Infographic on cat DNA and genetics
For me cat DNA and genetics is all about cat breeding. Do cat breeders, even those registered with cat associations, have a good knowledge of genetics? They should have because artificial selection as opposed...
Tagged: DNA
32 bobcats isolated for 30 years lost 15% of their genetic diversity
This study tells us how the fragmentation of the distribution of a population of wild cats negatively impacts genetic diversity and survival. Small population numbers lead to a reduction in genetic diversity which in...
Could my cat be part Maine Coon?
Your cat could be part Maine Coon but the only way you might be able to find out is with a DNA test (but see below). I can see that one so-called expert website...
Do domestic cats come from big cats?
Do domestic cats come from big cats? The answer has to be no. The reason is because the big cats split off and formed their own path millions of years ago. This is a...
Do cats get sunburned? Yes, and skin cancer sometimes.
Yes, cats do get sunburned sometimes. We see this quite a lot on the Internet and it is particularly relevant at the moment in many parts of the world where it’s very hot. The...
Doggy paddle swimming technique of the domestic cat
As you probably know domestic cats employ the doggy paddle swimming technique. They should call it the ‘catty paddle’ as well. In fact, in the era of the use of woke language and acute...
European wildcat in western Switzerland threatened by mating with domestic cats
We know that the Scottish wildcat is either extinct in the wild in Scotland or very nearly so because of long-term hybridisation with domestic and feral cats. These two species i.e. the wildcat and...
Is DNA testing of your cat for lineage and health issues worth it?
I’m told that cat DNA testing is booming. In the USA you can buy a test kit online for $40-$125. You use it to swab the inside of your cat’s cheek and send it...
Why do domestic cats sometimes use their paws to eat and drink?
If and when domestic cats use their paws to eat food or to drink water they do so in a very specific way. They scoop up the food such as dry food pellets or...
Why do domestic cats still hunt?
Domestic cats still hunt because it is in their DNA to do so. It is a characteristic which is a genetic inheritance. It is hard wired into their brains and personalities. And it has...
What is the difference between a wild cat and a feral cat?
The difference between a wild cat and a feral cat is found in their origin and their history both individually and collectively. Taxonomically they are classified differently by the scientists based on their DNA....
Can a vet determine cat breed?
You might think that the answer to the question depends on where you live but although the response will vary the outcome will probably be the same. If you walked into a vet clinic...
The idea that a dog or cat year is equivalent to seven human ones is flawed
You might know this. The classic way of working out the human equivalent age of cats and dogs used to be to multiply their age by seven. That method is too crude by modern...
Lil Bub suffers from osteopetrosis, a rare bone disease
Lil Bub is probably the second most celebrated Internet cat after Grumpy Cat. Her name is a great success. Her appearance is characterised by her diminutive size and a tongue which is perpetually hanging...
Genetic testing of pets as a diagnostic tool requires caution
Genetic testing is a growing market. It is used to assess inherited diseases and the likelihood of a dog (or cat) developing a specific disease in the future. Livescience.com reports the disturbing case of...
Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.