Our cats are lucky in that they live in a super sensory world compared to ours. They can see, hear and smell things that are far beyond our abilities. Their physiology makes the ears, nose, eyes and tactile receptors such as whiskers incredibly sensitive in most areas and ranges that far exceed what you and I could do. I’m sure you’ve noticed that your cat seems aware of everything that goes on around it.
The cat’s whole body is sensitive to vibration with the paws especially so. It is thought that this sensitivity is linked to reports of cats that have predicted the proximity of earth tremors. They can ‘feel’ the pre-tremors or perceive the changes in the earth’s magnetic field. While we humans need very expensive specialized machinery for this sort of understanding, a cat appears to sense the atmospheric changes we miss. Science tells us that positively charged ions are released into the air just before some earthquakes. It seems very likely that our beautiful domestic cat can sense a change in the atmospheric static electricity through their fur. There are well documented occurrences of cats leaving villages mere hours before an earthquake.
The ability of the cat to detect changes in the atmospheric pressure is also thought to be why cats appear to be able to predict the weather. A cat may find a chair in a sunny spot before the clouds lift. They will also curl up in a secluded place or refuse to go outside if they sense rain. Some cats will vigorously rub and wash their ears before a storm as it is their very sensitive inner ear which detects these atmospheric changes.
It is thought that cats hold an internal ‘mapping’ of visual and scent aspects of where they are and other familiar routes they take. This is how they ‘find’ themselves when lost. They come across a previously ‘mapped’ area and it triggers a message in their brain which allows them to then find their way home. This is particularly marked in cats that have formed a strong bond with their family. Perhaps it is the vibrations and the cat’s sensitivity to them. It is believed that cats navigate using ‘homing’ instincts similar to those used by homing pigeons and migrating birds. Salmon are a perfect example of this as they unerringly find their way to where they were spawned when the time is right.
There have been many documented cases of cats travelling hundreds of miles to be reunited with their family, even though the way is not ‘mapped’ internally. There are also documented cases of cats who have accidently been left behind walking many hundreds of miles from the old home to the new home of their family. I cannot explain this as there can be no internal ‘mapping’ in these instances yet these cats will do anything to be reunited.
Is this ESP? A sixth sense? Or is it just five very well developed senses and an incredible bond with their family.
Your cats claws are its main method of defence. They are its weapons. They need to be kept sharp at all times and instantly releasable so your cat can grip, climb or grab and hold its prey. Your cat normally keeps these deadly weapons held in and keep. There is only one member of the Family, the Cheetah, who is an able to retract its claws. The Cheetah uses its claws is running spikes. A dog uses its claws mainly for balance when they are running down prey.
The main clause used by your cat when it is gripping or holding prey of the four claws on each forepaw. The fifth claw, called a dew-claw, is usually used when it comes in contact with and to help immobilise small prey. Did you claw is also used when the cat is climbing. This clause on the high-end feet are only used if the cat is tackling large prey, or fighting with another cat. These clause meets the kicking far more deadly.
The body and clause of the cat are supported on what is called the damper system of the pads on the base of each paw. Although these pads are soft and spongy, the skin is very tough and fairly thick. The pads enable the cat to move silently when stalking prey. The rough surface on the pads helped provide a grip on your cat is walking on a slippery surface.
Your cat will also use his paws to test the temperature, texture, size and shape of unfamiliar objects. If your indoor cat escapes to the outside, check his paws when you get him back in to make sure they haven’t been scratched or damaged.
Because the claws are a weapon, they must be kept in perfect condition and ready for immediate use. This is why cats will scratch on rough surfaces such as trees or your carpet. Your cat is not just sharpening with tip of the claw, the whole outer layer of the claw is shed which exposes a new surface with a sharp point. If you have trained your cat to use a scratching post, you might find these discarded outer layers embedded in the surface.
I love watching my cats play with the toys. They can be so gentle and not leave a mark. However, when the need arises, those claws come out and can be very deadly.
