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Cats are becoming one of the most popular
domestic animals in the Western world and one of the reasons is that the
cats are very affectionate, domesticated and extremely devoted
companions. There are approximately 100 million cats in the Western
world and this figure is increasing.
Physical Attributes: Cats are built
as a perfect hunting animal; they have powerful jaws, long sharp teeth
and claws. Cats have acute hearing (more sensitive than dogs) and
excellent eyesight that is
adapted for dim which enables them to hunt mainly after dusk and before
dawn. Generally, the muscles of a cat are thin and flexible which enable
a cat to move with a great speed and ease.
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Scientific Information |
| Kingdom: |
Animalia |
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Subkingdom: |
Eumetazoa |
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Phylum: |
Chordata |
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Subphylum:
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Vertebrata |
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Class:
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Mammalia |
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Subclass: |
Theria |
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Order: |
Carnivora |
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Suborder: |
Feliformia |
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Genus:
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Felis |
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Family: |
Felidae |
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Species: |
F. catus |
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Subfamily: |
Felinae |
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Reproductive System: A cat can give
birth to litters of three to five kittens, with the first litter usually
smaller than subsequent litters. The gestation period for cats is
approximately 63–65 days. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven
weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at 4–10 months (females)
and to 5–7 months (males). Cats can be surgically sterilized (spayed or
castrated) as early as 6–8 weeks to limit unwanted reproduction. Major Breeds of
Cats |
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Bengal cat:
The Bengal cat has wild looking striped or spotted coat, looks
much like a small leopard or jaguar. |
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Burmese cat:
The modern Burmese was developed in the 1930s. They are
divided into two categories, the Burmese and the European
Burmese. The Burmese cat is usually seen in North America and it
is more rounded than the Oriental-looking and angular European
Burmese. |
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Sphynx cat: Sphynx
skin is covered with suede-like peach fuzz that, to the touch,
feels like moss. This unique velvety appearance makes it one of
the most unusual cat breeds today.. |
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Munchkin cat:
This unusual looking cat has very short legs, much like the
Dachshund dog breed. It is a very new breed and has not yet been
recognized by most associations. |
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Persian cat: Their
silky and luxurious coats make them highly recognizable. In
Britain , they are still referred to by their original name,
''Longhairs.'' |
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Russian Blue cat:
The Russian Blue breed is well known for its coat,
which is a striking silvery blue. The fur is very dense; when
touched, indentations are left in the coat. |
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Tonkinese cat:
Cross-bred from the Burmese and Siamese, this gorgeous breed
makes a wonderful housecat. The Tonkinese is one of the most
intelligent cats, with an air of condescension and an extremely
playful, sociable nature. |
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Cats' Diet
Cats are purely carnivores animal and
require a lot of protein and vitamins in their diet. Vitamin
deficiencies can lead to widely ranging clinical abnormalities that
reflect the diversity of their metabolic roles. They also require
Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. Therefore their diet
should include lots of raw meet, canned food, dried food and milk.
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Tips for cat caring
1) Fix an ID Tag to your dog that includes your
name, address and telephone no.: ID Tag helps your cat to come to
you safely in case your pet lost somewhere.
2) Give your cat protein rich food: The
basic diet of a cat should consist of at least 60% of proteins which can
includes ground beef, raw or cooked organic chicken, eggs once a week if
desired as well as some cooked fish or other meats such as turkey,
rabbit or organ meats. Approximately 20% of the cat’s diet should
include vegetables such as be lightly steamed broccoli, carrots,
zucchini, cauliflower, corn, or any other vegetables that your cat
happens to enjoy.
3) Spay or neuter your pet. This will keep
her healthier and will reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
4) Play with your cat: However, the cats do
not require the same level of exercise as dog needs. Still, they need
some kind of regular playing sessions which can provide him regular
exercise and mental stimulation as well as strengthens the bond of
companionship.
5) Provide them suitable feeding equipments:
Have bowls that are just for your cats so that the family crockery
wouldn’t mixed with. Apart from that, the cat feels more comfortable
settling to your home if he has its own crockery.
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Common
diseases of cats:
Respiratory
infections: This is similar to cold to as the human beings
normally had. The symptoms of this include sneezing, running nose, red
eyes and loss in appetite.
Rabies:
It is a viral disease that is
transmitted through bite wounds from infected animals and attacks the
nervous system. It can be prevented through vaccination and by keeping
your cat indoors.
Feline
panleukopenia:
This is another viral disease which is
transmitted through contact with humans, infected animals, etc. The
sudden impression of this disease comes with vomiting, loss of appetite
and diarrhea Prevent this disease by getting your cat vaccinated against
this virus.
Treats:
Treats can provide an extra supplement to your cat's diet and provide
regular exercise to them. The diet should include extra source of
nutrition. Cooked meat such as beef, lamb or pork should be cooled
before serving. Excessive eating can lead to overweight so avoid that
and properly vaccinated your cats from time to time.
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