Cats are unique animals adored for their cuteness and behavior quirks, like their obsession with knocking things off tables or headbutting love language. But did you know that they have a lot more to teach us? Read on to learn about some of the coolest (and least-known) cat facts that will blow your mind.
Cats have a wide range of vocal sounds, including meowing, purring, growling, and chirping. They usually use their sounds to communicate with other cats, but they can also express emotions and intent to their human companions. For example, a distress purr may indicate that your kitty is hungry, lonely, in pain, or dying. The intensity of a cat’s meow can also convey emotion.
Domestic cat breeds differ in their coat color and pattern, as well as ear and tail shape. Some are solid-colored, while others have a gene for white spotting, which produces a spotted appearance. The spotted variety includes the Bengal, Burmese, Siamese, and Scottish Fold breeds. The solid-colored variety includes the British Shorthair and Persian breeds.
Cats’ sense of smell is stronger than their sense of taste, which is why they are able to detect prey that can’t be detected by humans or other mammals. In fact, a cat’s sense of smell is so powerful that it can even pierce through plastic, leather, and drywall! A cat’s sense of taste is impaired, however, because they lack a protein that allows the tongue to recognize sugar. This is why they don’t have the same lust for sweets that we do.