Understanding Kitty’s Senses

Kitty looks adorable curled up on your knee, but don’t be deceived, her senses are the same as her big cat cousins living in the wild. These senses make her a perfect hunter.

Hearing.

Did you know that kitty can hear up to 1.6 octaves above your range and do you know why this is necessary? Well it actually enables her to detect noises made by small rodents and allows her to be able to stay hidden from this prey virtually up to the second when she attacks them. Watch her ears and you will see what a huge range of movement she has. She can move them together or one at a time. This enables her to know exactly where her prey is through an amazing 360 degrees, without having to move her head and give away her position.

Sight.

It’s natural for big cats in the wild to hunt at dawn or dusk. Now it you notice kitty’s eyes at these times you will notice that her pupils are huge so that she can let plenty of light in. She even has an extra layer of cells – the tapetum – at the back of her eye that helps to reflect light. This is what gives her shining ‘cats eyes’ at night. This sharp eye sight can detect the tiniest movement – a great asset for a hunter.

Touch.

Kittens often use their paw when they start to investigate new objects. Her tiny pays are extremely sensitive to temperature and vibrations.

Next she will bring into play a set of course hairs which are positioned on her upper lip, around her chin and above her eye. These hairs will gather more information about the object she is investigating. Oh. And don’t forget those long, sensitive and extremely mobile whiskers. These are essential for wild cats when it comes to catching and killing prey.

Smell and taste.

Kitty’s cousins in the wild use a very complex system of scent trails which are time lapsed, so they help to communicate with other cats that may later pass the same way.  This enables them to do several things…

·         Establish bonds

·         Avoid confrontation with potential threats

·         Mark their territory.

Your little fury kitty has exactly the same instincts.

Did you know that her sense of smell is 10 times as strong as yours?

Her tongue also is super sensitive to both temperature and taste, helping her to decide what objects are good for her and what may be life threatening.

Movement, although not strictly a sense is a joy to behold. She can move like a gymnast and has fantastic co-ordination. She can jump from standing still, climb with ease and balance in precarious places. This is highly entertaining for us, but for her, as a hunter put her top of the league.

Cat Health Issues

Caring for your cat

Diarrhoea and constipation are just some of the health issues that nay affect tour cat or kittens. You need to be aware of them and treat them correctly.

As with humans, a cats digestive system deals with the food she eats so that it can be converted into energy. If for some reason she becomes ill then her digestive system may be affected, resulting in constipation or diarrhoea. Contact you vet at the onset of these conditions because they can have serious consequences in a small kitten. She will need to be checked out and treated in the appropriate manner before she becomes de-hydrated.

 

Vomiting.

This is not unusual in a cat as they can vomit almost at will to rid themselves of harmful or unwanted substances; this is nothing to worry about. However, if this persists, then it is a good idea to consult the vet. Do not leave it too long; remember dehydration can be serious for kitty.

Diarrhoea.

This is usually the result of an infection, but it can also be caused by a sudden change of food or even over feeding. It is normal for a kitten to have a bowel movement once a day, so if you are worried that this has increased, it’s a good idea to keep a check. Again, you need to be aware of the problems of dehydration, so speak to your vet and ask his advice. He will give you a course of action to take if the condition is new and this may not necessitate a visit to the surgery at this stage.

Constipation

This is something else that can be brought on by an infection, a change of diet or over eating. If you observe your kitten straining in its’ litter tray you know that there may be a cause for concern. Make sure she has plenty of water to drink and speak to your vet if this continues for more than forty eight hours.

Remember, these conditions can come and go quickly in a small animal, but if they continue too long they can have drastic consequences. Watch kitty carefully, be aware and remember to consult your vet if the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours.

Having fun and getting fit

Caring for cats and kittens

Caring for cats and kittens is important to a responsible pet owner and an important part of this responsibility is to keep your cat fit and healthy.The best way to keep your cat fit is to encourage her to play. What’s more, you’ll both have great fun at the same time.

Cats are naturally playful and they love to have fun; often they will think up games for themselves. If you take time to join in it will make it doubly enjoyable. You’ll find it easy to invent games and you don’t have to buy expensive toys; a table tennis ball; screwed up paper tied to a piece of string or a paper carrier bag are great playthings.

Don’t throw that box away.

Pet owners soon learn to value cardboard boxes. They make great toys and even sun shelters. Sometimes, cats will play hide and seek together.

Keep a careful eye open in case they begin to chew the cardboard.

String her along.

Tie something furry on the end of a piece of string and drag it along the floor and she’ll turn into a fierce hunter. This will keep her amused for a long time. Then why not try a feather for a change. Why not fill an old stacking with fabric or newspaper? Just use your imagination.

If your cat lives indoor, try to provide her with something to climb up. Scratching posts too, provide good exercise and stimulation.

Fetch it kitty!

Some cats, in a dog like fashion will actually bring toys for you to throw for them and there are ways in which you can encourage them to do this.

·        Use a small light toy that is one of her favourites.

·        Play with the toy yourself while you call your cat’s name.

·        Show her that you are having fun.

·        Now throw the toy making sure it lands near to you and allow her to play with it.

·        When she looks as though she’s getting board, call her name and retrieve the toy.

·        Do this at regular intervals during the day and she should get the idea and bring the toy to you.

Please chase me.

Ever noticed that a cat has a ‘mad half hour’ racing across the room for no particular reason; hiding perhaps behind the curtain, the repeating the process? They often do this in the evening when they are waking up

She’s actually inviting you to case her, It is a wonderful game and great exercise – just watch out for the claws.