The Wonder of Cats

by Peter Scottsdale

  Fixed males and females have smaller territories but fight harder to keep them.

  Cats with large territories have trouble protecting it because of its size, so are not as possessive of their land. But when it needs defending, they defend it well.

  Cats like to watch over their territories from a high spot and do not tolerate other cats in their territory.

  Around the territories are shared common lands for socializing, hunting, and mating among other things. Cats follow land and trails that do not violate other’s territories and avoid dangers such as dogs.

  Queens with kittens have smaller areas than toms but protect them fiercely.

  When spraying, cats also leave behind indicators about sex, status, and the route of the depositor.

  Cats also tend to leave a more subtle scent from their sebaceous glands on doorways, trees, and fences by rubbing their forehead, chin, and tail on the marked spot.

  A tomcat’s territory is about ten times larger than a queen’s territory.

  Cats are territorial and mark their territory by spraying, leaving a strong scent, and by scratching on something with high visibility.

  Many fixed cats will still spray, marking their area.

  Both male and female felines mark their territory.

  If cats spray inside the home, it is usually because they are stressed perhaps caused by something new, like a new cat in the home or neighborhood.

  Hey Baby, How ‘Bout Tonight? Meeeooow!!

  At puberty, the male kitten has a surge of testosterone from the developing testes beginning the sexual drive and excitability of the emerging tomcat.

  At adolescence, the unfixed male may mount a person’s arm, cushion, or furniture and masturbate, usually after stroking or excitement – this behavior is usually short-lived.

  Early sexual acts may indicate a macho tom is developing, resulting in smelly spraying, indoors and out, roaming for females, and establishing large territories.

  Cats keep the sexual drives of their wild ancestors, the African Wild Cat.

  Sexual activity for cats is a solitary act, each cat for him or herself.

  Areas of the cat’s brain, which activate sexual arousal, are close to the same as aggressive behavior arousal.

  The tomcat smells are pheromones, which are secreted in a fatty viscous form by bodily glands all over the cat. Urine and feces also distribute pheromones.

  A tom will spray more and have a rise in testosterone levels when females are in heat.

  A caterwauling tom is usually expressing a threat or warning, not a love song. Toms do this when competing for a queen. Like other animals, the cat can get violent or aggressive when aroused if they are upset or challenged.

  Courtship of the cat involves friendly interplay and foreplay with touching, licking, and rubbing and is determined by the willingness of the female.

  Females can come into heat as early seven months. Females tend to go into heat for ten-day cycles several times a year. Unfixed females can come into heat every three to six weeks.

  When a female calls for a mate, she is said to be in oestrus (heat).

  A female in heat yowls, screams, groans, rolls, rubs, and pushes her rear end into the air.

  Female Siamese cats will constantly yell when in heat. Sam sez, “Quiet, puss! I’m fixed!”

  A female in heat kept inside can still attract tomcats who howl and fight nearby outside.

  The female cat has three sexual cycles per year compared to wild cats having only one, and many domesticated cats are polyoestrous; i.e.: they have continuous mating cycles (or are in heat) until impregnated.

  A female’s heat cycle is triggered by increasing daylight in late winter and early spring, yet indoor cats affected by indoor lighting can increase their sexual cycle to occur throughout the year, even in winter.

  If the female in heat does not mate she may wander aimlessly about the home or try to get outdoors to attract a male.

  Cats rely on their highly evolved sense of smell to find a mate.

  A tomcat can detect a female’s mating scent from many miles away downwind and can follow that scent back to the female.

  Toms are attracted to the scent of the female in heat. These scents are caused by pheromones released from vaginal discharges and in urine and feces. These pheromones are made to create sexual responses in toms. Sam sez, “That’s some perfume you’re wearing.”

  Unneutered toms tend to fight, wander, and spray urine even in your home, usually because their hormones drive them.

  Tomcats consider any females in their territory to be rightfully theirs. However, other males will pick up her calls and scent when she is in heat, resulting in loud fights over the female that can last for days.

  Females show they are receptive to mating three ways:

  1. They roll on their backs in a provocative fashion (wriggling),

  2. May paw frantically at the air,

  3. And call out or wail loudly.

  When a male arrives, the female may begin rolling in a more elaborate and lascivious fashion, but reject his advances until she is ready at the right time for impregnation.

  When she is ready, she will lie down with her hindquarters raised so she can be mounted.

  Cat courtship can be long but the sex act is short.

  The male circles the female as she signals her willingness to mate by calling and displaying her intentions. When she is ready, the male grabs the scruff of her neck with his teeth and mounts her. He penetrates her while arching his back and thrusts only one or two times before ejaculating. When he ejaculates, the female cries out piercingly as his barbed penis is withdrawn and rips at her vagina. She may then swipe at him in anger. Older, experienced males will get out of the way as quickly as possible when withdrawing to avoid getting slashed.

  Ovulation in the female does not occur until mating actually happens, so when the eggs are released, the sperm can swim up and penetrate them. The irritation in the vagina causes the eggs to be released from the ovaries in about a day, resulting in the sperm being able to fertilize the eggs for up to 4 – 5 days and ensuring successful mating and conception.

  The female needs repeated copulation after ovulation has started to ensure pregnancy, resulting in the queen mating with more than one male. She has more sexual stamina than the toms, and when one male is done, another takes over, leading to her kittens having many fathers.

  Mating over and over can occur for four days with the male getting thinner and tired from not eating. Sam sez, “After all that, I need a mouse pizza.”

  If unfixed females do not copulate, they will have more heats with increased frequency until they are mated. The normal amount of times a female goes into heat is about five times every two years.

  Queens can have up to three litters a year.

  After mating, the male is off in search of another mate, and the queen is left alone throughout pregnancy, birthing, and raising the kittens. Sam sez, “Wham! Bam! Thank you, furry ma’am.”

  Fertile males can be sexually active throughout their adult lives although their libido may lessen in old age, but they can still impregnate females into their old age.

  Incest can occur between cats, as they do not recognize one another as relatives and in so doing what comes naturally. Sam sez, “You mean that was my sister?! Gross!”

  Fixed? I Ain’t Broken

  Fixing Your Feline

  Neutering can first be done at 4 – 6 months of age.

  Neutering removes the testicles that produce sperm and testosterone. Sam sez, “ Making him a ball-less wonder.”

  Neutering is done under anesthesia, and the male can usually go home the same day.

  Once a male begins spraying, it is difficult to get him to stop even if he gets neutered. To prevent this, neuter your tom as young as possible before he starts spraying.

  Spaying can be done between 4 and 6 months of age.

  When a female is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are surgically removed under anesthesia
, and she usually stays at the vet overnight.

  Because we fix our felines, cats do not have unrestricted sex lives.

  The Effects Of Fixing

  Neutering toms reduces testosterone and the need to breed and territories become smaller, and the fixed males are less aggressive.

  When a male cat is neutered, the scents glands reduce in activity and thereby lessen the tomcat smell.

  The fixed male roams and fights with other males less than his tom counterparts.

  Males who are fixed tend to develop jowls on maturity, except if they are neutered before puberty.

  Male cats that are castrated after being used to breed can and will still spray in the home and out, mount other cats, and fight with neighborhood toms.

  Fixing males to change behavior is age-dependent. A male fixed later in life can and will act like an unfixed male.

  Spaying does not make the cat lazy, fat, or stupid. It can, however, make her more friendly and social.

  Fixing a cat, male or female, also removes sexual hormones thereby reducing or eliminating unwanted sexual activity.

  Fixing cats also makes them more manageable.

  Unlike humans, spaying or neutering our cats does not seem to lead to psychological problems in dealing with the procedure.

  Owners can extend their cats’ lives by 2 – 3 years by fixing them.

  So, fixed cats live longer, are better pets, and are easier to look after. However, some fixed cats gain weight so a diet may be the thing.

  Benefits & Risks

  Castrating males has its benefits, such as: infertility, less fighting with other males, reduced or no spraying, little roaming, if any, with him staying close to home, and a reduced possibility of “stud tail,” the blockage of active scent glands in his tail.

  Fixing toms does have its drawbacks, too, such as: surgical risks of infection and problems with anesthesia and failure to develop secondary physical attributes, like a “full” face and ruff when fixing happens at a young age.

  Spaying females has its benefits, such as: no pregnancies, no howling or indoor spraying when in heat, also the female will not attract tomcats who spray around the house and fight loudly with other males, and it prevents future problems with the ovaries (since they are removed), like tumors, cysts, and infections.

  Spaying females does have its drawbacks though. Increased appetite, weight gain, and the minor risk of surgical complications like problems with anesthetics or infections are risks of spaying.

  Vasectomy?

  Giving your cat a vasectomy is an option that will result in fewer unwanted kittens, but the male will still roam great distances, fight with other males (fixed or not), and spray with a pungent odor both inside and out. Fighting with the other males can result in injury and infection.

  Fixing The World

  Over 80% of pet cats in the U.K. are neutered.

  In Southern Europe, castrating is resisted because of the macho connotation that the male needs to be fully functional to live a male’s life.

  In many Mediterranean countries, including Latin and Arabic states, fixing cats is also frowned upon because of the religious belief that God gave fertility to all creatures and man should not take that away.

  Sam sez, “Please have your puss spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens.”

  Felines & Their Greens

  Catnip

  When exposed to catnip, cats love it so much they act like toms when in the vicinity of a female in heat. Catnip excites cats causing ecstasy resulting in rolling, rubbing, and noises of pleasure. The valerian herb can cause this response as well.

  Catnip contains an oil that gets cats “high.” Catnip is a member of the mint family of plants. The active ingredient in catnip is similar to LSD.

  While about 1/3 of cats are not into catnip, usually for genetic reasons, males more than females are susceptible to catnip’s effects. Kittens usually don’t have an interest in it until about three months of age.

  Other Plants

  Cats also love parsley, grass, and sage. Each deserves a good chew.

  Cats like to chew on long leaves.

  Some cats chew up plants when they cannot get access to grass to chew.

  Poisonous Plants

  While cats love to eat grass and other plants, many plants are poisonous to cats, including Easter lily, baby’s breath, poinsettia, oleander, mistletoe, laburnum, foxgloves, lily of the valley, and other members of the lily family. Sam sez, “You don’t want those bad plants, anyway.”

  Why Cats Eat Plants

  Cats like to eat grass because they need their greens, and, like people, they eat their salad.

  Cats eat grass and other plants to:

  1. Regurgitate hairballs.

  2. Get folic acid needed by felines.

  3. Gain vitamins, minerals and fiber.

  4. Help in the digestion of meat and gristle.

  5. Help keep the digestive system clear of parasites, worms, and indigestible food, by vomiting or passing through the feline.

  6. Relieve bile and sourness.

  What’s Up, Vet?

  Cats can have allergies including allergic reactions from cat food, human food, and medications. Allergic reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, skin lesions, bumps on the back of the neck, itchiness, and ulcers around the mouth.

  Furballs can kill cats. A build up of swallowed fur from grooming can cause vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Also, it can cause a blockage and a backup of food. Too much vomiting can cause an electrolyte imbalance and a loss of bodily fluids.

  Cats can get bladder stones, making urination difficult. In fact, young male cats can get their entire urinary tract blocked, which could lead to death within a few days. In this case, a vet may remove the cat’s blocked area that usually includes the penis. Sam sez, “Ouch!”

  Cats, kittens especially, can get ear mites that look like dirt or bumps on the skin of the interior of the ear.

  Cats can get dental problems like plaque and tartar buildup. Cat toothbrushes and toothpastes are available at many pet stores.

  Cats can get colds.

  Cats can contract feline AIDS or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Discovered in 1986, this disease damages the cat’s immune system making him susceptible to other diseases, like bacterial or viral infections, a healthy immune system can easily fight off. There is no cure for FIV, however, the good news is a vaccine was discovered in 2002.

  Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) causes cats to stop eating, lose weight, and listlessness. This disease destroys the cat’s immune system, contributing to the advancement of certain cancers. The good news is there is a vaccine and many cats can fight off and eliminate this infection.

  Another deadly disease is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) that can greatly affect cats. It is caused by a coronavirus that can disguise itself as differing ailments, like a digestive system or spinal disease, in the feline. This deadly strain is difficult to diagnose sometimes until it is too late. Single or few cats in the home usually do not contract this disease as it spreads in groups of cats, like in breeding colonies. This disease is mostly fatal. The good news is there’s a vaccine.

  Feline leukemia and feline acquired immune deficiency (FIV) are common in outdoor cats that have not been immunized. Sam sez, “Immunize your feline!”

  Older cats, like older people, develop age related problems like diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid disease, cataracts, gum disease, and infections around the nail beds.

  Cats can get cancer and receive chemotherapy and cobalt radiation therapy. Pacemakers can be implanted in cats whose heart needs regulating. Surgeries include heart and heart valve procedures, brain operations, and bone transplants. Dialysis machines have also been used on cats. This stuff is expensive. Sam sez, “I am so worth it though!”

  At the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, they treat cats (and other animals) for cancer. Called the Veterinary Cancer Control Program, its treatments include radiation, chemotherapy,
and other medical procedures, and it’s where cats can go to improve their chances of surviving a cancer scare. Sam sez, “God bless those scientists.”

  Cat only vet clinics are becoming more common.

  Cats are affected by skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema, that are caused by stress, diet, sensitivity to preservatives, antioxidants, artificial flavoring and coloring found in canned cat food, a lack of certain fatty acids, or allergies.