Article

Cats

This site is dedicated to my former cats, Eddy and Zeke. I barely remember you, but I will always miss you.

Leif Wilhelm

Grade 3

About cats

Cats are incredibly endearing animals that humans have developed a great fondness for. In this article, I'll tell you everything you need to know about them.

The history of cats

Cats were domesticated between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, proving that even ancient peoples were captivated by these adorable creatures. The common ancestor of all cats was the southwest Asian wildcat, Felis silvestris lybrica. Cat species can include many different creatures, from tigers to domestic cats.

Cat sanctuaries

Some countries with large stray cat populations, like Rome, have cat sanctuaries that care for them. In my opinion, it's a great idea, because who wouldn't want to be around these adorable creatures? Founded in 1992 by Lynea Lattanzio, The Cat House on the Kings is California's largest cage-free, euthanasia-free, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center. The sanctuary is situated on 12 acres along the Kings River in Parlier, California, approximately 20 miles southeast of Fresno in the Central Valley.

Wild cats

Wild cats can be found all over the world, from frozen tundras to hot deserts and rainforests. The definition of a wild cat is simply cats that don't live in people's homes. Some commonly known wild cats are:

• Lions

• Tigers

• Cheetahs

• Leopards

• Lynx

Domestic cats

Domestic cats is the term used to describe cats that live in people's homes. There are 51 types of domestic cats. Domestic cats are usually smaller than wild cats, but this isn't always the case; some wild cats are the size of a domestic cat. The top ten domestic cats are…

1. Exotic Shorthair Cats

2. Ragdoll Cats

3. British Shorthair Cats

4. Persian cats

5. Maine Coon Cats

6. American Shorthair Cats

7. Scottish Fold Cats

8. Sphynx cats

9. Abyssinian cats

10. Devon Rex Cats

Parts of a cat's body

Cats have adapted to have many amazing characteristics. In the following paragraphs, I will show you these characteristics and explain their uses.

Ears

Cats have amazing ears that can hear sounds both higher and lower than humans. Their ears can rotate to hear sounds from all around them and are very sensitive to noise. While humans have six ears, cats' ears have 32 muscles, allowing them to rotate 180°. Kittens are born with their ear canals closed, so they cannot hear until they are at least a week old. Deafness is common in white cats with blue eyes because this gene often causes the cat to be deaf.

Claws

Cats' claws are unique. They can retract into their paws and extend at will. Cats use muscles to extend and retract them. They use V-shaped muscles to extend and retract the claw; when they do this, the claw curves so the sharp end can't injure the paw.

Purr

While purring isn't technically a body part, I decided to include it here. The reason we find cat purrs so relaxing is because it's actually a frequency that strengthens their bones. Here are some facts about purring:

• Happiness: A cat may purr when it is content, relaxed, or sociable. For example, a cat may purr softly while curled up in the sun.

• Hunger: A cat may purr when it's time to eat. When cats purr to eat, they may also emit an unpleasant cry or meow.

• Stress: A cat may purr as a coping mechanism for stress. For example, a cat may purr loudly in a veterinary hospital to calm itself or to communicate that it is being soothed.

• Pain management: Loud purring can help cats with pain.

• Anxiety: Loud purring can help cats with anxiety.

• Body healing: loud purring can help cats heal their bodies.

• Communication: Cats purr to communicate with other cats. For example, kittens may purr to let their mothers know where they are or that they are okay.

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Tongues, mouths and noses

Cats' tongues are (in my opinion) very interesting. They have tiny hooks, and that's how cats groom themselves. The roof of their mouths has an "extra nose" that can taste the air, so they essentially have a sense of smell. Cats have unique nose prints, just like our fingerprints.

How to care for a cat

If you've read this article and now want a cat as a pet, look no further! In this section, we'll tell you how to care for a cat as a pet.

Adopting a cat

It's better to adopt a cat from a shelter rather than a pet store. Shelters take in stray cats, while pet stores breed cats to make money. There are many different types of cats. Besides coat patterns, there are other characteristics that define them. For example, long-haired cats versus short-haired cats. In my opinion, it's better to adopt a kitten that will be your companion for a long time. Cats get along better in pairs; they can keep each other company.

Play

Cats generally love playing with things that have string-like textures, but remember that every cat is different. You can find a variety of different toys at any pet store. It's best to find the type of toy your cat enjoys most. Cats also love to play with each other. It might look like they're wrestling, but they're just playing.

Sleep

You may have heard that cats are nocturnal. This may be true for wild cats, but domestic cats have their own schedules. They can fall asleep practically anywhere. If a cat falls asleep in your lap, great job! You've earned its trust.