KittenAid

Cat Facts from Nose to Tail

NOSE AND MOUTH

Cats’ noses are uniquely ridged much like human fingerprints. They come in many colors from pink to black with all manner of spotted varieties in between. A cat’s sense of smell is keen. His whiskers help gather scents from the air, and alert him to changes in his environment.

Luckily for the mother, kittens are born toothless. Their baby teeth begin to erupt around 4 weeks of age, coincidentally when weaning usually begins. Between 3 and 7 months, kittens will lose their baby teeth and their permanent teeth will grow in. Outdoor cats use their “fangs” to puncture their prey’s skin on either side of the spine, and a quick shake will break the victim’s neck.

A cat’s tongue is very rough. The texture helps the tongue act as a comb to remove dead fur and dirt. Many people believe they are allergic to cat hair, when it is actually the cat’s saliva left on the hair that causes the problem.

EYES

Kittens are blind at birth, but their eyes start to open when they are around 8 days old. All kittens have blue eyes for the first couple of weeks. The permanent eye color settles in around 3 months, and is usually gold, brown or green. Cats whose eyes remain blue (especially white cats) are often deaf.

Cats are generally considered color-blind, but recent research suggests they can see blue and green, but not red. Though they cannot see in total darkness, they need very little light to detect movement. Cats’ eyes are the most prominent feature on their faces. Proportionately, if human eyes were as big as those of a cat, they would be the size of 8-inch salad plates.

Cats do not usually have eyelashes, but they do have a second inner eyelid, which can sometimes be seen when the cat is feeling poorly. Watch for discharge from the eyes, as this can be a sign of illness.

EARS

Kittens are born deaf. Their ears will start to stand up about two weeks after birth, except in the case of the Scottish Fold, who gets his name because his ears remain folded over into adulthood. The size of cats’ ears varies greatly among breeds. Persians’ ears, for instance, are proportionately much smaller than the ears of a Devon Rex or a Siamese.

Thirty-two muscles allow cats to turn their ears 180 degrees. Their hearing is better than both human’s and dog’s. All cats are at risk of ear mite infestation, but particularly those who are allowed outdoors. Ear mites are microscopic insects that appear as brown spots in the ear. You can gently clean the cat’s ears using a moistened cotton ball, but severe infestations should be treated with drops obtained from your veterinarian.

FUR

Some breeds, like the Sphinx, have almost invisible fur, but most cats have two coats. The undercoat is softer and denser, providing warmth. The hairs of the top coat can be long or short, straight or curly. Cats shed dead fur all year long, but more so in the spring and fall. While some shedding is normal, excessive hair loss can be a sign of illness or parasites.

Maine Coons and Himalayans are examples of breeds that have very long coats. These can easily become matted no matter how fastidiously they groom themselves. Regular brushing is essential to keep these beauties looking their best. If you get your cat accustomed to being brushed while he is a kitten, he will learn to look forward to the pampering.

BODY AND LEGS

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, from the tall and slender Abyssinian to the muscular Russian Blue to the tiny Munchkin, whose legs are very short in relation to his body.

The back legs of a cat are generally longer and stronger than the front legs, providing power for leaping and running. Cats are swift and agile, employing bursts of speed and acrobatic maneuvering to accomplish their goals, whether that means catching their prey, or making sure they land on their feet.

TOES AND CLAWS

Cats usually have 18 toes – 4 on each rear paw, and 5 on each front paw, but extra toes are not uncommon. Cats’ claws are very sharp, but they curve backwards, which makes going up a tree considerably easier than coming down. Outdoor cats use their claws for escape, defense and hunting prey.

There are arguments for and against de-clawing indoor cats. Some people feel de-clawing is a form of mutilation. It takes dedication, patience and persistence to train a cat to scratch only approved surfaces, but it can be done. His claws can also be trimmed with clippers designed for the purpose, but this is often a difficult procedure for an owner.

On the other hand, a competent, trained veterinarian can perform the de-clawing procedure safely, and indoor cats seem to suffer no long-term ill effects if properly cared for while healing.

TAIL

Cats’ tails are as varied as the size of their heads and the length of their legs. Manx cats have no tails at all, and there are several bob-tailed breeds. The tail of the Birman is short and fluffy while the Savannah has a long, sleek tail.

Cats use their tails for balance. Ten percent of a cat’s bones are in his tail, which makes it very limber. Domestic cats are the only felines who can hold their tails up while walking.

Your cat’s tail can tell you a great deal about his mood. If it has fluffed to the size of a bottle-brush or is swishing quickly from side to side, he is probably agitated and you should walk away! Pride is shown by a tail held aloft, and a gently waving tail usually means he’s looking for affection.