How to Train Cats
Training cats is like juggling three balls made of Jello or sorting wet noodles by hand; they go off in all directions at once. There are ways to indicate what you want them to do or refrain from doing, but the results depend a lot on the willingness and intelligence of the cats.
Of course, you don’t ever want to hit them and any correction must be done at the very moment of the infraction or the cats won’t make the connection and will be bewildered about what you want. One approach is to make a noise of disapproval just as the cat is where you don’t want it to go; as it is just getting there. I have found that they respond to a hissing sound. I start with a quiet “ssssssssss” then gradually increase the loudness. Clapping hands once is startling and effective. Nothing will be very effective the first time, but after a while the cats, if they are smart enough, will recognize that certain places and actions are not allowed. That doesn’t mean they won’t try to go there, but they will be looking out for signs of disapproval. It is also true that they may get used to certain behaviors on your part and ignore them when earlier they would find them startling.
I have a smart cat (for a cat) and another one whose brainpower may be limited. The latter cannot learn or will not obey. I haven’t figured out whether she is just dumb or simply willful. I have learned to accommodate her for the most part, but will still insist that she not play with or chew wiring and stay on her side of the kitchen counter. I do this mostly with a squirt gun. The water is harmless (except to books and papers) and after a few squirts, the cats respond to the sound of my picking it up; they dash for the hills, (the bedroom).
One of the biggest problems with cats is scratching. People used to solve this problem by de-clawing the cats. It is still done but is much frowned upon by humane societies since it is very painful for the cats and has been compared to cutting off the first knuckles of a person’s hands. Most people these days keep their cats inside because of the danger of the cat picking up rabies or other diseases by catching infected mice. A de-clawed cat that accidentally gets outside is helpless without claws.
I have several scratching boards and cylinders which the cats use regularly. They can hide inside or scratch on the outside. I trim their claws regularly; just the tips. They have done very little damage with their claws.
Ultimately you will have to realize that the cats are limited and you will have to adapt to their peculiarities. Just think of them as teen-aged humans covered with ever-falling fur.
Cat Health Issues – Anemia
Anemia is a cat health issue that many cat owners deal with. It is usually noticed first when the cat yawns and you see its normally pink mouth is a little whiter than usual. Other symptoms you may notice include a pale tongue and pale gums around it’s teeth. If you notice these things odds are your cat may have anemia.
Other things you can check to determine if your pet has anemia is to look at the conjunctiva, the pink area around the eyes. If they appear to be pale or have a transparent tone instead of being light pink in color, you may well be dealing with anemia. If you find these symptoms you may then want to have a vet check your pet over to get a proper diagnosis. Anemia will affect your cat’s mood making them weak, listless and lethargic. Other symptoms you may see include shallow breathing, fever and discolored urine.
Veterinarians can determine anemia by taking some blood and doing a blood count. This checks the amount of red blood cells and other data. Some vets will also complete a test for Feline Leukemia Virus also to help determine the problem.
If the vet finds abnormal readings this may be the indicator of anemia. Always remember that at times the cat may look healthy to you but still be anemic.
Anemia appears with different severity. The more extreme cases of anemia may be deadly to your loving pet. To avoid having bad scenarios with anemia in your cat you should take care of your cats health by getting routine checkups. Early detection and prevention are key factors in protecting your pet.
Anemia is caused by a reduction in the number of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow or a reduction in the amount of circulating cells.
In severe cases your cat may need a transfusion which also includes making sure that the blood your pet is receiving is a compatible blood type. In less severe cases your cat may be treated with medicine and diet. Erythropoietin replacement is used for cats with chronic kidney failure. Other types of anemia may be caused by cancers or terminal infections that are not treated effectively.
Monitor your cats health routinely to enjoy a long happy life together.
Cat Litter Box Health
Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the latest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are as many answers to this question as there are cat owners, but the low health risks cats pose to their owners is certainly near the top of this list. Even though the potential health risks cats pose to people are small, it is important that cat owners are aware of these risks and understand how to reduce them.
The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The first category contains health risks posed by bacteria and parasites to both cat owners and their cats. The second category contains injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box.
Primarily the health problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come from the first category and the most significant of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few people ever experience any symptoms because a healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as individuals infected with the HIV virus, are at risk and should take precautions to avoid being infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems to the individual or to a pregnant woman’s unborn child.
Again, most of the 60 million plus American’s infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never experience any symptoms. Most of those who do experience symptoms will simply think they have the Flu as the most common symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. For those in the high risk group, Toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some children developing brain or eye problems years after birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite each year and as many as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2).
So how does an individual contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat owners are infected with the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This happens when a person touches their mouth after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in contact with cat feces(3).
People in the high risk group may wonder whether or not they should give up their cat to avoid infection. According to the CDC, it is not necessary for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it is important for them to protect themselves from infections. The USFDA makes the following recommendations for avoiding infections(2):
1) If possible, have someone else change the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
2) Change the litter box daily. The parasite doesn’t become infectious until one to five days after the feces are deposited in the litter box.
3) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox because cats may have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.
4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.
5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat because it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.
6) Keep indoor cats indoors. Be especially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.
7) Avoid stray cats, especially kittens.
Don’t get a new cat while you’re pregnant.
Safer Child, Inc. makes the following additional recommendations(4):
1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may want to consider having someone else keep your cat during your pregnancy.
2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox as a litter box.
3) Be aware of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys.
Similar to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (commonly called E. coli) can infect humans thru contact with feline fecal material, although the primary means of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Almost all strains of the bacteria are harmless. However a few strains can produce powerful toxins and cause severe illness, especially in children under 5 years of age(5). Symptoms usually include diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children under 5, 2%-7% of E. coli cases can cause kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is easy to prevent. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly reduce the risks of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection.
In addition to these human risks, there are a few health risks cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners should be aware of. Just as a dirty litter box poses health risks to humans, cats are equally at risk if forced to use a dirty litter box. Since cats stay clean by licking themselves, allowing a cat’s litter box to get too dirty can cause infections when a cat cleans it’s paws after using the dirty litter box. The most common infection is a urinary tract infection, and although this type of infection is rarely fatal it can be very uncomfortable for your cat and will most likely require treatment by your veterinarian.
Finally, a lesser-known health risk to cats is actually caused by cat litter itself. What many cat owners do not realize is that some types of cat litter can be harmful or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose health problems to cats. Clumping cat litters are probably the most popular type of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the fact that clumping litters are required for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Unfortunately, some clumping litters can be harmful to cats. Clay based clumping litters can contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which can be harmful or fatal to your cat. It is best to avoid using clay based cat litters, especially with kittens. Wheat or corn based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, World’s Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter work very well and are non-toxic(6).
By their very nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cat’s urine or feces like clumping litters do. As a result, it is much harder to keep your cat’s litter box clean when using non-clumping litter. When using non-clumping litter it is important to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to reduce the chance of bacterial buildups that can cause urinary or other infections in your cat.
The second category of health risks covers injuries caused by an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this type of injury are rare, but they can happen. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what it’s name implies. Usually between 10-15 minutes after a cat uses the litter box, the litter box automatically cleans itself by “sweeping” or “raking” the cat waste into a sealed compartment or bag. For cat owners, injuries can occur if a small child or toddler plays with the automatic litter box during the cleaning cycle. All major brands of automatic litter boxes contain sensors to prevent the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. However, children can still be injured if they put their hand inside the cleaning mechanism in such a manner as to avoid the sensors.
Although these types of injuries are very rare it is best to take precautions. Placing the litter box in a location where your cat can get to it but small children can’t is an easy method. This is good advice for any litter box as this is the best way to keep children from contracting one of the illnesses described earlier in this article. If you can’t keep the automatic litter box out of a child’s reach then it is best to put the litter box inside a litter box cover. There are many types of covers and all of them will help prevent a child from reaching the litter box and the cleaning mechanism. A final option is to unplug the litter box or put it into a “manual operation” mode. Both of these options will require the cat owner to start the cleaning cycle whenever necessary. Although this reduces some of the convenience of an automatic litter box it certainly removes the danger to children.
Automatic or self cleaning litter boxes are completely safe for almost all cats. However, most manufacturers recommend that the litter box be used in “manual operation” mode for cats under 5 lbs. Cats under 5 lbs many not be large enough to activate the sensors and the cleaning mechanism could cause injury. Since most adult cats weigh over 5 lbs, it is only necessary to use the “manual operation” mode until kittens grow to 5 lbs.
This article is not intended to dissuade anyone from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners can’t be wrong; cats make great pets! So, if you already own a cat or are thinking of becoming a cat owner it simply makes good sense to be aware of the health risks associated with cat ownership. Understanding the risks can definately increase the enjoyment of cat ownership.
(1)Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
(2) While You’re Pregnant – USFDA
[http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html]
(3) Toxoplasmosis – An important Message for Cat Owners; [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf]
(4) Safer Child, Inc.;
http://www.saferchild.org/pets&.htm
(5) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fact Sheet;
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm
(6) Stanford Cat Network’s – Guide to Caring for Your Adopted Cat or Kitten;
http://www.stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/careguide.html#litter
Wireless Cat Fences Will Help to Train Your Cat
Are you having trouble controlling your cat’s behavior? Is your pet destroying all of the furniture in your home, one claw mark at a time? Do you wish there was a way that you could stop them from scratching up all of your belongings, or better yet keep them out of certain rooms all together? Cats are very independent pets and it can be virtually impossible to stop them from doing something that they really want to do. Unfortunately for many cat people, myself included, this usually involves either making a mess or destroying expensive pieces of furniture.
I tried every single teaching technique I could get my hands on to teach my cat to stop scratching all of my furnishings. It seems that cats just don’t want to learn. They want to do what they want to do and there isn’t much you can do to stop them. Finally, just when I had almost given up, I came across a remarkable device called a wireless indoor cat fence. With the use of this simple device I was able to easily keep my cat away from certain parts of my house. These cat training tools are a breeze to setup and work immediately. There is no work needed on your part. All that you have to do is do the initial setup and the wireless cat fence will do the rest.
These training tools work by simply delivering a harmless correction each time your pet decides to try and go somewhere that they are not allowed. Within a few hours my cat learned exactly where he was allowed and where he was not.
Is Catnip Dangerous for Your Cat?
Your cat, your loving and lovable family pet is not usually what you would call a bundle of energy. In fact she spends a good deal of the day taking a siesta. When she moves she does so at her own pace and in her own time.
But should your sedate kitty have a whiff of catnip . . . well, wop bop a lula blim bam boom! The party is on baby. Suddenly your cat is rollicking and rolling around, frisky, excited and running about as if the clock had been turned back and she is a kitten once again.
Then as little as two, but up to fifteen minutes later your cat is back to her slothful, normal self, the catnip effect completely worn off.
What causes the catnip effect, why do cats react in to it in that way?
First, not all cats do react to catnip. It is estimated that one third to half of the domestic cat population is unaffected by the herb. The reaction to catnip is inherited. Kittens that have only one parent that reacts have a one in two chance of reacting themselves, and kittens that have parents that both react have a three in four chance. Kittens under three to four months old do not react to catnip and with older cats the effect is considerably lessened.
Also, if a cat that would normally have a reaction to catnip is in a threatening situation, or is outside of its usual surroundings, it may not respond to the catnip.
Anyway, as to what causes the catnip effect, the experts do know that nepetalactone, an oil found in catnip causes cats that are sensitive to it to go ga-ga. What they don’t know is why certain cats react that way.
It’s not just the domestic cat that can experience the catnip effect. Big cats too can react to it; lions, leopards, cheetahs and pumas can get catnip high but interestingly not tigers.
When a cat finds catnip it will usually sniff at it, rub up against it, lick it and nibble at it. It is the sniffing at it that gets the reaction, it is thought that cats nibble and rub against the catnip to bruise it and thereby cause more of the nepetalactone oil to be released. Strangely, if a cat actually eats the catnip it will likely act as a sedative as opposed to giving the kitty a high.
So, is catnip dangerous for your kitty? After all, the response that some felines have to catnip is not unlike the response that some humans have to stuff that they shouldn’t smoke.
Although it said that catnip is bio-chemically related to cannabis cats will come to no harm by enjoying it and will not become dependent. The catnip effect very seldom lasts longer than 15 minutes maximum until the cat loses interest. After this a cat will not react again for a minimum of one hour.
Not all cats react to the herb in exactly the same way though. The typical response is an uninhibited friskiness and silliness, but a few cats, usually male, become aggressive rather than frisky.
Catnip has long been thought safe for humans. It has been prescribed by herbalists to treat nervousness, stomach complaints, flatulence, and even smallpox! Its leaves have been chewed to relieve toothache and it has been drunk as a tea and as a cough remedy.
Catnip is not dangerous for cats rather it is a very effective kitty treat for some cats, those that are susceptible to it, to enjoy.
Cats Body Language
Cats body language can tell you almost anything that you need to know about your cat if you learn to understand what they are trying to tell you. In fact, there are some owners that will swear that there are times that their cat is actually going the next step and trying to actually communicate with both body language as well as vocalization.
Is any of this actually true? Wouldn’t it be great if you could actually communicate with your cat? It’s your cat, you are the judge, but there are some definite forms as body language that can certainly help you to understand your cat much better.
There are several experts that list the different sounds that your cat actually vocalizes somewhere between fifteen and thirty, depending on who you ask. But there are certainly many different types of meows that your cat makes. They will differ in volume, tone, pitch and rhythm, and can vary greatly depending on the situation that they are in.
The very comforting purr that you are familiar with is used to show both contentment as well as self assurance by your cat, and is an invitation for some type of a close contact. Cats that are injured or sick will also purr and meow simply because that is a sound frequency that they are familiar with can and comforted by. In fact, a dying cat will communicate with you in the same mode.
However, there are several other sounds that your cat makes such as chirruping, growling, hissing, or yowling that may be an attempt to get you, or another animal, to fully understand exactly what type of body language that they are showing. Generally the first types of body language with come with your cats head.
The head is the first thing that you or other animals see in your cat and the position of the head will tell you several things. If your cats head is stretched forward, your pet is encouraging you to touch them and as well as actually trying to see your or another cats expressions. This form of body language is considered to be a greeting.
Friendly cats will also head butt or head rub with other cats that will extend into a full body rub if they connect, but they also use this same head movement with people that they like. If your cat feels inferior or is submissive, they will lower their head in a gesture that is showing you submission. However, if your cat becomes fearful or defensive, they will raise their head.
If your cat pulls their head down and keeps it down as well as pulling in their chin, they are conveying a total lack of interest. However, the largest set of messages from the head will come from your pets eyes.
Your cats eyes are the entrance into their soul and can tell you several things about their state of mind and the direction of their gaze will often give you an idea of what they are thinking. If your cats gaze is fixed and they do not blink, it usually means one of two things; they want something from you, or it is a gesture of hostility.
But this is where you will have to start putting other messages together. If there body is rigid, it is hostility; if they are relaxed and purring, and it is a sign that they want something from you.
If you really want to play a game with your cat, try out staring them. It will be an interesting game as cats by nature will try to out stare opposing cats and in most cases you will not win this contest. You can with a dog as they will blink, but not with your cat.
The size of your cat pupils can also communicate with you. If they are extremely constricted, they may be extremely ambient or it can be just the opposite, they have just become predatory, depending on what the situation is. If their pupils become fully dilated and almost black in color, your cat is showing you that they are in some type of pain and have become extremely stressed.
The degree of opening of your cats eyelids is also a communication and if they are wide open they are telling you that they are ready for action as something may be about to happen. Fluttering eyelids are a signal that they trust you explicitly and are completely relaxed.
Cats body language also includes the ears. When their ears are moved forward and erect, it signifies that they are fully alert and extremely focused. If they are sideways, they are ready for a fight. If they are pressed backwards and look like they almost disappear, this is another natural defensive language that they expect some type of harm and they are protecting their ears.
The ears will also show you other forms of communication. If they appear like they are rotating, it signals to you that they hear something but are not sure what or where it is, and this is almost radar like communication. If they have one ear back and one ear forward, they are again telling you that they are extremely relaxed and trust you explicitly. This is always a very fun communication by your cat.
The tail also communicates several parts of a cats body language. If the tailed is tucked in, they are afraid of something and this is a defensive signal; if it is just the opposite and straight up, they are communicating a greeting or actually anticipate something like a treat. If the tail is in a half-mast position and moving slightly, it shows you that they are somewhat interested in what you are doing or what they are seeing.
If the tail is curved to one side, this is almost always a sign that they are ready to play while a low position and a twitching movement indicates that they are about to stalk something. If your cats tail is in a wide arch position, be very cautious, as they are about to become very aggressive because they are frightened.
Your cats mouth also communicates to you if you watch closely. Cats by nature almost always keep their mouth shut, but when it is not it is one of the best modes of communication to you. If your cat develops a look in their eyes like they do not see you and their mouth opens and their jaw drops, the first reaction is that they are in pain.
However, what they are actually telling you is that they smell something and they are savoring the odor and would really like to find out what it is. If your cat opens their mouth and hisses and bears their teeth, this is an easy one; they are ticked off and ready for some action. But they have one other trick with their mouth.
If they yawn, it is not always showing you that they are tired. It can also be, depending on your cats personality, a sign of stress or it can be a preparation for some type of an action, especially if your cat is naturally aggressive. Yes, cats can be a bit cocky at times.
Summary:
Cats body language can show and communicate with you several different messages, you just need to take the time to listen and watch. Cats are unique and mysterious and this is the reason why they are some much fun and lovable, just take some extra time to understand what they are trying to communicate to you.
After all, you are the most important thing in their lives and listening is very important to them; just ask them. You might be surprised by the answer you get.
Golden Retriever Training Mistakes to Avoid – Part 1
Though you want it perfectly done, there exist the possibility of committing golden retriever training mistakes due to some factors – incorrect belief or lack of knowledge regarding appropriate training, inconsistency and lack of determination and patience among others. These mistakes, sometimes occur without you knowing, can greatly affect the result of the training.
Good for you if you are able to notice and sort a particular mistake the first time you committed it. But if a mistake is left uncorrected for quite some time now, chances are great that it might have already developed into a habit that can be difficult to break. So before they ruin your chances of achieving successful golden retriever training, better avoid these following mistakes:
Not socializing at the right time.
While puppies are best socialized at around eight weeks of age, socializing an adult dog is not impossible. Start socializing your new pet, be it a young pup or an adult one you adopted from a rescue shelter, as soon as he arrives home. Gradually introduce him to various things or people he might across with later in his life. Make sure to make these meetings positive experience for your new pet.
Using a training method not appropriate for your dog.
There are so many training methods said to be effective when training a four-legged friend. However, not all these methods can be effective for your dog due to breed character, your pet’s personality and other factors. Find out what works best for your pet through observation.
Lack of rules.
The human world is governed by rules and laws in order to maintain peace and harmony. The same thing should apply to other creatures, even our pets. When you decided to get a dog, you should also decide what is an accepted behavior and what are the habits needed to go. Would you allow him to dethrone you as the rightful owner of the couch? Will he be sharing your room and your bed? If you do not want things such as these to happen, make it clear to him by being consistent and firm with what you want. Start establishing and implementing rules as soon as possible.
There are lots of things that ought to be avoided as much as ways to achieve successful golden retriever training. If you can determine what is to avoid and what is to follow, soon enough you will find yourself enjoying your well-behaved golden retriever.
Cheap Cat Supplies
If you are considering buying cheap cat supplies then have a think about purchasing your items on the Internet. This is an effective way to execute your shopping due to the fact that there are literally millions of stores all vying for your business. Looking online for these types of supplies means that you can find the coolest bargains there are, all from the ease of your home computer. The best way to look for products online is to visit as many different shops as you can and then compare prices. This will assist you in uncovering all those excellent bargains that are out there. An extra cool thing to do if you do not like spending money online is to locate the items you want and then compare the prices at online shops with brick and mortar shops. This way you might be able to get a few extra dollars out of the offline shops if you refer to the items that you found online. Below you can find out more information about purchasing cheap cat supplies and some nifty free cat supplies that you can create yourself.
Most of the stores that supply cheap supplies have a relationship with the larger manufacturers of these supplies. This means that some stores can offer cheaper items than others because they might have a buy in bulk discount or something similar. If you are concerned about price then finding a store that stocks cheap cat supplies should be your first priority. There are many out there but they can be hard to find. Another good point to keep in mind when shopping for cat products is to take a look at the shipping times. Some online stores will not have any stock and must order in anything that is purchased. This means that wait times could be as long as 3 or 4 weeks which is no good if your cat has a bad flea problem that needs immanent attention.
Here is a small list of free cat supplies that you can make out of everyday household goods. They will provide your cat with hours of fun and save you money in the long run:
Aluminum foil can be rolled into a small ball that your cat will chase around for hours. The light that reflects off the foil will provide your cat with a lot of excitement and enjoyment. Simply playing a flashlight across the wall will entertain your cat to no end! The cat will hunt and chase the beam around for as long as you are willing to play too. Fill up a plastic bottle with some rice and then roll it across the floor. The noise and movement will make your cat think that it is prey and will provide some great fun. If your cat is only a small kitten then make sure that you use a smaller bottle so that he or she can push it around.
Now that you know a bit more about how to get cool supplies for your cat, it is up to you to start discovering some bargains. Keep in mind the information above and you will be well on your way to locating exactly what you need. Now get out there and start looking since there are loads of great cheap cat supplies to be found, all you have to do is locate them.
The Evolution of House Cats
House cats have not always been the refined pet that we all love today. In fact, the modern house cat is a product of natural selection and evolution. Today’s pet is much different than its predecessors, which were wild, unruly felines that would rather attack a human than rub against someone’s leg.
It is believed that the domesticated cat evolved from a wild cat that lived in Egypt. Docile cats became part of human society, and eventually the docile characteristics became inbred in the animals themselves as their owners bred the best ones. Thus the house cat was born. From Egypt, domesticated cats spread to the Middle East, India and China. The Europeans did not catch on to domesticating cats until the Roman era.
When the Europeans went to America, they took cats along with them. The cats were used on board ship for the control of rodents, and soon they became common in the New World.
But what was the ancestor of the modern house cat? Archeological evidence is not clear on this. Fossil records show small cat-like creatures dating back far into the history of the world, which indicates that the ancestors of the modern cat have been around for a while.
Fossils of creatures that could be the same as the modern house cat have been found on all continents except Antarctica, but no evidence as to whether or not these animals were domesticated has been found. Scientists do know that the Saber-toothed cats had no connection to today’s housecat, because there is not enough similarity between the two. Even though the evolution of the cat is still a mystery, we know that they make excellent pets, and we are thankful that they are part of our lives.
What Does Your Cat’s Behavior Mean?
It is not an unusual thing for cats to walk their own path.