Housecat Housecall
How much of a cat lover are you? Take our quiz to find out just how much you know about cats and their quirky lifestyle!
Owning a cat can lower your blood pressure and relieve stress.
True
False
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It's been proven by physicians and psychologists that having a cat can actually lower blood pressure and relieve stress. Cats also make ideal companions for older people or adults who live alone.
When it comes to popular pets many top the list, but the most popular pet in America is?
Birds
Dogs
Fish
Cats
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They're easy to care for and fairly self-sufficient, which are just two of the many wonderful reasons cats top the list of the most popular pets.
Compared to humans, cats have extremely heightened senses. Can you guess which sense is the strongest?
Hearing
Sight
Taste
Touch
Smell
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Sight is one of a cat's strongest senses, because its eyes are so big. In fact, if your eyes were proportionately as big as a cat's, they would each be about 8 inches in diameter. A cat cannot see in total darkness, but even in extremely dark situations, your cat sees an image and is quick to distinguish even the slightest movement. However, she is usually considered color-blind.
What body part of a cat can help you read her mood?
Eyes
Meow
Tail
Whiskers
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Carried high — she's proud and contented and ready to interact; extended straight — she's stalking; thrusting from side to side — she may be angry or anxious.
Kneading is a sign that your adult cat is ...
Hungry
Content
Scared
Curious
Anxious
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Kneading is the motion a kitten first makes instinctively when she is nursing from her mother. It consists of pressing first one, then the other, front paw against her mother's tummy. Many cats continue to do this as they grow into adulthood. It is usually a sign of contentment and affection and is often accompanied by purring. In lieu of the mother cat, your cat will knead anything soft, such as your favorite sweater, a pillow, your lap or even your hair.
Cats scratch to sharpen their claws.
True
False
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A common misconception is that cats "scratch" to sharpen their claws; however, they are merely satisfying the instinct to scratch and "clean" their claws. Another reason cats "scratch" is to mark their territory. They do this by leaving a visible sign and their scent, which is released from glands between their toes.
TIP: An easy way to prevent your cat from damaging furniture is to apply double-faced tape to the areas where she is most likely to scratch, or keep her in a cat-proofed room when she cannot be supervised.
Some common materials that are poisonous to cats include ...
Cleaning supplies
Laundry detergent and bleach
Medications
Mothballs
All of the above
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Securely store poisonous materials. Keep these in tightly closed areas where your cat can't gain access. Remember, cats are handy little creatures and have been known to open cabinets and doors.
It's important to introduce your cat to other adults and children at an early age if you want her to be friendly and more social around new people.
True
False
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Allow for a period of adjustment and observe her carefully. Teach friends the proper way to pick her up and hold her. Food, treats and play can be used to make the situation more pleasant. Always treat her with gentleness when correcting her. To become a well-adjusted cat, she needs your personal attention and lots of love. Avoid overwhelming situations such as large family gatherings, which may frighten the kitten.
Cats cannot be trained to perform tricks.
True
False
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You can train your cat to perform tricks. You'll get the best results when you offer food rewards, such as a morsel of her favorite cat food or a treat. Work with one command at a time. Be consistent and patient, and you will soon be rewarded with compliance.
A normal kitten's weight triples during the first ...
Three weeks
Two months
Three days
Six months
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Years of research at the Purina PetCare Technology Center show that a normal kitten's weight practically triples during her first three weeks. In her first 20 weeks, a kitten can have a 2,000-percent increase over her birth weight.
Kittens do not need their own special food.
True
False
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Kittens, like babies, need their own special food. Her rapid growth and high energy level require food that will give her extra nutrition and calories. And since your kitten has a small stomach, it's difficult for her just to eat more food to get the calories she needs.
Your kitten will resemble an adult cat in size by what age?
3 months
6 months
1 year
2 years
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At 6 months, she will closely resemble an adult cat in size. But don't be misled; she still needs to do a lot of growing up and filling out.
Excess weight isn't a problem with cats.
True
False
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Incorrect! You chose:
Keeping your cat's weight in control really pays off. Research shows that overweight cats are more likely to develop health problems — the incidence of diabetes, in particular, increases up to four-fold. In addition, overweight cats are prone to lameness, skin diseases, and liver, kidney and pancreatic diseases; at risk for urinary tract and constipation problems; and likely to experience osteoarthritis and ligament damage.
Correct
And you call yourself a cat lover?! Bone up on cat facts and try again.
Correct
Not too shabby. Spend a bit more time with cats and you'll be a cat whiz in no time.
Correct
Nice job! You really know your cats!
