In the world of cats

Article: Little Cat

The origins of domesticated cats

Cats became domesticated over 4000 years ago. They were kept to protect food stores from predators. Ancient Egyptians viewed cats as cunning hunters and worshipped them as gods. Killing a cat was considered a grave sin and punishable by death. When a cat died, it was placed in a coffin and rituals were performed before burial. Domesticated cats were brought to Italy. By the 18th century, cats had become popular pets worldwide. Cats evolved into three main types: the European feral cat, the African feral cat, and the Asian desert cat. Domesticated cats are an evolution of the African feral cat.

Today, domesticated cats still retain characteristics from their wild cat ancestors, from their bright eyes and slender build to their eating and grooming habits, as well as their ability to attack unexpectedly.

Things you didn't know about cats

Cats are among the few intelligent animals capable of understanding human moods and feelings. They control their behavior through trial and error, observation, and imitation. Many studies show they have better long-term memories than dogs and possess visual memory abilities similar to monkeys.

But these animals are also very lazy; on average, a cat sleeps about 12 to 14 hours a day. They sweat through their claws. Cats are born deaf, but they can see up to 220°, while human vision is only 180°, and their sense of smell is 14 times stronger than humans. This helps cats find food and be wary of enemies easily. Cats have 230 bones in their bodies, including 30 vertebrae. Their body temperature is around 38-39°C, so in winter, we always feel warm when cats snuggle under the blankets to sleep with us.

Many people think that cats lick their fur to bathe themselves, but that's not true. Some substances hidden in a cat's fur become vitamin D after absorbing sunlight. When licking their fur, cats are actually consuming vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D can cause cats to become lethargic all day.

Humans laugh when happy and cry when sad…but cats usually express their emotions by meowing. Their bodies possess a special nerve pathway. This pathway transmits signals from the brain to the muscles in the larynx, causing them to vibrate and act like valves, allowing air to enter the larynx. These muscles function during both inhalation and exhalation, enabling cats to meow continuously. The air passing through these opening and closing valves creates the distinctive sound of a cat's meow.

Special abilities

Cats spend most of their time hunting or roaming outdoors, so they learn how to open doors to get inside the house and avoid being locked out all night. They are very quick at finding and remembering entry and exit points and know how to open cupboards to rummage for food. Newborn kittens are taught by their mothers where to urinate and defecate, and how to dispose of their waste. Their eyesight is also exceptional. Their pupils change three times a day to adapt to changes in light. When the outdoor light is strongest, the pupils close into a thin line; when the light is dimmer, they open slightly wider. At night, the cat's pupils dilate to their fullest extent to see everything, helping them catch mice even at night.

Cats have very long, thick, and flexible whiskers. These hairs grow over an area rich in nerves and blood vessels, which are invaluable to cats. They help cats sense their surroundings and promptly report changes in path or direction. At night, they help cats stay on track without bumping into any obstacles. Besides their sensory function, whiskers also act as a mood indicator for cats. When they are angry or aggressive, the whiskers are pushed back; when they are happy, curious, or content, the whiskers relax and move forward.

Cats are quick and agile runners, but if their whiskers are trimmed, they become much slower. Notably, cats lack collarbones like humans. This allows them to bend their bodies to squeeze into tight spaces.

Besides their whiskers, cats' claws are also very agile. They are protected by thick, soft skin and can be easily extended or retracted. When a cat catches a mouse, its claws extend, and when it walks, they retract, making its footsteps silent and preventing its claws from wearing down. At night, they can move so silently that no one notices their presence, even when they chase mice around the room or run down from a height.

Cat dressed in a floral dress

Cats are beloved animals all over the world. To show their love for their pets, many places around the world have organized festivals and fun competitions for cats.

In Belgium, a vibrant cat festival is held every three years. Streets are filled with shops selling a wide variety of cat-related merchandise. People take to the streets, painting their faces and dressing up as cats. The festival also features fireworks displays and other special cultural performances, all in honor of their beloved feline companions.

In Bulgaria, cats participate in a beauty pageant. Countless feline contestants and thousands of fans attend this competition. The cats must compete in both beauty and talent segments. Not only do the contestants have to dress beautifully, but they also have to demonstrate their abilities and emotions for the judges to choose from.

Cat lovers not only have the opportunity to participate in festivals and beauty contests, but also to take part in exciting fashion shows, just like in the US. This country hosts a Cat Fashion Show for cats. The feline female cats are dressed up in glamorous outfits and walk the catwalk like humans. The show brings together hundreds of cat breeds from around the world.

In the East, China organizes a cat festival with the participation of many rare cat breeds from around the world, such as British Shorthair and Persian cats. Cat lovers can admire these rare cats, buy cat food, and attend seminars on cat care. In Vietnam, cats are also very popular among young people. They socialize and meet each other at pet hotels, and especially at the Petiton cat contest. Along with their pet companions, the cats dress up in colorful outfits to compete. The winner must possess both beauty and talent and be voted on by a large number of fans.

The Thanh