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A Cat's Eyes
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In a Cat's Eye
By: Alfred and Miss Patches Marie Kitty
Cat's eyes are probably the most expressive part of the cat.
They are also mesmerizing and there are superstitions about
cats being able to tell when you are lying or a person of
bad character. Because of this, it has even been suggested
that if a person doesn't like cats it is because the person
is untrustworthy and so feels uncomfortable with a cat's
fixed stare and wise looks.
A cat's pupils do not dilate independently like those of
some other animals. The cat's eyes dilate based on the
amount of light that is available. If your cat's eyes are
dilating independently it can be a sign of any number of
problems like:
- Inflammation of an eye
- Horner's Syndrome, a neurological disease
- FeLV
- Cancer
- Damage to the Central Nervous System
- The third eyelid
Cats have a third eyelid that is a nictitating membrane that
protects the eyes from becoming dry or damaged. When a cat
is ill the third eyelid may partially close and it is very
important that you take it to a veterinarian right away if
any other symptoms become apparent. However, a cat that is
very happy may also reveal the nictitating membranes.
A cat's eyes will change with its mood, so it is very
apparent when it is happy, sad or angry. A frightened cat
will have its pupils over-expanded to almost a circle and
its eyes open wide. An angry cat will have very narrowed
pupils and the eyelids will form narrow open slits.
All cats have elliptical pupils and round corneas with
almond shaped eyes. The dilation of the pupil is controlled
through two shutter-like ciliary muscles. A cat's eyes
function better in low light conditions and it has been
suggested that cats are really nocturnal animals. Cat's eyes
are relatively larger than a human's eyes. The lens of the
eye is more curved, suggesting that they have sharper focus
than humans.
The size of the anterior chamber of a cat's eye and the
cornea itself are greater in size relative to a human's eye
as well. This helps more light be refracted onto the retina.
Positioned at the back of a cat's eye is a tapetum lucidum
that acts like a mirror. This is what reflects light back at
you when you look at a cat that is caught in the beam of a
flashlight or headlight.
The reason that cats see better at night is because their
eyes contain a greater concentration of rods than in a
human's eye. This is what gives them the ability to have
great night time vision. They also have their receptor cells
lined up in a broad horizontal band so that they have the
ability to detect minute movements along the horizontal axis
and can see such movement at greater distances. This is, of
course, great for stalking prey.
Cats are subject to a lot of the same eye diseases as
humans, including glaucoma, pinkeye and cataracts. If your
cat contracts pinkeye it may be able to spread to you so
watch out and wash your hands frequently.
A cat's eyes are essential to its health and wellbeing.
Allowing an infection of any kind to linger can cause
irreversible eye damage and might well blind your cat. It is
important that if you notice any excessive weeping, red eyes
or any other symptoms that may suggest a problem with your
cat's eyes that you take it to the veterinarian as soon as
possible to correct the issue.
Alfred Says:
You know that cats are carnivores, meaning they are meat eaters.
They don't have the ability to manufacture proteins in their liver
as dogs and humans do, thus they have to get their proteins from food.
Complete proteins come from meat sources. Incomplete proteins come
from grains. Incomplete proteins do not have all the amino acids
present required to form what we call a complete protein.
Also you will want to consider the presence of harsh chemical preservatives
that are in some foods, such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. All have been
proven to play a role in various degenerative diseases such as kidney
and liver disease, and cancer.
Now, what do you believe would be better for your precious Kitty, a food
that has a cancer causing agent, or a food that has all natural
preservatives?
Our suggestion then is to look for a kitten or cat food that has at
least 2 to 3 meat sources of proteins to every one grain source.
And to look for a food that has all natural preservatives instead of toxic
chemicals.
Our recommended dining experience for cats and kittens is:
Life's Abundance Premium Health Food For Cats
It is a 100% complete and balanced formula that is safe for your kitten,
and will supply your kitten with the nutrients it needs.
Check out Alfred's
Favorite Feline Cuisine Here
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