The Eye of a Cat: Are Cats Colorblind?

I've often been asked if cats can see color. In truth, this is a difficult question to answer with certainty. Asking a cat is only likely to get you a blank stare. And in all honesty, it doesn't really matter. Cats are hunters, so brightness is more important to their vision than color. They have to be able to see movement and texture. While hunting, color is of little use.

However, an answer to the question of colorblindness and cats can be divined by studying the construction of a cat's eye. The retina is the nerve center at the back of the eye. This retina is composed of cells called cones and rods. Cones are responsible for converting light into color. Rods are responsible for black and white. In the eye of a cat, rods greatly outnumber cones, which is why cats are generally considered to be colorblind.

It's important to note, however, that a cat still has cones. So it is possible, even likely, that a cat can see color. But the number of cones is limited, so your cat probably can't see shades of red. Blues, certainly, and probably greens and yellows.

But your cat doesn't need to see very many colors. Your cat has another advantage. He can see even in the dimmest of lights. Take a look at the eyes of your cat and you'll see why. He can open his eyes wider than you can and his pupil expands to full almost the entire eye, letting as much light in as possible. So hunting in the dark is no trouble for your cat.

In scientific terms, your cat's retinas allow him to see in about one-sixth of the light you need to see clearly. Objects at night appear six times brighter to him than you do to you. And the added rods allow him to detect minute movement, which is only beneficial when hunting.

So, your cat can't see all the colors you can. But he can see some colors and his vision is sharper than yours. It's a trade-off. Less color means more visual acuity. And a cat needs all the visual acuity he can get.

Eliminating Stains and Odors Caused by Cats

When you have pets, you have the occasional stain and odor. It's to be expected. With cats, you could have anything from urine, diarrhea, vomit, and hairballs. Especially hairballs. And all of these things leave stains and odors that we all wish we could get rid of. The stains are especially frustrating, since they always seem to occur in the worse possible locations. I recently had to eliminate a vomit stain from the middle of my light-colored carpet. Not pretty, and not easy to get out.

There are several problems when  it comes to removing pet stains and the odors that accompany them. The first is time. In order to remove a pet stain completely, you have to get to it quickly. So don't wait until tomorrow to tackle that stain. The second problem is the odor. Not only is a lingering odor unpleasant, but if there is any odor left and the stain is cat urine, your cat will probably return to that same area and soil it all over again. Finally, the product you use to remove the stain and odor must be non-toxic and safe for cats. Otherwise, your cat might become ill from the cleaner.

Taking all these things into consideration, you'll have to select the product you'd like to use to remove pet stains. You'll want to have this on hand at all times so you don't risk having a stain set or discolor the area before you can get to it. Personally, I recommend Fizzion. Fizzion is a revolutionary product, removing stains and odors completely. It even works on stains that are years old. It certainly got the old stains out of my silver carpet.

But the best thing about Fizzion is that it works on all pet stains. Vomit, urine, you name it, Fizzion can handle it. At least, it has around here. There are other products on the market as well, usually available at your local pet store. Avoid grocery store brands. They're not as good as what your pet store or vet carries.

Whichever product you choose, make sure you tackle those stains your cat left immediately and thoroughly.

Tips on Selecting a Show Cat

Though some people prefer a male or female cat for a pet, either sex will make a delightful companion with enough love and attention. Those planning to breed or show cats, however, must be a little more selective. Selecting a show cat is more complicated, time consuming, and expensive than purchasing a pet kitten.

Those inexperienced with show cats sometimes believe that just because a kitten can be registered, it can be shown. This may be true, but there is a fundamental difference between purchasing a show kitten and purchasing a kitten that can be shown. Even a kitten that is said to be show-quality, and is sold at a show-quality price, may not be good enough to be shown with any degree of success.

If you are seriously interested in purchasing a show cat with the potential to win, consider a young adult or older kitten, rather than a newborn. Some breeders will show their kittens, and then later sell them, so you might be able to get a kitten with a win or two on its résumé. If you don’t mind missing the pleasure of watching your kitten grow into a cat, then an older kitten or young adult cat might be a better choice than an untried kitten. Be aware that you will likely pay more for a kitten that has shown a potential for winning in the show ring.

Whether you want a kitten or an older cat, you should wait until a kitten is more than twelve weeks old before committing to buy. Kittens can change overnight, and no breeder can guarantee anything at only three months old. Regardless of what the breeder might tell you, a kitten that is six months old is less likely to change unexpectedly.

Before purchasing a show kitten, do your research. Visit shows, talk to breeders who work with the breed you’re interested in, watch that breed being judged, and make sure to sit through several finals in order to see what the show-winning representatives of that breed look like. Consult the breed Standard, as provided by the association with whom the kitten will be registered, and take that Standard with you when looking at kittens. Ask the breeder to show you where the kitten meets that Standard, and where it might fall short.

Remember that kittens are a genetic product of their parents, and their parents before them. Ask to see the pedigree of the kitten you’re considering, then look up each ancestor. Study the titles and awards the cats have won, especially in the first two generations. Cats without titles were either not shown or did not do well. If they were not shown, make sure you know why. A kitten with no champion or ‘grand’ in its pedigree might not be the best investment.

Beware of too much inbreeding. If your kitten was inbred (as can be discovered by studying the pedigree), check out any littermates of your potential kitten. Also ask to see pictures of any previous kittens from the breeding. If any of these kittens had abnormalities, then you should probably consider another litter.

Buying a show cat takes effort and a little investigation. Buy a kitten with an impressive pedigree, a pedigree that is stronger than either of its parents’ pedigrees taken alone, and you will not only obtain a quality show kitten, but you will assist in the enhancement of the breed.

Best Cat Shampoos

Cats, like most other pets, need to be kept clean and healthy. One of the best ways to keep your cat clean is to give it a regular bath. To do this, you’ll need a pet shampoo. You can walk into most supermarkets and purchase a generic pet shampoo, but it probably won’t be the best, and it may be formulated for dogs and not intended for cats at all. Instead of purchasing whatever you find, take a moment to review three of the best cat shampoos on the market and choose one that will work for you and your cat.

Clean Cat Shampoo with Chamomile

Some cats truly hate water, which means they hate bathing. If you’re unfortunate enough to have one of these cats living in your home, you might want to try Clean Cat Shampoo. This unique blend contains several ingredients that may calm your cat, including chamomile, nettle, and just a little catnip. This can result in a more pleasurable bathing experience for your feline companion. It is also a shampoo that promotes and protects the natural oils found on cats, keeping your cat healthy and happy. In addition, its natural ingredients are perfectly safe for your cat and the environment.

Earthbath for Cats

Most cat shampoos should not be used on kittens under six months of age. Earthbath is safe for any cat over the age of six weeks, which makes it ideal for bathing your new kitten. This completely natural shampoo is biodegradable and only uses ingredients that are proven safe for both cats and kittens. Some of these ingredients include: Vitamin E, cherry essence, aloe vera, purified water, and some coconut cleansers. These ingredients help the shampoo to achieve a pH balance suitable for a cat’s delicate fur. It also lathers easily, reducing scrubbing and even the time your cat will have to spend in the bath (a plus for cats who hate water!). Earthbath is environmentally friendly and does not contain harsh chemicals.

Four Paws Organic Citrus Shampoo

For cats that have itchy skin or smell bad, try Four Paws Organic Citrus Shampoo. Its natural ingredients will help soothe skin that has been irritated by fleas, ticks, mites, or other insects. However, it is not a treatment for these things. But it can be used to treat the rashes or inflammation that results from these infestations after treatment has been administered. It is also a good treatment for dry skin, and its sweet citrus scent can leave your smelly cat with a light and delightful fragrance.

Remember to never use human or dog shampoo on your cat. A shampoo designed for cats will protect the fur and skin, promote good health, and make your cat truly shine. Proper bathing will also help your cat remain free of mats and tangles and reduce itching. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to bathe your cat every day. They are generally very clean animals, so bathing every two to three weeks is probably sufficient unless your cat tends to get dirty more often than this. Regardless of how often you bath your cat, choose the product that best suits your needs and the needs of your cat.