Domestic cats benefit children's development. Here's how.

The words are not mine but those of a AI computer which has searched the internet and come up with some reasons why domestic cats benefit children's development. I am happy to use AI as the bot searches the internet more thoroughly than me. It is a very politically correct text. I'd be more down to earth and less polite but perhaps readers like super-polite, politically correct articles.

This excellent picture was also created by AI. Superb isn't it?!

Cats can have a remarkable impact on children’s development. Let’s explore some of the ways in which our feline friends contribute to young minds:

1. Promoting Responsibility: Convincing a cat to participate in human schemes, like wearing a hat, involves negotiation skills not even diplomats possess. Children learn responsibility by caring for their feline companions, feeding them, and ensuring they receive playtime and exercise.

2. Emotional Intelligence: Cats don’t hide their feelings, especially when displeased. Observing their moods and understanding their cues helps children develop emotional intelligence. The soothing purrs and calming presence of a cat can also alleviate stress and anxiety.

3. Stress Reduction: Ever tried to stay stressed while a cat purrs on your lap? It’s nearly impossible! The gentle vibrations of a cat’s purr can be incredibly soothing and comforting for children, reducing stress levels.

4. Empathy and Social Skills: Caring for a pet teaches children empathy and compassion. They learn to recognize and respond to their feline companions’ needs, fostering emotional bonds and understanding that someone else’s perspective might be different from their own.

5. Physical Health: Growing up with pets may help build a child’s immune system. Studies suggest that kids who share their lives with animals are less likely to develop allergies or asthma as they grow older.

So, whether it’s cuddling with a purring cat or learning to scoop out the litter box, these experiences shape children’s development in meaningful ways. Cats provide companionship, emotional support, and valuable life lessons for kids of all ages. 🐾🌟

What about dogs? Do they have similar benefits?

Certainly! Dogs also offer a wealth of benefits for children’s development. Let’s explore how our canine companions positively impact young minds:

1. Companionship and Unconditional Love: Dogs are loyal friends who provide unwavering companionship. Their unconditional love and acceptance can boost a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.

2. Physical Activity: Dogs encourage physical activity. Whether it’s playing fetch, going for walks, or simply running around the yard, kids stay active and healthy while bonding with their furry pals.

3. Responsibility and Routine: Caring for a dog involves feeding, grooming, and regular exercise. Children learn responsibility, time management, and the importance of consistency.

4. Social Skills: Walking a dog often leads to interactions with other dog owners and neighbors. Kids learn social skills, empathy, and how to communicate effectively.

5. Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Petting a dog can lower stress hormones and elevate mood. The rhythmic motion of stroking a dog’s fur has a calming effect.

6. Learning Empathy: Understanding a dog’s needs and emotions fosters empathy. Children learn to recognize non-verbal cues and respond appropriately.

7. Safety and Security: Dogs provide a sense of security. Their protective instincts can make children feel safer at home.

In summary, both cats and dogs contribute significantly to a child’s development. Whether it’s a playful kitten or a loyal dog, these furry companions enrich kids’ lives in countless ways. 🐾❤️

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Are bicolor cats rare, friendly, hypoallergenic?

Tuxedo cats are bicolor cats. This is my darling deceased female. Image: MikeB

Bicolor cats are cats with a coat of two (as in 'bi') colors: white and another colour such as black or ginger. And the 'other colour' can have tabby markings. 

They can be moggies (random-bred cats) or purebred, pedigree cats. It does not matter which. They are common and therefore not rare. Neither are they hypoallergenic but they are friendly if they've been socialised properly and treated well.

No domestic cat is hypoallergenic as the Fel D1 allergen is produced by all domestic cats. Purina LiveClear works pretty well to make a cat acceptable to a person allergic to cats.

'Hypoallergenic' means not producing an allergic reaction in people. About 10% of people are allergic to cats.

The white fur in bicolor cats is caused by the presence of the piebald aka white spotting gene, which affects the migration of pigment producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin during the development of the embryo. 

Where there are no melanocytes there is no melanin in the hair strands. White fur does not contain pigment namely melanin.

It is white because the light from sun or room light passes through it. White light is a mixture of all the colours of the rainbow.

Melanin is a brown/black. If it is diluted, black becomes blue grey and red becomes cream and so on.

The experts rate bicolor cats from 1 to 10 depending on the amount of white fur. Level 1 is black and no white fur while level 10 is all-white. The cat in the picture is about level 4.

If you have a question, ask in a comment and I'll be pleased to respond. I always check comments as I get so few! :)

Level 9 bicolor Cornish Rex. Image in the public domain.

He’s 60 years old in cat years but clings to me like a new born child. Why?

A Reddit.com user, Faris-Hilton said: "He’s 60 years old in cat years but clings to me like a new born child". Why is this? The man was impliedly asking a question. It appears that he couldn't understand why. I think I know why. And I am using the knowledge of Dr. Desmond Morris a world-famous zoologist and animal behaviourist. 

His theory, and I totally agree with him, is that we keep adult domestic cats in a state of mind where they believe that they are kittens for the simple reason that we provide all their needs. We are their surrogate mothers. This suspends their growth in terms of their mentality. It doesn't stop them developing as adults but it is suspended until they bring home a mouse at which point, they believe that we are their kitten and they need to train us how to kill a mouse.

Reddit user Faris-Hilton says his middle-aged cat is 60 in cat years but a child in his behavior. Photo: Faris-Hilton.

This might not happen every time but in the wild, the wildcat trains her kittens by bringing home prey animals which are still living. She might kill them in front of the kittens to teach them how to kill. Eventually they follow her outside the den to watch her preying on animals. In due course they become independent.

It would seem, therefore, that domestic cats can flick a switch from being a kitten to being a mother and in their minds, we can be the mother and a kitten. But to get back to this gentleman. He says his cat is 60 years old in cat years but behaves like a kid, in his mind he is a 60-year-old kid 😂.

There is another reason why he clings to him like a kid. He loves to be near him and in contact with him. Cats like to physically connect with their caregiver and other animals with whom they are friendly. Just like humans. It is a natural consequence of a close relationship. And it emotionally and phyisically warm.

Dickkopf 4 (Dkk4) gene vital to the process of creating cat fur patterns

The research results report is impenetrable for the average layperson. I would politely ask the scientists to provide a second write-up of their research in straightforward English so the general public can understand it. Thanks in advance. This is important research which is central to understanding one of the most important features of domestic cats: the appearance of their coat. It is the most important aspect of the cat's appearance. Please tell us how it works in plain English. I am sure that even the science journalists struggle with the scientists' write-up.

Dickkopf 4 (Dkk4) gene vital to the process of creating cat fur patterns. Image: The researchers.

One of the scientists involved, Dr. Gregory S. Barsh. said to The New York Times:

"We think this is really the first glimpse into what the molecules (involved in pattern development) might be".

They carried out the research at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.

The research identified a gene they have called Dickkopf (Dkk4) as the centre of the process of cat coat pattern development.

"The secreted Wnt inhibitor encoded by Dickkopf 4 plays a central role in this process, and is mutated in cats with the Ticked pattern type".

They analysed skin samples from non-viable cat embryos for the study. Note: they made that clear I guess to avoid criticism of animal testing. Good. It shows a sensitivity towards the immorality of animal testing.

They used the embryos to explore the genetics behind a wide range of cat coat patterns. The original pattern for the domestic cat is the mackerel tabby (my comment) as it comes from the North African wildcat, the domestic cat's wild ancestor. All tabby cats have the famous M mark on their forehead, sometimes almost invisible.

Associated: Why are tabby cats so common?

At birth all cats have developed their coat type that they'll have for their lives.

Image: the researchers.

The gene Dkk4, as it changes in the embryo, dictates the pattern. They found that this 'signalling molecule' is behind all the coat appearance of a range of animals including cheetahs, tigers, leopards and the domestic cat.

Associated page: Cat coats tabby.

Differences in the expression of the molecule during the development of the embryo produces the variety of coat patterns during later hair growth.

When do domestic cats stop growing?

Domestic cats probably stop growing at around 3 years old. Disappointingly, I have to admit, my reference books on the subject of when domestic cats stop growing are short of information. It is a topic which has been overlooked or perhaps the authors regard it as unimportant. It is believed that the domestic cat's wild cat ancestor, the North African wildcat, are nearly adult in size at about 10 months of age.

Young cat entering the last phase of their growth to adulthood.
Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay.

My observation of my cat, who I raised from a 7-week-old kitten, is that domestic cats stop growing at around 18 months old. But that is a very generalised answer. Frequently, I read online that the purebred cat, the Maine Coon, does not become an adult until they are 4 years old.

And the tiger, yes, I'm referring to the wild tiger, is still putting on muscle at 5 years of age. I'm being very imprecise but perhaps we have to be imprecise because although domestic cats visually stop growing at about 12 months to 18 months of age, they may still be developing and changing towards completed adulthood over the next few years.

So perhaps a better answer is that domestic cats stop growing completely, probably, at around 3 years of age but depending upon whether they are random bred or one of the purebred cat such as the Maine Coon, which I have mentioned.

I notice that the North African wildcat remains in their natal area until they are about a year old which is the age when sexual activity has been observed in captive cats. This means that when the domestic cat's wild cat ancestor leaves their mother's home and becomes independent they are around 1 year of age. That would indicate that they are adult at that age or nearly adult and certainly able to behave independently and survive.

Humans stop growing at about 20% of their lifespan. Domestic cats stop growing at about 17% of their lifespan if we say that they stop growing at the age of 3 and live to the age of 18.