The cat : its behavior, nutrition & health / by Linda P. Case ; illustrated by Kerry Helms and Bruce MacAllister.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Case, Linda P.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cats.

Cats--Behavior.

Cats--Nutrition.

Cats--Health.

Physical Description:

xv, 392 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Other Title:

Its behavior, nutrition & health

Place of Publication:

Ames, Iowa : Iowa State Press, [2003]

Summary:

The Cat Its Behavior, Nutrition & Health offers comprehensive coverage of man's Other best friend, the cherished companion of millions of Americans. Concise yet thorough, The Cat fills the need for an academic textbook for undergraduate animal science courses, veterinary technician programs, and cat care or breeding classes, and serves as an important resource for breeders, exhibitors, groomers, and veterinary practitioners.

Contents:

Part 1 Knowing the Cat within the Companion

Chapter 1 Felis silvestris to Felis catus: Domestication 3

Phylogeny (Evolutionary History) 3

Taxonomy (Present-Day Classification) 4

Domestication 6

In the Beginning: Ancient Egyptians Meet the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris) 7

From Wildcat to Pussycat: Changes due to Domestication 9

Chapter 2 Selective Breeding: Cat Breeds from the Everyday to the Unusual 13

Natural Selection: The Cat on Its Own 13

Selective Breeding: The Emergence of Unusual Coat Types and Colors 14

Purebreds and the Origins of Organized Shows 15

Associations 17

Shorthair Breeds 18

Longhair Breeds 23

Rex Cats 26

Spotted Cats 27

Unusual Breeds 29

Chapter 3 The Cat's Perception of the World: Structure, Movement, and Special Senses 35

Structure 35

Movement and Balance 39

Special Senses 41

Recognizing the Normal Cat 48

Chapter 4 Reproduction and Breeding Management 53

Reproductive Anatomy of the Queen 53

Reproductive Anatomy of the Male 54

Estrous Cycle 56

Breeding Management 59

Gestation 60

Care of Newborns 62

Caring for Orphans 65

Chapter 5 Genetics: Why All Cats Are Tabbies 67

Basic Genetic Principles 67

Inheritance of Coat Color and Type in the Domestic Cat 75

Selection of Breeding Animals 83

Types of Breeding Systems 87

Genetically Influenced Disorders 90

Chapter 6 The Human-Cat Relationship: Benefits and Responsibilities 93

The Diversity of Human-Cat Relationships 93

The Human Side of the Bond 96

The Cat Side of the Bond 99

Benefits of Living with Cats 103

Bonds That Fail: Stray Cats, Feral Cats, and Cats in Shelters 105

Part 2 Behavior: Understanding the Domestic Cat

Chapter 7 Developmental Behavior: From Kitten to Adult 117

Neonatal Behavior 117

Sensitive Period of Socialization in Kittens 119

The Mother-Kitten Relationship 121

Play Behavior in Kittens 124

Development of Predatory Behavior in Kittens 128

Chapter 8 Social Life: Communication Patterns, Social Relationships, and Territoriality 131

Communication in the Domestic Cat 131

Social Behavior 143

Territorial Nature 144

Predation 145

Breed Differences in Behavior 148

Chapter 9 How Cats Learn (or Learning to Train a Cat!) 151

Habituation and Sensitization 151

Classical Conditioning 152

Operant Conditioning (Instrumental Learning) 154

Observational (Social) Learning 158

Behavior Modification Techniques 159

Influences on Learning 161

Chapter 10 The Misbehaving Cat: Behavior Problems and Solutions 165

Identification and Diagnosis: Obtaining a Behavioral History 165

Elimination Problems 166

Problem Aggression 173

Miscellaneous Behavior Problems 178

Pharmacotherapy for Behavior Problems 181

Part 3 Health and Disease: Keeping Cats Healthy and Happy

Chapter 11 Viral Diseases 191

Viruses 191

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (Viral Causes) 191

Panleukopenia 194

Feline Leukemia Virus 198

Feline Coronavirus 203

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus 207

Rabies 210

Chapter 12 Bacterial, Fungal, and Protozoan Diseases 215

Bacteria, Chlamydia, and Rickettsia 215

Fungal Infections 219

Protozoan Diseases 221

Chapter 13 Vaccination Guidelines 227

Types of Immunity 227

Vaccine Selection and Administration 228

Adverse Reactions to Vaccination 233

Vaccination Schedules and Guidelines 236

Chapter 14 Internal Parasites 239

Roundworms (Ascarids) 239

Hookworms 243

Tapeworms (Cestodes) 244

Liver Flukes 246

Lungworms 246

Heartworms 247

Chapter 15 External Parasites 251

Fleas 251

Ear Mites: Otodectes cynotis 259

Mange Mites, Walking Dandruff (Cheyletiellosis), and Lice 260

Chapter 16 First-Aid Procedures 265

Preparing a First-Aid Kit 265

Immediate Procedures and Restraint 265

Cardiac and Respiratory Arrest 267

Shock 268

Bleeding 269

High-Rise Syndrome 270

Choking 271

Heatstroke 271

Burns 272

Insect Stings and Spider Bites 273

Poisoning 274

Part 4 Nutrition: Feeding Cats for Health and Longevity

Chapter 17 The Cat as an Obligate Carnivore: Nutrient Requirements 289

Nutritional Uniqueness 289

Essential and Nonessential Nutrients 291

Energy 291

Water 295

Carbohydrates 297

Fat 300

Protein 302

Vitamins 308

Minerals 308

Digestion and Absorption 311

Chapter 18 Providing a Healthy Diet: Cat Food Selection and Evaluation 317

Types of Commercial Cat Food 317

Characteristics of an Optimal Diet 321

Evaluation and Selection of an Appropriate Cat Food 321

Chapter 19 Feeding Management throughout the Life Cycle 329

Feeding Behavior 329

Feeding Regimens 330

What to Feed (Overview) 331

How Much to Feed 331

Feeding during Growth 333

Feeding for Adult Maintenance 334

Feeding during Gestation and Lactation 335

Weaning Kittens 336

Feeding Geriatric Cats 337

General Feeding Guidelines 339

Chapter 20 Nutritionally Responsive Diseases 343

Obesity 343

Diabetes Mellitus 349

Chronic Kidney Disease 352

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease 355

Food Hypersensitivity (Allergy) 358

Hepatic Lipidosis 361.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0813803314

OCLC:

50041029