Anesthesia is a word that tends to inspire uneasiness and fear in many people. In actuality, though, anesthesia is an indispensable tool in veterinary medicine (and human medicine, as well!). It is required for the painless performance of many important procedures, including surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and restraint. There are basically two types of anesthetics that … Read more
A 21st-century phenomenon is the proliferation of cat photos and videos on the internet. What began as a craze for posting clips of bizarre and amusing cats has, for a few, turned into big business, especially in the United States. Certain videos went viral, and cats with particularly striking features—as well as one with a … Read more
Elegant, powerful, and elusive, wildcats can be large and may roar like a lion, or small and purr like a domestic cat. They are superb hunters, adapted to be as successful living in a dry sandy desert as they are in a dense tropical forest. Cats are predatory hunters belonging to the order Carnivora. They … Read more
The origins of today’s domestic cat extend back some 10 million years to wildcat ancestors. Feline evolution proves complex, however, with domestication taking place in multiple early societies. Tracing genetic and archaeological clues shed light on the nature of our modern felines’ early progenitors. Exploring the legacy of these fierce hunters allows cat owners better … Read more
Among carnivores, the cat family Felidae are the most accomplished killers and are highly specialized anatomically for this purpose. Some species are capable of killing prey larger than themselves. The big cats, or pantherine branch—large, impressive, fast, and ferocious—appeared at least 10.8 million years ago. Later branches gave rise first to the bay cat group … Read more
Oh, cats! Those sassy whiskers, soft paws, and the way they blink slowly at you like you’re the center of their universe (until the treat bag crinkles, of course). Whether you’re a long-time cat parent or just cat-curious, there’s something magical about these independent yet cuddly creatures. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything about … Read more