Did you know that cats are the most popular pet in America? There are more cats than dogs in homes across the country. But there are a lot of things about cats that many people don’t know. For example, cats can be trained to do tricks, just like dogs. And cats have individual personalities, just like people. Some cats love to cuddle, while others prefer to keep their distance.
Here are some fun facts about cats that you may not know:
by David Stone
for Assorted Idea, Large & Small
1. Cats are very different from dogs in many ways.
For one thing, cats are much more independent than dogs. They don’t need to be taken for walks or trained in the same way that dogs do. Cats also tend to be more aloof than dogs, preferring to spend their time alone or with just a few close companions.
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In contrast, dogs are typically very social animals who enjoy being around people and other dogs. Cats also have very different dietary needs than dogs. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they require animal protein to survive. This means that cats need a diet that is high in animal-based proteins and low in carbohydrates. In contrast, dogs are omnivores, meaning that they can stay healthy on both plant and animal-based foods.
2. Cats have been domesticated for over 5,000 years.
The origins of the domestic cat can be traced back to the Mediterranean region. They were first domesticated by the ancient Egyptians, who revered them as gods. But they also controlled pests such as rodents and snakes. Over time, cats spread to other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. Today, they thrive in homes all over the world.
3. Cats have unique personalities.
Just like people, cats have their own individual personalities. Some cats are shy and reserved, while others are outgoing and affectionate. Some cats are independent and aloof, others clingy and needy. They also vary in their activity levels. Some cats are very active and playful, while others are more laid-back and prefer to lounge around.
4. Cats were once considered sacred in ancient Egypt.
cats have been revered by humans for centuries. In ancient Egypt, they were considered sacred animals, and they were often mummified and buried in tombs alongside their owners. Cats were thought to represent the goddess Bast, who was associated with fertility, domesticity, and motherhood. cats were also believed to have special powers that could protect houses from evil spirits. Today, cats are still popular pets, and they continue to be cherished by millions of people around the world. While they may not be considered sacred anymore, cats still hold a special place in our hearts.
5. A cat’s brain is more like a human’s brain than a dog’s brain.
Quote: “Believe it or not, cats’ brains share 90 percent similarity with the human brain. Cat and human brains both contain cerebral cortices with similar lobes. The brain accounts for approximately 0.9 percent of a cat’s body mass, compared to about 2 percent in an average human and about 1.2 percent in an average dog.”
How Smart Are Cats?
Cats are curious, yet content to stay in one place. They are also one of the few animals whose brain is more similar to a human’s brain than a dog’s brain.
Cats have a higher number of neurons in their cerebral cortex than dogs do, and they have a neural architecture that is more similar to humans. They also use more of their brains than dogs do.
For example, cats use both sides of their brain to process information, while dogs only use one side. This means that cats are able to process information more quickly and effectively than dogs. In addition, cats have a better memory than dogs and remember things for longer periods.
6. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
Not only are cats adorable and fun to watch, but they are also incredibly agile and athletic. One of the things that makes cats so agile is their very flexible ears. cats can rotate their ears up to 180 degrees, allowing them to catch even the faintest sounds.
In addition, cats have 32 muscles in their ears, which gives them an incredible range of motion. These muscles also help cats to keep their balance when they are running and leaping. So next time you see a cat twitch its ears, remember that there is a reason for it! Those little muscles are helping the cat to fine-tune its hearing and stay balanced.
7. Those amazing whiskers
A cat’s whiskers help them feel objects at a distance when they can’t see them well or to pinpoint the position of something just touched by their nose or paw.
The use their whiskers for a lot more than just looking cute, though. Whiskers are actually very sensitive and can detect even the slightest breeze or movement. This allows cats to detect predators or prey at a distance, as well as to navigate in the dark without bumping into things.
Whiskers are also used as a form of communication. When cats are happy and relaxed, their whiskers will point straight out from their face. But when cats are angry or scared, their whiskers will often be pulled back close to their face. So if you see a cat with its whiskers pulled back, it’s best to leave it alone!
8. The cat’s meow
Cats have different meows for different purposes, like asking for food, seeking attention, or showing pain. They also make a trilling sound that is similar to a purr, but it is actually used as a form of communication. When cats trill, they are usually greeting someone or trying to get another cat’s attention. Cats also make a chirping sound when they are excited or happy. This sound is often compared to the sound of a bird, and it is thought to be a way for cats to show their pleasure.
9. Cats can drink seawater
Cats are very efficient drinkers and can actually drink seawater without getting sick. This is because they have a very high level of concentration in their kidneys, which allows them to filter out the salt from the water.
10. An extra eyelid?
Did you know that cats have a third eyelid called “a haw,” and it helps protect their eyes from dryness and debris? The haw is a small, triangular piece of skin that’s located in the inner corner of the eye. When cats are relaxed or sleeping, the haw may be visible. But when cats are alert and looking around, the haw usually disappears.
11. Cats can make more than 100 vocal sounds
While cats typically only meow to communicate with humans, they actually make a wide variety of vocalizations to communicate with other cats. They can make more than 100 different sounds, including purring, yowling, hissing, and growling. Each sound has a different meaning, and cats use them to communicate a variety of things, from aggression to affection.
12. Those claws!
Cats sharp claws help them climb and catch prey, but they also use them for self-defense and to mark their territory by scratching furniture or walls. They usually keep their claws retracted when they are not using them, but they can extend their claws by retracting the ligaments that hold them in place. This action is known as “flashing” and it’s often done when cats are angry or feeling threatened.
13. A flexible spine
A very flexible spine allows cats to twist and turn their bodies in all sorts of ways. They also have very powerful hind legs that allow them to jump up to five times their own body length. This flexibility and power give cats the ability to escape predators and catch prey with ease.
14. Cats can be left- or right-pawed
Just like people, cats have a dominant paw that they use more often than the other. In fact, studies have shown that around 40% of cats are right-pawed, while the remaining 60% are left-pawed. However, unlike people, cats don’t seem to show a preference for using their dominant paw when they perform tasks that require both paws, such as grooming or playing with toys.
15. Multi-purpose tongues
Cats groom themselves by licking their fur with their tongues, which have tiny barbs on them that help remove dirt, debris and dead skin cells . These barbs also help cats drink by trapping water on their tongues and then licking it up. They also use their tongues to clean their eyes and ears.
16. A sense of smell that is 14 times stronger than ours
Their very strong sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than ours. This allows them to detect the scent of prey from far away, as well as the scent of other cats in their territory. Cats also use their sense of smell to communicate with each other by leaving scent markings. When a cat rubs its face on something, it is leaving its scent behind to mark its territory.
17. Cats usually sleep for around 16 hours a day!
While cats are known for being active creatures, they actually spend a majority of their time sleeping. They usually sleep for around 16 hours a day, but this can vary depending on the age and health of the cat. Kittens and older cats tend to sleep more than adult cats, and cats that are ill or under stress may also sleep more than usual.
Conclusion
Cats are fascinating creatures that have a lot of unique features. From their flexible spines to their powerful sense of smell, cats are truly one-of-a-kind animals. And while they may sometimes be frustrating to live with, there’s no denying that cats make great and fascinating companions.
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