Behavior

Some say that cats have a sixth sense, that they can see and hear things that we can't.  We know that their hearing is much more sensitive than ours.  PetMD reports that cats (and some other animals) see in ultraviolet light.  That ability opens up a whole different world than the one we see.  Our lens blocks UV from reaching the retina.  So, cats might see fascinating patterns on birds wings, or leaves, or staircases. They see things that our eyes can't detect.  Admittedly, it is at times unnerving to see your cat intently watching or responding to something that you can't see or hear.  But that only adds to their magic and mystery.

The Ten Fastest and Most Athletic Domestic Cat Breeds on the planet are:  Egyptian Mau (pictured above -- Spirit), Abyssinian, Somali, Bengal, Savannah, Manx, Siamese, Ocicat and Oriental per Laura Cross of Vet Street.com.  Read on for more details about these cathletes.

Black Cats have been the subject of sculptors, painters, photographers, and authors since time immemorial.  Cultures variously view the Black Cat as bringing bad luck versus bringing good luck to their household or ship.  Ancient Egypt paid homage to the goddess, Bastet (depicted as a woman with the head of a Black Cat).  To gain favor from the goddess, Egyptian households kept Black Cats as pets. Read the Mews N News article, 'Black Cats,' posted on 12/22/15 which depicts superstitions, factoids & iconic Black Cats.

A cat tree as defined by Wikipedia is an artificial structure for a cat to play, exercise and relax on…or in.  The Cat Authors use their trees for playing (chasing) and sleeping. They frequently compete for the top platform.  Cat trees are also referred to as cat tree houses, cat condos, kitty condos or cat stands.

An old tale explains the origin of the Scottish Fold’s unusual, folded ears.  It was said that the howling of the winds across the moors and the wailing of the bagpipes caused these cats to fold down their ears, shutting out the cold and the wailing music.

Let’s focus on making this a safe and sane Independence Day for our cats.  The Cat Authors are indoor cats only except when I take them on a ride in their secure pet stroller. 

Per H. P. Lovecraft, an American author:  "Throw a stick, and the servile dog wheezes and pants and stumbles to bring it to you.  Do the same before a cat, and he will eye you with coolly polite and somewhat bored amusement. ---  The cat charms you into playing for its benefit when it wishes to be amused; making you rush about the room with a paper on a string when it feels like exercise, but refusing all your attempts to make it play when it is not in the humour.

Hiding is a natural cat behavior; it is not always a negative behavior.  Cats are uniquely predator and prey.  Thus, the ability to hide is important.  Most cats like to hide in quiet, dark spaces.  Cats in the wild look for places to hide to watch for prey and to be protected from prey.  Even while cats doze, they can be hyper-vigilant.  An enclosed hiding place helps cats relax and feel secure. 

Does your cat like to sleep on top of you?  The experts say it is a common feline behavior. Why do they sleep on us?  It's probably a combination of factors.  Cats love warmth.  I have watched Inkee-Bear as he inches his body across a room to stay in the sun’s warm rays.  So, maybe they sleep on us to keep warm.  Cats sleep 15 hours per day.  They are experts at finding the coziest spot to sleep.  Sometimes that is on top of us.

Have you ever moved a piece of furniture in your house and noticed your cat’s reaction?  They will stop, look at it, walk over to it, walk around it, sniff it, rub against it and maybe jump on it.  Or how about bringing groceries or anything new into the house?  Like most cats, the Cat Authors’ curiosity takes over.  Like possessed critters, their curiosity pulls them towards the object.  Sometimes they approach slowly, cautiously, an inch off the floor and other times they race, seemingly fearless and wanting to be the first to ‘find out’ what it is and what it isn’t.