Why I like Cats

    I like cats because they are beautiful animals and they are loyal animals. They are very playful and know how to have fun.

Why Cats are Good Pets

    Cats are good pets because they are great companions, and they can make your lives easier by taking away vermin from your home.

Who Should NOT Have Cats

    People that shouldn't have cats are people that are known to abuse/neglect animals, or have allergic reactions to them.

Allergic reactions to cat dander and/or cat saliva inspire one of the most common reasons people cite for disliking cats. Some humans who are allergic to cats—typically manifested by hay fever, asthma, or a skin rash—quickly acclimate themselves to a particular animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining an allergy to cats in general. However, this should not be depended upon.

Many humans find the rewards of cat companionship outweigh the discomfort and problems associated with these allergens. Some cope with the problem by taking prescription allergy medicine, along with bathing their cats frequently (weekly bathing will eliminate about 90% of the cat dander present in the environment). There are also attempts to breed cats that are less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.

Basic Care of Cats

    House cats should be kept inside at all times, lest they come in contact with another feral cat and they get in a fight. Cats should be given the type of food that is right for them and clean, clear water to drink. If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, then your should go to your local pet hospital and have them neuter/spayed. This also lets them live longer. You should also comb/brush your cat so their hair doesn't shed all over your furniture and carpet.

Cat

    The cat is known as felis catus, also known as the domestic cat or house cat. Cats are valued by humans for their companionship and its ability to hunt rodents and other unwanted household pets. Cats have been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.

    Skilled in hunting, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. Cats can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to operate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping clicking and grunting. Cats may be the most popular animals in the world, with over 600 million in homes all over the world. They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets.

History

    Cats have been kept by humans since ancient Egypt, where Bast (the solar and war goddess) in cat form was the goddess of the home, the domesticated cat, protector of the fields and home from vermin infestations, and sometimes took on the warlike aspect of a lioness.

    Several ancient religions believed that cats are sacred souls, companions or guides for humans. In Japan, the Maneki Neko is a cat that is a symbol of "good fortune."

There are also some negative superstitions about cats in many cultures. An example would be the belief that a black cat crossing your path was bad luck.

Myth

    According to a myth in many cultures, cats have nine lives. The myth is from the natural suppleness and swiftness cats exhibit to escape life-threatening situations.

Interaction with Humans

Because of their small size, domesticated house cats pose almost no major danger to adult humans — the main hazard is the possibility of infection (e.g., cat scratch disease, or, rarely, rabies) from a cat bite or scratch. Cats can also potentially inflict severe scratches or puncture an eye, though this is quite rare.

Fondness of Heights

    Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its territory and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats are known to strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a leopard. Height, therefore, can also give cats a sense of security.

During a fall from a high place, a cat can reflexively twist its body and right itself using its acute sense of balance and flexibility. This is known as the cat's "righting reflex". It always rights itself in the same way, provided it has the time to do so, during a fall.

Types of Cats

Abyssinian American Bobtail American Curl American Shorthair American Wirehair Balinese Bengal Birman Bombay British Shorthair Burmese Cat California Spangled Cat Chartreux Colorpoint Shorthair Cornish Rex Javanese Cymric Devon Rex Egyptian Mau European Burmese Exotic Shorthair Havana Brown Himalayan Japanese Bobtail Korat Maine Coon Manx Cat Munchkin Nebelung Norwegian Forest Cat Ocicat Oriental Persian Ragdoll Russian Blue Scottish Fold Selkirk Rex Siamese Siberian Singapura Snowshoe Somali Sphynx Tiffany Tonkinese Turkish Angora Turkish Van York Chocolate

Mackerel Tabby Cat Siamese Cat, colorprint pattern Female Tortoiseshell-and-white cat

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Page Author: Erika N.
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Created: May 2009
Graphics and some Info Courtesy of Wikipedia and Jumpy