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."
RESOURCES
- Marilyn Krieger: thecatcoach online
- Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Feline Unfathomables, Medical Mysteries and
Befuddling Behaviors by Marty Becker and Gina
Spadafori: Amazon online
- Fun with Your Cat Science Kit: Amazon online
