A cat's tail is an indication of its moods. A tail swishing from side to side indicates anger, discomfort and frustration. A tail held high up means it is happy. A puffed up tail, arched back, fur standing on end, dilated pupils are signs of fear or that the cat is trying to scare someone. Using its wide array of facial expressions, vocal signals and body language, it can make itself fully understood. Even the ordinary "meow" has a variety of inflections and meanings. The high pitched throaty one indicates that it has caught a prey, the loud hiss accompanied by a deep growl is a sign of annoyance, but best of all is the rich purr. When your cat is comfortable, happy and secure he purrs softly to himself, an indication that you have been a good parent to him.

The cat has some unique features. The eyes are large and round and most identical to the human eye except for the eyelid or "nictitating membrane" located under the eyelid which slides diagonally across the eyeball giving additional protection to the eye. Cats have an extra layer of light reflecting cells at the back of the retina which captures every available bit of light and helps it see in the dark. But cats are colour blind inspite of their superior vision. The long luxuriant whiskers help the cat to feel its way in the dark. The whiskers are sensitive organs of touch and must never be trimmed. Did you know the distance that the whiskers stick out on each side of the cat's body. The cat therefore knows that where its whiskers can pass, each side of the cat's body can easily follow! The nose pad of the cat is ridged with an unique pattern something akin to human fingerprints.

Cats spend a major portion of the day grooming themselves. Cats lick their fur to keep themselves clean and it is inevitable that they swallow a portion of their fur. This fur collects in a matted mass in their stomachs which they vomit at times. You can help in grooming by giving your cat a daily brushing with a soft bristled brush.

Administering medicines to the cat is one of the problems faced by cat owners. The procedure is quite simple. With one hand, grasp the cat's head firmly, the palm of your hand on top of its head. Gently force the mouth open using the thumb and the other fingers at each side of the mouth. Lift the head and tilt it back. Put the medicine n the tongue as far as possible, close the mouth and hold it shut for a few seconds gently stroking the throat to help it swallow. Follow the procedure very carefully to avoid choking.

The cat's skeleton is a masterpiece of engineering and this is what gives the cat its graceful walk and unique gymnastic abilities. Tough and flexible neck and shoulder muscles enable it to turn its head in about all directions, like an owl. The cat is an expert climber due to its strong hind quarters muscles. The unique retractile claws enable it to get a good grip while climbing. When not in use the claws are drawn back into the paws by the ligaments attached to the toes. The saying "to land on all four feet like a cat" arose due to the highly developed sense of balance of the cat. A falling cat just brings its head upright by using the balance organ present in its inner ear to check its position. It then rotates and twists its body in such a manner that the forelegs and hind legs point towards the ground. Using its tail as a counter balance it then attempts the soft four footed landing we all know so well.

The cat has unique nutritional requirements which need to be taken care of. The cat is a strict carnivore and needs a higher level of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals than the dog. Alternate between different varieties of food so that the animal gets all the required nutrients. Clean drinking water must always be available.

Toilet training a cat is very easy. When your cat starts searching for a place to relieve itself, specially after a meal, pick it up and sit it outdoors or place it in the litter tray. The litter tray filled with clean sand. The cat will automatically pick up the habit of relieving itself only outside or in the litter tray. Remember to change the sand regularly.

A cat offers much to people and seems to have more to teach us than it needs to learn from us. It is independent yet affectionate. Its refusal to be totally subjugated by man, only enhances its image of intelligence. There is little that one could want of a pet that a cat does not offer and is the best possible offer. Being very observant and highly sensitive, the cat is a quick learner and an easy pet to have.