Cats are fascinating creatures with behaviours and traits that often seem too strange to be true. Here are 21 bizarre yet true facts about cats that will leave you amazed.
1. Cats Can Make Over 100 Different Sounds
While dogs can make around 10, cats have an impressive range of over 100 vocal sounds. They use different meows, purrs, and growls to communicate with their humans and each other.
2. Cat Purrs Have Healing Powers
A cat’s purr vibrates at a frequency of 25 to 150 Hz, which is the same frequency range that promotes tissue regeneration and healing in humans.
3. Cats Sweat Through Their Paws
Unlike humans, cats do not sweat through their skin. They sweat through their paws, which can sometimes leave damp footprints on hot days.
4. Ancient Egyptians Revered Cats
In Ancient Egypt, killing a cat, even accidentally, was punishable by death. Cats were considered sacred and were often mummified and buried with their owners.
5. Cats Can’t Taste Sweets
Cats lack taste receptors for sweetness, which means they are indifferent to sugary foods. Their taste buds are tuned to detect bitterness and meat flavours instead.
6. Cats Have a “Third Eyelid”
Cats have an extra eyelid called the haw or nictitating membrane. It helps protect their eyes from dirt and keeps them moist.
7. A Cat’s Nose Is Unique
A cat’s nose has a unique pattern, similar to human fingerprints. Each cat’s nose print is different from another’s.
8. Cats Use Whiskers to Measure Openings
Cats use their whiskers to judge whether they can fit through openings. If their whiskers can pass through, they know their body can too.
9. The Oldest Pet Cat Was Found in a 9,500-Year-Old Grave
A 9,500-year-old grave in Cyprus contained a human and a cat buried together, suggesting that cats have been domesticated for at least that long.
10. Cats Walk Like Camels and Giraffes
Cats move both their left feet, then both their right feet, walking in a pacing manner similar to camels and giraffes, unlike most other mammals.
11. Some Cats Are Allergic to Humans
Although it’s rare, some cats can be allergic to humans. Typically, it’s due to a sensitivity to human dander or other environmental factors.
12. Cats Can Rotate Their Ears 180 Degrees
Cats have 32 muscles in each ear, allowing them to rotate their ears independently to locate sounds precisely.
13. Black Cats Are Considered Good Luck in Japan
In many Western cultures, black cats are seen as bad luck, but in Japan, they are considered good luck and symbols of prosperity.
14. Cats Have a Strong Homing Instinct
Cats have been known to find their way home over long distances. This homing instinct is thought to be due to their sensitivity to the earth’s magnetic fields.
15. Isaac Newton Invented the Cat Door
Legend has it that Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat door when his experiments in his dark room were constantly interrupted by his cat wanting to come in and out.
16. Cats Dream
Cats experience REM sleep, which means they dream. If you notice your cat twitching or moving its paws while sleeping, it’s likely dreaming.
17. Cats Use Their Tails for Balance
A cat’s tail helps it maintain balance, especially when making sharp turns or walking on narrow surfaces.
18. Cats Can Make Their Own Vitamin D
Cats can produce their own vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but they still need dietary sources for optimal health.
19. A Cat’s Brain Is 90% Similar to a Human’s
Structurally, a cat’s brain is 90% similar to a human brain, sharing many of the same regions responsible for emotions and memory.
20. Cats Can Jump Up to Six Times Their Length
Cats are incredible jumpers and can leap up to six times their body length in a single bound.
21. The World’s Oldest Cat Lived to Be 38
The oldest known cat, Creme Puff, lived to be 38 years and 3 days old. She lived with her owner in Austin, Texas, and had a diet that included unusual items like bacon and eggs.
Paws for Thought
Cats continue to intrigue and surprise us with their unique abilities and behaviours. Their mysterious and fascinating nature is one of the many reasons they make such beloved pets.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Flystock.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
