Cat Facts 22

•  57. Hunting Instinct
• Prior to domestication, cats had to hunt for all their food to survive. House cats have retained this instinct, although they do it more for entertainment. They only eat about 30% of fallen prey.
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• 58. Hunting Lessons
• Studies show that kittens who were able to observe their mothers hunt turn out to be better hunters compared to kittens who had to figure it out on their own.
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• 59. Breeding
• Heat cycles last for 2-3 weeks and typically offers from spring to fall. Cats in heat will exhibit increased vocalization, rolling on the ground, stretching, and attempts to escape the house.
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• 60. Pregnancy
• The gestation period for cats is 65 days. They won’t show signs of pregnancy until after a few weeks. These include enlarged red nipples, increased appetite, and rounded abdomen.
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• 61. Labor
• Prior to delivery, cats get agitated and bathe with increased frequency. Milk may leak from the nipples. Owners may notice a greenish-black vaginal discharge.
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• 62. Kitten Play
• The period between 7 to 14 weeks is the most active play period for kittens. They may hug, ambush, lick, pounce, leap, and chase tails. These increase their social skills and physical coordination.
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• 63. Adolescence
• Between 6 to 18 months, cats grow into adolescence. They explore dominance within the household by challenging other cats, animals, and humans. If not neutered, they begin to exhibit sexual behaviors.
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• 64. Obligate Carnivores
• Cats are obligate carnivores. They can’t get all the nutrients they need from plants and bacteria alone because they lack vital digestive enzymes. They must eat meat.
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• 65. Digestive Tract
• Cats have one of the shortest digestive tracts among mammals. This makes them inefficient at breaking down carbohydrates from plants but they can easily process meat.