Cats Dictionary

feline: Refers to the Felidae family that includes domestic cats, tigers, lions, etc. In general, feline describes cats.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): A serious, potentially fatal virus that affects about 11 percent of domestic cats in the world each year. Like HIV in humans, FIV targets the immune system. While there is a vaccine for FIV, it's effectiveness is still questionable.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV): A serious, fatal genetic disease that can cause other serious conditions in cats, including anemia and immunosuppression.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): Affecting male cats more often, FLUTD refers to a condition in which the urethra (the tube from the bladder through which mammals excrete urine) is blocked, preventing the excretion. This causes urine to build up in the bladder, potentially infecting the kidneys. FLUTD is an extremely painful condition that your cat should be treated for immediately.

Feline Panleukopaenia: Also known as Feline infectious enteritis or cat distemper, Feline Panleukopaenia is a serious viral disease that causes cats to have a fever, vomit and suffer from diarrhea. There is a vaccine for this disease.

Feline Urological Syndrome: See Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.

feral: Describes cats (or any animal) that have returned to the wild after having been domesticated. Feral cats can be the result of an escape or because the owner has released them into the wild.

fillers: Non-toxic products added to cat food to increase its volume and reduce the cost of producing it.

free-feed: The act of feeding a cat without a schedule.

genotype: Refers to the genetic makeup of a particular animal, human or organism. Genotype includes and determines both visible (e.g. eye color) and latent (e.g. characteristics.

ghost markings: Slightly visible tabby markings in some solid-colored felines that are more visible in kittens.

gib: A neutered male cat.

guard hair: The longest, most coarse hair of a cat's coat that protects the undercoat.

heat: Also known as estrus, heat refers to the stage in a female cat's reproductive cycle in which the female has an intensified sexual arousal. Females have 2 to 4 heats per year, each lasting from 15 to 22 days.

Hepatic Lipidosis: Known as fatty liver disease, hepatic lipidosis refers to a condition in which excess fat builds up around a cat's liver. Affecting females more than males, hepatic lipidosis is generally the symptom of a more serious underlying disorder, in most cases a loss of appetite.

Herpes virus: A sexually transmitted viral disease that affects the central nervous system and that causes outbreaks of painful blisters on the skin.

hock: The joint or section of a cat's hind leg between the foot and the hip.

homeopathic: Describes cures or treatments related to alternative medicine. Herbal supplements and acupuncture are both considered to be forms of homeopathic medicine.

hookworm: An infectious bloodsucking parasite that invades a host through its skin.

inbreed: To breed two closely related cats.

Jacobsen's organ: A supporting olfactory sensory organ found in some vertebrates, including cats.