The overall makeup of the feline ear has three parts – the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. When looking at the ear, the triangle-shaped part we see is the outer ear called the pinna, which funnels sound waves into the ear canal to the middle ear. Small bones then send vibrations to the inner ear.
An eartip is the universally recognized symbol of a cat who has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Eartipping is a standard part of most Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, because it's simply the best method to let everyone know at a glance that a cat has gone through a TNR program.
Henry's Pockets
They are a normal part of a cat's ear anatomy, but seem to have no known function. One theory, according to Wikipedia, is that the pockets aid in the detection of high-pitched sounds by attenuating lower pitches, especially when the ear is angled.
Cats' 'Henry's Pockets' Are a Mystery
There is a theory that this skin flap helps them detect higher-pitched sounds, but it may also serve no function at all. But mites and parasites love this location, so your vet will routinely check it during a physical exam—especially if your cat has been itchy.
It consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear includes the pinna (the part you see that is made of cartilage and covered by skin, fur, or hair) and the ear canal. The pinna is shaped to capture sound waves and funnel them through the ear canal to the eardrum.
Gently fold back the outer ear and peek into the ear canal. If healthy, it will be pale pink in colour, and have no odour, debris, and little to no wax. Do this for each of your cat's ears on a regular basis to make sure they are healthy and there's no build up of wax or debris.
The vertical slits in cats undergo a 135-fold change in area between constricted and dilated states while humans have only about a 15-fold change. Researchers say this ability gives cats the dynamic range to help them see in dim light without being blinded by bright sunlight.
Licking is not only a grooming mechanism but also a way cats show that they love you. Your cat is creating a social bond by licking you, other cats, or pets. This sign of affection may stem from kittenhood when your cat's mother licked them to groom them and show care and affection.
Most cats likely don't need their ears cleaned regularly. But, even if you find that you don't need to clean your cat's ears often, it's a good idea to do an inspection once a week. Regular ear inspections can help you spot potential health issues early on and get your cat treated before things get more serious.
Why is it That Cats Have Slits On Their Ears? On the inner side of each cat's ear, you will notice small slits which are located on the inside of the Henry's pocket. These slits are thought to help your cat with amplifying sounds while aiding in cat ear flexibility.
Felines can be affected by basal cell tumors, papilloma and inflammatory polyps, but ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma are the most common form of feline ear tumor. Often appearing as black or purple masses, ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma tumors more commonly affect felines between the ages of five to ten years of age.
Cats have abdominal flaps near their bellies called primordial pouches. While the purpose of these pouches is largely unknown, popular theories suggest that they protect the cat, offer more flexibility, and allow the stomach to stretch after consuming a large meal.
The “Henry” is the name of the standard electrical unit of inductive resistance. Perhaps because sound travels in waves, cat ears help to magnify sound waves, and it is suggested that Henry's Pockets amplify sound, that these marvelous pockets were named in honor of the illustrious Joseph Henry?
A tattoo is placed in your cat's left ear once it has been desexed to help identify that your cat has been desexed. Having your cat microchipped is highly recommended for being able to permanently identify your cat in the form of a tiny chip.
Ear-tipping is extremely safe and is performed while the cat is already anesthetized for spay or neuter surgery. There is little or no bleeding involved, and it is not painful to the cat. The ear heals up quickly and the tipped ear doesn't detract one bit from the appearance or beauty of the cat.
No, your cat cannot technically laugh, but they have other signs to show that they are happy. Purring is your cat's main way of expressing that they are happy. Some people even consider purring as equivalent to cat laughter. That's fine, but it's not technically the same.
Humans apart
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of the time.
Purring. In many cases, soft, gentle purrs signal your cat's satisfaction with the world, providing an audible sign of her contentment. But purring doesn't always indicate happiness; some cats also purr when they are hungry or stressed.
Will My Cat Understand If I “Meow”? Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language.
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
While some cats are not bothered by the small screen, others will watch intently, particularly programmes featuring other animals. Some studies have indicated that cats are able to identify imagery on TV, as we know that they can distinguish between outlines, patterns and textures.
Cats' two color-detecting cones let them see blue-violet and yellow-green wavelengths of light, but not red-orange. So, similar to dogs, cats mainly see things in shades of yellow, gray, and blue tinges, but some researchers think that cats may also notice some shades of green.
Dilated (large) pupils are another source of understanding the meaning of cats' mysterious eyes, and often indicate an excited cat. It can also be a display of surprise or fear, depending on the situation. It is not unusual for a cat's pupils to fully dilate when they are really excited.