HISTORY BEHIND CATSHISTORY BEHIND CATS First cat appeared 35 million years First cat appeared 35 million years

ago.ago.

Cats wereCats were domesticated domesticated about about 40004000 years ago. Much later than years ago. Much later than dogs!dogs!

This is probably due to its This is probably due to its independent and solitary nature.independent and solitary nature.

HISTORY OF CATSHISTORY OF CATS All modern cats can be traced to All modern cats can be traced to

one of these types of cats.one of these types of cats.– African Wild CatAfrican Wild Cat– Jungle CatJungle Cat– European Wild CatEuropean Wild Cat

HISTORY OF CATSHISTORY OF CATS

Did you know? Cats are found on Did you know? Cats are found on every continent except Antarctica!every continent except Antarctica!

Cats are divided into 2 main Cats are divided into 2 main groups:groups:– Short-haired breedsShort-haired breeds– Long-haired breedsLong-haired breeds

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF

CATSCATS

SKELETONSKELETON

Developed for Developed for speedspeed and and flexibilityflexibility..

Their skeleton contains Their skeleton contains 244 bones244 bones– 40 more than humans40 more than humans– Extras found in spine and tailExtras found in spine and tail

MUSCLESMUSCLES 500 separate muscles500 separate muscles, largest in , largest in

rear for running and jumping.rear for running and jumping.– 150 less than humans150 less than humans– 30 in ears30 in ears– Large muscles found in hind legsLarge muscles found in hind legs

CAT MUSCLESCAT MUSCLES

THE COAT – WHAT IS ITS THE COAT – WHAT IS ITS FUNCTION?FUNCTION?

Protects against Protects against cold, heat, sunlight, cold, heat, sunlight, water loss, injuries, water loss, injuries, and even parasites!and even parasites!

Also allows them Also allows them look beautifullook beautiful

EARSEARS They are all used to investigate They are all used to investigate

food, water, or unfamiliar objects.food, water, or unfamiliar objects. Ears for hunting and are much Ears for hunting and are much

more sensitive than a humans.more sensitive than a humans. Cochlea?-is an organ within the ear Cochlea?-is an organ within the ear

that allows the cat to detect and that allows the cat to detect and locate sounds very efficiently.locate sounds very efficiently.

IS THIS IS THIS POSSIBLE?POSSIBLE?

WHY?WHY?

NOSENOSE

Nose is especially sensitive!Nose is especially sensitive! They are all used to investigate They are all used to investigate

food, water, or unfamiliar objects.food, water, or unfamiliar objects.

NOSE RECEPTORNOSE RECEPTOR

Loctated in the lining of the nose- Loctated in the lining of the nose- lets them pick up smell of airborne lets them pick up smell of airborne items.items.

Olfactory mucosa- this area is Olfactory mucosa- this area is almost twice the size of humans.almost twice the size of humans.

PAWSPAWS Paws are especially sensitive!Paws are especially sensitive! They are all used to investigate They are all used to investigate

food, water, or unfamiliar objects.food, water, or unfamiliar objects.

CAN CATS BE DEAF?CAN CATS BE DEAF?

Due to genetics, this can happens Due to genetics, this can happens to white cats with blue eyes!!to white cats with blue eyes!!

EYESEYES 3 dimensional vision3 dimensional vision similar to other similar to other

animals, but has some animals, but has some extra features!extra features!

Has three eyelids! Yes Has three eyelids! Yes 3 eyelids!!3 eyelids!!

EYE CONTINUEDEYE CONTINUED

This Eyelid is the This Eyelid is the Nictating Nictating MembraneMembrane- it moves diagonally - it moves diagonally across eye under eyelid to help across eye under eyelid to help lubricate cornea.lubricate cornea.

HOW LONG BEFORE HOW LONG BEFORE KITTENS EYES OPEN?KITTENS EYES OPEN?

They stay closed for about They stay closed for about 10-12 10-12 days after birthdays after birth!!

But it takes about But it takes about 3 months3 months for for them to be them to be fully developedfully developed!!

MOUTHMOUTH Receptor in mouth. Receptor in mouth.

– And on the tongueAnd on the tongue

Papillae- knobs on the tongue used Papillae- knobs on the tongue used to hold, lick and scrape meat off to hold, lick and scrape meat off bones. bones.

Also is where the tasteAlso is where the taste buds are buds are located.located.

ADVANTAGES!ADVANTAGES!

Independent and self-sufficient.Independent and self-sufficient. Make excellent companions.Make excellent companions. Less care than dogs.Less care than dogs. Fit well in most apartment settings.Fit well in most apartment settings. Total cost is less, compared to a dog! Total cost is less, compared to a dog!

(vet, feed, etc.)(vet, feed, etc.) They are clean, very They are clean, very

little house training!little house training!

THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A CATPURCHASING A CAT

Be alert for signs of Be alert for signs of illness:illness:– Gums should be pale pink.Gums should be pale pink.– Eyes bright and clear.Eyes bright and clear.– Clean and shiny coat.Clean and shiny coat.

Purchase kittens at Purchase kittens at

8-12 weeks of age.8-12 weeks of age.

Periodontal disease

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CATYOUR CAT

The more attention you give it, the The more attention you give it, the closer it will be to you!closer it will be to you!

If you do not intend on breeding it, If you do not intend on breeding it, have them spayed or neutered!have them spayed or neutered!

Female kittens reach sexual Female kittens reach sexual maturity at 5 months, and will maturity at 5 months, and will come in heat every 3 weeks!come in heat every 3 weeks!

FEEDING YOUR CATFEEDING YOUR CAT

Cats require about twice as much Cats require about twice as much protein as dogs do!!protein as dogs do!!

The best source of protein is found The best source of protein is found in animal products!in animal products!

Should feed a commercial cat food.Should feed a commercial cat food.

Three Types of Cat Food -Three Types of Cat Food -

Canned food:Canned food:

More proteinMore protein higher water content.higher water content. Higher fat levelsHigher fat levels

Semi-moist food:Semi-moist food:

less expensiveless expensive only only 30%30% water water added chemicals added to keep added chemicals added to keep

from spoiling or drying out!from spoiling or drying out!

Dry food:Dry food:

10%10% water less fat, but also less water less fat, but also less protein!protein!

Cats on dry food need additional Cats on dry food need additional water all the time!water all the time!

May develop May develop bladderbladder problems- problems- due to not enough water in diet!due to not enough water in diet!

Keeps teeth clean!Keeps teeth clean!

Tips to remember!!Tips to remember!!

Never give your cat “dog” food- Why?Never give your cat “dog” food- Why? Amount given depends on size and age!Amount given depends on size and age! Lactating and pregnant cats need more Lactating and pregnant cats need more

to eat.to eat.

E.) ExerciseE.) Exercise

• depends on breed depends on breed and home life and home life (apartment vs. (apartment vs. farm)farm)

• Apartment cats Apartment cats may need “toys” to may need “toys” to keep activekeep active

F.) TrainingF.) Training

Train cat to use scratch post Train cat to use scratch post instead of drapery and furnitureinstead of drapery and furniture

Toilet training is easier with cats Toilet training is easier with cats because the naturally cover up because the naturally cover up their urine and feces.their urine and feces.

Cats can be trained to do tricks, Cats can be trained to do tricks, such as jumping through hoops, such as jumping through hoops, sitting, begging, and others.sitting, begging, and others.

VI. Grooming and CareVI. Grooming and Care

A.) Long - haired catsA.) Long - haired cats 1.) Need daily care or hair will get

tangled and matted 2.) Equipment needed: a.) comb b.) nail clippers c.) grooming brush made with

natural bristles d.) grooming powder

3.) Grooming3.) Grooming

a.) comb all areas with a wide-toothed comba.) comb all areas with a wide-toothed comb

b.) after coat is free of tangles use fine part b.) after coat is free of tangles use fine part of combof comb

c.) brush fur out in opposite direction hair c.) brush fur out in opposite direction hair growsgrows

d.) Sprinkle grooming powder in while d.) Sprinkle grooming powder in while brushingbrushing

B.) Short-haired catsB.) Short-haired cats

1.) grooming not necessary 1.) grooming not necessary every dayevery day

2.) Equipment includes:2.) Equipment includes:

a.) fine toothed or flea a.) fine toothed or flea combcomb

b.) rubber grooming b.) rubber grooming brushbrush

3.) Grooming3.) Grooming

a.) comb through hair a.) comb through hair gently watching for gently watching for

burs, burs, mats, or other mats, or other foreign foreign objectsobjects

b.) avoid over brushingb.) avoid over brushing

C.) Bathing• not necessary, except show cats must be

bathed often.

• Mild shampoo, or baby shampoo should be used

D.) Regular Grooming

1.) Ears

•check for mites (dark, crumbly residue in ear). This can be treated with ear drops from a vet.

2.) Eyes

•should be bright and clear, if staining occurs, gently wash

3.) Teeth and Gums

•check for soreness, tartar build up must be treated by a vet

•4.) Claws

•require trimming, careful not to trim to the pink area as this will cause pain and bleeding. Cats using a scratching post don’t need trimming very often.

The End!!!The End!!!