8 Fun Facts About Cats That Will Surprise Even Lifelong Cat Lovers

Cats are great. They can be affectionate and loyal and bring a little light to our lives. They can also be confusing and mysterious in the way they behave, staring into corners or inexplicably zooming around the house out of the blue.

We love our feline friends, but wouldn’t it be great if we understood them a little better? In this guide, we look at 8 fun facts about cats that even some lifelong cat lovers might not know.

Number 1: Cats Spend Most of Their Lives Asleep

Did you know that cats sleep for 12-16 hours per day on average. Some cats will even spend up to 20 hours sleeping in a single day. This means that the average cat spends roughly 70% of its life asleep.

Many people think cats are nocturnal, but this isn’t entirely accurate. They are actually crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. When you see their short bursts of energy - known as “zoomies” - it is often around these times and tied to their hunting instincts.

You might notice that cats often sleep lightly. This tends to be their default over deep sleep cycles, so they are always semi-alert to danger.

Number 2: Cats Can Run Faster Than You Think

At full speed, domestic cats are capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h). They are also incredibly agile, and can jump up to 6 times their body length. This makes them perfectly adapted for chasing prey and evading danger.

It is the anatomy of cats that helps them achieve these physical feats. For a start, they have over 230 bones - humans only have 206. With a flexible spine and powerful hind legs, they are able to move explosively. Their balance is aided by a highly developed vestibular system.

If you watch closely, you will notice that cats walk by moving both legs on one side together. This is an unusual feature and is similar to animals like:

• Camels

• Giraffes

Why Cats Almost Always Land on Their Feet

Cats have a “righting reflex”. Generally speaking, this develops at around 3-4 weeks old. They are able to make it happen because they are very efficient at twisting in mid-air - their flexible spines and lack of a rigid collarbone are instrumental in this.

Another feature of a cat’s anatomy that helps is its tail. This assists with balance, though cats without tails can still right themselves when falling. It is important to note that cats are not invincible - they can still be injured from a high fall.

Number 3: Cats Share DNA with Big Cats

Did you know that domestic cats share approximately 95-96% of their DNA with tigers? Their scientific name is Felis Catus, and their hunting behaviours mirror those of their wild relatives. This is why you will often see your cat doing things like:

• Stalking

• Pouncing

• Chasing

Despite their domestication, pet cats still have the same predatory instincts as a leopard or a jaguar. Some of their physical characteristics help with this. For instance, their night vision is about 6x better than humans', and their hearing allows them to detect ultrasonic frequencies that even dogs can’t hear.

Number 4: Cats Have Over 100 Different Vocal Sounds

We usually think of cats as simply saying “meow”, but they can actually produce over 100 different vocalisations. By comparison, dogs produce roughly 10. The meowing that we are all so familiar with is primarily used to communicate with humans, not other cats.

Kittens meow to their mothers while adults reserve it mainly for people. Other common sounds include:

• Purring: This can signal contentment but can also be a sign of pain or stress.

• Growling: If you ever catch a cat preparing to fight, you may hear this aggressive sound.

Some cats have been found to develop different “voices” for different humans.

Each Cat’s Nose is Unique

Cat nose prints are as unique as human fingerprints - not that they are ever used in forensic science! At the sides of a cat’s nose are its whiskers, and these are very interesting indeed.

A cat’s whiskers are highly sensitive tactile hairs, known as vibrissae. They help detect air currents and judge spaces.

It is important to understand that a cat’s whiskers should never be trimmed.

Number 5: Cats Can’t Taste Sweet Things

It’s an interesting fact that cats have significantly fewer taste buds than humans. Cats completely lack the genetic ability to detect sweet tastes in foods. As obligate carnivores, they require meat-based nutrients, such as:

• Taurine: Crucial for heart muscle function, among other things.

• Arginine: Necessary for the urea cycle to remove ammonia.

• Arachidonic acid: An essential fatty acid for healthy skin and coat.

The food preferences of cats are primarily driven by their keen sense of smell. This is why they often prefer their food and water to be placed separately.

Number 6: The Oldest Pet Cat Lived 9,500 Years Ago

Archaeological evidence of domesticated cats dates back as far as 9,500 years. The earliest discovery was found in Cyprus. It is believed that domestication likely began through grain storage, attracting rodents - a hunter was needed to control rats and mice.

Beyond this, we know that Ancient Egyptians revered cats to the point that harming one was punishable by death. In that culture, cats were mummified and worshipped - much like they are today on Instagram!

Number 7: Some Cats Have Broken World Records

If you take a flick through the official world records, there are a number of entries where cats have made their mark. From speed to long life, let’s look at a few fascinating records involving cats:

• Fastest cat speed: ~30 mph

• Oldest recorded cat age: There was a cat that lived to 38 years old.

• Richest cat: There was a cat that inherited millions from its owner.

• Largest domestic breed: Maine Coon

• Smallest breed: Singapura

There have even been cats in high places - in the small town of Talkeetna, Alaska, a cat named Stubbs served as “mayor” from 1997 to 2017.

Number 8: Cats Are Built for Precision and Survival

Cats have a number of unique physical features that help them to be excellent survivors. Here is some cat trivia you might not know that sets them apart from other animals:

• Cats sweat only through their paw pads.

• They have a third eyelid, known as a nictitating membrane.

• Cats have around 32 muscles in each ear.

• These animals have exceptional long-term memory.

• Cats have a right or left paw preference - males are more likely to be left-pawed.

• Cats can rotate their ears independently 180 degrees.

Final Thoughts on Fun Facts About Cats

So there you have it: cats are fascinating animals, and there are many things about them that you probably didn’t realise. From their epic DNA to their incredible vocal range, that small animal in your home is a perfect balance of predatory instincts and cute, cuddly fun.