Category: Cat Facts

Size


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

Ever wonder why some cats are large and some are small like house cats? For that matter, ever notice how the big and small cats act much like each other? Well, apparently for cats, it doesn’t matter what our size is, we will act the same. The main differences affect how we can talk and whether we’re likely to interact with humans.

Scientists have discovered we smaller cats share most of our DNA with bigger cats. So, that’s why it doesn’t matter what size we are. Unless humans just find the small version cuter than their bigger counterparts. We small ones can still be dangerous if cornered. So, be careful with us.

Why Are Cats So Small?
https://betterwithcats.net/why-are-cats-so-small/
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Deaf


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

Sometimes cats are born deaf or lose their hearing from other causes. As a cat I can tell you, hearing is quite important for us. It helps us to hear our prey or hear what our humans tell us. Without hearing, cats can’t hear their humans talking. But if the environment is safe and the deaf cat stays indoors, they can have a good life. They can feel vibrations and see movement. So, humans might have to tread louder so the cat knows they are approaching.

Deaf cats especially like to be up high so they can survey their territory easily. Cats in general like to be up high, but it can be safer for a deaf cat to be able to get up high easily. Or if they live with another cat who can hear, they can rely on the other cat for visual cues.

So, if you find you have a deaf cat, make sure they have a safe high place they can get to and tread loud. Don’t forget to pet them. They will still like the affection as we all do.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/what-know-adopting-deaf-cat

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Night Vision


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

Ever wonder why cat’s pupils are shaped differently than humans? It allows us to see in low levels of light. We cats can see better and more clearly in the dark than humans can. Having night vision allows us to be nocturnal and hunt prey. It’s sad you can’t see as well as we can. My girl used to walk into me in the dark. I’m glad she told me and apologized about it. So, when she turned out the lights and walked too close to me, I told her and then she didn’t step on me. At least she can hear.

https://www.cathealth.com/cat-health/vision/1203-cat-night-vision

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Tree


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

We cats do like to climb trees. It’s fun, but not when we get stuck and unsure of how to get back down to the ground. Then it’s downright terrifying. So, when that happens, we do the most reasonable thing, we call for our humans!

My girl was with Spot when he climbed his first tree. Then he got too high and panicked. He called for her. She calmly urged him to turn around and climb back down. Eventually, he did and she didn’t need to call for professional rescuers.

https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-safety-tips/how-to-help-cat-stuck-in-tree

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Personality


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

As my girl can tell you, we cats have our own individual personality. We don’t act exactly like all other cats. We have differences just like you humans. Researchers in the UK have determined we cats have five different personality types. Nervous, bossy, outgoing, spontaneous and agreeable.

I don’t recall living with any nervous cats, unless you mean me. I liked to have a safe space to hide. Or am I bossy? I know I can be quite assertive when it comes to my needs and wants. I know I’m definitely not outgoing. I like my alone time too much. Spontaneous—uh, could that be Spot and Isis and Nuri? They are quite playful. I don’t know where they got all that energy from. It tended to drive me crazy. And finally, there is agreeable. That definitely wasn’t me. Those are probably the cats who as kittens were socialized by cats and humans alike and are easy to get along with.

With our personalities, I can see why it’s hard to live with just one cat at a time. No wonder it’s all too easy for many humans to opt for more than one cat.

The Five Cat Personality Types
https://cats.com/cat-personality-types
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Age


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

Cats age faster than humans. I know it’s something my girl has always been aware of. She decided to just go with it and enjoy the time she has with us. Seems to me it worked out well for her.

Kittens and adult cats age at different rates. Kittens that are a year old are about 15 years old in human years. And once kittens are fully grown adults at two years old are about 24 years old in human years. After that, adult cats age four years per one human year.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-old-is-my-cat-in-human-years

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Catgut


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

There has been some misunderstanding of which animal catgut used as strings on musical instruments is from. Many people have thought it was made from cat intestines. The intestine part is correct, but cats (thank goodness) aren’t the animals.

The animals were sheep, goats, cattle, hogs, horses, mules or donkeys. My girl would still frown about this. Who can blame her when she’s a vegan? I’m just glad they didn’t get the strings from cats.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catgut

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Pregnancy


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

Female cats who are unfixed can get pregnant. Pregnancy lasts two months with about 20 days per trimester. Cats have three trimesters just like humans. When it’s close to time to giving birth, a mother cat will seek out a safe nest to have her kittens. A box with some towels in an area that doesn’t have any drafts is ideal.

About 24 hours after selecting a nest, a mother cat can go into labor. If everything is fine, she will be able to give birth to all her kittens within six hours. Then she will have kittens to nurse for a few weeks.

Ugh. Kittens are annoying. I know because I raised one even though I’m a boy. Hopefully, all will go well, but if something goes wrong, please contact a vet immediately. The mother and kittens deserve a chance even if they do annoy me.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/reproductive/cat-pregnancy-and-kittens-complete-guide

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Tom


graphic by Ali Noel Vyain

A male cat that’s isn’t fixed. He will probably spray to mark his territory and go looking for unfixed female cats. I was fixed as a kitten, so I’m not technically a tom, though I could meow like one. My girl didn’t appreciate me doing that. It seemed to shocked her.

https://petkeen.com/why-are-male-cats-called-toms/

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