Cats are some of the most popular animals on the planet. In fact, 68% of U.S. households contain at least one cat. Considering these fascinating cat facts, it's easy to see why nearly 50 million households have cats.
Weird Cat Facts for Cat Lovers
Cats are weird, okay? The more you know about these creatures, the more interesting they become.
There Was a Cat in Government
A cat once held a governmental office position! Stubby the tabby cat was the mayor of a tiny Alaskan town called Talkeetna for 20 years. True, the kitty didn't have any legislative power and was more of a beloved figure by the townspeople, but still, a cat as mayor!
They Have Unique Walking Patterns
The ever unique cat really does march to the beat of its own drum. When cats walk, they move both their left paws and then their right paws, only moving one side of the body at a time. The only other animals to use this interesting walking pattern are the camel and the giraffe.
Cats Have a Dominant Paw
Like people, cats are left-pawed or right-pawed. Female cats are normally right pawed, and more male cats are left pawed than females, which is similar to dominant-handedness in humans.
There Are Color-Changing Kitties
A Siamese cat can change color depending on temperature. A Siamese cat carries an albino gene, but it is only activated at temperatures about 98 degrees. If Siamese kittens are kept in a very toasty room, then their paws stay creamy and don't darken.
A Cat Received a Substantial Inheritance
The richest cat in the world was a millionaire in his own right. One cat, named Blackie, received 7 million dollars when his owner passed away. The owner decided not to recognize any of his own family members, instead of leaving his money to his felines and feline-related charities.
Fun Facts About Cats as Pets
If you're a pet person with a predilection for cats, then you'll love these facts about cats as pets.
They've Been Pets for a Long, Long Time
Cats have been staples in homes for a very long time, we are talking thousands of years! In 2004, a team of French archeologists stumbled across a cat grave that was 9,500 years old. Before then, cats were thought to be 4,000 years old.
Your Housecat Is Basically a Tiger
You might think that owning a house cat is typical and boring, but it isn't. If you own a cat, you basically own a tiger, and that is as exotic as it gets. Cats and tigers share almost 96% of their DNA! They engage in many similar behaviors, including stalking, pouncing, and marking.
Cats Have Purrfected Owner Commeownication
Cat's primary mode of communication to its owners is meowing. They don't meow to chat with other cats. The only time a cat communicates with other cats through meowing is when a kitten is trying to communicate with its mother. Kitties make other sounds to express one thing or another to fellow felines.
They Are Not Milk Drinkers
How many times have cats been displayed in an image with a bowl of milk? Cats and milk have become synonymous over the years. Interestingly, this is far from the perfect feline meal. Cats are actually lactose intolerant, and milk will cause most cats to have an upset tummy.
More Facts About Cats
You may think you know everything there is to know about cats, but do you really? There's a lot to unpack when learning about these domesticated creatures.
They Need a Lot of Sleep
If it seems like your cat is forever sleeping, that is because he is. Cats spend anywhere from 13 to 16 hours a day snoozing, which equates to roughly 70% of their lives.
Cats Can Live to Be Very Old
On average, the house cat lives to be anywhere from 10 to 15 years, but many cats exceed that age. One kitty, named Creme Puff, lived to be 38 years old! Prior to that record-breaking age, Creme Puff's owner had raised another cat to live to the age of 34.
Cats Are Noisy Creatures.
Everyone knows that a cat makes a few basic sounds, like meowing and purring, but truly, those two sounds are only the tip of the iceberg. The cat can make up to 100 different sounds, while the dog only makes about ten varying sounds.
They Have Noses Like No Other
Humans have fingerprints that are unique and special to them. No two prints are exactly alike. Cats have a similar special trait, but it doesn't lie in their fingerprints, it lies within their nose. A cat's nose pad has patterns of ridges that are unlike patterns on any other cat.
Cats Sweat Through Their Paws
You won't see a cat dripping sweat after a long run, but that doesn't mean that they don't sweat. Cats don't sweat through their skin, they sweat through their paws. Dogs also expel sweat through their paws.
They Can't Taste Sugar
Who doesn't love a sugary treat? Cats. That's who. Cats don't have a sweet tooth as they lack certain receptors that allow them to taste and enjoy sweet snacks. How many humans wish that they were missing sweetness receptions?
They Purr With Purrrpose
A cat's purr has a frequency of between 25 and 150 Hertz. This is the frequency where muscles and bones begin to heal themselves, hence a kitty with an injury could begin to heal itself with the power of its mighty purr.
They're Super Smellers
A cat has an incredible ability to smell its surroundings, and scent is the cat's leading sense. When compared to the scent ability of a human, the cat's sense of smell is roughly 14 times better than that of people.
Cats Are Vain Creatures
Cat's seem to really care about their appearance. They must! They spend about five hours per day cleaning and preening. With this constant grooming behavior, there is little chance that you will ever have a dirty, stinky kitty.
A Common Pet With Uncommon Qualities
Cats are generally accepted as typical animals in many parts of the world. While they are common pets, they are unique and incredible creatures. When you look at all the fascinating facts that surround the household cat, it is hard to ever call them "common" again!
