This is a Recast of the 38 hundred word piece, "The Inner Life of Cats", from Scientific American. This article is about the mysteries surrounding cats, including their domestication, purring, vocalizations, relationships with humans, and various quirks.. Let's listen in.
0:19
Today we're diving into an interesting article titled "Ask me another" by Kate Wong. It's all about our furry feline friends and the mysteries surrounding them. This article features John Bradshaw, author of Cat Sense, who answers questions about cats submitted by Scientific American editors and Twitter followers. It's going to be an intriguing discussion, so let's get started.
0:41
One of the first questions posed to Bradshaw is whether cats are less domesticated than dogs and if they are becoming more domesticated over time. According to Bradshaw, cats are actually more similar to their wild ancestors compared to dogs and wolves. Dogs have undergone more changes over the course of their evolution as they adapted to living alongside humans. Cats, on the other hand, have become more sociable with other cats and accepting of humans, but there hasn't been much change beyond that in the past few thousand years.
1:12
That's a really fascinating point, Avery. Another question that comes up is whether cats will eventually evolve to eat a broader array of foods like dogs. Both cats and dogs belong to the Carnivora group of mammals, and their wild ancestors primarily consumed meat. However, recent DNA analyses have shown that dogs have acquired more copies of the amylase gene, which helps break down starch. This gene allows dogs to have a more omnivorous diet.
1:40
On the other hand, cats from the Felidae family lost genes early in their evolution that encode key enzymes for manufacturing certain nutrients like vitamin A, prostaglandins, and taurine. Unlike dogs and humans who can synthesize these substances from plant based precursors, cats have to obtain them from meat.
1:59
So it's unlikely that cats will evolve to eat a broader range of foods unless they develop physiological traits that allow them to synthesize these nutrients from plants.
2:09
Absolutely, Paul. Now let's move on to a more curious aspect of feline behavior why do cats purr? According to Bradshaw, cats purr to communicate with others, particularly humans. When kittens purr, it's a way to persuade their mothers to keep nursing them. And pet cats purr when they want to be stroked or when they're seeking attention. Interestingly, the vibrations from purring also have a calming effect on people. But it's not just a happy sound. Sick cats may also purr as a cry for help, and some researchers suggest that the vibrations from purring may even aid in healing bone damage in injured cats.
2:48
That's fascinating, Avery. And let's not forget how cats actually produce that purring sound. It turns out that purring is quite unique because unlike other vocalizations, cats don't vibrate their vocal cords by pushing air past them. Instead, they rattle their vocal cords together. And here's an interesting fact most species of wildcats can purr, including the cheetah. However, big cats like lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards have modified voice boxes that allow them to roar instead of purr.
3:20
That's a great point, Paul. Moving on, another question that arises is why house cats have so many vocalizations compared to wildcats. Bradshaw explains that house cats are noisier than feral cats but actually have fewer vocalizations than some other species. For example, the jungle cat from Asia has a couple of vocalizations, like the "ow" and the "gurgle," that are not in the house cat's repertoire. So why do house cats meow so much? It turns out that living with humans has taught them that meowing is an effective way of getting our attention. They've learned that when we're absorbed in other activities like reading or using screens, a meow can help us acknowledge them. Some cats even develop their own "private language" of meows that only their owners understand.
4:04
Absolutely, Avery. And speaking of how cats perceive humans, one question asks whether cats think of their owners as parents, siblings, or friends. Bradshaw explains that when cats rub against our legs, they are indicating that they regard us as friendly but also slightly superior. In a family group, kittens rub against their mothers, females rub against males, and smaller cats rub against bigger cats. It's rare to see the reverse happening, which suggests a small power imbalance in these relationships.
4:36
That's an interesting dynamic, Paul. Now let's delve into the topic of how to get a cat to love you. Bradshaw suggests that cats naturally feel affection for those who provide food, care for them, and play with them. However, it's not always obvious because some cats can be nervous. One trick is to let the cat approach you instead of forcing yourself on them. When the cat does come to you, reward them with treats and allow them to leave when they want to. This positive reinforcement can help build trust over time.
5:05
Great tip, Avery. Now let's move on to a question about why cats sometimes bite or scratch the person who is petting them. Bradshaw explains that it's possible you may have missed the warning signs that the cat has had enough. Cats have different thresholds for petting and some can tire of it quickly, even if they enjoy it initially. Watch out for flattened ears and a slight twitching of the tail, as these can be signs that the cat has reached its limit. If you have a cat like this, try breaking off from stroking every few seconds and allow the cat to move away if it wants to.
5:39
Great advice, Paul. Now let's touch on the topic of jealousy in cats. Research has shown that dogs can experience jealousy, and it's likely that cats can too. Both species feel jealousy in the moment when they see another individual receiving attention that they desire. However, they don't hold onto that feeling once the moment has passed. Cats, like dogs, have a limited concept of time and can only distinguish between short time intervals of a few seconds.
6:08
That's really interesting, Avery. Another intriguing question is whether cats remember different people or just the ones they see on a daily basis. While scientists haven't specifically studied this trait in cats, it's been observed that cats can forget other cats once they've been separated for a long time. So it's possible that the same applies to people as well. In contrast, dogs, who see humans as more important, can remember people by their scent for months, if not years.
6:37
Absolutely, Paul. Now let's explore whether coat colors and patterns correspond to certain personality traits in cats. Many cat owners believe that coat color can predict their pet's personality, but there isn't any evidence to support this universally. Bradshaw suggests that locally, a successful male cat may produce kittens that both look and behave like him due to shared genes. This association between coat color and personality traits may have led people to believe in the correlation. However, among pedigree cats, different breed types do have characteristic personalities. For example, oriental breeds tend to be more active, while exotics are more laid back. Cats that are hybrids of domesticated cats and wildcats exhibit even stronger breed specific personality traits.
7:25
That's a great point, Avery. Now let's tackle the question of why cats bring their kills to their humans. Although it may seem like they're presenting us with gifts, Bradshaw explains that cats actually bring their kills somewhere safe before eating them. If that safe location happens to be in or near the kitchen, they may be reminded that commercial cat food is tastier than their catch, leading them to abandon it there.
7:49
That's an interesting behavior, Paul. Finally, let's discuss why cats love to knock objects off tables and shelves. Bradshaw suggests that some cats do it simply because they're clumsy and material possessions mean nothing to them. Others might knock things over to get their owner's attention or for their own entertainment. Cats are intelligent creatures and they may have learned that this behavior gets a reaction from their owners.
8:14
Absolutely, Avery. And with that, we've covered a wide range of questions about our mysterious feline friends. We've learned about their domestication, purring, vocalizations, relationships with humans, and various quirks. Stay tuned for the next section where we'll continue exploring the world of cats.
8:34
That's right, Paul. And now, let's dive into some interesting questions raised in this article.
8:39
One question that caught my attention is why cats climb to heights that they are subsequently afraid to jump down from. According to the article, cats' claws are much more useful for running up trees than for climbing down. Inexperienced or frightened cats may go higher than they should. However, they usually succeed in descending eventually because they have a reflex that enables them to fall safely, even from quite considerable heights. They stretch all four legs out sideways, so that the loose skin on their belly forms a kind of parachute. Then, a split second before reaching the ground, they push their feet downward and arch their back to minimize the shock of landing.
9:18
That's fascinating, Avery. Another interesting question is why some cats go crazy for catnip while others show no response at all. The article explains that the catnip response is controlled by a single gene that only about two thirds of cats carry. The response consists of seemingly random segments of play, socializing, and female sexual behavior. Many cat species, including lions, tigers, leopards, and lynx, have this reaction to the herb. However, not all individuals in these species show the response. It is still unclear why some cats ignore catnip, but it may simply be an evolutionary accident.
9:58
Another intriguing question is why cats lick and chew non food items like plastic bags and power cords. Veterinarians have noted an unhealthy taste for plastics in some cats but have never convincingly explained it. Cats may be trying to alleviate stress. Among oriental cat breeds, adults commonly suck, chew, and eat fabrics in response to stress. Additionally, kittens that are weaned too early may develop the habit of suckling on a blanket as if it were their mother.
10:27
That's right, Paul. Another question raised in the article is why cats chew their fur. There are two possible reasons for this behavior. One is itchy skin, possibly caused by fleas or other parasites, or an allergy. But persistent overgrooming on one spot or pulling out clumps of fur can also be signs of chronic stress, perhaps because of conflict with another cat in the house or in the neighborhood.
10:52
Moving on to a more peculiar question, why do cat feet sometimes smell like tortilla chips? According to the article, a common minor fungal skin infection, similar to athlete’s foot in humans, often produces this smell. Dogs may carry this fungus too.
11:08
That's interesting, Avery. Now let's explore why domestic cats can't go without food for long, unlike their big cat cousins who can survive without food for days. The article explains that all cats, big and small, can suffer from fatty liver disease if they don't eat for some reason. Stress is a common cause in pet cats. This condition occurs when fat released from other parts of the body accumulates in the liver, blocking its ability to carry out key functions. It comes on much more quickly in obese cats, so it’s probably less common in big cat species simply because living in the wild they’re unlikely to be overweight.
11:46
That's a great point, Avery. Now let's discuss why cats are so finicky about food and their litter boxes. According to the article, cats have much more exacting nutritional requirements than dogs do, so they have to be careful about what they eat. Additionally, as solitary hunters, their ancestors could afford to eat in their own good time.
12:07
On the other hand, dogs are descended from pack hunting wolves, which evolved to eat quickly so they could grab their share of the kill. Cats also prefer to hide their feces, which would otherwise betray their whereabouts to prey and predators alike. That's why they are reluctant to use a dirty litter box.
12:25
Cats are much more sensitive than dogs to any change in their environment because they are territorial animals that get their sense of security from the place where they live. That’s why cats often try to get back to their owner’s previous home in the first few weeks following a house move.
12:40
Absolutely, Paul. And now, let's address a question that might sound a bit morbid – will cats really consume their deceased owners in some situations? According to the article, if cats are literally dying of hunger, they will eat anything available. So, while it may sound unsettling, it's just their survival instinct kicking in. I'm sure they don't mean to cause offense!
13:03
Now, let's take a closer look at the fascinating world of catnip. Have you ever wondered why some cats exhibit strange behavior when exposed to catnip? According to the article, cats act much like a female cat in heat when exposed to catnip. They may rub their head and body on the herb, jump, roll around, vocalize, and salivate. This response lasts for about ten minutes, after which the cat becomes refractory to catnip's effects for roughly thirty minutes.
13:31
The genetically susceptible cats are responding to a volatile oil in the stems and leaves of the plant Nepeta cataria and other Nepeta species, which are members of the mint family. When the oil, named nepetalactone, enters the cat's nasal tissue, it apparently binds to proteins that stimulate sensory neurons.
13:50
These nerve cells provoke a response in neurons in the brain's olfactory bulb, which project to several regions of the brain responsible for emotional responses and regulating various functions.
14:02
That's fascinating, Avery. And now, let's talk about how cat lovers can contribute to feline research and help cats lead happier and healthier lives. The article highlights several citizen science projects focused on understanding the feline mind and improving feline health. For example, there is a project called "Track Your Cat" by NC State University, Movebank.org, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. It allows cat owners to set up a GPS cat tracking device to find out where their cats go when they leave the home.
14:35
Another project called "Cat Tracking Down Under" in Australia aims to study cat movement patterns in different environments. Participants can contribute to this project by providing GPS tracking data, taking a cat personality test, and participating in a general survey.
14:51
That's right, Paul. There are also projects like "The Feline Biobank" by Cornell Feline Health Center, which aims to understand the role of genes in common feline diseases. They collect DNA samples from healthy cats older than ten years old to compare with DNA from cats with common diseases.
15:09
Additionally, there's a project focused on investigating anticancer drugs for mammary cancer in cats. The Cornell Feline Health Center is accepting both normal and cancerous feline mammary gland tissue samples from female cats to understand how this type of cancer develops and find new ways to treat it.
15:28
And finally, there's a project called "Understanding Cat Pain" by the University of Lincoln School of Life Sciences in England. This project explores the facial, postural, and vocal expressions of pain in cats, which can help owners and veterinarians recognize pain earlier and provide appropriate treatment. Participants can contribute videos or pictures of their cats they suspect are in pain and take a quiz to test their ability to detect pain in these animals.
15:55
Well, that's all the time we have for today. We hope you found this discussion on the mysteries of cat behavior interesting and informative. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for listening!
