As you might well imagine, the reason why tortoiseshell cats are nearly always female is to do with the genetics and how the genes that dictate the coat colour and pattern are linked to the sex of the cat. Female … continue reading…
We see the word ‘agouti’ used a lot in the world of cats, particularly the world of cat breeders. This is because it is a word that indirectly refers to a very common type of coat; those with the tabby … continue reading…
It’s a point worth making. Domestic cats with 4 ears have 2 functioning ears. The extra pair, which are smaller than the original functioning ears, are, in fact, a pair of ear flaps (pinnae). They are appendages and no more. … continue reading…
The domestic cat is a brilliant companion animal for millions. However, the relationship is imperfect. There are two aspects of domestic cats which return in discussion forums like bad pennies over and over again: allergies to cats and bringing in … continue reading…
Can cats be hermaphrodite? Yes, there is one for adoption at Caldwell! At March 16th 2021 a hermaphrodite cat whose name is Jessie is up for adoption from the West Valley Humane Society in Caldwell. So domestic cats can be … continue reading…
How has the domestic cat evolved over the approximate 10,000 years of its domestication from the Near Eastern wildcat? We have the beginnings of an answer at least. In 2014 scientists collected DNA samples from cheek swabs of 22 domestic … continue reading…
Do wild cats shed as much as house cats? I have the best books on the wild cats and there is nothing in them on the speed at which the wild cat species shed fur, which is unsurprising because it … continue reading…
How many genes do cats have? Domestic cats have 20,285 genes and 38 chromosomes (sciencedaily.com). Humans have roughly 20,500 genes (geneticdigest.com). The water flea has 31,000 genes (earthsky.org). Of these only a small number are concerned with the appearance of … continue reading…
Male tortoiseshell cats have feminine personality traits as described below. We know that the chances of finding a male tortoiseshell cat are very rare. I’ve seen various estimates as to their rarity. The lowest figure I’ve seen is about 200 … continue reading…
People ask why white cats with blue eyes are deaf. Not all of these cats are deaf (see part 2 of this short article). Coat color and an aspect of the cat’s personality or another aspect of anatomy can be … continue reading…
Hermaphrodite cats are very rare. A British vet in Plymouth says that such a condition is only seen, a maximum of, a handful of times during the working life of the average veterinarian. An alternative and probably preferred word for … continue reading…
Mapping all 20,000 genes of the domestic cat is intended to allow scientists to (a) improve human health (b) improve cat health and (c) better understand the origins of the domestic cat (and how it spread across the world) and … continue reading…
This is a discussion about the tip of the cat’s nose and a follow up to my page on a condition called “Bengal Nose”. The tip of a cat’s nose is a triangle of skin and is made up of … continue reading…
Is there a new cat breed coming out next year? This is an actual question I have been asked by a cat lover. Though what true cat lover would think of a cat as a fashion item with a new style … continue reading…
Is there such a thing as an active cat breed? Can you group cats into active and inactive? I am not sure that you can. Although cat breed personality descriptions are notoriously variable, vague and imprecise, the Cat Fanciers’ Association … continue reading…
