Cats And Parrots

The Cat and the Parrot, best friends pictures was sent to me by my friend Aviel Pipman.

"Tasty head massage..."

"Good Morning..."

"and the cat shall dwell with the parrot..."

Why do cats lick their lips?

The cat licking his lips picture is courtesy of " Gragsie " from flickr.

When cats lick their lips it may mean that they are hungry and they tell you: "Cat want to eat…!". 

Cats lick their lips to clean themselves after eating.

Licking lips may be a sign that the cat is agitated. That the cat is in a mild state of conflict.

It may indicate there are some problems (if  they do it too much.)

Such as mild anxiety for something, an allergy or some obstruction in the digestive process.

Cats licks their lips as a displacement activity – When they are unsure, they do something to relieve the discomfort. For example, we can scratch our heads as a displacement activity, when we are embarrassed.

Cameo Persian

This Beautiful 15 years old Cameo Persian Cat (Skye) is courtesy of " whitlee0913 " from flickr.

The Cameo Persian was developed from Smoke Longhair and Tortoiseshell Longhair, in the 1950's.

Their are 8 kinds:

Red Shell Cameo

Red Shaded Cameo

Red Smoke Cameo

Cream Shell Cameo

Cream Shaded Cameo

Cream Smoke Cameo

Cameo Tortie

Cameo Tabby

Blue Persian Kitten

The Blue Persian Kitten (Coccolo)

is courtesy of Gattaka

Most of the Blue Longhair kittens are born with a Tabby pattern

that will probably vanish in a few months.

The Blue persian is the most popular from all the persian cats.

There are even exhibitions for them only.

Black Persian Kitten

The Black Persian Kitten (Black Jack) 

is courtesy of " Gattaka Persians " from flickr

A black Persian kitten may have dots of colors in his fur.

Often the fully black color develops aftter 6 months of age.

Brown Tabby Persian Kittens

The Brown Tabby Persian Kittens (Morgan and Maya) 

are courtesy of Gattaka Persians

There are references about Persian cats from around 1600 B.C. 

The Persian cats origin is from Persia – Iran.

Smelling Abilities

The Cat nose picture is from Wikipedia, Entry: Cat.

The cat's nose is very sensitive to smells that contain Nitrogen.

This ability helps them ro reject rotten foods - "spoilt" foods, because 

these foods release chimicals that are full of Nitrogen.  

Mice in Council

The cat and mouse picture is courtesy of " Apryl Wiese " from flickr.

 

Long ago, the mice held a general council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the cat. Some said this, and some said that; but at last a young mouse got up and said he had a proposal to make, which he though would meet the case.

"You will all agree," said he, "that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. Now, if we could receive some signal of her approach, we could easily escape from her. I venture, therefore, to propose that a small bell be procured, and attached by a ribbon round the neck of the cat. By this means we should always know when she was about, and could easily retire while she was in the neighborhood."

This proposal met with general applause, until an old mouse got up and said, "That is all very well, but who is to bell the cat?"

The mice looked at one another and nobody spoke. Then the old mouse said, "It is easy to propose impossible remedies."

Source: The Fables of Æsop

Golden Chinchilla Persian

 The Golden Chinchilla Persian Cat picture is courtesy of

" Exhibit-M " from flickr.

The Chinchilla Longhair cat got it's name

from the South American rodent - Chinchilla :

The Chinchilla picture is courtesy of " [jess h.]  " from flickr.

The Chinchilla has dark under fur with white ends

and the Chinchilla cat has it the opsosite way,

white under fur, with dark ends.

Cats clothes

The dressed cat is courtesy of " swanky " from flickr

I dont think that cats enjoy wearing clothes. They are perfect as they are, with their permanent coats. But, they sure look beautiful with them.

It is great to dress them up for a few minutes, just to take some cool photos...!

Ancient Mosaic

Cat attacks bird - mosaic from the National Museum of Rome.

Piture is courtesy of " geekygirlnyc " from Flickr.

Red cream Peke-face Longhair Persian

Red cream Peke-face Longhair Persian Cat ,picture

is courtesy of " iwork4toby " from flickr.

Although their color is fire red, it is a calm comfortable and very affectionate cat.

The name Peke-face is because they are similiar to the Pekingese dog.

In the USA this breed is permitted to participate in cats exhibitions,

but in Britain it is forbidden.

Most of the vets in Britain are against breeding it,

because of the squashed face, that may cause breathing difficulties.

The Jacobson's Organ

The cat picture is courtesy of " mauzlover " from flickr.

The Jacobson's organ - in Latin - vomeronasal organ,  is a cat (and many other animals) olfactory sense organ. Discovered in 1813 by Ludvig Jacobson.

It is a sense that human doesn't have. A sense that is between the olfactory sense and the sense of taste.

The Jacobson's organ is connected to the tip of the cat's upper palate and it transfer sensations to the sexual centers of his/hers brain.

The cat's Jacobson organ - vomeronasal organ sketch is from wikipedia.

white cat with blue and green eyes

The white cat with blue green eyes is courtesy of Lou in China

Due to a genetic problem, white cats with blue eyes(two blue eyes) are often deaf. (not always).

White cats with one blue eye and one yellow or green eye, may be deaf on the blue eye side.

Harry potter style cat

The Cat picture is courtesy of " Márcia_Marton " from flickr

Ear Mite

the Cat shaking his head picture is courtesy of peter_hasselbom

Why do cats shake their heads?

Ear mite is maybe the cause of it.

Ear mite are microscopic creatures who lives inside  animals ears.

They can be transmitted even from brief contact with another cat or dog.

It is rear for human to get infected.

If your cat is scraching his ears and shake his head a lot, It's a sign for ear mite.

Ear mite possible sign is something like black dirt inside the cat's ears.

A lot of scraching and shaking, without the "black dirt", can also be ear infection.

Either way, It is a good idea to get your cat to the vet.

The vet will take a sample from the black dirt and put it under a microscop.

If he'll see this... It's Ear mite...

The treatment is probably will be some kind of ear drops, twice daily.

(Ear mite picture from wikipedia, Entry: ear mite)

Safe way to pick up kittens and grown cats:

The kitten picture is courtesy of aYomy

In the picture you can see a human child picks up a cat kitten.

A little too far from his body. It may scare the kitten. 

---

It is better not to pick up kittens before they are two weeks of age.

From the age of 2 weeks to 4 weeks, it is recommended to only pick them up briefly.

Young kittens can be picked up by the loose skin at the back of their necks. The Same way as their mothers move them around.

Kittens  are very light and it will not heart them.

But, never lift a grown cat by its neck. It can heart him. 

Safe way to pick up kittens and grown cats:

Approach the cat from his side. One open palm, up, on the belly, behind the legs in the front.

Second hand, over the back and under the belly close to the hind legs. Pick the cat up close to your body.

He will feel secure because of the good support.

---

 My cat comes closer and closer every day, but still she doesn’t let me pet her or touch her. Hopefully soon

Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex cat closup
The Cornish Rex cat history, goes back to the 1950's. In cornwall, England, a male kitten was born to farm cats. He had a red white curley fur and waved whiskers.
The cat was paired with his mother and from the mating were born a few curley kittens...



The Red Cornish Rex cat pictures are courtesy of " canyougivemeanametoo " from flickr

In The Snow

The cat in the snow picture is courtesy of mosippy

The beautiful cats on the pictures have a warm house to go back to when they finish to enjoy the snow expedition.

Stray cats could experience some hard times  in the winter,  and giving them food everyday will help them go through it. When a cat eat good it actualy improves his hunting skills who help him take care of himself.

The snow cat picture is courtesy of thru_myeye 

Responding

The Cat and her human is courtesy of " Shadow Cat " from flickr.

Cats respond better to women than to men, 

probably due to the fact that women's voices have a higher pitch.

Rubs Up Against You

The Cat's affection picture is courtesy of " vernhart " from flickr.

Cats rubs up their body and head against you for marking you. They mark you as "theirs" with their sent.

Cats push their faces against your head if they accept you. It is a sign of affection.

Ears Muscles

The Cat with the lovely big ears picture is courtesy of 

" Buntekuh " from flickr.

Cats ears can pivot in 180 degrees, and also move up and down.

in each ear cats have 30 muscles (human have 6)  and 12 or more are controlling the ear movement.

The cat use his ears as a radar. The ears can move in different directions and pinpoint the sound source without the movement of the cats head.

Devon Rex

The Devon Rex cat picture is courtesy of peter_hasselbom

Pupils

The cat (Ema) picture is courtesy of " fmsbotelho " from flickr.

The cat's pupils contract in strong light, in order to defend the retina.

There is no need for the pupil to be closed completely because the eye lids can do that.

When the light is very very strong the pupil will contract to the end and will become closed completely, but only in the middle, tiny aperture will be left on the corners.

In the picture the pupils shows it is a medium strong light.

Black Maine Coon

The Black Maine Coon Cat picture is courtesy of cindasl

The maine Coon cat was developed from American farm cats who probabley were cross-breed between Angora cats and unpure short hair cats.
The maine coon has a large veriety of color and designs.

Hairballs

The cat grooming himself picture is courtesy of " Tideswimmer " from flickr.

Hairballs – trichobezoars

Hairballs are part of cats life.

Cats swallow lots of hair on each session of grooming. Their tongue is grasping and pulling dead fur and they swallow some of it.

Most of the hair is being digest and comes out of their body through the digestive system.

Our pets gastrointestinal tract is made to process fur.

Some cats which has a strong digestive system don’t usually form hairballs.

Other cats cannot digest the fur and it accumulate in their stomach or small intestine.

Hairballs may cause discomfort, in appetence and frequent vomiting.

 To get rid of the hairball, cats will often vomit. A long ball of fur with food particles will be the result.

Good quality food can help against hairballs forming.

A  rich fiber diet can help against hair balls forming.

There are hairball  remedies.

Brushing your cat may help against forming of hairballs.

Help against hairball, or even preventing it completely - once a week, give your cat a Table spoon of canned pumpkin which is full of fiber.

 

Smaller hair balls go through the system, and sometimes it causes discomfort and pain because of constipation.

If the hairball completely block the intestine it may be deadly!

Such hairball may required a surgery to remove it and save the cat's life.

Dry hacking usually after a meal is normal.

The Cat that enjoing so much while producing his next hairball, picture is courtesy of " eric_malette " from flickr.

Two hairballs or less per month is in the norm.

To produce a hairball, when the dry hacking starts should take 24-48 hours. A visit to the vet would be a good idea if the hairball doesn’t come out.

Cats Asthma symptoms may sound very similar to the coughs due to hairballs.

 

excessive hairball problem signs:

The cat vomit frequently

Withdrawn Behaviors

He refuse to eat or to drink

No Bowel movement

A Clumpy coat

Abdominal Pain

Lethargy

Constipation

Hard stools with visible hair.

 

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon Cat Pictures are courtesy of " Nick Bark " from flickr.

He sent me a few words about Maine Coon cats:

"Maine Coons are originally from the north east of the USA, and have heavy top coat and fluffy under coat. They were much prized by farmers as due to their size they made excellent hunters of vermin. As very playful cat they are often considered the dog of the cat world due to their playful nature and their ability to be trained to fetch like dogs.

Their name (legend has it) came from the place where they originated (Maine) and the fact that they look a little like a Racoon!

Maine Coon Cat Cheff...

Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon Cat Picture is courtesy of " jaggystu71 " from flickr.

The Maine Coon Cat breed was developed from 

tough American farm cats. 

Ancient Egyptian Cat, Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

Cat Picture is courtesy of “ tristrambrelstaff ” from Flickr.

Pre-Columbian Artifact

Cat statue from Chile, Santiago, Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Pre Columbian means: before Christopher Columbus. “Pre-Comlumbian” includes: Aztec, Maya, Inca, Moche, Chibcha, Cañaris…
Cat statue Picture is courtesy of “ johotravels ” from Flickr.

Cat Tattoo

The Cat Tattoo picture is courtesy of miss pupik
The perfect tattoo for "krazy about cats" people.

Cats Are Predators

The Cat and a mouse picture is courtesy of " sean dreilinger " from flickr.

Cats are predators
When they play, it's also a practice to help them stay in shape.
When cats play with their pray it's sometimes seems cruel, but it is necessary for the cat survival.
I have written on the post with pray that when your cat comes home with a pray in his mouth, it's a gift that he want to share with you, Well there is another reason, your cat wants to "play" with his prey and to practice his hunting skills in a place where he knows every inch of , so that his prey will not succeed to escape.

Mosaic

The Cat Mosaic picture is courtesy of " Ullybby " from flickr.

Everybody in her mosaic class are making cats.

Starting

The persian kitten is courtesy of Darlene ~ www.tnpurrs.com

Kittens open their eyes when they are 5 days old. They start to develop their hearing and their eyesight at the age of about two weeks.

kittens start to walk when they are 20 days.

Calico

The Calico Cat picture is courtesy of " Shirla " from flickr

---

Calico cats are very hard to breed, the kittens turn out to be almost always female!

Tails Up!

The cat and his tail (and the dog) picture is courtesy of kamerakrazy

The house cat can hold it's tail up while walking.
It's the only cat species which does that!
The wild cat's tail is kept horizontally or between their legs.
One of the meanings of Cat's tail up is: I am not afraid!
The cat in the picture, tells the dog, with the universal animal language: I am not afraid of you !

Welcome The Ancestor of Your Cat... The African WildCat!

The African Wild Cat picture is courtesy of bit.Id

The ancestors of the house cats were five (or a maybe just a few more) females from the wildcat subspecies Felis silvestris lybica - The African wildcat
DNA research found that from these matriarchs all the house cats in the world, came from!
More than half a BILION Cats!

The African Wild Cat picture is courtesy of Nature Photographer

Do cats catch yawns from humans?

The yawning cat picture is courtesy of Saxon9

Usualy cats yawn in the morning, when they wake up ( my cat yawn at noon…)
And they rarely yawn in the evenings…
Right?

---

The picture of the yawning cat was "directed"...

It was taken after yawning infront of the cat to see if she'll catch it!!!

And she did!

Great Experiment!

You are welcome to try it with your cats and add your comments.

Do cats catch yawns from humans?

THE BIGGEST CAT AND THE SMALLEST CAT

The Ragdoll Cat (largest cat breed) picture is courtesy of casear
Ragdoll is the largest cat breed.
Males weigh 12-20 pound (5-9 Kg.)
Females weigh less than males, 10-15 pounds (4.5 – 7 kg).


The Singapura cat picture is courtesy of W&T Photographs

The singapura cat is the smallest breed.
The singapura weigh
Males about 6 pounds (2.7 Kg)
Female about 4 pounds (1.8 Kg)