- Cats are pure carnivores.
- They need a high level of protein in their diets - around 30% - and
lack the digestive equipment to do well on a diet of grains, fruits
or vegetables.
- Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each
back paw.
- Cats have true fur, in that they have both an undercoat and an outer
coat.
- Kittens are born with both eyes and ears closed. When the eyes open,
they are always blue at first. They change color over a period of months
to the final eye color.
- When well treated, a cat can live twenty or more years.
- A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot
seem to find tidbits on the floor.
- Cats have AB blood groups just like people.
- A form of AIDS exists in cats.
- Though rare, cats can contract canine heart worms.
- Cats are subject to gum disease and to dental caries. They should
have their teeth cleaned by the vet or the cat dentist once a year.
- Most cats have no eyelashes.
- Many cats cannot properly digest cow's milk. Milk and milk products
give them diarrhea.
- Cats lack a true collarbone. Because of this lack, cats can generally
squeeze their bodies through any space they can get their heads through.
You may have seen a cat testing the size of an opening by careful measurement
with the head.
- Cats have a full inner-eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This inner-eyelid
serves to help protect the eyes from dryness and damage. When the cat
is ill, the inner-eyelid will frequently close partially, making it
visible to the observer.
- You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened
or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have
narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions
as to the degree of light.
- A cat is pregnant for about 58-65 days. This is roughly two months.
- The two most common problems with cats are aggression, and refusing
to use the litter box. Both of these problems are usually caused by
social conflict among cats.
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