Barbara Hecker

Cat people know that cats are smart. Thousands of years ago, cats realized that hanging around barns not only gave them a rich supply of rats and mice but also shelter from the elements. Learning to trust humans eventually got them the amenities they enjoy today. But how smart are cats really? One study calculated the number of nerve cells within the cerebral cortex of the brain in several animal species, including cats and dogs. The cerebral cortex is thought to directly contribute to intelligence.

Naming your cat can be a very difficult but important task. Cats need official names for all medical records, so there is no confusion about past history. Sometimes we use other names, like “Klutz” when she has fallen off a chair or Sweetie when we are cuddling her. If you are scolding her, it’s a good idea to have another name that you use only when she is naughty, so she knows you’re really not happy with her. Coming up with one good name, let alone two, can be a challenge.

We have certainly been having our fair share of high heat and humidity this summer. Luckily, many of us have air-conditioned spaces we can retreat to for cooling and our bodies have a relatively efficient method of cooling off via the evaporation of our sweat. Yes, we’re uncomfortable, but as long as we’re sensible, we can avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Our cats, despite having higher normal body temperatures than we do, may not deal with the heat as well.