessdate=August 8|accessyear=2005 }}</ref> A cat is considered [[febrile]] ([[hyperthermia|hyperthermic]]) if it has a temperature of 39.5&nbsp;°C (103&nbsp;°F) or greater, or [[hypothermic]] if less than 37.5&nbsp;°C (100&nbsp;°F). For comparison, humans have a normal temperature of approximately 37&nbsp;°C (98.6&nbsp;°F). A domestic cat's normal heart rate ranges from 140 to 220 beats per minute, and is largely dependent on how excited the cat is. For a cat at rest, the average heart rate should be between 150 and 180 bpm, about twice that of a human.
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Like almost all mammals, cats possess seven [[cervical vertebrae]]. They have thirteen [[thoracic vertebrae]] (compared to twelve in humans), seven [[lumbar vertebrae]] (compared to five in humans), three [[sacral vertebrae]] like most mammals (humans have five because of their bipedal posture), and twenty-two or twenty-three [[caudal vertebrae]] (humans have three to five, fused into an internal [[coccyx]]). The extra lumbar and thoracic vertebrae account for the cat's enhanced spinal mobility and flexibility, compared to humans; the caudal vertebrae form the tail, used by the cat for counterbalance to the body during quick movements (Zoolab 2007).
  
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====Legs====
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Cats, like dogs, are [[digitigrade]]s: They walk directly on their toes, the bones of their feet making up the lower part of the visible leg. 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.
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A popular belief holds that cats always land on their feet; they do usually&mdash;but not always. During a fall, a cat can reflexively twist its body and right itself using its acute [[equilibrioception|sense of balance]] and flexibility. <ref>{{cite web | title=Falling Cats | url=http://www.verrueckte-experimente.de/leseproben_e.html | accessdate=October 24|accessyear=2005 }}</ref>. This is known as the cat "[[cat righting reflex|righting reflex]]". It always rights itself in the same way, provided it has the time to do so during a fall. Certain breeds that don't have a [[tail (anatomy)|tail]] are a notable exception, since a cat moves its tail and relies on conservation of [[angular momentum]] to set up for landing.
 
  
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Cats, like dogs, are [[digitigrade]]s: they walk directly on their toes, the [[bone]]s of their feet making up the lower part of the visible leg. 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, minimising noise and visible tracks. This also provides sure footing for their hind paws when they navigate rough terrain.
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Unlike dogs and most mammals, cats walk by moving both legs on one side and then both legs on the other. Most mammals move legs on alternate sides in sequence. Cats share this unusual [[Gait analysis|gait]] with [[camel]]s, [[giraffe]]s, some horses (pacers), and a few other mammals.
  
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Like many predators, cats have retractable [[claw]]s. This is actually a misnomer because in their normal, relaxed position the claws are sheathed with the skin and fur around the toe pads. This is done to keep the claws sharp by preventing wear from contact with the ground. The cat can extend its claws voluntarily on one or more paws at will, for example when striking a prey or defending itself, or when extra grip is needed for climbing or other activities. Cats are also known to extend their claws when "[[pundling|kneading]]", walking on soft surfaces (bedspreads, thick rugs, etc.) or when being held by their owner, usually when held with their front paws against the owner's shoulder. Sometimes their claws become hooked on carpet or thick clothing (knitted jumpers and woollen garments, usually), which can be a cause for concern if the surface their claws are caught on is vertical or if they are not capable of freeing themselves as they may injure or tear out the claw while trying to free themselves. Typically, the claws on the hind feet are blunter than those on the forefeet.
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Like all members of [[family (biology)|family]] [[Felidae]] except the [[cheetah]], cats have retractable [[claw]]s. In their normal, relaxed position, the claws are sheathed with the skin and fur around the [[paw|toe pads]]. This keeps the claws sharp by preventing wear from contact with the ground and allows the silent stalking of prey. Cats can extend their claws voluntarily on one or more paws at will. They may extend their claws in hunting or self-defense, climbing, "kneading," or for extra traction on soft surfaces. It is also possible to make a cooperative cat extend its claws by carefully pressing both the top and bottom of the paw. The curved claws may become entangled in carpet or thick fabric, which may cause injury if the cat is unable to free itself.
  
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===Senses===
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Most cats have five claws on their front paws, and four or five on their rear paws. Because of an ancient [[mutation]], however, domestic cats are prone to [[Polydactyl cat|polydactyly]], and may have six or seven toes. The fifth front claw (the dewclaw) is in a more proximal position than those of the other claws. More proximally, there is a protrusion that 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 [[dog]]s. It has no function in normal walking, but is thought to be an anti-skidding device used while jumping.
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[[Image:Cat_eye.jpeg|thumb|left|220px|A close-up of a cat's eye]]
 
  
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''Measuring the senses of any animal can be difficult because there is usually no explicit communication (e.g., reading aloud the letters of a [[Snellen chart]]) between the subject and the tester. ''
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===Metabolism===
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[[Image:Cat-sleeping tortoiseshell cat-20051019.jpg|thumb|240px|A cat sleeping curled into a tight ball to conserve body heat]]
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Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. Daily durations of sleep vary, 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&mdash;someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap."
  
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While a cat's senses of [[olfaction|smell]] and [[hearing (sense)|hearing]] may not be as keen as, say, those of a mouse, they are superior in many ways to those of humans. These along with the cat's highly advanced [[visual perception|eyesight]], [[taste]], and [[touch]] receptors make the cat extremely sensitive among mammals.
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Due to their [[crepuscular]] nature, cats often are known to enter a period of increased activity and playfulness during the evening and early morning, dubbed the "evening crazies," "night crazies," "elevenses," or "mad half-hour" by some.  The temperament of a cat can vary depending on the breed and socialization. Cats with "oriental" body types tend to be thinner and more active, while cats that have a "cobby" body type tend to be heavier and less active.  
  
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====Sight====
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The normal [[thermoregulation|body temperature]] of a cat is between 38 and 39°[[Celsius|C]] (101 and 102.2°[[Fahrenheit|F]]). A cat is considered [[febrile]] ([[hyperthermia|hyperthermic]]) if it has a temperature of 39.5°C (103°F) or greater, or [[hypothermic]] if less than 37.5°C (100°F). For comparison, humans have a normal temperature of approximately 36.8°C (98.6°F). A domestic cat's normal heart rate ranges from 140 to 220 beats per minute (bpm), and is largely dependent on how excited the cat is. For a cat at rest, the average heart rate should be between 150 and 180 bpm, about twice that of a human.
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Testing indicates that a cat's vision is superior [[night vision|at night]] in comparison to humans, and inferior in daylight. Cats, like dogs, have a ''[[tapetum lucidum]]'' that reflects extra light to the retina. While this enhances the ability to see in low light, it appears to reduce net [[visual acuity]], thus detracting when light is abundant. In very bright light, the slit-like [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]] closes very narrowly over the [[eye]], reducing the amount of light on the sensitive [[retina]], and improving [[depth of field]]. The tapetum and other mechanisms give the cat a minimum light detection threshold up to seven times lower than that of humans. Variation in color of cats' eyes in [[Flash (photography)|flash]] [[photograph]]s is largely due to the interaction of the flash with the [[Tapetum lucidum|tapetum]].
 
  
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[[Image:Green-eyed cat.jpg|thumb|The tapetum lucidum reflecting green in the pupils of a cat.]]
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Cats enjoy heat and solar exposure, often sleeping in a sunny area during the heat of the day. Cats prefer warmer temperatures than humans do. People start to feel uncomfortable when their skin's temperature gets higher than about 44.5°C (112°F), but cats do not start to show signs of discomfort until their skin reaches about 52°C (126°F).
  
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Average cats have a visual [[field of view]] estimated at 200°, versus 180° in humans, with a binocular field (overlap in the images from each eye) narrower than that of humans. As with most predators, their eyes face forward, affording [[depth perception]] at the expense of field of view. Field of view is largely dependent upon the placement of the eyes, but may also be related to the eye's construction. Instead of the [[Optic fovea|fovea]] which gives humans sharp central vision, cats have a central band known as the visual streak. Cats can apparently differentiate among [[color]]s, especially at close range, but without appreciable subtlety.
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Being closely related to desert animals, cats can easily withstand the heat and cold of a [[temperate]] climate, but not for extended periods. Although certain breeds such as the Norwegian forest cat and Maine coon have developed heavier coats of [[fur]] than other cats, they have little resistance against moist cold (eg, fog, rain, and snow) and struggle to maintain their proper body temperature when wet.  
  
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[[Image:Cutemonty1.JPG|thumb|200px|Golden cat eyes.]]
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Most cats dislike immersion in water; one major exception is the Turkish Van breed, also known as the swimming cat, which originated in the Lake Van area of [[Turkey]] and has an unusual fondness for water (Siegal 2004).
  
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Cats have a third eyelid, the [[nictitating membrane]], which is a thin cover that closes from the side and appears when the cat's eyelid opens. This membrane partially closes if the cat is sick; although in a sleepy, content cat this membrane is often visible. If a cat chronically shows the third eyelid, it should be taken to a [[veterinarian]].
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==Domestication and relationship with humans==
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[[Image:AfricanWildCat.jpg|thumb|240px|African wild cat, the ancestor of the domestic cat.]]
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In 2004, a grave was excavated in [[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. This is evidence that cats have been associating with humans for a long time (Pickrell 2004).
  
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Cats have a wide variation in eye colour, the most typical colours being golden, green and orange. Blue eyes are usually assocaited with the Siamese breed, but they are also found in albino cats. If an albino cat has two blue eyes, they are usually deaf, however if they have orange eyes they are usually free of hearing problems. Albino cats having one blue and one orange eye are normally deaf on the same side as the blue eye.
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It is believed that wild cats chose to live in or near human settlements in order to hunt [[rodent]]s that were feeding on crops and stored food and also to avoid other predators that avoid humans. It also is likely that wild cat kittens were sometimes found and brought home as pets. Naturalist Hans Kruuk observed people in northern [[Kenya]] doing just that. He also mentions that their domestic cats look just like the local wild cats (Kruuk 2002).
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Like other domesticated animals, cats live in a [[mutualism|mutualistic]] arrangement with humans. It is believed that the benefit of removing [[rat]]s and [[mouse|mice]] from humans' food stores outweighed the trouble of extending the protection of a human settlement to a formerly wild animal, almost certainly for humans who had adopted a farming economy. Unlike the [[dog]], which also hunts and kills rodents, the cat does not eat grains, [[fruit]]s, or [[vegetable]]s. A cat that is good at hunting rodents is referred to as a mouser. In [[Argentina]], cats are used to kill [[vampire bat]]s (Kruuk 2002).  
  
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====Hearing====   
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The [[simile]] "like herding cats" refers to the seeming intractability of the ordinary house cat to training in anything, unlike dogs. Despite cohabitation in colonies, cats are lone hunters. It is no coincidence that cats are also "clean" animals; the chemistry of their saliva, expended during their frequent grooming, appears to be a natural deodorant. If so, the function of this cleanliness may be to decrease the chance a prey animal will notice the cat's presence. In contrast, dog's odor is an advantage in hunting, for a dog is a pack hunter; part of the pack stations itself upwind, and its odor drives prey towards the rest of the pack stationed downwind. This requires a cooperative effort, which in turn requires communications skills. No such communications skills are required of a lone hunter.  
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Humans and cats have a similar range of hearing on the low end of the scale, but cats can hear much higher-pitched sounds, even better than dogs. Cats can hear 2 [[octave]]s higher than humans, and one-half octave higher than dogs. When listening for something, a cat's ears will swivel in that direction; a cat's ear flaps ([[pinna]]e) can independently point backwards as well as forwards and sideways to pinpoint the source of the [[sound]]. Cats can judge within three inches (7.5&nbsp;cm) the location of a sound being made one yard (approximately one meter) away - this can be useful for localizing prey etc.  
 
  
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[[Image:Kot Leni.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A cat using its senses for exploration]]
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It is likely this lack of communication skills is part of the reason interacting with such an animal is problematic; cats in particular are labeled as opaque or inscrutable, if not obtuse, as well as aloof and self-sufficient. However, cats can be very affectionate towards their human companions, especially if they [[Imprinting (psychology)|imprint]] on them at a very young age and are treated with consistent affection.
  
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====Smell====
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Human attitudes toward cats vary widely. Some people keep cats for companionship as [[pet]]s. Others go to great lengths to pamper their cats, sometimes treating them as if they were children. When a cat bonds with its human guardian, the cat may, at times, display behaviors similar to that of a human. Such behavior may include a trip to the litter box before bedtime or snuggling up close to its companion in bed or on the sofa. Other such behavior includes mimicking sounds of the owner or using certain sounds the cat picks up from the human; sounds representing specific needs of the cat, which the owner would recognize, such as a specific tone of [[meow]] along with eye contact that may represent "I'm hungry." The cat may also be capable of learning to communicate with the human using non-spoken language or body language such as rubbing for affection (confirmation), facial expressions, and making eye contact with the owner if something needs to be addressed (e.g., finding a bug crawling on the floor for the owner to get rid of). Some owners like to train their cat to perform "tricks" commonly exhibited by dogs such as jumping, though this is rare.  
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A domestic cat's sense of smell is about fourteen times as strong as a human's.<!-- I can't find this reference {{ref|littergarden}}—>  Cats have twice as many smell-sensitive cells in their noses as people do, which means they can smell things we are not even aware of. Cats also have a scent organ in the roof of their mouths called the [[vomeronasal organ|vomeronasal]], or Jacobson's, organ. When a cat wrinkles its muzzle, lowers its chin, and lets its tongue hang a bit, it is opening the passage to the vomeronasal. This is called ''gaping'', "sneering", or "flehming". Gaping is the equivalent of the [[Flehmen response]] in other animals, such as [[dog]]s, [[horses]] and [[big cat]]s.
 
  
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====Touch====
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[[Image:WhiteCat.jpg|left|thumb|Blue-eyed cats with white fur have a higher incidence of [[genetics|genetic]] deafness.]]
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[[Image:Whiskers_on_cat_paw.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Whiskers clearly distinguishable on the wrist of even a long haired cat]]
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[[Allergy|Allergies]] to cat [[dander]] are one of the most common reasons people cite for disliking cats. However, in some instances, humans find the rewards of cat companionship outweigh the discomfort and problems associated with these allergies. Many choose to cope with cat allergies by taking prescription allergy medicine and bathing their cats frequently, since weekly bathing will eliminate about 90 percent of the cat dander present in the environment.
  
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Cats generally have about a dozen [[vibrissae|whiskers]] in four rows on each upper lip, a few on each cheek, tufts over the eyes and bristles on the chin. Whiskers may also be found on the cat's inner "wrists", and there are similar hairs which make up the cat's eyebrows. The Sphynx (a nearly hairless breed) may have full length, short, or no whiskers at all.
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In rural areas, farms often have dozens of semi-feral cats. Hunting in the barns and the fields, they kill and eat rodents that would otherwise spoil large parts of the grain crop. Many pet cats successfully hunt and kill [[rabbits]], [[rodents]], [[bird]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[frog]]s, [[fish]], and large [[insect]]s by [[instinct]], but might not eat their prey. They may even present their kills, dead or maimed, to their humans, perhaps expecting them to praise or reward them, or possibly even to complete the kill and eat the mouse. Others speculate that the behavior is a part of the odd relationship between human and cat, in which the cat is sometimes a "kitten" (playing, being picked up, and carried) and sometimes an adult (teaching these very large and peculiar human kittens how to hunt by demonstrating what the point of it all is).
  
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Whiskers (technically called [[vibrissae]]) can aid with [[navigation]] and sensation. Whiskers may detect very small shifts in [[wind|air currents]], enabling a cat to know it is near obstructions without actually seeing them. The upper two rows of whiskers can move independently from the lower two rows for even more precise measuring.
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==Behavior==
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===Social behavior===
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Many people characterize cats as "solitary" animals. Cats are highly social; a primary difference in social behavior between cats and [[dog]]s (to which they are often compared) is that cats do not have a social survival strategy, or a "pack mentality;" however, this only means that cats take care of their basic needs on their own (e.g., finding food, and defending themselves). This is not the same state as being asocial. One example of how domestic cats are "naturally" meant to behave is to observe feral domestic cats, which often live in colonies, but in which each individual basically looks after itself.  
  
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It is thought that a cat may choose to rely on the whiskers in dim light where fully dilating the pupils would reduce its ability to focus on close objects. The whiskers also spread out roughly as wide as the cat's body making it able to judge if it can fit through an opening.
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The domestic cat is social enough to form colonies, but does not hunt in groups as [[lion]]s do. Some breeds like Bengal, Ocicat, and Manx are known to be very social. While each cat holds a distinct territory (sexually active males having the largest territories, and neutered cats having the smallest), there are "neutral" areas where cats watch and greet one another without territorial conflicts. Outside these neutral areas, territory holders usually aggressively chase away stranger cats, at first by staring, hissing, and growling, and if that does not work, by short but noisy and violent attacks. Fighting cats make themselves appear more impressive and threatening by raising their fur and arching their backs, thus increasing their visual size. Cats also behave this way while playing. 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 with their powerful hind legs.  
  
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Whiskers are also an indication of the cat's attitude. Whiskers point forward when the cat is inquisitive and friendly, and lie flat on the face when the cat is being defensive or aggressive.
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Normally, serious negative effects will be limited to possible infections of the scratches and bites; though these have been known to sometimes kill cats if untreated. In addition, such fighting is believed to be the primary route of transmission of [[feline immunodeficiency virus]] (FIV). 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. Not only males will fight; females will also fight over territory or to defend their kittens, and even neutered cats will defend their (smaller) territories aggressively.
  
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====Taste====
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Living with humans is a [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] social adaptation that has developed over thousands of years. The sort of social relationship cats have with their human keepers is hard to map onto more generalized wild cat behavior, but it is certain that the cat thinks of the human differently than it does other cats (i.e., it does not think of itself as human, nor that the human is a cat). This can be seen in the difference in body and vocal language it uses with the human, when compared to how it communicates with other cats in the household, for example. Some have suggested that, psychologically, the human keeper of a cat is a sort of surrogate for the cat's mother, and that adult domestic cats live forever in a kind of suspended kittenhood.
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According to ''[[National Geographic]]'' [[December 8]], [[2005]] cats cannot taste sugary foods due to a faulty [[sweetness|sweet receptor]] [[gene]]. Some scientists believe this is related to the cat's diet being naturally high in [[protein]], though it is unclear whether it is the cause or the result of it.
 
  
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===Communication===
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===Fondness for heights===
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See [[cat communication]].
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[[Image:Cat in tree03.jpg|thumb|A cat standing on the branch of a tree]]
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Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its "territory" and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats are known to strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a [[leopard]] (Nash 2007).  
  
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===Hunting and diet===
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If a cat falls, it can almost always right itself and land on its feet. This "righting reflex" is a natural instinct and is found even in newborn kittens (Siegal 2004).
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Relative to size, domestic cats are very effective predators. They ambush and dispatch vertebrate [[prey]] using tactics similar to those of [[leopard]]s and [[tiger]]s by pouncing; they then deliver a lethal neck bite with their long [[canine tooth|canine teeth]] that severs the victim's [[spinal cord]], or asphyxiate it by crushing the windpipe.
 
  
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The domestic cat can hunt and eat about one thousand [[species]]—many [[big cat]]s will eat fewer than 100. Although, theoretically, big cats can kill most of these species as well, they often do not due to the relatively low nutritional content that smaller animals provide. An exception is the [[leopard]], which commonly hunts rabbits and many other smaller animals.
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This fondness for high spaces, however, can dangerously test the popular notion that a cat "always lands on its feet." The [[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] warns owners to safeguard the more dangerous perches in their homes, to avoid "high-rise syndrome," where an overconfident cat falls from an extreme height (Foster 2007).
  
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Even well-fed domestic cats will hunt and kill birds, mice, rats and other small animals in the vicinity. They often present such trophies to their owner. The motivation is not entirely clear, but friendly bonding behaviors are often associated with such an action. It is probable that cats in this situation expect to be praised for their symbolic contribution to group.
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===Play===
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Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of string play. Many cats cannot resist a dangling piece of string, or a piece of rope drawn randomly and enticingly across the floor. This well known love of string is often depicted in cartoons and photographs, which show kittens or cats playing with balls of yarn. It is probably related to hunting instincts, including the common practice of kittens hunting their mother's and each other's tails. If string is ingested, however, it can become caught in the cat’s [[stomach]] or [[intestine]]s, causing illness, or in extreme cases, death. Due to possible complications caused by ingesting a string, string play is sometimes replaced with a [[laser pointer]]'s dot, which some cats will chase. Some also discourage the use of laser pointers for pet play, however, because of the potential damage to sensitive [[eye]]s and/or the possible loss of satisfaction associated with the successful capture of an actual prey object, play or real.  While caution is called for, there are no documented cases of feline eye damage from a laser pointer, and the combination of precision needed and low energy involved make it a remote risk. A common compromise is to use the laser pointer to draw the cat to a prepositioned toy so the cat gets a reward at the end of the chase.
  
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Due to their vestigial hunting behaviour, in many countries feral cats are considered pests. Domestic cats are occasionally also required to have contained cat runs or to be kept inside entirely, as they can be hazardous to locally endangered bird species. Various municipalities in Australia have enacted similar legislation. In some localities, owners fit their cat with a bell in order to warn prey of its approach.
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==Ecology==
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===Feeding===
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Cats are highly specialized for hunting, compared to members of other carnivore families such as dogs and [[bear]]s. This might be related to the cats' inability to taste [[sugar]]s. Since they have a greatly reduced need to digest [[plant]]s, their digestive tract has evolved to be shorter, too short for effective digestion of plants but less of a weight penalty for the rapid movement required for hunting. Hunting likewise has become central to their behavior patterns, even to their predilection for short bursts of intense exercise punctuating long periods of rest.
  
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[[Image:Cat_yawning.jpg|thumb|right|220px|A cat [[yawn]]ing, showing characteristic [[canine tooth|canine teeth]]]]  
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Like other members of the cat family, domestic cats are very effective predators. They ambush and immobilize [[vertebrate]] prey using tactics similar to those of [[leopard]]s and [[tiger]]s by pouncing; then they deliver a lethal neck bite with their long [[canine tooth|canine teeth]] that severs the victim's [[spinal cord]], causes fatal bleeding by puncturing the [[carotid artery]] or the [[jugular vein]], or asphyxiates it by crushing its trachea. The domestic cat hunts and eats over a thousand [[species]], many of them [[invertebrate]]s, especially insects.
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Cats have highly specialized teeth and a digestive tract suitable to the digestion of meat. The premolar and first molar together compose the carnassial pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently functions to shear meat like a pair of scissors. While this is present in [[Canidae|canines]], it is highly developed in felines. The cat's tongue has sharp spines, or [[papillae]], useful for retaining and ripping flesh from a carcass. These papillae are small backward-facing hooks that contain [[keratin]] and assist in their grooming. Domesticated cats eat relatively little vegetable matter. It is quite common, however, for cats to occasionally supplement their carnivorous diets with small amounts of grass or other plant matter. Whereas [[bear]]s and dogs commonly supplement their diet of meat with fruits, berries, roots, and honey when they can get them, cats prefer to feed mainly on meat. Cats, including the great cats, have a genetic anomaly that prevents them from tasting sweetness <ref>{{cite web | title=PLoS Genetics: Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats&#39; Indifference toward Sugar | url=http://genetics.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010003 | accessdate=August 8 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>, which is probably related to their meat dominated eating habits, and almost certainly related to their aversion for fruits and berries.
 
  
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In captivity, cats cannot be adapted to an unsupplemented [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]] diet because they cannot synthesize several nutrients they need and that are absent or rare in plant food. This applies mainly to [[taurine]], [[vitamin A]] (cats cannot convert the pro-vitamin A that is abundant in plants to vitamin A proper) and to certain [[fatty acids]]. The absence of taurine causes the cat's retina to slowly degenerate, causing eye problems and (eventually) irreversible blindness. This condition is called [[central retinal degeneration]] (CRD). Cow's milk is a poor source of taurine and adult cats are generally [[lactose intolerant]]. Lactose-free milk is perfectly safe, but still not a substitute for meat. This contrasts with domesticated dogs, who commonly are fed a mixture of meat and vegetable products and can be adapted to non-supplemented vegetarian diets (though supplementation may be better for dogs too). However, the majority of brand-name [[cat food]]s are primarily grain based, often containing large amounts of corn or rice and supplemented with meats and minerals and vitamins.
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Even well-fed domestic cats may hunt and kill [[bird]]s, [[mice]], [[rat]]s, scorpions, cockroaches, [[grasshopper]]s, and other small animals in their environment. They often present such trophies to their owner. The motivation is not entirely clear, but friendly bonding behaviors are often associated with such an action. [[Ethology|Ethologist]] Paul Leyhausen, in an extensive study of social and predatory behavior in domestic cats (documented in his book ''Cat Behavior)'', proposed a mechanism to explain this presenting behavior. In simple terms, 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 place at or near the top. Another possibility is that presenting the kill might be a relic of a kitten feline behavior of demonstrating, for its mother's approval, that it has developed the necessary skill for hunting.
  
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Cats are also known to munch on grass, leaves, shrubs and houseplants to regurgitate whatever is upsetting their stomach.
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===Reproduction===
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[[Image:Youngkitten.JPG|thumb|A kitten which has opened his [[eye]]s for the first time.]]
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Female cats can come into heat several times a year.  Males are attracted by the scent of the female's [[urine]] and by her calls and may fight with each other for the right to mate.
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The [[gestation]] period for cats is approximately 63–65 days. The size of a [[Litter (animal)|litter]] averages three to five kittens, with the first litter usually smaller than subsequent litters. As in most carnivore young, newborn kittens are very small, blind, and helpless. They are cared for by their mother in a hidden nest or den that she prepares. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at 4–10 months (females) and to 5–7 months (males) (Voelker 1986, Siegal 2004).
  
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Some houseplants are harmful to cats.  The leaves of the [[Lilium longiflorum|Easter Lily]] can cause permanent and life-threatening kidney damage to cats.  [[Philodendron]] are also poisonous to cats.  Cat Fancy has a full list of [http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants.html plants harmful to cats].
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==Nomenclature==
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Some cats have a fondness for [[catnip]].  While they generally don't consume it, they will often roll in it, paw at it, and occasionally chew on it.  The effect is usually relatively short, lasting for only a few minutes.  After two hours or less, susceptible cats gain interest again.  Several other species of plants cause this effect, to a lesser degree.
 
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Cats can be fussy eaters. This can happen when the [[vomeronasal organ|vomeronasal, or Jacobson's, organ]] becomes sensitized to a specific food, or if the cats are spoiled by their owners, at which point the cat will reject any food that doesn't fit the pattern it is expecting. Additionally, cats have been known to develop a fondness for "people food" such as chicken, bread, French fries, pizza, ice cream, tomato soup, carrot juice, olives, and carnitas burritos, as well as cat diet exotica such as corn kernels and diced cantaloupe.  Many "people foods" are not good for cats; [[chocolate]], for example, can be fatal due to the presence of [[theobromine]] (see [[theobromine poisoning]]), although few cats will eat chocolate.
 
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Cats can also develop [[Pica (disorder)|pica]]. Pica is a condition where cats chew or eat unusual things such as [[fabric]], [[plastic]] or [[wool]]. This behavior is mostly harmless as they do not digest most of it, but can be fatal or require surgical removal if a large amount of foreign material is ingested (for example, an entire sock). It tends to occur more often in Siamese, Burmese and breeds with these two in their ancestry.
 
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Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of string play. Many cats cannot resist a dangling piece of string, or a piece of rope drawn randomly and enticingly across the floor. This notorious love of string is often depicted in cartoons and photographs, which show kittens or cats playing with balls of yarn. This propensity is probably related to their hunting instinct. If string is ingested, however, it can get caught in the cat’s stomach or intestines, causing illness, or in extreme cases, death. Due to the possible complications of ingesting string, string play is sometimes replaced with a red dot [[laser pointer]]. Some people also discourage the use of laser pointers for play with pets, however, because of the fear damage to the sensitive eyes and/or the possible loss of satisfaction associated with the successful capture of an object or of prey. The fact that the cat cannot physically touch the laser dot no matter how hard it tries and that it cannot understand this concept can lead to even normally calm cats becoming very agitated and even severely stressed. For this reason also, the cat should not be allowed to play with the laser dot for more than short periods at a time.
 
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Because of their small size, domestic cats pose almost no danger to humans—the main hazard is the possibility of infection (or, rarely, [[rabies]]) from a cat bite or scratch, although a cat could potentially also inflict scratch severe damage to the eyes of a human - dogs have been known to have become blinded by cats in fights, with the cat targeting the eyes on purpose and with accuracy rather than at random.
 
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Cats can be destructive to [[ecosystem]]s in which they are not native and whose species did not have time to adapt to their [[introduced species|introduction]]. In some cases, cats have contributed to or caused [[extinction]]s—for example, see the case of the [[Stephens Island Wren]].
 
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===Hygiene===
 
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[[Image:Beibeigroom.JPG|Grooming tabby|170px|thumb|left]]
 
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Cats are known for their cleanliness. They [[groom]] themselves by [[licking]] their [[fur]]. Their [[saliva]] is a powerful cleaning agent, but it can provoke [[Allergy|allergic]] reactions in humans.  Some people who are allergic to cats&mdash;typically manifested by [[hay fever]], [[asthma]] or a skin [[rash]] &mdash;quickly acclimate themselves to a particular animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining an allergy to cats in general.  Many cats also enjoy grooming humans or other cats. Some cats occasionally regurgitate [[hair balls]] of fur that have collected in their [[stomach]]s as a result of their grooming. Longhair cats are more prone to this than shorthairs. Hairballs can be prevented with certain cat foods and remedies that ease [[defecation|elimination]] of the hair and regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush. Cats expend nearly as much fluid grooming as they do urinating.
 
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Indoor cats may be provided a [[litter box]] containing [[sand]] or similar commercial material ([[cat litter|litter]]). This arrangement serves the same purpose as a [[toilet]] for [[humans]]. It should be cleaned daily and changed often (depending on the number of cats in a household and the type of litter—clumping litter stays cleaner longer, but has been reported to cause health problems in some cats. <ref>{{cite web | title=Suspected bentonite toxicosis in a cat from ingestion of clay cat litter | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8888544&dopt=Abstract | accessdate=September 10|accessyear=2005 }}</ref>) A litterbox is recommended for indoor-outdoor cats as well. Litterboxes may pose a risk of [[toxoplasmosis]] transmission to susceptible pregnant women and immuno-compromised individuals. Transmission risk may be reduced by daily litterbox cleaning.
 
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[[Image:Toilet_Trained_Cat_22_Aug_2005.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Toilet-trained cat]]
 
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In addition, some cats may be toilet trained, eliminating the litterbox and its attending expense and odor. Training involves two or three weeks of incremental moves, such as moving and elevating the litterbox until it is near the toilet. For a short time, an adapter, such as a bowl or small box, may be used to suspend the litter above the toilet bowl. When training is complete, the cat uses the toilet by perching over the bowl. <ref>{{cite web | title=Cat toilet-training | url=http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html | accessdate=August 8 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>
 
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Indoor cats will also benefit from being provided with a [[scratching post]] so they are less likely to ruin furniture with their claws.<ref>{{cite web | title=Scratching or clawing in the house | url=http://www.fabcats.org/scratching.html | accessdate=August 14|accessyear=2005 }}</ref> Nails can be trimmed, but care should be taken to avoid cutting a vein in the [[Wiktionary:quick#Noun|quick]] of the claw.
 
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====Declawing====
 
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{{main|Onychectomy}}
 
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Declawing is a major surgery known as ''onychectomy'', performed under [[anesthesia]], that removes the tip of each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the cat's forepaws. There is a slight chance of death in the surgery, and a declawed cat may have an increased risk of infection and life-long discomfort in its paws. This surgery is not recommended for an adult animal and is considered an act of [[animal cruelty]] in some countries (see below).
 
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People generally have cats declawed to prevent them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Rarely, vicious cats are declawed. In the United States, some landlords require that tenants' cats be declawed.
 
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Veterinarians are generally critical of the procedure and some refuse to perform it because the absence of claws in a cat:
 
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[[Image:CatClaws.jpg|right|thumb|A cat brandishing its claws]]
 
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#Deprives it of its main defense abilities, including escaping from predators by climbing trees;
 
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#Impairs its stretching and exercise habits, leading to muscle atrophy;
 
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#Compromises its ability to balance on thin surfaces such as railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
 
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#Can cause insecurity and a subsequent tendency to bite.
 
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This operation is rare outside of North America. In [[Finland]], [[Germany]], [[the Netherlands]] and [[Switzerland]], declawing is forbidden by the laws against [[cruelty to animals]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Swiss Federal Act on Animal Protection, 1978, Section 8: Prohibited Practices, §22(g) | url=http://www.animallaw.info/nonus/statutes/stchapa1978.htm | accessdate=August 22 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref> In many other European countries, it is forbidden under the terms of the [[European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals]], unless "a [[veterinarian]] considers [such] non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of (the) animal". <ref>{{cite web | title=European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, Chapter II - Principles for the keeping of pet animals, Article 10(1) | url=http://www.animallaw.info/treaties/itceceets125.htm | accessdate=August 22|accessyear =2005 }}</ref> In Britain, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported cats that have been declawed and subsequently most are [[euthanized]]. In 2003, [[West Hollywood, California]] became the first US jurisdiction to outlaw declawing by veterinarians or animal groomers practicing in city limits.
 
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[[Image:IMG_4146.JPG|thumb|left|175px|Close-up of a declawed paw.]]
 
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An alternative to declawing is the application of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are affixed to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the cat sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the cat will still experience difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
 
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After a cat has been declawed,  it should be allowed to rest, and restrained from jumping (if possible) for a few days. After being neutered/spayed/declawed (as with after any surgery), the cat will go through a period when being played with or picking it up may hurt it. This usually lasts a week or less.
 
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While some people suggest that cats should not be declawed until 5-6 months of age, many veterinarians who practice this surgery are of the opinion the cat can be declawed as soon as it is old enough to sustain surgery (around 2-3 months of age, depending on size). The reasoning behind it is that younger cats are more adaptable to the amputation, and the fact that distal phalanges in the cat at this age are still cartilaginous may make the operation somewhat less painful.
 
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===Environment===
 
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The [[wild cat]], ancestor of the domestic cat, is believed to have evolved in a [[desert]] [[climate]], as evident in the behavior common to both the domestic and wild forms. Wild cats are native to all [[continent]]s other than [[Australasia]] and [[Antarctica]]. Their feces are usually dry, and cats prefer to bury them in [[sand]]y places. They are able to remain motionless for long periods, especially when observing prey and preparing to pounce. In [[North Africa]] there are still small wildcats that are probably related closely to the ancestors of today's domesticated breeds.
 
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Cats enjoy heat and solar exposure, often sleeping in a sunny area during the heat of the day. Cats prefer warmer temperatures than humans do. People start to feel uncomfortable when their skin's temperature gets higher than about 44.5&nbsp;°C (112&nbsp;°F), but cats don't start to show signs of discomfort until their skin reaches about 52&nbsp;°C (126&nbsp;°F).
 
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Being closely related to desert animals, cats can easily withstand the heat and cold of a [[temperate]] [[climate]], but not for long periods. Although certain breeds such as the [[Norwegian Forest Cat]] and [[Maine Coon]] have developed heavier coats of fur than other cats, they have little resistance against fog, [[rain]] and [[snow]] and struggle to maintain their 39&nbsp;°C (102&nbsp;°F) body temperature when wet. Most cats dislike immersion in water; one major exception is the [[Turkish Van]] breed which has an unusual fondness for water. If a cat is continually exposed to water from a very young age, often it will develop a fondness for it; however, this rarely if ever occurs naturally.
 
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==Reproduction and genetics==
 
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[[Image:White_Cat_Nursing_Four_Kittens_HQ.jpg|thumb|Four kittens being [[breastfeeding|nursed]]]]
 
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Cats are seasonally [[polyestrous]], <!-- I created a redirect to the [[Estrus cycle]] article - but that claims cats are diestrous. Copyediting for consistency needed between the two articles! —>which means they may have many periods of heat over the course of a year. A heat period lasts about 4 to 7 days if the female is bred; if she is not, the heat period lasts longer.
 
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The male cat's [[penis]] has spines which point backwards. Upon withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina. The female needs this stimulation for ovulation to begin. Because this does not always occur, females are rarely impregnated by the first male with which they mate. Furthermore, cats are [[superfecundation|superfecund]]; that is, a female may mate with more than one male when she is in heat, meaning different [[kitten]]s in a litter may have different fathers.
 
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The reproduction process can be very loud, as both cats vocalize loudly. If one is not used to the sounds of cats mating, it sounds very much like a cat fight.
 
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The [[gestation]] period for cats is approximately 63-65 days. The size of a [[Litter (animal)|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 4-10 months (females) and to 5-7 months (males).
 
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Cats are ready to go to new homes at about 10 weeks old, or when they are ready to leave their mother. Cats can be surgically [[spay|sterilized]] (spayed or neutered) as early as 6-8 weeks to limit unwanted reproduction. This surgery also prevents undesirable sex-related behavior, such as [[Territorial marking|territory marking]] (spraying urine) in males and yowling (calling) in females. If an animal is neutered after such behavior has been learned, however, it may persist.
 
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[[Image:WhiteCat.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Blue-eyed cats with white fur have a higher incidence of [[genetics|genetic]] [[deafness]]. 
 
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Over 200 heritable genetic defects have been identified in the cat, many of which are homologous to human inborn errors. Specific metabolic defects have been identified underlying many of these feline diseases.]]
 
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There are several [[gene]]s responsible for the hair color identified. The combination of them gives different [[phenotype]]s. See [[Cat coat genetics]].<!--original contents here were out-of-date genetics and incorrect. --->
 
  
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Features like hair length, lack of tail or presence of a very short tail (bobtail cat) are also determined by single alleles and modified by polygenes.
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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 '''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 [[rat]]s, [[rabbit]]s, [[hedgehog]]s, [[beaver]]s, [[squirrel]]s, and [[skunk]]s). In medieval Britain, the word ''kitten'' was interchangeable with the word ''catling.''
  
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A '''Cat Genome Project''' is sponsored by the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity at the U.S. [[National Cancer Institute]] Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center in [[Frederick, Maryland]]. The research focuses on development of the cat as an animal model for human hereditary disease, infectious disease, genome evolution, comparative research initiatives within the family Felidae, and forensic potential.
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A cat whose [[genealogy|ancestry]] is formally registered is called a '''pedigreed cat,''' '''purebred cat,''' or a '''show cat''' (although not all show cats are pedigreed or purebred). 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 (almost exclusively new breeds; cat registries are very strict about which breeds can be mated together). Cats of unrecorded mixed ancestry are referred to as domestic longhairs and domestic shorthairs or commonly as random-bred, moggies, mongrels, mutt-cats, or alley cats. 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 feline population (Richards 1999).
  
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==Domestication==
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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 κάττα, Old Irish ''cat,'' German ''Katze,'' and Old Church Slavonic ''kotka.'' The ultimate source of all these terms is unknown, although it may be linked to the ancient [[Nobiin language|Nubian]] ''kadis'' and the [[Berber languages|Berber]] ''kadiska.'' The term ''puss'' (as in pussycat) may come from [[Dutch language|Dutch]] (from ''poes,'' a female cat, or the diminutive ''poesje,'' an endearing term for any cat) or from other Germanic languages.
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Like some other domesticated animals, cats live in a [[mutualism|mutualistic]] arrangement with humans.  Cats, however, have done so for a shorter time than many other domesticated animals, and the degree of domestication of cats is disputed by some, especially compared to the dog. Since the benefit of removing rats and [[mouse|mice]] from humans' food stores outweighed the cost of allowing a formerly wild animal to enjoy the relative safety of a human settlement, the relationship between cat and human flourished. Unlike the dog, which also kills rodents, the cat did not eat grains, fruits, or vegetables.  A cat that is good at hunting rodents is referred to as a mouser.  
 
  
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The venerable [[simile]] "like herding cats" refers to the seeming intractability of the ordinary house cat to be trained in the manner of the dog.  Despite occasional cohabitation in colonies, cats are lone hunters.  It is no coincidence that cats are also "clean" animals, the chemistry of their saliva, expended in frequent grooming, acting as a natural deodorant.  The "purpose" of this cleanliness is to help hide the cat's presence while stalking prey.  A dog's odor, on the other hand, is an advantage, for a dog is a pack hunter; part of the pack stations itself upwind, and its odor drives prey towards the rest of the pack stationed downwind.  This requires a cooperative effort, which in turn requires communications skills.  No such communications skills are required of the lone hunter.  Thus, communicating with such an animal is problematic, and cats in particular are labelled as opaque or inscrutable, if not obtuse, as well as aloof and self-sufficient.  However, cats can be very affectionate towards their humans, especially if they [[Imprinting (psychology)|imprint]] on them at a very young age and are treated with consistent affection.
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==History of cats and humans==
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[[Image:Cat&Pigeon.jpg|thumb|right|220px|A cat carrying a caught [[pigeon]]]]
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===Egypt===
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Attitudes toward cats vary widely.  Some people keep cats for companionship as [[pet]]s. Others go to great lengths to pamper their cats, sometimes treating them almost as if they were children.  When a cat bonds with its owner, at times, the cat may display behaviors similar to that of a human.  Such behavior may include a trip to the litter box before bedtime or snuggling up close to its companion in bed or on the sofa.  Other behaviors could include mimicking sounds of the owner or using certain sounds the cat picks up from the human; sounds representing specific needs of the cat, which the owner would recognize, such as a specific tone of [[meow]] along with eye contact that may represent "I'm hungry."  The cat may also be capable of learning to communicate with the human using non-spoken language or [[Cat body language|body language]] such as rubbing for affection (confirmation), facial expressions and making eye contact with the owner if something needs to be addressed (e.g. finding a bug crawling on the floor for the owner to get rid of). Some owners like to train their cat to perform "tricks" commonly exhibited by dogs such as jumping.  
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[[Image:Ancient Egyptian bronze statue of a reclining cat and kitten.jpg|thumb|Ancient Egyptian bronze statue of a reclining cat and kitten]]
 +
After associating with humans for several thousand years, cats entered the historical record in ancient [[Egypt]]. The first known painting of a cat dates to about 3,000 B.C.E..E. (Kruuk 2002).
  
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Allergies to cat [[dander]] are one of the most common reasons people cite for disliking cats.  However, in some instances, humans find the rewards of cat companionship outweigh the discomfort and problems associated with allergies. Many choose to cope with cat allergies by taking prescription allergy medicine and bathing their cats frequently, since weekly bathing will eliminate about 90% of the cat dander present in the environment. Recent studies have indicated that humans who are exposed to cats or dogs within the first year of their lives develop few animal allergies, while most adults who are allergic to animals did not have a cat or a dog as a pet in childhood.
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Cats became very important in Egyptian society. They were associated with [[Bast]], the goddess of the home, the domestic cat, protector of the fields and home from vermin infestations, and who sometimes took on the warlike aspect of a [[lion]]ess. The first domesticated cats may have saved early Egyptians from many rodent infestations and likewise, Bast developed from the adoration for her feline companions. She was the daughter of the sun god [[Ra]] and played a significant role in Egyptian religion.
  
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In urban areas, some people find feral and free-roaming pet cats annoying and intrusive. Unaltered animals can engage in persistent nighttime calling (caterwauling) and defecation or "marking" on private property. Indoor confinement of pets and TNR (trap, neuter, return) programs for feral cats can help in this situation; some people also use [[cat deterrent]]s to discourage cats from entering their property.
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Cats were protected in Egypt and when they died their bodies were mummified. Some historians report that killing a cat was punishable by death and that when a family cat died family members would shave their eyebrows in mourning (Siegal 2002).
  
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In rural areas, farms often have dozens of semi-feral cats. Hunting in the barns and the fields, they kill and eat rodents that would otherwise spoil large parts of the grain crop. Many pet cats successfully hunt and kill [[rabbit]]s, [[rodents]], [[bird]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[frog]]s, [[fish]], and large [[insect]]s by [[instinct]], but might not eat their prey. They may even present such victims, dead or maimed, to a beloved owner, perhaps expecting their owner to praise or reward them, or possibly even complete the kill and eat the mouse.
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===Roman and Medieval times===
 +
[[Image:Maneki-neko-ja.jpg|thumb|left|Maneki Neko]]
 +
The Egyptians tried to prevent the export of cats from their country, but after [[Rome]] conquered Egypt in 30 B.C.E., pet cats became popular in Rome and were introduced throughout the [[Roman Empire]] (Nowak 1983).  
  
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Despite its reputation as a solitary animal, the domestic cat is social enough to form [[feral cat colony|colonies]], but does not attack in groups as do [[lion]]s. Some breeds like [[bengal cat|bengal]], [[ocicat]] and [[Manx (cat)|manx]] are very social, but these breeds are exceptions. While each cat holds a distinct territory (sexually active males having the largest territories, and neutered cats having the smallest), there are "neutral" areas where cats watch and greet one another without territorial conflict or aggression. Outside of these neutral areas, territory holders usually vigorously chase away strangers, at first by staring, hissing, and growling, and if that does not work, by short but noisy and violent attacks. [[Catfight (animal behavior)|Fighting cats]] make themselves look larger by raising their fur and arching their backs. Cats also exibit this behavior while playing. Attacks usually comprise powerful slaps to the face and body with the forepaws as well as bites, but serious damage is rarely done, and usually the loser runs away with little more than a few scratches to the face. Normally the serious negative effects of a cat fight would be possible infections of the scratches and bites, which have been known to kill cats themselves. Sexually active males may be engaged in many fights over their lives and often have decidedly weathered faces with obvious scars and cuts to the ears and nose. Not only males will fight; females will also fight over territory or to defend their kittens, and even neutered cats will defend their small territories vigorously.
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[[Judaism]] considered the cat an unclean animal and cats are not mentioned in the [[Bible]]. As [[Christianity]] came to dominate European society, cats began to be looked on less favorably, often being thought to be associated with [[witchcraft]]. On some feast days, they were tortured and killed as a symbolic way of driving out the [[devil]] (Kruuk 2002).
  
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===Feral cats===
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[[Islam]], however, looked at cats more favorably. It is said by some writers that [[Muhammad]] had a favorite cat, Muezza (Geyer 2004) It is said he loved cats so much that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it" (Reeves 2003).
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{{main|Feral cat}}
 
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[[Image:Feral cat gl3.gif|thumb|left|Feral cats are thought to be a major predator of [[Hawaii]]an coastal and forest habitats, and are one species among many responsible for the decline of endemic forest bird species as well as seabirds like the [[Wedge-tailed Shearwater]]. [http://www.birdinghawaii.co.uk/XShearwaterkills2.htm] In one study of 56 cat [[Scatology|scats]], the remains of 44 birds were found, 40 of which were [[Endemic birds of Hawaii|endemic species]] [http://www.earlham.edu/~biol/hawaii/mammals.htm].]]
 
  
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[[Feral cat]]s may live alone, but most are found in large groups called [[feral cat colony|feral colonies]] with communal nurseries, depending on resource availability. Many lost or abandoned pet cats join these colonies out of desperation. The average lifespan of these feral cats is much shorter than a domestic housecat, which can live an average of sixteen years or more. Urban areas are not native environments to the cat; most domestic cats were artificially selected from cats in desert climates and were distributed throughout the world by humans, but some feral cat colonies are found in large cities, for example, around the [[Colosseum]] and [[Forum Romanum]] in [[Rome]]. Although cats are adaptable, feral felines are unable to thrive in extreme cold and heat, and with a very high protein requirement, few find adequate nutrition on their own in cities. In addition, they have little defense or understanding of the dangers from dogs, [[coyote]]s, and even [[automobile]]s. However, there are thousands of volunteers and organizations that trap these unadoptable feral felines, [[spaying and neutering|spay or neuter]] them, [[immunization|immunize]] the cats against rabies and [[feline leukemia]], and treat them with long-lasting [[flea]] products. Before release back into their feral colonies, the attending veterinarian often nips the tip off one ear to mark the feral as spayed/neutered and inoculated, as these cats will more than likely find themselves trapped again. 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. In time, if an entire colony is successfully spayed and neutered, no additional kittens are born and the feral colony disappears. Many hope to see an end to urban feral cat colonies through these efforts.
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During this time, pet cats also became popular over much of [[Asia]]. In different locations, distinct breeds of cats arose because of different environments and because of selection by humans. It is possible that interbreeding with local wild cats might have also played a part in this. Among the Asian cat breeds that developed this way are: The Persian, the Turkish Angora, the Siberian, and the Siamese (Siegal 2004). In [[Japan]], the Maneki Neko is a small figurine of a cat that is thought to bring good fortune.
  
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===Environmental issues===
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===Modern times===
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<!-- This section has been subject to extensive debate. Do not make changes to this section without first obtaining consensus on the Talk:Cat page. —>
 
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There are two divergent views about cats’ relationship with the [[natural environment]].
 
  
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*The first says: The environmental impact of feral cat programs and of indoor/outdoor cats is a subject of debate. Part of this stems from humane concern for the cats themselves and part arises from concerns about cat predation on endangered species. Nearly all studies agree that abandoned animals lead hard lives. Owners who can no longer keep their cats would do best to give them to friends, rescue organizations, or shelters. The amount of ecological damage done by indoor/outdoor cats depends on local conditions. The most severe impact occurs with island ecologies. Serious concerns also exist in places such as Florida where housecats are not native, where several small-sized endangered species live near human populations, and where the climate allows cats to breed throughout the year. Environmental concerns may be minimal in most of England where cats are an established species and few to none of the local prey species are endangered. Pet owners can contact veterinarians, ecological organizations, and universities for opinions about whether local conditions are suitable for outdoor cats. Additional concerns include potential dangers from larger predators and infectious diseases. Coyotes kill large numbers of housecats in the Southwestern United States, even in urban zones. FELV (feline leukemia), FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), or rabies may be present in the area. If faced with conflicting evidence, the safe choice is to keep a cat indoors. Experts recommend a gradual transition to indoor life for cats who are accustomed to going outside.  
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In the [[Renaissance]], Persian cats were brought to [[Italy]] and Turkish Angora cats were brought to [[France]] and then to [[England]]. Interest in different breeds of cats developed, especially among the wealthy. In 1871, the first cat exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace in London (Siegal 2004). Pet cats have continued to grow in popularity. It is estimated that 31 percent of [[United States]] households own at least one cat and the total number of pet cats in the United States is over 70 million (AVNA 2007).
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<!-- This section has been subject to extensive debate. Do not make changes to this section without first obtaining consensus on the Talk:Cat page. —>
 
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*Those opposing this view emphasize that this allegation has never been proved. They say that damaging effects do not follow automatically from the fact that cats are predators. They point out that cats have played a useful role in vermin control for centuries, and that for many animals, especially in urban areas, cats are the only animal available to fill the vital role of predator. Without cats these species would overpopulate.
 
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<!-- This section has been subject to extensive debate. Do not make changes to this section without first obtaining consensus on the Talk:Cat page. —>
 
  
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==Varieties of domestic cat==
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Cats have also become very popular as subjects for paintings and as characters in children's books and cartoons.
−
[[Image:Greece-Cat.jpg|thumb|This [[Greece|Greek]] cat has light fur and green eyes.]]
 
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The [[list of cat breeds]] is quite large: most cat registries recognize between 35 and 70 breeds of cats, and several more are in development, with one or more of new breeds being recognized each year on average, having distinct features and heritage. The owners and breeders of show cats compete to see whose animal bears the closest resemblance to the "ideal" definition of the breed (see [[selective breeding]]). Due to common crossbreeding in populated areas, many cats are simply identified as belonging to the homogeneous breeds of [[domestic longhair cat|domestic longhair]] and [[domestic shorthair cat|domestic shorthair]], depending on their type of fur.  In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]], non-purebred cats are referred in slang as [[moggy|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).<ref> [http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mog1.htm "Moggie" definition question and answer] ''Worldwidewords.org''. URL Accessed June 14, 2006.</ref> In the [[United States of America|United States]], a non-purebred cat is sometimes referred to in slang as an alley cat, even if it is not a [[feral cat|stray]].
 
  
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Cats come in a variety of [[color]]s and patterns. These are physical properties and should not be confused with a breed of cat.
+
==Domesticated varieties==
 +
[[Image:Catjudging.jpg|thumb|left|Judge handling a cat at a cat show]]
 +
The list of cat breeds is quite large: Most cat registries recognize between 30 and 40 breeds of cats, and several more are in development, with one or more new breeds being recognized each year on average, having distinct features and heritage. The owners and breeders of show cats compete to see whose animal bears the closest resemblance to the "ideal" definition of the breed. 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]].
  
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Household cats are divided into:
+
==Feral cats==
 +
[[Image:Feral cat gl3.gif|thumb|right|Feral cat trapped in Hawaii]]
 +
Feral cats, domestic cats that have returned to the wild, are common throughout the world. In some places, especially islands that have no natural carnivores, they have been very destructive to native species of [[bird]]s and other small animals. The Invasive Species Specialist Group has put the cat on its list of the "World's 100 Worst Invasive Species" (ISSG 2007).
  
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*[[domestic longhaired cat|Domestic longhaired]]
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The impacts of feral cats greatly depends on country or landmass. In the [[northern hemisphere]], most landmasses have fauna adapted to wildcat species and other placental [[mammal]] predators. Here it may be argued that the potential for feral cats to cause damage is little unless cat numbers are very high, or the region supports unusually vulnerable native wildlife species. A notable exception is [[Hawaii]], where feral cats have had extremely serious impacts on native birds species; "naive" fauna on islands of all sizes, in both hemispheres, are particularly vulnerable to feral cats.
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*[[domestic shorthaired cat|Domestic shorthaired]]
 
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===Coat patterns===
 
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[[Cat coat genetics]] can produce a variety of coat patterns. Some of the most common are:
 
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[[Image:IMG_4136.JPG|thumb|right|175px|A male bicolor cat.]]
 
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; [[Bicolor cat]] :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, 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 also tortoiseshell (see below for definition).
 
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; [[Maltese cat]] :The former name for a blue (grey) cat.
 
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[[Image:Koscat2.jpg|thumb|A classic example of a [[Tabby cat|mackerel tabby]].]]
 
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; [[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.
 
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; [[Tortoiseshell cat|Tortoiseshell and Calico]]
 
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[[Image:Cat_ML2.jpg|thumb|left|This [[tortoiseshell cat]] has black-brown-white fur and green eyes.]]
 
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: 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 a dilute form thereof), black (or a dilute) and cream, mottled throughout the coat. Additionally, the cat may have white spots in its fur, which will 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 colours). The calico is also sometimes called a "tricolor cat".[[Image:Cordelia.JPG|thumb|right|This is a female [[Calico]].]] The Japanese refer to this pattern as ''mi-ke'' (meaning "triple fur"), while the Dutch call these cats a ''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, as described by American breeder Barbara French, writing for the Cat Fanciers community <ref>{{cite web | title=Torties, Calicos and Tricolor Cats | url=http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/tricolors.shtml| accessdate=October 24 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>.  Both tortoiseshell and calico cats are typically female because the [[coat]] pattern is the result of differential [[X chromosome]] [[Lyonization|inactivation]] in [[female]]s (which, as with all normal female [[mammals]], have two X [[chromosomes]]).  Those male tortoiseshells that are created are usually sterile; 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. See "[http://www.messybeast.com/tricolours.htm Tortoiseshell and Tricolour Cats]" for an extensive genetic explanation for tricolor cats, and detailing the possible combinations of coloring.<ref>{{cite web | title=White Cats, Eye Colours and Deafness | url=http://www.messybeast.com/whitecat.htm | accessdate=August 8 | accessyear=2005 }}</ref>
 
  
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===Body types===
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In the [[southern hemisphere]], there are many landmasses, including [[Australia]], where cat species did not occur historically, and other placental mammal predators were rare or absent.  Native species there are [[ecology|ecologically]] vulnerable and behaviorally "naive" to predation by feral cats. Feral cats have had extremely serious impacts on these wildlife species and have played a leading role in the [[endangered species|endangerment]] and [[extinction]] of many of them. It is clear that in Australia, a large quantity of native birds, [[lizard]]s, and small [[marsupial]]s are taken every year by feral cats, and feral cats have played a role in driving some small marsupial species to extinction.  Some organizations in Australia are now creating fenced islands of habitat for endangered species that are free of feral cats and [[fox|foxes]].
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Cats can also come in several body types, ranging between two extremes:
 
  
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[[Image:IMG_4115.JPG|thumb|left|175px|A Siamese mix.]]
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Feral cats may live alone, but most are found in large groups called feral colonies with communal nurseries, depending on resource availability. Some lost or abandoned pet cats succeed in joining these colonies, although animal welfare organizations note that few are able to survive long enough to become feral, most being killed by vehicles, or succumbing to starvation, [[predator]]s, exposure, or [[disease]]. Most abandoned cats probably have little alternative to joining a feral colony. The average lifespan of such feral cats is much shorter than a domestic housecat, which can live sixteen years or more. Urban areas in the developed world are not friendly, nor adapted environments for cats; most domestic cats are descended from cats in desert climates and were distributed throughout the world by humans. Nevertheless, some feral cat colonies are found in large cities such as around the [[Colosseum]] and Forum Romanum in Rome.  
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[[Image:Cheshire Cat Tenniel.jpg|left|thumb|The Cheshire Cat, a British Shorthair, from [[Lewis Carroll|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.]]]]
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; [[Oriental cat|Oriental]] :Not a specific breed, but any cat with an elongated slender build, almond-shaped eyes, long nose, large ears (the [[Siamese (cat)|Siamese]] and oriental shorthair breeds are examples of this).
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Although cats are adaptable, feral felines are unable to thrive in extreme cold and heat, and with a very high [[protein]] requirement, few find adequate [[nutrition]] on their own in cities. They have little protection or understanding of the dangers from [[dog]]s, [[coyote]]s, and even automobiles. However, there are thousands of volunteers and organizations that trap these unadoptable feral felines, spay or neuter them, [[immunization|immunize]] the cats against rabies and feline leukemia, and treat them with long-lasting [[flea]] products. Before releasing them back into their feral colonies, the attending veterinarian often nips the tip off one ear to mark the feral as spayed/neutered and inoculated, since these cats will more than likely find themselves trapped again. 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. In time, if an entire colony is successfully spayed and neutered, no additional kittens are born and the feral colony disappears. Many hope to see an end to urban feral cat colonies through these efforts.
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; Cobby :Any cat with a short, muscular and compact build, roundish eyes, short nose small ears. The [[Persian (cat)|Persian]] breed is a prime example of a cobby cat.
 
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==History and mythology==
 
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{{main|History of cats}}
 
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Cats have been kept by humans since at least [[ancient Egypt]]. In ancient Egypt, the cat god, [[Bast (goddess)|Bast]], was a goddess of the home and of the domestic cat, although she sometimes took on the war-like aspect of a lioness. She was the daughter of the sun god [[Ra]], although she was sometimes regarded as the daughter of [[Amun]]. She was the wife of [[Ptah]] and mother of the lion-god [[Mihos]]. Her cult was centered on her sanctuary at [[Bubastis]] in the [[Nile Delta]], where a [[necropolis]] has been found containing mummified cats. Bast was also associated with the "[[eye of Ra]]," acting as the instrument of the [[Solar deity|sun god's]] vengeance. She was depicted as a cat or in human form with the head of a cat, often holding the sacred rattle known as the [[sistrum]].  
 
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It has been speculated that because of circumstantial evidence (to date unproved by DNA testing) cats resident on Kenya's Islands in the Lamu Archipelago may be the last living direct descendants of the sacred cats of ancient Egypt. The suggestive evidence is: similar body conformation, archeologically proven history of 1000 years habitation, ancient Red Sea trade between Lamu and Egypt, genetic insular isolation. {{Citation needed}}
 
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According to Norse legend, the fine ribbon used to bind [[Fenrir]] was crafted by dwarfs from, among other items, the sound a cat makes when walking.
 
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Several ancient religions believe 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.
 
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It is common lore that cats have nine lives. It is a tribute to their perceived durability, their occasional apparent lack of instinct for self-preservation, and their seeming ability to survive falls that would be fatal to other creatures.
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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<div class="references-small">
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* American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 2007. [http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/ownership.asp Market research statistics: Cat and dog ownership]. ''American Veterinary Medical Association''. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
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<references/>
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* Clutton-Brook, J. 1999. ''A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals.'' Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521634954
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</div>
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* Foster, R., and M. Smith. 2007. [http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=2032&articleid=3409 High-rise syndrome: Cats injured due to falls]. ''PetEducation.com''. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
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* Geyer, G. A. 2004. ''When Cats Reigned Like Kings: On the Trail of the Sacred Cats.'' Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0740746979
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==See also==
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* Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). 2007. [http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=24&fr=1&sts=sss ''Felis catus'']. ''Invasive Species Specialist Group.'' Retrieved July 12, 2007.
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* [[Creme Puff]]
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* Kruuk, H. 2002. ''Hunter and Hunted: Relationships Between Carnivores and People.''  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521814103Ρ
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{{Wikibooks|How to choose your pet and take care of it}}
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* Li, X., W. Li, H. Wang, et al. 2005. [http://genetics.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010003 Pseudogenization of a sweet-receptor gene accounts for cats' indifference toward sugar]. ''PLOS Genetics''. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
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{{wiktionarypar|cat}}
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* Nash, H. 2007.  [http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1313&articleid=1125 Why do cats like high places?] ''PetEducation.com''. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
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{{wiktionarypar|kitty}}
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* Nowak, R. M., and J. L. Paradiso. 1983. ''Walker's Mammals of the World.'' Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801825253
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{{wiktionarypar|meow}}
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* Pickrell, J. 2004. [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0408_040408_oldestpetcat.html Oldest known pet cat? 9,500-year-old burial found on Cyprus.] ''National Geographic News'' April 8, 2004. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
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* [[Felidae]]
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* Reeves, M. 2003. ''Muhammad in Europe: A Thousand Years of Western Myth-Making.'' New York: New York University Press. ISBN 0814775640
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* [[Big cat]]
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* Richards, J. 1999. ''ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats.'' New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc. ISBN 0811819299
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* [[Cat body language]]
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* Siegal, M. (ed). 2004. ''The Cat Fanciers' Association Complete Cat Book''. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0062702335
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* [[Catnip]]
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* Strain, G.M. n.d. [http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/HearingRange.html How well do dogs and other animals hear?]. ''Lousiana State University''. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
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* [[Cat flap]]
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* Voelker, W. 1986. ''The Natural History of Living Mammals.'' Medford, New Jersey: Plexus Publishing. ISBN 0937548081
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* [[Cat Fanciers' Association]]
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* Wozencraft, W. C. 1992. Order Carnivora. In D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder (eds.), ''Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801882214
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* [[Cats in ancient Egypt]]
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* Zoolab. 2002. Cat skeleton. ''ZooLab'' (BioWeb, University of Wisconsin).
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* [[Kitten]]
 
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* [[List of historical cats]]
 
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* [[List of fictional cats]]
 
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* [[Polydactyl cat]] (extra toes)
 
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==External links and references==
 
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;Medical issues
 
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*[http://maxshouse.com/Database_toc.htm Feline Medical & Behaviour Database] (large number of short articles)
 
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*{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/06/science/06cats.html?ex=1294203600&en=4b75c4da1cdc2167&ei=5090|title=DNA Offers New Insight Concerning Cat Evolution|date=[[January 6]], [[2006]]|publisher=The New York Times}}
 
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*[http://brainmaps.org/index.php?p=speciesdata&species=felis-catus High-Resolution Images of the Cat Brain]
 
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*[http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1763&articleid=1108 Onions are Toxic to Cats]
 
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;Miscellaneous
 
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*[http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/states/florida_intro.htm American Bird Conservancy] (domestic cat predation)
 
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*[http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=animals_oddities&id=4023842 New Potential Smallest Cat]
 
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*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/pets/cats.shtml BBC.CO.UK Description of the Cat]
 
  
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*''Cationary: Meaningful Portraits of Cats'' by Sharon Montrose, ISBN 0-670-03059-7
 
  
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{{credit|Cat|138556718}}
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
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[[Category:Animals]]
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[[Category:Mammals]]
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[[Category:Carnivores]]

Latest revision as of 01:01, 13 January 2023

Cat
Cat03.jpg
Conservation status
Conservation status: Domesticated
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. catus
Binomial name
Felis catus
Linnaeus, 1758

The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) (Felis catus) is a member of the Felidae family of the Carnivora order of the mammals.

The domesticated cat has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years, and it is one of humankind's most popular pet animals. The numerous adaptations that allow it to be an effective predator of agricultural and household pests, such as rodents, also have made it valued in human society, and likewise is prized for the companionship and wonder it brings to people.

Characteristics

Domestic cats are considered to be descended from the wild cat Felis silvestris, which is found naturally over much of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and which is one of the smaller members of the cat family. It is thought that the original ancestor of the domestic cat is the African subspecies, Felis silvestris lybca (Nowak 1983).

Wild cats weigh about 3 to 8 kg (6 to 18 lbs) and domestic cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kg (5.5 to 16 pounds); however, some breeds of domestic cat, such as the Maine coon, can exceed 11.3 kg (25 pounds). Some have been known to reach up to 23 kg (50 pounds) due to overfeeding. Conversely, very small cats (less than 1.8 kg / 4.0 lb) have been reported.

Like all members of the Felidae family, cats are specialized for a life of hunting other animals. Cats have highly specialized teeth and a digestive tract suitable to the digestion of meat. The premolar and first molar together compose the carnassial pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently functions to shear meat like a pair of scissors. While this is present in canines, it is highly developed in felines. The cat's tongue has sharp spines, or papillae, useful for retaining and ripping flesh from a carcass. These papillae are small backward-facing hooks that contain keratin and assist in their grooming.

Cat senses are attuned for hunting. The senses of smell, hearing, and vision of cats are superior to those of humans. Cats' eyes have a reflective layer, which greatly improves their vision in dark conditions. They can not, however, see in total darkness (Siegal 2004). To aid with navigation and sensation, cats have dozens of movable vibrissae (whiskers) over their body, especially their face. Li (2005) reports that due to a mutation in an early cat ancestor, one of two genes necessary to taste sweetness has been lost by the cat family (Li 2005).

Thirty-two individual muscles in the ear allow for a manner of directional hearing; the cat can move each ear independently of the other. Because of this mobility, a cat can move its body in one direction and point its ears in another direction. Most cats have straight ears pointing upward. Unlike dogs, flap-eared breeds are extremely rare. (Scottish Folds are one such exceptional genetic mutation.) When angry or frightened, a cat will lay back its ears, to accompany the growling or hissing sounds it makes. Cats will also turn their ears back when they are playing or to listen to a sound coming from behind them. The angle of a cat's ears is an important clue to their mood.

Diagram of the general anatomy of a male cat.

Cats also possess rather loose skin; this enables them to turn and confront a predator or another cat in a fight, even when caught in a grip. The particularly loose skin at the back of the neck is known as the "scruff" and is the area by which a mother cat grips her kittens to carry them. As a result, cats have a tendency to relax and become quiet and passive when gripped there. This tendency often extends into adulthood and can be useful when attempting to treat or move an uncooperative cat. However, since an adult cat is quite a bit heavier than a kitten, a pet cat should never be carried by the scruff, but should instead have their weight supported at the rump and hind legs, and also at the chest and front paws. Often (much like a small child) a cat will lie with its head and front paws over a person's shoulder, and its back legs and rump supported under the person's arm.

Like almost all mammals, cats possess seven cervical vertebrae. They have thirteen thoracic vertebrae (compared to twelve in humans), seven lumbar vertebrae (compared to five in humans), three sacral vertebrae like most mammals (humans have five because of their bipedal posture), and twenty-two or twenty-three caudal vertebrae (humans have three to five, fused into an internal coccyx). The extra lumbar and thoracic vertebrae account for the cat's enhanced spinal mobility and flexibility, compared to humans; the caudal vertebrae form the tail, used by the cat for counterbalance to the body during quick movements (Zoolab 2007).

Cats, like dogs, are digitigrades: They walk directly on their toes, the bones of their feet making up the lower part of the visible leg. 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.

Unlike dogs and most mammals, cats walk by moving both legs on one side and then both legs on the other. Most mammals move legs on alternate sides in sequence. Cats share this unusual gait with camels, giraffes, some horses (pacers), and a few other mammals.

Like all members of family Felidae except the cheetah, cats have retractable claws. 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. Cats can extend their claws voluntarily on one or more paws at will. They may extend their claws in hunting or self-defense, climbing, "kneading," or for extra traction on soft surfaces. It is also possible to make a cooperative cat extend its claws by carefully pressing both the top and bottom of the paw. The curved claws may become entangled in carpet or thick fabric, which may cause injury if the cat is unable to free itself.

Most cats have five claws on their front paws, and four or five on their rear paws. Because of an ancient mutation, however, domestic cats are prone to polydactyly, and may have six or seven toes. The fifth front claw (the dewclaw) is in a more proximal position than those of the other claws. More proximally, there is a protrusion that 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 dogs. It has no function in normal walking, but is thought to be an anti-skidding device used while jumping.

Metabolism

A cat sleeping curled into a tight ball to conserve body heat

Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. Daily durations of sleep vary, 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."

Due to their crepuscular nature, cats often are known to enter a period of increased activity and playfulness during the evening and early morning, dubbed the "evening crazies," "night crazies," "elevenses," or "mad half-hour" by some. The temperament of a cat can vary depending on the breed and socialization. Cats with "oriental" body types tend to be thinner and more active, while cats that have a "cobby" body type tend to be heavier and less active.

The normal body temperature of a cat is between 38 and 39°C (101 and 102.2°F). A cat is considered febrile (hyperthermic) if it has a temperature of 39.5°C (103°F) or greater, or hypothermic if less than 37.5°C (100°F). For comparison, humans have a normal temperature of approximately 36.8°C (98.6°F). A domestic cat's normal heart rate ranges from 140 to 220 beats per minute (bpm), and is largely dependent on how excited the cat is. For a cat at rest, the average heart rate should be between 150 and 180 bpm, about twice that of a human.

Cats enjoy heat and solar exposure, often sleeping in a sunny area during the heat of the day. Cats prefer warmer temperatures than humans do. People start to feel uncomfortable when their skin's temperature gets higher than about 44.5°C (112°F), but cats do not start to show signs of discomfort until their skin reaches about 52°C (126°F).

Being closely related to desert animals, cats can easily withstand the heat and cold of a temperate climate, but not for extended periods. Although certain breeds such as the Norwegian forest cat and Maine coon have developed heavier coats of fur than other cats, they have little resistance against moist cold (eg, fog, rain, and snow) and struggle to maintain their proper body temperature when wet.

Most cats dislike immersion in water; one major exception is the Turkish Van breed, also known as the swimming cat, which originated in the Lake Van area of Turkey and has an unusual fondness for water (Siegal 2004).

Domestication and relationship with humans

African wild cat, the ancestor of the domestic cat.

In 2004, a grave was excavated in 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. This is evidence that cats have been associating with humans for a long time (Pickrell 2004).

It is believed that wild cats chose to live in or near human settlements in order to hunt rodents that were feeding on crops and stored food and also to avoid other predators that avoid humans. It also is likely that wild cat kittens were sometimes found and brought home as pets. Naturalist Hans Kruuk observed people in northern Kenya doing just that. He also mentions that their domestic cats look just like the local wild cats (Kruuk 2002).

Like other domesticated animals, cats live in a mutualistic arrangement with humans. It is believed that the benefit of removing rats and mice from humans' food stores outweighed the trouble of extending the protection of a human settlement to a formerly wild animal, almost certainly for humans who had adopted a farming economy. Unlike the dog, which also hunts and kills rodents, the cat does not eat grains, fruits, or vegetables. A cat that is good at hunting rodents is referred to as a mouser. In Argentina, cats are used to kill vampire bats (Kruuk 2002).

The simile "like herding cats" refers to the seeming intractability of the ordinary house cat to training in anything, unlike dogs. Despite cohabitation in colonies, cats are lone hunters. It is no coincidence that cats are also "clean" animals; the chemistry of their saliva, expended during their frequent grooming, appears to be a natural deodorant. If so, the function of this cleanliness may be to decrease the chance a prey animal will notice the cat's presence. In contrast, dog's odor is an advantage in hunting, for a dog is a pack hunter; part of the pack stations itself upwind, and its odor drives prey towards the rest of the pack stationed downwind. This requires a cooperative effort, which in turn requires communications skills. No such communications skills are required of a lone hunter.

It is likely this lack of communication skills is part of the reason interacting with such an animal is problematic; cats in particular are labeled as opaque or inscrutable, if not obtuse, as well as aloof and self-sufficient. However, cats can be very affectionate towards their human companions, especially if they imprint on them at a very young age and are treated with consistent affection.

Human attitudes toward cats vary widely. Some people keep cats for companionship as pets. Others go to great lengths to pamper their cats, sometimes treating them as if they were children. When a cat bonds with its human guardian, the cat may, at times, display behaviors similar to that of a human. Such behavior may include a trip to the litter box before bedtime or snuggling up close to its companion in bed or on the sofa. Other such behavior includes mimicking sounds of the owner or using certain sounds the cat picks up from the human; sounds representing specific needs of the cat, which the owner would recognize, such as a specific tone of meow along with eye contact that may represent "I'm hungry." The cat may also be capable of learning to communicate with the human using non-spoken language or body language such as rubbing for affection (confirmation), facial expressions, and making eye contact with the owner if something needs to be addressed (e.g., finding a bug crawling on the floor for the owner to get rid of). Some owners like to train their cat to perform "tricks" commonly exhibited by dogs such as jumping, though this is rare.

Blue-eyed cats with white fur have a higher incidence of genetic deafness.

Allergies to cat dander are one of the most common reasons people cite for disliking cats. However, in some instances, humans find the rewards of cat companionship outweigh the discomfort and problems associated with these allergies. Many choose to cope with cat allergies by taking prescription allergy medicine and bathing their cats frequently, since weekly bathing will eliminate about 90 percent of the cat dander present in the environment.

In rural areas, farms often have dozens of semi-feral cats. Hunting in the barns and the fields, they kill and eat rodents that would otherwise spoil large parts of the grain crop. Many pet cats successfully hunt and kill rabbits, rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and large insects by instinct, but might not eat their prey. They may even present their kills, dead or maimed, to their humans, perhaps expecting them to praise or reward them, or possibly even to complete the kill and eat the mouse. Others speculate that the behavior is a part of the odd relationship between human and cat, in which the cat is sometimes a "kitten" (playing, being picked up, and carried) and sometimes an adult (teaching these very large and peculiar human kittens how to hunt by demonstrating what the point of it all is).

Behavior

Social behavior

Many people characterize cats as "solitary" animals. Cats are highly social; a primary difference in social behavior between cats and dogs (to which they are often compared) is that cats do not have a social survival strategy, or a "pack mentality;" however, this only means that cats take care of their basic needs on their own (e.g., finding food, and defending themselves). This is not the same state as being asocial. One example of how domestic cats are "naturally" meant to behave is to observe feral domestic cats, which often live in colonies, but in which each individual basically looks after itself.

The domestic cat is social enough to form colonies, but does not hunt in groups as lions do. Some breeds like Bengal, Ocicat, and Manx are known to be very social. While each cat holds a distinct territory (sexually active males having the largest territories, and neutered cats having the smallest), there are "neutral" areas where cats watch and greet one another without territorial conflicts. Outside these neutral areas, territory holders usually aggressively chase away stranger cats, at first by staring, hissing, and growling, and if that does not work, by short but noisy and violent attacks. Fighting cats make themselves appear more impressive and threatening by raising their fur and arching their backs, thus increasing their visual size. Cats also behave this way while playing. 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 with their powerful hind legs.

Normally, serious negative effects will be limited to possible infections of the scratches and bites; though these have been known to sometimes kill cats if untreated. In addition, such fighting is believed to be the primary route of transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). 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. Not only males will fight; females will also fight over territory or to defend their kittens, and even neutered cats will defend their (smaller) territories aggressively.

Living with humans is a symbiotic social adaptation that has developed over thousands of years. The sort of social relationship cats have with their human keepers is hard to map onto more generalized wild cat behavior, but it is certain that the cat thinks of the human differently than it does other cats (i.e., it does not think of itself as human, nor that the human is a cat). This can be seen in the difference in body and vocal language it uses with the human, when compared to how it communicates with other cats in the household, for example. Some have suggested that, psychologically, the human keeper of a cat is a sort of surrogate for the cat's mother, and that adult domestic cats live forever in a kind of suspended kittenhood.

Fondness for heights

A cat standing on the branch of a tree

Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its "territory" and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats are known to strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a leopard (Nash 2007).

If a cat falls, it can almost always right itself and land on its feet. This "righting reflex" is a natural instinct and is found even in newborn kittens (Siegal 2004).

This fondness for high spaces, however, can dangerously test the popular notion that a cat "always lands on its feet." The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns owners to safeguard the more dangerous perches in their homes, to avoid "high-rise syndrome," where an overconfident cat falls from an extreme height (Foster 2007).

Play

Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of string play. Many cats cannot resist a dangling piece of string, or a piece of rope drawn randomly and enticingly across the floor. This well known love of string is often depicted in cartoons and photographs, which show kittens or cats playing with balls of yarn. It is probably related to hunting instincts, including the common practice of kittens hunting their mother's and each other's tails. If string is ingested, however, it can become caught in the cat’s stomach or intestines, causing illness, or in extreme cases, death. Due to possible complications caused by ingesting a string, string play is sometimes replaced with a laser pointer's dot, which some cats will chase. Some also discourage the use of laser pointers for pet play, however, because of the potential damage to sensitive eyes and/or the possible loss of satisfaction associated with the successful capture of an actual prey object, play or real. While caution is called for, there are no documented cases of feline eye damage from a laser pointer, and the combination of precision needed and low energy involved make it a remote risk. A common compromise is to use the laser pointer to draw the cat to a prepositioned toy so the cat gets a reward at the end of the chase.

Ecology

Feeding

Cats are highly specialized for hunting, compared to members of other carnivore families such as dogs and bears. This might be related to the cats' inability to taste sugars. Since they have a greatly reduced need to digest plants, their digestive tract has evolved to be shorter, too short for effective digestion of plants but less of a weight penalty for the rapid movement required for hunting. Hunting likewise has become central to their behavior patterns, even to their predilection for short bursts of intense exercise punctuating long periods of rest.

Like other members of the cat family, domestic cats are very effective predators. They ambush and immobilize vertebrate prey using tactics similar to those of leopards and tigers by pouncing; then they deliver a lethal neck bite with their long canine teeth that severs the victim's spinal cord, causes fatal bleeding by puncturing the carotid artery or the jugular vein, or asphyxiates it by crushing its trachea. The domestic cat hunts and eats over a thousand species, many of them invertebrates, especially insects.

Even well-fed domestic cats may hunt and kill birds, mice, rats, scorpions, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and other small animals in their environment. They often present such trophies to their owner. The motivation is not entirely clear, but friendly bonding behaviors are often associated with such an action. Ethologist Paul Leyhausen, in an extensive study of social and predatory behavior in domestic cats (documented in his book Cat Behavior), proposed a mechanism to explain this presenting behavior. In simple terms, 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 place at or near the top. Another possibility is that presenting the kill might be a relic of a kitten feline behavior of demonstrating, for its mother's approval, that it has developed the necessary skill for hunting.

Reproduction

A kitten which has opened his eyes for the first time.

Female cats can come into heat several times a year. Males are attracted by the scent of the female's urine and by her calls and may fight with each other for the right to mate.

The gestation period for cats is approximately 63–65 days. The size of a litter averages three to five kittens, with the first litter usually smaller than subsequent litters. As in most carnivore young, newborn kittens are very small, blind, and helpless. They are cared for by their mother in a hidden nest or den that she prepares. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at 4–10 months (females) and to 5–7 months (males) (Voelker 1986, Siegal 2004).

Nomenclature

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 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 (although not all show cats are pedigreed or purebred). 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 (almost exclusively new breeds; cat registries are very strict about which breeds can be mated together). Cats of unrecorded mixed ancestry are referred to as domestic longhairs and domestic shorthairs or commonly as random-bred, moggies, mongrels, mutt-cats, or alley cats. 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 feline population (Richards 1999).

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 κάττα, Old Irish cat, German Katze, and Old Church Slavonic kotka. The ultimate source of all these terms is unknown, although it may be linked to the ancient Nubian kadis and the Berber kadiska. The term puss (as in pussycat) may come from Dutch (from poes, a female cat, or the diminutive poesje, an endearing term for any cat) or from other Germanic languages.

History of cats and humans

Egypt

Ancient Egyptian bronze statue of a reclining cat and kitten

After associating with humans for several thousand years, cats entered the historical record in ancient Egypt. The first known painting of a cat dates to about 3,000 B.C.E. (Kruuk 2002).

Cats became very important in Egyptian society. They were associated with Bast, the goddess of the home, the domestic cat, protector of the fields and home from vermin infestations, and who sometimes took on the warlike aspect of a lioness. The first domesticated cats may have saved early Egyptians from many rodent infestations and likewise, Bast developed from the adoration for her feline companions. She was the daughter of the sun god Ra and played a significant role in Egyptian religion.

Cats were protected in Egypt and when they died their bodies were mummified. Some historians report that killing a cat was punishable by death and that when a family cat died family members would shave their eyebrows in mourning (Siegal 2002).

Roman and Medieval times

Maneki Neko

The Egyptians tried to prevent the export of cats from their country, but after Rome conquered Egypt in 30 B.C.E., pet cats became popular in Rome and were introduced throughout the Roman Empire (Nowak 1983).

Judaism considered the cat an unclean animal and cats are not mentioned in the Bible. As Christianity came to dominate European society, cats began to be looked on less favorably, often being thought to be associated with witchcraft. On some feast days, they were tortured and killed as a symbolic way of driving out the devil (Kruuk 2002).

Islam, however, looked at cats more favorably. It is said by some writers that Muhammad had a favorite cat, Muezza (Geyer 2004) It is said he loved cats so much that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it" (Reeves 2003).

During this time, pet cats also became popular over much of Asia. In different locations, distinct breeds of cats arose because of different environments and because of selection by humans. It is possible that interbreeding with local wild cats might have also played a part in this. Among the Asian cat breeds that developed this way are: The Persian, the Turkish Angora, the Siberian, and the Siamese (Siegal 2004). In Japan, the Maneki Neko is a small figurine of a cat that is thought to bring good fortune.

Modern times

In the Renaissance, Persian cats were brought to Italy and Turkish Angora cats were brought to France and then to England. Interest in different breeds of cats developed, especially among the wealthy. In 1871, the first cat exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace in London (Siegal 2004). Pet cats have continued to grow in popularity. It is estimated that 31 percent of United States households own at least one cat and the total number of pet cats in the United States is over 70 million (AVNA 2007).

Cats have also become very popular as subjects for paintings and as characters in children's books and cartoons.

Domesticated varieties

Judge handling a cat at a cat show

The list of cat breeds is quite large: Most cat registries recognize between 30 and 40 breeds of cats, and several more are in development, with one or more new breeds being recognized each year on average, having distinct features and heritage. The owners and breeders of show cats compete to see whose animal bears the closest resemblance to the "ideal" definition of the breed. 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.

Feral cats

Feral cat trapped in Hawaii

Feral cats, domestic cats that have returned to the wild, are common throughout the world. In some places, especially islands that have no natural carnivores, they have been very destructive to native species of birds and other small animals. The Invasive Species Specialist Group has put the cat on its list of the "World's 100 Worst Invasive Species" (ISSG 2007).

The impacts of feral cats greatly depends on country or landmass. In the northern hemisphere, most landmasses have fauna adapted to wildcat species and other placental mammal predators. Here it may be argued that the potential for feral cats to cause damage is little unless cat numbers are very high, or the region supports unusually vulnerable native wildlife species. A notable exception is Hawaii, where feral cats have had extremely serious impacts on native birds species; "naive" fauna on islands of all sizes, in both hemispheres, are particularly vulnerable to feral cats.

In the southern hemisphere, there are many landmasses, including Australia, where cat species did not occur historically, and other placental mammal predators were rare or absent. Native species there are ecologically vulnerable and behaviorally "naive" to predation by feral cats. Feral cats have had extremely serious impacts on these wildlife species and have played a leading role in the endangerment and extinction of many of them. It is clear that in Australia, a large quantity of native birds, lizards, and small marsupials are taken every year by feral cats, and feral cats have played a role in driving some small marsupial species to extinction. Some organizations in Australia are now creating fenced islands of habitat for endangered species that are free of feral cats and foxes.

Feral cats may live alone, but most are found in large groups called feral colonies with communal nurseries, depending on resource availability. Some lost or abandoned pet cats succeed in joining these colonies, although animal welfare organizations note that few are able to survive long enough to become feral, most being killed by vehicles, or succumbing to starvation, predators, exposure, or disease. Most abandoned cats probably have little alternative to joining a feral colony. The average lifespan of such feral cats is much shorter than a domestic housecat, which can live sixteen years or more. Urban areas in the developed world are not friendly, nor adapted environments for cats; most domestic cats are descended from cats in desert climates and were distributed throughout the world by humans. Nevertheless, some feral cat colonies are found in large cities such as around the Colosseum and Forum Romanum in Rome.

The Cheshire Cat, a British Shorthair, from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Although cats are adaptable, feral felines are unable to thrive in extreme cold and heat, and with a very high protein requirement, few find adequate nutrition on their own in cities. They have little protection or understanding of the dangers from dogs, coyotes, and even automobiles. However, there are thousands of volunteers and organizations that trap these unadoptable feral felines, spay or neuter them, immunize the cats against rabies and feline leukemia, and treat them with long-lasting flea products. Before releasing them back into their feral colonies, the attending veterinarian often nips the tip off one ear to mark the feral as spayed/neutered and inoculated, since these cats will more than likely find themselves trapped again. 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. In time, if an entire colony is successfully spayed and neutered, no additional kittens are born and the feral colony disappears. Many hope to see an end to urban feral cat colonies through these efforts.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

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