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Cats:
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Cat
Domesticated
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Schreber, 1775
Synonyms
Felis lybica invalid junior synonym
Felis catus invalid junior synonym[2]
The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal that is
often valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin.
It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years,[3] possibly
much longer.[4] A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000
species for food. The cat 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 "miaow"), purring, hissing,
growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.[5]
A study by the National Cancer Institute published in the journal Science
says that all house cats in the world are descended from a group of
self-domesticating desert wildcats Felis silvestris lybica circa 10,000
years ago, in the Near East. All wildcat subspecies can interbreed, but
domestic cats are all genetically contained within F. s. lybica [6]
Anatomy and morphology
Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kg (5.5–16 pounds); 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. Conversely,
very small cats (less than 1.8 kg / 4.0 lb)[7] have been reported.
Cats also possess rather loose skin; this enables them to turn and confront
a predator or another cat in a fight, even when it has a grip on them. This
is also an advantage for veterinary purposes, as it simplifies
injections.[8] In fact, the life of cats with kidney failure can sometimes
be extended for years by the regular injection of large volumes of fluid
subcutaneously, which serves as an alternative to dialysis.[9][10]
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, with the
exception of Manx cats, 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 with humans. The caudal vertebrae form the tail, used
by the cat as a counterbalance to the body during quick movements.[11] Cats
also do not possess a clavicle, which allows them to pass their body through
any space into which they can fit their head.
Cats have highly specialized teeth and a digestive tract suitable for 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 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.
Ears
Thirty-two individual muscles in the ear allow for a manner of directional
hearing:[12] 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.
Legs
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.
The claws on the forefeet are typically sharper than those on the hind feet.
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 (bedspreads, thick rugs, etc.). 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 which 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 big cats and dogs. It has no function
in normal walking, but is thought to be an anti-skidding device used while
jumping.
Senses
Cat senses are attuned for hunting. Cats have highly advanced hearing,
eyesight, taste, and touch receptors, making the cat extremely sensitive
among mammals. Cats' night vision is superior to humans although their
vision in daylight is inferior. Humans and cats have a similar range of
hearing on the low end of the scale, but cats can hear much higher-pitched
sounds, up to 64 kHz, which is 1.6 octaves above the range of a human, and
even one octave above the range of a dog.[13] A domestic cat's sense of
smell is about fourteen times as strong as a human's.[14] To aid with
navigation and sensation, cats have dozens of movable vibrissae (whiskers)
over their body, especially their face. Due to a mutation in an early cat
ancestor, one of two genes necessary to taste sweetness has been lost by the
cat family.[15]
Physiology
Metabolism
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 are often 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.[16][17]
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).[18] 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, 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.
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.
Living with humans is a symbiotic social adaptation which 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.
With proper training and reinforcement of social behavior, poorly socialized
cats can become more social over time. Older cats have also been reported to
sometimes develop aggressiveness towards kittens, which may include biting
and scratching; this type of behavior is known as Feline Asocial
Aggression.[19]
Fondness for heights
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.[20]
Height, therefore, can also give cats a sense of security and prestige.
During a fall from a high place, a cat can reflexively twist its body and
right itself using its acute sense of balance and flexibility.[21] This is
known as the cat's "righting reflex." It always rights itself in the same
way, provided it has the time to do so, during a fall. The height required
for this to occur in most cats (safely) is around 3 feet (90 cm). To achieve
this, cats probably relax their ventral muscles, "flattening" their bodies
to some extent and creating more resistance to air. Cats without a tail also
have this ability, since a cat mostly moves its hindlegs and relies on
conservation of angular momentum to set up for landing, and the tail is in
fact little used for this feat.[22]
However, cats' fondness for high spaces can dangerously test the righting
reflex. 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.[23]
Play
Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of play.
This behaviour mimics hunting and is important in helping kittens learn to
stalk, capture and kill prey.[24] 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. 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 and have evolved to survive on a
meat-based diet.[25] 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 has likewise become central to their
behavior patterns, even to their predilection for short bursts of intense
exercise punctuating long periods of rest.
Much like the big cats, 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 — many
big cats will eat fewer than a hundred different species. 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 for the effort. An exception is the leopard, which commonly hunts
rabbits and many other smaller animals.
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. It is probable that cats in this situation expect to be
praised for their symbolic contribution to the group. Some theories suggest
that cats see their owners gone for long times of the day and assume they
are out hunting, as they always have plenty of food available.
Ethologist Paul Leyhausen, in an extensive study of social and predatory
behavior in domestic cats (documented in his book Cat Behavior), proposed a
mechanism which explains 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.
Due to their hunting behavior, 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. For instance, various municipalities in Australia
have enacted such legislation. In some localities, owners fit their cat with
a bell in order to warn prey of its approach, however the cat may figure out
how and when the bell works and learn to move more carefully to avoid
ringing it.
Domesticated cats eat fairly 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. Cats munch on grass, leaves,
shrubs and houseplants to facilitate regurgitation of whatever may be
upsetting their digestion; or perhaps to introduce fibre or trace minerals
to the diet. Whereas bears and dogs commonly supplement their diet of meat
with fruits, berries, roots, and honey when they can get them, cats prefer
to mostly feed on meat. All felines, including the big cats, have a genetic
anomaly that prevents them from tasting sweetness,[15] which very likely is
related to their meat-dominated eating habits, and almost certainly related
to their aversion to fruits and berries. However, many domesticated cats are
known to like vegetables.[26] The majority of brand-name cat foods are
primarily meat based, but often contain large amounts of corn or rice,
supplemented with meat byproducts and minerals and vitamins.
Cats are obligate carnivores, and cannot live on an unsupplemented
vegetarian diet because they cannot synthesize several required nutrients
which 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, a condition called macular
degeneration. 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.
Some houseplants are harmful to cats. The leaves of the 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 plants harmful to
cats.[27]
Some cats have a fondness for catnip, which is sensed by their olfactory
systems. While they generally do not 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 (such as mint)
cause this effect, to a lesser degree.
Cats can be fussy eaters, possibly due to the mutation which caused their
ancestor to lose the ability to taste sugars. Unlike most mammals, cats can
voluntarily starve themselves indefinitely despite being presented with
palatable food, even a food which they had previously readily consumed. This
can happen when the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ becomes accustomed to a
specific food, or if the cats are spoiled by their owners, in which case the
cat will reject any food that does not fit the pattern it is expecting. It
is also known for cats to merely become bored with their given food and
decide to stop eating until they are tempted into eating again. Although it
is extremely rare for a cat to deliberately starve itself to the point of
injury, the sudden loss of weight can cause a fatal condition called hepatic
lipidosis, a liver dysfunction which causes pathological loss of appetite
and reinforces the starvation, which can lead to death within as little as
48 hours.
Additionally, cats have been known to develop a fondness for prepared human
foods, normally preparations which are rich in proteins or fats. However, a
diet consisting only of human food (even if high quality meat) is unlikely
to contain the balanced nutrition required by the cat. Cats normally are
good self-regulators of diet; however, unlimited access to food, or
excessive human-food 'treats', will often lead to the cat becoming obese,
particularly if it is older or more sedentary. This may lead to several
health complications, such as diabetes, especially in neutered males. Such
health conditions can be prevented through diet and exercise (playing),
especially for cats living exclusively indoors.
Cats can also develop pica. Pica is a condition in which animals chew or eat
unusual things such as fabric, plastic or wool. In cats, this 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 in their ancestry.
Toxic sensitivity
The liver of a cat is less effective at detoxification than those of other
animals, including humans and dogs; therefore exposure to many common
substances considered safe for households may be dangerous to them.[28][29]
In general, the cat's environment should be examined for the presence of
such toxins and the problem corrected or alleviated as much as possible; in
addition, where sudden or prolonged serious illness without obvious cause is
observed, the possibility of toxicity must be considered, and the
veterinarian informed of any such substances to which the cat may have had
access.
For instance, the common painkiller paracetamol or acetominophen, sold under
brand names such as Tylenol and Panadol, is extremely toxic to cats; because
they naturally lack enzymes needed to digest it, even minute portions of
doses safe for humans can be fatal[30][29] and any suspected ingestion
warrants immediate veterinary attention.[31] Even aspirin, which is
sometimes used to treat arthritis in cats, is much more toxic to them than
to humans and must be administered cautiously.[29] Similarly, application of
minoxidil (Rogaine) to the skin of cats, either accidental or by
well-meaning owners attempting to counter loss of fur, has sometimes proved
fatal.[32][33]
In addition to such obvious dangers as insecticides and weed killers, other
common household substances that should be used with caution in areas where
cats may be exposed to them include mothballs and other naphthalene
products,[29] as well as phenol based products often used for cleaning and
disinfecting near cats' feeding areas or litter boxes, such as Pine-Sol,
Dettol (Lysol), hexachlorophene, etc.[29] which, although they are widely
used without problem, have been sometimes seen to be fatal.[34] Antifreeze
is particularly appealing to cats, and as little as a teaspoonful can be
fatal.[35]
Many human foods are somewhat toxic to cats; theobromine in chocolate can
cause theobromine poisoning, for instance, although few cats will eat
chocolate. Toxicity in cats ingesting relatively large amounts of onions or
garlic has also been reported.[29] Even such seemingly safe items as cat
food packaged in pull tab tin cans have been statistically linked to
hyperthyroidism; although the connection is far from proved, suspicion has
fallen on the use of bisphenol A, another phenol based product as discussed
above, to seal such cans.[29]
Many houseplants are at least somewhat toxic to many species, cats
included[28] and the consumption of such plants by cats is to be avoided.
Habitat
The Wildcat, 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 continents other than Australia and
Antarctica, although feral cats have become apex predators in the Australian
Outback where they are menaces to wildlife.[36] Their feces are usually dry,
and cats prefer to bury them in sandy places. Urine is highly concentrated,
which allows the cat to retain as much fluid as possible. 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.
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
39 °C (102 °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.[37] Abyssinians are also
reported to be more tolerant of water than most cats.
Life history
Reproduction
Cats are seasonally polyestrous, 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.
Multiple males will be attracted to a female in heat. The males will fight
over her, and the victor wins the right to mate. At first, the female will
reject the male. But eventually, the female will allow the male to mate. The
female will give a loud yowl as the male pulls out of her. After mating, the
female will give herself a thorough wash. If a male attempts to breed with
her at this point, the female will attack him. Once the female is done
grooming, the cycle will repeat.
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, which may cause
ovulation. Because this does not always occur, females are rarely
impregnated by the first male with which they mate. Furthermore, cats are
superfecund; that is, a female may mate with more than one male when she is
in heat, meaning different kittens in a litter may have different fathers.
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. 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).
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. Cats can be surgically sterilized (spayed or neutered)
as early as 6–8 weeks to limit unwanted reproduction. This surgery also
prevents undesirable sex-related behavior, such as 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.
Genetics
The domestic cat and its closest wild ancestor both possess 38 chromosomes,
in which over 200 heritable genetic defects have been identified, many
homologous to human inborn errors. Specific metabolic defects have been
identified underlying many of these feline diseases. There are several genes
responsible for the hair color identified. The combination of them gives
different phenotypes.
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.
The Cat Genome Project, sponsored by the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity at
the U.S. National Cancer Institute Frederick Cancer Research and Development
Center in Frederick, Maryland, focuses on the 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.
It is a common misconception that all white cats with blue eyes are deaf,
leading to some people rejecting blue eyed white cats as pets. This is not
true, as there are many blue eyed cats with perfect hearing. However, white
cats with blue eyes do have slightly higher incidences of genetic deafness
than white cats of other eye colours.
Etymology and taxonomic history
Scientific classification
The domestic cat was named Felis catus by Carolus Linnaeus in his Systema
Naturae of 1758.[38] Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber named the Wildcat
Felis silvestris in 1775. However, in opinion 2027 (published in Volume 60,
Part 1 of the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, March 31, 2003[39]) 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 Wildcat and F. silvestris catus for its domesticated
cousin.
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.
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.[40]
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,[41] although it may be linked to the ancient Nubian kadis and the
Berber kadiska (both meaning "cat").[42]
The term puss (as in pussycat) may come from Dutch (from "poes" (or the
diminutive "poesje"), which primarily denotes a female cat but is also used
as an endearing term for any cat) or from other Germanic languages.
Importance to humans
Because of their small size, domestic cats pose almost no danger to humans —
the main hazard is the possibility of infection (e.g., cat scratch disease,
or, rarely, rabies) from a cat bite or scratch. Cats can also potentially
inflict severe scratches or puncture an eye, though this is quite rare. Dogs
have been known to be blinded by cats in fights in which the cat
specifically targeted the eyes of the larger animal with some accuracy.
Cats can be destructive to ecosystems in which they are not native and whose
species have not had time to adapt to their introduction. In some cases,
cats have contributed to or caused extinctions — for example, see the case
of the Stephens Island Wren.
Cats as pets
In captivity, indoor cats typically live 14 to 20 years, though the
oldest-known cat lived to age 36.[43] 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. Some such benefits are: neutered male cats cannot develop
testicular cancer, spayed female cats cannot develop ovarian cancer, and
both have a reduced risk of mammary cancer.[44]
Hygiene
Cats are known for their fastidious cleanliness. They groom themselves by
licking their fur, employing their hooked papillae and saliva. Their saliva
is a powerful cleaning agent, but it can provoke allergic reactions in
humans. Some people who are allergic to cats—typically manifested by hay
fever, asthma or a skin rash —quickly acclimate themselves to a particular
animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining an
allergy to cats in general.[45] Many cats also enjoy grooming humans or
other cats. Sometimes the act of grooming another cat is initiated as an
assertion of superior position in the pecking order of a group (dominance
grooming). Some cats occasionally regurgitate hair balls of fur that have
collected in their stomachs 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 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.
Indoor cats are usually provided with a litter box containing litter,
typically bentonite, but sometimes other absorbent material such as shredded
paper or wood chips, or sometimes sand or similar material. 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; if it is not kept clean, a cat may be fastidious enough to
find other locations in the house for urination or defecation. This may also
happen for other reasons; for instance, if a cat becomes constipated and
defecation is uncomfortable, it may associate the discomfort with the litter
box and avoid it in favor of another location. A litterbox is recommended
for indoor-outdoor cats as well. Daily attention to the litter box also
serves as a monitor of the cat's health. Numerous variations on litter and
litter box design exist, including some which automatically sift the litter
after each use. Bentonite or clumping litter is a variation which absorbs
urine into clumps which can be sifted out along with feces, and thus stays
cleaner longer with regular sifting, but has sometimes been reported to
cause health problems in some cats.[46]
Litterboxes may pose a risk of toxoplasmosis transmission to susceptible
pregnant women and immuno-compromised individuals. Most indoor-only cats
would not normally be exposed to the disease and are not usually carriers.
Transmission risk may be reduced by daily litterbox cleaning by someone
other than the susceptible individual.
Some cats can be toilet trained, eliminating the litterbox and its attendant
expense, unpleasant odor, and the need to use landfill space for disposal.
Training may involve 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 but under the toilet seat. Numerous kits and other
aids are marketed to help toilet-train cats. When training is complete, the
cat uses the toilet by perching over the bowl.[47] Although most cats have a
good sense of balance, an accidental fall into the toilet bowl, which may
traumatize the cat to the point of its avoidance of the toilet, may lead to
urinating and defecating in undesirable areas. This can be avoided by use of
a simple insert of one or two crossbars, or a widely spaced grid to prevent
falling in but allow urine and feces to pass; such safety devices have
recently become commercially available. Otherwise, if a cat is not trained
to use the toilet, it is wise to keep the lid shut to prevent thirsty or
curious cats from falling in.
Scratching
Cats are naturally driven to periodically hook their front claws into
suitable surfaces and pull backwards, in order to clean the claws and remove
the worn outer sheath as well as exercise and stretch their muscles. This
scratching behavior seems enjoyable to the cat, and even declawed cats will
go through elaborate scratching routines with every evidence of great
satisfaction, despite the total lack of results. Indoor cats benefit from
being provided with a scratching post so that they are less likely to use
carpet or furniture which they can easily ruin.[48] Commercial scratching
posts typically are covered in carpeting or upholstery, but some authorities
advise against this practice, as not making it clear to the cat which
surfaces are permissible and which are not; they suggest using a plain
wooden surface, or reversing the carpeting on the posts so that the rougher
texture of the carpet backing is a more attractive alternative to the cat
than the floor covering. Scratching posts made of sisal rope or corrugated
cardboard are also commonly found. Some indoor cats, however, especially
those that were taken as kittens from feral colonies, may not understand the
concept of a scratching post, and as a result will ignore it.
Although scratching can serve cats to keep their claws from growing
excessively long, their nails can be trimmed if necessary, with a small nail
trimmer designed for humans, a small pair of electrician's diagonal cutting
pliers, or a guillotine type cutter specifically designed for animal nail
trimming. Care must always be taken to avoid cutting the quick of the claw,
analogous to cutting into the tip of a finger and equally painful and
bloody. The position of the quick can be easily seen through the translucent
nail of a cat with light colored claws but not in cats with dark colored
nails, who therefore require carefully trimming of only small amounts from
the nails.
Declawing
Declawing is a major surgery known as onychectomy, performed under
anesthesia, which removes the tip of each digit (from the first knuckle out)
of the cat's forepaws (and rarely the hind paws). The primary reason for
declawing cats is to prevent them from damaging furniture; in the United
States, some landlords may require that tenants' cats be declawed. Rarely,
vicious cats, cats that frequently fight with other pets, or cats that are
too efficient at predation of songbirds etc. are declawed. The procedure is
illegal in many countries worldwide.
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.
Domestication
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, pushing back the earliest known feline-human association
significantly.[3] Like some 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.
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 is to decrease the chance a prey animal
will notice the cat's presence in time. 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 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.
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% of the cat dander present in the environment.
In urban areas, some people find feral and free-roaming pet cats annoying
and intrusive. Unaltered animals can engage in persistent nighttime calling
(termed caterwauling) and defecation or "marking" of private property.
Indoor confinement of pets and TNR (trap, neuter, return) programs for feral
cats can help; some people also use cat deterrents to discourage cats from
entering their property.
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
kittens how to hunt by demonstrating what the point of it all is).
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.
Domesticated varieties
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 (see selective breeding). 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. In the United Kingdom and Australia, non-purebred cats are referred
in slang as 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).[49] In the United
States, a non-purebred cat is sometimes referred to in slang as a barn or
alley cat, even if it is not a stray. Cats come in a variety of colors and
patterns. These are physical properties and should not be confused with a
breed of cat. Some original cat breeds that have a distinct phenotype that
is the main type occurring naturally as the dominant domestic cat type in
their region of origin are sometimes considered as subspecies and also have
received names as such in nomenclature, although this is not supported by
feline biologists.[1] Some of These cat breeds are:
* F. catus anura - the Manx
* F. catus siamensis - the Siamese
* F. catus cartusenensis - the Chartreux
* F. catus angorensis - the Turkish Angora
Coat patterns
Cat coat genetics can produce a variety of coat patterns. Some of the most
common are:
Bicolor, Tuxedo and Van
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 (so named after the Lake Van area in Turkey, which gave rise
to the Turkish Van breed), 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 tortoiseshell (see below for definition).
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.
Tortoiseshell and Calico
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 its dilute form, cream) and black (or its dilute blue)
mottled throughout the coat.
Additionally, the cat may have white spots in its fur, which 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 colors). The calico is also sometimes
called a "tricolor cat". The Japanese refer to this pattern as mi-ke
(meaning "triple fur"), while the Dutch call these cats 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.[50] Both tortoiseshell and calico cats are typically
female because the coat pattern is the result of differential X chromosome
inactivation in females (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 "Tortoiseshell and
Tricolour Cats" for an extensive genetic explanation for tricolor cats, and
detailing the possible combinations of coloring.[51]
Colorpoint
The colorpoint pattern is most commonly associated with Siamese cats, but
may also appear in any domestic cat. A colorpoint cat has dark colors on the
face, ears, feet, and tail, with a lighter version of the same color on the
rest of the body, and possibly some white. The exact name of the colorpoint
pattern depends on the actual color, so there are seal points (dark brown),
chocolate points (warm lighter brown), blue points (dark gray), lilac points
(silvery gray-pink), flame points (orange), and tortie (tortoiseshell
mottling) points, among others. This pattern is the result of a temperature
sensitive mutation in one of the enzymes in the metabolic pathway from
tryptophan to pigment, such as melanin; thus, little or no pigment is
produced except in the extremities or "points", where the skin is slightly
cooler. For this reason, colorpoint cats tend to darken with age as bodily
temperature drops; also, the fur over a significant injury may sometimes
darken or lighten as a result of temperature change.
The tryptophan pathway also produces neurotransmitters, thus mutations in
the early parts of that pathway may affect not only pigment, but also
neurological development. This results in a higher frequency of cross-eyes
among colorpoint cats, as well as the high frequency of deafness in white
cats and the high frequency of cross-eyes in white tigers. (This is not
related to albinism).
Body types
Cats can also come in several body types, ranging between two extremes:
Oriental
Not a specific breed, but any cat with an elongated slender build,
almond-shaped eyes, long nose, large ears (the Siamese and oriental
shorthair breeds are examples of this).
Cobby
Any cat with a short, muscular, compact build, roundish eyes, short nose,
and small ears. Persian cats and Exotic cats are two prime examples of such
a body type.
Feral cats
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.
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 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, 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 by way of
extinction.
Environmental impacts of feral cats
Feral cats are thought to be a major predator of Hawaiian 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. In one study of 56 cats' feces, the remains of 44 birds were
found, 40 of which were endemic species.
Feral cats are thought to be a major predator of Hawaiian 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.[52] In one study of 56 cats' feces, the remains of 44 birds were
found, 40 of which were endemic species.[53]
The impacts of feral cats greatly depends on the country or landmass in
question. 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 may not be great unless
feral cat numbers are very high, or the region in question supports
unusually vulnerable native wildlife species. (A notable exception to this
generalisation is Haiwaii, 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 the large
island continent of Australia where cat species did not occur, and placental
mammal predators in general were either rare or completely absent. These
landmasses therefore supported many native wildlife species ecologically
vulnerable and behaviourally "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 native wildlife
species. In Australia the large quantity of native birds, lizards and small
marsupials taken every year by feral cats, and role feral cats have played
in driving some small marsupial species to extinction, is not in doubt. Some
organisations in Australia are now going to effort of creating fenced
islands of habitat for endangered species that are free of feral cats as
well as foxes.
Responsible cat ownership is a must in any area where cats may have a major
impact on native wildlife species.
Ethical and humane concerns over feral cats
There are two divergent views about cats’ relationship with the natural
environment. The first argues that 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 should 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. As alluded to above, the most severe effect
occurs to island ecologies. Environmental concerns may be minimal in most of
the UK 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.
Cats themselves present a risk of overpopulation as well. According to the
Humane Society of the United States, 3–4 million cats and dogs are
euthanized each year in the United States and many more are confined to
cages in shelters because there are significantly more animals being born
than there are homes. Spaying or neutering pets helps keep the
overpopulation down.A study conducted in 1992 found that in the U.S.A,
overall, 12,893 (29.4%) of pets (26.9% of dogs and 32.6% of cats) were
sterilized.[54] Local humane societies, SPCAs and other animal protection
organizations urge people to spay or neuter their pets and to adopt animals
from shelters instead of purchasing them.
History and mythology
Cats have been kept by humans since at least ancient Egypt, where the
mythical cat Bast was goddess of the home, the domestic cat, protector of
the fields and home from vermin infestations, and 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 significant role in Ancient Egyptian religion. It has
been speculated that cats resident in Kenya's Islands in the Lamu
Archipelago may be the last living direct descendants of the cats of ancient
Egypt.[55]
Several ancient religions believed 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. In Japan, the Maneki Neko is a cat that
is a symbol of "good fortune". While in Islam there is not a sacred species,
it is said by some writers that Muhammad had a favorite cat, Muezza.[56] It
is said he loved cats so much that "he would do without his cloak rather
than disturb one that was sleeping on it".[57]
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 animals.
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