PART I:
Finding Your Feline Friend
1Do You Really Want a Cat?
Before you get a cat, think about why you want one. Cats are not little dogs, nor are they small people in fur coats. Maybe you have problems with mice and think that a cat is the answer. Certainly, cats are known to hunt mice, but some cats are more predatory than others. You may get one like Garfield, the cartoon cat, who just lazily watches mice run by. Get a cat only if you want to enjoy the cat himself, not just because he may have hunting potential.
In contrast, maybe you’re horrified at the thought of your pet hunting rodents. Whether you plan to keep your cat always indoors (and there are many good reasons to do so) or he is allowed outdoors, he will most likely present you with a tiny corpse from time to time. Cats are carnivores and hunters. If the thought of a dead mouse or songbird upsets you, a cat may not be your ideal pet.
Maybe you’ve fallen in love with the idea of a kitten from all of the photos and videos you’ve seen online. Kittens are irresistible, but they need care, and they don’t stay kittens forever. They grow into cats who may or may not be as adorable.
Children may be the number-one reason that people get cats. Most children love the idea of having a pet, and parents may think that cats are less work than dogs. While most cats are less work than most dogs, that doesn’t mean there’s no effort involved. Don’t get a cat if you are not willing to be his primary caretaker. Even if your child promises to take care of the new addition, the ultimate responsibility is yours.
Also, while a cat and your kids can make a great combination, not every cat will appreciate the attentions of children. Children need to be taught to respect the cat and his claws. If your children are very young, it might be better to wait a bit before introducing a cat—or any pet—into the family.
If you don’t want cat hair on your furniture, don’t get a cat. Some cats don’t shed, and some shed more than others, but if you have a cat, you will likely have cat hair around your home. And don’t forget the possibility of hairballs. There’s nothing quite like getting up in the middle of the night and feeling a hairball squish between your naked toes.
Are you ready to share your lap with a feline friend?
If you think a cat would provide a touch of elegance to your decor, buy an antique vase instead. What happens if you change your decor? Do you get rid of the cat? Besides, a cat may have the opposite effect if he decides to sharpen his claws on your love seat or shred your drapes. There are ways to prevent that type of destructive behavior, but if you’re very concerned with interior decorating, you might not appreciate scratching posts or a cat tree in your living room. And as for that antique vase, cats have been known to push things off shelves. If you have many breakable treasures, you may not want a cat.
Consider the expense of owning a cat. You’ll want to spay or neuter as well as keep your feline up to date on all recommended vaccinations.
You’ll need monthly heartworm-preventive medication and protection from fleas and ticks in addition to regular veterinary checkups. An illness or injury might require additional trips to the vet’s office. Consider grooming: will you cut your cat’s claws yourself or take him to a groomer? If you’re on a fixed income or will begrudge the money you spend on your cat’s care, food, and accessories, rethink the idea of a cat.
If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, that’s fine; however, if you want your pet also to be vegetarian or vegan, do not get a cat. Cats need meat. There is no long-term substitute that will work to keep a cat in good condition. If you are not prepared to feed meat to your cat, don’t get a cat.
The bottom line is that a cat is a living being that needs care and attention. He needs good food, clean water, shelter, and veterinary care. Also, just because a cat is typically easier to care for than some other types of pets doesn’t mean that you can ignore your cat.
No matter how much your child loves the cat, she cannot be his primary caretaker.
Cats may not be as overtly affectionate as dogs, but they do bond with their people, and they do enjoy the company of their families. Isolating or neglecting a cat is cruel.
There’s a wonderful children’s book by Margaret Mahy called The Three-Legged Cat. In the story, a woman has a three-legged cat, but she isn’t always happy with him because he sheds and eats a lot. The woman has a brother who wanders the world, but the brother has decided to retire from travel because his old fur hat doesn’t keep his head as warm as it used to. After a visit with his sister, the man mistakenly puts the cat on his head, leaving his old hat behind. The woman is delighted. She can hold the hat on her lap and stroke it, but it doesn’t shed and it never eats.
Maybe you’re like that woman. If you just want something warm in your lap that you can pet, a stuffed animal can do the job. There are even toy cats that move and purr. These alternatives are cuddly and entertaining, with never a litter box to clean or a tin of cat food to open.
2
Origin of the Cat
All carnivores, including felines and canines, evolved from a common ancestor, the miacoids, which existed from 66 to 33 million years ago. The first true feline didn’t make an appearance until about 30 million years ago. According to an article on MessyBeast.com titled “Prehistoric Cats and Prehistoric Cat-Like Creatures” by Sarah Hartwell, this was Proailurus, a long-bodied, short-legged animal. Ten million years later, Pseudaelurus arrived on the scene, and it is generally believed that Pseudaelurus is the ancestor of all modern-day cats.
The genus Felis arrived about 12 million years ago and gave rise to many kinds of small cats, known as “purring cats,” for the obvious reason that they purr. Three million years ago, the “roaring cats” of the genus Panthera appeared. Modern-day “roaring cats” are generally big cats, like lions and tigers. The cheetah, however, is a big cat who purrs. Because of their throat structure, cats who purr do not roar, and cats who roar are unable to purr.
Prehistoric cats roamed throughout Asia, Europe, and North and South America, but many types became extinct. Genetic evidence indicates that all domestic cats are descended from the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). These cats, weighing between 6–14 pounds (2.7 and 6.4 kg), still exist throughout Africa and the Middle East in a variety of habitats. They look similar to today’s tabby cat but with a reddish tinge to the ears, the abdomen, and the backs of the hind legs.
Most of today’s big cats are classified as “roaring cats.”
Domesticated cats helped farmers with rodent control.