Today, approximately 27% of households in the United States own at least one cat. This comprises a total of almost 60 million total pet cats. An 8 billion dollar pet food industry and the more than 7 billion dollars that pet owners spend on veterinary care each year provide tangible evidence of the increasing importance that companion animals have in our society. Additionally, the bond that owners have with their cats and the many health benefits that are afforded by this bond have been the topic of numerous research studies in the past 25 years. The cat as a cherished companion is here to stay, and many owners, students and pet professionals are eager to learn more about man's OTHER best friend, Felis catus.The Cat: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health, the textbook of the cat, is written as a companion book to The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health. This book provides pet owners, undergraduate students and pet professionals with a complete guide to four topical areas that are of interest. These are: The history of the human-cat relationship; behavior of the domestic cat; feline nutrition; and feline health and disease.The Cat will fill the need for an academic textbook for undergraduate animal science courses, veterinary technician programs, and cat care or breeding classes. It will also serve as an important resource for pet professionals such as breeders, exhibitors, groomers, and veterinary practitioners.

Linda P. Case coordinates the undergraduate companion animal program and teaches companion animal science in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, is a Consultant for the Aims Company, and owns AutumnGold Dog Training Center In Mahomet, Illinois. Case is also the author of The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health (199), and Canine and Feline Nutrition: A resource of Companion Animal Professionals (2000).

Preface

xiii

Acknowledgments

xv

PART 1 Knowing the Cat within the Companion

Felis silvestris to Felis catus: Domestication

3

(10)

Phylogeny (Evolutionary History)

3

(1)

Taxonomy (Present-Day Classification)

4

(2)

Domestication

6

(1)

In the Beginning: Ancient Egyptians Meet the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris)

7

(2)

From Wildcat to Pussycat: Changes due to Domestication

9

(1)

Conclusions

10

(1)

Cited References

11

(2)

Selective Breeding: Cat Breeds from the Everyday to the Unusual

13

(22)

Natural Selection: The Cat on Its Own

13

(1)

Selective Breeding: The Emergence of Unusual Coat Types and Colors

14

(1)

Purebreds and the Origins of Organized Shows

15

(2)

Associations

17

(1)

Shorthair Breeds

18

(5)

Longhair Breeds

23

(3)

Rex Cats

26

(1)

Spotted Cats

27

(2)

Unusual Breeds

29

(3)

Conclusions

32

(1)

Cited References

33

(2)

The Cat's Perception of the World: Structure, Movement, and Special Senses

35

(18)

Structure

35

(4)

Movement and Balance

39

(2)

Special Senses

41

(7)

Recognizing the Normal Cat

48

(4)

Conclusions

52

(1)

Cited References

52

(1)

Reproduction and Breeding Management

53

(14)

Reproductive Anatomy of the Queen

53

(1)

Reproductive Anatomy of the Male

54

(2)

Estrous Cycle

56

(3)

Breeding Management

59

(1)

Gestation

60

(2)

Care of Newborns

62

(3)

Caring for Orphans

65

(1)

Conclusions

65

(1)

Cited References

66

(1)

Genetics: Why All Cats Are Tabbies

67

(26)

Basic Genetic Principles

67

(8)

Inheritance of Coat Color and Type in the Domestic Cat

75

(8)

Selection of Breeding Animals

83

(4)

Types of Breeding Systems

87

(3)

Genetically Influenced Disorders

90

(2)

Conclusions

92

(1)

Cited References

92

(1)

The Human-Cat Relationship: Benefits and Responsibilities

93

(24)

The Diversity of Human-Cat Relationships

93

(3)

The Human Side of the Bond

96

(3)

The Cat Side of the Bond

99

(4)

Benefits of Living with Cats

103

(2)

Bonds That Fail: Stray Cats, Feral Cats, and Cats in Shelters

105

(3)

Cited References

108

(3)

References and Recommended Reading

111

(6)

PART 2 Behavior: Understanding the Domestic Cat

Developmental Behavior: From Kitten to Adult

117

(14)

Neonatal Behavior

117

(2)

Sensitive Period of Socialization in Kittens

119

(2)

The Mother-Kitten Relationship

121

(3)

Play Behavior in Kittens

124

(4)

Development of Predatory Behavior in Kittens

128

(1)

Conclusions

128

(1)

Cited References

128

(3)

Social Life: Communication Patterns, Social Relationships, and Territoriality

131

(20)

Communication in the Domestic Cat

131

(12)

Social Behavior

143

(1)

Territorial Nature

144

(1)

Predation

145

(3)

Breed Differences in Behavior

148

(1)

Conclusions

149

(1)

Cited References

149

(2)

How Cats Learn (or Learning to Train a Cat!)

151

(14)

Habituation and Sensitization

151

(1)

Classical Conditioning

152

(2)

Operant Conditioning (Instrumental Learning)

154

(4)

Observational (Social) Learning

158

(1)

Behavior Modification Techniques

159

(2)

Influences on Learning

161

(2)

Conclusions

163

(1)

Cited References

163

(2)

The Misbehaving Cat: Behavior Problems and Solutions

165

(26)

Identification and Diagnosis: Obtaining a Behavioral History

165

(1)

Elimination Problems

166

(7)

Problem Aggression

173

(5)

Miscellaneous Behavior Problems

178

(3)

Pharmacotherapy for Behavior Problems

181

(1)

Conclusions

181

(1)

Cited References

181

(2)

References and Recommended Reading

183

(8)

PART 3 Health and Disease: Keeping Cats Healthy and Happy

Viral Diseases

191

(24)

Viruses

191

(1)

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (Viral Causes)

191

(3)

Panleukopenia

194

(4)

Feline Leukemia Virus

198

(5)

Feline Coronavirus

203

(4)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

207

(3)

Rabies

210

(1)

Conclusions

211

(1)

Cited References

212

(3)

Bacterial, Fungal, and Protozoan Diseases

215

(12)

Bacteria, Chlamydia, and Rickettsia

215

(4)

Fungal Infections

219

(2)

Protozoan Diseases

221

(4)

Conclusion

225

(1)

Cited References

226

(1)

Vaccination Guidelines

227

(12)

Types of Immunity

227

(1)

Vaccine Selection and Administration

228

(5)

Adverse Reactions to Vaccination

233

(3)

Vaccination Schedules and Guidelines

236

(1)

Conclusions

237

(1)

Cited References

237

(2)

Internal Parasites

239

(12)

Roundworms (Ascarids)

239

(4)

Hookworms

243

(1)

Tapeworms (Cestodes)

244

(2)

Liver Flukes

246

(1)

Lungworms

246

(1)

Heartworms

247

(1)

Conclusions

248

(1)

Cited References

249

(2)

External Parasites

251

(14)

Fleas

251

(8)

Ear Mites: Otodectes cynotis

259

(1)

Mange Mites, Walking Dandruff (Cheyletiellosis), and Lice

260

(1)

Conclusions

261

(1)

Cited References

262

(3)

First-Aid Procedures

265

(24)

Preparing a First-Aid Kit

265

(1)

Immediate Procedures and Restraint

265

(2)

Cardiac and Respiratory Arrest

267

(1)

Shock

268

(1)

Bleeding

269

(1)

High-Rise Syndrome

270

(1)

Choking

271

(1)

Heatstroke

271

(1)

Burns

272

(1)

Insect Stings and Spider Bites

273

(1)

Poisoning

274

(2)

Conclusions

276

(1)

Cited References

277

(2)

References and Recommended Reading

279

(10)

PART 4 Nutrition: Feeding Cats for Health and Longevity

The Cat as an Obligate Carnivore: Nutrient Requirements

289

(28)

Nutritional Uniqueness

289

(2)

Essential and Nonessential Nutrients

291

(1)

Energy

291

(4)

Water

295

(2)

Carbohydrates

297

(3)

Fat

300

(2)

Protein

302

(6)

Vitamins

308

(1)

Minerals

308

(3)

Digestion and Absorption

311

(3)

Conclusions

314

(1)

Cited References

314

(3)

Providing a Healthy Diet: Cat Food Selection and Evaluation

317

(12)

Types of Commercial Cat Food

317

(4)

Characteristics of an Optimal Diet

321

(1)

Evaluation and Selection of an Appropriate Cat Food

321

(5)

Conclusions

326

(1)

Cited References

326

(3)

Feeding Management throughout the Life Cycle

329

(14)

Feeding Behavior

329

(1)

Feeding Regimens

330

(1)

What to Feed (Overview)

331

(1)

How Much to Feed

331

(2)

Feeding during Growth

333

(1)

Feeding for Adult Maintenance

334

(1)

Feeding during Gestation and Lactation

335

(1)

Weaning Kittens

336

(1)

Feeding Geriatric Cats

337

(2)

General Feeding Guidelines

339

(1)

Conclusions

340

(1)

Cited References

341

(2)

Nutritionally Responsive Diseases

343

(32)

Obesity

343

(6)

Diabetes Mellitus

349

(3)

Chronic Kidney Disease

352

(3)

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

355

(3)

Food Hypersensitivity (Allergy)

358

(3)

Hepatic Lipidosis

361

(1)

Conclusions

362

(1)

Cited References

363

(4)

References and Recommended Reading

367

(8)

Glossary

375

(6)

Index

381

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