Cats are adorable creatures that have captivated human hearts for centuries. From their playful antics to their enigmatic behaviors, there’s much more to these furry companions than meets the eye. In this exploration of essential facts, we’ll uncover some surprising truths about our feline friends, shedding light on their health, history, and the mysteries of their behavior. From domestication to common illnesses like Periodontal Disease and long-term management, Life of a Cat Mom has you covered with these essential cat facts.
Cats . . . Domesticated Themselves.
It’s true! Cats, unlike dogs, were not sought out by humans for a purpose like guarding or herding. Instead, their ancestor, the African Wild Cat,
took it upon themselves to hang around past civilizations for shelter and food in exchange for keeping the rodents under control.
“The earlier ancestors of today’s domestic cats spread from southwest Asia and into Europe as early as 4400 B.C. The cats likely started hanging around farming communities in the Fertile Crescent about 8,000 years ago, where they settled into a mutually beneficial relationship as humans’ rodent patrol.”
“Cats Domesticated Themselves, Ancient DNA Shows” by Casey Smith, National Geographic, 19 June 2017
Things You Must Know About Your Cats History:
- Desire to Climb: Cats get their innate ability to search from the high ground from their history as rodent control in Africa, often needing to lurk in the dark and in trees to locate prey.
- Obligate Carnivore: Your cute and fuzzy kitty has a unique diet. Being an obligate carnivore, cats need to have their every day feedings consisting of meat protein. It is a myth that cats primarily eat fish; a good few staple proteins are actually poultry, rabbit, or beef. If cats eat too much fish in their diet, they can develop kidney issues or mercury poisoning.
- Breeds and Pedigrees: Unlike dogs, cats were not selectively bred for a purpose other than companionship. Specific cat breeds were not bred for until the 1900s, starting with the Lykoi.
Essential Facts: Playtime Isn’t Just Fun and Games
Your kitty is an opportunistic hunter; which means, they hunt and eat prey for fun and not just when they’re hungry. Having consistent playtime with your furry feline right before their meal not only fulfills their need for mental stimulation, but it also gives them the innate satisfaction that they get while hunting.
Another good choice to satisfy this instinct is a puzzle feeder. A puzzle feeder is a specific toy made for dogs and cats that can hold treats and kibble, allowing them to search for their food and use their little brains instead of just being served like kitty royalty.
Make Mealtime Fun!
There are many different ways to enrich your beloved cats mealtime, but the most important aspect of mealtime is ensuring that they eat consistently, and that their food is nutritionally balanced.
This section speaks on you: the cat owner. Mealtime has to be enjoyable for you, too! Allowing pet care to spark joy within yourself helps build consistency, as you look forward to your schedule as much as your kitty does.
There are a couple of different things you can do to make feeding your cats less of a chore, and more of an art form. The most common methods are using a variety of feeders, following a routine, and using toppers.
Collect fun dishes, feeder toys, and lick mats for your cats. When you have a collection of cute surfaces, bowls, and fun mechanisms to feed your cats with, it becomes infinitely more fun to do so.
Structure your day around your cats’ feeding schedule. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’re providing for another life, and doing it well. A schedule is not only important, but it can also allow you to feel joy and a sense of responsibility.
Use meal toppers. Meal toppers come in the form of powder, treats, broths, freeze dried whole foods, or raw food. Not only is this enriching for your cat, it can be fun to arrange your cats’ meals like you’re a Michelin chef!
Essential Facts: Genetic Illnesses in Cats
It’s a non-negotiable for pet owners to ensure their animals stay healthy and happy. But what happens when their genetics overpower the care and love that they get? This section highlights two common genetic conditions, and what to do about them.
Periodontal Disease – What is it?
Periodontal disease is a very common condition that develops in cats that are genetically predisposed. Common household cats found as strays or TNR’d, like Domestic Short Hairs and Long Hairs, are prone to this condition because of their unknown lineage and the chance of inbred genetic code.
Key notes
- Domestics are more likely to develop Periodontal Disease
- It is non-discriminatory: age, sex, and diet will not prevent this disease from developing.
- The most common treatment is removing the infected teeth from the root
How do I Know it’s Periodontal Disease and not Gingivitis?
For starters, gingivitis is usually caused by plaque build-up and poor dental hygiene related to age and diet; if your cat has gingivitis without significant plaque build-up, and if they’re very young, there’s a good chance it’s the start of Periodontal Disease.
A few other key symptoms of Periodontal Disease are grinding their teeth, discomfort while eating, losing adult teeth or breaking teeth, chewing on inedible objects, and resistance to having their mouth touched or examined.
What do I do?
In order for it to be diagnosed, you have to schedule an illness exam with your vet. Dental issues are non-emergent if your cat is still behaving normally. If it’s causing significant swelling and your cat is food avoidant, that is considered an emergency and should not wait to be examined.
What is the Long-Term Management of Periodontal Disease?
Common treatments for Periodontal Disease consist of removing infected teeth, daily teeth cleaning with dental wipes or brushes, or having a prescribed diet with pain management medication in severe cases.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease shows it’s ugly face in senior cats, especially those with a history of frequent Urinary Tract Infections; but it can strike any cat despite health history, because cats are water avoidant. They get most of their hydration from eating rather than drinking, and cats that are on a mostly dry-food diet are more prone to kidney dysfunction.
Key notes
- Primarily affects senior cats, and cats who are fed a mostly dry-food diet
- More common in cats with frequent UTI’s
- There is no official treatment, only long-term management and hospice care
How do I Know it’s Chronic Kidney Disease?
With a chronic condition like this, it can be hard to pinpoint it right away. If your cat is showing symptoms, it’s likely advanced in it’s development. Lethargy, pottying issues, rapid weight loss, and low appetite are a few noticeable symptoms.
Regular blood work and well-visits are going to be the common way that Chronic Kidney Disease gets diagnosed if there are no noticeable symptoms showing.
What do I do?
In order for it to be diagnosed, you have to schedule an illness exam with your vet if your cat is showing symptoms. If it’s causing significant pain for your cat, that is considered an emergency and should not wait to be examined.
What is the Long-Term Management of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Common management prescribed by veterinarians include prescription diets that are low sodium and made from a gentler, hydrolyzed protein like chicken to avoid cross-contamination between protein sources that may affect kidney function, like tuna. Pain management may be prescribed for cats in hospice-level care.
Another recommended method while you’re awaiting a vet visit is soaking your cat’s food before feeding, if they’ll eat it that way. This increases their water intake, helping to reduce sodium levels needing to be processed in the kidneys.
Essential Facts: Now You Know
Cats are not just pets; they are complex creatures with unique needs rooted in their history and biology. By recognizing their natural behaviors, dietary requirements, and potential health concerns, we as cat owners can create enriching environments that promote their well-being.
Remember to engage them physically and mentally, provide balanced nutrition, and maintain regular veterinary care. Embracing these practices can transform the bond between you and your cat, enriching both your lives in delightful ways. With love, attention, and knowledge, we can welcome our cats into our homes as the cherished family members they truly are.
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