Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a type of cat behavior related to territory?
Which of the following is NOT a type of cat behavior related to territory?
Cats require 3-4 matings for pregnancy to occur.
Cats require 3-4 matings for pregnancy to occur.
True (A)
What is the scientific name for domestic cats?
What is the scientific name for domestic cats?
Felis catus
A mixed breed cat is known as a ______.
A mixed breed cat is known as a ______.
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What is the main dietary need for cats?
What is the main dietary need for cats?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Feline obesity is not a significant concern for domestic cats.
Feline obesity is not a significant concern for domestic cats.
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What substance in catnip causes behavioral effects in cats?
What substance in catnip causes behavioral effects in cats?
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What is a common health disorder in domestic cats related to diet?
What is a common health disorder in domestic cats related to diet?
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Cats are obligate carnivores and can derive all their fluids solely from their drinking bowls.
Cats are obligate carnivores and can derive all their fluids solely from their drinking bowls.
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What is the gestation period for cats?
What is the gestation period for cats?
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Around ___% of cats seen at veterinary clinics are overweight or obese.
Around ___% of cats seen at veterinary clinics are overweight or obese.
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What type of diet can have biological risks for cats?
What type of diet can have biological risks for cats?
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Providing multiple drinking bowls is unnecessary for cats.
Providing multiple drinking bowls is unnecessary for cats.
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What is a significant risk of obesity in cats?
What is a significant risk of obesity in cats?
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Which of the following is NOT a pedigree cat breed?
Which of the following is NOT a pedigree cat breed?
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Sphynx is a breed of cat found in the foreign group of pedigree cats.
Sphynx is a breed of cat found in the foreign group of pedigree cats.
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Name one breed from the semi-long hair group of pedigree cats.
Name one breed from the semi-long hair group of pedigree cats.
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The _____ is a breed known for its distinctive features and is part of the British breeds group.
The _____ is a breed known for its distinctive features and is part of the British breeds group.
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Match the following pedigree cat breeds with their respective groups:
Match the following pedigree cat breeds with their respective groups:
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Which group does the Bengal cat belong to?
Which group does the Bengal cat belong to?
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The Cornish Rex breed is part of the semi-long hair group.
The Cornish Rex breed is part of the semi-long hair group.
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Identify one characteristic of pedigree cats.
Identify one characteristic of pedigree cats.
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The _____ group includes breeds like the Abyssinian and Bengal.
The _____ group includes breeds like the Abyssinian and Bengal.
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What is a common characteristic of the British breeds group?
What is a common characteristic of the British breeds group?
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Which of these cat breeds belong to the Foreign Group?
Which of these cat breeds belong to the Foreign Group?
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Which of these cat breeds belong to the Oriental Group?
Which of these cat breeds belong to the Oriental Group?
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Which of these cat breeds belong to the Persian and Burmese Groups?
Which of these cat breeds belong to the Persian and Burmese Groups?
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Which of these cat breeds belong to the British Breeds Group?
Which of these cat breeds belong to the British Breeds Group?
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Which of these cat breeds belong to the Semi-Longhair Group?
Which of these cat breeds belong to the Semi-Longhair Group?
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What are the main pedigree groups in the cats?
What are the main pedigree groups in the cats?
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Which of these groups is NOT a pedigree cat breed group?
Which of these groups is NOT a pedigree cat breed group?
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Which pedigree group includes breeds like the Siamese and Oriental?
Which pedigree group includes breeds like the Siamese and Oriental?
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Which pedigree group includes breeds like the Persian and Burmese?
Which pedigree group includes breeds like the Persian and Burmese?
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The Abyssinian cat breed belongs to the Oriental Group.
The Abyssinian cat breed belongs to the Oriental Group.
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Which pedigree group includes the Maine Coon cat breed?
Which pedigree group includes the Maine Coon cat breed?
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Which pedigree group includes the British Shorthair cat breed?
Which pedigree group includes the British Shorthair cat breed?
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Which pedigree group is known for its cats with curly or wavy coats?
Which pedigree group is known for its cats with curly or wavy coats?
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Which pedigree group features breeds with a distinctive, shortened tail?
Which pedigree group features breeds with a distinctive, shortened tail?
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Which pedigree group is known for its cats with long, flowing coats?
Which pedigree group is known for its cats with long, flowing coats?
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Study Notes
Cat Husbandry Overview
- Cats come in many breeds, each with different coat colors and patterns
- A meat-based diet is crucial for cats; wet or dry food can be given
- Obesity is a significant health concern for cats
- Cats are seasonally polyoestrus, meaning they typically have several mating cycles throughout the year, and require 3-4 matings for pregnancy.
- Cats are territorial and display a range of behaviors related to territoriality.
- Cats can live for 20+ years (if you're lucky!).
- Typical lifespan: Approx. 15 years.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will recognize common cat breeds and colors.
- Students will understand cat husbandry requirements, including diet, habitat, behavior, and welfare.
- Students will understand cat breeding and kitten care.
- Students will recognize cat-related vocabulary.
Cat Breeds
- Cat breeds can be categorized as pedigree or non-pedigree.
- Pedigree cats include specific breeds like Abyssinian, Bengal, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Sphynx, Oriental, Siamese, Persian, Burmese, Tonkinese, British Shorthair, British Longhair, and Manx. Semi-longhair breeds include Birman, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat.
- Non-pedigree cats are generally mixed-breed and not registered as formal breeds like "Moggies".
Cat Diet
- Obligate carnivores: cats cannot synthesize certain nutrients, like taurine, arachidonic acid (omega 6), and vitamin A, needing these from animal tissues (e.g., meat)
- Commercial balanced diets typically provide these nutrients.
- Cats can be picky eaters.
- Cats have relatively high protein requirements.
- Fresh water should be freely available.
- Cats naturally hunt multiple small prey throughout the day
- Domestic cats may prefer meal-like portions over prolonged grazing
- Cats can be fed various diets like complete wet or dry food or a combination, home-prepared food (balanced or not), or raw diets (BARF).
- Scientists warn about bacteria risks associated with raw meat diets.
Cat Water Needs
- Cats evolved from desert animals relying mainly on prey for hydration
- Multiple water sources are preferred by cats
- Cats drinking from running water sources (like faucets or fountains) is common.
- Cats fed wet food tend to drink less water.
Breeding and Pregnancy
- Cats are seasonally polyoestrus, with breeding cycles occurring primarily during the warmer months.
- Cats are induced ovulators; multiple matings are needed for successful breeding.
- Gestation period is approximately 63 days.
- Unaltered female cats can produce several litters a year, with average litters ranging from four to six kittens.
- One unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 400,000 cats in their lifetimes within a single year.
Kittening
- Cats often seek private birth areas for kittening.
- Cats typically require little assistance during delivery.
- Kitten feedings should continue and provide enough nutrition for the nursing queen and the kittens.
Kitten Care
- Newborn kittens nurse frequently (every 1-2 hours).
- Kitten eyes and ears open at approximately 14 days.
- Kittens are born with blue eyes, which stay blue for several weeks.
- Kittens begin exploring their surroundings from around 2 to 3 weeks of age.
- Kittens can be handled from around two weeks old.
- Kitten temperature requirements vary by week:
- Week 1: 29.5–32°C
- Week 2: 26.5–29.5°C
- Week 3: 24-26.5°C
- Week 4: 21-24°C
Kitten Maturity
- Most kittens reach 75% of their adult weight by 6 months and are fully grown by 1 year.
- Exceptions to this include breeds like the Norwegian Forest and Maine Coon cats.
Cat Behavior
- Cats spend about 25% of their time hunting, even if kept indoors; provide toys for simulated hunting.
- Cats are mostly solitary animals.
- Cats are territorial and display behaviours like spraying, middening (urinating), scratching, and rubbing as social signals.
- Cats also spend a significant amount of time resting/sleeping.
- Cats prefer warm environments (minimum 10 degrees Celsius, ideally more).
Cat Sleep
- Cats need warm places to rest, minimum 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).
Catnip
- Also known as catmint
- Cats are intensely attracted to catnip.
- Catnip can induce various behaviors, including drooling, sleepiness, and energetic play.
- Catnip's effects are temporary (approximately 15 minutes).
Routine Veterinary Care
- Regular parasite control (worms and ectoparasites or fleas/ticks).
- Vaccination schedule for kittens (8-9 weeks with two vaccinations, 3-4 weeks apart)
- Annual vaccinations, including for infectious enteritis, herpes, calicivirus (cat flu) and feline leukemia virus (outdoor only).
- Grooming, starting early
Glossary
- Key terms related to cats including species name, classifications of females and males, and procedures such as "queening" or "middening".
- Additional terms include "feral," "moggy," and "stropping".
Senior Cats
- Cats can live 20+ years
- Typical lifespan around 15 years.
- Senior cat food typically lower calorie options; ratios of lean to fat are unchanged.
- Metabolic rate needs remain consistent.
- Senior cats may need lower calorie options.
Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
- A system for assessing body condition in cats according to their visual characteristics.
- Described with images for each stage, indicating visual indicators of ideal, underweight, overweight, and obese conditions.
Weaning
- Weaning begins 3-4 weeks of age.
- Commercial weaning foods in small amounts (kitten food for queen...)
- By 8 weeks old cats are fully weaned.
Lactation
- Nutritionally most demanding phase
- Colostrum produced first 24-36 hours, peak lactation 3-4 weeks postpartum
- 4-6 x maintenance rations (kitten food ad-lib)
- May lose body weight; maintain increased rations until BW regained (~8-10 weeks postpartum)
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of cat husbandry, including different cat breeds, dietary needs, and health concerns such as obesity. Students will also learn about cat breeding, mating cycles, and territorial behavior. Prepare to deepen your understanding of what it takes to care for and appreciate cats!
