Cat Facts
Evolution
Next to apes, cats have DNA closest to humans. Dogs come much farther down.
Also, a cat's brain is more similar to a human's brain than that of a dog.
Sense of smell
Contrary to popular belief, the average cat has better sense of smell than the average dog. And it is more than ten times as sensitive as a human’s. Furthermore, a cat possesses an additional “smell-taste” sense, the vomeronasal organ.
Hearing
A cat can hear very high frequencies, comparable to a bat. She can hear sounds as high-pitched as 65 kHz; a human's hearing stops at just 20 kHz. She also recognizes objects such as different cars from their sound. For example, she can distinguish her owner’s car from any other or can recognize someone’s footsteps from a distance.
And by pivoting their ears (which move independently and up to 180 degrees), cats can judge within 3 inches the precise location of a sound being made 1 yard away.
Eyesight
In daylight, a cat’s eyesight is comparable to that of humans. But of course a cat can see in near (though not absolute) darkness.
Can further be guided in darkness by upper whiskers using currents.
Her eyes (also urine) glow in the dark.
But because of the anatomy of their heads, cats can’t see directly under their nose.
Paw sensitivity
Paw pads are extremely sensitive and through them cats feel texture, pressure and vibrations, helping them evaluate the liveliness and proximity of their prey. This is probably why most cats don't like having their paws handled.
Vocalization and body language
A cat can produce over 100 different vocal sounds. In comparison, a dog only produces about 10. Can express intentions and feelings by meowing, purring, snarling or combinations. Noteworthy is that a cat will almost never meow at another cat. Cats use this sound for humans.
And can further communicate using body language with other cats and humans. For example, a cat's tail held high means happiness. A twitching tail is a warning sign, and a tail tucked in close to the body is a sure sign of insecurity.
Feelings
Like humans, cats can get depressed and display signs such as loss of appetite and self-negligence (stop grooming themselves). Possible causes are the disappearance of a human member of the household she was attached to, or loss of territory to a bullying cat.
Cats have a sense of dignity and pride. They can feel offended when treated unfairly by someone they trusted.
They also have strong sense of grace and can even be conscious that they look attractive.
A playing kitten is aware that you are watching, and if it falls awkwardly, it will feel shame and hide under the table.
And being highly intelligent, cats can get bored and yawn like humans.
Their expressive face is remarkable. This is what makes cats so suited for lol cat images that dominate the web.
When a cat blinks at you, it means she likes and trusts you. Blink back to her, and you may elicit a friendly response.
Cats generally respect the rights of others and avoid unnecessary conflict with man, with whom they can become good friends.
Balance and survival in falls
Cats have excellent sense of balance, can walk on a high, thin edge or rail. They actually have an organ called the vestibular apparatus within each ear, and it works with the eye to give them that superb balancing ability.
They not only have a head for heights, but can survive falls from great heights. For this, the cat uses a double mechanism. Firstly, she turns in the air so as to always land on her feet. Secondly, she spreads her legs to increase resistance to air and reduce speed.
Agility
A cat can jump up to 5 m in length and seven times as high as she is tall.
Her agility is proverbial, she can swim, climb up trees and pass through a small hole if her head goes through. She uses her whiskers as sensor to gauge the space she wants to go through.
In the animal kingdom, only cats can retract their claws.
Orientation
A cat can find her way back from a long distance, even when taken there in the car boot. It is believed she uses several mechanisms for this, including the earth’s magnetic field.
Sleep
A cat sleeps during much of her life (an average of 15 hours a day). But while asleep, she maintains alertness and contact with the environment. Studies have shown that cats dream like humans.
Memory and patience
A cat has excellent memory. Not only much better than a dog’s, but exceeding even that of monkeys. Hence the phrase “a cat never forgets a blow”, which is absolutely true – she may forgive, but not forget.
And of course has great patience for things she likes.
Hygiene
Cats are admirable for their sense of cleanliness. A cat will spend nearly 30% of her life grooming herself. She can even kill flees on her.
And she’s of course remarkable for burying her dirt.
Cats’ kidneys are so efficient, they can rehydrate by drinking sea water.
Purring
Studies have shown that the low frequency of a cat’s purr (25 Hz) promotes wound healing, while it increases bone density and muscle mass. It also helps with stress reduction and pain relief. Thus, a cat does not only purr when she is contented, but also when in stress or pain.
A cat can meow and purr simultaneously, as the two mechanisms are independent, and purr while inhaling as well as exhaling.
Training
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained, e.g. to sit or do hi-five with the owner. The method uses a clicker, requires patience and consists in making the required behavior attractive to the cat.
Lifespan
Under ideal conditions, a cat can reach the age of 30 as against 20 for a dog.
In general, cats that stay indoors live the longest, those continuously outdoors the shortest.
Queen mother
Cats are prolific breeders.
A queen (unaltered female) makes an exemplary mother, touching to watch how she takes constant care of her young, teaches them the art of living and will defend them with her life. And she may go hungry to give them her food.
Benefits to humans
Studies have shown that a pet cat can significantly reduce the blood pressure and stress levels of her owner. Though a dog can also have similar effect, cats are eminently suitable because of their calm, lazy mentality.
Loyalty
Dogs are not the only pets that show loyalty to their owners. Confirmed cases abound of cats who stayed by their injured owners, calling for help, or alerting them to house fires.
