Cat

Purebred cats show more than 20 deleterious genetic disorders, so owners of pedigree cats should be aware of breed-specific health risks.

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Cats can experience occasional tooth loss and infection, so their mouth and teeth are worth monitoring regularly.

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Cats are obligate carnivores requiring a meat-based diet - a diet lacking sufficient animal protein can affect their health.

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Some cat breeds are prone to having extra digits (polydactyly), which owners should be aware of when checking paw health.

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Purebred cats show more than 20 deleterious genetic disorders, so owners of pedigree cats should be aware of breed-specific inherited conditions.

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Spaying and neutering is noted as an important population control measure, relevant to the health management of pet cats.

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Cats can experience occasional tooth loss and infection, so watch for signs of dental problems despite their generally better dental health than humans.

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Cats are obligate carnivores requiring a predominantly meat-based diet - an inadequate diet can affect their health.

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Some breeds are prone to polydactyly (extra toes), which owners should be aware of when checking their cat's paws.

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Cats are social but solitary hunters, so they may be independent and not always seek interaction during a session.

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Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk, so expect higher energy at those times.

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Cats communicate through meowing, purring, hissing, growling, and body language - read these cues to gauge their mood.

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Hissing or growling are clear warning signals - back off and give the cat space to avoid a scratch or bite.

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Cats have sharp, retractable claws they can extend when stressed, climbing, or playing - handle with care.

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Cats enjoy play, so engaging them with interactive activities can help build trust during a handling session.

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Cats are fastidious self-groomers, so they may resist handling that disrupts their routine or feels intrusive.

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Cats have highly sensitive hearing, so avoid loud noises or sudden sounds that could startle or stress them.

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Cats are social but solitary hunters - they may enjoy company yet still need space and time alone.

Source: Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0

Cats are crepuscular, so expect peak activity and playfulness around dawn and dusk.

Source: Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0

They communicate via meowing, purring, hissing, growling, and body language - read these cues before handling.

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Hissing or growling signals discomfort - back off and give the cat space rather than pushing interaction.

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Cats have sharp, retractable claws they can extend when stressed, climbing, or playing - handle calmly to avoid scratches.

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They are intelligent and observant, so a calm, consistent approach helps them feel safe with a new handler.

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Cats have a strong play instinct rooted in predatory behaviour - interactive play sessions help keep them engaged.

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Their hearing is highly sensitive, so avoid loud noises or sudden sounds which can startle or stress them.

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Toxoplasma gondii parasites shed in cat feces can harm pregnant women - scoop litter daily and have someone else clean the box during pregnancy.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Cat scratch disease (Bartonella) can spread through scratches or bites - wash any wound promptly with soap and water.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, not a worm - avoid contact with patches of missing fur and wash hands after handling cats.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Keep cats on parasite prevention to reduce the risk of hookworms or roundworms, which can occasionally spread to people through contaminated soil or feces.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Wash hands after any contact with cats, especially before eating, to keep everyday germ transmission risks low - cats are safe, happy companions with simple hygiene habits.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Wash hands after handling cats, their food, or litter boxes to avoid spreading bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Wash hands after handling cats, their food, or litter boxes to avoid spreading germs like Salmonella or Campylobacter.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Toxoplasma parasites shed in cat feces can be risky in pregnancy - scoop litter daily and have someone else handle it if pregnant.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Cat scratches or bites can transmit Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella) - clean any wound promptly with soap and water.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Keep cats on parasite prevention to reduce the risk of hookworms or roundworms, which can occasionally spread to people through contaminated soil.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Wash hands after any contact with cats, especially before eating - this single habit prevents most pet-related germ transmission.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

A cat's canine teeth can slip between a prey animal's vertebrae and sever its spinal cord, causing instant paralysis.

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A separate domestication of the leopard cat happened independently in China around 5500 BCE, yet it left no trace in today's domestic cats.

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Cats were first domesticated not in Egypt but near Cyprus around 7500 BCE, when wildcats were likely lured to farming settlements by mice.

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Cats can hear sounds at frequencies too high for human ears, letting them detect the ultrasonic calls of small mammals like mice.

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Feral cats have driven declines in bird, mammal, and reptile species worldwide, largely fuelled by people abandoning pet cats.

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Cats keep their retracted claws sheathed in skin and fur, which stops them dulling on the ground and lets them stalk prey in near silence.

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Unlike most mammals, cats walk by moving both legs on the same side together - a 'pacing' gait that minimises noise and tracks.

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In equatorial regions, female cats can produce kittens all year round rather than only from spring to late autumn.

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