Cats: Facts Not Fiction!

Here is a collection of "facts" about our beloved felines. How many do you know?

The Turkish Angora often wades or goes swimming. American Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Bobtails are breeds that enjoy the water too.
Just like dogs, chocolate will make your cat sick.
Most calico cats are female; the coloration gene is on the female (x) chromosome.
Your kitty can't taste anything sweet (it's a genetic thing).
Cats sweat through their paws! They also pant just like dogs.
Cats spend about 70% of their lives catnapping! Regular siestas are entirely natural!
Cats don't have collarbones; this allows a big cat to fit in a small space.
Do you know the proper terms for a group of cats or kittens? A group of cats is called a clowder. A group of kittens is called a kindle. (who knew?)
Your kitty’s nose print is as individual as human fingerprints.
Most cats love catnip; this includes lions and tigers (oh my!).
Who is the world's most wealthy cat? Japan's Hello Kitty has earned over 1 billion dollars in sales and royalties.
Cats have a dominant paw. Is your kitty right-pawed or left-pawed?
Believe it or not, a cat has been a mayor of an American town. The folks of Talkeetna, Alaska chose Stubbs the cat as their mayor in 1997. Ok, his job was an honorary one, but 30 - 40 people a day came by to visit Stubbs!
Australia, Japan, and the U.K. all consider black cats to be lucky charms!
Cats have 230 bones in their bodies - humans have 206.
Purring is useful! A cat's purr is in a frequency range of 25 - 150 Hertz.
This sound range can promote healing and increase bone density!
When your cat isn't snoozing, they spend half of their time grooming.
Humans shake hands when we meet another person; cats greet each other by touching noses.
There are about 73 million cats in North American homes and only 63 million dogs!

Your cat's tail is actually telling you a tale. Animals communicate with vocalizations and body language. How your cat holds or moves its tail can be a good indication of their mood and what types of behavior to expect. Be aware that the following tail tales only apply to cats - some of these mean the exact opposite when applied to a dog!

Tail straight up in the air: This shows a confident, happy cat. When their tail is up like this, they usually welcome attention, snuggling, and interaction.

Question mark tail: When their tail is up and curled at the end this often means your cat is in a good and curious mood. This would be an excellent time for some interaction, perhaps a game, or some petting.

Low tail position: Back off when your kitty's tail is low to the ground! This means your cat is unsure, agitated, and maybe feeling a little aggressive.

Swishing slowly back and forth: This means your cat is very focused. If your cat is looking at a toy, their next move may be a pounce.

Puffed out, arched tail: This often happens when a cat feels afraid, angry, or when they feel in danger. It's often accompanied with an arched back and possibly some hissing! This would be a great time to leave your cat alone (as long as they are not in any danger).

Tail curved under them or around them as they sit: This is more of a submissive posture, and it could indicate your cat is nervous.

Fast moving flicking tail: When their tail slaps the ground or whips back and forth, they are irritated, angry, or feeling aggressive. This is a great time to give your cat some space and private time!

Humans are so keyed into verbal communication that we forget to try and read our pet's body language. But, once you start reading your cat's tail tales, you'll quickly get good at knowing what your cat is trying to tell you!

Cat Tail Video

Fun Facts on Cats!

Cat TALES