Celebrating Evolutionary Purr-fection 🐾

8th August 2024 is International Cat Day

But don’t expect cats to be impressed by this day of adoration. As far as they are concerned every day is Universal Cat Day. 

Unlike any other domesticated animal, cats have never ‘served ‘ as a source of labour, food or transport. At most, they are invited to do what they love doing anyway – hunt rats and mice! And now they are the most popular pets in the world.

The History of Cats

• 10.8 million years ago a panther-like ancestor of cats first appeared in Southeast Asia.
• The Ancient Egyptians were the first to keep cats as pets from around 3600 years ago. They called them ‘Mau’.

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Fun facts about cats

It’s in the genes – Cats share 95% of their DNA with lions and tigers

• Cats having the zoomies can reach speeds of up to 30 mph – Fast enough to beat Usain Bolt in the 200 metres sprint.
• The world’s oldest cat lived to 38 years and 3 days old – Her name was Creme Puff and she lived in Texas from 1967 to 2005. She took the world record from her owners’ previous cat, Grandpa Rex Allen, who lived to 34 years old!
• Cats – the musical? – Cats can make up to 100 sounds. They’re like birds. Dogs, on the other hand, make only 10. And cats can also produce 276 distinct facial expressions. They just speak for themselves!

The rights of a cat

Did you know that all pet owners in the UK have a legal duty to look after their pet’s welfare needs?

Section nine of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, states that all domestic animals have the legal right to:

• Live in a suitable environment – A warm bed, a safe space, protection from weather, noise and smoke.
• Eat a suitable diet – A healthy feline diet suitable for their age, breed and lifestyle. Keep your cat at a healthy weight and body condition for their sake. And avoid fatty human food that ruins teeth and triggers serious tummy problems in cats.
• Exhibit normal behaviour patterns – Cats are smart, inquisitive and programmed to stalk and pounce. Let them be explorers and fearsome felines. Even is its only with a cardboard box and a catnip mouse!
• Be housed with, or apart from, other animals – Cats need company. But they also need protection from conflict and danger.
• Be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease – Prevent the preventable illnesses. Vaccinate, worm and flea-treat your cat regularly. Seek veterinary advice when your cat’s unwell. They can’t talk and often hide their illness. It’s up to us to pay attention and to care.

The only thing missing here is, ‘The right to be worshipped and adored, constantly and unconditionally!‘ But cats added that bit themselves. So either this can be ignored, or we agree with them that it’s their most important ‘right’.

Cats just wanna’ have fun!

Making playtime count

• Exercise for health and fun – The best games encourage cats to stalk, pounce, chase and bat objects with a paw. This kind of hunting activity releases feel-good hormones called endorphins. Toy mice and catnip-filled toys make safe substitutes for prey. But cardboard boxes and rolled-up tin foil make fun, inexpensive alternatives.
• Playtime for mental health – Boredom in cats can lead to a number of issues, including overeating, destructive behaviour and overgrooming. Keeping your cat physically fit and mentally stimulated can slow down or delay the onset of dementia. Puzzles and interactive toys keep indoor cats on their game.
• Bonding time for you and your cat – What better way to bond than over a feather wand game or some relaxing, quality grooming?

Adoption and rescue

Of the 600 million cats in the world, over 300 million are homeless or feral. 150,000 cats end up in shelters across the UK every year. And that’s just the lucky ones who find safety. There may be a quarter of a million cats living as homeless strays in UK towns and cities. Whether it’s a kitten, adult or one of the many older cats looking for a home, perhaps your ‘purr’-fect new companion is out there waiting.

Most shelters charge an adoption fee, but it’s likely to be a lot less than buying a kitten or pedigree cat. And this fee allows shelters to keep caring for other unwanted and abandoned cats. They also neuter and vaccinate pets before rehoming, or support costs for this post-adoption.

A few things to consider before deciding to adopt:

• What are you looking for? – Kittens, adults, indoor cats, outdoors semi-feral cats? Are you looking for a family pet, a champion mouser workmate or a low-maintenance housemate?
• Do you have the time and patience? – It takes months, not hours, not even weeks, to settle into a new life with a rehomed pet. The stress of change may result in challenges like peeing outside the litterbox. A calming diffuser can help with all introductions and changes.
• Who else shares your life and home? – Young children, other pets and likely visitors all influence the suitability of your match with a rescue cat.

Adopting a cat may carry fewer upfront costs. But when any new cat comes home, there are costs to feed and care for them. And possible illnesses that only come to light over time. The commitment is no less. But the rewards can be more than equal!

How to tell if your cat is unwell 

Cats won’t tell you if something is wrong. We may think of them as hunters. But they are prey to many other creatures. And like other prey animals, they won’t want to show weakness. So what are the warning signs when something’s not right?

Spoiler alert. Cats are not dogs!

• Hiding away – Outdoor cats may come home less and be harder to find. It’s always a worry, so keep the cat flap closed if they are poorly. 
• Losing weight – Check your cat’s weight regularly, especially as they get older. Losing weight can be the first sign of common illnesses like kidney disease or an overactive thyroid gland.
• Behaving differently – Overgrooming or becoming grumpy. Stressed and anxious cats will often overgroom, making their coat patchy in places and causing sores. Swallowed hair causes fur balls which make cats vomit or get constipated.

Common Health conditions affecting cats

The 3 most common health conditions vets see today are:

• Dental disease – Over 80% of cats over 4 years old have dental disease. It’s worse in older cats and short-faced breeds with overcrowded mouths. Even if your cat doesn’t seem to complain, dental disease hurts! And dental surgery can be very costly. Feed a healthy nutritious diet, and clean your cat’s teeth every day. It’s never too early or too late to start.
• Parasites- Fleas, ear mites, ticks and worms. Outdoors cats who hunt may be at most risk of pesky parasites. But all cats, including those who live indoors, can get them. Worm cats at least 4 times a year. Treat regularly for fleas to prevent the itchiness, overgrooming and skin disease that accompany flea burdens and allergies.
• Obesity – No cat should be obese, whatever their breed, lifestyle or age. There’s a direct link between obesity and other distressing illnesses, including arthritis, diabetes, and even some cancers. We can control obesity if we treat it as the serious life-long illness it is. And work with your vet or practice weight clinic to manage ongoing weight challenges.

The Friendly Joii Vets are available online any time to answer queries about your cat’s health and preventive treatments. 

How to Talk Cat

(Well they’re certainly not going to lower themselves to talking ‘human’!)

Cats are amazing communicators – ask any cat owner. It doesn’t take long for them to get us trained in their preferences. But how do cats communicate? It’s all in the body language – tail position, ears, eyes and whiskers

• Relaxed cat – Eyes half open; whiskers relaxed; ears upright and gently-twitching; tail held upwards,  but relaxed, or curling around you, and maybe with a gentle curl at the top.
• Playful or hunting cat – Eyes wide open with dilated pupils; whiskers fanned out to the side and slightly forwards; tail mid height and flicking from side to side. 
• Stressed or worried cat – Eyes wide open or narrowed; whiskers tense and pulled slightly back; ears rotated to the side or flattened backwards; tail held close to their body or thrashing on ground.
• Angry or aggressive cat – Eyes narrowed, direct stare; ears turned back or flat against the head; whiskers pulled tightly back against the face, or even forwards; arched back and tense flicking/thrashing tail. Oh, and lots of hissing. Translation? Steer clear!

The ‘paw’-some hall of feline fame

• Larry – The Downing Street Mouser. He’s seen a few Prime Ministers in his time. And was doubtless equally unimpressed with all of them – as only cats can be! Now 17 years old, Larry’s work ethic and personality have tended to be somewhat ‘unpredictable’ over the years.  
• Garfield – cartoon antihero and film star since 1977 – the cynical orange Persian, was created by cartoonist Jim Davis. Davis based the name and character of Garfield on his grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, who he described as “a large, cantankerous man.” Garfield’s love of lasagne may be a little un-catlike, but his loathing for the grey tabby, ‘Nermal’, is certainly more in keeping with feline neighbourhood rivalry!
• Tardar Sauce – aka Grumpy Cat – rose to fame after a picture of her face went viral on the internet in 2012. And now she’s one of the most famous cats in history. Her owners reported she was actually a very happy cat (despite the expression), who was born with a type of dwarfism. Her parents were a tortoiseshell and a grey tabby! And now she’s loved and ‘shared’ all around the world

Whoever your cat is, however large or small, sweet or grumpy, Happy International Cat Day!