Cats

Forests

Cats were first domesticated 4000 BC by Egyptians

38 The domestic cat is one of these species

41

Ancestry has to be a recognized breed that been recorded for at least 4 generations. -Fewer than1% of household cats are a pedigree heritage Most cats are mixed breeds (household or domestic cats) - Domestic shorthair - Domestic longhair

• Persian • Maine Coon • Exotic • Siamese • Ragdoll • Abyssinian • Birman • American Shorthair • Oriental • Sphynx

Traits: - Long hair - sturdy and good disposition. History: Brought from Persia by an Italian traveler (1617-1621). - Considered the cat of nobility and affluence in Europe

Traits: - Very large - Good temperament - Agile, strong, brave - Good at rodent control History: It’s believed to be a cross of Persian cats (i.e. from Marie Antoinette own cat collection [trying to escape to the USA) and bred with American domestic cats

Breed was developed crossing: Persians with American and British shorthair, Burmese, Russian Blue, - Are considered good temperament

The Royal cat of Siam (Thailand) and lived in places and temples for over 200 years. - Boisterous (rough) temperament

developed in 1960 by crossing Persian with Birman and Burmese cats. Only most docile were kept for breeding - Cats are characterized by becoming limp and relaxed when be picked up off the ground

Likely originated from Egypt, but was raised for 1000s of years in Abyssinian (Ethiopia) - like people- but not good ‘lap cats’

Sacred cat of Burma. - Good household pets that are stocky and intelligent

Originated from native American working cats. - Good for rodent control, strong and agile good climbers

Originated form Siamese crosses. Similar temperament to Siamese - More colorful coats and patterns than Siamese

Developed in Canada 1960 (aka ‘Canadian Hairless cat’). Kittens born with fine hair that is lost in adulthood - cat owners like that these adult cats don’t shed hair once the fine hair growth is gone

• High agility and speed • Can hunt either at day or night (usually night) • Excellent smell and hearing • Ears can rotate 180 degrees • Tail • Used as a rudder for body control while jumping and running • Whiskers help locate prey at close range • Receptors in mouth reflexively close jaw • Canine teeth punctures tissue (vessels and trachea) and carnassial teeth tear flesh

The spine is very flexible, allowing the cat to make quick adaptations of its body in 3-D space - The cat lumbar spine is 6 times more flexible of rotation of bending than humans - The cat has a small muscle attached clavicle (floating clavicle) and this allows for easier longitudinal motion of the shoulder joint

Tapetum lucidum (Latin: ‘Bright tapestry’): - Present in many mammals, including cats - Located behind the retina. - Causes “eye shine” It reflects images back on to the retina, enhancing low light images and thus allows cats to see at night

Cat balance and orientation: very effective at falling and turning around in mid-air to land on its feet (cats have 9-lives) - It is believed that cats have a highly developed vestibular apparatus

Cat Whiskers (vibrissae): These are used to detect the environment around them (i.e. feelers) especially in the dark. - If cats have lost vibrissae they are more tentative and cautious to move around - Usually, 30 whiskers in sets of 4/row along mouth and above eyes No whiskers = Loss of head position info

Pads of feet: these are soft and allow for quiet movement Retractable claws: - an elastic fiber ligament system between the distal phalanx (P3) and the second most distal phalanx (P2) that when relaxed the claw is retracted. - When needed a digital flexor tendon contracts and pulls the claw from its sheath - This allows for quiet movement, keeps claws sharp, and lets the cat have longer claws

• Surgery risks • Arthritis • Causes inability to climb • Increases aggresivness • Removes scratching as a defence mechanism making cats resort to biting

Short lower (mandible) and short upper jaw (maxilla) and strong temporalis and masseter muscles gives very strong bite. Tongue has no effect Canine teeth (eye-teeth) puncture wounds and carnassial teeth (premolar teeth, upper jaw and molar of lower jaw) tear tissue