CATS!

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CATS!

• History, Reproduction, Characteristics, Grooming,
  and Reproduction

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History

• Cats were domesticated about 4,000 years ago
• Egyptians were first to domesticate cats
• Todays cat originated from the African Wild Cat
• About 36-38 breeds of cat
• 2 major groups of cats shorthair and longhair

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Characteristics

• Body of cats have developed for speed and
  flexibility
• Skeleton contains 244 bones (40 more than humans)
• Most of the extra bones found in the spine and
  tail
• Over 500 separate muscles (650 in humans)
• Largest muscles found in the rear legs and are
  used for running and jumping

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• Haircoat protects from excess water loss, heat,
  cold, physical injuries, and germs or parasites
• Cats nose and paw pads are really sensitive
• Extend paw to investigate food, water or
  unfamiliar objects
• Nose and tongue used to determine smell and taste
• Ears are VERY sensitive
• Can hear higher pitches than humans
• The COCHLEA is what enables them to hear these
  high sounds

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• Some white cats (especially with blue eyes) may
  be white
• Eyes have some special features
• Retina of eye is five times brighter than human
  eye
• Have highly curved cornea and lens to get the
  maximum amount of light
• Can see in light six times dimmer than humans
• Have 3 sets of eyelids two close to protect the
  eye third is NICITATING MEMBRANE (moves
  diagonally across eye to lubricate to cornea)

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• Cats eyes stay closed for 10-12 days after birth
• Takes 3 months to develop eyes
• Jacobsons organ located on the roof of the mouth
• Odors picked up from tongue from air are sensed
  when the cat presses its tongue against the roof
  of the mouth
• Picks up smells that the nose might have missed
• Olfactory mucosa is in the nasal lining
• Twice the size of humans and shows how important
  smell is to cats
• Papillae located in the center of the tongue
• Form backward-facing hooks which help hold food
  and lick meat off bones
• Tongue is spoon shaped to help lap up liquids

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Feeding

• Cats require twice as much protein as dogs
• Best source is animal products
• 30-40 of diet should be animal proteins

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