Cats are amazing creatures, but there’s still much to discover about this purr-fect animal. Here are 7 of the most interesting cat facts that are sure to amaze you- we aren’t kitten around.
1. Cats sweat through their feet
Never seen a smelly cat? Neither have we, and there’s a reason behind that. Cats only sweat through their paw pads. Sweating isn’t good for cats, either, so if you see sweaty paw pads, get your feline friend to a cool place- stat!
2. They claim their territory with their claws
We’ve all heard of cats staking claim on a space by rubbing their pheromones on something, but they also mark their territory with their claws. Their claws and paws contain glands that leave a distinctive scent behind, letting other animals know to stay away.
3. Cats walk on their tiptoes
Cats feet are really important to them, and walking on their tiptoes is just another way they can protect themselves. This allows them to sneak up on their prey quietly, and it also keeps their body in the correct position when they jump from a far distance- which most cats do often.
4. Their whiskers are actually hair
Have you ever really thought about what whiskers actually are? Well, they are actually one of four different types of hair that a cat has on their body. The other three- down, awn, and guard- make up the rest of their coat. Guard hair is what we pet most often because it’s the outer layer of the coat.
5. A cat’s normal body temperature runs between 100 and 102 degrees
While a human’s normal body temperature hovers around 98.6 degrees, a cat’s normal body temperature is several degrees higher. That’s why they’re constantly sitting on your lap or over the heat vent- they need help maintaining that high body temperature.
6. Their ears are like their own personal radar system
If you’ve ever noticed a cat’s ears go backward when they hear a high-pitched sound, that’s for good reason. Their ears are another part of their defense mechanism, and the unique way their ear is shaped allows it to hear sounds that most humans can’t. The most fascinating part? It takes 32 little muscles to get their ears to move like that.
7. Cats need meat in order to survive
The diet of cats is very important. Since they are obligate carnivores, meat is essential to their survival. They also have less taste buds on their tongue, which means all that fancy food you buy them is pointless since they can barely taste it. Give them plenty of protein and they are happy.
Now that you know all of these interesting cat facts, go appreciate your feline friend a bit more (if they’ll let you). Cats chose us, we didn’t choose them, so we should feel pretty special that such a unique and complex creature decided that we were worthy enough to cohabitate with them.
