Cats have distinct characteristics that make them a cat
Cats have distinct characteristics that make them a cat. Cats can also have distinct or certain ways to get taken care of, they have ways from the small kitten to the senior cat. The ways cats have been domesticated also have been different. Cats have evolved over times through domestication and now they have similar but different characteristics and ways to get taken care of.
The characteristics of a cat are different, “Cats have 32 muscles that control the outer ear” (Cozycatfurniture.com). The cats hearing is also a lot more sensitive than humans so they can hear more high pitched sounds that humans can not. Along with the cats hearing, their paws are also very sensitive. The paws have touch sensors that make them sensitive. They also have a sensitive smell and their canines rest on sensitive tissue.
Cats may also have the biggest eyes of any mammal. They have a great peripheral vision, “Their field of vision is 185 degrees” (Cozycatfurniture.com). The vision of a cat is pretty far considering their size. Cats have full inner-eyelids that close a little bit when they are sick. The most common eye color of a cat is yellow or green, cats with blue eyes are rare but are usually deaf.
The cat’s body is small but has a lot of bones, “A cat has 250 bones in their body” (Cozycatfurniture.com). Cats are also a lot smaller than a human but they have many more places to ben and twist. While almost 10 percent of a cat’s bones are found in its tail, the tail itself is used to maintain balance. A domesticated cat can usually walk with its tail vertical. Cats can compress their spines, making them smaller so they can leap. The body temperature of a cat is around 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Cats also use extra tissue in their voicebox to purr. Cats can also have freckles.
A new baby kitten needs spaying and neutering, usually recommended while they are a kitten, “Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures to remove reproductive organs” (Vetstreet.com). Using spaying and neutering should use anesthesia. Spaying and neutering can also help with overpopulation and makes it much less likely to get serious health problems. It may also keep cats from wandering and roaming around. Kittens also require special care within the first few days. Kittens should also be tested for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus so they can get the typical treatment early on so they won’t get seriously hurt. Giving a physical examination, tested and treated for parasites and vaccinated. Also offering a couple hiding places for the kitten will make it feel much safer.
Kittens also need two to three more nutrients than the average adult cat. When a kitten is three to six months old they should be fed three times a day, then cut down to twice a day after six months. Almost all cats need physical activities, because it improves muscle tone and reduces appetite, it can also stop cats from going overweight or too obese, “To get a cat moving use play toys or treats” (Vetstreet.com). Using toys with string or a small piece of a toy can make a cat choke. With bathing, a person should get the cat in and out of the bath quickly, and have all of the supplies ready, and avoid the eyes. One should also get clipping and grooming done, while their nails are shorter it should reduce scratches. After the bath soap left in the fur may cause skin irritation or a rash.
A senior cat should be constantly watched, as their immune system is not as it once was. Also, one should watch a senior cat see if they may have health issues. A vet will the cats’ appearance and body functions to see if they are healthy or not. An old cat should be able to access their food and water, but they should still be watched for their health.
Cats were first thought to be domesticated 400 years ago in Egypt but, their history has been farther back, “Wildcats are now known to have lived among people over 100,000 years ago and to have been domesticated there 12,000 BCE” (Ancient.eu). Cats have been seen to have been domesticated 4,000 years ago but they could have also have been domesticated earlier. The closest relative to the domesticated at lived more than 100,000 years ago. Dr. Kitchener wanted to find out when cats were domesticated studied a 1983 CE cat skeleton found at Cyprus, this island was a non-populated cat area so settlers must have brought them there.
Then in 450 BCE killing a cat had a penalty of death. When a cat dies the inhabitants of the house as Herodotus writes, “All of the inhabitants of a house must shave their eyebrows as a sign of deep mourning” (Ancient.eu). Back on Egypt cats were worshipped so when a cat died the inhabitants of the house must do something as a sign they were so very sad. Cats were also found mummified in Egypt with or near their owners. In 525 BCE soldiers had painted images of cats on their shields in a battle of Pelusium. In the second century CE after surrender Cambyses hurled cats in faces of defeated Egyptians. The story of Puss in Boots 1628-1703 CE came from a much older Indian folktale Panchatantra in the 5th century BCE. Cats were housed in Japan and considered valuable and royalty in 10th century CE. In 1227-1241 CE Pone Gregory proposed that cats were evil especially black so he had them killed (Ancient.eu). It is said that
because of that in 1348, the cat population decreased, then in 1837-1901 cats were considered royalty again.
Cats and their domestication may have changed the lives of modern-day cats today. The characteristics may not have changed much, but it may have changed the way they acted so they get taken care of differently. Depending on young or old there are many necessary things to do to take care of a cat. So the history of cats, their characteristics and ways to take care of them have many changing outcomes.
