Why Do Cats Love the Sun?
In Syracuse, there is virtually no sun in the winter time and a limited summer season. My cats have always known the second the clouds part enough to give them one little ray of sunshine to bask in it. Guenivere used to lay in one spot in the sun for hours, then move a few inches away, only to return to the original spot moments later. It always puzzled me as to why she did this repeatedly throughout the day, but it’s a pretty simple answer. How Does the Sun Help Cats? Cats may seem to be the laziest creatures around. However, they don’t really have a choice in the matter. They require on average 15 hours of sleep per day, so they deserve a break on the lazy remark. With a body temperature around 101 degrees (compared to our 98.6), cats tend to need more warmth to keep going. Being the smart animals they are, many cats will use solar power to store up energy by staying warmer while sleeping. This prevents their bodies from using unnecessary energy to keep their internal temperatures high. Body temperatures drop during slumbertime and solar energy helps maintain that higher inner temperature. Saving up energy from basking in the sun can also contribute to a little less eating as they won’t need energy from food to fuel them. Guinevere used to nap on a bed and move across it all day long chasing the direct sun rays. Why Do Cats Get Greasy In the Sun? If you have a sun puddle chasing cat, you’ll notice their fur gets greasy after prolonged sunbathing. Cats get vitamin D from their food. The warmth from the sun activates oil in the fur. Cats then lick off the oil to digest vitamin D! Early cat ancestors from hot desert areas are wired to both love the heat and to tolerate it easier. However, not every breed can tolerate higher temperatures. For example, the Maine Coon comes to mind. Maine Coon is our most popular breed to groom and the undercoat is incredible. I can see how they can easily overheat and love cooler temperatures. Knowing your breed type and their tolerances can save them and you from a potential medical veterinary emergency. How Can I Help My Cat Get Light When I Live in a Cloudy Area? If you live in a cloudy climate such as Upstate NY, how can your cat get more sun and warmth when we can go a month with no blue sky? There are ways to keep a kitty warm and content even without direct sunlight. Here are some ideas to help:
Also, if you live in a cold climate and have outdoor cats in your neighborhood, please be aware of cats using your car engine as warmth. Tapping on the hood before you start the car to wake them up can avoid a horrible accident altogether. Next time you see your cat all cozied up in the sun’s rays, smile and know they are happy, cozy and warm, which is what all kitties deserve. Cat Got Your Tongue?
If you have a cat, you’re likely very familiar with their sandpapery tongues. Though they don’t feel great on human skin, these rough little appendages are an evolutionary marvel. Cat tongues perform several tasks, including helping digest food and feline hygiene. What Can Cat Tongues Do? A cat’s tongue has many purposes. Often while grooming cats at the spa, I will get little licks on my arms and hands. The sandpaper sensation always makes me laugh as it is so rough to be in a sweet little mouth. A cat licking you shows a level of trust and comfort, so let them do their thing as it’s a sure sign of approval! As with humans, tongues do help cats taste food. However, they also help cats with many daily tasks that mere humans need separate tools for. So, what does a cat’s tongue help them do? Cat Tongues Help With Grooming My sweet Guenivere used to bathe herself much more than most cats usually do. She was meticulous and her shiny coat showed it! Guenivere was a siamese/himalyan mix with medium to long fur and yet never had a mat tangled up. Part of the reason was that her tongue is also a fancy grooming brush! The little teeth help arrange a cat’s fur, remove dirt and grime, and pull out dead hair. The rough sandpaper texture of a cat’s tongue is due to scoop-like little keratin spikes called papillae. The papillae are all the same size and shape and angle backwards towards the back of the mouth. These little spikes can handle many different tasks. For grooming, the cat’s saliva fills the gaps in between papillae, allowing them to deposit enough liquid to wash themselves of grime. The papillae also help push the fur down to allow the saliva to coat the skin and fur and condition it. The helps more the oils in the fur around to coat the fur and help clean it and make it all nice and shiny. Having bathed and groomed many cats, I can tell you that once the cat is out of the bath and dried off, they immediately start licking themselves. They can go from a tangled mess to suddenly nice, dry and smooth as glass. The tongue also acts as a hair dryer or towel by absorbing the extra moisture. To remove any mats, cats will nibble with their front teeth to break it up so the papillae are able to adjust and detangle the knots. Cats Use Baths To Help Cool Off Cat tongues can also keep cats cooler in the warmer months. My cat Daphne loves to lay outside in the warm weather and take a nice long bath. What she is doing is actually keeping cool by coating herself with saliva which coats the fur and evaporates off. Cats sweat through their paws (they don’t pant like dogs, any panting is usually a sign of distress in cats), so the excess moisture and evaporation helps cool their bodies. Rough Tongues Help With Dining Cats don’t use silverware or glassware to eat or drink but once again, the magnificent tongue turns into dinnerware. The papillae can help pull meat from prey and shred it off into easy to digest pieces. The scoop shape of the papillae also helps with drinking. The tongue becomes a scoop which pulls the water into the mouth and throat. After 3 or 4 good licks, the cat will swallow and gulp down all the water stored in the mouth and all at once, down the water goes! A cat’s tongue is an amazing little adaptation. So, go ahead and try to enjoy those sandpaper licks! They’re a sign of approval for humans but also a great use for this incredible multi-use tool. Learn More About Abyssinians
Abyssinians are one of the most popular cat breeds. In fact, they are actually in the top 5! This breed is one that has always caught my eye with their sleek faces and bodies. Their reddish color is also quite unique and stunning up close. So, where did this breed come from and how what kind of pets are they? Let’s find out about this beautiful domestic shorthair breed! Where Did Abyssinians Come From? In the mid 1800s, British soldiers returned from Africa with cats from the Abyssinia region, now known as Ethiopia. They are one of the oldest breeds of cats. Some even believe them to be the mummified cats found in the tombs of Egyptian mummies. The breed was officially recognized at a cat show in the UK. Genetic testing shows that the breed most likely originated in part of Asia or India. With their striking similarities to my favorite cats (siamese!), this doesn’t surprise me at all! What Do Abyssinians Look Like? What has always caught my eye about Abys are their traditional ruddy or reddish brown coloring. Their coats are accented with black marks, similar to some tabbies. They even have the classic M on the forehead. Possibly abyssinian colors include cinnamon/red, blue, a peachy color, white with black ticking and even a tortoiseshell color. Their short to medium coats are low-shed and super easy to keep clean. You can use a chamois to wipe them down, the very same one you’d use on a car. Their eyes can range from green and gold to an exotic copper color. Abyssinians have similar body shapes and size to siames – small to medium frames with long bodies. Their long legs and tails are combined with a wedge-shaped face and large ears. Unlike the siamese, Abyssinians have a sweet little chirp for a meow and not a loud howl that jolts you out of bed. What is Abyssinian Behavior Like? For people who say they love dog-like cats, then the Abyssinian is the perfect breed. Active, friendly and curious, these cats are on the go and love to roam and wander. They may not be the best lap cat as they prefer to be near you but not on you. They are very social cats and love to have companions, so they’re great for multiple cat homes. If you only plan on having one cat, make sure your Abyssinian still receives daily interaction and stimulation. If you travel or are not home a lot, this breed may not be the best choice. Also, they are prone to some health issues and this should be discussed with your veterinarian beforehand. You should always consider breed health as it could be a lifelong issue and higher cost over the cat's lifetime. If you think the Abyssinian is the breed for you, check into local breeders and expect to pay $500 and upward. These sleek, lovely cats will provide years of fun activity and playtime. You’ll be sure to make a lot of sweet memories with your Abyssinian! |
AuthorWhen Cari has some free time from all the kitties, she likes to share her knowledge of all things cat in this bi-monthly blog. Enjoy the read! Archives
September 2024
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