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Grooming
Cats are known for spending considerable amounts of time licking their coats to keep them clean.[120][121]
The cat's tongue has backward-facing spines about 0.5 millimeter long, called lingual papillae, which contain
keratin making them rigid.[122] The papillae act like a hairbrush, and some cats, particularly long-haired
cats, occasionally regurgitate sausage-shaped 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long hairballs of fur that have collected in
their stomachs from grooming. Hairballs can be prevented with remedies that ease elimination of the hair
Cat tongue through the gut, and regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush.[120]
Cat intelligence
Cat intelligence refers to a cat's ability to solve problems, adapt to its environment, learn new behaviors, and
communicate its needs. Structurally, a cat's brain shares similarities with the human brain,[123] containing
around 250 million neurons in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for complex processing.[124] Cats
display neuroplasticity allowing their brains to reorganize based on experiences. They have well-developed
memory retaining information for a decade or longer. These memories are often intertwined with emotions,
allowing cats to recall both positive and negative experiences associated with specific places.[125] While they
excel in observational learning and problem-solving, studies concludes that they struggle with understanding
cause-and-effect relationships in the same way that humans do.[126][127]
Cat intelligence study is mostly from consideration of the domesticated cat. Living in urban environments has
exposed them to challenges that require adaptive behaviors, contributing to cognitive development.[128]
Selective breeding and genetic changes have further influenced their intelligence.[129][130] Kittens learn
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essential survival skills by observing their mothers, while adult cats refine their abilities through trial and
error. Cat uses problem-
solving skills to
Play open door
Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of play. This behavior mimics hunting and is
important in helping kittens learn to stalk, capture, and kill prey.[131] Cats also engage in play fighting, both with each other and with
humans. This behavior may be a way for cats to practice the skills needed for real combat, and it might also reduce the fear that they
associate with launching attacks on other animals.[132]
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Cats also tend to play with toys more when they are hungry.[133] Owing to the close similarity
between play and hunting, cats prefer to play with objects that resemble prey, such as small furry
toys that move rapidly, but rapidly lose interest. They become habituated to a toy they have played
with before.[134] String is often used as a toy, but if it is eaten, it can become caught at the base of
the cat's tongue and then move into the intestines, a medical emergency which can cause serious
illness, even death.[135]
Kittens aged 14 weeks use
Hunting and feeding fighting as a form of play.
The shape and structure of cats' cheeks is insufficient to allow them to take in liquids using suction.
Lapping at a rate of four times a second, the cat touches the smooth tip of its tongue to the surface
of the water, and quickly retracts it like a corkscrew, drawing water upward into their
mouths.[136][137]
Feral cats and free-fed house cats consume several small meals in a day. The frequency and size of
meals varies between individuals. They select food based on its temperature, smell, and texture;
they dislike chilled foods and respond most strongly to moist foods rich in amino acids, which are
similar to meat. Cats reject novel flavors (a response termed neophobia) and learn quickly to avoid
foods that have tasted unpleasant in the past.[101][138] It is also a common misconception that all
cats like milk or cream, as they tend to avoid sweet food and milk. Most adult cats are lactose
intolerant; the sugar in milk is not easily digested and may cause soft stools or diarrhea.[139] Some
also develop odd eating habits and like to eat or chew on things such as wool, plastic, cables, paper,
string, aluminum foil, or even coal. This condition, pica, can threaten their health, depending on A deermouse is the prey of
this domestic cat.
the amount and toxicity of the items eaten.[140]
Cats hunt small prey, primarily birds and rodents,[141] and are often used as a form of pest control.[142][143] Other common small
creatures, such as lizards and snakes, may also become prey.[144] Cats use two hunting strategies, either stalking prey actively, or
waiting in ambush until an animal comes close enough to be captured.[145] The strategy used depends on available prey, with cats
waiting in ambush outside burrows, but tending to actively stalk birds.[146]: 153 Domestic cats are a major predator of wildlife in the
United States, killing an estimated 1.3 to 4.0 billion birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion mammals annually.[147]
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Certain species appear more susceptible than others; in one English village, for example, 30% of house sparrow mortality was linked to
the domestic cat.[148] In the recovery of ringed robins (Erithacus rubecula) and dunnocks (Prunella modularis) in Britain, 31% of
deaths were a result of cat predation.[149] In parts of North America, the presence of larger carnivores such as coyotes, which prey on
cats and other small predators, reduces the effect of predation by cats and other small predators such as opossums and raccoons on bird
numbers and variety.[150]
Another poorly understood element of cat hunting behavior is the presentation of prey to human guardians. One explanation is that cats
adopt humans into their social group and share excess kill with others in the group according to the dominance hierarchy, in which
humans are reacted to as if they are at or near the top.[151] Another explanation is that they attempt to teach their guardians to hunt or
to help their human as if feeding "an elderly cat, or an inept kitten".[152] This hypothesis is inconsistent with the fact that male cats also
bring home prey, though males have negligible involvement in raising kittens.[146]: 153
Fighting
Domestic males are more likely to fight than females.[153] The most common reason for feral cat
fighting is competition between two males to mate with a female, and most fights are won by the
heavier male.[154] Another common reason for fighting in domestic cats is the difficulty of
establishing territories within a small home.[153] Female cats also fight over territory or to defend
their kittens. Neutering decreases or eliminates this behavior in many cases, suggesting that the
behavior is linked to sex hormones.[155]
When cats become aggressive, they try to appear larger and more threatening by raising their fur,
arching their backs, turning sideways, hissing, or spitting.[156] Often, the ears are pointed down
and back to avoid damage to the inner ear and potentially listen for any changes behind them while This domestic cat hisses
focused forward. Cats may also vocalize loudly and bare their teeth in an effort to further intimidate and arches its back.
their opponents. Fights usually consist of grappling, slapping the face and body with the forepaws,
and bites. Cats throw themselves to the ground in a defensive posture to rake their opponent's belly with their hind legs.[157]
Serious damage is rare, because the fights are usually short, with the loser fleeing with scratches to the face and ears. More severe fights
for mating rights may give deep punctures and lacerations. Normally, serious injuries from fighting are limited to infections from
scratches and bites. Bites are probably the main route of transmission of the feline immunodeficiency virus.[158] Sexually active males
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