Domestic House Cats

Cats are amongst one of the oldest mammals, dating back to over forty million years ago. They have strong jaws and long, sharp teeth and claws for catching prey. They see best in dim light so they can see at dawn and dusk, which is said to be the best time for hunting. They also have amazing hearing.

On each of their front paws cats have five toes, though on their back paws, they have only four. This may have to do with improving their speed.

All cats are born as 100% pure carnivores. There are some owners who try to make their cats vegetarians, however, unlike humans; cats need large amounts of protein in order to remain healthy. It is said that if you feel the need to have a vegetarian pet to choose a rabbit (a small animal that can also be litter trained).

There are also those who question whether or not a cat can survive on dog food. They absolutely can not. All cats may pick at a dog's food dish and not cause itself harm. However, the vitamins and certain nutrients that a cat needs can't be found in dog food and using it for their primary source of food can lead to poor health. Living off dog food can cause a cat to go blind or even cause death.

When they are born, kittens rely on milk for their survival. After the cat is weaned they no longer require milk in their diet. In fact, when they are grown, milk will more often then not, give a cat diarrhea.

Cats are natural born hunters. Some believe a cat that is well fed will only hunt for sport, but will do so often. While outdoor (or stray) cats will hunt for food and will only kill their fill. If you want a cat that does not hunt, there are ways to do so. Some believe if you get a kitten whose mother was a non-hunter, more than likely the kitten will be born without the "hunt" instinct.

Most people see cats as the "mean and unsocial" pet. This is not entirely true. Though cats are not as social as dogs or humans, nor do they get lonely; they do enjoy being with their owners. Most cats respond to any love that they receive and even show signs of affection in their own ways. Even though cats are very sociable, it's important to keep in mind that they are still territorial. Be cautious when bringing a new cat into the home.