· 1. Cats are nosy.
· 2. Cats are demanding.
· 3. Most cats are loners after the kitten stage.
· 4. Don’t expect your cat to act like someone else’s cat.
· 5. Cats will pout when displeased with you.
· 6. Cats are very loving.
· 7. Cats are finicky.
· 8. Cats are creatures of habit, change upsets them.
· 9. Cats like to climb and like hanging out on top of refrigerator, computer, etc..
· 10. Cats prefer small spaces for curling up. A shoebox looks small to us, but is perfect for a cat.
· 11. Some cats are very verbal to humans, but almost never to each other.
· 12. An angry cat can be dangerous, avoid until it calms itself down.
· 1. Keep small objects out of reach.
· 2. Keep strings, cords, yarns out of reach. Cats tend to start chewing and in no time the entire length is blocking intestines and this requires surgery to remove.
· 3. Some cats like to chew plastic bags (trash bags, grocery bags, etc..) This will catch in the throat and cut off air supply and cause suffocation.
· 4. Use only low-ash foods to maintain good urinary tract health. Too much ash can cause bladder problems which can cause blockage.
· 5. Limit intake of human food.
· 6. Provide water at all times.
· 7. Cats do not need milk after weaned from Mom. Milk causes diarrhea in some cats.
· 8. Keep all chocolate away from cats (and dogs). Chocolate is toxic to them and can kill.
· 9. Cats are naturally clean critters and will refuse to use a dirty litter box. Keep box clean and deodorize with Baking Soda.
· 10. Due to cleaning themselves by licking, cats will have hairballs and occasionally throw them up. This is normal, however, you can make this easier on your cat by giving 1/2 inch of a hairball ointment on the lips or in the mouth at least once a week. Vaseline will also work.
· 11. For flea relief, if your cat will allow a shampoo, use a good flea shampoo regularly. If not, there are foams you can apply while rubbing the cat and it will never know you are doing it. However, you should also use a flea comb at least once a week to keep fleas under control. If you see dark specks on you cats, this is probably flea feces, so good chance grown fleas are present also.
· 12. If you cannot feel your cat’s ribs when stroking, the cat is probably overweight.. Most domestic cats should weigh around 10-15 pounds.
· 13. Average cats only need to be fed twice a day usually, but keep dry food and water available at all times.
· 14. Cats can live on dry food only, but most prefer moist food also daily.
· 15. Inside cats need exercise. Play with them regularly so they get a chance to jump and run.
· 16. Provide scratching post of rope or carpet so they can keep they claws fresh and muscles stretched.
· 17. You can trim sharp ends from claws but take care to not get near the cuticle.(Pink area inside nail)
· 18. Cats should be spade or neutered.
· 19. A female cat can have litters practically continuously-one almost directly after the other.
· 20. If you have your inside cats declawed, be sure it does not get out since it will have no protection from other animals. Never declaw outside cats.
· 1. Cats senses are very acute. They can see in the dark and smell things we cannot.
· 2. Cats do not hide their feelings.
· 3. A purr means “I’m contented”
· 4. A hiss or growl means “I’m really mad”
· 5. A cat will chirp or chatter (sometimes silently) when watching birds or butterflies through a window.
· 6. Wide eyes mean “I’m on the alert”
· 7. Slitted eyes mean “I’m aggressive-watch out”
· 8. Droopy lids mean “I’m sleepy or relaxed and trusting”
· 9. Ears up means “I’m listening intently”
· 10. Smooth fur means “I’m calm and okay”
· 11. Ruffled fur means “I’m ticked off”
· 12. Flattened ears means “I’m scared and on edge”
· 13.Whiskers down and dilated eyes may mean “I’m more scared than angry”
· 14. Unblinking stare is aggression-never lock eyes with a cat.
· 15. Tail up and tip curled means confident and happy.
· 16.Wagging tail and fluffed fur mean a bad mood.
· 17. Friendly greeting between cats is signified by flipping tail end.
· 18. Cats can be trained, are fast studies, and always remember what they learn.
· 19. Cats can use their paws to manipulate doors, drawers and latches if they are after something.
· 20. A cat can doze in the blink of an eye.
· 21. A cat is so quick it can sprint at 30 MPH.
· 22. Cats use their tails as a rudder when climbing up high to maintain balance.
· 23. Cats can leap 5 times their height in a single jump.
· 24. Cats have no collar bones. This accounts for their climbing abilities and flexibility.
· 25. Cats almost always land on their feet, however they rarely fall.
· 26. If a cat does fall, they can sense up from down and twist in mid-air to land on their feet. (due to inner ear balance and muscle control)
· 27. Adult cats spend 50% of their awake time grooming.
· 28. Scratching on scratching post tones muscles as well as sharpen claws.
· 29. Cats claws are curved so that they have to back down a tree once it is climbed.
· 30. Cats prefer to “walk” down vertical surfaces than to jump.
· 31. Paws act as shock absorbers.
· 32. Cats can go from all out run to complete stop in a split second and can freeze position in mid-stride.
· 33. Most kittens learn to groom themselves at about age 3 weeks.
· 34. If Mom is a slob, kittens may be also.
· 35. Some cats like water, but only on their terms.
· 36. When more than one cat in a household, they will groom each other, but more as social interaction than for cleaning. This is an expression of love and friendship.
· 37. A cat’s tongue is like sandpaper and cleans like a washcloth.
· 38. A cat’s tongue is like a lot of little scoops which pick up water when they drink.
· 39. Cats sleep most of the time but usually in “catnaps” for short periods.
· 40. During 70% of sleeptime, the cat is still alert and taking in scents and sounds.
· 41. Spots for dozing must meet certain criteria-warm, draftfree, hidden away from disturbances, the higher the better.
· 42. Cats, like humans, sleep more during rainy, cold weather.
· 43. Cats do dream- up to 3 hours a day.
· 44. Only friendly adult cats will sleep snuggled together.
· 45. Kittens pile up on each other and mommy because they have no other way of regulating warmth.
· 46. Cats start to play at about 4 weeks of age.
· 47. Cat play can simulate prey-catching behavior (pouncing and swatting)
· 48. Kitten play develops social skills and how to bite without causing damage to “bitee”
· 49. Cats can become expert fishers using their paws to scoop fish from the water. (Goldfish should be protected)
· 50.Cats learn about things by playing with them.
· 51. If a toy doesn’t move, the cat will make it move.
· 52. Cats do not have expensive tastes in toys. (a box or paper bag are great fun for them)
· 53. Cats love to hide and grab-a sneak attack on ankle from under the bed is common for cat owners.
· 54. Playing with your cat relieves stress for both you and the cat and strengthens the bond between you.