The domestic cat and its wild cat cousin share many characteristics.
The domestic cat we invite into our homes shares more characteristics with its wild cat relations than you might think.
Common to both is the lithe muscularity of the body that has evolved for over eons for stalking and hunting, the beautiful fur, the need for a high protein meat diet, the ability to use stealth and superior sensory abilities when catching prey, the incredible athleticism, lightening quick reflexes and acute hearing.
The size differences are the most obvious differences between the domestic and wild cat. Wild cats have a far greater difference in size while most domestic cats seem to be of a similar size. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and there are small wild cats and large domestic cats.
The domestic cat’s coat shows much greater variation than the wild cats but this is mainly due to selective breeding and environmental needs. For instance a cat living in north Canada will have developed a dense, almost woolly fur coat while one living in Australia will have a finer body hugging coat, which in turn will be different to one that has adapted to the searing heat of some African nations.
It is thought that the domestic cat has a smaller brain than its wild counterpart but the domestic cat can return to the wild if necessary. Both domestic cats and wild cats have retractable claws with the exception of the Cheetah, which is in a class of its own.
The Egyptians mummified their cats.
Small feline skeletons have been found in some Stone Age archaeological sites along with the remains of other small animals which indicate that they could have been hunted for food or for their pelts. There are differing times and places of where domestic cats first appeared. Some studies say the Middle East or other parts of Europe but the most often recognized time is around 3,500 years ago in Egypt.
While some cultures such as the Vikings, Thais, Burmese and Japanese worshipped the cat, the Egyptians took it a step further and deified it. In ancient Egypt, anyone caught injuring a cat was severely punished. Mummified cats have been found in tombs and cat owners would shave off their eyebrows as a sign of mourning if their cat died. Archaeologist discovered over 300,000 mummified cats alongside mummified mice so the cat would have food in the afterlife.
As man started farming, sowing and storing grain for future use, rodents appeared to feast on this grain store. Cats were beginning to be encouraged to become domesticated to look after this rodent population and so, as some studies have stated, the friendship between cat and human developed. Cats were ideal as they were useful, easy to look after and bred easily.
Even today with our beautiful cross-bred moggie or purebred cat, we can still see some of the characteristics of the wild animal these domestic cats once were. You only need watch your kitten play with a littermate or with a rolling or swinging toy, or see your cat outside stalking the mouse that your eye cannot see. Cats are truly a wonderful and enigmatic animal.
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Cats are truly beautiful but do come with responsibility.
If you are a novice or new cat owner, there are some common cat health problems that you should be aware of. Don’t be alarmed or worried, none of them are serious on their own, just things to keep an eye out for so they don’t develop into a problem. This beautiful cat appears to be in optimum health with bright wide eyes, alert expression and upright ears.
Probably the most common house cat health problem is hairballs, especially in long haired cats. Because cats are such clean and fastidious creatures, they wash or groom themselves regularly, often more than once a day. Cats shed a lot of hair and often it is swallowed during grooming. Sometimes the hair will clump into a ball and lodge in the digestive tract instead of passing through the normal way and being excreted. The only way he (or she) can get it out is by coughing it up, not a pleasant sound and frequently they’ll bring up some food or bile as well. Usually cats can remove hairballs without any intervention from us however if your cat continues coughing for more than a couple of hours and doesn’t appear happy or hungry, it might be wise to check with the vet to see if a hairball has caused an obstruction. Regular brushing by you will help remove most loose hair and will also provide a bonding time for you both. There is something really soothing in brushing a relaxed purring cat.
Hebe scratching. Fleas can be a problem.
One problem that I can almost guarantee every domestic cat owner will face one day is fleas. This is not to say that you aren’t looking after your cat properly, fleas can come from just about anywhere. They are great at jumping from one animal to another then irritating the new host. If you notice your cat scratching more often than usual, especially if it is in the same area, check for fleas. They are small black oval creatures and they bite. They also move around the animal’s body a great deal so the movement will also cause scratching. Check with your vet regarding treatment and try to get something non-chemical. You don’t really want to put chemicals on your cat’s tender skin or introduce them into your home. There are quite a few herbal remedies out there so also check your local pet shop or health food store. Cats can cause damage to their skin by continuous scratching at fleas. Be aware that when you do treat your cat, it will become agitated for a time and scratch more as the fleas try to escape the treatment.
Worms in house cats are another problem that seems to occur often. The main culprits are roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. If your cat seems to eat a lot but doesn’t put on weight and always seems hungry, check the faeces for either white flecks or the actual worms. This one does require a trip to the vet to see which type of worm your cat has and the best method of treating it. Left untreated, it could be fatal. Again, try to find a natural remedy if possible.
If your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, they could be vulnerable to urinary tract infections. This is another good reason to have your cat spayed or neutered – apart from preventing unwanted kittens, it can help reduce the vet bills. Symptoms of UTI’s include not quite making it to the litter box or outside before urinating or stopping using the litter box completely, and very strong smelling urine. This is another one for the vet to sort out so organize the operation at the same time.
It is a good idea to have your cat checked out by the vet at least once a year. You have your yearly medical check-up and so should your pets. Vaccinations should always be kept up to date to prevent outbreaks of cat flu or feline leukemia. Keeping a close eye on your pet should help prevent any cat health problems before they become troublesome for you and your pet. Why not invest in Veterinary Secrets Revealed, which has been written by a vet who has practiced Veterinary Medicine for over a decade. I’m sure it will soon become a valuable resource that could save you a good deal of money.
