The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a member of the Felidae family. It probably originated in the desert from felis lybica. They have been associated with man for at least 5000 years as shown by Neolithic cave paintings and Egyptian tomb paintings. They were domesticated to keep pests out of the fields and granaries and still valuable today in this capacity.

The cat has been the object of both fear and reverence by many societies throughout the world, both worshiped as a god and killed as a demon.

Cats are true carnivores – they cannot produce taurine, an essential amino acid but must derive it from the meat that they eat. Lack of taurine can lead to blindness, so the composition of a cat’s diet is very important.

One method of communication is by scent. It may spray urine around what it considers “his” territory, or to advertise sexual availability. Scent glands are on the head, just in front of the ears. A cat will rub his head up against an object (or his owner’s leg) to deposit his scent.

Vocalization is another means of communication. Angry or upset cats will meow or growl with a lowered pitch. Happy or excited cats will meow with a higher pitch, and often with an upward inflection on the end of the call. Some even “chirp.”

Cats range in size from the petite Singapura (a 5 lbs) to the massive Maine Coon (at over 20 lbs) for purebreds and cats of up to 40 lbs have been recorded. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Coat lengths may be long, short, in between, or non-existent. Textures may be straight, silky or curly.

In rare occasions, individual cats have become famous because they were created as the first cat of a new breed.