Turkish Van

A rare and ancient breed of cat, the Turkish Van was depicted on ornaments as far
back as 5,000 B.C. The Turkish Van was so named for its region of origin, central and
southwest Asia. The area includes the modern countries of Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Syria, and
eastern Turkey. Van is a very common name in the area. There is in fact, a Lake Van
which is also Turkey's largest lake, so it is not surprising that Van was used as part of
this breeds name. In fact, this cat is known sometimes in its lands of origin as the
"Vancat". Turkish Vans were brought back to Europe by the Crusaders on their return
from the Holy Land. These cats were called several different names during that time
including; white ringtail and Russian Longhair.

      The first Turkish Van cats to arrive in England were brought in 1955.The breed
was initially called the Turkish cat in England but this name was modified to Turkish
Van later to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. The various names under which
this breed was known in Europe created the misconception that is was simply a variant of
the Turkish Angora. They are, in fact, very distinct breeds with separate histories. The
Turkish Van is very much the new kid on the block in America having been here only
since a first importation of a few kittens in the mid 1970s, but the breed only began to
take off in this country with a second importation from France in 1983. The Turkish Van
has since attracted a loyal and spirited group of breeders and fanciers.

      Turkish Vans are unfortunately rather rare even in their lands of origin. They are
large and strong cats that are very intelligent and are very curious. They are also very
healthy cats. Turkish Vans are unusual in that they require three to five years to reach full
maturity. There is one other characteristic that makes them highly unique. Turkish Vans
love water. In their homeland, Turkish Vans are sometimes referred to as the swimming
cats.

      The Turkish Vans most distinguishing feature is his coat. The breed standard
requires that Turkish Vans have a white semi-longhaired coat with colored markings
confined to the head and tail. Cats of other breeds who display a similar color pattern are
often said to be "van-patterned". The coat lacks an undercoat and has a very unique and
beautiful texture similar to cashmere. This wonderful cashmere texture of the Turkish
Vans' coat makes it waterproof. Another plus to their unusual coat is that it doesn't easily
mat or tangle and so requires little grooming.

    The Turkish Van cat is an ancient breed whose winning ways continue to charm
people to this day. Give the Turkish Van cat a closer look. These cats' great intelligence
and intense curiosity could make it interesting and entertaining pet. This cat may be
exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.

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The Importance of Understanding Your Cat

Are you a new cat owner?  If so, there will come a point in time when your cat becomes “just like one of the kids.”  However, until that time arrives, it is up to you to understand your cat and the small signals that he or she may be sharing with you.

As important as it is to hear that it will be your responsibility to understand your cat and decipher the signals that he or she may be sending you, you may be wondering why.  Many pet owners often respond with something like “what the heck?”  If you are a new pet owner or a first-time pet owner, you may not understand just how much your cat relies and depends on you. 

As for why it is important to understand your cat, doing so can be important to his or her health.  We humans are able to speak and seek medical attention when we develop a cold or suffer a debilitating injury.  Pets, on the other hand, cannot do so.  Just because your cat doesn’t outright tell you that she needs to go the vet, it doesn’t mean that a visit isn’t in order.

If you suspect that your cat is suffering from a medical problem, whether it be an injury or an illness, you will want to seek professional help right away.  Schedule a visit with your veterinarian.  The sooner you do so, the quicker you can understand what is bothering your cat.  If you must make your cat’s appointment an emergency appointment, especially if he or she seems to be suffering.

Speaking of suffering, many new cat owners wonder how they can tell when their pet is feeling ill or has suffered an injury that may not be noticeable to the human eye.  Whether you have only had your cat a week or five years, you should already start to notice habits that he or she has.  These habits may include greeting you when you walk into a room or sleeping in the same spot.  If these habits change, it may be due to an injury that is difficult to see or a medical illness.

In addition to knowing when your cat may be ill, understanding when your cat is hungry is also important.  Some pet owners will always leave food out for their pets.  This is doable; however, there may be some negative consequences.  For instance, your cat may eat too much and develop an obesity problem.  Bug and other rodents can be attracted to your pet’s food, especially wet canned food, regardless of how clean your home is.

For that reason, look for signs that your cat may be hungry.  Many cats will approach their empty food dish and start to cry out.  Others, may take steps to get human food or the food of other pets in the home.  Of course, you also don’t have to let it get that far.  Creating a set feeding schedule for your cat has a number of benefits. 

Despite the fact that deciphering your cats every move may seem like an impossible task, it really isn’t.  Although your cat will have his or her own distinctive attitudes, you may be surprised just how similar cats occasionally react like humans.  When upset or frustrated, your cat may retreat to their own special spot.  When hungry, your cat may call out for food.  When your cat is excited, you should be able to tell right away, as he or she will likely be more active than usual.

The above mentioned reasons are just a few of the many why it is important for you to learn how to understand your cat.  If you are looking for helpful tips, consider speaking to your veterinarian.  There are also multiple book and online websites that are designed to help new pet owners develop a close and healthy relationship with their cats.  Having an attentive and close relationship with your cat is the first step in understanding their wants and needs.

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Turkish Angora

    Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider:

Turkish Angora

    Beautiful and rare, the elegant Turkish Angora is considered a national treasure in
its home country of Turkey. The breeds name came from the former Turkish capital,
Angora, now called Ankara. The Turkish Angora probably originated in the mountains of
Turkey. This graceful breed may have descended from the Manul cat, which was a small
cat domesticated by the Tartars. Turkish Angoras can be traced back in European
writings to 16th century France. The breed was enormously popular with French and
British nobility in the 1700s. Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI as well as King Louis
XV are said to have been Turkish Angora fanciers. The breed almost disappeared entirely
in the early 1900s due to indiscriminate interbreeding with Persians to the point where
nearly all longhaired cats were referred to as Angoras. Fortunately, Turkish breeders
continued controlled breeding of this lovely breed. In the 1950s, American servicemen
discovered Turkish Angoras at the Ankara Zoo. These servicemen reintroduced the
Turkish Angora to cat fanciers everywhere. All modern Turkish Angoras must trace their
ancestry to Turkey.

      Turkish Angoras, though highly prized, are unfortunately rather rare even in their
lands of origin. They are loving, playful and very adaptable to many situations. This
breed is very friendly and outgoing. They coexist well with dogs. Turkish Angoras are
often the first to greet guests and are known to stick around to visit with them. Turkish
Angoras make outstanding family pets. This breed is also famous for its tendency to bond
strongly with one special human. Once that bond is formed, this cat will be an always
present, always affectionate companion.

      Elegant and graceful, this breeds' most distinguishing feature is its beautiful coat.
White is the most popular color but many others colors are available and are becoming
more popular with time. The Turkish Angoras long haired, single layered coat is soft and
silky. It rarely mats or tangles and so requires little grooming. Most owners do use a fine
toothed comb their cats a couple times a week anyway, to get rid of loose hair and reduce
the likelihood of hairballs. Being a natural breed, they are also very healthy cats.
     
       These cats are highly intelligent and need to have lots of interaction with their
people or they tend to get bored. It's a good idea to have another lively feline playmate
for The Turkish Angora to play with when you are away. Otherwise, she is liable to get
into mischief.

    The Turkish Angora cat is a breed whose cheerful ways continue to charm people
every day. Give the Turkish Angora cat a closer look. This breed is considered the most
outgoing and affectionate of all cat breeds.  This cats' grace and energy would make it a
lovely and entertaining pet. This cat may be exactly what you are looking for in a new
companion.

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Spotted Cat Breeds

Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider something a little bit different:

Ocicat

    The Ocicat were named after the Ocelot wildcat that is found from southwestern
Texas south to northern Argentina. The Ocicat, however, does not have any Ocelot blood
in them. They are entirely domestic bred. The first Ocicat was produced as a happy
accident in the early 1960s by breeder Virginia Daly who was was trying to breed a
Siamese cat with Abyssinian colored points. She did reach her goal, but in her second
litter she found a cream colored male with golden spots and copper colored eyes. She
named him Tonga. Her daughter called him Ocicat because he reminded her of a baby
Ocelot. Tonga was later sold as a pet and neutered.

      Fortunately, the same breeding pair that produced Tonga later produced a second
spotted male. His name was Dalai Dotson who became the foundation for the Ocicat
breed. The first Ocicat, Tonga, was exhibited at a cat show in 1965. The Ocicat registry
was established in 1966. The Ocicat was so striking and unique that other breeders were
attracted and joined Daley in establishing this beautiful breed. The breeder continued to
focus ion Abyssinians and Siamese for their foundation stock, but some American
Shorthair was introduced as well. The American Shorthair bloodlines introduced a
beautiful silver color to the ocicat.

      Ocicats are very lively and intelligent. They are also great talkers. They are loyal
and loving and tend to bond strongly to one person. Ocicats are very intelligent and will
make up new tricks to entertain themselves. Most of them know how to fetch. Ocicats are
another breed that doesn't like to be alone for long. Again, a feline companion will be
ideal for keeping your Ocicat happy.
     
      The Bengal
     
      Unlike the Ocicat, the Bengal has wild ancestry. The Bengal was produced by
crossing the Asian Leopard Cat, a small wildcat with domestic shorthaired cats. The
name Bengal was derived from the Asian Leopard Cats Latin name, Felis bengalensis. It
took the original breeder Jean Mill, several generations to produce a beautiful cat with
domestic and predictable personalities.
     
      In 1985 Mill showed her cats for the first time. There was some controversy over
the new cats. Some people felt it was unwise cross wild cats with domestics since many
wildcats are threatened species. Most people, however, were very taken with the beautiful
new cats. Mill was able to recreate a number of new Bengal breeders.
     
      The modern Bengal is a wildly beautiful cat with an affectionate personality and
great energy. Bengals form strong bonds with their owners and become faithful and
affectionate companions for life. Bengals love to climb and will do so given any
opportunity. You will routinely find them on top of bookcases, doors and dressers. They
are very curious and will rearrange the contents of any drawer the find open. Bengals are
playful well into old age and will pounce an anything that moves. From their Asian
ancestors, these cats inherited a love of water. Some will even join you for a swim in the
pool or hot tub.
     
    These very unusual cats are not everyone's' cup of tea. Give these very different
cats a closer look. Their unique appearances and lively personalities might just make a
great pet.  These cats may be exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.

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Socializing Kittens

Socializing kittens is probably one of the most enjoyable parts of raising cats.
Introducing them to people will make a huge impact on their lives. Even if they are barn
cats and never leave the farm they were born on. Being friendly and relaxed with people
will improve the quality of their lives. It will make it easier to find new homes for them
when it is time for them to move on. It will also make having them more pleasurable for
their owners.

    Socializing is not only enjoyable, it is very important. Before a kitten is ready to
leave home she should have learned that people are good to have around. Petting, playing
and good food all happen with people. Purring, not hissing brings these good things her
way. Fortunately, cats are smart and observant creatures. It is really very easy to instill
this attitude in a kitten. It just takes a little bit of patience and perseverance on your part.

    The socialization process can begin even before a kitten has opened her eyes. Pick
her up and pet gently for a few moments then set her back down where she was. Your
motions should be slow and gentle and your voice soft. Handle the kittens daily if you
can. The mother will generally allow your attention to her kittens, especially if you give
her petting and attention first. If she doesn't like your interest in her kittens, or if she has
hidden her litter somewhere so that you can't find them right away, don't worry. You can
begin the socialization process later when they are a little more independent and still get
great results.

    As the kittens get older and start to toddle around under their own power,
continue to regularly pick them up and pet them. Playing with them can also begin now.
Slowly dragging a string will catch any kittens' attention. Continue these sessions on a
daily basis. You really don't have to make a big issue of it. Just go over to the kittens at
odd times of the day, whenever you have a moment. Be sure that each kitten in the litter
gets some attention.

      Introducing the kittens to children and other adults is a good idea. Expand their
definition of people to be more than just you. Remind the children that the kittens are just
babies and need to be handled ever so gently. Always supervise children around pets until
they understand how to handle them properly.

    By the time the kittens are old enough to leave for their new homes they should be
relaxed and happy around people. Purring happily when they are petted and reasonably
patient when picked up. If the kittens are to be indoor cats, then they should be
introduced to litter boxes and scratching pads or trees. A first visit to the veterinarian
should be accomplished in a calm sensible fashion that will not alarm your kittens. If
your kittens are young enough on their first visit, bring the entire litter along with their
mother in a carrier. It will reduce stress on both the kittens and their mother. This may
seem like a lot of extra effort but it will be worth it. What will be your reward for all of
your work? Your reward will be a well socialized kitten that will be a joy to her new
owner.

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Siamese Cat

Famous in songs and movies, the Siamese cat was the Royal Cat of Siam. Though
their origins are uncertain, they were the companions of royalty and priests for centuries.
The cat was so highly valued that it was rarely given to outsiders. Siamese were first
exhibited at the famous 1871 London Cat Show at the Crystal Palace. People fell in love
with the new breed. Despite the difficulty in importing these highly valued cats, they
became wildly popular in Britain. The Siamese arrived in America in about 1890 and
quickly gained favor with cat fanciers here.

      The Siamese cat is a real character. They are extremely lively, friendly, and
intelligent and they are very attached to their people. A Siamese cat is constantly in
motion. They seem to regard their people as belonging to them instead of the other way
around. They develop a lot of unusual skills. Siamese cats have been known to play fetch,
walk on a leash and chase dogs. One Siamese learned to play the piano. He sat on the
bench in front of the keyboard and used one paw to press each key to make a sound.
Siamese cats are also real chatterboxes and will talk to you about everything and
anything. When they are making a point, a Siamese cats' voice is powerful enough to
bend metal.

      Siamese cats are sleek and svelte in appearance. Elegant and graceful they have
long bodies, long legs, and long tails as well. This breed has become divided into two
varieties: the extreme and the traditional. The extreme is a smaller, leaner, lighter animal
with males weighing 9 lbs at most and females 7 lbs. The traditional variety is rounder in
appearance than the extreme variety though still retaining the breeds' oriental elegance.
The traditional variety, also called the Old Style or Applehead is larger in size than the
extreme variety, with males up to 15 lbs and females up to 12 lbs.
     
       Siamese are famous for their large, almond shaped blue eyes. The coat is short,
fine textured, silky and glossy. It lies close to the cats' body. However, the truly defining
feature of the Siamese coat is its color. There are four main colors: seal, chocolate, blue
and lilac. There is also one pattern called colorpoint. The points of the body, the ears,
face, legs and tail are more darkly colored than the body. There is a strong contrast
between the body color and the points. The color at all the points must be the same.
Interestingly, Siamese darken with age.
     
    The Siamese cat is a breed whose noisy and cheerful ways continue to win
peoples admiration and affection every day. Give the Siamese a closer look. The breed is
intelligent and very affectionate.  This cats' friendly and confident attitude can make it a
highly amusing family pet.  This cat may be exactly what you are looking for in a new
companion.

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American Shorthair

Originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, the American Shorthair is truly
America's cat. The Shorthairs' ancestors came to America from Europe with the early
settlers. Records show that the famous Mayflower had several working cats aboard her on
her famous voyage to the new world. Also, written records exist that mention the cats that
lived with the colonists at Jamestown in 1609. These cats were working members of their
communities and valued for their contributions to the well being of these early
settlements. Ever since that time, this breed has patrolled farms and stables for mice and
rats all over the country.

      In the early 20th century, foreign breeds arriving on these shores threatened the
distinctive look and temperament of the native shorthair breed. Admirers of the American
Shorthair began acquire the finest examples of the breed that they could find. They set up
selective breeding programs based on these individuals to preserve this beautiful and
unique breed of cats. The breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fancier's
Association (CFA) in 1904 as one of its first five breeds. The very first registered
American Shorthair was named Buster Brown. In 1966 the breed registry changed its
name from Domestic Shorthair to American Shorthair. The move was made to accentuate
it all American heritage and to distinguish it from other shorthair breeds.

          The American Shorthair is famous for its amiable temperament. Its' quiet
disposition toward children and dogs has made the American Shorthair a family favorite
for many years. This breed tends to be of moderate to large size, healthy, strong , well
balance and long-lived. They are independent, lively, playful cats that retain their
playfulness well into old age. The American Shorthair routinely is found in published
lists of the top ten most popular cats.

      The American shorthair is an extraordinarily beautiful breed and comes in over
eighty recognized colors and patterns: solid colors, shaded colors, smokes, tabbies,
particolors and bicolors. One of the most beautiful color patterns is the silver tabby. The
silver tabby has dense black tiger type stripes over a clear silvery background. It way or
may not have white markings as well. So popular is this color pattern that more than one
third of all American Shorthairs are now silver tabby. This color is so striking that cats
that have it are often used in advertising or in the movies. The second most popular color
for American Shorthairs is brown tabby. A brown tabby has black tiger markings over a
brown background.

    The American Shorthair cat is a sturdy American original with winning ways and
comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns. Give the American Shorthair a closer look. A
gentle, loving, loyal companion and also a fierce mouse hunter, the American Shorthair
can and has filled many roles over the years. This cat may be exactly what you are
looking for in a new companion.

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Selecting Your Cat

It's a great day today! Today is the day you go out to find your new friend and
companion, your new cat. But where do you go to find her? What will you need to look
for? What would you be wise to avoid? Let's take a look at each question.

    Where do I find my new cat? There are a large number of places where cats are
available for new homes. The local animal shelter is an excellent place to begin. They
always have a very good selection of cats and kittens to choose from. With so many
different breeds, sizes, colors, and ages to choose from you're almost sure to find a new
friend just waiting for you to come and pick her up. Farmers frequently have kittens that
are available to go to a new home. If you are interested in a particular breed of cat,
contact their registry. They should be able to direct you to a reputable breeder in your
area.

    Now that you have looked over the cats or kittens available, how do you select
right one for you? First and foremost, make sure the cat or kitten is healthy. Bright eyes,
shining coat and a lively manner are indicators of good health. Interact with the kitten or
cat. Does she hiss and pull away when you touch her or does she purr and rub her head
against your hand? Is she patient or happy to be picked up, or is she frantic to get away?
Does she walk away from people and sit down as far away as she can with her ears down
or does she hold her ground and let her curiosity draw her to the new person. It will
become obvious pretty quickly which kitten or cat will have the kind of personality that
you will enjoy. Avoid the cat or kitten with an ugly attitude or that shows poor health.
That will be the way to avoid heartbreak on down the road.

    Another thing that you should consider is yourself. What do I mean? I mean that
you should take stock of yourself. Most people are a sucker for kittens. Those little fluff
balls with their sweet faces are nearly impossible to resist. Do you have the time and
energy to deal with a lively kitten and her antics? (Oh, you mean I'm not supposed to
swing on the drapes?) Perhaps you would be more comfortable with an older cat who
already knows all about litter boxes and not climbing on top of the counter. A quiet adult
who will sit on your lap and purr while you watch your favorite show may be more your
speed. Be honest with yourself. You and your new cat will be much happier for it.

    Okay, you've assessed yourself and the kittens and cats available to you. You've
picked out your perfect new friend. On your way home think over what supplies you have
at home. Do you have everything you need? A litter box with nice fresh litter? Is there a
little scooper to clean her litter box with? A food dish and a water bowl? Do you have
good quality food for her? Is it the one she is already used to? No? Perhaps you might
want to stop and pick up a small bag of the one she's familiar with. It will be something
she already knows in a strange place and may help her become comfortable in her new
home faster. You can begin blending your preferred food into her old one in the coming
days, eventually shifting her completely to her new food by the time the small bag ends.

    There is much to consider when getting a new cat. Take your time. Make sure all
your preparations are made. You will be well on your way to a happy life for you and
your new cat.
   

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Raising Kittens

Your cat is expecting kittens. How exciting! Raising kittens can be a highly
rewarding and enjoyable experience. What should you expect? What will you need to
make sure the little tikes grow up happy, healthy and strong?

    Let's start from day one. Most likely, you walk in and find your cat already
nursing her new litter. As there will be a bit of a mess where she is, you will want to
move her and her kittens somewhere clean and safe. Mother cats prefer a darkened den,
so putting a blanket over her box and lining it with nice clean bedding will do nicely for a
nursery. The nursery should be set up in a quiet area, away from traffic. Too much noise
and light can upset a mother cat and she may try to move her kittens if she doesn't feel
her they are safe. A sad fact is that sometimes there are one or two dead kittens born
along with the live ones. Remove them immediately along with the rest of the birthing
mess. The mother will be unlikely to show any interest them.

    For the first few days the mother will be constantly with her kittens. They need
warmth and frequent feedings at this time which doesn't leave much time for socializing.
By the time they are approximately a week old their need for very warm temperatures
will begin to reduce. The mother will begin to leave them alone for longer and longer
periods. They will begin to huddle up together for warmth. If you peek into the nursery
and find a ball of kittens sleeping peacefully, rest assured they are doing just fine. Kittens
will sleep nearly all the time for their first two weeks. If the kittens are crying constantly
then they are ill or not getting enough milk. Call your vet immediately. Ill or starving
kittens can die very quickly without your help.

    Assuming that kittens and mother are all healthy and content, you will need to do
very little during the first month. The kittens' care will rest primarily in their mothers'
capable paws. Normally, kitten eyes will open in seven to fourteen days. If they stay shut
for longer than that call your vet. Kittens often get a mild eye infection. The infection
results in the eyelids being gummed shut. A cotton ball that has been moistened with
warm water should be all you'll need to open the eyes again. If a kitten gets this eye
infection keep a close on her. The infection could build up behind those glued shut
eyelids and damage the eyeball. The infection usually clears up by itself in a few days. If
it turns particularly severe, take the kitten to your vet.

    At about one month of age, the kittens should toddle around pretty well and will
want to start eating solid food. You may find one of your little tikes standing in his
mothers' food dish trying out the food. You will want to put down a plate of a good
quality kitten food for them to nibble on. Kitten food is formulated specifically for the
needs of growing kittens, where adult food is not. Poor nutrition while the kittens are
growing could result in health issues when they become adults. The trick will be keeping
the mother out of the kitten food. Most adults find kitten food absolutely delicious.

    The first planned visit to the veterinarian for vaccinations should come at about
two months of age. By about 3 months of age the kittens should pretty independent and
ready to move to their new home if you are planning to sell or give them away. I've given
a general overview here. For a normal healthy litter and mother these guidelines should
serve you well. If there are any issues, rely on your vet to let you know the best thing to
do in any situation. Enjoy your kittens while they are with you. They grow up so
amazingly fast!

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Persian Cats

Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider:

The Persian

    A very ancient breed of cat, the Persian was first mentioned in hieroglyphs
beginning at approximately 1684 B.C. The Persians' beginnings have long been lost to
time. The Persian was so named for their ostensible country of origin, the great ancient
empire of Persia which was located in around the modern country of Iran. The first
known Persian cats to arrive in Europe were brought by an Italian traveler, Pietro della
Valle, in the 1600s. Persians became very popular throughout Europe. At the first modern
cat show, held in 1871 in London at the Crystal Palace, Persians were a featured breed.
The show at the Crystal Palace, and the others that followed, served only to increase the
popularity of this already very popular breed. Queen Victoria herself adored blue
Persians.

      Persians are a wildly popular breed. They are, in fact, the most popular breed of
cat on the planet. Their long flowing coats and sweet faces immediately endear them to
so many people. Their personalities are gentle and affectionate. They are strong creatures
of habit and are most comfortable in secure environments with regular routines, but with
gentle support, they can adapt to a more lively environment if need be. Persians are soft
spoken cats with pleasant and melodious voices that many people enjoy. Their expressive
eyes charm people of all ages. Persians are built long and low with sturdy short legs.
They are not big jumpers but do enjoy lounging in their favorite strategic locations. They
can often be found beautifully draped on a sunny windowsill posing for sheer pleasure of
it. Friendly cats, Persians will seek attention, but not demand it. Persians have long been
a fixture in artwork. Their great beauty has earned them frequent roles in commercial
advertising and in movies.

    Persians need to be kept indoors, away from dirt and burrs that could knot up
those beautiful coats. Daily combing is a must to prevent snarled fur and hairballs. Those
huge beautiful eyes do tend to do a bit of tearing. Washing a Persians' face daily will take
care of tearing. A well bred Persian can be hearty and healthy. When properly cared for,
Persians can live to be 15 years old.

      The Persian is an extraordinarily beautiful breed and comes in an amazing variety
of colors and patterns. The registry divides their colors into seven categories: solid color
division, silver and gold division, shaded and smoke division, tabby division, particolor
division, bicolor division and Himalayan division. Each color and pattern exquisitely
beautiful.

    The Persian cat is an ancient breed whose winning ways continue to charm people
to this day. They appear in a rainbow of colors and patterns, one of which is sure to catch
your eye. Give the Persian cat a closer look. The Persian has long been a gentle, loving,
loyal companion to many people over the years. This cat may be exactly what you are
looking for in a new companion.

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Naming Your Cat

With all apologies to T.S. Eliot, the naming of cats is not all that delicate a matter.
But some thought should certainly be given to it. Giving the cat a foolish or ugly name on
the spur of the moment because it sounds funny is no way to start a relationship. It
encourages a careless and disrespectful attitude toward the cat not only in yourself, but in
other people as well. A bad name encourages a bad attitude toward the cat. Fortunately,
coming up with a good name can be fun and there are endless possibilities for ideas.

    One very popular way for finding a good name is to look up the names of stars,
galaxies or constellations. You don't have to stick with just the major ones. Look up
some of the minor constellations and stars as well. You could find just the perfect name
in a constellation you had previously never heard of. You too may find you have a
Dorado or Indus on your hands. Another popular means of naming cats is using human
names. Matilda, Annie, Pete and Bobby are all quite popular. Some people name their
cats after movie stars or characters in a favorite film or book. I'm certain that at this very
moment, there are a large number of Frodos purring contentedly on their favorite
windowsill right now.

    Another good way to name a cat is by using something in their appearance to
name them. Many calico colored cats have been simply named Calico. Spotted cats of
any color frequently have the name of Patch. One cat was named Shadow because her
black and tan tiger stripes seemed to melt into the late afternoon shadows the first time
her new owner saw her. A gray kitten was quite suitably named Ash.

      Sometimes it is something the cat did that suggested their name. One kitten had a
habit of scaring himself silly. When he and his siblings first learned to climb trees, he
became over excited and rushed up higher than he was brave enough to climb down from.
The poor little gay clung to a branch crying at the top of his lungs while the adult cats
rushed around trying figure out a way to get him down. It only required a stool to retrieve
the little guy, but he was sure he was stuck halfway to the moon. Another time he
managed to get his head stuck between the slats on an old corn crib. He was safely
rescued after considerable effort. Due to this undeniable talent for scaring himself, he was
named Spook.
     
      Sometimes it is the cats' personality that suggests a name. A bold little explorer
who was the first kitten in his litter to explore the world outside their nest was named
Boone. A handsome brown kitten was so very fastidious in everything he did (one never
puts ones' paws in the food dish, that's dirty!) that he was eventually named Thomas.
     
      Naming a cat can be a pleasant and entertaining task. It's often the very first thing
a person does when he or she picks out a new companion. Take a little time to select just
the right name for your new friend. A good name will set your new relationship off on
just the right foot.

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Cat Behavior More Oddities

In my previous article on cat behavior, we discussed some interesting and unusual
behavior displayed by the family of cats that live on my farm. That was only the
beginning. These cats seem to delight in unexpected behavior. I thought I would share a
few more gems with you.

    There are three female cats on my farm. They consist of matriarch, Patch, and two
of her daughters. There have been other female cats on the farm, but I have been able to
find new homes for all of them. Cats, being solitary hunters, are not expected to show any
kind of social hierarchy. My three female cats do have a definite hierarchy. The top cat is,
of course, Patch. It's the two daughters that have been interesting. The older daughter,
Calico, is from Patch's first litter she had on the farm. She is a sturdy, healthy calico that
has not had any real problems. The second daughter is Little Girl. Little girl is a couple of
years younger than Calico. She is the smallest cat on the farm. A black cat with flashy
white markings, little girl is active and elegant.

    Since her birth, Calico has been Patch's favorite daughter. Calico and patch hung
out together much of the time. Patch even allowed Calico to help her with her kittens.
When Patch wanted to go do something, Calico was right there to baby sit. Even when
Patch was there, Calico was often right there with her. She could often be seen washing a
kitten or even just providing a nice warm place for the little guy to sleep. When Little
Girl arrived things continued quite awhile in the same way. Little Girl grew up and had
her first litter of kittens. Calico, as occasionally happens with calico cats has turned out to
be sterile. She has never had any kittens. Because of that, when little Girl had her kittens,
Calico lost her favorite daughter status. With Little Girl's kittens, Patch became the
doting grandmother. She was always helping Little Girl with her kittens. The two of then
could often be see lying together, bathing the kittens or watching them play. Calico was
banished. She wasn't allowed anywhere near those kittens or any other litter since.

    Calico didn't just lose kitten privileges. She wasn't even allowed to hang out with
Patch anymore the way she used to. Poor Calico, she was very upset. She knew exactly
who to blame for her predicament. Little Girl. Calico and Little Girl fought several times.
Unfortunately for Calico, Patch would sometimes jump in on Little Girl's side and run
her off. Calico was banished to hanging out with her brothers. It's been a couple of years
since then. Little Girl is still favorite daughter. Calico's position has eased somewhat.
Last summer, Little Girl allowed Calico to help her with her kittens once in awhile. Patch
has allowed Calico to hang out with her again from time to time. Who knows? One day
Calico may just be able to work herself back into her mother's good graces. Little Girl
seems to think so. She watches Calico very carefully. If she thinks things are going too
well for Calico, Little Girl will start a fight with her. Oh well, Life goes on.

    It isn't only the girls showing some interesting behavior. This past year two
brown kittens were born. Thomas, a handsome cinnamon brown with lots of flashy white,
was born in the spring. Pudge is solid brown without any white at all and was late
summer. What is interesting about these two is that they are both fascinated by horses.
We have three horses and every day you can find Thomas or Pudge (or both) strategically
positioned to watch them. When I call the horses out of their pasture, often I find Thomas
trotting in along with them. If I throw hay into their mangers I have to check before I
throw. Quite often Thomas or Pudge will be sitting in the manger, ready for a close up
study of the horse. When the horses are grazing, Thomas will creep along, nose to the
ground until he's almost nose to nose with the horse. He will stay there for a few
moments until the horse gently swings his nose at the kitten to push him out of the way.
Pudge has recently developed a fascination with horse's tails. He will come right in
behind the horse's heels and start playing with the tail. Fortunately for him, the horses
have refrained from launching him into orbit.

    Cats are funny and entertaining creatures aren't they. You just never seem to
know what they are going to do next.

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Maine Coon Cat

Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider:

Maine Coon Cat

    The ancestry of these big, hearty cats from New England is unknown. Most likely
they came across from Europe with the early settlers as working cats on the ships. Some
of these long haired ship cats apparently decided to disembark in the new world and
made their home there along with the new colonists. Winter in New England can be
extremely tough. Only the strongest survived those early winters, human or cat. Once
they settled in to their new homes, these long haired cats began to thrive. The Shaggies,
as they were called then, became a familiar part of colonial life throughout New England.

      The Maine Coon Cat is a big, strong, intelligent cat. They are also very loving and
devoted family members and remain very playful into old age. Maine Coon Cats do not
seem to make snap decisions about people. They remain somewhat reserved when they
first meet new people or move into a new home. Once they have made their decision,
they become affectionate and devoted companions. Maine Coon Cats also have an
unusual fascination with water. They are known to dabble in their water dishes or play in
showers before the water has all run out. Once in a while, a cat will actually go
swimming.

      Maine Coon Cats are gentle giants in the cat world. Males can top out at 20lbs
while females can reach 12 lbs. The size difference between the sexes is unusually large.
The females are no pushovers despite their lack of size. They feel they are every bit as
strong as the males and aren't afraid to prove it. These ladies can be quite feisty. Maine
Coon Cats have broad chests with well muscled bodies and medium length legs. This
breed does not reach full maturity until they are four years old. This cat has an easy going
and affectionate temperament. The smallest part of this cat is its voice. Maine Coon Cats
speak with a high squeaky voice that seems entirely incongruous coming from such a
massive cat. These cats chirp, cheep, chortle, and trill as well as meow. It's quite an eye
opener to hear a Maine Coon Cat speak.
     
       These cats have thick semi long coats which are all-weather and water resistant
as well. Fortunately, the Main Coon Cats coat does not tangle easily. The texture is
surprisingly silky. The most common coat color pattern is tabby though they can come in
a wide variety of colors and patterns.
     
    The Main Coon Cat is a breed whose cheerful ways continue to charm people
every day. Give the Main Coon Cat a closer look. The breed is hardy and affectionate. 
This cats' laid back temperament would make an outstanding family pet.  This cat may be
exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.

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How Kittens Learn to Hunt

Cats have been famous for hunting mice and rats for as long as cats and people
have been together. As strange as it may seem to some people, cats are not born knowing
how to hunt. It is a skill they learn from watching their mothers. If the mother cat is a
good hunter, then her kittens will learn to be good hunters. Interestingly, kittens seem to
learn the best from their mothers. They do not seem to learn as well or as quickly from
watching other adult cats.

    At about five or six weeks of age, a mother cat will begin teaching her kittens
how to hunt. At first she brings dead mice to the kittens. She will eat some of the mice in
front of the kittens. In this way she is showing them that mice are their prey and that they
are good to eat. As time goes on the kittens begin to play with the dead mice their mother
brings them. Before long the kittens are flinging the dead mice around and pouncing on
them. It's a good idea to stand clear of them when they're at this stage. You might get
smacked by a flying mouse if you don't!

    After awhile, the mother starts bringing mice that are still half alive and releases
them for the kittens to practice. Very soon the kittens are leaping on and flinging these
mice around as confidently as they did the previous dead ones their mother brought them.
Then, mother start bringing live, healthy mice and releases them for the kittens to practice
on. The first time the mother cat releases a live mouse, and it tries to run off, there's
immediate bedlam among the kittens. Wildly excited, the kittens flying around trying to
leap onto the running mouse zigging and zagging between them. If the mouse escapes the
kittens, the mother will usually swat it back into play.  By this time the kittens are so over
excited they're leaping at anything that moves. The mouse, a blade of grass, a blowing
leaf or even each other, are all fair game to the kittens. Not surprisingly, the mouse often
escapes during these early lessons.

    As the lessons progress the kittens become more discriminating in their targets
and develop their skills in catching the quick and agile mice. These lessons don't always
go smoothly. One kitten got the surprise of her life when a large mouse she was chasing
suddenly sat up in front of her and began scolding her at the top of its' lungs. The mouse
was apparently so fed up with the whole business that it actually jumped at the kitten.
The startled kitten fell over backward and the mouse raced off to safety. Live and learn.

    Eventually, the mother cat will decide that the kittens are ready for their first real
hunt. She will take them out to a good location that she knows will have plenty of mice
for the kittens to practice on. She does not demonstrate her hunting technique to the
kittens. Instead, lets them develop their own unique styles on these hunting forays. Each
kitten discovers the techniques that work best for them. By the end of their lessons the
kittens have become fine mousers in their own right.

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Deworming Multiple Cats

Ah yes, everyone's favorite pet chore. One day you clean your cats' box and
discover little white chunks of what appear to be cooked spaghetti lodged in the feces,
that is, until one starts to move. You know then that it's time to deworm your cats. If your
veterinarian says that your cat doesn't have anything particularly tough or nasty then he
or she may recommend a regular schedule using commercial dewormers that can be
found readily in any pet store. Your veterinarian even may have a good general purpose
dewormer on hand for your use. Fortunately, there is a wide range of deworming
medicines available on the market. Most are liquid or pill form.

    If you have only one cat, your task is relatively simple. Choose a dewormer that
your cat will find acceptable if not palatable. Many liquid dewormers claim to be very
tasty to cats. Unfortunately, many cats would vigorously disagree with that assessment.
In such a case, if you have access to a pill form of dewormer that your cat is willing to
swallow, you're in luck. If your cat won't swallow pills without major mayhem breaking
out and turns his nose up at every liquid dewormer you try, then you have a problem. If
you have more than one cat, it can become even more of an issue. If your cats will
happily take whatever you offer, then the only thing you have to worry about is keeping
the greedy guts from getting more than they should.  But, If each of them has a different
idea as to what is acceptable (or not) for deworming medicine, then you have a major
headache.

    Rather than cater to each cats whims and maintain a veterinary pharmacy worth of
dewormers in your house or routinely running your finicky feline into the veterinarian
every to he needs deworming, you might try a different route. You will need a liquid
deworming medicine and a syringe. Syringes are readily available in the livestock
medication section of farm supply stores. You only need the section with the barrel and
plunger. No needles are needed or should even be used. Syringes in farm supply stores
usually offer the two sections separately. Select one of smaller size. Your cat won't need
large amounts of medicine at any one time.

    Measure out the proper amount of dewormer for your cat into a measuring cup. A
measuring cup usually comes in the package with a liquid dewormer. Take one of your
syringes and place the open end (where the needle would normally attach) into the
measuring cup and draw the medicine up into the barrel by pulling upward on the
plunger. Try to get it all at one time. You could do this task by increments but trying to
manage a squirming cat while refilling a syringe really is more difficult than it is worth.
Now restrain your cat gently and situate yourself so that you can hold the cat and use the
syringe easily. It could require some experimentation to work out a suitable position for
the both of you. . If you keep one hand underneath the cats head and cradle his chin it
will make this part of the task go more smoothly. Slide the end of the syringe a little bit
into your cat's mouth and slowly depress the plunger This will empty the medicine into
your cat's mouth slowly enough that he can readily swallow it without choking. Repeat
for each cat.
   
    Naturally, your cat will not be particularly pleased with this method. He may
object rather strenuously. With repetition, however, you will become much smoother
with the task. You don't need to rush during this task. Take your time to discover what
will work best for you and your cats. Your cats will become more accustomed to it
despite themselves. This method will ensure that each cat, even your most finicky, gets
the proper amount of medicine he needs.  And that, of course, is the whole reason for the
entire exercise.

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Cats as Familiars

Cats as familiars have a long and dark history in western mythology. These cats
often found their way into literature. One of the most famous was Grimalkin, the witches'
cat from Shakespeare's MacBeth. Cats as witch's companions are still a part of the
popular symbology associated with the modern holiday of Halloween.

    What is a familiar? In western mythology a familiar was an animal companion
given by the devil to a witch in order to help her with her evil magic. These familiars
would have names just like any other pet. In the middle ages, if you were caught talking
to your pet (like a lot of people do) you were considered to be consorting with the devil in
speaking to w obviously your familiar. The Middle Ages were a very dark and violent
period in Europe. Their alternative name "Dark Ages" should come as no surprise.
Learning was confined to clergy and nobility. The general population was therefore quite
ignorant and prone to superstition.

      A familiar could be any type of animal such as a toad, dog or cat. Black cats
became the traditionally cited companion and hence cats became particularly reviled. In
1233 Pope Gregory IX wrote in his Papal Bull "Vox in Rama" actually denounced black
cats as satanic. The Popes' proclamation began the persecution of cats all over Europe.
Thousands and thousands of cats were burned alive in the attempt to drive out the evil
Satan. Wild tales of these cats shape shifting into other creatures were common among
the populace and justified these terrible acts in their minds. When the power of the
Knights Templar was broken, some of the knights were said to have confessed to
worshipping cats. As these so-called confessions were given under extreme torture, they
would seem to speak more to the attitudes of their inquisitors than to anything the
Templars themselves had actually done.

    Why were black cats in particular singled out? There are a couple of legends that
might explain this singular revulsion. In the first legend, so the story goes, is that cats
who were born at the end of blackberry season were called blackberry cats. According to
this legend, the end of blackberry season coincides with the expulsion of Satan from
heaven. When he fell he landed on a blackberry bush which he defiled with his urine and
spit. Thus, blackberry cats, especially black ones are associated with the devil in this tale. 
The second tale comes from Italy. The Italian witches, called streghe, tell a legend about
Diana who is goddess of the moon and also called "Queen of the Witches". Her brother
who was known in ancient times as Apollo, is renamed Lucifer (Light Bearer) in this tale.
Supposedly, Diana wanted to have a son by Lucifer, so she attempted to trick him by
taking the shape of a black cat.

    As you can see, these stories were pretty wild, and yet the people of those dark
times took them as the gospel truth. The irony of this superstitious hysteria against cats
was that by destroying the cats the Europeans nearly destroyed themselves. Cats had been
used for centuries to keep down the population of vermin, especially mice and rats. When
their predators were destroyed, the vermin population exploded. They ate large amounts
of grain that had been meant for human consumption resulting in widespread hunger
among the people.  Even worse than the hunger was that the enormous numbers of rats
became disease carriers. The worst of these diseases was the bubonic plague, otherwise
known as the Black Death. The Plagues of the Middle Ages are terrible instance of the
repercussions that can befall humans due to misplaced zeal.

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Cats as Deity

Cats as deities are most closely associated with ancient Egypt. The ancient
Egyptians had several feline gods and goddesses. Lions were said to guard the great god
Ra during his nightly journey through the underworld. The Egyptians had a fascination
with lions. They created their sphinx with the body of a lion and the head of Pharaoh.
Three lion goddesses existed in ancient Egypt. Sekhmet was a fierce and powerful
goddess. She was a war goddess who was sent by her father Ra to earth to destroy his
enemies. She is usually depicted as a woman with the head of a lion. Another lion headed
goddess was Tefnut whose name means moisture. She represented a primeval force of
nature. The third lion goddess was Mafdet who was the goddess of protection.

    Among her fierce sisters, gentle Bast may seem a bit out of place. Often shown as
a graceful cat wearing bracelets a broad collar and earrings, Bast was the protectress of
domestic cats and those who cared for them. Her principle gifts to the world were joy and
pleasure. She was a much beloved household deity. Her principle temple was at Bubastis
and was said to be one of the most beautiful and popular in all of Egypt. She had a
secondary seat in Memphis as well. There is some evidence to believe that the ancient
Egyptians believed that Bast and Sekhmet were actually two faces of the same divine
force. Sekhmet representing the violent aspect of the divine, and Bast, the gentler
qualities.

    Egyptian children were often consecrated to Bastand placed under her protection.
Bast was considered a divine mother and was sometimes depicted with kittens. When a
woman in ancient Egypt wanted to have children, she would often wear a bracelet or a
necklace depicting the goddess Bast with kittens. The number of kittens shown with the
goddess represented the number of children desired by the woman.  Ancient Egyptians
seemed to consider cats to be the height of beauty. The styles of makeup they used,
especially around the eyes, tended to give them a feline look.

      Cats were so highly regarded by the ancient Egyptians that the penalty for killing
one was death. When a family cat died of accident or old age, its' human family would
go into mourning. They would shave their eyebrows off to show their grief. Cats were
often mummified.  One royal cat was buried in a marble coffin. The hieroglyphs on her
coffin referred to her as "Lady Cat".

    Bast was said to be the wife of the god Ptah. Ptah was the creator god of the
universe. Ptah and Bast were said to have had a son, the fierce lion god Maahes. Maahes
originated as a Nubian god. During the New Kingdom, his worship moved northward
where he was incorporated into the Egyptian pantheon as the son of Bast and Ptah. On
becoming a divine mother, Bast became associated with the protectress of Lower Egypt,
Wadjet. They became linked as Wadjet-Bast. A similar association was created in the
Upper Kingdom By the combination of Sekhmet and the Upper Kingdom protectress
Nekhbet.

    The constantly changing nature of Egyptian religion can be rather confusing.
They had an inclusive attitude towards other gods and religions. The ancient Egyptians
freely adapted and adopted these others into their own cosmology. This attitude makes it
difficult for modern readers to understand. Most of us have been raised in religions
whose nature is highly exclusive. With an exclusive religion, outside influences are
rejected or even actively repelled. The Egyptians, as demonstrated by the story of Bast
and Maahes, had a very different way at looking at religion.

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Cat Behavior

Cats are known as solitary animals. They don't hunt communally or share the
spoils of a hunt. Sometimes cats with adjoining territories will get together for a pleasant
evening grooming session, but on the whole they are not the most social creatures with
others of their kind. This general wisdom does not always seem to hold up.

    My barn cats are a single family descended from a lone female who wandered
onto our place one day and decided to stay. She and her children and grandchildren police
the local rodent population. Their behavior doesn't always match the solitary hunter of
common wisdom.

    The original female, Patch, used to like to take her kittens for daytrips around the
area. I've watched her bring her little brood back from wherever they've been in the
evenings. One evening I watched her stop and sit down near the edge of a small, lightly
used road running next to our farm. Two of her kittens stopped next to her. As she turned
her head one way and then the other, carefully looking for traffic, the kittens mimicked
her actions. The only one who didn't was the little orange tiger who became distracted by
a butterfly. Patch retrieved her wandering kitten and brought the whole family home.
Walks are still a part of kitten lessons.

      I recently watched Patch, her daughter and three of their kittens taking a walk
around the boundaries of our farm. Patch and her daughter led the way. The two younger
kittens were in the middle. The oldest kitten, not quite a year old brought up the rear.
When one of the younger kittens stopped too long, he tried to move them along. If he
couldn't then one of the mother cats would come back and get the little guy moving. I've
wondered what this little jaunt was about. Possibly Patch was showing the newest
members of her family where their territorial boundaries were?

    Some of the most interesting behavior I've seen regards family member who were
injured. One of Patches' sons is a big burley black and white adult tom. A very handsome
and friendly boy, he unfortunately has a talent for trouble. One day he came limping
heavily into the yard wailing at the top of his lungs. His mother and sisters raced up to
him as fast as they could. While he continued to cry, Patch began washing his face and
ears while his sisters lay down over top of him. They stayed that way for some time while
I called the vet. I'm happy to report that he recovered just fine with only a hitch in his
giddyup to remember his adventure by.

       Another of Patches sons, a brown and white tom just under a year old, got into a
fight with his eldest brother. During the fight his foot was injured and began to swell. I
found him limping along on three legs the following morning. I brought him onto our
porch where I could keep a close eye on him and he could recover without further
injuring his foot. While he was recuperating, various members of the family perched
outside the porch windows, keeping him company.

    These are just a few examples I've seen among my cats. Maybe they are unusual.
I've certainly never seen cats act this way before. Or maybe, just maybe, cats aren't such
social isolates as everyone's always thought!

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Basic Nutrition For Cats

Cats are what are known as obligate carnivores. An obligate carnivore is one that
must east meat. You cannot just turn her out to graze in a pasture. The digestive tract of
cats has been shortened and optimized proteins from meat. They simply don't have the
dental or digestive apparatus to process plant materials. It's therefore surprising, given
their physical inability to process plants, that you will still find cats nibbling on plants
from time to time. There are many theories for why cats would nibble plants. They may
be trying to balance an upset digestion or add missing vitamins and minerals. Perhaps
they simply like the taste. Maybe it's a combination of factors. The jury is still out on this
matter.

    Fortunately these days, we don't have to go out and hunt for food to feed our cats.
There are a large number of very good, nutritionally balanced foods available in pet
stores to satisfy any cats' tastes. Try to feed good quality food. It really does make a
difference in the health and appearance of your pet. Pick one that your cat likes and stick
with it. Cats don't actually need a lot of variety. Changing their food constantly tends to
just make them picky eaters. 

      Nutritional requirements for your pet will vary by age and size. What she needs as
a kitten will be very different than what she will need as an adult. Be sure to follow the
instructions on the bag to avoid feeding too much or too little. The average adult cat will
need about one cup of food a day. Cats appreciate consistency in their feeding schedules. 
Try to feed them at the same time each day. Also, try to keep their bowls out of high
traffic areas. It's hard to eat your dinner when people are stepping on you!

    Try not to feed your cat people food. Some things, such as chocolate and raw
liver, are actually toxic to cats. Others cause digestive upset.  Remove the bones from any
cooked meat you might want to give to your cat. Poultry and pork bones in particular are
given to splintering and can injure your cat.

    When you need to switch from one type of food to the other, do so in a gradual
process. Shifting gradually from one to the other over the course of a week will help
prevent digestive upsets. You may need to switch foods because your store may stop
carrying the brand you like or perhaps your kitten has grown old enough to graduate to
adult food. Do the changeover slowly and your cat will thank you for it.

    Feeding treats is something for you to decide if you want to do it. Some people
are dead set against them. Others lavish treats on their pets at every opportunity. There
are many good cat treats on the market today. Read their directions carefully. You don't
want to overindulge your cat and turn her into a furry beach ball with legs. The only other
thing that a cat requires is water. Do your best to keep a nice fresh supply of water
available for your pet. With a little thought and planning you can keep your pet healthy
and happy for a long time to come.
   

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A Brief History Of Cats

It seems strange that there was ever a time when cats were not a part of our lives.
It's been less that 10,000 years since cats swaggered into our lives. Hardly an eye blink in
the grand sweep of life on this planet. Why were cats so late to join our team? The simple
answer is they didn't need us to survive. Cats were surviving just fine on their own. Then,
people invented agriculture. Agriculture resulted in large scale storage of grains which
attracted the usual and well know group of freeloaders, mice and rats. Grain attracted
rodents. Rodents attracted cats who consider them tasty meals. The result was that cats
set up housekeeping close to human settlements. Eventually, cats being cats, moved right
on in.

    Who were these first cats? The first clue lies in where agriculture was first
practiced. Agriculture first took root (no pun intended) in the Middle East in a great
sweep from modern day Turkey to Egypt. Within this area ranges the African wild cat,
Felis libyca. African wild cats are slightly larger that our modern house cats and are
yellow in color with muted stripes. These cats have a docile, almost laid back nature.
Interestingly, these cats still tend to live and hunt near human dwellings today. Locals
still like to catch and rear young wild cats as pets. When mature, wild cats raised by
humans tend to behave very much like our familiar housecats. A very good case can (and
has) been advanced designating Felis libyca as the principal founding population for
domestic cats. At least two other varieties of wild cat are speculated to have contributed
to the genetic make up of domestic cats. One is Felis silvestris, The European wildcat
who appears to have contributed darker markings and a peppery spirit to the African wild
cat base. Also, from Asia, comes the Pallas or Steppe cat (Felis manul) that appears to
have contributed long-haired coats to the mix.

    The early period of domestication of cats is vague with only patches of evidence.
However, by 6,000 B.C. statues found in Anatolia (modern Turkey) show women playing
with domestic cats. Cats had clearly become common and affectionate pets by that time.
The earliest written records about cats appear by approximately 4,000 B.C. in Egypt
where they were frequently kept to hunt mice and rats from stored grains. It was a good
time to be a cat in ancient Egypt. Domestic cats were thought to be the embodiment of
the goddess Bast (or Bastet). There was a necropolis at her principal temple at Bubastis
that contained mummified cats.

    Romans spread the domestic cat northward into central Europe and westward to
Britain during the expansion of their empire. Cats were quickly adopted and admired as
great hunters.  And they continued to move north and east in Europe.  The Vikings used
cats as both rodent hunters and pets. The Viking goddess of love and war, Freyja, was
associated with cats. Huge winged cats drew her chariot. It also became the custom to
give new brides a kitten in her name.

    The Middle Ages it were a very bad time to be a cat. Cats were said to be witches
familiars, in league with the devil. Because of this superstition, cats were routinely killed
during festivals. Sometimes they were even burned alive or thrown off tall buildings. The
Europeans paid heavily for their cruelty to cats. The deaths of so many cats allowed the
rodent population to rise out of control, bringing in the Black Death which killed so much
of the European population. Eventually, the cats' cleanly ways and hunting prowess
redeemed them in the eyes of the people of Europe. By the 1600s, people in France began
putting little holes near the bottom of their doors to allow their cats to enter and leave as
they please.

    In Asia cats continued to be familiar hunters and cherished pets. Cats were often
subjects for drawing and painting in China. In Japan, cats in the form of Maneki Neko,
usually portrayed as a sitting cat with one paw raised and bent, are considered good
fortune. They are often found in businesses to draw in money.

    The history of cats is a fascinating one, worthy of much more in depth study. It
fosters an appreciation for the personalities and talents of our pets.
   

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