• Ailurophilia is defined as the love of cats. If you’re an ailurophile, you join a group that includes Abraham Lincoln, Earnest Hemingway, Ingrid Bergman, John Lennon, Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Goering and Mussolini.
• Cats are able to make more than 90 different sounds–most often when you’re trying to sleep in.
• Cats lack the ability to taste sweets because of the way their taste buds process sugar. That’s why cats prefer their cat food to be composed primarily of meat. And also why they’re so grumpy all the time.
• Your cat’s nose print is as unique as your fingerprints.
• Cats can move their ears 180 degrees because there are more than 30 different muscles controlling each ear. This directional hearing is why they can hear much better than us—and our dogs.
• Most cats are lactose intolerant, so no saucer of milk for your kitty.
• Most female cats are right-pawed, while most males favor their left.
• Cats sleep for 70% of their lives, and 50% of their waking hours are spent cleaning themselves. The rest they spend not giving a sh–.
• A majority of orange tabby cats are male, and most black cats are also male. But nearly all orange and black cats are female.
• Cats can drink salt water because their kidneys can excrete the salt. So your cat will outlive you if you are ever stranded together in a life raft at sea. And she will be smug about it.
• Cats have 24 more bones in their bodies than humans.
• House cats can run as fast as 31 miles per hour. That makes them faster than Usain Bolt.
• Cats cannot climb down from a tree facing downward because of the way their claws are designed. That’s why God created firemen.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest domestic cat litter was 19 kittens. Poor mama!
• When cats rub against your leg, they are marking you as their territory with their scent glands. And you thought she was just giving you some love.
• Owning cats has been shown to be good for your health. Stroking a cat or having it sit in your lap can relieve stress and decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure and other illnesses.

So be good to your feline friends and treat them with the kindness they deserve. If you have any questions about your kitty’s health and welfare, call Powell Veterinary Services at 970-352-9164.

The post Fun Feline Facts You Probably Didn’t Know first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

Unfortunately, this innate ability to hide illness and disease sometimes means that you may not know anything is wrong with your cat until it’s too late. Too many times, friends and family lose cats unexpectedly to a disease when they never had a real chance to say good-bye. Though cats are masters at hiding illness, there are ways to detect that something is wrong, if you pay attention.

Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss is not normal for a cat, so if you notice that though your cat seems to be eating, he or she is still losing weight, or they suddenly lose their appetite, this could be a sign of illness. Normally in cats weight gain is usually only a sign of excessive eating.

Messy or Unkempt Fur

Cats are normally excessive groomers. They like to look good, and they don’t mind doing the work. When cats are stressed and nervous about anything, they tend to stop grooming themselves and their fur can become clumpy and begin to shed far more than usual. This is a sign that something may be wrong. Cats can get over stressed from moving, or any change of their usual environment.

Bad Breath

Bad breath may be normal for many dogs, but for cats this can be a sign of illness. Excessive bad breath can be a sign of periodontal disease, or other issues with your cat’s teeth or gums. If you notice bad breath consistently with your cat, it is wise to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Respiratory Issues

Shallow breathing or a series of quick short breaths, can be a sign that your cat is suffering from health woes. You will need to pay close attention to your cat to notice. If you have a cat that is maturing, spend a lot of time with them and get to know their natural habits. This is the only way you will be able to detect if there are any real health concerns.

Taking your cat for regularly scheduled checkups, and providing them with a good home and a healthy diet, will help tremendously in keeping them active and vibrant. Since cats won’t really complain when they are in pain or discomfort, you must be mindful of checking to see if any of their habits have changed, such as an increased intake of water, and hiding out under beds and closets.

Like what you read? Subscribe below!

Posts RSS
Comments RSS

The post Cats: Masters of Hiding Illness first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.