The Cat (Felis catus) is a tiny meat-eating mammal that has been domesticated. It is the only domesticated species in the Felidae family, and because of this it is frequently referred to as the domestic cat. A cat may be a housecat, a farm cat, or a feral cat. A housecat is a domestic cat with no other duties or sources of income and is small enough to be comfortably housed indoors. A farm cat lives on a working farm, and a feral cat was born in the wild and lacked human contact. Keeping reading to learn about Cat Stretching.
Several cat registries have classified around 60 different breeds of cats. The Cat is built similarly to other felid species, having a powerful, flexible body, quick reactions, sharp teeth, and retractable claws suited for preying on small animals. Its eyesight and sense of smell are highly developed. Vocalizations such as meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and grunting are used to communicate various emotions and intentions.
History
Humans initially valued the Cat because it hunted and ate mice and rats in grain stores. Cats perform many other duties for people, such as catching the mice that eat the foodstuffs stored in pantries; they also keep watch over the house when the owners are away. The Cat is often described in the literature as an independent, aloof, and self-reliant animal. It does not allow itself to be handled or touched by strangers unless it wishes to do so (a cat can permit another individual to touch it while it remains otherwise aloof).
The cat is a solitary hunter that is most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). It can hear sounds too faint or high in frequency for human ears, such as those created by mice and other small animals. It emits and detects pheromones.
What is Cat Stretching?
Feline body language is an essential part of any cat owner’s knowledge. As you know, cats communicate with each other using their body language; they don’t speak as we do! So what does your feline pet mean when they stretch?
A cat stretch is an action of “pulling and bunching up” its muscles, making it look like an inverted ‘U.’ This process will take place during sleep and waking hours and generally follow after periods of rest. When this happens, your kitty has stretched out his back legs and pulled in his front paws close to his chest area. The reason why can vary quite considerably:
Cats Stretch can be for Many Reasons:
- It could be that the Cat needs to relieve stress and tension.
- It could be that your Cat is entirely relaxed and content, feeling safe and secure in its environment.
- It could also mean that it’s time to play with you!
Stretching can become a playful opportunity for you to interact with your Cat by playing ‘tug of war’ or other fun games (this may sound bizarre, but you’ll soon see the funny side of it), so get involved by rubbing your kitty down! Mmmm!
However, don’t forget that claw sharpening is usually waiting in the wings for this sort of attention; they will probably grab hold of your hand when trying to stop the game from taking place (you’ve been warned!). If this happens, try to avoid any sudden jerk of your hand back away from them slowly, while saying firmly ‘no.’ This will let them know it is not acceptable to have hold of you.
It is widespread for cats to stretch after being in one position for a long time or curled up with you on the sofa. If this happens when he is resting by your side, the best thing is to gently move him onto his cushion/bed to sleep undisturbed till they are ready to get up.
Why Do Cats Stretch?
When cats wake up, their muscles need to be exercised. Their blood pressure drops when they are stationary for several minutes, and their muscles become rigid. Cat Stretching is the answer! Stretching relaxes cats, allowing their blood flow to rise and their muscles to be ready to move. Stretching keeps cats agile by keeping them flexible so they can pounce on the next mouse or treat that comes along. Cats spend a lot of time stretching because they take so many short naps throughout the day and stretch after each nap!
Stretching lengthens the muscle fibers to their maximum extent, according to Waysofcats.com. This protects and improves their ability to attack if necessary. Furthermore, their capacity to remain motionless for hours prepares them for an offensive reaction at any time. So, sure, cats may appear lazy at times; however, this is not always the case. “Such stretches imply,’ I’m so in command here that I can relax,’ according on PETA,” explains hedgethebook” The display of teeth that goes with yawning might indicate,’ See these? They’re big! So don’t try anything.’
Cats 101s
You might be thinking – what else do cats like doing? Well, it’s good if they spend some time daily exploring around the house, climbing up high and jumping off bits of furniture (only when you are at home) is good fun – be careful though falling from a high place can hurt their bones and joints so be sure to monitor them when they do this.
Otherwise, providing you have a garden for your Cat to play in, there is a good chance that they will catch the odd mouse or bird – it’s in their nature, after all!
Another thing you need to know about cats because they are creatures of habit; like dogs, every time something happens (like taking them outside), they remember and look forward to doing it again soon. Cats never forget anything; which means if you make a fuss over them with lots of treats and fussing when they go outside or come back in – they’ll think it must be because something delicious has happened like:
They’ve just caught a Mouse!
So if your Cat is catting older and doesn’t seem to be as active or playful anymore, it could simply be because they are getting older. Cats over the age of 10 should be considered elderly, so if you notice any changes in their behavior, it’s time for a trip to the vets – don’t put off seeking veterinary assistance if there is something wrong.