Bones Suggest That Domesticated Cats Existed in China 5300 Years Ago

Cat bones found in the farming village of Quanhucun in China gave evidence that domesticated cats were present in China 5300 years ago.

Ancient archaeological sites rarely have any cat remains so there is hardly any data available to reveal how they were domesticated. Previously, it was believed cats were domesticated 4000 years ago in Egypt. But the discovery of a wild cat buried with a human in Cyprus dated almost 10,000 years ago has changed that theory.

Based on recent DNA studies, the the African Wildcat or the Near Eastern Wildcat, as it is sometimes called, is shown to be the primary ancestor of all domestic cats in the world. This wildcat (see image) is native to Western Asia and Africa and is most the common and widely distributed wild cat. Although this species of wildcat is not native to China, the researchers theorize that the cats found at Quanhucun may have been domesticated elsewhere and brought to the region.

The recent discovery also suggest that cats were attracted to ancient farming villages by rodents and other small animals living on the grain that the farmers grew, ate and stored.

Combination of Wet and Dry Food Beneficial To Cats For Proper Macronutrient Intake

Maintaining a healthy balance of both wet and dry food for cats helps in their proper intake of macronutrients.

In terms of nutrition, focus is more on the vitamin and mineral of both people and pets. Different brands of multivitamins and nutrients abound. These are called micronutrients.

Aside from micronutrients, there are also macronutrients. The difference is that micronutrients are required in small amounts whereas macronutrients are needed in large amounts.

These macronutrients are comprised of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These are needed for body growth, energy, and building mass. Macronutrients are taken through food consumption.

Just like people, pets also require macronutrients. The primary source of macronutrients for pets are through commercially available pet food. These are available either wet or dry (in the case of cats and dogs). Dry food come in the form of pellets. While wet food are similar to canned food products.

The debate on whether wet food or dry food is a matter of choice. Both wet and dry food contains the required nutrients for the proper feeding of pets.

Study Suggest Cats Can Cause Suicidal Behavior and Mental Illness In Women

Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to a single cell parasite, Toxoplasma gondii.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention consider toxoplasmosis to be a leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States. They estimate that more than 60 million people in the U.S. carry the Toxoplasma parasite. Few manifest symptoms since the body's immune system prevents the parasite from causing illness but a person with a compromised immune system or a newly infected pregnant woman is at high risk in acquiring the disease.

Severe toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs. It can develop from an acute Toxoplasma infection or reactivated from a prior infection. Severe cases are more likely in individuals who have weak immune systems, though occasionally, even persons with healthy immune systems may experience eye damage from toxoplasmosis.

The CDC considers toxoplasmosis as one of the Neglected Parasitic Infections, a group of five parasitic diseases that have been targeted by CDC for public health action.

Study: Women infected with common parasite have increased risk of attempting suicide

Women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite, which is spread through contact with cat feces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide, according to a new study of more than 45,000 women in Denmark. A University of Maryland School of Medicine psychiatrist with expertise in suicide neuroimmunology is the senior author of the study, which is being published online today in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

"We can't say with certainty that T. gondii caused the women to try to kill themselves, but we did find a predictive association between the infection and suicide attempts later in life that warrants additional studies. We plan to continue our research into this possible connection," says Teodor T. Postolache, M.D., the senior author and an associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Mood and Anxiety Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He also serves as research faculty at the University of Maryland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Innovations Center and is a senior consultant on suicide prevention for the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

About one-third of the world's population is infected with the parasite, which hides in cells in the brain and muscles, often without producing symptoms. The infection, which is called toxoplasmosis, has been linked to mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and changes in behavior.