What is it about, Cats ?

[twaddler]

I heard on the radio this morning that owning a cat can lead to you get a parasite in the brain that lowers intelligence in men and makes them boring, and can also lead to schizophrenia.

This explains so much. :O

[kristoff]

I heard on the radio this morning that owning a cat can lead to you get a parasite in the brain that lowers intelligence in men and makes them boring, and can also lead to schizophrenia.

That explains Mac and River - it isn't just senility...

[Riverwind]

LOL, sometimes you just gotta laugh, even if its on you.

Thanks Kristoff, I needed that.

In a week or so we will hear from Mac, he is a lot slower then the rest of us.


River

[Allen]

What is it about Cats?
What? Is it about Cats?
What is it about? Cats?
What is it about, Cats?

Punctuation changes everything!

[coinflipper_21]

I have 16 cats. They are a chore, I scoop four cat boxes twice a day and vacuum the house every morning, but they sure are fun to watch.

Cats have more brain, as a proportion of body weight, that anything but the higher primates (including us) and dolphins. They learn by observation. When one cat finds a unique solution to some situation within a few days all the other cats in the house are using it too, and I have not only observed a cat using a tool, but actually making one. According to the Cat Vocalization Project, they have 44 distinct vocalizations that seem to form a language.

I have come to believe that two things have kept them from evolving into a creature that would be our real competitor for the rule of this planet. The first is that they are so well adapted to their current niche that there had been little advantage to further evolutionary development. The other is that while their brains are quite capable of problem solving, they seem to lack persistence. That is if they try a solution to a problem, for example my tool making cat, and it does not work the first time, they do not persist until it works and their attention moves to something else. Apparently, the thing that sets humans apart from other animals is not the brain, or opposable thumbs, or language, or tool using, but stubbornness.

There is one more thing that has held them back. They only live for two years...they're asleep for the other eighteen.

[Riverwind]

I know my cat has several different voice responses that he uses on me, I have come to understand them, as for sleeping, that is Rupert's favorite thing to do, my lap is one of his places as is any box, platform high place, hiding place (those are the best), his bed, the dogs bed, my bed or just in the middle of the floor on his back.

River

[MacTheWolf]

LOL, sometimes you just gotta laugh, even if its on you.

Thanks Kristoff, I needed that.

In a week or so we will hear from Mac, he is a lot slower then the rest of us.


River

I hear Rupert has River wussy-whipped :P

[moi621]

I really appreciate the above comment about
"cat vocabulary".
I thought it was like around, 25 identified sounds.

But, there are also, physical communications.
Sticking out the tongue as a greeting. ( try initiate it, or return it )
The slap on the leg with a tail as the cat walks by, an invitation to commune as in pet or vocalize an acknowledgment, or a sign of "hey, I can touch you, cool".
The leisurely eye close or stretch, no threat, ok.

Most of all I want to share, tail sign.
Tail sign is like a mood ring and some cats are naturally, happier then others.
Tail straight up is happy cat. Cat also, unafraid.
Tail half mast, go figure blends with the horizontal tail.
Tail down, kitty not happy. Maybe being scolded.
My Siamese are rarely tail up.
The Black Persian is usually, tail up.
The scady Orange kitty is always, tail down.
Moi
Do some cats need Prozac ?

[Riverwind]

End of tail flicking, Cat is Pissed.
Tail kind of swishes back and forth, Cat is totally content.
Now if a cat does something stupid, and you laugh at him, you will get a glare and the tail flicking, its a good time to give the cat a treat, he will get even, cats don't like to be laughed at.

A cat who sleeps flat on the back with the legs in the air, That is total happiness.

Right now, Nellie is in her little bed next to me asleep, and Rupert is on the floor next to the dog curled up in a ball, asleep, they get along well, Rupert is the boss, he is bigger.

River

[fhunter]

Do some cats need Prozac ?

No, they need valeriana roots (or Persen).
Ever seen a drunk cat?

[transward]

... Ever seen a drunk cat?

Sadly yes; one of the worst nightmares of my life was a move halfway across the country with three cats in late June in a tiny Fiat 850 spyder. The vet gave the cats kitty tranquilizers. They worked for two of the cats, but they simply made the third drunk as the proverbial skunk. Trying to drive with a drunk cat staggering around the cockpit, trying to climb up my arm to the seat back and falling back. Losing control of certain bodily functions. After about four hours of it we had to check into a motel to let the cat sober up.

Transward

[Riverwind]

No, they need valeriana roots (or Persen).
Ever seen a drunk cat?

Every time I give Rupert Catnip, he makes love to the scratching wheel, rubs into it, and finally ends up in some weird place asleep.

River

[MacTheWolf]

Every time I give Rupert Catnip, he makes love to the scratching wheel, rubs into it, and finally ends up in some weird place asleep.

River

Shame River, shame. Getting your cat high? What next, you going to try the catnip yourself ? I would

[transward]

Shame River, shame. Getting your cat high? What next, you going to try the catnip yourself ? I would

I have. Smoked, in tea, infused in oil, steeped in vodka, in brownies. For me nothing; a terrible disappointment. My cat seemed to enjoy the experiments though.

Transward

[fhunter]

Shame River, shame. Getting your cat high? What next, you going to try the catnip yourself ? I would

We (me and sister) once gave our cat Persen (for humans it is a herbal tranquilizer containing valeriana, peppermint and melissa). It was just 1/4 of a pill... Cat was happy for some time, then dropped half sleeping.