Talk:Cat

CATS LOVE TO EAT CHEESE!!!!!!!

nine lives myth

actually in Turkish myth cats said to be having 9 nives not 6, the citation page does not have any mention of Turkish version of the myth(completely irrelevant article from guardian)... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.248.140.221 (talk) 18:09, 9 June 2011 (UTC)

I clicked on the external link, and it does indeed say that in Turkish and Arabic traditions, cats have six lives. Duoduoduo (talk) 18:54, 9 June 2011 (UTC)

Just type "9 canli kedi" in google, and also try "6 canli kedi" ("cat with 9 lives" in Turkish), whoever written that article has no idea about Turkish version, I am Turkish never heard about 6 lives. Moslt likely person written the article found about the arabic version and "wisely" assumed Turkish version should be same, After all Turks are Arabs to most westerners right ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.248.140.221 (talk) 05:04, 10 June 2011 (UTC)

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I think cat-myths in all of Europe state they do have 9 lives. Besdomny (talk) 07:59, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Sometimes cats are said to have 7 lives in Germany. 84.134.169.253 (talk) 21:47, 24 September 2011 (UTC)

Feral cat section is not neutral

The paragraph on trap-neuter-return in the Feral cats section was evidently provided by an advocate. It does not just describe the practice neutrally, as an encyclopedia should, it makes an impassioned case for it, which is continued in similar terms in the reference provided. Other opinions also exist.

One is that feral cats are just living the normal life of cats, who go wherever the rodents are, much as city pigeons are just living the normal life of pigeons, which are actually rock doves who like to live on cliffs. Human life unavoidably provides lots of food for rodents, exploding their populations, and lots of clifflike buildings; so naturally we find ourselves joined by cats and pigeons. The choice is theirs. Every species reproduces beyond what its environment can support. That's life; it's not our problem.

This opinion is just one of many, and so is the opinion that trap-neuter-return is a wonderful idea that should be practiced universally. One thing the article could point out is that those who would practice trap-and-neuter must ensure that they really do feed the cats that they release, not for a little while, but throughout their lives. A neutered cat, if returned to the wild, would lack the hormonal drives necessary to establish territory and thus procure food. Without lifelong human support, it would soon starve. Ornithikos (talk) 17:02, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Few argue that feral cat's aren't a problem, but there is a variety of ways to deal with it. Re-domesticating adult feral cats is not easy,[1] as I have witnessed firsthand. TNR is somewhat analogous to the containment policy developed by Truman and JFK in foreign affairs. You keep the problem from spreading so it just naturally shrinks. Feral cats don't live long without a caretaker, just two years (though many TNR programs do include just such a caretaker) [2]. Cats have evolved with us, and with time they have changed to the point that they are dependent on us.[3] To a point, an appropriately sized feral cat population can be important to the urban food chain, eating disease-harboring rats that will eat anything human's discard; this is only possible however if the cats receive supplemental food.[4] The sources and the scientific facts support this point, it's not just someone's pro-cat bias.--Ipatrol (talk) 17:44, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Well put, but my objection was not to the position advocated, but to the advocacy itself. I tweaked the wording to avoid advocacy while saying the same things, and to note the importance of followup support as part of a responsible TNR operation. What I worry about is people who want to neuter and abandon. Hopefully resorting to facts alone will satisfy everybody. Ornithikos (talk) 22:45, 27 June 2011 (UTC)

All mention of feral cats in the article seems to mainly refer to continental USA. On remote islands or places like Australia or New Zealand which never hosted any form of feline prior to the introduction of cats their arrival is usually an unparalleled disaster. In Australia alone feral cats have been implicated in the extinction or endangerment of numerous small mammal species and the survival of several species of rare marsupial (ie. the Mala Lagorchestes hirsutus) is entirely dependent on the provision of cat-free habitats through building enclosures. In these contexts feral cats can be regarded as a form of pernicious pollution. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.182.236.57 (talk) 09:21, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

Feral cats in an urban environment should not be confused with cats as an invasive species. Feral cats are part of the urban ecosystem everywhere in the world, where they beneficially control rodents and destructively overpopulate unless something controls them. TNR strives to establish a better equilibrium by diminishing their fecundity while preserving their appetites; TCE can also be effective. Cats invading an ecosystem where nothing like them ever existed typically have disastrous effects, as does any species that invades any ecosystem, which every species does at every opportunity. The Feral cats article gives detailed coverage to the phenomenon of cats as an invasive species, but avoids demonizing them, as NPV requires. Ornithikos (talk) 17:23, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

On the Internet

How come the prominence of cats on the internet isn't mentioned? Cats must be one of the most common things used in 'funny images'. I believe it was even joked about in that one commercial. Just my personal guess - it's because they always seem so 'expressive' (but that obviously wouldn't be included in the article). 67.10.113.37 (talk) 04:25, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps the prominence of cats on the Internet is not mentioned because that is not a fact about cats, but about the Internet, which has not changed cats themselves at all. The Internet can facilitate ailurophilia, cat adoption, and the coordination of groups that help with cat problems, but that isn't special: the Internet facilitates essentially everything! Ornithikos (talk) 19:29, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

This is an ingenious response. The myth about cats having nine lives has not changed cats themselves at all either, but it is a connection between cats and human culture, and we wouldn't argue that "it's not about cats at all but about myth-making" . The prominence of cats on the internet is a cultural phenomenon and has been mentioned in a number of articles: http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2009/02/10/cat_internet/ 203.196.81.85 (talk) 04:08, 15 August 2011 (UTC)

cats mouth and teeth

I should like a more profound description and picture of the cats mouth and teeths. Since it is the only organ(?) that keeps him alive it should be considered more importance.

Sorry for the bad English.

Sincerely,

J.P. Clifford — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jpclifford (talk • contribs) 14:27, 5 September 2011 (UTC)

Cat Illnesses

I am staying at my brothers house and my cats are staying in the garage until we get into a place. His cat was sneezing when we got there and when they took it in the house it seemed to get better. Both my cats are now sneezing and coughing and the one is acting very tired. I am worried that there is something seriously wrong but cant afford a vet until next week. The fact that his cat got better when it went in the house does anyone know if there might be something in the garage that they might be getting into or is it just a cold because they have never been outdoor cats before. There are no chemicals of any kind in the garage nor is there antifreeze. That is why I am confused. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.188.180.170 (talk) 13:24, 21 September 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Helenecatty, 1 October 2011

Suggesting change to: 8.6 Reproduction

I think this picture:

When cats mate, the tomcat (male) bites the scruff of the female's neck as she assumes a position conducive to mating known as lordosis behavior.

should be replaced with this video:

When cats mate, the tomcat (male) bites the scruff of the female's neck as she assumes a position conducive to mating known as lordosis behavior

because the description under the picture is a bit hard to understand without seeing it.

Helenecatty (talk) 09:36, 1 October 2011 (UTC)

 Not done: I don't think editors would be willing to add a video of a sexual act. — Abhishek  ^Talk 12:17, 1 October 2011 (UTC)

Ya, a picture of one cat mounting another should not be posted on wikipedia. No matter how funny or 'informative' it may be.MilkStraw532 (talk) 19:49, 20 October 2011 (UTC)

CATS LOVE TO EAT CHEESE!!!!!!!

nine lives myth

actually in Turkish myth cats said to be having 9 nives not 6, the citation page does not have any mention of Turkish version of the myth(completely irrelevant article from guardian)... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.248.140.221 (talk) 18:09, 9 June 2011 (UTC)

I clicked on the external link, and it does indeed say that in Turkish and Arabic traditions, cats have six lives. Duoduoduo (talk) 18:54, 9 June 2011 (UTC)

Just type "9 canli kedi" in google, and also try "6 canli kedi" ("cat with 9 lives" in Turkish), whoever written that article has no idea about Turkish version, I am Turkish never heard about 6 lives. Moslt likely person written the article found about the arabic version and "wisely" assumed Turkish version should be same, After all Turks are Arabs to most westerners right ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.248.140.221 (talk) 05:04, 10 June 2011 (UTC)

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I think cat-myths in all of Europe state they do have 9 lives. Besdomny (talk) 07:59, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Sometimes cats are said to have 7 lives in Germany. 84.134.169.253 (talk) 21:47, 24 September 2011 (UTC)

Feral cat section is not neutral

The paragraph on trap-neuter-return in the Feral cats section was evidently provided by an advocate. It does not just describe the practice neutrally, as an encyclopedia should, it makes an impassioned case for it, which is continued in similar terms in the reference provided. Other opinions also exist.

One is that feral cats are just living the normal life of cats, who go wherever the rodents are, much as city pigeons are just living the normal life of pigeons, which are actually rock doves who like to live on cliffs. Human life unavoidably provides lots of food for rodents, exploding their populations, and lots of clifflike buildings; so naturally we find ourselves joined by cats and pigeons. The choice is theirs. Every species reproduces beyond what its environment can support. That's life; it's not our problem.

This opinion is just one of many, and so is the opinion that trap-neuter-return is a wonderful idea that should be practiced universally. One thing the article could point out is that those who would practice trap-and-neuter must ensure that they really do feed the cats that they release, not for a little while, but throughout their lives. A neutered cat, if returned to the wild, would lack the hormonal drives necessary to establish territory and thus procure food. Without lifelong human support, it would soon starve. Ornithikos (talk) 17:02, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Few argue that feral cat's aren't a problem, but there is a variety of ways to deal with it. Re-domesticating adult feral cats is not easy,[5] as I have witnessed firsthand. TNR is somewhat analogous to the containment policy developed by Truman and JFK in foreign affairs. You keep the problem from spreading so it just naturally shrinks. Feral cats don't live long without a caretaker, just two years (though many TNR programs do include just such a caretaker) [6]. Cats have evolved with us, and with time they have changed to the point that they are dependent on us.[7] To a point, an appropriately sized feral cat population can be important to the urban food chain, eating disease-harboring rats that will eat anything human's discard; this is only possible however if the cats receive supplemental food.[8] The sources and the scientific facts support this point, it's not just someone's pro-cat bias.--Ipatrol (talk) 17:44, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

Well put, but my objection was not to the position advocated, but to the advocacy itself. I tweaked the wording to avoid advocacy while saying the same things, and to note the importance of followup support as part of a responsible TNR operation. What I worry about is people who want to neuter and abandon. Hopefully resorting to facts alone will satisfy everybody. Ornithikos (talk) 22:45, 27 June 2011 (UTC)

All mention of feral cats in the article seems to mainly refer to continental USA. On remote islands or places like Australia or New Zealand which never hosted any form of feline prior to the introduction of cats their arrival is usually an unparalleled disaster. In Australia alone feral cats have been implicated in the extinction or endangerment of numerous small mammal species and the survival of several species of rare marsupial (ie. the Mala Lagorchestes hirsutus) is entirely dependent on the provision of cat-free habitats through building enclosures. In these contexts feral cats can be regarded as a form of pernicious pollution. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.182.236.57 (talk) 09:21, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

Feral cats in an urban environment should not be confused with cats as an invasive species. Feral cats are part of the urban ecosystem everywhere in the world, where they beneficially control rodents and destructively overpopulate unless something controls them. TNR strives to establish a better equilibrium by diminishing their fecundity while preserving their appetites; TCE can also be effective. Cats invading an ecosystem where nothing like them ever existed typically have disastrous effects, as does any species that invades any ecosystem, which every species does at every opportunity. The Feral cats article gives detailed coverage to the phenomenon of cats as an invasive species, but avoids demonizing them, as NPV requires. Ornithikos (talk) 17:23, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

On the Internet

How come the prominence of cats on the internet isn't mentioned? Cats must be one of the most common things used in 'funny images'. I believe it was even joked about in that one commercial. Just my personal guess - it's because they always seem so 'expressive' (but that obviously wouldn't be included in the article). 67.10.113.37 (talk) 04:25, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps the prominence of cats on the Internet is not mentioned because that is not a fact about cats, but about the Internet, which has not changed cats themselves at all. The Internet can facilitate ailurophilia, cat adoption, and the coordination of groups that help with cat problems, but that isn't special: the Internet facilitates essentially everything! Ornithikos (talk) 19:29, 2 July 2011 (UTC)

This is an ingenious response. The myth about cats having nine lives has not changed cats themselves at all either, but it is a connection between cats and human culture, and we wouldn't argue that "it's not about cats at all but about myth-making" . The prominence of cats on the internet is a cultural phenomenon and has been mentioned in a number of articles: http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2009/02/10/cat_internet/ 203.196.81.85 (talk) 04:08, 15 August 2011 (UTC)

cats mouth and teeth

I should like a more profound description and picture of the cats mouth and teeths. Since it is the only organ(?) that keeps him alive it should be considered more importance.

Sorry for the bad English.

Sincerely,

J.P. Clifford — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jpclifford (talk • contribs) 14:27, 5 September 2011 (UTC)

Cat Illnesses

I am staying at my brothers house and my cats are staying in the garage until we get into a place. His cat was sneezing when we got there and when they took it in the house it seemed to get better. Both my cats are now sneezing and coughing and the one is acting very tired. I am worried that there is something seriously wrong but cant afford a vet until next week. The fact that his cat got better when it went in the house does anyone know if there might be something in the garage that they might be getting into or is it just a cold because they have never been outdoor cats before. There are no chemicals of any kind in the garage nor is there antifreeze. That is why I am confused. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.188.180.170 (talk) 13:24, 21 September 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Helenecatty, 1 October 2011

Suggesting change to: 8.6 Reproduction

I think this picture:

When cats mate, the tomcat (male) bites the scruff of the female's neck as she assumes a position conducive to mating known as lordosis behavior.

should be replaced with this video:

When cats mate, the tomcat (male) bites the scruff of the female's neck as she assumes a position conducive to mating known as lordosis behavior

because the description under the picture is a bit hard to understand without seeing it.

Helenecatty (talk) 09:36, 1 October 2011 (UTC)

 Not done: I don't think editors would be willing to add a video of a sexual act. — Abhishek  ^Talk 12:17, 1 October 2011 (UTC)

Ya, a picture of one cat mounting another should not be posted on wikipedia. No matter how funny or 'informative' it may be.MilkStraw532 (talk) 19:49, 20 October 2011 (UTC)