Cats

1. Cats Mrs. Brondel

2. Objectives Discuss the history of the cat List the major groups and breeds Discuss proper feeding methods Discuss general grooming and care Discuss various diseases

3. History Domestication of the cat occurred around 4000 years ago The cat was used in religious ceremonies and have been found mummified in tombs Romans introduced the cat to Europe,who began trading all over the world Cats can be found on every continent, except Antartica There are 36-38 different species of cats

4. General Characteristics Cats have erect ears and large eyes with vertical slit pupils They have 28-30 teeth, 5 toes on each front foot, and 4 toes on each hind foot All cats, except the cheetah, have retractable claws

5. Classification • Cats are divided into 3 groups • Large Roaring Cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and Jaguars) • Non-roaring Cats (small cats and domestic cats) • Cheetah (no retractable claws) • Domestic cats are further classified into 2 groups • Shorthair (26 breeds) • Longhair (13 breeds)

6. Shorthair Breeds • Abyssinian • American Shorthair • American Wirehair • Bombay • Burmese • British Shorthair • Chartreux • Colorpoint • Cornish Rex • Devon Rex • Egyptian Mau • Exotic Shorthair • Havana Brown • Japanese Bobtail • Korat • Malayan

7. Shorthair breeds cont. • Manx • Ocicat • Oriental Shorthair • Russian Blue • Scottish Fold • Siamese • Singapur • Snowshoe Breed • Sphynx • Tonkinese

8. Longhair Breeds • Balinese & Javanese • Birman • Cymric • Himalayan • Kashmir • Maine Coon • Norwegian Forest Cat • Persian • Ragdoll • Somali • Tiffany • Turkish Angora

9. Activity Choose a breed of cat and research it Find information such as size, temperment, colors, disposition, etc. We will share these with the class and information will be put in your notes

10. Example: • Abyssinian • Direct descendent of the Sacred Cat of Egypt • 3 recognized colors (Ruddy, Red, and Blue) • Extremely affectionate, quiet, highly intelligent • Medium size with firm, muscular body

11. Physical Characteristics • A cats body was developed for speed and flexibility • They have 244 bones; 40 more than a human • They have over 500 separate muscles; 150 less than a human • Their coat gives protection from excessive water loss, heat, cold, excessive sunlight, and physical injuries

12. Sense of Touch One of the lesser important senses Cats have special nerve endings that respond to touch throughout their skin Petting a cat can bring about a relaxing purr or results in the extension of claws and teeth

13. The nose and paws are extremely sensitive to touch The nose helps determine further smell and taste The paws are used to investigate food, water, and other objects

14. Ears Can detect the slight sounds of mice and other prey Some white cats (especially with blue eyes) may be deaf so their other senses are stronger

15. Eyes A cats eyes point forward to provide three dimensional vision They function in total darkness and in bright daylight They are designed to collect the maximum amount of light-their eyes are highly curved and the lens is farther back in the eye than in humans

16. Eyes cont. • Cats have three eyelids • 2 lids close to protect the eye if anything touches the eyelashes, whiskers, or the eye itself • The 3rd eyelid move diagonally across the eye under the eyelids to help lubricate the cornea

17. Eyes cont. A kitten’s eyes remain closed for 10-12 days after birth It takes up to three months before the eyes are fully developed

18. Nose • Small receptors are located in the lining of the nose that enables the cat to pick up the smell of airborne substances • Taste receptors located on the tongue allow the cat to detect and recognize different substances it ingests

19. Nose cont. Cats have a 3rd set of receptors known as Jacobson’s organ which is located on the roof of the mouth Jacobson’s organ is stimulated by odors that are picked up by the tongue from the air and transferred to the organ when the cat presses its tongue against the roof of the mouth

20. Tongue The tongue is spoon shaped and enables the cat to lap up liquids

21. Choosing a Cat People select cats based on their beauty and personality Cats are independent and self-sufficient, make excellent companions, and take less care than a dog Cats are great for apartments and less active for the elderly

22. Choosing a Cat cont. • Cats are cheaper than having a dog • They are clean and generally require very little house training • For the elderly or busy family select an adult cat. • Why? Less time to care for • Take to the vet for parasite control • Disadvantage--they could die sooner

23. Younger kittens • Adapt more quickly • Have them spayed or neutered if not breeding them • Be aware of breed characteristics before purchasing

24. A male will reach sexual maturity at about 6-8 months • Will start to mark its territory-strong and unpleasant smell • A female reaches sexual maturity at about 5 months (depending on breed) • Comes into heat about every 3 weeks

25. When Selecting Animals Look for… • Signs of illness, gums should be pale pink and teeth white, eyes bright and clear, nose cool and slightly damp, coat should be clean, glossy, and free of mats, check for lumps and abscesses • Kittens should be purchased at 8-12 weeks • Select one that is playful, alert, and lively • When selecting for show make sure they have the correct breed markings, eye color, coat color, and have good conformation

26. Feeding and Training • Cats are Carnivores • 30-40% of a cats diet should be animal type proteins • Meat, meat by-products, fish, eggs, milk • 10% should be fat • Feeding just meats could cause bone disease, stunted growth, poor eyesight

27. Too much liver can cause Vitamin A poisoning Milk is a good source of calcium When feeding meat, make sure to remove all the bones NEVER FEED A CAT/KITTEN CHICKEN BONES!!!

28. Canned Food More palatable Contains 75% water Fresh and canned foods should not be fed straight from the refrigerator. Warm to room temperature before feeding

29. Semi-moist Food Less expensive than canned food Made up of 30% water

30. Dry Foods 10% water Less fat and protein than semi-moist food Always have water available when serving dry food Cats can develop bladder problems Does help clean teeth and prevent tarter build-up

31. Feeding The amount of food depends on age, weight, breed, condition, and amount of activity Cats and young kittens should be fed twice a day Pregnant and nursing cats need fed more frequently

32. Cats should never be given dog food because it contains large amounts of cereals and vegetables and not enough protein Dog food also lacks Vitamins A and B

33. Cats need exercise. Provide toys, cardboard tubes, or other equipment Train them to use a scratching post Potty train your cat. The younger you do this the better

34. Grooming and Care Cats should have a glossy and clean coat Longhair breeds require more grooming than Shorthair breeds Cats usually shed in the Spring and Fall Regular grooming gives opportunity to check for internal and external parasites, skin disorders, and eye and ear problems

35. Longhair cats should receive daily care. Equipment includes: a comb with 2 sizes of teeth, fine tooth comb or flea comb, nail clippers, a grooming brush made with natural bristles, and grooming powder

36. Shorthair cats grooming can be done with a flea comb or a fine tooth comb • Baths can be given--should be accustomed to bathing at 4 months • Fill the bathtub with 4 inches of water and avoid splashing • Don’t get water in their eyes or ears

37. Ears should be checked for mites--signs are dark, crumbly residue inside the ear • Check eyes, ears, teeth, and gums • Claws can be trimmed too • Never cut into the pink area; this can cause pain and bleeding • Don’t use scissors to trim claws; use specialized clippers

38. Common Diseases • Six types of diseases • Infectious • Non-infectious • Internal parasites • External parasites • Fungal • Poisonings

39. Feline Panleukopenia • Known as Cat Distemper • Caused by a DNA virus • Primarily found in young cats • Spread by direct contact • Can also be spread by infected food, water dishes, bedding, and litter boxes • Infected cats can show a sign of depression, loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting, and hanging over the water dish

40. Cont. There are no antibiotics to kill the Distemper virus Vaccines offer the safest and most effective means of protection Kittens should be vaccinated at 9-12 weeks of age Annual revaccinations are recommended throughout the cats life

41. Feline Herpesvirus • Respiratory virus • DNA virus • Shed in discharges of eyes, nose, and throat • Direct contact transmission between animals • Early signs are depression, sneezing, and coughing • May cause ulcers in the mouth • Vaccinations are available

42. Feline Calicivirus Same characteristics as the Herpesvirus RNA virus instead of DNA

43. Feline Rhinotracheitis When Herpesvirus in confined to the respiratory tract it is then referred to as Rhinotracheitis (PVR) Symptoms include sneezing, discharges from the eyes and nasal passages Vaccinations should be given to kittens at 9-12 weeks

44. Feline Infectious Peritonitis • Caused by a coronavirus and may show no signs of disease • Appears in two forms • In one form, the chest and abdomen accumulate fluid, fever, refused to eat, and appears depressed • The second form is usually associated with specific organ failure (death occurs)

45. Feline Leukemia • Caused by a RNA virus that occurs worldwide • More likely found in highly cat populated areas • Spread by direct contact and by sharing litter boxes, food, and dishes • Symptoms include: fever, loss of appetite, and enlarged lymph nodes • A vaccine is available

46. Feline Enteric Coronavirus Cause of infection in kittens between 4-12 weeks old Infection is spread by the ingestion of contaminated feces Symptoms are low grade fever, vomiting, and soft or watery diarrhea No vaccine at this time

47. Feline Pneumonitis Caused by infection with Chlamydia psittaci Runny eyes and noses are most characteristic signs of the infection Early immunity is present in the colostrum, and vaccines are available Annual revaccinations are recommended

48. Rabies • Viral infection of warm blooded animals • Cats should be vaccinated • 1st vaccination at 12 weeks of age • 2nd vaccination at 18 weeks • A booster should be given every 3 years

49. Noninfectious Diseases • Feline Urologic Syndrome • AKA Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease • May range from mild inflammation to a blockage of the urethra • Believed to be brought on by improper diet, reduced water intake, and possibly a virus

50. Entropion A condition in which the eyeball sinks into its socket or a spasm of the eyelid due to discomfort The hair then comes in contact with the cornea More prevalent in the Persian