We all know that cats are loving and truly wonderful creatures. These days, it isn’t out of the ordinary to see a cat in virtually every other home, sleeping in the window or cuddling up on the laps of their owners. Cats have been popular pets for as long as we can remember, but they weren’t domesticated until 5,000 years or so ago. Domestication took place in the valley of the Nile, which is what research tells us today. Let’s take a closer look at the amazing cat species.
History
In the beginning, people were very grateful to cats and encouraged them to stay with them by feeding them various scraps of food. Once they were fed and perceived humans to be no threat, the cats would move in permanently with their human owners. As time went by, even the wildest of cat would allows humans to approach him, often times even hold and touch as well.
In those days, cats were very loyal and endearing pets. They proved to be great hunters, as they done their sleeping in short periods and were much easier to wake up than dogs. Cats also have better night vision than dogs, and much better hearing as well. If someone moved through the house or if they heard suspicious noises, they would wake while dogs would sleep right through it. Humans loved having cats around, and they seemed to get along good with dogs as well.
Present day
These days, cats are used for both companionship and show. They aren’t used much at all for hunting mice and rodents anymore at all. There are a lot of breeds available, from the traditional alley cat to the well known Siamese. All breeds are unique in their own way, and will provide you with years of companionship if you take care of them.
Getting a cat or kitten
Before you get a kitten or older cat, you’ll first want to examine the source. If you are getting the kitten from a breeder, you’ll want to make sure that the breeder has a reputable reputation. You’ll also want to ensure that the cattery is clean and in good shape. The kittens that are still there shouldn’t be overcrowded, and their surroundings should be clean. Litter boxes should be kept clean and both the food and water dish clean and full. The kittens shouldn’t be caged, instead free to run around. All cats that are there should appear healthy, with shiny coats and none of their ribs showing.
Check if the kitten is used to being touched and handled. The kitten should be sweet, and not afraid in the least. Socialised kittens have a better temperament. The better breeders won’t allow their kittens to leave the nest until they are around 12 weeks old, with some waiting until the kittens are 16 weeks. By doing this, breeders ensure that the kitten is in good health and his immune system has properly developed.
Finding a kitten
There’s no mistaking the fact that cats are great to own. You can get a kitten from a reputable breeder, through a local newspaper, or an adoption agency. You can also get a cat from a local pound, although people normally don’t like to choose this option. No matter which way you decide to pursue, you should always make sure that your cat is healthy. If you get a healthy cat, you won’t have a lot of problems later on down the road. Healthy cats are well cared for, and normally have everything up to date, including their vaccinations. What are your thoughts on the amazing cat species? Let us know in the comments below.
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