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 The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), also known as the Domestic Cat or
House Cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous
species of mammal that is often valued by humans for its companionship and
its ability to hunt vermin. A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt
over 1,000 species for food. It is intelligent and can be trained to obey
simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn to
manipulate simple mechanisms. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and
types of body language for communication, including mewing ("meow" or "miaaow"),
purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.
Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kg (5.5–16 pounds)[1
pound=0.4536kg]; however, some
breeds, 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. Cats also
possess rather loose skin which allows them to turn and confront a
predator or another cat in a fight, even when it has a grip on them.
Cats have highly specialized teeth and a digestive tract suitable for the
digestion of meat. The premolar and first molar together compose the
carnassials pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently functions to
shear meat like a pair of scissors. While this is present in dogs, 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 which also
assist in their grooming.
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
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.
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 select few other mammals. There is no known
connection between these animals which might explain this.
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
"CAT"AGORIES:
>Bicolor cat
>Domestic longhaired cat
>Domestic shorthaired cat
>Farm cat
>Feral cat
>Maltese cat
>Minx cat
>Moggy
>Odd-eyed cat
>Polydactyl cat
>Smoke cat
>Squitten
>Tabby cat
>Tortoiseshell cat
>Ussuri (cat)
>Van Kedisi
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 tend to 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 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 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.
Cats are unique eaters; there is no other mammal that eats quite like
them. They are obligate carnivores, and can survive without vegetation.
Felines in the wild will usually hunt smaller mammals regularly throughout
the day to keep themselves nourished. Domestic cats, however, are used to
a relaxed lifestyle and, therefore, will eat even smaller amounts, but
more regularly. Because of this, the domestic cat's intestinal tract is
longer due to the lack of need to digest quickly.
Cats are ready to go to new homes at about 12 weeks old (the
recommended minimum age by Fédération Internationale Féline), or when they
are ready to leave their mother.
 Some more details of the cat's
behavior, its body language & vocal calls
are given below which might help you understand them better:
Cats have a unique 'language' that consists mainly of body actions and
occasionally, vocal calls. Here are some examples of the cat's body
language that might help you understand it better:
▲Disgust — Lifting or constant shaking of a paw or paws. The more times
the paw is shaken, the stronger a feeling is indicated. This is possibly
related to the identical action that is displayed after stepping in water.
▲Agitation or Aggression — The swishing or sweeping of the tail in a
wide swath, mid-air or against a person. Further irritation may result in
the cat simply leaving the premises.
▲Contentedness — Kneading with the paws on a person or, for example, a
favorite blanket or sleeping spot. Young kittens knead their mother's
nipples to stimulate the feeding reflex in her so that her milk flows for
the kittens to suckle on. Cats may knead for a short or extended period of
time, the extended period sometimes interpreted by people as a sign of
discomfort or restlessness, but it is more likely the cat is happy.
▲Relaxation — Sprawling on the side or back and, possibly, rolling about;
this may be seen, for example, when a person enters the room or stirs from
their seat. The cat may display this at the same time as the person's
movement.
▲Affection — A pressing of the face or top of the head against a person's
body, leaving a scent as a marking of territory. Rubbing in quick
succession.
▲Love — Often a cat will blink to convey the message "I love you."
Sometimes this gesture is simply a sign that the cat feels secure
▲Scent rubbing behavior is used primarily to claim ownership of something:
a territory, a toy, or an owner. This is when the cat rubs against what it
wants to mark. The cat has scent glands in its face and rear, and will use
either of these to make a mark that only other cats can smell. To them, it
says "This object belongs to me!" Scent rubbing is not always a positive
response, though, like purring. Scent rubbing can occur when a cat feels
its territory is being invaded, and will use scent marking to restate that
this particular territory is theirs. This can occur in a more territorial
form of spraying.
Cats, compared to many other mammals have a unique courting style.
Courtship consists of firstly the female coming into season, or heat. Male
cats will be able to smell a female cat in heat miles away, and will
therefore be seeking her out. This can be very problematic for any owner
who has a whole female. When males arrive, they will fight mercilessly for
the right to be the first to mate with the female. After the dominant male
has left, the less dominant males will then each mate with the female in
turn. It is therefore possible that even if a male cat loses first
breeding rights, he can still be the father. This is also the reason that
a litter of kittens can consist of two or sometimes even three fathers.
Vocal Calls:
▲Purring — Many people find purring as a sign of content, which it is;
however, it is slightly more than that. Some cats purr when they are in
extreme pain, or in labour, simply to try and calm themselves down.
Purring therefore can be a sign of pleasure or pain; usually it is the
former. Scientists have not yet been able to discover how purring works,
but it is suspected that it is caused by minute vibrations in the voice
box.
The calming effect of cat purring has been suggested as a therapy in
mental illness and other disorders.
▲Greeting — A particular sort of vocalization, such as a low meow or chirp,
possibly with simultaneous purring.
▲Distress — Mewing is often a plea for help or attention often made by
kittens. There are two basic types of this call, one more loud and
frantic, the other more high-pitched. In older cats it is more of a
panicky repeated meow.
▲Attention — Often simple meows and mews in both older cats and young
kittens. A commanding meow is a command for attention, food, or to be let
out.
Protest — Whining meows.
▲Frustration — A strong sigh or exhaled snort.
▲Happy — A meow that starts low then goes up and comes back down.
▲Watching/Interest — Cats will often "chatter" or "chirrup" on seeing
something of interest out of the window, this is sometimes attributed to
mimicking birdsong to attract prey or draw others attention to it, but
often birds are not present.
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