It is early in the morning when various shades of pink streak the sky and the sun is barely up, casting a heavenly glow over my surroundings. I turn onto a path that forks off in a different direction. As I look back over my shoulder, there on the path I have just left is a young man walking WITH A CAT AROUND HIS NECK!!! I have seen people with cats around their necks, but it has always been in their homes or other enclosed spaces. I have seen people walking dogs with cats following along behind. I saw a young man with a dog around his neck in a bar once. But I have never seen anyone outside walking with a cat around his or her neck. This pandemic does strange things to people.
According to Wikipedia, cats have been domesticated or tamed for nearly 10,000 years. There are also farm cats, which are kept on farms to keep rodents away and feral cats, which are domestic cats that live away from humans. They are one of the most popular pets in the world. They are kept by humans for hunting rodents and companionship. There are about 60 breeds of cat.
History
In the past — most notably in Egypt — people kept domestic cats because they hunted and ate mice and rats. Today, people often keep cats as pets. The oldest evidence of cats kept as pets is from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus around 7500 BC. Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as gods, and often mummified them so they could be with their owners "for all of eternity."
Today, special food for cats is widely available in the developed countries. Proper feeding will help a cat live longer compared to hunting or being fed table scraps. Not correctly feeding a cat can lead to problems. Cats cannot taste sweet foods with sugar because of a mutation or change in their ancestors which removed the ability to taste sweet things.
Cat anatomy
Cats have extra lumbar (lower back) and thoracic (chest) vertebrae. This helps to explain the cat's spinal mobility and flexibility. Unlike human arms, cat forelimbs are attached to the shoulder by free-floating clavicle bones. These allow cats to pass their body through any space into which they can fit their heads.
The cat skull is unusual among mammals in having very large eye sockets and a powerful and specialized jaw. Compared to other felines, domestic cats have narrowly spaced canine teeth: this is an adaptation to their preferred prey of small rodents. Cats — like dogs — walk directly on their toes, with the bones of their feet making up the lower part of the visible leg.
Cats walk very precisely. Unlike most mammals, when cats walk, they use a "pacing" gait or walking style; that is, they move the two legs on one side of the body before the legs on the other side. This trait is shared with camels and giraffes. As a walk speeds up into a trot, a cat's gait will change to be a "diagonal" gait, similar to that of most other mammals: the diagonally opposite hind and forelegs will move at the same time. Most cats have five claws on their front paws and four on their rear paws. On the inside of the front paws, there is something which looks like a sixth "finger." This special feature on the inside of the wrists is the carpal pad. The carpal pad is also found on other cats and on dogs.
Behavior
Cats are active carnivores, meaning that in the wild they hunt live prey. Their main prey are small mammals like mice. They will also stalk — and sometimes kill and eat — birds. Cats eat a wide variety of prey, including insects such as flies and grasshoppers. Their main method of hunting is stalk and pounce. While dogs have great stamina and will chase prey over long distances, cats are extremely fast, but only over short distances. The basic cat coat coloring tabby gives it good camouflage in grass and woodland. The cat creeps towards a chosen victim, keeping its body flat and near to the ground so that it cannot be seen easily, until it is close enough for a rapid dash or pounce. Cats, especially kittens, practice these instinctive behaviors in play with each other or on small toys. Cats can fish. They use a flip-up movement of a front paw which — when successful — flips the fish out of water and over the cat's shoulders onto the grass. Dutch research showed this to be an innate or inherited behavior pattern which developed early and without maternal teaching.
Cats are quiet and well-behaved animals, making them popular pets. Young kittens are playful. They can easily entertain themselves with a variety of store-bought or homemade toys. House cats have also been known to teach themselves to use lever-type doorknobs and toilet handles.
Cats are fairly independent animals. They can look after themselves and do not need as much attention as dogs do.
Cats use many different sounds for communication, including meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking and grunting.
Body posture is also important. The whole shape of the body changes when a cat is relaxed or when it is alert. Also, the position of their ears and tail are used for communication, as well as the usual functions.
These ways of communication are very important. They are used between a mother cat and her kittens. They are also used between male and female cats; and between cats and other species, such as dogs. A mother cat protecting her kittens will fight off the largest dog. She gives good warning with a frightening display, hissing furiously, showing her claws, arching her back and making her hair stand on end. If that fails, she attacks the dog's face with her claws. It has been said that no dog ever tries such an attack a second time.
Gestation
The gestation period for cats is about two months, with an average length of 66 days. The size of a litter is usually three to five kittens. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months (females) and 5–7 months (males). Females can have two to three litters per year, so might produce up to 150 kittens in their breeding life of about ten years.
Birth and after
A pregnant mother cat delivers her litter by herself, guided by instinct. She finds the safest places she can. Then, she will clean it thoroughly with her tongue, if necessary. Here she will quietly give birth. She licks the newborn kittens clean. In the wild, leaving a scent is risking a dangerous encounter with other animals. The kittens are born blind and with closed eyes. They suckle on her teats and sleep a good deal. After two weeks or so, their eyes open. At that stage they have blue eyes, but not the best sight. A bit later, the best developed kitten will totter out of the nest. The others follow. They will soon recognize you as a living thing. That is a great moment. At first, they go back to the nest to feed and sleep. After some more days they leave the nest for good, but still they may sleep together in a “kitten heap.”
The mother cat, meanwhile, has left the nest from time to time to hunt, feed and also to urinate and defecate. Unlike the tom, she covers up her business to hide her scent. Very soon, the kittens will urinate anywhere they please unless one trains them. This is done after they are weaned, when they are ready for some kitten food. Here is how to do it:
1. Prepare clean cat tray filled with absorbent grit.
2. Give kittens their special kitten food.
3. Take the lead kitten right after it has eaten, place it in your cat tray.
4. Gently stroke its tummy with one finger.
5. Watch as kitten sits down promptly and urinates. Do same for other kittens.
6. Repeat next time if they need it. They will not need a third time.
What you have done is exactly what the mother cat would do in the wild. You have triggered a reflex which all kittens have. The thing is, the tray is artificial, and your mother cat may do her business outside. But at least when young, kittens need a tray. Your next job is to call the vet, who will tell you when to bring the kittens for their vaccinations.
Kittens play endlessly. It is how they do their learning. They will play their favorite games, such as “hide and pounce” with almost anyone or anything. Soft balls on strings are a standard toy; so is a scratching post.
With cats there is a limit to how far you can train them. They are at least as intelligent as dogs, but they are not pack animals. They like to do their own thing, and owners do best by fitting in. Never hit a cat. If you do, the relationship will never be the same again. If you really want to dissuade them, try hissing. Also, a noise they do not like will make them leave. It has been said that no one really owns a cat; many cats collect extra owners and may change houses if they do not like the treatment.
If your kitten was born in your home, do not let it out of the house until it is two to three months old. If you have the mother, she will look after the kitten. But if you got the kitten from a vet or dealer, keep it in for several weeks. When it does go out, you need to watch over it. The main problem is that it may easily get lost. In time, the kitten will learn every inch of the house and garden. Then, you can happily let it roam.
Population
Cats are common pets in all continents of the world — excluding Antarctica, and their global population is difficult to ascertain with estimates ranging from anywhere between 200 million to 600 million. In 1998 there were around 76 million cats in Europe, 7 million in Japan and 3 million in Australia. A 2007 report stated that about 37 million U.S. households owned cats, with an average of 2.2 cats per household giving a total population of around 82 million; in contrast, there are about 72 million pet dogs in that country. Cats exceeded dogs in number as pets in the United States in 1985 for the first time, in part because of the development of kitty litter in the mid-20th century eliminating the unpleasantly powerful smell of cat urine.
Although cat ownership has commonly been associated with women, a 2007 Gallup poll reported that men and women in the United States of America were equally likely to own a cat. The ratio of pedigree/purebred cats to random-bred cats varies from country to country. However, generally speaking, purebreds are less than 10% of the total population.
Fur
According to the Humane Society of the United States, as well as being kept as pets, cats are also used in the international fur trade. Cat fur is used in coats, gloves, hats, shoes, blankets and stuffed toys. About 24 cats are needed to make a cat fur coat. This use has now been outlawed in several countries, including the United States, Australia and the European Union countries. However, some cat furs are still made into blankets in Switzerland as folk remedies that are believed to help rheumatism.
Cat meat for human consumption
It is estimated that in southern China's Guangdong province people eat 10,000 cats per day. Animal People estimates that 4 million cats are killed and consumed in Asia every year. An animal-rights group collected 16,000 signatures in 2014 to outlaw the consumption of cat meat in Switzerland, a traditional although today uncommon practice.
Therapy cats
Some cats — called "therapy cats" — are trained to help ailing humans in a medically beneficial way to take advantage of the human-animal interaction for purposes of relaxation and healing.
Therapy cats have been used as companions to help the recovery and well-being of people who have had strokes, high blood pressure, anxiety or depression. Therapy cats have also been used as companions at juvenile detention centers, for children with developmental disabilities and for children with language, speech and hearing difficulties. Therapy cats are also sometimes used in hospitals to relax children who are staying there.
Islam and cats
The domestic is a revered animal in Islam. Admired for its cleanliness as well as for being loved by Muhammad, the cat is considered "the quintessential pet" by Muslims. According to the record of the word of Muhammad, he prohibited the persecution and killing of cats. One of Muhammad's companions was known as Abu Hurairah — literally "Father of the Kitten" — for his attachment to cats. Abu Hurairah claimed that he had heard Muhammad declare that a woman went to hell for starving a female kitten and not providing her with any water. According to legend, Abu Saeed's cat saved Muhammad from a snake.
The American poet and travel author Bayard Taylor (1825–1878) was astonished when he discovered a Syrian hospital where cats roamed freely. The institution — in which domestic felines were sheltered and nourished — was funded by an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law, along with caretakers' wages, veterinary care and cat food. Edward William Lane (1801–1876), a British Orientalist who resided in Cairo, described a cat garden originally endowed by the 13th-century Egyptian sultan Baibars, whose European contemporaries held a very different attitude towards cats — eating them or killing them under papal decrees. Wilfred Thesiger, in his book “The Marsh Arabs,” notes that cats were allowed free entry to community buildings in villages in the Mesopotamian Marshes, and even fed. Aside from protecting granaries and food stores from pests, cats were valued by the paper-based Arab-Islamic cultures for preying on mice that destroyed books. For that reason, cats are often depicted in paintings alongside Islamic scholars and bibliophiles. The medieval Egyptian zoologist Al-Damiri (1344–1405) wrote that the first cat was created when God caused a lion to sneeze, after animals on Noah’s Ark complained of mice.
According to Islamic tradition, Muezza was Muhammad's favorite cat. Muhammad awoke one day to the sounds of the Islamic call to prayer. Preparing to attend, he began to dress himself; however, he soon discovered his cat Muezza sleeping on the sleeve of his prayer robe. Rather than wake her, he used a pair of scissors to cut the sleeve off, leaving the cat undisturbed. Another story is, upon returning from the mosque, Muhammad received a bow from Muezza. He then smiled and gently stroked his beloved cat three times.
Different breeds of cats
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a breed of domestic short-haired cat with a distinctive "ticked" tabby coat, in which individual hairs are banded with different colors. The breed is named for Abyssinia — now called Ethiopia — where it is believed to have originated.
In terms of the domestication of cats, analysis has found the Abyssinian to be one of the oldest types of the animal in existence, with mummified cats in Egyptian tombs studied by archaeologists appearing similar to the modern breed's standards. Although regarded as comparatively obscure in the past as a breed compared to others, the Abyssinian currently ranks among the top five most popular breeds worldwide.
The breed's distinctive appearance, seeming long, lean and finely colored compared to other cats, has been analogized to that of human fashion models. Personality-wise, the cats traditionally display active, curious attitudes in which they frequently follow owners around and encourage play, being regarded as the "clowns of the cat kingdom." Their dog-like characteristics also involve a particular sense of affection and desire for interaction.
American shorthair
When settlers sailed from Europe to North America, they carried cats on board to protect the stores from mice — for instance, the cats that came over on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims to hunt rats on the ship and in the colony. Many of these cats landed in the New World, interbred and developed special characteristics to help them cope with their new life and climate. Early in the 20th century, a selective breeding program was established to develop the best qualities of these cats. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, in 2012, it was the seventh most popular pedigreed cat in the United States.
Aphrodite giant, Cyprus cat, Cypriot cat, Saint Helen cat, Saint Nicholas cat
Cyprus cats are a landrace of domestic cat found across the island of Cyprus. The earliest known written record of cats on Cyprus refers to a story of Saint Helen of Constantinople sending two boatloads of cats to a monastery on the island from Egypt or Palestine in the 4th century A.D. to deal with an infestation of snakes. Cats on Cyprus have been able to breed for centuries with comparatively little outside influence; this has resulted in a distinct, locally adapted variety of cat which appears to have developed as a feral population in the inner highlands, though is found throughout the island in modern times. While wildcats in association with humans on Cyprus date to at least 7500 B.C. — the earliest proven association of cats with humans — there is no known connection between those ancient tamed-wild specimens and modern domesticated Cyprus cats, despite breeder claims to the contrary.
Burmese
The Burmese cat is a breed of domestic cat, originating in Burma, believed to have its roots near the Thai-Burma border and developed in the United States and Britain.
Most modern Burmese are descendants of one female cat called Wong Mau, which was brought from Burma to America in 1930 and bred with American Siamese. From there, American and British breeders developed distinctly different Burmese breed standards, which is unusual among pedigreed domestic cats. Most modern at registries do not formally recognize the two as separate breeds, but those that do refer to the British type as the European Burmese.
Originally, all Burmese cats were dark brown (sable), but are now available in a wide variety of colors; formal recognition of these also varies by standard. Both versions of the breed are known for their uniquely social and playful temperament and persistent vocalization.
Himalayan
The Himalayan — a.k.a. Himalayan Persian or Colorpoint Persian as it is commonly referred to in Europe — is a breed or sub-breed of long-haired cat similar in type to the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes and its point coloration, which were derived from crossing the Persian with the Siamese. Some registries may classify the Himalayan as a long-haired sub-breed of Siamese, or a colorpoint sub-breed of Persian. The World Cat Federation has merged them with the Colorpoint shorthair and Javanese into a single breed, the Colorpoint.
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed. It has a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, specifically native to the US state of Maine, where it is the official state cat.
No records of the Maine Coon's exact origins and date of introduction to the United States exist, so several competing hypotheses have been suggested, the most credible suggestion being that it is closely related to the Norwegian Forest cat and the Siberian. The breed was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, but its existence became threatened when long-haired breeds from overseas were introduced in the early 20th century. The Maine Coon has since made a comeback and is now one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States.
The Maine Coon is a large and sociable cat, hence its nickname, "the gentle giant." It is characterized by a prominent ruff along its chest, robust bone structure, rectangular body shape, an uneven two-layered coat with longer guard hairs over a silky satin undercoat and a long, bushy tail. The breed's colors vary widely, with only lilac and chocolate disallowed for pedigree. Reputed for its intelligence and playful, gentle personality, the Maine Coon is often cited as having "dog-like" characteristics. Professionals notice certain health problems recurring in the breed, including feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia, but reputable breeders use modern screening methods to minimize the frequency of these problems.
Manx
The Manx cat originating on the Isle of Man, with a naturally occurring mutation that shortens the tail. Many Manx have a small stub of a tail, but Manx cats are best known as being entirely tailless; this is the most distinguishing characteristic of the breed, along with elongated hind legs and a rounded head. Manx cats come in all coat colors and patterns, though all-white specimens are rare, and the coat range of the original stock was more limited. Long-haired variants are sometimes considered a separate breed, the Cymric.
Manx are prized as skilled hunters, and thus have often been sought by farmers with rodent problems and been a preferred ship’s cat breed. They are said to be social, tame and active. An old local term for the cats on their home island is “stubbin.” Manx have been exhibited in cat shows since the 1800s, with the first known breed standard published in 1903.
Persian
The Persian cat is a long-haired breed of cat characterized by its round face and short muzzle. It is also known as the "Persian Longhair" in the English-speaking countries. The first documented ancestors of the Persian were imported into Italy from Iran — historically known as Persia in the west — around 1620. Recognized by the cat fancy since the late 19th century, it was developed first by the English, and then mainly by American breeders after World War II. Some cat fancier organizations' breed standards subsume the Himalayan and Exotic Shothair as variants of this breed, while others treat them as separate breeds.
The selective breeding carried out by breeders has allowed the development of a wide variety of coat colors, but has also led to the creation of increasingly flat-faced Persians. Favored by fanciers, this head structure can bring with it a number of health problems. As is the case with the Siamese breed, there have been efforts by some breeders to preserve the older type of cat, the traditional breed, having a more pronounced muzzle, which is more popular with the general public. Hereditary polycystic kidney disease is prevalent in the breed, affecting almost half the population in some countries.
In 2015 it was ranked as the second most popular breed in the United States according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association. The first is the Exotic breed.
Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is a cat breed with a color point coat and blue eyes. They are large and muscular semi-longhair cats with a soft and silky coat. Developed by American breeder Ann Baker in the 1960s, they are best known for their docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up.
Particularly popular in both the United Kingdom and the breed's native United States, ragdoll cats are often known as "dog-like cats" or "puppy-like cats" due to such behaviors as their tendency to follow people around, their ease when physically handled and their relative lack of aggression toward other pets.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that may have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia. They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. It is believed that sailors took Russian Blues from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The first recorded appearance outside of Russia was in 1875 at The Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat. The Russian Blue competed in a class including all other blue cats until 1912, when it was given its own class. The breed was developed mainly in England and Scandinavia until after World War II.
Right after the war, a lack of numbers of Russian Blues led to cross breeding with the Siamese.
Although Russian Blues were in the United States before the war, it was not until the post-war period that American breeders created the modern Russian Blue that is seen in the United States today. American breeders combined the bloodlines of both the Scandinavian and British Russian Blues. The Siamese traits have now largely been bred out. The short hair and slate-gray/blue color is often seen in mixed-breed cats, which can affect breeders due to mislabeling a cat as a Russian Blue.
Siamese
The Siamese cat is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Asian cat. Derived from the Wichianmat landrace, one of several varieties of cat native to Thailand — formerly known as Siam — the original Siamese became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America in the 19th century. The carefully refined, more extreme-featured, modern-style Siamese is characterized by blue almond-shaped eyes, a triangular head shape, large ears, various forms of point coloration and an elongated, slender, and muscular body. Other than coloration, the modern-style Siamese bears little resemblance to the original stock, and the more moderate, traditional or "old-style" Siamese, with a much rounder head and body, has been re-established by multiple registries as the Thai cat. The International Cat Association describes the modern Siamese as affectionate, social, intelligent and playful into adulthood, often enjoying a game of fetch. Siamese tend to seek human interaction and also like companionship from other cats.
The Siamese — sometimes in the traditional form — is among the foundation stock of several other breeds developed by crossbreeding with other cats; some examples are the Oriental Shorthair and Colorpoint Shorthair, developed to expand the range of coat patterns; the long-haired variant most often dubbed the Himalayan; and hair-mutation breeds, including the Cornish Rex, Sphynx, Peterbald and blue-point Siamese cat. The Siamese cat comes in two distinct variations: traditional, with an apple-shaped head and a slightly chubby body; or the modern Siamese, which are very skinny and have a wedge-shaped head. The long-haired Siamese is recognized internationally as a Balinese cat. Siamese cats are one of the more common breeds to have different colored irises.
Siberian
The Siberian is a centuries-old landrace — natural variety — of domestic cat in Russia and recently developed as a formal breed with standards promulgated the world over since the late 1980s.
Siberians vary from medium to large in size. The formal name of the breed is Siberian Forest Cat, but usually it's simply called the Siberian or Siberian cat. Another formal breed name is the Moscow Semi-Longhair. The cat is an ancient breed that is now believed to be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. The cat has similarities with the Norwegian forest cat, to which it is likely closely related. It is a natural breed from Siberia and the national cat of Russia. While it began as a landrace, it is selectively bred and pedigreed today in at least seven major cat fancier and breeder organizations. The Siberian — along with the Russian Blue, Balinese, Cornish Rex, Sphynx and several others — produces less Fel d 1 than other cat breeds and, while it is certainly not completely so, is often called hypoallergenic.
Tortoiseshell
According to the article “Differences Between Tabby, Torbie and Tortoise Shell Cats” at petventuresbook.com, tortoiseshell cats are so-named for their tri-colored coats that resemble the colorful shell of a tortoise. Like the tabby cat, the tortie cat is not actually a breed. Instead, the “tortie” term actually refers to the coat pattern that results from a certain genetic combination. Several pure breeds, such as Maine Coons and Persians may exhibit the tortoiseshell pattern. Mixed breeds may even express it!
Most often, torties are black and red or orange, and oddly, they are almost exclusively female. Or...maybe not so oddly. It turns out that the genes that determine coat color are also responsible for determining sex. So, it is all linked!
While male Torties do exist, they are incredibly rare — only about 1 in 3,000 male cats have the tortoiseshell pattern! This is because in order to express the gorgeous tortie coat pattern, a cat must have a mutation in two X chromosomes. Males only have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, while females carry two X chromosomes.
So, for a tortie to be male, he must have a genetic mutation that causes him to express two X chromosomes, in addition to the Y chromosome that makes him male. This XXY combination is known as Klinefelter Syndrome in humans and unfortunately, this particular gene variation causes the male tortie to be sterile.
Also unique to tortoiseshell cats is their sassy personality. Seriously, this goes way beyond the typically observed “cattitude” that is frequently attributed to most house cats. Studies from the University of California, Davis, confirm what tortie owners have known along — with a flashy coat comes an extra fiery spirit.
Difficult to distinguish from their tortoiseshell/tabby (torbie) cousins, the tortie cat does have at least one notable difference — the black part of their coats will be free of stripes. So, just keep an eye out for that little detail!
Tabby
Most cat connoisseurs know and love a tabby cat. With their distinctive stripes and spots, they are certainly hard not to admire. Some may even have unique swirl and whorl patterns. Certainly, they all have an unmistakable “M” on their foreheads.
Many legends exist that attempt to explain why this is. The first legend originated in Ancient Egypt, where cats were referred to as “Mau.” Perhaps this is because of the “Meow” noise that they make, but of course we can’t be sure. In English, mau translates to light — like the light of the midnight moon. And Ancient Egyptians were known to associate cats with the moon. The “M” on their heads are thought to represent this mau/moon relationship.
Also, unlike the torties, tabby cats are not mostly female. In fact, most ginger tabby cats are actually male! The ginger gene is carried on the X chromosome, and in order to express it, females need it on both copies of their X. However, males only need one. As a result of their genetics, male ginger tabby cats outnumber females three to one!
As the most common type of coat pattern, the tabby cat may exhibit one of four distinct marking types. The classic, or blotched tabby, has dark spirals on its lighter fur — resembling a delicious marble cake! The mackerel tabby — also known as a tiger tabby cat — has narrow stripes down each side. They are known as the “mackerel” cat because their stripes all extend from one central stripe down their backs that resemble a fishbone. And of course, the spotted tabby is covered in adorable spots of all different sizes! Unlike those with larger, more noticeable patterns, the ticked tabby has individual hairs striped in light and dark colors. This pattern is known as “Agouti” and it is very prominent in the Abyssinian breed.
Calico
Calico cats are the easiest to differentiate. Just keep an eye out for the classic tri-color pattern — white, orange, and black! While it is true that tortoiseshell cats also have these colors, calico cats are mostly white with patches of black and orange while torties have more equal distribution. In fact, some calico cats are almost totally white, while the torties have less distinct patterns.
Like their tortie friends, calico cats are most often female due to their genes. A cat’s coat color is determined by its X chromosome. Calico cats inherit one Big O or dominant gene and one Little o or recessive gene. This “Oo” combination creates the tri-color look that is unique to piebald-esque calico cats.
Interestingly, in addition to their classic patches, calico cats may also have tabby markings. Some say these cats have “caliby” coats. And because the coat colors and markings are all due to genetic variations, calico cats can’t be bred intentionally. They are just a very cute and happy accident!
Torbie
The torbie cat is most rare. These cats share looks with the tortoiseshell cats and tabby cats. In fact, before their name was shortened to torbie, they were actually known as reverse torties due to their tabby stripes and tortie markings. Sometimes, they are even called patched tabbies because they look mostly like tabby cats with a few patchy areas of red and cream. No matter what you call them, they are strikingly beautiful!
Torbie cats are arguably the most difficult to differentiate. But do not worry! Here are a few quick tips: First, identify the tabby pattern — whether it be classic, mackerel, spotted or ticked. Then, look for little patches of a different color. If you find both, you are likely looking at a torbie cat. Simple as that!
Cats in popular culture
According to Kelly Bryant's June 8, 2020 article "The 12 Most Famous Cats in Pop Culture History" in Reader's Digest, Joe Drake's October 29, 2017 article "Celebrating 10 Pop Culture Felines for National Cat Day" in Us magazine and Wikipedia, below are a few cats in popular culture.
Puss in Boots
"Master Cat, or The Booted Cat", commonly known in English as "Puss in Boots", is an Italian and later European literary fairy tale about an anthropomorphic cat who uses trickery and deceit to gain power, wealth and the hand of a princess in marriage for his penniless and low-born master. The oldest telling is by Italian author Giovanni Francesco Straparola, who included it in his “The Facetious Nights of Straparola” (c. 1550–1553). Another version was published in 1634 by Giambattista Basile with the title “Cagliuso,” and a tale was written in French at the close of the seventeenth century by Charles Perraut (1628–1703), a retired civil servant and member of the Académie française.
Puss in Boots is a main character in the “Shrek” franchise, also being portrayed as the title character and protagonist of the film “Puss in Boots” in 2011. He made his first appearance in the film “Shrek 2” in 2004, soon becoming Shrek’s partner and helper — alongside Donkey. In the film “Shrek the Third” in 2007, Puss helps Shrek find the heir to the throne of the Far Far Away Kingdom. The film “Shrek Forever After” in 2010 is primarily set in an alternate universe, where Puss is Princess Fiona’s pet and has gained weight after his retirement. In the spin-off and prequel “Puss in Boots,” his origins are described. Puss also appears in the Netflix television series centered on him, “The Adventures of Puss in Boots” in 2015–2018.
Cheshire Cat
The Cheshire Cat is a fictional cat popularized by Lewis Carroll in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and known for its distinctive mischievous grin. While now most often used in Alice-related contexts, the association of a "Cheshire cat" with grinning predates the 1865 book. It has transcended the context of literature and become enmeshed in popular culture, appearing in various forms of media from political cartoons to television, as well as in cross-disciplinary studies, from business to science. One distinguishing feature of the Alice-style Cheshire Cat involves a periodic gradual disappearance of its body, leaving only one last visible trace — its iconic grin.
“Alice in Wonderland” was an animated film by Walt Disney Studios in 1951, a broadcast TV show from 1991-95, a made-for-TV movie in 1999 and a live-action film directed by Tim Burton in 2012.
Felix the Cat
If you want to get really nostalgic, the cartoon Felix the Cat was created way back in 1919 during the silent film era. First introduced in Feline Follies, a short film, Felix then became a star of the comics section in newspapers. Created by Otto Mesmer, a New Jersey-based cartoonist, the black and white kitty has a lot of credits to his name — like being honored as the mascot of Fighter Squadron 2-B with his image gracing their F-3 biplanes, according to his official website. On top of that, Felix the Cat was the first image ever to appear on American television.
Sylvester the Cat
Sylvester the Cat is a fictional character, an anthropomorphic tuxedo cat in the “Looney Tunes” and “Merrie Melodies” series of cartoons. Most of his appearances have him often chasing Tweety, Speedy Gonzales or Hippety Hopper. Sylvester appeared in 103 cartoons in the golden age of American animation, lagging only behind superstars Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. Three of his cartoons won Academy Awards, the most for any starring Looney Tunes character. They are “Tweetie Pie,” “Speedy Gonzales” and “Birds Anonymous.
Sylvester shows a lot of pride in himself and never gives up. Despite — or perhaps because of — his pride and persistence, Sylvester is, with rare exceptions, placed squarely on the "loser" side of the Looney Tunes winner/loser hierarchy.
In many cartoons, Sylvester is shown intentionally sticking out his tongue while speaking, putting emphasis that the lisp is intentional. He is also known for spraying people he's talking to with the saliva from his lisping, which is a trait rarely shared by Daffy. A common gag used for both Sylvester and Daffy is a tendency to go on a long rant, complaining about a subject and then ending it by saying "sakes."
Sylvester's trademark exclamation is "Sufferin' succotash!", which is said to be a minced oath of "Suffering Savior."
Morris the Cat
In the world of cat food, there was none more finicky than commercial star Morris the Cat, or at least that’s what each 9Lives ad told us. Morris made his debut in 1968 for the cat food brand, even gracing some of its packaging — not to mention loads of television ads. An orange tabby cat, he was “discovered” at the Humane Society in Hinsdale, Illinois, and remained the company’s “spokescat” for years, appearing in 58 commercials. He even appeared in the movie “Shamus” with Burt Reynolds in 1973. While the original Morris is no longer with us, his spirit continues with modern versions of the picky eater still representing 9Lives.
The Cat in the Hat
Is there a more important cat in children’s literature than The Cat in the Hat? We think not. Originally published in 1957, Dr. Seuss’s tale of an opinionated cat with a penchant for fun has stood the test of time. PBS still airs the animated series “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!” and the character continues to delight little ones who are just developing a love of words and books. Did you know that author Theodor Seuss Geisel — his real name — used precisely 236 different words that kids can understand to write the story? Clearly, he was on to something.
“The Cat in the Hat” is also a 2003 American fantasy comedy film directed by Bo Welch in his directorial debut and written by Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer. Based on Dr. Seuss’ 1957 book of the same name, it was the second feature-length Dr. Seuss adaptation after “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in 2000. The film is narrated by Victor Brandt and stars Mike Myers in the title role along with Dakota Fanning, Spencer Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Kelly Preston and Amy Hill in supporting roles.
Garfield
Hide your lasagna, people, because Garfield, the comic strip cat with a big appetite, isn’t afraid to attack a pan of the rich, cheesy dish. The first comic starring the portly feline debuted in U.S. newspapers in June 1978, per Garfield’s official website. Two years later his first book landed at No. 1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. From there, more books were published, a TV special hit the air, and then, ultimately, a weekly Saturday morning cartoon in 1988 — an entire decade after he made his debut. In 2002 he even set a Guinness World Record for being the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world. Now that deserves some lasagna.
“Garfield: The Movie” is a 2004 American live action/computer-animated comedy film directed by Peter Hewitt inspired by Jim Davis’ comic strip of the same name. It stars BreckinMeyer as Jon Arbuckle, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Dr. Liz Wilson and featuresBill Murray as the voice of Garfield, who was created with computer animation, though all other animals were real. The film was produced by David Entertainment Co. and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was released in the United States on June 11, 2004. While the film received negative reviews from critics, it was a box office success, grossing over $200 million on a $50 million budget. A sequel, “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,” was released on June 16, 2006.
Mr. Bigglesworth
You’d think it would be hard to top the colorful antics of Austin Powers and his nemesis Dr. Evil, but the film franchise did manage to produce a scene-stealer in Mr. Bigglesworth. The hairless cat was a precious companion to the antagonist who made it his mission to not only bring down the “international man of mystery,” but also take over the world. According to the Chicago Tribune, the feline actor is a sphynx cat whose real name is Ted Nudegent. “When Ted appeared on the set for the sequel, he hadn’t seen Mike in months,” animal trainer Tammy Maples told the newspaper. “Ted immediately ran to Mike’s lap, jumped in it and began to purr. I believe Mike really loves Ted. On more than one occasion, Ted wound up staying in a scene longer than planned because he dozed off in Mike’s lap.”
Toonces the Driving Cat
Dana Carvey and Victoria Jackson play a couple who allow their pet cat Toonces to drive their car; Toonces subsequently drives the car off a cliff. Debuted on “Saturday Night Live” May 20, 1989.
Toonces was the family pet of Lyle (Steve Martin in the first sketch, thereafter by Dana Carvey) and Brenda Clark (Victoria Jackson), an enthusiastic couple who would allow their cat to drive the family car. At first, they were delighted that their cat had such an ability but were always horrified to discover (too late) that Toonces was actually not a skilled driver at all. The running gag was the punch line: "See, I told you he could drive! Just not very well!" Inevitably, Toonces would drive the car over a cliff whenever he got behind the wheel. This sequence was characterized by someone in the car yelling "Toonces, look out!" with the Toonces puppet appearing to scream also, followed by the car falling off a cliff, and sometimes exploding (as shown in a series of stock footage scenes — sometimes the same one used multiple times within a sketch).
Toonces was portrayed by a live cat — for the title sequence and certain close-up driving scenes — and a puppet which was made up of three parts. The first part was a head and torso piece, which was a simplistic rendering of a grey-and-white striped short-haired tabby. The other two parts consisted of two separate paws, which were manipulated so as to simulate Toonces actually steering the car.
This sketch first appeared on the show that Steve Martin hosted when he broke Buck Henry’s record for most hosting stints.
In 1992, NBC aired a half-hour Toonces special. “Toonces, the Cat Who Could Drive a Car” was a prime time special that aired on February 2, 1992. The special featured the first half of the first Toonces sketch and “The Tooncinator,” both from SNL plus one new Toonces sketch, “Toonces Without A Cause;” three short little pieces before commercial breaks to remind you it was a Toonces special: “Toonces The Cat's World Of Nature,” “Toonces & Spunky Play Ping Pong,” “Toonces Mows The Lawn” and the end credits featuring “Toonces Flies A Plane.”
Grumpy Cat
The viral sensation known as Grumpy Cat — real name: Tardar Sauce — captured the attention of millions because of her perpetual frown. In 2012 her photos hit Reddit when Tardar Sauce was just a kitten, with people identifying with her less-than-impressed look, making her the star of many an internet meme. According to her human, Tabatha Bundesen, Tardar Sauce isn’t actually unhappy at all. “She really isn’t grumpy,” she posted on Grumpy Cat’s official website. “She is a super cute and cuddly kitty and loves to be held and rubbed!” Sadly, Tardar Sauce passed away in May 2019.
Hello Kitty
Listen, there’s a lot of debate about whether or not Hello Kitty is a cat or, in fact, a little girl. In 2014 Sanrio, the company behind the cutesy character, made this bold statement that she is in fact a human, and it shook HK fans to the core. But considering the general public had largely always considered her a feline, we’re filing her under one of the most famous cats in history. With that adorable little nose, whiskers and cat ears, that’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Her real name, in case you didn’t know, is actually Kitty White, and, according to a Los Angeles Times article, she is a perma-third grader. Kitty was first introduced in 1974 when her image decorated a small coin purse. The rest, as they say, is history.
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