Cats

Cats (Felis catus), domesticated around 7500 BC, are valued for companionship and pest control. With sharp claws, keen senses, and agile bodies, they excel at hunting. Social yet solitary hunters, they communicate via vocalizations and body language. Female cats reproduce year-round in warm regions, leading to population challenges. In the U.S., cats are the second most popular pet, with over 95 million owned as of 2024.

Cats Etymology and naming

The word cat comes from Old English catt, likely derived from Late Latin cattus, with possible African and Germanic origins. The term puss and its variations, like pussycat, appeared in the 16th century, possibly from Dutch or Scandinavian roots. Male cats are called toms (or gibs if neutered), females are queens (or mollies if spayed), and young cats are kittens. The now-obsolete word catling was once used for kittens. Groups of cats are referred to as a clowder, glaring, or colony.

Cats Taxonomy

The domestic cat (Felis catus) was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and confirmed as a distinct species by the ICZN in 2003. Genetic studies link modern domestic cats to the African wildcat (F. lybica). The IUCN reaffirmed this classification in 2024.

Cats Evolution

Domestic cats are part of the Felidae family, which originated 10–15 million years ago. The genus Felis split from other Felidae species about 6–7 million years ago. Wild Felis species evolved naturally, while domestic cats evolved through human-driven selection. Both domestic and wild cats share 38 chromosomes and around 20,000 genes.

Cats Domestication:

Cat domestication began around 7500–7200 BC in the Fertile Crescent, where wildcats were tamed by early farmers drawn to settlements by rodents. As agriculture spread, so did domesticated cats, with Egyptian wildcats later contributing to their gene pool. By 1200 BC, cats reached Greece, spreading across Europe through trade and the Roman Empire. Domesticated cats retain many traits of wildcats, such as cleanliness, intelligence, and adaptability, making them ideal pets.Breeds, developed since the 19th century, mostly originated from random-bred cats. Purebred cats, however, have lower genetic diversity and face higher risks of genetic disorders.

Size Characteristics of Domestic Cats

Domestic cats are smaller than European wildcats, with a body length of about 18 inches (46 cm), a height of 9–10 inches (23–25 cm), and tails approximately 12 inches (30 cm) long. Males are generally larger than females. Adult cats typically weigh between 8.8 and 11 lbs (4–5 kg).

Cats Skeleton

Cats have a highly flexible skeleton with seven cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic, seven lumbar, three sacral, and variable tail vertebrae, giving them remarkable spinal mobility. They also have 13 ribs, a shoulder, and a pelvis attached to the spine. Their free-floating clavicle bones allow them to pass through tight spaces that match the size of their heads.

Cat Skull

Cats have large eye sockets and powerful jaws with specialized teeth for killing and eating meat. Their long canine teeth deliver a fatal neck bite to prey, severing the spinal cord. Domestic cats have narrower canines, suited for small rodents, and their carnassial teeth help shear meat. Cats generally have better teeth than humans, with stronger enamel and less decay, though they can still lose teeth or get infections.

Cats Claws

Cats have retractable claws that stay sheathed to remain sharp for silent stalking, with forepaw claws usually sharper than hindpaw claws. They extend their claws for hunting, climbing, kneading, or gaining traction. Scratching rough surfaces helps shed the outer layer of claws. Some cats, especially in North America and Great Britain, may have extra claws due to a condition called polydactyly.

Cat Ambulation

Cats are digitigrade, walking on their toes with the lower part of their visible legs formed by the bones of their feet. They use a "pacing" gait, moving both legs on one side of their body before the other. This reduces noise and visible tracks while providing stable footing, especially on rough terrain. As they speed up, their gait shifts to a "diagonal" pattern, where opposite hind and fore legs move together.

Cat Balance and Coat Characteristics

Cats are naturally drawn to high places for hunting or observation. They often pounce from elevated spots, such as tree branches, and can right themselves during falls of up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) thanks to their balance and flexibility. This is called the "cat righting reflex," allowing them to land on their feet if they have enough time to twist their bodies. In terms of coat, domestic cats exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns due to genes like MC1R and ASIP, with the ASIP gene influencing black coat coloration.

Cats Senses

Cats have highly developed senses that help them navigate their environment. Their vision is excellent in low light, thanks to the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their ability to see at one-sixth of the light level required for humans. Cats also have large, movable ears that allow them to hear a broad range of frequencies, including ultrasonic sounds used by rodents.

Their sense of smell is sharp, with a well-developed olfactory bulb and Jacobson's organ that helps them detect pheromones and specific scents like catnip.

Cats lack the ability to taste sweetness but are sensitive to acids, amino acids, and bitter tastes. They also prefer food at a temperature similar to freshly killed prey. Cats use their whiskers for precise navigation, detecting gaps and objects, and sensing air currents. These whiskers play a critical role in their ability to protect their eyes and move efficiently in their surroundings.

Cats Behavior

Domestic cats exhibit a range of behaviors shaped by their environment and interactions with humans. They are primarily crepuscular, active during dawn and dusk, and conserve energy by sleeping between 12-16 hours a day. Cats establish territories that they mark through urine spraying and scent rubbing.

While solitary hunters, cats have adapted socially to living with humans, often forming strong bonds with their owners. They communicate through vocalizations like purring and meowing, body language, and facial expressions. Cats also groom themselves frequently using their specialized tongues, which help remove dirt and prevent fur matting, although they may occasionally regurgitate hairballs.

Cats Fighting

Fighting is a common behavior in both domestic and feral cats, typically driven by competition for mates and territory.

Male cats are more likely to fight, with heavier males usually prevailing in mating-related conflicts. Cats use body language, such as raising fur, arching their backs, and vocalizing, to intimidate opponents.

Most fights result in minor injuries, although fights for mates can lead to serious wounds. Neutering can reduce aggressive behavior linked to sex hormones. Cats also hunt small prey, using stalking or ambush tactics, and play to practice hunting skills. Female cats are polyestrous and mate with multiple males, leading to superfecundity.

Cats Lifespan and health

The average lifespan of pet cats has increased significantly over recent decades, from around seven years in the 1980s to approximately 13 years by 2024. Neutering cats has been linked to longer lifespans, with neutered males living twice as long as unneutered ones, and spayed females living 62% longer.

Neutering provides health benefits, including a reduced risk of reproductive diseases, but it can also lead to obesity due to decreased metabolism and increased food intake. Cats are also susceptible to a variety of diseases, with over 250 heritable genetic disorders identified.

Many feline diseases are similar to those in humans and can be diagnosed using genetic tests. Vaccines and parasite treatments are available to help manage infections and parasites, while chronic conditions like kidney disease, thyroid disease, and arthritis are common in older cats.

Cats Ecology

Domestic cats are highly adaptable and can live in almost any environment, making them one of the world’s most invasive species. They have spread across all continents except Antarctica and thrive in areas like forests, grasslands, and urban settings. This adaptability also allows them to interbreed with wildcats, which can endanger the genetic integrity of wildcat populations.

Feral cats, either born in the wild or reverted from domestication, form colonies and are often found near food sources, with estimates of 25 to 60 million feral cats in the U.S.

Their impact on wildlife is severe, as they kill billions of mammals, birds, and reptiles each year, contributing to the extinction of several species, especially on islands. In places like New Zealand and Australia, cats are responsible for the loss of numerous native species. Public opinions on feral cats vary, from seeing them as pets to considering them pests.

Cats Interaction with humans

Domestic cats are beloved pets worldwide, with an estimated 95.6 million in the U.S. alone as of 2017. Cats are primarily kept for companionship, but historically, they were also valued for their role in controlling rodents.

Cats are often anthropomorphized in pet culture, treated as family members with luxury care. They also have a significant cultural presence, appearing in various forms of mythology, religion, and superstition.

In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and associated with the goddess Bastet, while in Japan, the maneki-neko cat symbolizes good fortune. However, cats also face negative superstitions, such as being believed to bring bad luck if they cross one’s path. Despite their popularity, cats can spread diseases like toxoplasmosis and cat-scratch disease, though these are rare. The worldwide population of cats is estimated at 220 million owned and 480 million stray cats.