Graceful and beautiful, whether they’re sleeping or pouncing, cats have enchanted humans for over 10,000 years. Whether you’ve always been a cat person, or are just now noticing how sweet they are, these ten fun facts about cats will make you love them even more.
1: Genetically, cats are closest to tigers.
You read that right! According to genetic testing, your cat shares about 96% of their DNA with those giant, striped wild cats. From their carnivore diet, and extra-long sleep habits, to their playfulness, your cat and a tiger share a lot of similarities.
2: Cats were once worshiped as gods.
Thought to be vessels for the gods, cats held respect in ancient Egypt. They were thought to protect the living from the dead and were often immortalized in sculpture or buried with their humans. They were often favored by royalty, and depictions of cats ranging in size from house cat to tiger, dressed in gold and jewels can be found throughout ancient Egyptian history.
3: Cats sleep nearly 16 hours a day.
Cats will spend nearly 70% of their lifetimes asleep. On average, they will sleep anywhere from 13 to 16 hours a day. It might not seem like fluffy needs that much shut-eye, but it is a part of their nature as a predator. Hunting uses a large amount of energy, so cats of all sizes will snooze until the moment they need to hunt again.
4: Cats have 32 muscles in their ears.
A cat’s ears are able to move in amazing ways—for instance, a cat can rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees. So why don’t cats come when they’re called? Well, they are most likely ignoring you.
5: Cats and kittens have a different number of teeth.
Cats have 30 teeth, while kittens have 26. Just like humans, kittens will lose their baby teeth and their adult counterparts will grow in a little later. Taking care of your cat’s teeth is important as decay and oral wounds can lead to infections in their little bodies. Both at-home care and yearly dental checkups are needed to keep their teeth strong and healthy.
6: Cats bring you snacks because they think you can’t hunt.
By snacks, we mean that poor little bird they caught out back. Cats see us as their large, hairless relatives, even though we are absolutely useless at hunting. Many cats will bring their kills indoors to make sure their family is well-fed. Speaking of that poor dead bird, cats and their “murder mittens” are responsible for the extinction of 33 different species of animals and birds. It’s one of the many reasons why we urge our clients to keep their cats indoors.
7: Cats and humans have had a bond for nearly 10,000 years.
Just because cats self-domesticated does not make their bond to us humans any less intense. Not only did they help humans out by driving away pests like snakes, insects, or mice, but they were also companions, with humans sometimes choosing to be buried with their cats.
8: Cats can get stuck in trees because their claws curve downward.
A cat’s claws grow downward, which means to climb down a tree they basically need to walk backwards. For this reason, they prefer to jump down, and that’s why when they climb too high they can get stuck. This curvature also means that trimming your cat’s claws is extra important. If their claws become too long, they may curl into their paw pads, causing them immense pain and exposing them to the risk of infections.
9: Cats are sprinters with an average speed of 30 mph.
Did you know that the common house cat has the ability to run up to 30 miles per hour? Granted, cats are sprinters, so they cannot keep the pace up for long. But in the 200-meter dash, even Usain Bolt does not stand a chance against a cat.
10: Cats can be trained!
Yes, you read that right! Even the most “I do as I please” cats can be trained with the right positive motivation: namely food. What your cat likes is completely dependent on them, but with time, treats, and a little patience, you can train your cat.
Veterinary Care for Cats in Gilbert
Finding the best veterinary care for your cat is easy if you live in Gilbert, Arizona. Here at East Valley Animal Hospital, we have an office full of animal lovers who will treat your pets like their own. From yearly check-ups to emergency appointments, we can help your cat live a long and happy life. Contact us today to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/7/24).