A cat is obviously not human. But if we observe the animal and follow it for a longer period of time, we must come to the conclusion that it is a great wonder what the animal can do and how he or she uses the senses optimally to make life so pleasant. possible for themselves. A cat also shows many ‘human’ traits, such as showing emotions and expressing the will with smart tactics.
The birth of kittens
When a mother cat goes into labor after a pregnancy of about 9 weeks, it is usually a litter of four kittens, as kittens are called. They are completely helpless at birth (blind and deaf) and without the mother-cat they would be doomed. Fortunately, the mother-cat has such a strong maternal instinct that she is able to successfully raise the four little kittens into young animals, who can ultimately manage well in a world that is not always friendly. is for a relatively small animal like the cat.
From kitten to adulthood
Where it takes humans 21 years to grow from baby to adult, this process takes place in about one year in cats. This is of course not surprising when we consider that there are naturally many dangers lurking, which means that the time between dependent kitten and adult, independent cat should be as short as possible.
In the first year of life it is therefore extremely important that the kitten learns all kinds of skills. In the beginning, the mother-cat plays a decisive role: she teaches the kittens to be house-trained, so that they go to the bathroom in a special place. If the cat owner lives in a flat, that place will be the litter box. She also protects the kittens against all kinds of dangers, for example by taking them to another place where they are safer. She then takes them by the scruff of the neck, so that the little ones do not resist.
When the little ones are no longer with the mother cat (after at least 7 weeks), it is very important that the new owner pays sufficient time and attention to the animal that he has taken home. In this way, the kitten can develop and grow into a full-fledged feline individual, who knows what he or she wants, and which gives the owner a lot of fun and joy.
Adulthood
If a cat is properly cared for, he or she can live to be 18-20 years old. The period of adulthood is therefore much longer than the period as a kitten. However, it is true that from about 15 to 16 years of age we have to speak of the elderly cat.
A cat living in a downstairs house with a yard will spend a lot of time outside and have all the space and play space it desires. On the other hand, a cat that lives in an upper house or in a flat will not be able to go outside, at most on a balcony, forcing the animal to spend a lot of time in the house. The owner will therefore have to come up with a number of alternatives that can serve as compensation, because a cat needs the necessary distraction if it wants to continue to experience life as pleasant. In addition to good nutrition, giving a lot of attention and love is essential for the quality of the animal’s life. In turn, we also receive a lot in return in gratitude and affection, because a cat is very well aware of the fact that his owner or mistress cares a lot about him. It is expressed in all kinds of ways that the cat is grateful for all the good it gets: It sits on your lap, it purrs, it strokes your legs, it licks your hand, fingers or sometimes even your face. And he often comes to sleep with you, as a sign of intimacy.
The elderly cat
As with humans, we also see a kind of deterioration process in the cat, although this does not become visible until quite late. When the cat has reached the age of about 15-16 years, we may still notice that certain abilities begin to decline, such as vision, hearing, maintaining balance, and retention of urine and feces. A bladder infection also occurs quite often and the appetite can decrease to such an extent that the animal practically no longer eats. This is usually a sign that it will not be too long before the end comes. It is of course very unpleasant to see that the animal no longer enjoys life and sometimes has to suffer. We usually go to the vet to give the animal an injection, which saves further suffering. But sometimes the animal itself dies in a fairly quiet way at home, so you do not have to get the feeling that you have forced death through human intervention.
In summary: A cat gives life an extra dimension and a higher quality. It’s a friend.
