Cats - everything you need to know about breeds, care, behavior

Domesticating Cats: A Historical Perspective

Views: 5 079. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Archaeological findings provide invaluable insights into the historical relationship between humans and cats, offering a glimpse into the process of cat domestication. The earliest evidence of human-feline interactions dates back to around 9500 years ago in Cyprus, where both wildcat remains and human artifacts were discovered together.

The Global Cat Population: Trends and Demographics

Views: 4 408. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Accurate estimation of the worldwide feline population relies on a combination of direct and indirect data sources. Household questionnaires collect owner‑reported numbers of pet cats, while veterinary clinic registries provide records of neutered, vaccinated, and treated animals.

The Anatomy of a Predator: Physical Characteristics of Big Cats

Views: 1 765. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

The jaw muscles of big cats, such as lions and tigers, are remarkably powerful and play a critical role in their predatory behavior. These muscles, primarily the masseter and temporalis, enable the cat to exert immense force when clamping down on prey.

Exploring the Diversity of Cat Breeds Worldwide

Views: 1 568. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

The origins of cat domestication can be traced back to ancient civilizations, providing a fascinating insight into the evolution of various feline breeds worldwide. Archaeological evidence suggests that cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East.

The Impact of Cats on Modern Culture and Media

Views: 1 188. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Viral cat videos and memes dominate online traffic, generating billions of views across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Short-form clips featuring cats performing unexpected actions-jumping onto keyboards, reacting to laser pointers, or delivering comedic vocalizations-trigger high engagement rates, prompting algorithms to prioritize similar content.

Understanding the Behavioral Differences Between Cats and Dogs

Views: 1 188. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

The behavioral differences between cats and dogs are profoundly shaped by their evolutionary histories, with cats exhibiting a more solitary nature while dogs display a pack mentality. This dichotomy is rooted in their distinct origins: whereas cats have descended from small, independent predators like the African wildcat, dogs have evolved from wolves, which are social creatures that thrive in groups.

Instruction: how to train a cat not to mark shoes.

Views: 82. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Cats mark shoes primarily because the items serve as attractive substrates for territorial communication. The fabric, leather, or rubber surfaces retain scent particles, making them ideal canvases for urine or pheromone deposits. When a cat deposits marking fluid on a shoe, the odor signals ownership to other felines and reinforces the animal’s sense of security within its environment.

Instruction: how to teach a cat to give a paw.

Views: 136. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Training a cat to offer its paw requires a small set of reliable tools. Selecting items that are safe, durable, and easy for the animal to recognize speeds the learning process and reduces frustration for both trainer and cat. Clicker or a consistent verbal cue (“yes”, “good”) to mark the desired response.

Instruction: how to prepare a cat for the arrival of a baby in the home.

Views: 81. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amelia Hart emphasizes that a cat’s reaction to a newborn is governed by instinctual priorities: safety, territory, and routine. When a baby enters the household, the animal evaluates changes in scent, sound, and human attention.

Instruction: what to do if you accidentally step on a cat's tail.

Views: 138. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

When a cat’s tail is compressed, the animal may experience acute pain, bruising, or more serious damage such as a fracture. Immediate assessment reduces stress for the cat and guides appropriate care. First, observe the cat’s behavior. A stiff posture, vocalization, or attempts to hide indicate discomfort.

Instruction: how to tell that your cat is «herding» you.

Views: 158. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Cats often appear to orchestrate their owners’ movements, yet many owners mistake this pattern for random affection or simple play. The behavior commonly labeled as “herding” involves a cat positioning itself near a person, then using subtle cues-such as a focused stare, gentle nudges with the head, or intermittent paw taps-to guide the individual toward a specific location, typically a favorite perch, a food source, or a quiet spot.

Instruction: how to introduce a cat to a dog and avoid eternal war.

Views: 94. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02.

Cats communicate primarily through body posture, ear position, tail movement, and vocalizations. A relaxed cat displays ears forward or slightly rotated, a gently swishing tail, and slow blinking. Conversely, flattened ears, a puffed tail, and hissing indicate fear or aggression.

Instruction: how to teach a cat to respond to its name if it ignores it.

Date of published: 2025-10-01.

Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59.

Cats often ignore their names because owners rely on inaccurate ideas about feline behavior. These misconceptions shape training methods and reduce effectiveness. Cats are indifferent to human speech and cannot learn name recognition. Ignoring a name signals deliberate defiance rather than lack of association.

Instruction: why cats love to knock things off tables and shelves so much.

Date of published: 2025-10-01.

Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59.

Cats exhibit a striking tendency to dislodge objects from tables and shelves, a behavior that has puzzled owners and researchers alike. The phenomenon stems from a combination of sensory, predatory, and environmental factors that trigger innate responses.

Instruction: how to tell if your cat is healthy by its whiskers.

Date of published: 2025-10-01.

Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59.

Understanding whiskers is essential for evaluating feline health. Each whisker, or vibrissa, is a highly innervated hair rooted deeply in the follicle. The follicle contains a blood supply and nerve endings that transmit tactile information about the environment.