Meow. Bah! Welcome to Weird Animal Facts Explicit a show dedicated to the weird, odd, unusually, gross and often times disturbing facts about animals. My name is Deidre someone who has worked as a zookeeper for ten years and throughout my time as a zookeeper, and a normal everyday person, I have cared for both of the animals of today; as I’m sure have many of you. Cats and goats.
Why are we talking about cats and goats: aside from the fact that everyone knowns that cats are ridiculously weird and for anyone who has ever seen or met a goat, knows that even though they can be a bit gross at times looks and are incredibly weird. The main reason why these two animals were chosen for today’s episode is because it is the beginning of February! Black History Month? Um…no, I mean it is black history month but this is an animal show so…that’s not the reason. For those of you who tuned in last year will remember that February, in addition to black history month is also responsible pet ownership month! So just like last year the first week in February (this week) we’ll talk about two domestic pet species (and how to be a good pet owner to them) and then we finish with the last week of February talking about exotic pets that maybe you shouldn’t have as a pet?
Haven’t you already done a cat episode? Yes, but that was during our five senses series all about their sight! And it wasn’t just domestic cats, it was cat eye sight in general where today we will talk about owning a pet cat and all the fun exciting challenges that comes along with living with a entitled demon from hell. And let’s not forget about those goats! Often over looked due to their dopey appearance, goats have been alongside humans for as long as domesticating animals have been a thing. What will be the next animal we shellfish human decide to domestic?
**Cats: Don’t waste your time watching the 2019 movie as it could quite possibly ruin your view on not just cats but also musical theater. For me, as a kid I LOVED cats. I thought I was going to grow to become a zookeeper and care for wild cats like the cheetah! And a lot of my love for cats came from the musical cats, we owned the VHS I got to see it live, which it the only way you should see Cats. Again, DO NOT WATCH the 2019 movie. It sucks. That best part of that movie were the credits; because it was over.
For those other musical theater buffs out there, would fully agree with me that the Broadway musical Cats gives a pretty good overall description of the behavior of many different cat personalities. There a fat popups cat who is spoiled from his owners. There’s a lazy ass cat who doesn’t do her job at killing mice and just sleeps all day. Mungogerrie and Rumpleteazer are two trouble making cats who get into everything. And of course, Rum Tum Tugger who is the type of cat who is the diva that is never satisfied. For anyone who has ever shared the home with a cat (and I say share a home because let’s face it, you’re just cohabitating, you don’t own shit), should be able to identify their cat in this stage musical.
But how did cats become so popular? And why? For the musical obviously it has to do with the amazing music and chorography and even better costuming, which is something the movie was very must lacking in. For the actual animal of the cat, we have to go back to when humans first started rule over all the land! Farming. Once we humans learned out to manipulate the land and started to store food where when the rodents came. And what eats rodents? Wild cats! And because humans weren’t complete idiots, they caught on to the fact that the more wild cats they had around the less rodents to eat their food they would have. So, they started to feed the cats that eventually lead to you watching up with your cat sitting on your face awaiting to get fed.
But the domestication of cats if very different from dogs or even the other domesticated animals as their genes are still very similar to the genes of the ancestors. Verse wolves who we pretty much fucked up into the Frankenstein Monster that is the pug. But even when comparing cats to livestock its very different.
For the majority of domestic animals of today, such as dogs, cows, sheep and even goats, they all originated in large groups, such as herds or packs; meaning there was always a hierarchy, as these animals have always been social. So we humans stepped in and artificially placed ourselves at the top of their hierarchy (or at least we try, because there are some very stubborn animals out there). Speaking of stubborn; cats. Cats aren’t animals that live in groups. Think about the wild cats that you know of.
Lions. Okay not lions! They are the exception. There’s always one kid that has to break the rules. But I would argue that they are still solitary, at least the males, because they’ll hunt alone. Proving yet again the females are the more intelligent gender since it’s the female lions who have learned to become more successful hunters by hunting in a pride. The males are just freeloaders that the females only use for their sperm.
Anyways, back to the more normal of the cats. The wild cats I want you to think about are tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs because they all are solitary. Now think about your cat at home. They’re like your introverted friend. They only come out when they need something from you or if you force them; otherwise, they’d rather just sit in that comfy armchair, next to that window taking in the sunshine. Over the generations we humans never tried too hard to change cats the way we did dogs. Where we’ve been selective breeding dogs for nearly 10,000 years its said that we only started selective breeding cats in the 19th century.
That can’t be right? The Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats. And I know mummies and pharos were way before the 19th century. You’re exactly right. But we’ve lived along dogs for 30,000 years, then we started playing God with their genes. We didn’t start fiddling with cat breeds until recently. But people have loved and lived alongside with cats for 10,000 years. In Cyprus there was found a burial gave of a man who was buried next to a cat with many offerings along them. Ancient Egyptians and their cats we only 3,000 years ago. But we do know a lot more about the ancient Egyptians and their love for cats.
Egyptians loved cats so much that they would murder someone even if they accidently killed a cat. At one point it was thought that every home in Egypt had a cat. Why? It started for the same reason as the early farmers. The cats helped to save and protect their crops. They even had a cat goddess named Bastet who was the goddess of protection, good health and pleasure (my guess due to her slender somewhat sexualized body. Even though she has the head of a cat).
Fun Fact: If a cat died in Ancient Egypt the family would morn in a very unusual way: by shaving their eye brows. Then once their eye brows grew back in it meant their morning was over.
The ancient Egyptians actually cared a lot about their cats. So much so that only would they murder you if you killed a cat but there were many laws established to protect them. Such as no killing, also no exporting them. Egyptians loved their cats so much that cats were see equal to humans, if not better. This is something we humans of today needs to work on getting in to our laws. You run over an animal in your car; ya dead! You use live bait to catch a fish; ya dead! You look at an animal funny; ya dead! When a cat did die, not only were eye brows removed but their beloved cat was then mummified. And mummification was not for the poor. Proving that cats were seen as better then people! And I think cats still know this today.
Cats are the pharos of our homes! And I think because they have helped to protect our crops for centuries, they have earned their right to simply sit on the counter and shove your glasses to the ground. They are royalty! They are the kings and queens of this world! And whether you’d like to admit it or not, cats have already taken over the world.
Cats are everywhere! And the population continues to climb. Reiterating the fact as to why its so important to get your pets spayed and neuters. Farmers today will find stray and feral cats that find refuge in their barns and what responsible farmers will do is find a way catch that cat so to take it to the vet to get it fixed. Yes cats have helped to protect our crops from overpopulation of rodent and by that have also prevented the spread of certain deadly diseases, but too many cats can be a bad thing. May feral cats and even outdoor domestic cats have become a huge issue for endangered species of birds. So the best thing you as a cat owner can do it keep your cat inside. I know its super enriching for the cat to experience the outdoors and if that’s something you want to offer your cat there are multiple ways to do so without them harming native wildlife.
Train them! I know it sounds crazy. Cats are so stubborn. But if zoos allover the world can train a 600lb tiger to calmly present its tail for a voluntary blood draw or train a 200lb cougar to pee in a cup on command then you can surely train your cat to walk on a leash.
Training tip: If you are interested in learning more about training your cat, dog, pet or roommate, then learn all you can about positive reinforcement. That’s giving something favorable to someone for doing something you’d like them to do more of. And it is scientifically proven, and numerous occasions that positive reinforcement (like giving your dog a treat or belly rub for sitting when asked) is WAY more successfully then punishment. The only reason we human turn to punishment, like yelling at your dog for barking, or spanking your partner (well I guess in some cases spanking can be reinforcing)…but the reason why we tend to resort to punishment is because it gives us a fast response but its not long lasting. Plus think about bosses that you’ve hated. Chances are they nagged at you and pointed out ways you can do better way more times then they ever said good job or thank you. Training is about relationship and if you punish your cat every time it jumps up on the counter, its going to develop some bitterness towards you. Verse, redirecting your cat so that every time it jumps up on the counter you call it over to its tiny hammock hanging from the window and give them a treat. And so that they don’t associate jumping on the counter for treat, you’ll also have to catch your cat being good. Meaning everything you see you cat on a surface that they are allowed to be on and isn’t the counter you reinforce them. This may sound like a lot of work, but that’s why there are well behaved kids in the world. Positive reinforcement; look it up.
Another and less training route you can go to keep your cat from making a native endangered bird extinct is to invest in a catio. Its like a patio but for cats. And there are many different routes you can go so to make your cat feel like that ancient Egyptian queen that she is: and enclosed porch that’s screened on all sides, an outdoor enclosure with shelfs and plants. Some people even have catios so advanced that they have tunnels from their living room to the outside deluxe catio. With enough love the possibilities of making your cat their outdoor Egyptian dream home a reality is only a few hard earned bucks away.
Scientific names are hard: For those of you who are new, this segment is always a challenge for me, as new unusual words that I’m not used to seeing or reading out loud on a regular bases, if very hard for me. So to make it fun and to fill the need for your nerds out there I ask my roommate Emily to give me the scientific names which I attempt to read out loud for the first time now. Most of the time I’m horrible at it but let’s see what we get today. Felis catus
**Goats: Just like Mikey from the Life Cereal commercials they’ll eat anything. WRONG! Sure, just like your toddler nephew or dog who can and will put anything in their mouth doesn’t mean they should! And this is especially true for goats. Many people think if they get a goat, it’ll be easy as they’ll eat anything making diet prep for them super simple. (Laughter) You fools! Myself having had worked with a herd of nearly 20 goats and sheep can tell you that some goat’s diet and extreme pickiness makes them more of a diva then most cats, and some will have stomach tolerances more sensitive them you glycemic mother. Goats can’t eat just anything and they shouldn’t. The rumor of goats eating anything, such as an old tin can, is mostly due to old cartoons. You know, those same old timey cartoons that have mickey mouse threatening Donald with a gun, or the sexy legs and questionable antics of Betty-Boop. Ah! The good old days of television, when we didn’t care what we were teaching out kids.
Today we care, and I care! Because a goat’s life maybe on the line. And even though goats have a four chamber stomach, they can still be sensitive. And picky as shit. Not as picky as pandas or koalas but still picky; as hay tends to be more cost effective then precious bamboo or perfectly crisp eucalyptus.
Fun Fact: Of picky animals in zoos pandas and koalas tend to be the worst. Talk about the ultimate divas of the zoo world.
As for goats, they are browsers. Which is different from a grazer. Grazers like cows and sheep mostly eat things on the ground; think of grass, and low growing vegetation. While our goats, deer and yes even giraffes are browser, meaning they eat a wider variety of vegetation such as bark on trees, leaves, and shrubs. And just like how iceberg lettuce and a banana have different dietary values so does grass compared to trees.
Most zoos offer their large herd of goats and sheep hay and grass, such as Bermuda grass, up to seven times a day. But there’s also alfalfa, orchard grass and timothy hay which are also common to feed goats in zoos. Wait? I thought grass was just grass? You obviously have never ventured into the world of marijuana. Just like the type of weed you smoke can vary, so can the type of grass and/or hay you feed your goats. And its all to keep the goats healthy. Disclaimer; please don’t give weed to goats…or any animal. End of disclaimer.
Just like we need the right combination of carbohydrates, to protein and fat, goats and all animals need the right combination of nutrients to stay healthy. And for all their microorganism buddies in their bellies to do their job correctly people who have goats need to do the same. Goats eat about 2 to 4 pounds of hay per day and they don’t even eat all of it. They’ll leave behind anywhere from 10 to 15% (talk about picky).
Fun Fact: the goats at zoos also get some fun enrichment food that’s usually provided from the horticulture department, who as they maintain the plants that grow in the zoo do some trimming, can take non-toxic plants.
And just like how your cat’s ancestors once hunted and ate wild mice, the ancient goats of the world once just freely grazed and ate whatever vegetation they liked. It wasn’t until around 10,000 years ago in West Asia, when humans started to manage wild goats by building fences to contain then so that it would be easier for them to milk their nipples, shave their fur, slaughter their bodies and yes, even burn their poo. But because 10,000 years of domestication has past goats aren’t eating the same things they once were. Look at your cat, they aren’t regularly dinning on wild caught rodents, instead you give your cat, cat-food. And in that bag of meow-mix has been added many of the necessary vitamins and minerals your cat needs and isn’t getting anymore because their job has changed via domestication.
Same thing with goats! So, in addition to that 4lb of grass per goat a day, goats will also need grain! But not too much or just grain as just like too much as some is covered in molasses which is almost a treat at that point, and too much nutrients can lead to toxicity.
The majority of a goats diet needs to be hay, at least 50% should be hay. If you have goats on a farm it may be easier to maintain the goat’s oddly particular diet as they should also be browsing in pastures where they can find all other types of tasty food filled with the need vitamins and minerals that may be missing from the hay. In fact, both these, hay and pasture grazing are more important in a goat’s diet then grain.
Oh and if you’re thinking about changing your goats diet; good luck. And I don’t just mean because they may turn their nose up at it, no the real issue comes from the microorganisms in their gut as they are the ones who are doing the hard work in this digestion process (for more information on ruminate digestion check out episode 8 on the white-tailed deer and muntjacs). Because changing the diet could actually mess up if not kill those microorganisms meaning you’ve got a sick goat you’ve got to keep from dying. Don’t fuck up their fiber!
Who knew taking care of goats would be so complicated? Me. I knew.
But it is worth it. Its worth their gasses burps, and their sticky poo and their intelligent way of not shifting even though they’re suppose to. Its all worth it because goats have some of the most exciting personalities of all animals. Yes, they’re fucking weird but in a good way; like this podcast! And with over 200 breeds of goats, I’m sure that you can find one to fall in love with. Now I’m not saying go an buy a goat right now, no, you need to do more research then just listening to this podcast here. But if you’d like to love on some goats without having the responsibility of caring for their particular diet then be like that cool aunt, who only shows up for family gathers to hang out with the kids but has no kids of her own, and head on over to your local zoo, as chances are they have a petting zoo that’s filled with goats just waiting for you love!
And please extend your love for goats to me as I attempt to read some more scientific names: Scientific names are hard: Capta hircus
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Adding an animal to your family can be very rewarding, but just like you need to think about the consequences of not wearing a condom you need to consider if adding a new member to your family is the best thing for you, your family and that animal. It can be a lot a work. Some more then others. As much as I love animals, there are some animals I can never have as a pet whether that be from living in a tiny apartment, to financial reasons or because my roommate’s dog would murder it. And these are all things we all need to consider when thinking about adopting a new animal or even a first-time animal. And if you and your family is looking to add a new animal to your home and have questions about the benefits of a rat over a chinchilla or do I really need to keep dead mice in my freezer if I want a snake; then please reach out to me. You can find ways to reach me in the episode description. And for more pet ownership tips and fun, keep tuning in to this podcast and listen in on February 22nd where we learn about two exotic pets. Between now and then we’ll have our sexy Valentines Day episode and Whales! See you then and Stay Weird!