Cat 3 us. Understanding USA Cycling Race Categories: A Comprehensive Guide

How do USA Cycling race categories work. What are the different levels for road, mountain, and track cycling. How can cyclists upgrade their category. What are the requirements for each category.

USA Cycling Race Categories Explained

USA Cycling, the governing body for competitive cycling in the United States, has established a categorization system to ensure fair competition among riders of similar skill levels. This system applies to various disciplines, including road racing, mountain biking, and track cycling. Understanding these categories is crucial for both newcomers and experienced cyclists alike.

What are the main cycling disciplines?

USA Cycling categorizes riders in the following main disciplines:

• Road Racing
• Mountain Biking
• Track Cycling
• Cyclocross

Each discipline has its own set of categories, reflecting the unique challenges and skills required for that specific type of cycling.

Road Racing Categories: From Novice to Elite

Road racing categories range from Category 5 (novice) to Category 1 (elite). Here’s a breakdown of each category:

Category 5 (Cat 5)

This is the entry-level category for road racers. New riders start here and must complete a certain number of mass-start races before being eligible to upgrade.

Category 4 (Cat 4)

After gaining experience in Cat 5, riders can upgrade to Cat 4. This category represents intermediate-level amateur racers.

Category 3 (Cat 3)

Cat 3 racers are considered advanced amateurs. They have demonstrated consistent performance and gained significant racing experience.

Category 2 (Cat 2)

This category is for highly skilled amateur racers who have achieved notable results in Cat 3 races.

Category 1 (Cat 1)

The highest amateur category, Cat 1 racers are elite-level cyclists who often compete against professional riders.

Mountain Biking Categories: From Beginner to Pro

Mountain biking categories differ slightly from road racing, with a focus on skill level and experience in off-road terrain.

Beginner

This category is for those new to mountain bike racing, with little to no racing experience.

Sport

Sport racers have some experience and are comfortable with more challenging terrain and longer race distances.

Expert

Expert racers possess advanced skills and can handle technical trails and demanding race conditions.

Pro

The highest category in mountain biking, reserved for professional-level riders who compete at elite events.

Track Cycling Categories: Sprinting and Endurance

Track cycling categories are similar to road racing but with some unique aspects due to the specialized nature of velodrome racing.

Are track cycling categories the same as road categories?

While track cycling uses a similar 1-5 category system, the upgrade process and requirements can differ. Track cycling also distinguishes between sprint and endurance events, with riders potentially holding different categories for each discipline.

Upgrading Categories: How to Move Up the Ranks

Upgrading from one category to another is a goal for many competitive cyclists. The process involves meeting specific criteria set by USA Cycling.

What are the upgrade requirements for road cycling?

Upgrade requirements typically include:

• Accumulating a certain number of points based on race results
• Completing a minimum number of races in the current category
• Demonstrating consistent performance and safe racing practices

For example, to upgrade from Cat 5 to Cat 4, a rider must typically complete 10 mass-start races. Higher category upgrades often require a combination of points and race experience.

How do mountain bike category upgrades work?

Mountain bike category upgrades are often based on:

• Race results and placings
• Consistency of performance
• Recommendations from race officials or coaches

Riders may request an upgrade when they consistently finish in the top positions of their current category.

The Importance of Categories in Competitive Cycling

Understanding and progressing through cycling categories is crucial for several reasons:

Why are cycling categories important?

Cycling categories serve multiple purposes:

1. Ensuring fair competition by grouping riders of similar abilities
2. Providing a clear pathway for progression in the sport
3. Helping event organizers structure races and determine prize allocations
4. Allowing cyclists to set realistic goals and measure their improvement

Specialized Categories and Events

Beyond the standard categories, USA Cycling also recognizes specialized categories for certain events and demographics.

What are some specialized cycling categories?

Specialized categories include:

• Masters: Age-based categories for older cyclists
• Juniors: Categories for young riders, often divided by age groups
• Collegiate: Categories for college and university students
• Para-cycling: Categories for cyclists with physical disabilities

These categories ensure that cyclists can compete against peers with similar physical attributes and life circumstances.

The Role of USA Cycling in Category Management

USA Cycling plays a crucial role in managing and enforcing the category system across all cycling disciplines.

How does USA Cycling oversee the category system?

USA Cycling’s responsibilities include:

• Setting and updating category criteria and upgrade requirements
• Maintaining rider category records
• Processing upgrade requests and appeals
• Ensuring compliance with category rules at sanctioned events

This oversight helps maintain the integrity of the competitive cycling system and provides a structured environment for riders to develop their skills and advance their careers.

Understanding USA Cycling race categories is essential for anyone involved in competitive cycling, whether as a participant, coach, or spectator. The system provides a clear progression path for cyclists, from beginners to elite-level competitors, ensuring fair and exciting races across all disciplines. As riders accumulate experience and improve their skills, they can move up through the categories, facing new challenges and opportunities along the way. This structured approach not only enhances the competitive aspect of the sport but also contributes to the overall development and safety of cycling events in the United States.

Category I/II/III ILS Information

The following documents are continually revised and contain multiple sections, to simplify presentation of material. These status lists are available for aviation users in order to denote qualified U.S. airports and runways for Category I (CAT I), Category II (CAT II) and Category III (CAT III) Instrument Landing System (ILS) operations. The lists also contain information for foreign CAT II and CAT III airports and runways approved for U.S. air carriers.

The Restricted U.S. facility list and foreign CAT 2-3 airport list still “require prior Flight Technologies and Procedures Division’s approval” and must be listed on this website before U.S. air carriers can be authorized the operation. Once listed, and upon completion of autoland demonstrations as described in AC 120-118, Principal Operations Inspectors may approve their operator via Operations Specifications, Management Specifications, or Letter of Authorization.

SA CAT I/II and CAT II/III Checklists – Order 8400.13

Order 8400.13F contains the ground equipment requirements for Special Authorization CAT I (SA CAT I) approaches, Special Authorization CAT II (SA CAT II), and Standard CAT II/III approaches. SA CAT II and standard CAT II/III checklists must be completed and submitted to the responsible Flight Standards office to authorize a new SA CAT II or standard CAT II/III procedure at any runway. SA CAT I procedures require Flight Operations Group and the responsible Flight Standards office agreement, and should be submitted to the appropriate flight procedures office.

SA CAT I requires the use of HUD to DH, and is authorized via selectable text in OpSpec/MSpec/LOA C052 (LOA C060 for part 91 operators). SA CAT II requires the use of autoland or HUD to touchdown, and is authorized via selectable text in OpSpec/MSpec/LOA C060. CAT II operations are authorized by OpSpec/MSpec/LOA C060, and standard CAT III operations are authorized via OpSpec/MSpec/LOA C060. Direct all inquiries to the Flight Operations Group at (202) 267-8795.

• Special Authorization CAT I Checklists:
• Special Authorization CAT II Checklists:
• Standard CAT II/III Checklists

Page last modified: April 29, 2021 9:17:11 AM EDT

25 Pair Telephone Cable Cat 3 CMP/Plenum White – 100% US Made (per foot)

25 Pair Category 3 Plenum Rated Cable

Cat3 Plenum 25 Pair Cable is ideal for voice applications and is commonly used for telephony purposes. It has fewer twists then Cat5e which makes it easier to work with when punching it down. It also has no spinal divider like the Cat6 cable does. Cat3 plenum is mandatory to use where a plenum fire rating is required. It has a Teflon jacket rather than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and gives off less toxic fumes in a fire. Our Cat3w Plenum cable is American made and of a much higher quality then some of the imported cable that’s available online.

This made in the USA cable will qualify for all product-origin specific United States Federal Government sales requirements.

What is plenum cable?

The plenum is hidden space within a building which is used for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and to run cables. Plenum space is normally above a suspended ceiling or under a raised floor. Buildings without plenum spaces will have cabling and HVAC ducts within plain view. The plenum space is normally used to accommodate the communications wires for the building’s computer and telephone network. Recent studies have shown that wiring and cabling within the plenum space could be dangerous and be exposed to fire/burning possibilities.

Through our many manufacturer contacts we have access to other types of 25 pair telephone cable that are not listed on this website. There are too many part numbers to list, but we can get you almost any type of indoor or outdoor 25 pair telephone cable as well as 25 pair data cable, from direct burial gel-filled, direct burial non gel-filled, aerial cable with and without support wire, PE89, PE22, PE38, armored cables, various conductor sizes from 19 gauge to 24 gauge, as well as Cat 5 25 pair in various constructions. Most all of this can be cut to length to suit your needs. For more information and pricing on any of these email us at [email protected]

When you order your 25 pair telephone cable and other items from Discount-Low-Voltage.com, you’re benefiting from our combined 20+ years of vendor relationships, so you will be rewarded with great pricing and service on high quality products.

How do the USA Cycling Race Categories Work?

You may hear a cyclist you know boast about being a “Cat. 3 road racer” or a “Cat. 2 mountain biker.”

So, is that good? And how exactly did he get to that level?

The USA Cycling rider categories are a little complex to outsiders. But the No. 1 thing to remember is that the lower the number, the more proficient and experienced a rider is.

For road and track racing, the grouping starts at Cat. 5 and work up to Cat. 1 in men’s racing, and starts at Cat. 4 and work up to Cat. 1 in women’s racing. Cyclocross racers start at Cat. 4 and work up, and mountain bike racers start at Cat. 3 and work up.

More: 5 Ways to Prevent Muscle Cramps in a Cycling Race

Here’s a breakdown of each type a rider and an overview of how they can work their way toward Cat. 1:

Road Racing

All men start at Category 5 and all women start at Cat. 4. For the men to move up to Cat. 4, the most traveled route is to complete 10 massed-start races permitted by USA Cycling. The races must be at least 15 miles long if it’s a road race and 10 miles long if it’s a criterium.

Once a rider is Cat. 4, the upgrades start to blend experience and performance, while the race-length minimums increase. To move from Cat. 4 to Cat. 3, a rider can do either of the following:

• Compete in 25 qualifying races with a minimum of 10 top-10 finishes with fields of 30 or more riders, or 20 pack finishes with fields of more than 50 riders.
• Compile 20 upgrade points in a 12-month period. Points are awarded based on a chart. For example, finishing third place in a road race with 35 starters earns you 5 points. Finishing second in a criterium with 17 starters nets you 3 points. (Complete charts can be found in the USA Cycling Rule Book).

To move up from Cat. 3 to Cat. 2 requires 25 points in any 12-month period. Moving from Cat. 2 to Cat. 1 requires 30 points in a 12-month period. Once you’re looking to upgrade to Cat. 2, sanctioned stage races can earn you points.

Attending a USA Cycling Development Camp is also a way to earn upgrade points toward any category except Cat. 1.

More: Race Strategies for Breaking Away

Policy VIII: Race Category Upgrading

What is the Novice category?

The Novice category replaces what was the lowest numerical category in each disciplines. Road 5, Cyclocross 5, Track 5, MTB 3.

The Novice category replaces what was the lowest numerical category in each disciplines. Road 5, Cyclocross 5, Track 5, MTB 3.

Why change the name?

The Novice category is an indicator for new riders that this is where they should start.

The Novice category is an indicator for new riders that this is where they should start.

What changes about the Novice category and how is it different that the old numerical category?

For the present, the old numerical category and new Novice designation are completely interchangeable. This includes any policies or regulations that apply to races or race directors. As an example, someone who has a Cat. 5 and is now a Novice will compete in the same races and under the same policies and regulations whether the event is labeled Novice or Cat. 5

For the present, the old numerical category and new Novice designation are completely interchangeable. This includes any policies or regulations that apply to races or race directors. As an example, someone who has a Cat. 5 and is now a Novice will compete in the same races and under the same policies and regulations whether the event is labeled Novice or Cat. 5

I am a Race Director and my race is for Cat. 5 – do I need to change the name?

No. Understanding that this is a rolling change the categories will be interchangeable for the near term. USAC is suggesting that events change the designation when permitting and creating event announcements and will be requiring this in the future.

Example

Cat. 5 Road Race  is now  Novice Road Race

Cat. 4/5 CX Race  is now  Cat. 4/Novice CX Race

No. Understanding that this is a rolling change the categories will be interchangeable for the near term. USAC is suggesting that events change the designation when permitting and creating event announcements and will be requiring this in the future.

Example

Cat. 5 Road Race  is now  Novice Road Race

Cat. 4/5 CX Race  is now  Cat. 4/Novice CX Race

I am a Race Director, is there anything different I need to do for the Novice category?

There are no current regulatory changes. However organizers are encouraged to provide a race experience catered around welcoming new race participants. 

There are no current regulatory changes. However organizers are encouraged to provide a race experience catered around welcoming new race participants. 

I am a rider and my license says Cat. 5 – do I need a new one?

No. The lowest category number designation in a category is completely interchangeable as part of this rolling change. Eligible categories on electronic licenses will be switched converted over to the new Novice designation. There is not need to obtain a new hard copy license.

No. The lowest category number designation in a category is completely interchangeable as part of this rolling change. Eligible categories on electronic licenses will be switched converted over to the new Novice designation. There is not need to obtain a new hard copy license.

Can Novices race with other categories?

Generally yes, subject to the rules that govern entries and how an event organizer creates their schedule.

Generally yes, subject to the rules that govern entries and how an event organizer creates their schedule.

Can I stay a Novice forever?

There is no requirement based on time in category, however riders who meet certain performance criteria/success in racing/participation must upgrade to the next category per USA Cycling’s upgrade policy. See the specific guidelines per discipline.

There is no requirement based on time in category, however riders who meet certain performance criteria/success in racing/participation must upgrade to the next category per USA Cycling’s upgrade policy. See the specific guidelines per discipline.

CAT 3

CAT 3 courses (six units, spring quarter) are writing and research intensive, focusing on collaboration, research, and art-making by speculating on how the relationships between culture, art, and technology will be transformed in the future. Students must have passed CAT 2 in order to enroll in CAT 3.

Course Goals

• Develop an ability to read, understand, critique, write, and make your own arguments and assumptions in texts in diverse genres including multimodal texts (such as film, television, posters, photography, and digital genres).

• Organize and support an argument effectively with useful evidence and clear analysis.

• Use the revision process consistently and effectively by clearly progressing from draft to draft and assignment to assignment.

• Understand and evaluate relevant sources.

• Cite texts and arguments fairly and effectively.

• Use sources effectively by drawing key examples from research to support arguments, creativity, and art-making.

• Develop an independent research project and understand key components of research such as literature review (and annotated bibliography), proposal process, and revision.

Spring 2021 Courses

CAT 3: Our Future Climate: A Story You Will Tell

Adam Burgasser

Professor, Physics

Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-3:20 p.

m.

Global climate change is a reality, manifesting in extreme weather events, droughts and fires, rising seas and disappearing glaciers, and massive loss of biodiversity. But a trend is not inevitability, and there are ways we can collectively “bend the curve” to shape our future climate if we are willing to make significant changes. In this course, we will collectively imagine our future in a changing world—as individuals, as cultures, and as a species—in the context of different climate change scenarios. This exploration will be anchored in the scientific literature and the consensus findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; social scientific studies of cultures and communities experiencing climate crisis, the psychology and politics of climate change; art, literature, and popular media reflecting different views of our future climate; and the social and technological challenges and opportunities that shape how we address our future climate.

CAT 3: Environmental Futures: Media, Technology, and the Future of the Planet

Phoebe Bronstein

Assistant Teaching Professor, CAT

Asynchronous lectures

This CAT 3 course will examine how popular culture—magazine/newspaper articles, literature, film, and television—has and continues to imagine the future of the environment and the climate crisis. From contemporary films like Okja and Weathering with You to documentaries like March of the Penguins and Hollywood’s The Day After Tomorrow, we will examine how mass media promotes, questions, and reinforces environmental politics. How can these future worlds help us understand and engage with our past, current, and future relationship to the environment? How do these films shape our own relationship with the planet? How do these visions sooth or exacerbate anxieties about topics like global warming? Potential topics we will cover include (but are not limited to) the climate crisis; capitalism and the environment; race, gender, and the environment; technology and the environment; and the politics of food. This course is driven by research, collaboration, and creativity—using film/literature/television texts to help us question and engage with ideas about the future of the planet. The texts we read, watch, and discuss will thus serve as models and inspiration for your own research projects. While there will be some assigned reading, much of what you read for this course will be articles of your own choosing, which will provide grounding for your original and collaborative final research projects: crafting a short television episode or film (fiction or documentary) that engages with questions and topics we’ve covered in class.

CAT 3: Queering Climate Change

BT Werner

Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Tuesday/Thursday 11:00 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

The dominant discourse on climate change centers on the past and possible future trajectories mapped out by scientists for Earth’s climate, the origin of climate change in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, the disastrous consequences that will ensue if action isn’t taken immediately, and the secure and sustainable, although perhaps difficult, future that will result if the advice of scientists, engineers, and policymakers is followed. In effect, if the future is put in the hands of these experts, catastrophe will be be averted. This discourse has given rise to a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through incentives or restrictions and has narrowed popular and political discussion on climate change to peripheral arguments over whether change is happening, whether anthropogenic emissions are responsible, and what forms of green technology and geoengineering are best.

In this course, we are going to queer climate change by critiquing this discourse and envisioning alternate futures. First, we will sample well-established critical analysis frameworks such as indigenous ways of knowing, ecofeminism, ecowomxnism, critical race theory, postcolonialism, intersectionality, disaster capitalism/NGO industrial complex, environmental justice, crip theory, and queer theory to provide us with a lens and a set of tools to deconstruct the assumptions and logic that underlay climate change discourse. Then, guided by the foregrounding of marginalized voices, including BIPOC, People from the Global South, Womxn, Dissident Artists, People with Disabilities, Activists, and Queers, we will open up and explore the space of possible societal relationships to Earth’s climate.

Students in this course will construct arguments surrounding climate change through writing, presentations, and art to chart an alternate description of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going. Read more about this class at https://courses.complex-systems-laboratory.org/cat3.

CAT 3: Representation and Rights: Disability in History and the Arts

Matthew Herbst

Director, Making of the Modern World

Lisa Porter

Professor, Theatre and Dance

Asynchronous lectures

Disability is an essential aspect of diversity, yet one that has too often been ignored, marginalized, and even denigrated. To overcome this bias, the disability community confronted cultural stigma and rigid boundaries that deprived them of fundamental civil and human rights. This course draws on the arts—in film, play, and the written word—to examine the long struggle for social and political change, highlighting the stories of people with disabilities—advocates, artists, and authors—who forged a pathway for inclusion. Course topics include racism and eugenics, the impact of war, institutionalization versus independent living, physical and educational access, advocacy and protest, and sport and technology. This course is co-taught by Lisa Porter, professor of Theatre and Dance, and historian Matthew Herbst.

Hurricane forecast: Laura landfall on La., Texas line may pack Cat 3 or 4 punch

Ryan Truchelut
 |  WeatherTiger

Laura expected to develop into powerful hurricane

Bernie Rayno has the latest forecast on Laura and explains why people need to be vigilant from the upper Texas coast to southeastern Louisiana.

Accuweather

Hurricane Laura has begun its long-expected intensification, and the next 12 to 24 hours will be crucial in determining whether Laura is a catastrophic hurricane for eastern Texas and western Louisiana, or merely a devastating one.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 4 p.m. Central time advisory, maximum sustained winds have increased to 80 mph, or Category 1 hurricane intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Laura continues plowing west-northwest at 15 mph, and this motion with a gradual turn to the northwest will persist through mid-day on Wednesday.

The NHC’s track forecast has adjusted slightly westward in the last day, and now calls for a landfall just west of the Texas-Louisiana border overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. As expected, the official intensity forecast has steadily been adjusted higher since yesterday, and peak maximum sustained winds of 115 mph are projected just prior to landfall.

Overall, the forecast uncertainty has diminished further since yesterday as the last 24 hours have not brought any major surprises. There remain two key questions to sort: exactly how bad will Laura be, and who in eastern Texas or western Louisiana will get the worst of the hurricane?

Starting with the question of strength, history is a useful guide.

Should Laura make landfall with sustained winds of 111 mph or above, it would join just seven other Category 3 or above hurricanes to make landfall between Galveston Bay and the Louisiana coast south of Lafayette since 1851. This short list includes historically destructive hurricanes such as Alicia and Audrey.

Yet unlike many of the possible analogs, Laura does not enter its final day prior to landfall as a major hurricane. Instead, intensity at landfall is fraught with the uncertainty of attempting to predict how far up the Saffir-Simpson Scale a rapid intensification event sweeps Laura before it crosses the Louisiana or Texas coastline.

This is a notoriously difficult problem in hurricane forecasting. While Category 3 intensity is most likely, there is a chance that Laura reaches Category 4 strength (maximum winds of 130 mph or above) on approach to the coast late Wednesday.

The Texas coast east of Matagorda Bay has not seen a Category 4 landfall since 1932. There is no historical precedent for a Category 4 hurricane striking western Louisiana.

Assessing Laura’s environment for the next 24 hours, the hurricane will certainly be moving through a region conducive to rapid intensification, defined as an increase in maximum sustained winds of 30 knots in 24 hours or less.

Laura is leaving behind the modestly less rich waters of the south central Gulf and steaming across sea surface temperatures in the mid and upper 80s until landfall, and shear will remain a favorable 10 knots or less into Wednesday night. A pocket of dry air to Laura’s west may have limited strengthening on Tuesday, but looks to be less of a factor on Wednesday.

However, most guidance suggests shear may begin to rise in Laura’s last hours over water, and tomorrow’s outflow pattern, while very good, is not the most ideal outflow regime possible.

The lack of Category 4 hurricanes in climatology in this portion of the Gulf tells us that sustaining that intensity to the coast is exceptionally difficult. With a few slight hiccups in the environment, I think the best bet is that Laura achieves Category 3 strength Wednesday afternoon or evening and maintains it until landfall. Still, everyone under a Hurricane Warning should be prepared for a direct hit from a Category 4, which remains possible.

The other key question is: who will get the worst of Laura?

With the maximum risk of landfall centered close to the Texas-Louisiana border, there are arguments for tracks slightly west and east of that point. Today’s models have continued to slightly underestimate the steering ridge to Laura’s north; yet, potentially due to core re-organization, Laura ticked a bit north of forecast expectations on Tuesday. Overall, expect a landfall between western Galveston Bay and south of Lake Charles. It remains too soon to put a finer point on landfall than that.

On this track and intensity scenario, a blend of Hurricanes Ike and Rita perhaps best describes the likely impacts here. No two storms are exactly alike; Laura may well be stronger in terms of maximum wind at landfall, though smaller in terms of windfield, than either of those storms.

The absolute worst-case scenario is a 1900-like event, in which the eastern eyewall of a high-end Category 4 hurricane drove cataclysmic surge up Galveston Bay. This path is on the western edge of the potential track envelope, but even a maximally aggressive intensity forecast falls short of the 145 mph sustained winds observed in the 1900 hurricane. Nevertheless, the Houston metro area could certainly experience major hurricane wind and surge with just a slight track deviation to the left.

While the location of the most destructive winds remains an open question, the worst impacts of Laura in terms of surge will be felt along and well east of the track. This means that the expected 10 feet or more of surge across most of western Louisiana is not particularly sensitive to slight changes in the forecast. Look for surge to near or exceed the other Category 3 hurricanes in western Louisiana’s history for these areas.

I will return tomorrow morning with a morning update on Wednesday with the very latest developments overnight, and full coverage of Hurricane Laura through landfall. Until then, prepare for the worst, and keep watching the skies.

Dr. Ryan Truchelut is chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, a Tallahassee start-up providing advanced weather and climate analytics, forensic meteorology and expert witness consulting, and agricultural and hurricane forecasting subscription services. For more information, visit us at weathertiger.com or get in touch at [email protected].

Never miss a story:  Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat.

CAT3-25PR | CAT 3 25 PAIR 24 AWG SOLID UTP, PVC JKT- BLUE

CAT3-25PR | CAT 3 25 PAIR 24 AWG SOLID UTP, PVC JKT- BLUE | SCP Structured Cable Products

The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser.

For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

CAT 3 25 PAIR 24 AWG SOLID UTP, PVC JKT- BLUE – 1000 FT SPOOL

CAT3-25PR

CAT 3 25 PAIR 24 AWG SOLID UTP, PVC JKT- BLUE – 1000 FT SPOOL

Product Information

SCP bulk Category 3 (CAT3) cable supports LAN applications utilizing bandwidths up to 16MHz and is typically used for telephone wiring. Available in 2, 3, 4, 25, 50, and 100 pair counts. Available in PVC or Plenum jacket.

The cross reference numbers above represent competitor products that are functionally equivalent to the SCP product. Color codes, packaging, and some constructional differences may exist. While we have done our best with the cross references, we are not responsible for any errors. If you find an error, please bring it to our attention so that we make the correction. Please refer to the SCP data sheet for specific details or contact your SCP distributor for more information. Thank you.

90,000 Why we think cats are unfriendly and arrogant

• Stephen Dowling
• BBC Future

November 2, 2019

Photo author, Getty Images

We often find it much more difficult to make friends with cats than with dogs. But maybe we just don’t understand them?

Dogs, it seems, by nature cannot hide their feelings. When they jump around you, put their muzzles between their paws, sniff, wag their tails, try to lick you, it is easy to understand what they are feeling – excitement, satisfaction, or undisguised joy.

If dogs played poker, they would always lose, they have everything written on their faces.

The body language of cats is also pretty sophisticated. Their mood can be judged by the twitching of the tail, by the way the animal squeezes or lifts it vertically, by the tousled fur on the nape, by the position of the whiskers and ears.

Purring usually (but not always) indicates contentment or friendliness.

These are all pretty reliable signals by which you can judge whether the cat is in the mood to communicate with you or it is better to leave him alone.

We can be sure of a dog’s friendship, but with cats, it seems to us, everything is not so simple. Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years, and yet we have not learned to fully understand them. Or did they just have such an undeserved image?

The independence of cats in the eyes of many is a positive trait, but someone will mistake it for alienation or selfishness. Detractors claim that cats show their affection for humans only when they are hungry.

Cat owners will of course argue that this is nonsense.A relationship with a cat is as strong as a relationship with a dog, they say. But why, then, is the image of a selfish and unfriendly creature stuck to the cat? And is there even a gram of truth in this?

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Some believe that a cat shows its affection for a person only when it has an empty bowl …

At least the image of a cat that walks by itself is practically not hurt her popularity. It is estimated that there are 10 million domestic cats in the UK alone. Approximately 25% of households have at least one cat (2012 survey data).

Perhaps the image of a selfish animal is partly due to how cats generally became pets. It was a much more gradual process than with dogs, and it was the cats who decided whether or not they should be domesticated.

The first domesticated cats began to appear about 10 thousand years ago in the Middle East. At the same time, they did not depend on their owners for food, they took care of this themselves, protecting the stocks of grain and food from rats and other pests.

Thus, from the very beginning, our relationship with cats was more detached than with dogs who helped us hunt and relied on their share of the prey.

The cat that is now curled up on your couch or gazes down at you from a bookshelf is still guided by many of the instincts of its distant ancestors. He loves to hunt, bypass his territory, guarding it from the invasion of other cats.

Cats are much closer to their ancestors than dogs. And the fact that we tamed them only partially removed them from the wild.

“It’s mostly just a human misunderstanding of these animals,” says Karen Heastand, veterinarian and trustee of International Cat Care.

“Dogs and humans are very similar and have lived together for a very long time. In a sense, they had a joint evolution. As for cats, the relationship here is much more recent. Modern cats have antisocial ancestors who lived and hunted alone.”

The African wildcat Felis lybica, which people once began to domesticate and from which our domestic cats and cats eventually came out, was a solitary animal and got along with one of the relatives only during estrus and for a short period of raising kittens.

“Cats are the only antisocial animal that we have managed to tame. The rest of our pets are social, they have strong bonds with the rest of their pack or herd. ”

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

A cat is more likely to become your friend if everything is in order with her basic needs – a clean toilet, water, food and her own place, which no one encroaches on

Considering that cats are such a special case among the animals we live with, it’s no surprise that we often don’t understand them.

“Because they are so self-reliant and can take care of themselves, cats are becoming more and more popular,” says Histande. just like dogs, like ourselves. But they are not like that. ”

Research on feline emotion and feline sociability has lagged far behind canine studies, but has been on the rise lately.

And although these studies are only at the beginning of the journey, they have already shown that the ability of a cat to communicate with a person is a complex and multi-layered thing.

“It is highly variable and determined by genetics, and the ability to communicate depends on what the animal experienced in the first 6-8 weeks after birth. treat people well, will seek their society. ”

Even the domestication of cats itself has a very wide range. Feral stray cats often hide and run away from people – just like their wild ancestors would run away.

In the Mediterranean countries and in Japan, you can find entire colonies of “communal cats” living in fishing villages. The locals feed them, and the cats have a certain amount of trust in them.

In Istanbul, the townspeople take care of semi-wild cats, which have become part of the original image of this city, even a documentary was made about this.

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Cats look at us so seriously because they do not have facial muscles that change the expression of their eyes

And finally, there are cats that live in our houses and apartments.But this category also has its own subcategories. Some of the animals keep their distance from the owner, others clearly like his company.

So what should we pay attention to if we want to understand how friendly we are with our cat? Or rather, how friendly he is with us …

Like dogs, cats mostly communicate in body language. “I find it much more difficult to understand their body language than canine language,” says Christine Vitale, who studies cat behavior. And this is not necessarily their fault.

There is one characteristic that helps dogs fight for a place in the human heart. The authors of the study from the University of Portsmouth found that dogs have learned to mimic the puppy’s “facial” expression, which triggers a person’s desire to take care of them, nurture them and encourage them.

The change occurred when the dogs developed the facial muscle that lifts the inside of the eyebrow. The ancestors of wolf dogs did not have such a muscle.

“” Puppy eyes “,” puppy eyes “- in this case, not just expressions, it is an evolutionary trick that has strengthened the bond between man and dog.

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Slowly blinking, squinting cat expresses love for you in this way

The trouble is that cats do not have such a mimic muscle. Therefore, the look that the cat gives you can be regarded as cold and unfriendly. (And when two cats are staring at each other, this often means a prelude to a fight.)

But when a cat looks at you, slowly blinking and squinting, know that she loves you and so shows her affection.

Even when a cat, sitting next to you or on your lap, turns away from you, this is not at all a sign of neglect. On the contrary, it shows that she feels relaxed, trusts you.

Vitale recommends reading the research she did while working at the University of Oregon (USA).

The owners left the dogs and cats alone in the room and returned a little later. Most of the cats, who had a good, happy relationship with their owners, came up to greet them, but immediately moved away to further explore their new room. The dogs behaved the same way.

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

If a cat does not rush off the bed to greet you, this does not mean that she does not love you. It’s just that she feels good and calm

After all, as Vitale emphasizes, if a dog runs around the room, playing with toys and only occasionally runs up to the owner, it doesn’t bother us.

Researchers call this “secure attachment” – the calm behavior when the owner returns suggests that there is a strong emotional bond between the animal and the owner.

“People’s biased expectations about animal behavior affect the behavior of four-legged pets,” Vitale emphasizes.

Trying to make the cat behave like a dog, getting from her the same obsessive attention to us, we are trying to change the nature inherent in it.

Part of the problem is our historical inability to see a feline temperament, a feline disposition, different from that of a dog, Hestand says. And even seasoned experts can fall into this misconception.

“In 2007, I went to a conference and there I felt like a complete idiot,” she recalls. “What was said there was pretty basic information about cats, and I didn’t know these things. For example, what they love when food and water are in different places for them. All this data began to receive only recently, but if you are willing to accept that your previous knowledge was wrong, you open up a very interesting world. ”

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

If a cat has had a positive experience with humans in the first weeks of its life, in the future it is more likely to make friends with a human

Take, for example, how cats rub against their owner …It used to be that they mark their territory in the same way as stray cats mark trees, corners of buildings and the wheels of cars.

But when they rub against a person’s legs or hand, this is usually a sign of unity with him: the cat leaves its scent on you and at the same time transfers your scent to its fur.

In the same way, feral cats do the same with those of their relatives who are considered allies. This is a way of creating a common scent by which they distinguish friend from foe.

In the end, says Heastand, you need to understand the main thing: a cat who is happy with life is more likely to want to be friends with you.

“They need everything to be in place – water, food, bed, litter … To keep everything in order. And when they feel that they are all right, they begin to explore the possibilities of social connections.”

So do not be upset when you come home, and your cat calmly looks at you from afar, lying on the couch. Or, yawning lazily, he slowly wanders into the corridor. So they show you: you are welcome. Only in your own way.

Photo by Getty Images

To read the original of this article in English, visit BBC Future.90 011 90 000 truth or fiction – Moscow 24, 19. 06.2017

Photo: TASS / Yuri Smityuk

Cats are the most popular type of pets on the planet. We love them, we look at them on the Internet, tell stories about them and start them at home. But do we all know about them? What secrets do our pets hide?

There are many superstitions about the mysterious powers of cats. They are credited with: nine lives, the ability to heal people’s diseases and even a connection with the other world.We decided to check the most common myths and understand what is true and what is common fiction.

The incredible survivability of cats: the plane crashed in 2011

I remember how my grandmother told me that cats are very tenacious creatures. They can fall from the fifth floor and not break. Of course, I have not tried to conduct experiments, but still I have heard more than once about such an ability of the baleen. And quite recently I came across such a story.

On July 11, 2011, a fire was recorded on the AN-24 flight Tomsk – Surgut. The plane had to land urgently, and the pilot made an emergency landing on the Ob River. Some of the victims were saved. There was a cat on that flight, which was not found as a result of searches.

Photo: TASS / Zurab Javakhadze

The wreckage of the plane was lifted out of the water only eight days later. When it came to the cockpit, that same lost cat named Daisy jumped out. She fled into the forest and came to the people only after a month and a half.

In that plane crash, the cat Daisy risked death more than once: she could break on the bars of the cage at the time of a hard landing, drown in water, she could die of hunger in a flooded liner or while wandering through the woods.But she managed to avoid all this. Maybe cats really have nine lives?

This is a real life story, and I will not judge whether it is an accident or not.

The energy of cats

They say that cats have a strong energy. Let’s try to look at the pet from the point of view of extrasensory perception.

Photo: YAY / TASS

“A cat is an energetic substance, invisible to us, trembling, of a very high discharge, high frequency, that is, energy goes back and forth, it is not 220 volts in the current digital representation.Probably, it is somewhere in the thousand volts. And this energy substance, of thousands of volts, has eyes above, which radiate this energy with a living stream, “says psychic Arina Evdokimova.

The energy clot, which is a cat, cannot be destroyed, the psychic believes. nine lives Falling from a great height, falling into situations on the verge of life and death, the animal simply reincarnates. Of course, the human eye is not able to see it.

The Institute of Ecology and Evolution studies the habits of all felines. Zoologist Anastasia Antonevich says that the reason for the vitality of cats lies in the basis of their behavior before they became domestic. That is, those conditions of the wild, in which they were for a long time, clearly reflected in the genetic code of the animal. This is why cats are so highly adapted to survival.

“In life, they have an adaptation to jump well, fall well, because they climb a lot, and, moreover, it has to do with the way they hunt.Due to the fact that they conceal, they have a very flexible gait, flexible movements, a very flexible body, “says Anastasia Antonevich, senior researcher at the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Electrophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Anatomy of cats: the key to strength

There are 247 bones in the skeleton of a cat, 41 more than in humans. Most of the parts are in the spine and tail. Thanks to this, the animal can bend in half and turn 180 degrees even in flight.

Why does a cat always land on its paws?

A whole system works here: the inner ear, brain, muscles and spine.When the cat falls, it turns its head, and the liquid that fills its inner ear acts on the millions of sensitive hairs located on the long and elongated cochlea. So information about the position of the body in space is transmitted to the brain, and we see how the animal lands on its paws.

The ability to go without food for a long time

The same vitality as the ability to go without food for a long time, cats have received through evolution and lifestyle.

Photo: m24.ru / Tatyana Ukhanova

It is, in principle, typical for predators to be able to hunt and eat from time to time, cats are no exception.

But how do domestic, thoroughbred, spoiled cats find food in the forest, because in the wild, the ability to hunt is passed on to them by their parents?

Interestingly, every cat knows how to hunt mice. It is an instinct or program that is laid down by the evolution of the entire species. But to hunt rats, for example, an animal can learn only if it is taught by its mother.The art of hunting is passed down from the older generation to the younger.

Do cats feel death?

Scientists have been asking this question for a long time. The line between something mythical and links with the other world in cats is very vague.

A cat named Oscar lives in the American hospice Steere House. He does not like people very much and usually hides somewhere in the back rooms. But what is interesting is that he appears at the patient’s bed a few hours before his death. This was noticed by the staff of the medical institution.Oscar the cat lives in the ward for the weak-minded. These are people who are in dire need of support. But, unfortunately, when they leave for another world, their beds are rarely surrounded by family and friends. Oscar the cat is most often their only escort.

Photo: TASS / YAY / Denise Poloni

“There were situations when we had several people dying at the same time. One case is recalled when we had two such people on opposite sides of the department. We all thought that one of them was will die, but Oscar was nowhere to be found.We started looking for him and found him on someone else’s bed. One of the nurses took him and carried him into the hallway, but Oscar ran away and went back to that patient. And he was right: that patient died. And the one about whom we all thought he would die lived for several more days. But a couple of days before that Oscar came to him too, “says geriatrician David Dosa.

Why cats can feel death? Those who speak from the” magical “side of the question say that animals can see the human soul.Moreover, both inside the material shell and outside it. A cat, from the point of view of psychics, is able to move from one world to another and communicate with the deceased relatives of the owner. Even in Ancient Russia, our ancestors noticed the ability of cats to foresee death. Many witchcraft rituals are based on this feature.

Cat eyes

A cat’s eyes are disproportionately large in relation to her body size. Their sensitivity is seven times higher than that of humans.

Behind the retina of the cat’s eye, there is a special reflective layer that resembles shiny fish scales. It reflects light and returns to the retina, which allows the cat to see much better than humans, especially in the dark. Also, cats are able to see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum, which is inaccessible to the human eye.

Hearing

Cats have exceptional hearing and can even sense vibrations. It is possible that animals can hear the processes that take place inside a person and somehow react to them. Maybe that’s why the cat Oscar came to patients shortly before his death?

The gift of foresight: cats save humans

Scientists have long proven that cats can feel vibrations in the earth’s crust.The story of how the favorites saved the artist Dmitry Kuklachev is not new, but very interesting.

Photo: TASS / Interpress / Elena Palm / DESC]

2004. Dmitry Kuklachev was on tour in Japan.

“Just an hour before the start of the performances, I go to the cats and see that they begin to behave very unusual. That is, someone hisses, someone meows plaintively, someone jumped onto the windowsill and scratched at the window, someone huddled in a corner. And when you come up to them, you start stroking them – that’s when you come to your senses a little, but at the same time you can feel some fear, some tension in them, “says the trainer Kuklachev.

The cats’ behavior was not a mystery to the translator who was nearby. This always happens before a powerful seismic attack. He immediately ordered Kuklachev to run away from the theater building.

“In general, all the artists took the cats under their arms and jumped out into the street. The crowd is noisy around, everyone is talking. We stand there for 10-15 minutes, nothing happens. I say:” Igor, listen, well, maybe were the cats wrong? “- Dmitry Kuklachev.

And suddenly three powerful shocks of strength 6 and 8 shook the earth.People rushed to the asphalt, covering their heads with their hands. At this time, the cats were torn from their hands and tried to throw themselves to safety. The shaking stopped after a few hours. When Dmitry returned to the theater building, the hall was completely destroyed.

And this is not the only time cats have rescued people.

Feline therapy: treatment with cats

I remember how as a child I had a bad stomach ache. My beloved cat Musya lay down on him and lay for about half an hour. The pain was gone, and then the cat ran away about its business.I don’t know what it was connected with, warmth or something else, but she helped me. It turns out that there is a whole system of treatment for cats called feline therapy.

Photo: TASS Patrick Seeger / DPA

The most common issues addressed for therapy are the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and depression.

Why does a cat lie on sore spots?

This also has an explanation from the point of view of official medicine.

“A cat is more sensitive to an increase in the temperature of the human body, and at some subconscious level determines the place of inflammation, because the main signs of inflammation are local increases in body temperature, including the skin. And the cat is located in this area of ​​the human body and, accordingly , tries to warm up, somehow heats up the tissues, due to this there may be a certain increase in the local blood supply, a slight reflex effect.During purring, a slight vibration occurs, and due to this, perhaps, at a certain reflex level, there is a decrease in pain symptoms at the site of inflammation “, – explained the physiotherapist Evgenia Khalelova.

Purr

Scientists have not yet revealed the secret of the purr itself. In the wild, felines make such sounds extremely rarely and only when communicating with newborn kittens. Mother, rumbling, licks them. When the offspring grows up, the predator is no longer capable of such tenderness. She can’t bring herself to purr on purpose. So why does a domestic cat love to purr so much? Does she perceive the owner as her own child and take care of him? For zoologists, this is still a mystery.

Cats and evil spirits

Why is a cat often associated with evil spirits in popular beliefs?

“Imagine a session of exorcism – the expulsion of a demon, evil spirits from a person. This evil spirit came out, he did not crumble, he came from some parallel world, he does not know where this parallel world is. And there is an animal nearby. – a dog, a cat, a pig. Of course, the evil spirit will enter the cat faster. It is closer to him in energy substance, that is, in terms of charges, it is closer to him.He possessed her. And therefore, from here, I think, sometimes the cat behaves inappropriately, because it hooked on an aggressive energetic creature. Why does she behave physically aggressively: snarls, bristles, I do not know what she is doing. She tries to throw this creature off herself. She gets rid of negative energy in this way. She is trying to physically burn it, “explains Evdokimova.

Sudden aggression in cats is caused by increased sensitivity.In their corners of the nose there is an additional organ, which even scientists sometimes call the “third eye”. This is Jacobson’s organ. He is able to capture pheromones and distinguish hormones by smell. This explains the apparent emotional susceptibility of cats. When the owner is happy, the pet seems to support him. But in fact, this is how she reacts to the hormone endorphin. Cats actually have a very limited emotional spectrum.

“Their higher nervous activity is very poorly developed.Therefore, in principle, cats are very simple creatures. They have everything at the level of reflexes and instincts. They cannot feel guilt, care for someone. They live by reflexes, “explains zoopsychologist Irina Safonova.

The belief that cats are possessed has turned out to be a myth. Any aggression in an animal is caused by something. After all, in every Murka, even if she never leaves the apartment, she lives a wild predator, and almost all miracles can be explained by the increased sensitivity that nature has endowed them with.

We love them anyway

Despite some myths and connections with supernatural forces, we still love these beautiful animals. They are amazing and graceful, they have their own character and charm. If you have a cat, then most likely she is part of you and your family. Love your animals!

90,000 Pregnancy in cats | Hills

If you are not planning to have offspring from your cat, it is always best to neuter it. Pregnancy in cats is a serious event, and if you made the decision to let the cat give birth, then you got involved in an adventure.

A mother cat is more than capable of taking care of everything related to childbirth on her own, so it is best to leave it to her. However, there are a number of things you can do to make this process easier.

Characteristic features

There are a number of signs that can tell you that your cat is pregnant. The first indicator is a violation of the cycle. Another early sign is that the nipples become more prominent and darker, red in color. A pregnant cat also begins to eat more, in addition, she may have bouts of “morning sickness”.After five weeks, the cat’s belly will become noticeably enlarged, and it will continue to grow until the time of delivery.

You may also notice significant changes in your cat’s behavior. She may suddenly become very affectionate and tend to spend all of her time with you. Alternatively, a previously very friendly cat may become withdrawn and angry. Don’t worry, these behavioral changes are normal.

Pregnancy in cats usually goes without complications. If you are concerned about your pet or want to confirm that she is pregnant, take her to your veterinarian.By examination or with the help of an ultrasound examination, he will confirm that the expectant mother is completely healthy and is really expecting offspring.

Preparation

During pregnancy, you don’t have much to do for your expectant mother – you just need to make sure she is getting good, healthy nutrition and enough water.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, you should switch your cat to a premium kitten diet such as Hills Science Plan Kitten (daily kitten food) to provide additional nutrients for the cat and future kittens.Feed the cat with these rations until the kittens are weaned from their mother. Don’t be surprised if your cat is not enthusiastic about food right after giving birth. She has brought out the kittens and will likely prefer to eat small meals several times a day.

As labor approaches, the cat will start looking for a quiet, cozy place to settle down. Arrange something like a box with towels inside and encourage your cat to use it as a hiding place.But don’t worry if she ends up choosing a different location in the end.

Approaching labor is usually accompanied by the separation of milk from the nipples. If you monitor the body temperature of the animal, you will notice that immediately before giving birth, it will drop to 38.9 ° C.

When labor begins, your cat may purr violently and you will see contractions. Remember that in most cases the cat can handle labor on its own.

Little by little

On average there are from 2 to 5 kittens in a litter.Usually, between births of kittens, the cat takes breaks from 10 minutes to an hour. If more than 3 hours have passed since the birth of the last kitten and you know that there are still unborn kittens, you need to take the cat to a veterinarian.

At birth, kittens are usually already free of the amniotic membrane. Usually the mother herself helps them to cope with this task. Otherwise, you need to carefully cut it and free the kitten.

A mother cat licks newborn kittens to make them breathe.If she’s too tired of childbirth to do this, or gives birth to the next kitten, you will have to do it yourself. Dry the kitten gently with a towel, just as if the mother was licking it. You should turn the kitten face down to clear the airways of liquid.

Placenta removal

After the birth of each kitten, the placenta should come out. If it remains in the cat’s uterus, it can lead to the development of an infectious process.Count the number of successions and compare it with the number of kittens born. Don’t be surprised if your cat eats one or more afterbirth. This is completely normal and safe. If it turns out that an afterbirth remains in the animal’s uterus, it is urgent to take the animal to a veterinarian.

The mother cat usually bites the umbilical cord herself. If she doesn’t, you will have to help her. Tie a piece of strong thread around the umbilical cord about an inch from the kitten’s body. With another piece of string, tie the umbilical cord about an inch closer to the mother’s body, and then cut the umbilical cord with sharp scissors between the two constrictions.

As soon as newborn kittens have been washed, they should immediately crawl up to the mother and begin to suckle milk. During this period, it is best to leave your cat and her babies alone in a safe place. Congratulations – you now have a whole family of cats!

Cat and baby | Hills

How will your cat react to a new tenant in the house, and what can you do to get your child and your cat to get along? Veterinarian and behaviorist Francesca Riccomini offers some tips to help prepare your pet for a baby.

For many owners, their cats are just like everyone else in the family, and as such – have the same rights to all resources in the home. In the understanding of a cat, these resources also include human attention, which is required quite often, regardless of whether there is someone in the house. So can your cat and your child get along?

Spotlight

It is not uncommon for a pet to be brought up and even pampered as if it were their own child.Everything is fine if it matches the cat’s temperament and the whole family agrees with the state of affairs. But when a real child appears in the house, problems may arise.

The situation is complicated if the cat is already an adult and has little or only negative experience of communication with infants and young children, especially if it took place during such an important period of life for the cat as socialization (from 2 to 7 weeks of life). Many of us take a cat into the house after this period has successfully ended, or simply do not have the opportunity to introduce the kitten to young children in time.Although there is a chance to make up for this communication deficit later in life, it is best to think through and prepare everything before the baby is born.

Different cats react differently

How your cat reacts to the arrival of a new family member is determined by heredity (breed, pedigree), personality traits and communication experience. Sometimes – and this must be borne in mind – these factors do not contribute to the joint peaceful existence of a cat and small children.Some owners, after carefully considering all aspects of the problem, decide that they can no longer be responsible for this particular animal, and find a good home for it, more suited to its needs.

A cat’s aggression towards children or urination in the wrong places (due to the stress of having a child in the house) can force the owner to abandon the pet. Such a situation cannot always be foreseen, but you can try to prevent it by thinking everything over in advance.

Life in harmony

In order for your large family to live happily, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the animal itself and the environment. Your pet needs to have its own bed, food and water bowls, toys, litter box, etc. All this should be located in the house so as not to interfere with people, but also convenient for the animal itself. The tray should be in a secluded area away from bowls and areas of “heavy traffic” such as the kitchen and hallway; It is best to place the scratching post next to the front door or a place that your pet has already looked after as a “victim” for its claws.Whenever possible, it is better to choose high places for feeding and resting, or an area that can be isolated from the rest of the house with a playpen. This gives your cat a chance to hide from the onset of children. If the actual layout of your pet’s bed, litter box, and other utensils becomes impractical or uncomfortable when the baby arrives, it is best to make changes in advance. This is especially important for older cats, with whom all lifestyle changes should occur gradually.

Where to hide

Remember that for cats, the preferred response to any alarming situation or potential threat is to hide – preferably in a high, dark, secluded area high above the ground with a good view and you can safely observe and assess the situation. You can easily make such a shelter for your pet from cardboard boxes on their side, or build a dome for his bed and place it on top of cabinets or a sturdy shelf.Set up a few of these retreat locations around the house, especially where you will be spending time with your child, and try to train your cat to use them by placing a favorite blanket or treat inside.

No entry

Often, the room that later becomes a nursery was previously always available for your cat. It is recommended to restrict your pet’s access to this room before the child arrives in the house.Spray a closed door and door frame with Feliway spray to reduce negative reactions to changes in the environment and prevent the formation of “frustration of not reaching”. Remember that domestic cats are more sensitive to any changes in their environment, restrictions on their habitat or lifestyle changes than their cousins ​​who have free access to the street.

Changes in the environment

The sense of smell in cats is very sensitive and odors are an important communication tool for pets.Thus, any change in the composition of odors in the territory where the cat lives can seriously affect her and cause her real stress. This fact is often overlooked, but this can explain why a cat marks things in the house intended for a child and appearing before his arrival – she tries to consolidate her position in the house by marking these objects with her scent. Baby things (stroller, crib, high chair) can be treated with preparations containing ferromones.It would be helpful to collect parenting items from family and friends so that your cat can become familiar with a range of often rather pungent odors in advance that she will have to deal with later.

For us, this situation is not a problem, since our sense of smell is too poorly developed, but for a cat it is a real intrusion into her life. Bringing new items into the house gradually will not only help prevent your cat from developing intolerance towards them and accustom her to having them in the house, but will also give your pet an opportunity to form positive associations with them, for example, with the help of treats or your favorite game as a reward when another new thing appears in the house.

Praise, games, feed

It is important to remember: in no case should you cultivate a feeling of anxiety or fear in an animal – this will only aggravate the problem. Through praise, petting, play, and treats, you can train your cat to feel comfortable and confident in the face of any challenge. Hearing in cats, as well as sense of smell, is much better developed than ours. Therefore, it makes sense to play (quietly at first) recordings of the sounds made by the child – crying, humming, screeching, etc.If your cat behaves in the way you would like, reward her and gradually increase the volume of the sound as your pet gets used to it.

First communication experience

Of course, it would be useful for your pet if there were small children in your house, but their communication with the animal must be controlled. Such communication can scare the cat, especially if the children begin to compete for the right to play with it.Always observe your pet’s interactions with other people and be careful and gentle with him. Children should never be allowed to handle a cat that they cannot hold tightly. They need to be taught to properly hold the animal, distributing the entire body weight on the arms and supporting with one hand from below, so that the animal does not hang on its front legs. Also keep in mind that some conscientious children, having received the order not to drop the kitten, inadvertently squeeze the animal too hard, so that they harm the animal no less than rude and inattentive children.It is best to maintain distance communication by using toys such as fishing rods, balls or sun bunnies, pointing them at the wall; it is better to sit quietly next to the cat and gently pat or scratch it, if it does not seem too annoying to your pet. Again, positive social experiences supported by praise or a treat can help build positive associations with young children in the home. Never allow anyone, including children, to encourage your pet to play with fingers, toes, or other parts of the body.Subsequently, this can lead to injuries, albeit unintentional, and sometimes to the formation of aggressive behavior in the animal.

Gradual change

If you and your pet have had a very close relationship in the past, it may be harder to find the time to give your pet the same attention once your baby is born. Therefore, it will be more humane in advance to slightly reduce the emotional saturation of your relationship.Consider a new daily routine and set aside time for communication with your pet, which you are guaranteed to be able to devote to him in the future. Any changes should occur gradually so that their negative impact on the animal is minimal. If your cat is accustomed to using your attention indefinitely at any time, start taking breaks in communication, at first short, well before the baby arrives at the home. You can gradually increase the length of the periods for which communication stops, at a pace that your pet can accept.Set aside time for play or grooming that suits your new daily routine and your cat’s needs, but if she looks agitated or stressed, don’t try to compensate for it with additional attention – this will only make her more upset, she may even lash out at you.

Behavioral problems

If there are problematic moments in your cat’s behavior that you previously simply closed your eyes to, now is the time to solve them, since most likely they will only be aggravated as a result of the upheaval that will occur when a small child appears in the house.When your baby is in the house, try to make time for your cat that you can only spend with her, and follow her usual daily routine. When dealing with cats, predictability is very important. If you’re just too busy to spend enough time with both the baby and the cat at the same time, invite friends or family members that your pet knows and ask them to play with your pet or groom. If your pet is trying to hide from your little one, never stop him.The urge to run away is a natural reaction of a cat to any phenomenon that is unfamiliar to her. If you try to hold it, it will only cause stress and fear, which can later develop into aggression if the animal feels that it has fallen into a trap and lost control of the situation.

Arrival in the orphanage

The moment when you bring your baby to the home is especially important. If you’ve taken all of the steps discussed above, hopefully your cat won’t be too upset about the new tenant.However, installing Feliway nozzles in different parts of the house, especially those where the child is often, will be useful in such a situation. You can also help your pet by offering him a tasty treat that you usually don’t. Some cats are not more worried about babies, but those that have grown a little and become extremely mobile. A child moving around the house may suddenly collide with a cat, and his squeals or screams can scare her. During this period, it is especially important that the cat has several places where she could hide and recuperate.Finally, children should never, even inadvertently, be brought into the house to play with your pet. From the very beginning, they must learn to respect the cat, treat it carefully and tenderly, because it is such a happiness to grow up with an obedient pet.

90,000 Little-known details about domestic cats – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

There are not so many animals in nature, about which everything seems to be known, they have been close to humans for millions of years – but still remain a mystery.These are cats.

Today – about these amazing creatures.

26 facts about cats

1. During the pursuit of prey, the cat holds its head horizontally at the same level, while dogs and people shake their heads up and down.

2. Cats are mostly right-handed, and cats are mostly left-handed. Interesting fact – 90% of people are right-handed, and the remaining 10% are left-handed, and they are mostly men.

3. The cat cannot go down from the tree upside down, because all the claws on its paws are directed in one direction.So cats have to climb backwards from the tree.

4. Scientists believe that a cat can pronounce consonants: m, n, g, x, f, v.

5. Cats can reproduce up to 100 different sounds, but dogs only 10.

6. The brain of a cat, in contrast to a dog, is more like a human brain. Cats and humans have identical areas of the brain responsible for emotions.

7. During the Spanish Inquisition, Pope Innocent VIII recognized cats as the incarnation of the devil and thousands of cats were burned.This led to an increase in the rat population, which exacerbated the effects of the plague, nicknamed the “Black Death”. Did the cat god take revenge?

8. According to legend, Noah prayed to God to help protect all food in the ark from rats. In response, God made the cat appear when the lion sneezed.

9. In Siam, when the coronation of the new king was carried out, cats rode in a carriage, being at the head of the procession.

10. For short distances, a cat can reach a speed of about 49 km / h.

11. A cat can jump up to five times its height.

12. Cats land on their paws almost always: the organs of balance are located in the inner ear of the cat, and the tail helps to align the trajectory.

13. Cats rub against people not only because they are affectionate, but also to mark their territory with the scent of the glands located around its muzzle.

14. Scientists are still debating exactly how a cat purrs. Most believe that vibration of the vocal cords located deep in the throat.To do this, the muscles of the larynx open and close the air passage about 25 times per second.

15. When a cat died in a family in Ancient Egypt, family members shaved their eyebrows as a sign of sorrow. The cat was embalmed, the mummy was placed in a family crypt or in an animal cemetery along with mummies of mice. In 1888, more than 300 thousand mummified cats were found in Egyptian cemeteries.

16. The earliest ancestor of the modern cat lived about 30 million years ago.

17. A cat usually has 12 whiskers on each side.

18. The ability of cats to find their way home is explained by the fact that cats either use the angle of sunlight, or they have magnetized cells in the brain that act as a compass.

19. The cat’s jaw cannot move sideways, so they cannot chew large pieces of food.

20. The cat’s back consists of 53 vertebrae. A person has only 34.

21. A third of cat owners think that their pets can read their minds.

22. The most famous long-lived cat was Puff from Texas, who died in 2005 at the age of 38.Normal cats can live up to 20 years (approximately 96 years for a person).

23. A cat’s nose has a unique fingerprint, as do human fingerprints.

24. Cats can detect an earthquake 10-15 minutes before a person senses it.

25. 95 percent of their owners talk to their cats.

26. Cats are aliens. Even some scientists are sure of this. In their opinion, the main task of cats is to observe creatures on Earth, and the proof of their alien origin is amazing abilities that other animals do not have.

Mustache records

Boeing is resting!

The loudest cat – British Smokey – was found in the world: his rumbling can drown even the sound of the Boeing-737 engine, because it emits sounds of 92 decibels (similar to the “loudness” of an aircraft going to land). Its owners claim that the cat hums so loudly that they cannot hear the TV and cannot talk on the phone. Scientists have checked and confirmed: the “charges” are substantiated.

Didn’t wait

One New York cat was forgotten by his owner when he moved to another state.Five months later, returning home, the owner found the pet curled up in a ball in his favorite chair. The cat covered more than 3.5 thousand km.

Flyer

Cat Biggles from Australia, the owners sent by plane to Auckland (New Zealand). The Australian airline “Quintas” experienced real stress: the cat did not arrive at its destination, but a week later it showed up … in the cabin of another plane that was flying to Sydney. During this week, the wanderer has flown almost the whole world, having managed to travel from Australia to New Zealand, and then from Melbourne to Sydney and from Fiji to Singapore.

Kulibina

Scientist Bernard Courtois in 1811 conducted some kind of chemical experiments, and his beloved cat was sitting on his shoulders. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, a frightened cat jumped off the chemist’s shoulders and broke the flasks with chemicals on the table. In one of these flasks there was an alcoholic tincture of seaweed, and in the other, iron sulfate. The contents mixed, a violent reaction began with the release of smoke.

When the reaction passed and the smoke settled, the scientist saw brown crystals on the table.These crystals were later called “iodine”. It is a pity that the name of the inventor has not survived in history.

Near the great

The English king Charles I adored cats: he believed that without his beloved cat he would not see happiness. He was so worried about the health of his pet that he even put a guard on her. The cat died, and a few days later the king was executed.

Oligarchs

A wealthy lady opened accounts for her cats in Switzerland.The Royal Society for the Conservation of Birds of Switzerland fined these cats for hunting – they were charged with “systematic killing of birds.” The fine was paid from the cat’s account. For confirmation by the bank employees, a form was drawn up with the paw prints of the “depositors”.

In the service of the Queen

The most famous cat in Great Britain is the late Wilberforce. He lived in the residence of the Prime Minister, where he was assigned to catch mice. He has served under four prime ministers. Sometimes the cat was even allowed to attend government meetings! Margaret Thatcher brought him treats from all over the world.When Wilberforce passed away, Margaret Thatcher announced this right at a cabinet meeting.

How to calm a cat if she asks for a cat?

Every kitty in her life must go through the process of puberty. And as soon as this moment comes, suffering awaits not only the animal itself, but also its owners. An active search for a partner overshadows all the tenderness and games. So how can you help your pet in such a case?

How often should you wait for heat?

Cats reach puberty between 8-12 months.Each animal carries it individually. Some pets immediately ask for a cat, while for others this behavior is noted at a later period.

The duration of estrus can be 1 to 3 weeks. And this happens once for 1-2 months. How long estrus lasts depends on the lifestyle and characteristics of the pet. If during this mating does not occur, then the suffering of cats can be prolonged.

What are the criteria for identifying estrus?

Unlike dogs, cats do not experience visible physiological changes.However, there are several signs that would clearly indicate that furry pets are in heat:

• There is a swelling of the genitals, from which discharge appears in the form of a transparent liquid. This indicates that the reproductive system of cats is prepared for copulation.

• The animal’s behavior takes on an unusual character. If earlier the cat showed aggression, bit and scratched, then at the time of estrus she begins to behave affectionately and playfully.You can often find your pet rubbing against all corners and rolling on the carpet.

• Loud meowing is another telltale sign that your cat has started to walk. And this happens not only during the daytime, but also at night. And it is these night serenades that bring special inconvenience to the owners.

• Pets have a deteriorating appetite. At the time of estrus, cats eat less than usual.

• The urge to use the toilet is becoming more frequent, so owners will have to clean the litter box more often throughout the day.

• When a cat is stroking on the back (its lower part) during estrus, it develops a spasm, during which the animal reflexively lifts the back of the body.

However, the set of symptoms and each animal is different. Therefore, if the cat was loud enough before, then the frequent meowing during heat will not be too annoying.In more difficult cases, simple advice from experienced breeders and experienced veterinarians can help a four-legged friend.

Calming Cats at Home – Effective Recommendations

There are several proven ways to help ease the condition of your beloved cat during estrus at home. The most effective are the following:

1. If it was decided that the cat should bring offspring, then it is worth finding a cat for her.It is worth mating no more than once throughout the year. Even with such infrequent mating, the animal’s estrus will be much calmer. At the same time, you should be aware that frequent pet pregnancies can negatively affect their health.

2. In such a difficult period, it is worth paying more attention to the animal. You shouldn’t ignore it, play it. It is also worth stroking the cat, while avoiding the sacrum area. If she does not want to eat, then you can offer her small portions of something tasty.This will become a kind of diet at the time of heat.

3. You can provide the animal with isolation. For this, any secluded room is suitable, in which it is worth putting a bed, a bowl of water and food. If heterosexual individuals live in the same territory, then it is necessary to completely limit the contact of the cat with the cat, since this will only aggravate the flow of estrus. At the same time, walking on the street should also be limited.

4. It is believed that a heating pad or a warm towel can help relieve heat.And it is true. The warmth has a relaxing and calming effect on your pet. To do this, you can put a heating pad with warm water under the lounger, and cover the cat with a soft blanket on top.

5. A synthetic pheromone – Feliway – gives a good effect. This remedy has a calming effect on the pet. Produced in the form of a diffuser, it is connected to the network. One pack is designed for 4 weeks of use. The range extends throughout the apartment.

6. If we are talking about a non-purebred animal, from which you do not want offspring, then sterilization will be the most correct solution to the situation. Thanks to the surgical removal of the ovaries, all symptoms of estrus can be completely eliminated. But it should be understood that after such a procedure, the cat will no longer be able to become pregnant.

7. If the cat is too restless, then it is worth wetting it. By licking herself, she will calm down a little and be distracted.However, for animals whose reproductive instincts are too strong, such a method, apart from irritation, will not bring a positive result.

Important! If, after a few leaks, mating did not happen, then the pet may become seriously ill. It may even go as far as oncology. Therefore, if initially it is not planned to breed seals, then it is better not to torture the animal right away and sterilize it in a specialized veterinary clinic.

How to cope with the problem in folk ways?

In the fight against the manifestations of feline estrus, a decoction of chamomile helps well. However, its effectiveness is short-lived. Moreover, giving such a drink to an animal will be quite problematic.

A decoction made from chamomile, cumin and lemon balm is also a good folk remedy. Thanks to him, excitement and anxiety are well removed. You can also use catnip, bromine or valerian.Such natural ingredients can calm the animal for 2-3 hours.

We use modern medicines!

Most often, when a cat starts to walk, its owners use special hormonal agents. Such drugs can be bought without any problems at pet stores and veterinary pharmacies. However, you should be careful with such medicines, as they can harm the body of a four-footed friend.

When using hormonal agents, kitties may experience vomiting and diarrhea, and develop tumors.That is why experienced veterinarians recommend resorting to this method no more than a few times during the year.

Among the classic methods of dealing with the symptoms of feline estrus, pills with a sedative effect, related to homeopathic or hormonal drugs, are rightfully ranked first. They especially help at the time of the active stage of estrus. Experienced veterinarians will be able to recommend this or that composition, focusing on the physiological characteristics of the pet and other important parameters.

Whichever option you choose to calm your cat during estrus, do not forget about the well-being of your pet and his health. If all of the above recommendations could not help, then you should be patient and wait out such a difficult period. But if the festivities of your beloved pet are too unbearable, then you should still seek professional help.

They understand everything. How cats, dogs and other pets think

At school physics olympiads, tasks for “black boxes” are often given.Participants receive a box with unknown electrical components inside and several inputs and outputs. With the help of a voltmeter and an ammeter, students can take different measurements with this system, and then they must reconstruct which electrical circuit is inside the box.

There are a lot of similar “black boxes” in science, and the thinking of animals is perhaps one of the most mysterious among them. Such a task under the asterisk. We do not know for sure what is going on in the heads of our beloved animals, and we can only reason about their thoughts by the signals at the outputs of this system, that is, by their behavior in certain conditions.

Parrots: they know about the future and think in categories

American psychologist Irene Pepperberg had two unusual parrots. The first of them, Griffin, one might say, knew how to avoid momentary pleasures for the sake of long-term prospects. More precisely, he learned to give up oatmeal for the sake of more tempting treats – nuts and candy.

In the experiment, a cup of oatmeal was first placed in front of Griffin, and if after some time (from ten seconds to fifteen minutes) he did not touch this modest treat, then Griffin was rewarded with a delicious meal.Gradually, the parrot understood the rules of this simple game of patience and began to win the award in almost 90% of cases. And to cope with the temptation, he combed, yawned, or even threw the unfortunate cup of oatmeal to hell. In short, he behaved like a child in the famous experiment with marshmallows.

Another parrot Irene was named Alex, and he not only knew how to speak, but also distinguished objects by their shape, color, size and material. At the same time, the parrot did not mindlessly memorize objects along with their characteristics, but, apparently, collected in his head, albeit a small, but quite intelligible system of concepts.So, he correctly named the forms of geometric figures that he saw for the first time in his life (“four corners” or, say, “three corners”), or in response to the question “What color is the grain?” answered: “Yellow”, even when there were no grains around.

Alex also had logical categories like more-less or similar-same-different. In one experiment, he was shown two keys: one of them – metal – was smaller, and the other – made of green plastic – larger. The parrot was asked how they differ from each other, and Alex quite rightly answered that in color.Then he was asked an additional question about which of the keys is larger, and again received the correct answer – “green”.

However, even the most insensitive person could hardly call Alex such a feathered machine for categorizing objects. In experiments, he was often distracted from boring facts and could, for example, claim a banana as a reward or return to the cage with the words “I want to leave.” On September 5, 2007, when Irene was leaving the laboratory in the evening, Alex said: “You be good.See you tomorrow. I love you “(” Be good. See you tomorrow. I love you “), and these words were the last in the life of an unusual parrot. The next morning, Alex was found dead – he died from a sudden blockage of blood vessels.

Dogs: Looking into a Black Box

Dogs are capable of a lot of different things and, for example, can distinguish up to 200 toys without any prompts, but for cognitive scientists this is not the most important thing. Much more interesting is that the obedience of dogs and their devotion to man allows us to open the “black box” of animal thinking.

Today, dogs are the only animals that can willingly lie motionless in an MRI scanner if they are convinced that they really need it. With other animals, such tricks will not work: even if we manage to drive a cat or a rabbit into an MRI scanner, they are unlikely to lie there calmly and will allow us to remove the activity of their brain.

In one experiment, scientists studied what happens in a dog’s brain when it looks forward to pleasure. The animals were placed in an MRI scanner and a learned signal was given to them, which meant that soon the dog was expecting a reward in the form of a favorite treat.After that, the scientists turned on the tomograph and watched what was happening in the canine brain. It turned out that such delicious prospects triggered thought processes in animals, similar to human ones. The anticipation of a reward excited the caudate nucleus in the dog’s brain, just as this zone is “kindled” in businessmen by the anticipation of an imminent profit.

In this aspect, the thinking of dogs turned out to be quite similar to humans, so it is not surprising that many dog ​​owners perceive their pets, if not as adults, then at least as shaggy and whining children.Experiments have shown that people who look their dogs in the eyes produce the neuromodulator oxytocin, which is also responsible for the formation of a mother’s feelings of attachment to her baby.

Cats: walk on their own and have episodic memory

Where dogs are, there are cats, or rather the eternal comparison of dogs and cats, which is very difficult to correctly draw in cognitive ethology, which studies the thinking of animals. The fact is that cats are not such companionable creatures as dogs, and the authority of the owner for them is an almost elusive concept.At one time, the main mental resources of felines went not to social intelligence, as in those hunting in large, complex packs of wolves and dogs, but to the development of sensorimotor intelligence, without which it would be completely impossible for proud lone tigers or, say, leopards to catch fast prey.

Therefore, scientists very carefully plan their experiments on cats and try to involve them as much as possible in what is happening: they simply will not do anything on love for the owner of the cat.The easiest way to get cats interested is to offer them more food. This is what Japanese scientists did in a recent study.

In the first experiment, they took 49 cats and took turns running them into a room with four bowls full of food. The animals were allowed to taste a treat from two bowls, and then they were kicked out to be returned to the room a quarter of an hour later, where now there were four exactly the same, but completely empty bowls. The cats immediately began to look for the missing food, with particular zeal not exploring the bowls from which they had already eaten, but, on the contrary, the bowls untouched before: apparently, they naively assumed that the food in them definitely could not end and should just look and smell more closely to find the hidden treat.

In the second experiment, cats were again offered four bowls, but now the layouts have changed: two bowls were filled with food, the third was empty, and the fourth contained a notoriously inedible object – a black hairpin. This time, the cats were allowed to eat from only one bowl, after which they were again kicked out to hell, and then returned to an empty table. In this case, the animals already paid the most attention to the only bowl where the normal, edible, and untested food they had never tried.

So in a neat experiment, scientists have shown that cats do not automatically follow the logic of “positive reinforcement – instinct” (there was delicious food, which means that it may appear again), but on the contrary, they know how to compose completely whole ( although naive for observers) event models.

Pisces: complex social interactions

Temptations of parrots, the logic of a cat and such a human anticipation of pleasure in dogs – it may seem that if pets can think, then this skill went only to the most “advanced” of them, and thoughts and feelings mysteriously arise only with the “spine”.But in reality, of course, this is not the case. The same fish still have something to surprise the skeptics with.

Take cleaner wrasses, for example. In nature, these small fish live on coral reefs and constantly serve other fish, removing parasites from their scales, gills and directly from their mouths. Swiss ethologist Reduan Bshari, in aquarium experiments supported by observations, studied how this underwater cleaning business is organized.

The fish swims to the working point of the wrasse and assumes some special posture.Someone spreads their fins wider and opens their mouths, someone freezes upside down in a column, but most importantly, the wrasse understands from this position that his client is ready for processing, and defines the newcomer in an impromptu queue, where unreliable nomadic fish are always taken forward, and only then, as far as possible, they move on to permanent sedentary fish, which can lazily sway with algae while waiting for reception, eat a little plankton, or do some other non-burdensome things like “read the magazines here for now”.

The cleaners build their own relationship strategy with each fish. With someone they constantly and openly cheat, biting off particles of the skin of defenseless fish during a sanitary procedure, and for someone, on the contrary, a personal service plan: for example, wrasses do not accept sharks in their underwater office (sharks, by their nature, cannot stand on the spot), but serve right on the go, ingratiatingly circling around these formidable predators.

Thought everywhere

Ethologist Adriaan Cortland once observed how a wild chimpanzee interrupted an evening meal for 15 minutes to admire the colors of the sunset, and then, as if nothing had happened, returned to eating.In the text, we showed examples of conscious behavior only in domestic animals, not only because they are clearer and closer to people, but also because otherwise they would have drowned in the ocean of all kinds of examples.

Monkeys alone can do millions of different things – construct tools, plan their actions, learn from other people’s actions, and even sympathize with pain. In the London Zoo, they were even once taught to hold real tea parties, during which animals sat so decorously at the table that, under pressure from the wounded public, they had to be retrained to spill tea, break dishes and engage in other pranks that were incompatible with the real Victorian spirit.

Well, if even now you think that animals are simple soulless meat machines controlled by instincts, then here is the last story, far from both pets and smart monkeys. Once somewhere off the coast of California, divers helped a whale to get out of the nets of fishermen, and instead of retreating into the ocean in fear, he began to swim in a large circle around his rescuers and, cautiously approaching each person, as if to thank him with light pokes with his nose …The entire consciousness of this huge animal seemed to rejoice with one bright motive – “saved, I live.”

Many of the examples described in the text are taken from the book by Frans de Waal “Are we smart enough to judge the intelligence of animals”, published in Russian by the publishing house Alpina non-fiction.