Have you ever heard the phrase “curiosity killed the cat”? It’s funny because cats are said to have nine lives! Felines are fascinating pets. People think they can be unpredictable and proud, but they’re also very loving and friendly. Whether you already have a cute kitty or are thinking about getting one, there are many reasons to adore these animals. Here are 15 essential things to know about cats!
Not all Cats are Fans of Catnip
Cat parents probably know that catnip can make a cat feel really good. But what if your cat doesn’t seem to care about it? How a cat reacts to a catnip is something that it inherits from its parents. Only around 70 to 80% of cats actually respond to catnip, and it doesn’t do anything to kittens under six months old. So, if your kitty isn’t into catnip, it’s nothing to worry about—it’s just how it is!
Cats Are Masters of Survival
In the pet world, there are definitely cat lovers and dog lovers. But imagine if your cat and your friend’s dog ended up on an episode of “Survivor” together! Studies of cat and dog fossils suggest that felines were actually better fighters and hunters than dogs. Nowadays, we often think of dogs chasing cats, depending on the pets involved—some brave cats have chased dogs away!
Whiskers Extend to Cats’ Front Legs
You might already know cats have whiskers on their face, but did you know they also have whiskers on their legs? These leg whiskers help them determine if they can fit through tight spots. Besides the whiskers on their face and legs—felines also have whiskers on the back of their front legs, close to their feet. These help them sense their surroundings, judge distances, and detect potential dangers nearby.
Cats May Favor a Particular Paw
Just like humans, your cat might be right or left-pawed. While many cats use both paws equally, over 65% of cats have a preferred paw. Some felines might use one paw more than the other to grab food or play with toys. Next time your cat is moving around, watch them closely. If they seem to favor one side—they might have a dominant paw.
Cats are Bone-Cleaning Pros
A cat’s tongue is covered in little spines called filiform papillae. These spines give your kitty’s tongue its rough feel, but they do much more than that. They have a hook-like shape that helps grab onto whatever your cat licks. From house cats to lions, these spikes are super useful at mealtime. In the wild, felines use their spiky tongues to lick every last bit of meat off bones.
Cats Have a Limited Sense of Taste
According to research, cats have 473 taste buds, humans have about 9,000 and dogs have 1,700. This might explain why cats can be picky eaters. Cats can taste savory, salty, and sour flavors, but they don’t taste sweet very well. So when preparing something tasty for your cat—remember that they won’t appreciate sweetness like you do!
Cats Can Sometimes Be Green
In 1995, a green cat named Miss Greeny was born in Denmark. People thought her unusual color was due to high copper levels in the water. However, studies found her copper levels were lower than normal. Another vet suggested that Miss Greeny might have a condition similar to Blue Doberman Syndrome—which turns a dog’s fur bluish-gray.
Cats’ Groups are Known by Various Names
Groups of cats have several names. Three or more cats are called a clowder, a group of feral cats living together is a colony, and a group of cats that don’t know each other is a glaring. For kittens, the common term is “litter,” but a less known name for a group of kittens is a kindle. Maybe these cats enjoy e-readers!
Disneyland Enlists Feral Cats for Pest Control
One of the most fun and interesting facts about cats is found at Disneyland. Walt Disney chose natural pest control for the park; you can see signs about it there. That’s right—cats work at Disneyland to help control the rat population. Around 200 feral cats roam the grounds, mostly coming out at night and staying out of sight.
Kittens from the Same Litter May Have Different Fathers
Here’s a controversial fact about cats: not all kittens in a litter have the same father. Cats release multiple eggs after mating, known as induced ovulation, and these eggs can survive up to 24 hours. So, if a cat mates with different males during this time, she can have kittens from different fathers in one litter.
Cats Exhibit Impressive Hunting Skills
Cats are skilled hunters. Chinese researchers found that in China alone, free-ranging felines kill staggering numbers of wildlife: at least 1.48 billion reptiles, 1.61 billion fish, 2.69 billion birds, 1.61 billion invertebrates, and 3.61 billion mammals. The authors of these reports suggested that cats may be causing serious harm to wildlife populations—a concern that’s shared globally.
Cats Can Sprint at Remarkable Speeds
Did you know cats can run very fast? The Egyptian Mau is the fastest domestic cat breed, clocking in at speeds of up to 48 km/hr (about 29.82 miles per hour). In a 100-meter dash, it could even outpace Usain Bolt—the fastest man, who completed the race in 9.58 seconds with a speed of about 27 miles per hour.
Cats Age More Rapidly Than Humans
Cats mature quickly in their first year, reaching the equivalent of 15 human years. By the time they’re two, it’s like being 25 in human years. After that, their development slows down—with each cat year roughly equaling 7 human years. Domestic cats typically live between 13 to 20 years. As they age, they undergo predictable changes in health and behavior.
Cats Have Remarkable Ears
Felines have 32 muscles in their ears, allowing them to move and rotate them in various directions, even up to 180 degrees. Moreover, each ear can move independently, helping felines accurately pinpoint the source of a noise. These incredible abilities give cats super-sensitive hearing, explaining why they can hear you pouring kibble into their dish from upstairs and yards away.
Early Socialization is Crucial for Cats
Cats need early socialization to feel comfortable around humans. If they’re not handled by 14 weeks old, they might become scared and aggressive toward people. Spending just five minutes a day holding a kitten between zero and seven weeks can help them get used to humans. However, as cats grow up, they might become less tolerant of long petting sessions.
