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The evolution of the cat •The domestic cat is classified as a carnivorous mammal of the felidae family. •This includes the sub-groups of Felinae, Pantherinae and Acinonychinae. •The Acinonychinae has a sole member, the cheetah, but the Pantherinae family includes the lion, tiger, panther and leopard. •The Felinae includes all the small cats, for example Lynx, Serval, Ocelot, Caracal, Jaguarundi, Jungle Cat and Pallas Cat. •Our own pet cat is a domesticated sub-species of Felis silvestris known as Felis catus. The origins of the cat •The precise origin of the domestic cat may never fully be known, but we know that the domestication of animals came with the appearance of towns, around 10,000 BC in the Middle East. •The Romans are responsible for the spread of cats to Europe and are the main reason that we own cat’s today.

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•Hunter: •Eyes: The cat is predominantly a nocturnal hunter: they have a reflective membrane at the back of the eye and their pupils dilate nearly twice as large as humans, helping them to see in semidarkness. •Teeth and claws: Cats’ teeth are highly specialised for biting and tearing flesh. They have fewer molar teeth than most other mammals with no grinding surfaces as the cat doesn’t chew food but swallows it in chunks. •Whiskers: As the cat is long-sighted it cannot see objects close up, so the whiskers move forward to accurately detect the position of prey. •Mind: Cats

are programmed by evolution not to show obvious signs of pain or weakness to protect themselves from being attacked by other animals. Unlike dogs, cats rarely cry out or limp, often simply reducing levels of activity and interaction. •Carnivore: •Cats cannot be vegetarians and even cats’ play mimics predatory behaviour. •Hunting behaviour probably peaks when cats are between one and three years old, after that it may decline. •Some cats will wander beyond their owners’ properties in search of hunting grounds; others may disappear for long periods during peak hunting seasons. •Territorial: •Territory is extremely important to cats and they will want to defend it. •Cats are often more attached to their territory than to their owners. •Cats rarely voluntarily leave their territory, so when it is necessary owners need to be sensitive to their needs – for example choosing a good boarding cattery or a vet sympathetic to the cat’s needs and anxieties. •If a cat’s territory is limited, for example when it is confined indoors, the owner needs to ensure that the environment is interesting and stimulating.

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Scent sensitive: •Cats will leave scent messages for self assurance. When they are relaxed they mark with face glands, and if they feel insecure in their homes may resort to using stronger signals such as urine spraying. •Did you know? •A cat will use its nose to gain knowledge, in the same way we use our eyes and ears to read newspapers or watch television. •Cats have 200 million cells in their noses that are sensitive to odour, giving them a sense of smell estimated at fourteen times stronger than that of a human. Highly aware: •Cats can be stressed by sights, sounds and smells in our everyday life, especially if new or sudden. •We can often be completely unaware of these ‘new’ changes. •Cats may react quickly if disturbed or frightened. Self reliant: •Cats may not want a ‘friend’ – they are often content to live alone. Sharing territory with another cat can actually be stressful. •The need to keep clean and ready to hunt is very strong, so being deprived of the ability to do either is potentially stressful. •Cats are driven to keep their coats in tip top condition; this may mean that they groom off poisonous substances which they would normally avoid. •Cats are excellent at hiding signs of illness or pain – they tend to stay still and quiet so as not to attract attention. This is one of the reasons why pain and illness is difficult to establish and monitor in cats.

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Agile: •Cats will use all dimensions in the house, so the opportunity to climb is equally important to cats as their floor space. •Owners need to provide opportunities to maintain the cat’s fitness and suppleness with exercise – this should incorporate vertical as well as horizontal space. •Cats often have a ‘mad half hour’ of intense activity. Emotional: •Like all mammals, cats are fast learners. •Routine and predictability in a cat’s life reduces stress and improves the cat’s quality of life. •Changes in routine behaviour (such as sleeping more or avoiding contact) can occur because of emotional change or may indicate health problems. Adaptable: •Cats fit into a wide range of lifestyles with us – indeed they often appear to cope very well. •Sometimes, however, they can be pushed too far, fail to cope any longer and problems may occur. •When cats are stressed they may exhibit a range of behaviours, such as urine spraying or soiling indoors, fearfulness or occasionally even aggression, which are all part of their natural repertoire, but do not fit in with our expectations of them as pets in our homes.

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Feeding •Your cat will select food based on temperature, smell and texture, usually strongly disliking chilled food. They respond best to moist food rich in amino acids. •Despite the saying the ‘cat that got the cream’, cats are lactose intolerant and owners should avoid offering their cat sugary foods and/or milk. Fighting •Cats intimidate their opponents by arching their backs, raising their fur, turning sideways and hissing. •Males are much more likely to fight than females, although females will fight to defend kittens and will also fight over territory. •Fighting is usually linked to sex hormones – so spaying females and neutering males greatly reduces this behaviour. •Serious damage is rare – usually just a few scratches to the face and sometimes the ears. •Any serious injuries will usually be the result of infections caused by penetrative bite wounds. For any serious injuries, you should take your cat to your vet.

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Playing •Young kittens are known for their love of play. This behaviour helps them learn to stalk, capture and kill prey, and to fight. •Cats tend to play more with toys at times when they are naturally more active; early in the morning or in the evening. •String is often used as a toy, but if it is eaten it can cause a blockage in the intestines, which can cause serious illness. Grooming •Cats are known for their cleanliness; the hooked ‘papillae’ on a cat’s tongue act like a hairbrush to help keep them clean and detangle their fur. •As your cat gets older, you may want to think about helping them groom. •Careful grooming with a soft brush or mitt in this area can make your cat feel more comfortable. Socialising •Domestic cats communicate vocally by purring, trilling, hissing, growling, snarling and different types of meowing. •Tail and ears are particularly important social signals for cats too. •Cats may express lots of affection towards their owner, especially if they are handled from a young age and treated with consistent affection. •A cat’s behaviour towards their owner can change from time to time for a variety of reasons, and can often indicate a hidden issue, such as stress or chronic pain. You will learn more about this later on.

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Stressed cats •Just like humans, cats can suffer from stress. •How much is too much will depend on the cat’s temperament, the level of socialisation the cat received as a kitten, the coping strategies that the cat has learned, and the duration and nature of the stress. •Most common stress factors are environmental, particularly those that appear to threaten a cat’s territory such as another cat entering their ‘den’. Behaviour changes to look out for: Spending more time indoors or outdoors •Feeling anxious may increase activities that make a cat feel more secure, such as becoming clingier, choosing to spend more time indoors or outdoors and rubbing furniture. •Often cats will increase their marking behaviour by scratching, spraying urine and occasionally depositing faeces somewhere noticeable. •There are products which may help reduce or avoid this, such as pheromone sprays or plug-ins. If you are interested in these options, speak to your vet. •Any sudden behaviour changes should be reported to your vet. Your cat may also express symptoms of stress when they are in pain. Scratching/clawing indoors •There are several reasons why your cat may scratch inside the home, including exercising the claws and removing the outer husks to reveal sharp points and to communicate with other cats. •However, cats may also perform this activity when they feel vulnerable, to increase their feelings of security. Spraying and soiling indoors •Spraying is different to urinating to relieve a full bladder. •Cats normally use a litter tray or soil in the garden for urinating or defecating, so it can be very worrying when they start doing it around the house. •A one-off accident can be because a cat is ill, trapped in a room or suddenly frightened. •If it persists, you should take your cat to your vet for a check-up. Soiling indoors is a common sign that your cat isn’t at their best. Painful chronic conditions like arthritis can make it difficult for your cat to get into a litter tray, or to venture outside to relieve themselves in time. •Whatever the cause, punishment is not the answer – it will only make the cat fearful and make the problem worse.

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Life-stages of an ageing cat: •Cats are living longer than ever before thanks to better nutrition and higher standards of veterinary care. •Cats over the age of 7 are classed as ‘mature and older’ and at risk of developing age related health conditions, such as arthritis which is one of the most common conditions. Life-stage 4: Mature (7-10 years) Life-stage 5: Senior (11-14 years) Life-stage 6: Geriatric (> 15 years) Common age related health conditions include: Dental problems, chronic kidney disease, deafness and Hyperthyroidism. As your cat ages, you may notice the following changes: •Feeding – older cats have a general slowing of metabolic rate, so need less food to avoid obesity. •Sleep – A major pastime of the geriatric cat! Cats conserve energy by sleeping and they do this much more as they get older although they tend to sleep lightly and they are easily disturbed. •Outside activity – As visual and auditory senses dim, hunting suffers. Arthritic joints also reduce outdoor activity. •Companionship and play – New kittens don’t always give an old cat a new lease of life – the constant movement is not helpful to their joints or sleep. •Grooming – this can suffer due to stiff joints and the older cat may need some help with this. If you notice a deterioration in your cat’s appearance, or coat quality, seek advice from your vet. •Toilet habits – Many older cats will prefer to use litter trays as they get older. This can be because of a reluctance to go outside, or an inability to access preferred toileting areas. Remember, age-related illnesses, such as arthritis, can affect behaviour. If you have concerns about your cat’s behaviour, or you think your cat might be suffering from chronic pain, speak to your vet.

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The effects of ageing •Cats’ muscle tone reduces and so does their ability to run, jump and climb. This contributes to the stiffening of joints. •The quality of their bone and cartilage diminishes, which can create painful stiff joints. •They may lose their hearing. •The bowel function deteriorates and, as a result, they have a reduced ability to absorb food nutrients so may suffer from weight loss and constipation. •Their claws can become overgrown and brittle. •As their sense of taste and smell deteriorate, they may have a reduced appetite. Teeth problems may also discourage eating. •They may have reduced vision and increased sensitivity to bright light. •Their heart and/or lungs change with reduced activity. •They sleep less deeply, but more frequently. •They have a decreased thirst, and are at more risk of dehydration (dangerous in cats with kidney problems). •They may have a poor coat and thin skin, which is less resistant to the cold and wet. •They may have a decline in immune function (chronic disease), so become more susceptible to infection.

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Can you Spot the Signs of chronic pain? Working through this checklist can help: Mobility - Have you noticed your cat hesitating, or being more reluctant to jump up or down e.g. into your lap/the furniture/through a cat flap? Cats that are suffering with chronic pain will be more reluctant to move or stretch. Older cats may slow down and spend more time sleeping. Although this can be due to old age, it can also be a sign of chronic pain, especially if they are moving stiffly. It is best to speak to your vet if you notice this sign. Reduced activity - Have you noticed your cat slowing down e.g. sleeping more – especially in one place, or moving stiffly? Grooming - Have you noticed your cat’s coat becoming more matted or scruffy, or that they are grooming less? This can be an indication that your cat is not at its best, especially with very old cats. This can be because of stiff joints, as it gets older, or because of painful movements hindering it from grooming. If you notice your cat is spending less time grooming than normal you should speak to your vet. Temperament - Have you noticed any changes in your cat’s attitude or temperament e.g. less tolerant around people, aggressive or more withdrawn? This is a sign that your cat may not be at its best or could be in pain. It is best to speak to your vet if you notice a change in behaviour. When to take your cat to the vets: Research shows that just 2% of owners take their cat to the vet if they observe changes in their behaviour2. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, speak to your vet or vet nurse about an old age checkup.

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•Click on the Spot the Signs video on the DVD •Expand to chosen size in presentation slide

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Simple steps - What changes can you make in your home: •Make access to food and water easy - Make sure your cat doesn’t have to jump or stretch too much to eat or drink, your cat may even benefit from bowls that are raised slightly from the ground. Put it in a place where your cat feels 'safe' and not near the cat flap, litter tray or any busy area. •Relocate litter tray - Make sure the litter tray is in a place where your cat feels 'safe' - not in a busy corridor or near the cat flap. Litter trays with lower sides and containing a fine, sand-like litter can be more comfortable for cats with stiff joints. •Create comfortable places - Create places where your cat can easily climb and hide, such as cardboard boxes with a hole for a cat sized 'door'. Attract your cat inside with deep comfy bedding. Making life easier for your cat: •Play and maintain activity - Gentle games with your cat can help keep him or her alert and active. •Control weight - Being overweight can put extra strain on your cat's joints so keep him/her at a healthy weight. If your cat is overweight, ask your vet or vet nurse for advice on a suitable diet. •Consider joint supplements - If your cat does have arthritis then your vet may suggest joint supplements. This nutritional support can help maintain healthy joints and tendons. •Help your cat to groom - Gentle grooming can help maintain your cat's interest in life, but painful areas are best avoided. •Pain relief - There is treatment available for long term management of the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, allowing your cat to make the most out of life. Remember your vet will still need to see your cat at regular intervals to check that the medicine is still suitable and working for your cat.

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