Cat Info Center

Cat Communication

Cats are particularly good at communicating with one another and humans. They have a considerably larger vocabulary than dogs, with most cats being able to make over 100 different sounds. These sounds can range from purring, to hissing and growling, spitting, wailing and howling, and many different combinations in between.

They certainly do have the ability to get most of what they want from their owners, and that is why it is often said that the cat rules the house and the humans are the servants.

Yes we certainly do seem to do all the running about, yet when we call the cat it is just as likely to turn around with its tail in the air and wander off.

It is this independent nature that appeals so much to so many people and that’s why cats are one of the most loved pets in the world.

Cats are also extremely good at communicating with one another and once again with humans, by their body language. Cat owners who are tuned in to their cat’s behavior can communicate extremely well, and this also makes it a lot easier for the owner to train a cat to do particular things or to behave better.

It also allows the opportunity to become a lot more aware of when the cat is not feeling well and when a trip to the vet might be necessary. Fortunately that is not too often if the cat has been well cared for and given good nutrition because they are extremely resilient and even the process of purring can help to stimulate healing properties within the cat.

If your cat is making a sound and it is directed towards you then you know it is trying to communicate with you and usually it is not too hard to work out what it wants.

The Various Breeds of Cats

There are various different breeds of cats and there are in fact over 100 different types and varieties that are officially recognized throughout the world.

They can however be divided into five principle categories. In those categories are the British and American shorthairs, the foreign or oriental shorthairs, the Persian or long hairs, and other long-haired cats.

Most breeds of cats have initially come from the ordinary moggy cat, and through a process of selection and breeding various different types of breeds have eventuated.

Due to the fact that cats breed relatively fast and have a short gestation period, and also because litter sizes are quite large most of these breeds have been developed over the last 100 years.

While many people believe that some of these breeds have been around for centuries in most instances this is not the case.

Some of these breeds have appeared just by chance where there have been genetic mutations that have given birth to unusual specimens in a litter and people have taken these unusual kittens and used them for breeding to develop new breeds.

During this process of breeding some types of cats have developed various different personalities, characteristics, and in some cases health conditions where they are not quite as durable as the ordinary moggy that is liable to wander in off the street.

An example of this will be some breeds of British short hair cats that have a particularly snub nose and can sometimes have difficulty in breathing and it is quite common for some of these cats to keep you awake at night with their snoring.

Some of these breeds have originally been indigenous to particular countries but in the majority of cases it is through specialized breeding programs that they have been bred.

With the various different personalities that these breeds of cat’s have, with a little bit of research it is quite easy to find a cat that complements your own personality and that is why it is worthwhile taking the time before getting a cat to determine which one will best suits you and your lifestyle.

Holidays and Your Cat

What happens at holiday time you need to go away and leave your cat alone?

The best solution, provided it is available, is to find somebody who will house sit and mind your cat at home, as the cat will feel most comfortable in familiar surroundings.

You can also find somebody who will come in on a regular basis and feed the cat and sit with it for a short while just to keep it company.

The only problem here is what to do with the cat at night as you don’t want it roaming around the neighborhood where it could be endangering itself.

It can be locked in at night not provided there is sufficient water and a litter box.

Many cats don’t like to be left in unfamiliar surroundings such as boarding kennels, whereas others are completely happy provided they are getting some form of company and sufficient food throughout the day.

If you intend leaving your cat at a boarding kennel do some research first to check on the facilities and if possible talk to other people who have left their cats there to find out whether they would recommend them to other people.

Make sure also if you are leaving your pet at a boarding kennel that it has had sufficient vaccinations to eliminate any possibility of picking up any illness or disease.

If your holiday involves traveling by road then it might be an alternative to take your cat with you provided it doesn’t mind traveling in a vehicle. Your need to test by taking your cat on a smaller road trip first to determine whether it feels ill, stressed, or has any other problems before taking it on a longer trip.

Don’t leave your pet care to the last minute when planning a holiday. By doing some research in advance you can save your cat a lot of stress.