November 3 is Cliché Day

November 3, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

November 3 is Cliché Day. Yes, really. It doesn’t rise to the occasion as does Veterans Day, but let’s have some fun! Clichés are overused and tired platitudes that became overused because there’s usually a grain of truth in it. On the other hand, some are interesting, but just plain wrong.

Erroneous Clichés

“He was weak as a kitten.” What are they talking about? Obviously whoever came up with this one is either talking about person who is as weak as the Hulk, or he has never tried to give a pill to an unwilling kitten. There is nothing weak about a kitten who is being forced to do something he doesn’t want to do.

“Curiosity killed the cat.” When I first became a cat owner, I cross stitched a this phrase for a friend who loved cats, but I thought the saying was too negative and morbid to hang on a kitchen wall. I edited it to say, “Curiosity is a cat.” However after having and rescuing so many kitties, I found that in too many cases, this is true. Now I prefer the the revision below.

“Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” Now were talking.However there is a third version that I find more applicable.

Accurate Clichés

“Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.” ~C.J. Cherryh. Sadly this is so often true when cat owners fail to understand their cat’s unique physiology and behavior. (Apply canine flea products to the cat, giving Tylenol, bringing lilies into the house,)

“It’s raining cats and dogs.” Or should that be “the reigning cats and dogs?

“Herding cats.” As an official Cat Wrangler, I can assure you this is impossible. See my favorite commercial of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ0ur5GKC0w

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Okay. Me in the morning.

“Busier than a three legged cat in a dry sand box.” I have three three-legged kitties. Covering in the litter box isn’t a problem for them.

Leggo meme — Untrue cliches. Some three-legged kitties have no problem in a sandy box.

“The cat’s out of the bag.” In Medieval times farmers sold piglets and turned them over to customers inside a bag. However, unscrupulous people would put a cat in the sack. When the bag was opened the cat would flee and the person would learn he’d been duped. Of course the real truth is: It’s nearly impossible to get a cat to vacate a sack.

“When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” Just ask any bodega owner in New York City.

What are your favorite cat-related clichés?

Uncategorized

Thank You Veterinary Nurses: It’s National Veterinary Technician Week

October 21, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

veterinarytech-week — Thank you Veterinary Techicians for being unsung heroes

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week

This week is National Veterinary Technician Week. It takes place in the third week of October each year, and provides an opportunity to veterinarians and their clinics to recognize the contributions of veterinary technicians. During this week, those of us who frequently haunt our veterinary clinics should take a moment honor vet techs’ commitment to compassionate and high-quality veterinary care for all animals, including those who don’t make it easy for them.

I personally want to take a moment to thank all vet techs, but especially those at The Animal Hospital on Teasley Lane (Denton, TX), All Cats Veterinary Hospital (Houston, TX) and All Care Veterinary Hospital (Coppell, TX) for their care and compassion.

Some clinics call them veterinary nurses. It doesn’t matter what you call them. As William Shakespeare so wisely penned many centuries ago, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

Admittedly, sometime they smell, but not so sweet. Like those times anal gland expressions go wrong, the sick kitty projectile vomited with William Tell precision. At times like that, I smile weakly and apologize to the tech dripping with runny poop. The response is usually something, “That’s okay. Now we have that fecal sample. I’ll just go run it and see what we can find.”

I asked my friend Cynthia Rigoni, DVM, All Cats Veterinary Hospital in Houston, to write something about her techs and she came through. “This is National Veterinary Technician Week. I am a little at a loss as to what to say. I simply cannot do what I do without the technicians here at All Cats. They are more than nurses. They are more than a cleaning crew. They are here 7 days a week. They come in whenever I call (like at 2 in the morning for a C-section). We play together. We occasionally have words. In short, they are like my family. We may be a little dysfunctional, but we try to put the fun into that word every day and treat your animals like they are our own, while we’re doing it.”

Thank you Vet Techs for your caring, compassion, your ability to communicate and the time you spend with me, my personal kitties and my fosters. You are heroes.

Litter Box

5 Reasons Your Cat Avoids the Litter Box

October 12, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

@IMG_0724 help_low res — Inappropriate elimination is a plea for help.

Cats avoid the litter box for countless reasons, but if you can determine the cause, you can likely correct it.

He’s sick. Any number of illnesses cause pain or discomfort that your kitty associates with his litter box. As soon you notice a mishap, take your cat to the vet. Often inappropriate elimination is the first sign of disease. This is an opportunity to treat an illness before it becomes advanced.
The box is dirty. Like you, your cat wants to use a clean toilet. If his box hasn’t scooped for days, I can’t blame him for seeking out less stinky accomodations.
Scented litter. Cats have sensitive noses, and that sensitive probuscis is just inches from the surface of the litter. For many cats that’s too darn close. Switch to unscented litter.
He’s scared. Cats are amazing hunters, but they are also prey. They spend their lives worried about a surprise attack from larger predators. Everything scares them: loud noises, cat ambushes, dog harrassmment, slamming doors, and even loud music may make him feel vulnerable.
It’s hard for him to make it to the box. A stairway between your kitty and the box may make it difficult for your cat to get to his box especially if he eight years or older. After all, you don’t make your grandmother climb stairs to go to the bathroom

If you need more than a short list, check out my new book, Cat Scene Investigator: Solve Your Cat’s Litter Box Mystery, the consummate inappropriate elimination guide. CSI approaches kitty crime scenes through the eyes of a detective to help determine your cat’s motive and the remedy. Check it out at Amazon.

Litter Box, Uncategorized

There’s Real Help for Frustrated Cat Owners Dealing with Litter Box Problems

Quote October 1, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

The ultimate source for resolving litter box problems

Cat Scene Investigator: Solve Your Cat’s Litter Box Mystery, my comprehensive guide to help you resolve your cat’s litter box issues is finally a reality. At least the Kindle version. The paperback will be available in about three weeks.

Inappropriate elimination is actually inappropriate communication. ~ Dusty Rainbolt

Inappropriate elimination is the most vexing problem cat owners face, but there’s good news. Dr. Carlo Siracusa, chief of the animal behavior service at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, says, “Among behavior problems, housesoiling is the problem with the best prognosis if the owner is educated.”

Enter Cat Scene Investigator: Solve Your Cat’s Litter Box Mystery, the consummate inappropriate elimination guide. CSI approaches kitty crime scenes through the eyes of a detective to help determine your cat’s motive and the remedy.

Award-winning behavior author Dusty Rainbolt uses humor and cutting-edge science-based research to bust feline myths and help you devise a practical strategy so you and Fluffy can live happily ever after.

This comprehensive handbook includes:

Veterinary and behavioral breakthroughs that will help you understand your cat’s litter box needs
Setting up a box your cat will want to pee in
Insight into illnesses that can cause or contribute to litter box mishaps
Finding the culprit in a multipet home
Determining whether your cat is peeing or marking
The effects of stress or fear on feline litter box behavior
How to stop urine marking
Techniques to remove odor from soiled flooring

What they’re saying about CSI

“I now have a comprehensive tool help to save cats’ lives: This superb, long-overdue book!” ~ Louise Holton, Alley Cat Rescue founder, community cat rescue pioneer

“This a must-read book for every cat owner. Read it to determine and correct the cause of housesoiling, or better still, to prevent the problem entirely.” ~ Dr. Marty Becker, America’s Veterinarian

Feline Health, Uncategorized

10 Reasons I Love Veterinarians

August 13, 2016 DustyAdmin 2 Comments

I just spent five days in San Antonio at the American Veterinary Medicine Association conference. I was blessed to be surrounded by amazing animal-lovers, from the country’s top researchers to frontline veterinarians to veterinary journalists, feline behaviorists, vet techs and future vets. What an inspiring week! The one thing we all had in common was our passion for animal health.

There is a dark side to veterinary medicine. Veterinarians have the highest incidence of suicide of any occupation. In September 2014, my friend Sophia Yin, a gifted veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist, took her own life. If one good thing came out of her death, it’s public awareness of our vets’ vulnerabilities.

cassie2 — Small animal veterinarian, Dr. Cassie Epstein, and friend. Dr. Epstein owns the Animal Hospital on Teasley Lane in Denton, TX.

Why, when vets have such a warm, fuzzy job, do they suffer from depression? There are a combination of issues. They have six-figure student loans before they graduate from vet school. They witness stupidity and thoughtless in pet owners. People often wait until the pet is critically ill before bringing it to the clinic. Veterinarians feel helpless when clients fail to follow instructions and the pets suffer. They cry in their office when they must put a patient to sleep. Vets suffer in silence, concentrating on your animal’s pain, not their own.

As clients, pet owners and animal rescuers, we need to show same care and concern for our vets as they give our pets. Maybe a card, a note, a simple thank you for your pet’s recovery or for releasing him from his pain. You never know what difference your kindness will make.

Here and now, I want to publicly thank Drs. Cassie Epstein and Cynthia Rigoni for everything they’ve done for my cats and me. Because of you, my cats have been made healthy and my foster kitties have gone on to happy forever homes.

It’s not unusual during a routine office visit for Dr. E to say, “Don’t you need a three-legged puppy who’s not house-trained?” The answer is usually no. However, sometimes I give in. On one visit she showed me an FIV-positIve Siamese-mix who had survived a gruesome coyote attack. Because of Dr. E, Braveheart recovered from his injuries and went to a loving forever home.

Cindy — Cat veterinarian, Dr. Cynthia Rigoni, owns All Cats Veterinary Hospital in Houston, TX.

WHY I LOVE VETERINARIANS

Pondering this incredible profession and all its dedicated members, I came up with a list of reasons I love veterinarians. (Cassie Epstein and Cindy Rigoni, and all my vet friends, take note. This is for you.)

I love vets because:

They look good in scrubs.
I don’t have to personally empty my cats’ anal sacs. I can stand near the door while the vet works directly in the line of fire.
Vets save lives. Every day.
Vets have a lot of patience—not only with fractious pets but factious owners, too.
Vets are superheroes. When necessary, they run faster than a speeding kitten. They jump father than shooting anal glands. They have X-ray vision (or at least an X-ray machine.)
They are bilingual. They speak Vet-ese and English and translate the former into the latter.
They have the same education and skills as a human physician, but charge only a fraction for their services.
When a vet helps a pet, she/he also helps a person and the family.
When people leave healthy pets to be euthanized because they’re too much trouble or can’t deal with handicaps, vets often adopt the animal or finds it a home.
Veterinarians are never out of school. They must continue their education throughout their careers to keep up with innovations and technology.
Will Rogers said it all, “The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter–he’s got to just know.”

So please, occasionally take a moment out of your day to thank you your veterinarian and tell her what you love about her. You’ll never know, but you, too, might save a life.

Review, Uncategorized

Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat for Happy Cats and Happy Floors

August 2, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

IMG_8801_Drymate_copyright — Einstein with the Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat. Normally it lies flat after a few minutes out of the packaging, but Einstein liked it so much she used it for a scratcher. Photo by Weems S. Hutto. ©2016.

Name: Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat
Description: (My favorite) 28″ X 36″ (item number CLMRF2836C) and 20″ x 28″ (item number CLMRF2028C) ridged litter mats with bonded waterproof backing
Works best on: carpet or hard flooring / covered or open box
Effectiveness: Very effective. Low off-mat tracking
Available: Target.com
Suggested retail: small ($12.99) and large ($19.99.)
Observations: I’ve used the Drymate® Cat Litter Mat for years, so when a representative from Drymate asked if I wanted to try their new and improved Litter Trapping Mat, I jumped at the chance.

Before I talk about my experience with the Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat, I need to give you some info on feline preferences. A decade ago, Dr. Alice Moon-Fanelli said cat owners should keep their cat’s preferences in mind when buying litter mats (cat litter, or any product for that matter.) At the time, Dr. Moon-Fanelli was the clinical assistant professor and a certified applied animal behaviorist at the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine. She’s now in private practice.

“Sensitive cats may not like the feel of some substrates,” she said. “Just as some cats balk when their owners use litter box liners, cats who don’t like the feel of a plastic floor runner will not the feel of plastic litter mats.”

Maybe you’ve never considered whether or not certain textures repel your cat. But if your kitty is even the slightest reluctant to walk on a certain surface like he may decide to seek out an alternative bathroom rather than tread across a mat that makes him uncomfortable.

LitterTrappingMat_InUse_Drymate — Photo provided by Drymate.

I tested the textural comfort of the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat by pressing my forearm against it; the mat felt neutral against my skin. The cats obviously loved the feel of it. They immediately used it as a scratching pad and later napped on it.

Tracking occurs when litter becomes trapped inside the cat’s paws. When the kitty leaves the box, the pads spread and litter falls out on the floor. It’s been my experience that no mat eliminates tracking completely, but the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat greatly reduced off-mat tracking.

The 100% polyester mat features fine ridges that gently part a kitty’s paw pads to release litter as Fluffy walks away from the litter box. Litter becomes trapped within the ridges, which should reduce tracking.

IMG_8800_Drymate Blog — Einstein reveals the waterproof underside that protect the floor from litter accidents.

When it comes to litter mats bigger IS better. The larger the mat, the more steps the cat must take before its feet reach the floor. That gives him more distance to drop the litter on the mat before littering the floor. This mat comes in two sizes: 20” x 28” ($12.99) and the 28” x 36” ($19.99.) Not unexpectedly, the larger mat did the best job at corralling litter.
Regardless of where I placed the mat, the Rainbolt Test Kitties continued to use their favorite litter box with the same enthusiasm and frequency as before.

The Drymate Litter Trapping Mat is environmentally responsible; it’s made from a polyester fiber manufactured in the USA from 100% recycled bottles. The non-skid waterproof backing keeps the mat in place while preventing accidents from soaking through to your floor. The fabric is so absorptive, if your cat misses or overshoots the box, there’s no pee runoff, and the backing prevents leak through. (BTW-If your cat suddenly starts going just outside the box, you need to take him to the vet.)

To remove litter trapped in the ridges, hold the mat over litter box, roll it lengthwise with the ridges facing outward and shake. Wash as needed. It’s machine washable in cool water and dryer safe at low heat. I’ve washed the Litter Trapping Mat several times and it held its own. (My older Drymate mats have been washed countless times and still perform well.)

The only downside I can find that it won’t win any decorating awards. It’s a neutral dark gray. Also, I wouldn’t mind if it came in a larger size.

Bottom line: To me, this is the only litter mat worth using. It’s comfortable for the cats, the large mat catches most of the litter, it doesn’t slip and it protects the floor from litter box mishaps.

Although more outlets are anticipated, currently Target.com is the only place to get it.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Drymate’s manufacturer, RPM, Inc. Dusty Rainbolt’s Universe is being compensated for spreading the word about the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat, but rest assured, I only write about products my cats love and use regularly. Paying me to write about this mat is like paying me to eat sushi. I’m going to do it anyway, but Einstein needs a new cat toy. RPM, Inc isn’t responsible for the content of this article.

Black cats, Cats, Odd News

Cat Takes “Back the Blue” Literally #BacktheBlue

July 14, 2016 DustyAdmin 1 Comment

(Taylor, TX) A traffic stop is a dangerous procedure for anyone in law enforcement. Whenever an officer pulls a car over, he or she has no clue of what hazards await. While every police officer knows to expect the unexpected, no amount of training and no procedural manual could have prepared a Taylor police officer for the infamous Columbus Day traffic stop.

On October 12, 2009 Officer Keith Urban (no relation to the dead rocker, as far as I know), was running radar patrol on County Road 112 in the town of Taylor, Texas (just northeast of Austin), when he pulled over a black SUV. A run-down barn provided a quaint backdrop for the routine traffic stop.

As Officer Urban interviewed the driver, a kitten trotted from the barn and approached the two parked vehicles. The kitty, a nameless stray recently dumped at the farm, began rubbing against the officer’s leg. Unperturbed, Officer Urban moved the kitty away with his foot and continued writing the ticket. When weaving around the officer’s leg didn’t earn an ear scratch, the kitten ramped up his advances. The black kitty scaled Urban’s leg, ascended his chest, and finally perched atop the officer’s head. All the while, the deadpan officer continued to speak calmly to the SUV driver and scribble on his clipboard.

Fortunately, the squad car dashcam caught it all. Equally as fortunate, Urban told the Taylor Daily Press, the year-old kitty didn’t dig in with his claws, so no officers were hurt filming this video.

Word spread around town about the infamous recording and the Taylor Police Department made the video public after a request through the open records act. According to Taylor PD public information officer Don Georgens, the video was released without sound to protect the privacy of the SUV driver. What a pity, because apparently the conversation was hilarious.

Urban’s manner was so matter-of-fact that the SUV driver asked him, “Did you know there’s a cat on your head? Is that your cat?”

Indeed, Officer Urban knew a black kitten had taken up residence atop his head, and no, it wasn’t his cat. Officer Urban told the Taylor Daily Press “I think the driver of that vehicle was laughing a little bit.” Despite the ticket for speeding, the concerned SUV driver offered to get out of his vehicle and extricate the cat from the officer’s head.

According to Georgens, in 2011, Carl Bittner, the owner of the farm passed. The property was sold and the barn razed. Don’t worry. The barn cats were relocated, and shortly after the release of the video, the friendly black kitten went to a loving forever home.

Georgens said Taylor has a no-kill shelter, and they use Trap-Neuter-Return program to control the stray/feral cat population. They never put an animal down for lack of home,” he told me proudly. “We have a lot of volunteers.”

Yea, Taylor, Texas!

Thank you to Officers Urban, Georgens, Dallas PD and all brave law enforcement officers around the country who keep us safe. You have my gratitude and my prayers.

Behavior, Special Days

Keep Your Cat Safe on Independence Day

July 2, 2016 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

July 4 art — July 4th is a scarey time for pets. Keep your cat safe by following these simple suggestions.

What’s not to love about the Fourth of July? Patriotic parades, grilling hotdogs on the barbecue, spending time with friends and of course, fireworks. But to our pets, the holiday may seem more like the upcoming science fiction movie, Independence Day, where humans once againface the end of the world. It’s up to you to keep your cat safe on Independence Day and out of claws of hostile aliens.

With all the chaos occurring over the holiday weekend, it shouldn’t be surprising that more pets disappear over the July 4th weekend than any other time of year, even Halloween. Loud noises from fireworks may sound like thunder or an explosion to terrified pets—so frightening they bolt from the yard to escape the perceived threat. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters. Animal shelters across the country actually report a 30 percent increase in lost pets reported between July 4 and July 6. Sadly, only 14 percent of those pets ever return to their families.

In addition to explosions and party chaos, wandering pets can fall prey to malicious lowlife. Eight years ago, Zeki, a kitten from Dallas, almost became one of those tragic statistics. Abandoned when her family moved away, she was captured on July 4th by some wacko and mutilated with a hunting knife. Zeki survived and was rescued and eventually found a loving home, but many panicked pets fleeing the flashes and kabooms disappear without a trace.

july4-infographic2016 — 4th of July Safety Tips Infographic courtesy of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)

Regardless of your Independence Day plans, keep your pets safe and happy by taking seven simple precautions:

*Make sure pets wear ID, even indoor pets. However, collars and tags can become lost. In addition to name tags, microchip your cat and keep your contact information current with the microchip registry. In the event your cat and his tags go AWOL, a microchip will give him his last best hope of returning home.
*Before the weekend arrives, bring your outside cats inside so they can’t run away in a panic.
* During parties and firework displays, put cats in a calm a bathroom or other escape-proof room. A frightened cat allowed to wander the house may dart out of the door to escape the pandemonium. Set out food and water bowls, litter box and favorite toys. Put a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door to prevent guests from accidentally releasing the kraken (kitty.) Keep pets inside the entire weekend just to be safe.
*Use pheromone products that mimic the cat’s own friendly pheromones. Synthetic pheromones such as Comfort Zone® with Feliway®, Comfort Zone® with Feliway® Multicat, and Sentry Calming Spray for Cats and the Sentry Calming Collar may help your cat cope more effectively with loud noises, house guests and other stressful situations.
* Play soothing music, white noise or cat videos to mask the sound of fireworks. Even better, offer music specifically composed or arranged to calm kitties such as Music For Cats or Through a Cat’s Ear. Start the sound therapy before the guests arrive or the fireworks start.
*Calming vests. Swaddling apparel such as a Thundershirt or CalmCat shirt may reduce anxiety in cats.
*Take action immediately if your cat goes missing. As soon as you realize your cat can’t be found, contact your local animal control facility and your cat’s microchip registry. Put up lost cat flyers. Always visit the animal shelter and eyeball all the cats. The person taking your report may not make the connection between your cat and your description of your cat.

Feline Health, feline nutrition

Study Shows Cats Don’t Hold Grudge For Diet

June 1, 2016 DustyAdmin 3 Comments

__Shady 041 wide load — When Shady arrived at our house, she was a big, black blob. Like the cats in the study, she didn’t hold a grudge. After she lost six pounds she was more active and affectionate.

A new study suggests that your cat won’t hold a grudge if you put him on a diet. Once he’s lost some weight, he may actually become more affectionate.

Obesity is a growing problem (pun intended)—humans, cats, dogs—it doesn’t matter. In our land of plenty, the proof is around the beltline. While it’s wonderful that our pets don’t have go to bed hungry like their wild or stray counterparts, obesity shortens their lives and compromises their quality of life. Excess weight contributes to diabetes, cardiac disease, arthritis and any number of other illnesses.

No doubt, if you have a portly puss, your vet has been after you to reduce Fluffy’s flab. But how can you cut back on the feed when you see those big pathetic eyes staring at you, begging like Oliver Twist, “Please, sir. I want some more.”

After all, we humans biologically equate food with love. The first thing any mother does after the birth of a baby is feed it. Dads (and Moms) work hard to bring home the bacon. To most people, the idea of withholding food conveys the opposite of love. We fear that our kitties will blame us for starving them, and punish us by withholding affection.

Take heart, a new study out of Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine suggests you can cut back on the amount of food your cat eats without sacrificing his love. The study, “Owner’s perception of changes in behaviors associated with dieting in fat cats,” was published November 2015 in the online Journal of Veterinary Behavior. The study followed 58 obese cats over eight weeks. The owners recorded pre-feeding behaviors like begging, following, meowing, pacing, swatting, hissing and stealing food, as well as after-dinner behaviors such as jumping the in lap, purring, resting, sleeping, and using litter box.

Not only did the study, headed by Emily D. Levine, find that cats don’t hold a grudge for reducing their daily intake, after they lost weight most of the study kitties tended to be more affectionate to their humans.

At the four-week mark, owners noticed an increase of begging, meowing, and pacing before the meal, but those annoying behaviors didn’t begin earlier in the day. So Fluffy may crank up the intensity, but he didn’t drag out your agony.

Once weight loss began, there was an increase of after-dinner affection like jumping in the owners’ lap. At eight weeks purring increased significantly, and begging decreased. Thank goodness.

While I didn’t participate in the study, I had a similar experience. Four years ago, I took in a 22-pound foster cat named Shady. Poor thing was a fat, black blob, incapable of getting on the sofa even with a cat ramp. The former owner, who had Shady declawed, surrendered the four-year old kitty because the other cats bullied her mercilessly. Totally defenseless and unable to get away, Shady could only sit there and endure the abuse.

I worked with my vet, and Shady lost six pounds over four months. She still looks enormous at 16 pound, but now Shady can jump into our laps or onto the bed or the sofa to solicit attention. She plays and even climbs the stairs to our second floor. (In case you were wondering what happened to Shady she’s asleep on our bed. We recently adopted her.)

Never put your kitty on a crash diet. While weight loss will help your cat live longer and feel better, rapid weight loss could cause rapid weight loss can release fat into the bloodstream, causing deadly fatty liver disease. Work with your vet. Slow steady weight loss, monitored by your vet, is the only safe way to go.

history

Domestic Cats have been Domesticated Twice

February 16, 2016 DustyAdmin 3 Comments

With more than 500 million domestic cats (felis catus) around the globe, the housecat is one of the world’s most popular pets. And with the exception of a manmade hybrid, modern genetic data proves that all domestic cats are descendants of a single feline subspecies—the near eastern wildcat (felis silvestris lybica) from southwest Asia and north Africa.

The origin of the modern family feline goes back to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where cat remains found at archaeological sites date back 8,000 to 10,800 years. Another complete cat skeleton associated with a human burial in southern Cyprus dates from 9000 to 9500 years.

Archaeologists believe that cats domesticated themselves over 10,000 years ago when they discovered a constant source of easy prey running around the human farming settlements. When humans realized the little predators were protecting the food stores, they began feeding them and encouraged them to stay.

New Study Reveals Second Case of Cat Domestication

A study published last month in the scientific journal PLOS ONE discusses the second rise of domestic cats. The international team of scientists was led by Sorbonne University archaeologist/paleobiologist Jean-Denis Vigne. The paper reveals that Chinese farmers domesticated a completely different species of small felines on a completely different continent. The paper suggests that cats domesticated in china some 5,000 years ago weren’t the same wildcat ancestor (f. Silvestris) after all. Two-time domestication is truly a remarkable event, as pigs are the only other species to have been domesticated more than once.

mandibles3 — Archaeological information for the five Chinese cat specimens. Photos and charts courtesy of PLOS ONE.

Analyses of eight cat bones (including a pelvis and mandible) unearthed in 2001 in the central China millet-farming settlement, Quanhucum, found the bones were smaller than the modern leopard cat, falling within the size range of modern family pets, a sign of domestication. These 5300 year-old bones also contained forms of carbon and nitrogen indicating that the kitties had feasted on small millet-eating rodents.

Chinese cat burial — Drawing of the ash pit at Wuzhuangguoliang (Jinghian county, Shaanxi prov.), with the animal deposits comprising 5 hare skeletons, a weasel mandible and the almost complete cat skeleton, and, below, enlargement on the cat skeleton dated to 5267– 4871 years ago. Sketch courtesy of PLOS ONE. It first appeared in the study, “Earliest “Domestic” Cats in China.” Earliest “Domestic” Cats in China PLOS ONE | Photos, drawings and maps used courtesy of PLOS ONE.

Cats were more than Tools

But the research found more than a marriage of convenience between humans and felines; there was also affection. Two jaw bones found at the site had “surprisingly worn teeth.” The level of wear of the teeth indicates the cat was much older than the expected lifespan of a wild feline, suggesting that someone cared for the cat as he grew older.

Another unusual find was a complete articulated cat skeleton, indicating that the cat was not a food animal. The researchers are convinced that the cat had been carefully buried, implying a special relationship between humans and felines.

The leopard cat’s ‘domestic’ reign was a flash in the proverbial litter pan. Paintings from the tang dynasty (618 AD) show animals who resemble modern housecats. Having a 5000 year head start on their Asian counterparts, the African/western Asian cats were probably friendlier and more useful than the more recently domesticated leopard cats. Once cats from cats from northern Africa and western Asia were introduced to the area, evidence of domesticated leopard cats disappeared. Today, all domestic cats in china are genetically related to f. Silvestris.

Bengals_source unknown — Bengals were produced by breeding domestic cat with a leopard cat to create the wildcat appearance.

The lone exception is the modern man-made Bengal breed, which is the result of breeding a domestic cat with a leopard cat to give it a more exotic appearance.

Dusty Rainbolt's Universe