7 Fun Facts About Cats

We have been researching again and found out some interesting and fun facts about cats this time…

 

This is my patch!

 

Although cats do rub against people and objects in order to show affection, they also do this to mark their territory and let other cats know it is their patch!  Cats have scent glands in the sides of their face so when they rub, they leave their scent on you and the areas around them.  Cat paws and their tail area are also known to carry scent as well, perfect for more marking!

 

Cats spend 70% of their lives asleep!

 

It’s a well known fact that cats do a lot of sleeping but did you know they actually sleep for 13 – 16 hours every day.  According to Veterinary Hub, that actually equates to cats spending 70% of their lives asleep!  That’s a lot of sleeping!

 

Savoury over sweet

 

Scientists believe a mutation in a key taste receptor causes cats not to have a sweet tooth like dogs.  However, the other day I caught Luna taking a bite out of a chocolate brownie, right underneath my nose, as I was putting the box back in the cupboard!  Luckily I saw straight away as was able to hook it out of her mouth as chocolate is incredibly dangerous for pets.

 

What do cats have in common with camels and giraffes?

 

Well, you’d think that cats were quite different from camels and giraffes, however, they share one very interesting similarity.  They are the only three animals that walk in a particular way!  Watch your cat the next time he or she walks, you will find they follow a sequence; both right feet first, followed by both left feet.  They move half of their body forward at a time and cats, camels and giraffes are the only animals to walk in this way, how cool is that!

 

Domesticated cats share 95.6% of their DNA with tigers!

 

Wow this is a very cool fact.  A study has shown that our domesticated house cats share 95.6% of their DNA with tigers!  They also share behaviours such as prey stalking, pouncing and scent and urine marking!  I often look at Sammy and Luna and see big cat characteristics in their behaviour, I find it very fascinating 🙂

 

Cats are top of the list!

 

Cats are the most popular pets across the world by far, in some places they outnumber dogs by as many as 3 to 1!

 

Your cat could beat Usain Bolt in a 200m sprint!

 

We all know cats love to tear around the house, up and down the stairs like little rockets!  Sammy and Luna have perfected this, especially at night, they zoom around and sound like a herd of elephants when they rocket up and down the stairs.  Did you know that your cat can reach speeds of up to 30mph, which means they could beat Usain Bolt in a 200m sprint!

 

We had great fun searching for these facts.  The Purina and Fact Retriever websites have lots of excellent facts and pet information, check them out!.