The Surprising Secrets of Cats
As cat owners, we pride ourselves on knowing everything about our
cat's personality -- its likes, dislikes, habits, and quirks. Even so,
cats are still mystifying creatures...and no matter how well you know
your feline, there's always more to learn (and love). Check out the
most popular cat mysteries and find out the truth behind them.
Question: At night I can sometimes hear our cat knocking into
things around the house. Our home doesn't get very dark, but I am
considering purchasing a night-light so that he can better navigate.
Will this help?
Answer: A night-light certainly wouldn't do any harm, but you
don't need to be concerned about your kitty's late night walks.
Although cats can't see in total darkness, their eyes are designed to
see well in dim light, says Christianne Schelling, a veterinarian in
Three Rivers, Calif. Scientists estimate that cats can see in the dark
clearly in about one-sixth the amount of light humans need.
Q: When my cat looks at me, is it able to see me clearly?
A: While cats can't focus very well on things that are close
up, they do have keen long distance vision which helps when hunting for
prey, says Christianne Schelling, DVM. So if you stand back, it will
likely be able to see you clearly.
Q: My cat is a picky eater. Which diet -- wet food or dry food -- is it more likely to prefer?
A: Some cats are finicky eaters, and it can be a challenge to
find food they'll love. Cats like this tend to prefer wet food. Here's
why: A cat's sense of smell has a lot to do with its sense of taste,
says Gina Spadafori, co-author of Do Cats Always Land on Their
Feet: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Feline
Unfathomables, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors (Health
Communications Inc.) "To a cat, the perfect meal is freshly killed
prey," she explains. "If they can't smell it, it has little appeal."
And since wet foods tend to have a tantalizing aroma (often reminding
kitty of fresh tuna), it often wins out over dry foods.
Q: I'm amazed at how fearless my cat is -- jumping from
high places and racing past me when it's on the chase. Should I be
concerned that it might get hurt?
A: No, in these situations, there's no need for concern. To
begin with, cats simply have more lumbar vertebrae than we do -- seven
as opposed to five. And according to Thomas Greiner, professor of
anatomy and physical anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at
LaCrosse, cats don't use their vertebrae to support their weight like
humans do. Instead, feline vertebrae are meant to enhance the speed of
running, and are used as a "spring" while galloping or bouncing after
prey. So, cats are designed to jump from high places and race
around. In fact, they love it.
Q: Sometimes, my cat wags her tail. Sometimes it blinks at me. What does this body language mean?
A: So much of what your cat wants to tell you can be gotten
by reading its behavior, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior
consultant in San Mateo, Calif. She says a cat's tail, ears, eyes,
posture and even whiskers can convey quite a few of its feelings.
If a cat's ears and whiskers are rotated forward, it often means
it's curious, says Krieger. When it closes its eyes, blinks a lot and
then looks away, it wants to be friends with you. A tail held high
indicates a confident cat. When the tail curls at the top, the cat is
feeling friendly. On the other hand, when the tail wags or whips, it is
a sign that the cat is upset.
But how can you tell if your cat is about to pounce? "Most of the
time, a cat will give some physical indication before it makes a move,"
Krieger says. "A swishing tail along with a fixed stare and dilated
eyes is most likely a sign the cat is about to attack," she warns. "So
keep your distance."
