Facts About Cats

1. Why do cats purr and knead?
   • It is a sign of affection and contentment in both kittens and cats. It also can be self-soothing in stressful situations. There is some evidence that it promotes healing, likening it to an ultrasound machine.
   • Cats knead as an association to physical closeness. Adults may continue as a learned behavior from kitten-hood, as an expression of love and contentment.
2. Why do cats lift their hind end when you pet them?
   • It is similar to why one’s leg kicks forward when a doctor hits their knee with a small hammer, it’s a reflex.
3. Do cats see in the dark?
   • No. They can not see in pitch black conditions any more than you can. However, their eyes are made differently than humans, in that, their eyes let in more light, thus seeing BETTER in dim conditions.
4. Are cats really loners?
   • No. Cats, when not cared for by humans reside in groups called a clowder. Often stray cats group together; they may even groom one another. Cats generally hunt alone, but often bring back spoils to share, much to the chagrin of their humans!
5. What if they "miss" the litter box?
   • You may want to consider these questions:
   • It there a medical cause to this behavior? Check with your local vet to see if there are any medical concerns that promote litter box avoidance. 
   • Is the litter box clean? Is there enough in the household for as many cats as the household has (generally it is suggested one litter box per cat)? Is the location ok for the cat? Does kitty like/dislike the brand of litter you have chosen for him?
   • Is your cat stressed? Moving, house renovations or interpersonal cat relationships can cause anxiety that may interrupt their regular litter box routine.
   • Does the litter box “fit” the cat? Cats come in difference sizes, some litter boxes are just too small.
6. Do cats always land on their feet?
   • No, not always. If they are too close to the ground, they may not have enough time to twist to the landing position fast enough.
7. Can cats be trained?
   • Of course! They are intelligent animals and can be trained to do some pretty cool things like: come, sit, jump. I have even played “leap frog” with a 3 – legged cat! Bengals have been known to fetch and play tug-of-war.
8. Is it true that cats don't like water?
   • Although many cats don’t really like water, there are a number of breeds that absolutely love water. Bengals is one of them. It is NOT UNCOMMON for Bengal cats to jump into the shower or bath with their humans. I have found my cats PLAYING IN their water, batting at it and having fun.
9. Should cats drink milk?
   • Not only is it not necessary, it’s not healthy! When a kitten has been weaned, their body is ready for water. A kitten needs his mother’s nutrients in the milk, but when they grow, they need a well balanced diet and fresh water that is always available. Regardless of how “wonderful” it feels to give a kitten milk, especially cow’s milk, it can wreak havoc on their system as their body is not built to digest that kind of milk. If you feel an absolute need to give your cat milk, please consult your local veterinarian and ask what kind of milk replacer they would recommend.
10. Are whiskers more than good looks?
    • Just like we can lose eye lashes, cats can lose whiskers. Fear not, whiskers do grow back. Their roots are very deep and although the whiskers themselves do not feel anything, the nerve endings in their roots can be used to evaluate small openings or even pick up changes in air pressure.
11. Why does my cat scratch?
    • Cats scratch to shed the outer layer of their nails. This allows the newer, stronger nail to be used - for activities like hunting, climbing, self defense and for balance. Each layer is shed every 4-6 weeks. If declawing a cat is an option, it is imperative that their owner understand the full risks of such a surgery. It is the equivalent to cutting off your fingers at the first knuckle.  This procedure is extremely painful and can even change the way your cat walks in the future.
12. What use is a tail?
    • Tails are helpful in balance and provide a counter balance when needed. If a tail is lost due to an unfortunate accident, the cat’s balance may be off until the cat learns to adjust.
13. How old is my cat?
    • The following chart suggests the "actual" age of your cat in cat years.

So it just goes to show, be nice to your cat, especially every 3^rd month, it’s her birthday, AGAIN!

Excerpts taken from: Mysteries solved – The Top 10 Cat Questions by Erin Marley, D.V.M.

Quick One Liner Facts

• Cats sleep about 90% of the day, and their awake times are divided up into short periods.  They often are at their busiest at night.
• Suggestion:  To encourage them to be awake in the daytime, stimulate your cats with play.  By keeping him awake in the day, he will be more tired at night.
• Cats love to scratch – having a vertical post covered with sisal rope could save your furniture.
• Bengal cats love to play in water and have been found jumping into the bath with their human!
• Bengal cats are known to play fetch.
• People normally allergic to domestic cats often have less or no reaction to Bengals!
• Glitter is exclusive to the Bengal Breed.
• Ailurophile is the "love of cats."
• A cat's heart beats twice as fast as a human heart, at 110 to 140beats per minute.
• Cats knead with their paws when they're happy.
• Cats have 290 bones in their bodies, and 517 muscles.
• The oldest cat on record was Puss, from England, who died in 1939 just one day after her 36th birthday.  (We wish we could have them all that long!)
• The weirdest cat on record was a female called Mincho who went up a tree in Argentina and didn't come down again until she died six years later.  While treed, she managed to have three litters with equally ambitious dads.
• A cat's normal body temperature is 101.5 degrees.  This is slightly warmer than a humans
• The first cat show was held in 1895 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY
• What kind of "mood" is kitty in?  Her eyes, whiskers and ears will tell you.  Learn to read the signs she gives you.
• Try hanging an orange or lemon scented air freshener in the inner branches of your Christmas tree, if your cat is a seasonal "climber."
• The Giraffe, Camel and Cat are the only animals that walk by moving both their left feet, then both their right feet, when walking.  This method of walking ensures speed, agility and silence.
• Cats can see in color although they are partially color blind. They have the equivalency of human red/green color blindness
• Cats need 1/6th the amount of light that humans do to see. Their night vision is amazing!
• Cats need 1/6th the amount of light that humans do to see. Their night vision is amazing!
• A group of kittens is called a "kindle."
• A group of grown cats is called a "clowder."
• Many experts report that cats will purr when feeling any intense emotion (pleasure or pain).
• Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.
• 95% of all cat owners admit they talk to their cats.
• Your cat is probably either a "righty" or a "lefty."  Only 40% of cats are ambidextrous while another 40% are either right-pawed or left-pawed.
• Cats love high places.  They share this love with leopards and jaguars, who sleep in trees.  If a cat begins to fall, his inner ear canal (which controls balance) will help him right himself and land on his feet.
• A cat that bites you after you have rubbed his stomach, is probably biting out of pleasure, not anger.
• An adult cat has 32 teeth.
• To make sure your cat's collar fits properly, make sure you can slip two fingers under the collar, between the collar and your cat's neck.
• Egyptians shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when they lost a beloved cat.

For more interesting cat facts see link.