Amazing Cat Protecting Babies ✯ Cats Always Love Babies
Showing posts with label cat facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cat facts. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 May 2017
10:01
When notorious "Queen of Mean" Leona Helmsley died in 2008, many people were shocked that one provision of her will allocated $12 million for the care of her dog, a Maltese Terrier named Trouble. Yet as one psychoanalyst explained to the New York Times, it's not all that unusual for humans to show a distinct preference for animals over their fellow humans. "Humans tend to be very disappointing—notice our divorce rate," said Joel Gavriele-Gold, the analyst and also the author of a book entitled When Pets Come Between Our Partners. "Dogs are not hurtful and humans are. People are inconsistent and dogs are fairly consistent."
Based on the lavish lifestyles provided to Trouble and other
dogs—as well as cats, monkeys, and even pet chickens—Helmsley apparently wasn't
the only one to feel that animals are more deserving of pampering and special
care than people. Here's a top 10 list of animals with fortunes that most mere
humans can only dream of.
1.Gunther
IV
When Countess Karlotta Libenstein of
Germany died in 1991, she left her entire $80 million fortune to her pet, a
German shepherd named Gunther III. Trustees of the estate have done well with
investments, turning the inheritance into roughly $375 million, which now
belongs to the next in line, Gunther IV. The pampered, jet-setting dog owns
villas in Italy and the Bahamas, and in 2000 purchased Madonna's Miami Beach
mansion for $7.5 million.
2.Grumpy
Cat
The
Internet's favorite kitty—circa 2014 anyway—had to be Grumpy Cat, the pet whose
seemingly ever-depressed frown helped it net a personal coffee brand,
a Christmas movie, and nearly 1 million followers on Instagram.
Grumpy Cat's worth has been estimated at $1 million and
even $100 million. Her owner says the latter is an exaggeration, but
it's not clear by how much.
3.Toby Rimes
Toby, a poodle owned by Ella Wendel, the last remaining sister
of a New York family that amassed phenomenal wealth in the Gilded Age, slept in
a miniature four-poster bed in his home on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue and dined
nightly at a brass table with a velvet tablecloth and napkins. Though some
2,300 people claimed to be heirs to Wendel and her real estate holdings, worth
$40 million when she died in 1931, none came away with the money. Most accounts
say that her fortune was passed along to the poodle, though Toby only outlived
his owner by a few months, according to a report by New Jersey's Drew
University—which was one of a handful of charitable institutions that
eventually wound up splitting the estate.
4.Blackie
According to Guinness World Records, the world's wealthiest
cat ever was Blackie, who inherited an estate worth $13 million when his owner,
a British antiques dealer named Ben Rea, died in 1988. Granted, Internet
sensation Grumpy Cat may be worth far more than that if you believe some of the
estimates that have been passed around.
5.Tommaso
Yet another ultra-rich cat, Tommaso was a stray found in Rome
and taken in by an elderly Italian woman named Maria Assunta. She reportedly
left a $13 million fortune to the rags-to-riches cat when she died in
2011. "I promised her that I would look after the cat when she was no
longer around," explained Assunta's former nurse, who said she had no
idea how rich the woman was and wound up being asked to care for Tommaso after
Assunta passed away. "She wanted to be sure that Tommaso would be loved
and cuddled." Money like that can buy a lot of cuddling, that's for sure.
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
05:18
A vet’s perspective on whether a cat should
be free to roam or kept indoors only
Dangers of the outside world
Last Saturday, the veterinary nurse working with me remarked that she had four cats in for the weekend recovering from injuries sustained from being hit by a car. During the course of the morning, I treated three cats for cat bite abscesses and another cat was admitted with serious injuries after an RTA (road traffic accident).
These are just two reasons for confining a cat. If your cat is not out and about, then there is no chance of him/her being hit by a car or being involved in a cat fight. There is, as ever, more to it than that!
Cat fights
RTA: Yes, RTA and catfights are often concurrent, it not being uncommon to find wounds from a cat fight on a cat which has been involved in an RTA.
Imagine the scenario: two cats fighting in a deserted road when a car comes along. Alternatively, cats fighting near a road, one dashes for safety across a road just as a car comes along.
It may be that a car driving along a road disturbs a catfight, causing one or both to shoot across the road, into the path of traffic.
Infection: Mixing and fighting with other cats of unknown health status can potentially expose your cat to infection with many disease agents, for example:
● Viruses and other infectious causes of upper respiratory disease
● FeLV (Feline Leukaemia Virus)
● FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
● Ringworm
Ectoparasites: Although the house is now recognised as being a source of fleas, cats will obviously acquire fleas from other animals encountered outside. Ticks may also be picked up from hedgehogs, for example, as may ringworm.
Cat bite abscesses: Classically, bite wounds heal over at the surface and may even have been inapparent to the owner.
Over the next few days, however, an abscess may form by virtue of infection injected deep under the skin by the assailant’s teeth; the affected cat often becomes unwell, going off his/ her food, seeking out a quiet place and sleeping more, usually reflecting a fever. Swelling and heat of the affected area may become noticeable as the abscess develops.
If taken to a veterinary surgeon at this stage, we often find that the fur can be readily plucked from the area of swelling to reveal scabbed puncture wounds; if the scabs are picked off, there is usually the welcome sight of pus, confirming a cat bite abscess rather than anything more sinister.
Left to follow a natural course, the abscess ultimately bursts, discharging a volume of smelly pus via a hole in the skin which may be of quite a considerable size.
Treatment consists of:
● expressing as much pus as possible
● flushing out the resultant cavity under the skin
● bathing with salty water (one teaspoonful of salt in one pint or half a litre of warm water) twice daily, if tolerated
● a course of appropriate antibiotic.
Diet
Although cats are natural hunters, they will also avail themselves of other food found whilst out and about. This may pose a threat to their health:
Weight-gain:
● we all know of the cats who are fed at several houses! Dietary intolerances:
● lactose-intolerant cat drinking (thieving!) another cat’s milk will develop diarrhoea, of unknown origin to the owner;
● exclusion diet for investigation of skin or digestive disorder will seem to be ineffective if cat is eating other food elsewhere!
● dietary indiscretion
● adverse effects from over-eating and/ or sudden change to diet;
● adverse effects of access to ‘forbidden foods’ for cats on prescription diets;
● inadvertent ingestion of another cat’s medication mixed with food?
In general, one looks on the cat as being a free agent, with access to the outside world, unlike the dog which is required to be kept within the boundaries of its home, with supervision and control when away from home. Cats kept for breeding are confined for various reasons (disease control and restriction of mating, for example) but the house-cat is what I am really considering here.
The house-cat may or may not be pedigree, a decision to either totally preclude access to outside or to only allow limited access - under close supervision or in a suitable pen - having been made by the owner. This decision may have been made in order to avoid the dangers outlined above but there are also advantages to being a house-cat:
● close human contact
● no need to vaccinate against FeLV (link with injection site fibrosarcoma under investigation)
● avoidance of contamination of outside environment with feline urine and faeces; strict control of diet
● wildlife not endangered – more birds in the garden, for example
Toxoplasmosis
This is a zoonosis, meaning that it can transfer from cat to human with potential health risks. Handling of cat faeces, be they in the litter tray or hidden in the garden, is the major source of exposure, and is therefore a problem with both roaming and confined cats.
Conclusion
I am well aware that the issue of whether or not a cat should be con- fined is contentious. The very idea of preventing a cat from enjoying all that the outside environment has to offer, and the ability to do all that comes natural to cats, may be considered cruel in some people’s eyes. I have merely tried to show some examples of the advantages and disadvantages for both lifestyles.
Myself, I was brought up in the country but living on a sharp bend of a busy road, and we always had at least four cats, often with a litter of kittens sired by one of our own cats or the local stray - if he had not already moved in with us! Our cats had full and free access to the great outdoors, via an ever-open cat-flap in the back door. They had their own sleeping places in the conservatory or one of the sheds, daytime and/or night-time.
My childhood memories are dominated by fruitless searches for missing cats – foxes were blamed but I wonder what role cars had to play. Certainly, my last cat took us by surprise because we had always thought he never left the garden, until he appeared limping one day, having been hit by a car.
If they had been house-cats, they would not have ventured onto the road or encountered foxes and other cats. Nor would they have hunted and caught mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits, guinea-fowl, doves…
They would also have not enjoyed the rich diversity which the countryside has to offer. They may, however, have lived longer.
Saturday, 1 April 2017
05:00
cat ʻstuffʼ
I
was recently amazed to find how many items in my home feature cats: here is a
tongue in cheek look at receiving cat-themed gifts
Have
you ever looked around your living room or bedroom and counted the number of
catrelated items there? I’m not talking scratch posts or litter trays - more,
cat-embellished photo frames, mugs or cushions.
Since when did being a cat lover invite friends and family to
assume that you wish everything you own to have a cat on it? Of course I’m exaggerating slightly but it seems that every
time my birthday or Christmas comes around, I am inundated with gifts that are
either cat-shaped (door stop, ornaments, key ring) or have a picture of cats on
them (cushion, tote bag, coasters, photo frame…and many more!). I didn’t ask for this theme for my gifts…they just keep appearing.
When I go out I pass a cat-shaped plant pot by my porch, usually
filled with cat grass or other greenery. I take cats for a walk by wearing one
of three pairs of cat earrings, a silver cat brooch on my coat lapel and carry
a black shopping bag with ‘cats rule’ emblazoned
across each side. As I step into my hallway a sign urges visitors to ‘love me, love my cat’…most do but I can’t be certain the cat will reciprocate.
If you can draw or paint cats then I’m sure you must be one of the many designers
featured on the cat-themed birthday cards that land on my doormat each year.
Glittery cats, cats in hats, cats with big Cheshire-cat-like grins, cats in
wellington boots, cats asleep, cats looking through a window…you name it, I’m sure I’ve had that card at one time or another. They
do brighten the place up though and prevent the need to dust the window sill
for a few days!
My real cat, Smudge, doesn’t seem to mind these imposters too much and to
be honest, I actually look forward to seeing what will be added to my
collection next. Smudge will usually take a quick glance and, if he approves, a
sniff or two but he knows he’s always going to occupy the number one spot in my ‘cat stuff’ as far as I’m concerned.
Tuesday, 7 March 2017
01:15
Is my cat happy??? You want to
your feline as in the Apple of your eye and you want to know if he's on your
side? If you look at home some of these signs (or even all), the answer should
be "Yes!"
If know how to talk with words, the cat expressed with us through
that difficult to understand as adorable facial expressions and behaviors.
However, if you spot one of the signs below, it means that you have no concern
for their well-being at your side.
.
1. Your cat looks at you by blinking slowly
Imagine the scene: you're sitting quietly drinking your tea and,
your cat sits in front of you, well upright ears on the head. He stares at you,
his eyes blink slowly when your eyes meet. No, he's not trying to coax you to
SIP your nectar. On the other hand it makes you know that he is relaxed and
your presence is far from bothering.
2. your cat makes your toilet
(and hers)
The cat is a valuable animal that likes to feel good about
yourself. It therefore never fails an opportunity to take care of his soft
fleece. When it reproduces this behavior on you, it shows that he is happy, you
trusted and esteem you as one of their own.
3. your cat made you gifts
He comes out and you bring prey, does not come out and offers you
some balls of paper? Your cat is well with you and treat you like a peer to
help hunt. Yes, even if it is domesticated.
4. your cat lies on his back
in front of you
A cat that shows her belly is a cat who trusts. Thus revealing to
you, it shows you that he feels loved and protected.
5. your cat exposes you its
posterior
We agree, this dive on the intimate parts of her cat is never very
pleasant to live. However, it is her way to tell you that he's happy with you
and so testify you his affection.
6. your cat rubs against your
head or your legs
During this Exchange, the cat put pheromones on you. These species
of hormones reflect a significant sense of confidence in your.
7. your cat purrs wisely
Signal of well-being through excellence, the hum is manifested
usually as the cat is extremely relaxed. It's his way of getting his master
what it takes full advantage of the present moment. However, excess, this
behavior can mean that your cat is stressed and therefore seeks to reassure
themselves.
8. your cat kneads you and
lie on you
In 'patounant' on you, your cat makes you understand that it is
able to completely let go of decision-making at your side. And when he goes to
sleep near you: do you feel honored. It makes you here the most b eautiful
compliments...
9. your cat is active and
playful
A good cat in his body and in his head is a cat who never
hesitates to play with you when you give him the opportunity. As more this Act
can only bring closer you!
10. your cat has good appetite
As important as logical point: a happy cat is a cat who don't
begrudge his bowl. As long as he'll taste for life by your side and be in good
health, he will welcome always the time of the feast with pleasure not
dissimulated!
To improve your complicity, feel free to take a look at all our
tricks to make your happy cat!
Read also :
The
signs that prove your cat loves you
Monday, 6 March 2017
01:31
I think most cats are just
"smart enough" for their situation. For instance, barn cats are smart
enough to learn how to prey upon, kill, and consume rodents, and other critters
if they're not given "traditional" cat food by their owners.
Social AbilityIs your cat social? Of course, dogs are known to be demonstrably sociable animals. Dogs want to interact with you. They greet you at the door, they want to sit next to you, and they crave the love and affection you offer. This should not be mistaken for intelligence. “I have a cat that greets me at the door and follows me around, like a dog,” says Dr. Jeff Werber, an Emmy-award winning celebrity veterinarian who cares for celebrity pets like Lassie, as well as for the pets of Hollywood stars such as Ben Affleck, Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, and Britney Spears, among others. Werber says a cat’s social ability is oftentimes less interactive than a dog’s, but that doesn’t necessarily signal a sign of intelligence. “We own dogs,” says Werber. “Cats own us.”
1. Test your cat’s intelligence: How social is your kitty? Does he come when called? Does he greet you when you come home? Does he plop next to you on the sofa because he knows that’s how to get petted?
Survival Skills“I think it depends on how you want to define smarts. If it goes by survival, cats are hands down winners,” says Werber. When you see a cat walking around on the street, do you stop and say, “Oh My Gosh, let me catch it and take it to the shelter, it must be lost.” Probably not. But many would agree that a dog needs help finding a safe place to be until his owners find him.
If you took a cat and a dog and put them outside to fend for themselves for ten days, the cat will likely come back fat and happy, says Werber. “The dog, on the other hand, if it does well, it’s not because he did it on his own, it’s because he endeared himself to some strangers.”Does that mean dogs are dumb when it comes to surviving on their own? Not likely. It just signifies that cats have a more self-reliant nature, some street smarts, and a knack for looking after themselves.
2. Test your cat’s intelligence: Do you have reservations about leaving your cat for a night or a weekend with a fresh litter box and enough food and water for the time you’re gone? If not, you have a self-reliant survival-smart cat and he’s probably plenty intelligent.
MemoryBoth cats and dogs may have a good memory. Werber has six cats that all get fed at the same time, yet they eat in different areas. Each cat knows exactly where he lines up for chow every evening without fail. Just like Sayle’s cat Blue knows what time to get up in the morning, many cats are programmed by their schedule. In fact, cats are sensitive to schedule changes and breaks with patterns: feeding them at a different time, working a different shift, even something like wanting to sleep in on a weekend upsets them and usually won’t go over.
3. Test your cat’s intelligence: Does your kitty “remember” what time she gets dinner or a treat? Try putting a bite of delicious kibble under a small pillow or piece of paper on the floor while kitty watches you. See if she remembers you putting it there and seeks out the treat.
TrainabilityThe right cat given the right
reinforcement can be trained to do a variety of tricks, says Werber. Data shows
that dogs do their best when they receive reinforcement with food treats and
pats on the head. Cats seem to be motivated solely by treats. Apparently they
don’t find a pat on the head or other physical reward quite as satisfying, but
that doesn’t diminish their intelligence. Some say it may in fact be a sign of
higher intelligence.Many cats can perform a variety of tricks similar to
dogs—sitting on command, lifting a paw, lying down. Again, the right cat with
the right trainer can show extreme intelligence. A cat who can’t be bothered to
learn simple commands is likely not showing a lack of intelligence, but
indifference to learning a frustrating task where the treat isn’t motivation
enough.
4. Test your cat’s intelligence: Try to teach kitty a “trick,” such as “sit” or “give your paw,” using small food treats as motivators. If he accomplishes the tasks, you have a smart cat. If he can’t be bothered, you have a typical cat.
Showing UnhappinessCats, even more than dogs, are
adept at letting you know that something is upsetting them. Whether it’s a new
brand of litter or the absence or presence of someone new in the home causing a
change in routine, cats voice their opinions in a number of ways—from hissing
to caterwauling their unhappiness. Dogs seem to generally overlook these
issues, whether because they are less upset by changes in routine or because
they are less able to express their displeasure.
5. Test your cat’s intelligence: How is your cat at showing you she’s upset? Does she take notice or does she not care about changes at home? Is she sensitive to everything from a new rug in front of the fireplace to a new location for the litter box? If she notices changes and shows displeasure, you may have an intelligent kitty.
“We don’t really know how to evaluate cat intelligence, even if we were to hook cats up to EEGs and measure their neurons firing, “says Werber. So far, he said, they are going mostly on anecdotal evidence rather than anything scientific.
Related Articles:
- How to choose the right cat for you
- The signs that prove your cat loves you
00:47
Though
having cats, most pet owners may ignore kitty’s presence and are least bothered
about when the cat is purring or has hit down. Providing your cat some space
and little care is all they need. Blinding to their needs may end both you and
your kitty to grave problem. Before anything goes wrong and worst happens,
watch out the below important things that you should never do to your cat.
1. Putting
your cat outdoors without any supervision
Just
thinking that your cat would enjoy outdoor splendor on own and would return
whenever she needs it. This theory stands completely out of the way.
The truth is
different – your cat outside venture might be adventure, confusion or fright.
She may run errantly on the roads or crouch under the bush fear of children or
dogs.
To keep your
kitty safe, harness her with a collar when moving around in the neighborhood.
When outdoors, ensure that she roams only under your supervision.
2. Leaving
windows open
Curious cats
are always on the verge to explore and your screened windows can play havoc.
Excitation of a bird flying by – may instigates your tabby to unknowingly
dislodge that screen and tumble to the floor. If you are at work or at home
doing something important in other arena of your house then certainly it would
be long before you come to know that your cat is missing or is hurt badly.
3. Skipping
flea and tick treatment
Assuming
cats being indoors always and rarely grooming with other animals can never have
those nasty pests then you are on the wrong track.
Irrespective
of your cat’s indoor or outdoor status, they can get infected with fleas and
ticks as these critters can come indoors and can feast on your cat. You may be
unknowingly welcoming these fleas and ticks through your visiting friend with a
dog coming or your clothing after hiking in the woods.
Keep your
kitty safe from the harmful reactions of these by treating them monthly
with flea and tick preventives available. Leaving the
blood-sucking critters to quest on your cat would be the worst thing to face.
4. Holding
your cat on your lap while driving
“It’s all
safe to drive while holding your kitty on the lap” – if this is what you are
thinking then beware you are probably facing a big danger. Cats usually don’t
like to be caged into their car dens but a free moving cat in a car is
definitely a furry missile.
That furry
ping-pong inside a car may result your driving into disaster before you reach
your destination. Oh!!! so better buckle them up or put in crate for a safe and
distraction less journey.
5. Not
brushing your cat’s teeth
If you fall
in this category of thinking – Cats are their own groomers and can very well
manage to keep their teeth clean then just dismiss this thought.
Plaque
buildup because of food particles sticking along with saliva can result into
tartar, which can gradually result into tooth loss in your kitty. Though
kitties are quite unreachable when it comes to dental regime, it is your
“pet-terly” duty to ensure their clean teeth.
If it’s not
possible to perform on your kitty, hire a professional who can take care of it.
A weekly dental regime will keep your cat’s gums and teeth healthy.
6. Tossing
your cat off the table
Just
throwing your kitty out from the table as she is curious to find what is so
delicious there is not the right thing to do.
Grabbing and
throwing your cat will not only harm physically but also mentally. Try to
handle her with care and she will be ready to act to your command.
7. Ignoring
hairball issue
Cats with
rich mane and coat are always pet owners’ pride. But, do you ever realize that
this fur may at times lead to hairball issue. Normally, cat owners are least
aware of this issue and just ignoring it which is most disastrous for your cat
leading to fatal conditions.
This
condition can very well be controlled by proper grooming. Trimming excess hair
and grooming can certainly control this issue and your cat will be happy with
her stomach.
Related Article: 7 surprising facts about cats
Related Article: 7 surprising facts about cats
00:07
As anyone who has loved a cat can attest, there is something
magical about felines. A unique combination of traits and behaviors from their
lamplike inquisitive eyes to that unusual sneer when they inhale an odor makes
cats a species unlike anything else on the planet. There are so many reasons
they are so special. Here are seven of my favorite peculiarities of the feline
form.
1. Cats are
prickly.
When we say someone has a barbed tongue, we usually mean he
is liable to dish out particularly sharp criticism. Although this could apply
to cats in the metaphorical sense after all, they don’t have the
people-pleasing needs of, say, the average Golden Retriever a cat’s tongue is
literally covered with barbs.
The rear-facing protrusions serve several purposes, such as
helping a cat lap water and pull that last bit of meat into his mouth. Most
important, the barbs assist in a cat’s grooming by removing loose fur and bits
of dead skin. Think of a cat’s tongue as her own permanent, in-house brush.
However, the tongue isn’t the only protruding organ covered
in barbs. The male's penis is as well. Known as penile spines, the keratinized
structures rake the walls of the vagina when the male withdraws after sex,
which is thought to stimulate ovulation. Yet another reason to get your female
cat spayed!
2. Cats can right
themselves when they're falling.
The feline righting reflex is a fascinating ability that
allows cats to orient themselves during a fall so that they land on their feet.
Though the physics of the motions are beyond the scope of this article, suffice
it to say that it is a marvel of angular momentum, inertia and a
quick-functioning vestibular apparatus.
The minimum height of a fall for the reflex to kick in is
around 12 inches, and a 1987 study of accidental falls published in the Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that some cats have
survived falls from higher than seven stories, possibly because of their
tendency to spread their bodies out to increase drag. Think of Rocky the Flying
Squirrel, and you’ll get the picture.
3. Cats sleep
about 16 hours a day.
Perhaps you thought it was just your cat who seemed to spend
most of her day perched in the windowsill. No it’s all of them. Being a
carnivore is hard work, involving intense, brief expenditures of energy to
catch prey, followed by long rest periods. Even though most domestic cats chase
down nothing faster than a plastic bowl in order to eat, the sleep cycle has
persisted.
4. Cats can have
whiskers on their chins, cheeks, eyebrows and front legs.
Cat whiskers, known as vibrissae , are touch receptors. They
serve multiple functions that help the cat’s body awareness, allowing him to
gauge his position in space and whether he can squeeze through a narrow gap.
Whiskers should never be cut; a cat without whiskers can become disoriented and
less effective at navigating her environment.
5. Cats have
superstar kidneys.
Perhaps owing to the species evolutionary history as desert
dwellers, a healthy cat's kidneys can create extraordinarily concentrated
urine. This allows her to conserve as much moisture as possible from the food
she ingests. It's also one of the reasons your vet is so interested in your
cat's urine when she is sick: It contains a lot of information about the state
of your cat's kidney health.
6. Cats have
incredible eyes.
Cats possess multiple sensory qualities that help make them
agile predators, but their eyes are the feature that’s most enchanting. You’re
not just imagining that wide-eyed look: Cats have the largest eyes of any
mammal relative to their size. Their slit pupils can open wider, close smaller
and change size faster than the circular pupils of many other mammals, allowing
cats to see better in different levels of light. In addition, their night
vision far exceeds our own. Cats can see with only one-sixth the amount of
light humans can for two reasons: They have more rods in their retinas than we
do, and they have a tapetum lucidum, which is a reflective layer of tissue at
the back of the eye that creates that eerie glow so many of us wake up to in
the dead of night when our cat is staring at us from across the room.
7. Cats smell with
their mouths.
The vomeronasal organ, also called the
Jacobson’s organ, is an olfactory structure located between the hard palate and
nasal septum. The vomeronasal organ is used to analyze pheromones, which is an
important way cats communicate. You may have observed your cat making an
unusual grimace or sneer after taking a deep inhale of an odor. A kitty's sneer
is known as a flehmen response, and it’s how the cat directs particles to the
vomeronasal organ for analysis.
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