by Katherine Janzen Hoffman

Created on: November 30, 2010

Information Tidbits About Cats

Some think that the ancient Egyptians were the first to domesticate the cat nearly 4,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians did honor the cat but according to an excavation of a Neolithic grave in 2004, studies have proven that cat domestication first happened 9,500 years ago in Shillourokambos, Cyprus. The excavation of the grave revealed two skeletal remains, one of a human and the other of a cat, the feline remains somewhat similar to that of an African wildcat.

 We know that the mau is a specific breed of cat. But did you know that the word mau, which means to see, is ancient Egyptian for cat? It is believed that their skill at killing rodents first earned cats the affection as well as the attention of humans. Since they were considered to be sacred to the Egyptians, cats, when they passed on, were often mummified for their journey into the next life. Mice would be mummified as well so the cats could eat in the next life. In one ancient Egyptian city, researchers and archeologists found over 300,000 mummified cat bodies.

Domesticated cats, which are all members of the felis catus family, are descendants of the African wild cat, which is still around today. Like their wild ancestors, domesticated cats are every bit the natural hunters that they appear to be. Their sharp teeth and claws are most effective when stalking and pouncing on their prey. Cats have acute hearing which allows them to hear high pitched sounds, like a mouse’s squeak and their light-reflecting eyes helps them to see better than their prey and as well as in the dark. A cat’s sense of smell is also acute.

We do know that cats go crazy when given catnip. Well, most cats do. A few do not. How a cat responds to it relies heavily on the cat itself. The reason why cats act that way around catnip is because the plant contains an oil called nepetalactone. It causes the same reaction in cats as marijuana does in humans. Silver vine and valerian is said to have the same type of effect.

We have heard the saying that cats like milk. A cat will indeed drink it but, truth be told, they are actually lactose intolerant. Cats have trouble digesting it and can give them diarrhea, nor do they have the ability to taste sweets.  Chocolate is also harmful to cats for it contains theobromine and can cause cats to get theobromine poisoning. Onions, garlic, Tylenol, household cleaners such as Dettol, Lysol and Pine Sol and houseplants such as those from the Philodendron species are also poisonous to cats. Even essential oils such as tea tree oil have been proven hazardous for cats and no human medicine should ever be given to a cat.

Domesticated cats live longer than feral cats. Studies have proven that indoor male cats can live up to 14 years from birth and indoor female cats can live up 16 years. In rare cases, there has been documented proof of cats living well into their 20s and 30s. Proof of this goes to the 2010 edition of the Guinness book of World Records with the oldest cat to date, Creme Puff, dying at 38 years of age in Austin, Texas on August 6th, 2005. A study did show that the age feral cats can live is up to about 10 years.

Cats are quite independent. Even though they prefer to be alone, they sometimes can be seen in groups. These groups are known as clowders. A clowder will usually consist of two or three cats, such as female and her kittens or a female and her mate. Larger groups of cats can be referred to as clans.

A female cat is called a molly or a queen, or dam if she is the progenitor. A male is called a tom, or gib if he is neutered. He is called a sire if he is the progenitor.  

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