Even Ultimate Cat Lovers Don’t Know These Fascinating Feline Facts!
Cats might seem like they're taking over the Internet (and the world) but there is a lot you might not know about the popular animal. Cats can be ruthless killers...or adorable cuddly fluffballs.
Even though more than 30% of American households have a cat they don't know the little feline quirks like how fast they can really run, or what each sound and meow means. These cat facts will have you bowing down to your feline friend.
Sorry, But Your Cat Is Ignoring You
We hate to break it to you, but science has proved that all those times you call your cat and they don't even flick an ear, it's because they're straight-up ignoring you. Your cat absolutely knows the sound of your voice and has even been shown to recognize their names. That means, they're just choosing to not respond.
Scientific studies show that cats will move their head or their ears if they want to pay attention to a sound.
It Was Illegal To Harm A Cat In Ancient Egypt
If you think that your cat is a god in your household then you might have more in common with Ancient Egyptians than you thought. They revered cats and saw them as sacred creatures. That meant harming a cat in any way was punishable by death.
Cats were so loved in Ancient Egypt because they helped regulate pests. They were a free and handy solution to snakes, bugs, and rodents. In Ancient Egypt, cats were called "Mau."
Cats And Humans Have Very Similar Brains
Cats technically have smaller brains than most dogs, but they're actually more intelligent. Their walnut-sized brains are tiny but pack in 300 million nerve cells. In comparison, dog brains have 160 million nerve cells but a human has 86 billion.
Scientific studies of feline brains have shown that cats have an incredible long-term memory and are adept at learning through observation. Overall, it means that a cat is technically smarter than your iPad!
The U.S. Is Home To More Cats Than Dogs
Dogs are technically a more popular pet than cats, with 39% of households in the United States owning a dog, compared to only 30% of households with cats. That being said, there are far more cats in America. Studies estimate over 74 million cats are at home in the U.S., while there are only 70 million dogs.
There are more cats but not all of them have homes. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates only half of that 74 million are pets, while the others are feral.
Cats Don't Sleep Because They're Lazy
The common house cat is one of the best sleepers in the world. A cat will sleep for 16-20 hours a day, which means it spends 70% of its life asleep! You might think this just means your cat is tired and lazy but it's actually trying to conserve energy.
It's a tactic long-used by cats to help them stay wide awake for when they hunt. That explains why your cat always runs around in the middle of the night.
Your Cat's Meows Actually Mean Something
It's easy to think that a cat's meow is so that it will communicate with other cats, but it's not true. What might be surprising though is that they are actually trying to meow to communicate with you.
Cats primarily communicate with each other through body language and smell. The only time they really meow at each other is a mother to her kittens. Cats have learned over time that meowing at humans will get their attention.
Your Cat Rubs Up On You To Show That They Own You
It might be hard to hear but those adorable times your cat rubs up on your legs, hands, or face isn't a sign of affection. Actually, it's them trying to assert their dominance over you. The cat is trying to leave their scent on you by rubbing.
They do that so when another animal comes near you, they know to stay away because you belong to another feline companion. Cats are just as territorial are we are.
Males Who Own Cats Are More Gentlemen
While having a puppy might make a man a chick magnet, there is nothing like seeing a boy cuddle up with a fluffy kitten. men who are self-professed cat lovers have been shown to be more compassionate, caring, and patient.
Studies have shown these traits to be a positive indicator of a respectable relationship. So boys, if you want to end up in a serious long-term relationship then go out to your local shelter and adopt a furry friend!
Cats Actually Do Have A Complex Personality
Any cat owner swears that their feline is unique and unlike any other that they've met and studies have shown that's true. Every cat technically does have a complex personality of their own and science has proven it.
The University of Messina’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study that showed captivity, genetics, and a cat's environment can vastly shape their personality. Since cats have more complex brains than dogs, it makes sense.
Most Cats Are Actually Lactose Intolerant
Thanks to movies and television, you might believe that the best drink to give a helpless kitten on the street is a saucer of milk. That's actually one of the worst things you can do.
Cats can actually gain a lactose intolerance over time if they are frequently drinking milk. Some cats are even born with it. Instead, leave out a nice bowl of crisp water and change it once a day so no bacteria grows in the standing water.
There Is A Reason Your Cat Follows You Into the Bathroom
Scientists and veterinarians have been trying to find an answer to why cats love to follow their humans into the bathroom. Mikel Delgado, a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, had a few different theories.
Delgado says that they might go in because their litterbox is in the bathroom, or they might also accompany you because there is fresh running water. Another possible reason is cats know they can get undivided attention from their humans when they are on the toilet.
Cats Are Faster Than Usain Bolt
Your average house cat can run up 30 miles per hour. If that doesn't sound fast to you, just know that the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, can only run 27 miles per hour.
Of course, not all cats are that fast. Overweight cats have a little too much chonk in the trunk to get up to 30 mph. Some of the fastest breeds of cats though include Bengals, Savannahs, Manxes, Siamese Cats, and Ocicats.
One Italian Cat Became A Millionaire After Its Owner Died
It might look like a normal, black cat but Tommaso is one of the wealthiest cats in the world. Tommaso was the housecat of Italian owner Maria Assunta. When she passed away at the age of 94 in 2011, she left her entire estate of Tommaso.
That estate was valued at $13 million and even included separate villas in Milan and Calabria. Even though Tommaso is rich, it definitely doesn't wear any real fur coats.
One Cat Became The Mayor Of An Alaskan Town
With all those brain nerves and personality quirks, cats can even hold jobs. An orange tabby cat named Stubbs rose to the highest office in his land in 1998 when he was elected mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska.
Stubbs the cat won the election as a write-in and went into work every single day until his passing at the age of 20 in 2017. It's so nice to see a working cat make a living in an honest way.
Cats Can Make Up To 100 Different Sounds
Now that we know cats don't meow unless they want attention from humans, it's shocking to find out just how many sounds they can make! Cats have very strong vocal chords that give them the ability to make over 100 different sounds.
We've all heard the basic meow, but along with the cute mews common cat noises can include purring, wailing, snarling, yowling, and hissing. Cats hiss when they are angry or scared and purr when they're happy.
Cats Don't Have A Sweet Tooth
Have you ever noticed that your cat doesn't care at all about the cookies or cakes on the table? Instead, they are drawn to meats and cheeses. That's because cats simply don't have the tastebuds for anything sweet. They are one of the few mammals in existence that lack the necessary taste receptors for sweetness.
That's why a tuna-birthday-pie is much more enticing than a cupcake and double chocolate birthday cake. Hey, at least that means more cake for you!
Cats May Have Domesticated Themselves
It's well understood that humans domesticated dogs from being wild pack animals but cats actually did the opposite and domesticated themselves. Researchers have found that today's housecats are related to feral cats and that it was the cats who realize the human's need for them.
The cats entered ancient cities and knew they would be safe around humans in exchange for their rodent-killing skills. You can't deny that cats are smart when you hear that!
Cats Lick Themselves To Cool Down
When humans want to naturally cool off, we sweat. And we can do this because we have sweat glands from head to toe. Unfortunately for felines, their only sweat glands are in their paws so their little bean toes have to work overtime.
To make up for this biological problem, cats lick themselves to cool down. By rubbing saliva all over their body, it will evaporate on their fur and cool the body!
Isaac Newton Invented The Cat Door
While he was busy discovering gravity and mapping out our solar system, Sir Isaac Newton also invented cat doors. It might be an urban legend but as the story goes, Newton was tired of constantly being interrupted by his cats scratching at his door while he was studying at Cambridge.
As a solution, he had the university carpenter cut a hole into his door so that the cats could come and go as they please.
The First Cat Went Into Space In 1963
It was 1963 and France was doing their best to seem like a world power. They tried to join America and the Soviet Union in the space race. Since both other powers had already done a monkey and a dog in space, France switched it up by sending a cat.
Nicknamed "Astrocat," Félicette the cat became the first high-flying feline to be launched into orbit. It rode on a liquid-fueled French Véronique AG1 rocket on October 24, 1963.
Cat People Are Generally Introverts
It's long been believed that cat people tend to be more introverted and independent in comparison to their dog counterparts. That's because introverts and cats have similar personality traits. Both are hyper-independent and like to spend time on their own.
They also both tend to live life at their own pace, can entertain themselves, and are self-fueled. And any true introvert knows that life is better when you're not being forced to perform by an extrovert.
Cats Eat Grass As A Laxative
Don't get too worked up if you see your cat constantly trying to eat grass. It's simply a longstanding natural way that cats have made themselves feel better and be healthy. Cats will graze on grass because it is a natural laxative for them because fiber helps with worms and cat hair.
They're just trying to keep things moving along, if you know what we mean. Of course, if they graze too much it might be a sign to take them to the vet.
Your Cat Kneads Its Paws When It's Happy
There are a lot of theories why cats like to knead their paws on you like they're baking a loaf of bread. The most prevailing theory is that it's a behavior leftover from when they are kittens.
Kittens will knead their paws on their mother's stomach as a way to express their love and increase milk flow for feeding. So if they knead you, they love you as much as they love their mom!
Cats Will Present Dead Animals To You Because They Are Taking Pity
If your cat is an adept hunter then you might find them leaving mice, rodents, or bugs around the house for you. They might even leave it on a doorstep or bring it right to your feet. While it's a pretty gross practice they're doing it because they think you suck at hunting.
Basically, your cat is taking pity on you for being a bad hunter by giving you their extra food. You're welcome.
All Six-Toed Felines Come From Hemmingway's Cat
Normal cats have five toes on its front paws, and four toes on the back. If a cat has six toes they're called a polydactyl cat. The extra digits are a result of a rare genetic disorder called polydactyly.
In the 1930s on the island of Key West, writer Ernest Hemingway was gifted a polydactyl kitten that he named Snow White. Today, the island is populated with tons of six-toed cats all descended from Snow White!
No Cats Allowed In The Vatican
The Vatican is known for opening its doors to the poor, needy, and to tourists but not everyone is welcome. Cats are considered banned from the small city-state. The ban on cats all started thanks to Pope Gregory IX. He hated cats so much he considered it the embodiment of the devil.
The hate was furthered with Pope Innocent VIII when he said cats were associated with witches and responsible for the crusades.
Lincoln Though His Cat Was A Genius
Another historical figure who absolutely adored their cat was President Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln loved cats so much that they owned multiple ones throughout their time in the White House.
Lincoln's favorite cats were named Tabby and Dixie. He loved to spend time with them and once even went to far as to say that, "Dixie is smarter than my whole cabinet! And furthermore, she doesn't talk back!"
Cats Can Taste Smells
While humans use taste and smell in combination sometimes, cats can't escape their combination senses. The entire top of a cat's mouth is a sensory organ that scientists have shown basically enables them to taste what they smell. This special organ is called the vomeronasal organ or Jacobson's organ.
It has nerves that lead to mouth the mouth and nose. This is especially helpful because cats have fewer taste buds (which explains why they don't like sweets).
Cats Have Proven To Be Good For Your Health
Cat lovers will be quick to tell you that their feline friends make them feel better and healthier, and studies have shown that might be true. Cats have been proven to be a heart-healthy pet.
They require less effort than a dog so they won't leave their owners stressed or on edge. They also relieve anxiety and have a smaller carbon footprint than a dog! To top it all off, cat owners have shown to have fewer allergies than dog owners.
You Can Shrink Your Cat's Hairballs
It's no surprise that cats get hairballs since they're so busy cleaning themselves and cooling down. The real term for a hairball is a "trichobezoar" which is also called a "bezoar." It basically means a mass of something that is stuck in an animal's gastrointestinal system.
If you want to stop your cat from getting hairballs and having to vomit them out, try grooming them more often because it will help remove loose fur. You can also buy specialty foods that help.
A Cat Nose Is Similar To A Human Fingerprint
Those adorable little cat toe beans sure are cute but they don't help identify the feline. Instead, the cat version of a human's identifying fingerprint is its nose. Cat noses have specific bumps, ridges, and lines that are unique to each cat.
Some veterinarians have begun taking cat "noseprints" as a way to track the cat. It's seen as a less invasive form of tracking than the common microchip.
Cats Are Probably Smarter Than Dogs
Sorry, dog lovers, but the facts are in and cats are officially smarter than dogs. Psychology Today concluded a study that said, "the cerebral cortex of cats is greater and more complex compared to that of dogs. A cat's cerebral cortex contains about twice as many neurons as that of dogs. Cats have 300 million neurons, whereas dogs have about 160 million."
So if they're smarter, why don't they train as well as dogs do? Some experts believe cats only engage with their cognitive skills "when they feel like it."
Cats Can Be Left Or Right-Pawed
The same way that humans have "handedness," most cats have "pawness." They will favor one paw over the other for tasks like cleaning, swatting, and snatching. Even more interestingly, cat "handedness" is closely related to their gender. Left-pawed cats tend to be male while right-pawed cats tend to be female.
One study tried to explain the preference with, "hormone levels could explain [these] differences in paw choice. Previous research has linked prenatal testosterone exposure to left-handedness. While studies of two other domestic animals, dogs, and horses, revealed similar... biases."
There Was Once A Spy-Cat
We now know that cats are super smart, very aware, and have even been to space. So it makes sense that the CIA would see all these skills and want to hire a cat as a spy. In the 1960s, the Central Intelligence Agency launched "Operation Acoustic Kitty."
The goal was the train a cat and embed it with a microphone, radio transmitter, and a wire it so that it would spy on the Kremlin. Unfortunately, it was hit by a car on its first mission.
Raw Fish Isn't Good For Cats
If you were shocked to find out that cats shouldn't drink milk then wait until you hear about their restrictions on fish. Raw fish can be very harmful to cats and might even contain bacteria that can cause the cat-version of food poisoning.
It's okay if you give your kitty some raw tuna fish as a treat every once in a while, but doing it consistently only increases the chance it will harm the cat.
Sand And Ashes Were The Original Kitty Litter
This will come as no surprise to anyone who's witnessed a cat in a sandbox at the neighborhood park. They pretty much treat it as their own personal litter box. Back in the days before there was commercially-available litter, people used sand or ashes to deal with their pets’ waste.
Then Ed Lowe entered the scene in 1948. He suggested that his neighbor use clay minerals instead of the messy ashes she had been using, and "Kitty Litter" was born. When Lowe died in 1995, his company was worth half a billion dollars.
If Your Cat Doesn't Cover Its Mess, Here's What It Means
A cat that doesn't bury its mess in the litter box but instead leaves it completely uncovered is sending a clear sign: that it doesn’t fear their human companion (or other cats in the household) at all.
This behavior is the equivalent of marking their territory in the wild. In colonies of feral cats, the most dominant cats leave their waste uncovered. An unburied mess means that the territory is taken.
Egyptians Mourned In An Unusual Way When A Cat Died
We're already well aware that cats were extremely important to the ancient Egyptians. A carving in the Valley of the Kings says, "You are the Great Cat, the avenger of the gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; you are indeed the Great Cat."
When a pet cat died in Egypt, its human family would go into a deep state of mourning. Part of their mourning ritual included shaving their eyebrows.
Hairless Cats Aren't Actually Bald
From a distance, "hairless" cats (which are called Sphynx cats) appear to be completely bald. But when you get closer, you can tell that they actually have a thin layer of downy fur covering their skin. You can see it in the above photo.
If you get the chance to pet a sphynx cat, you'll quickly realize that their bodies have a suede-y texture. These cats are popular with people who have allergies to breeds with longer hair.
Cats Can Squeeze Into Very Small Spaces
Many people who love cats are familiar with the phrase "if it fits, I sits. “Have you ever wondered how cats are able to squeeze themselves into some impossibly small spaces? It turns out that they have free-floating clavicle (shoulder) bones.
Cats are smart though and know not to sit somewhere they won't fit. Their whiskers only grow as long as their body width can handle.
