Fun Facts About Cats
From quirky behaviors to important nutritional needs, cats have traits that make them unlike any other pet. Here are some fascinating facts about cats that you might not know, and a few things every cat owner should understand to keep their feline friends happy and healthy.
Only 20% of Orange Cats Are Female
If you’re lucky enough to have an orange female cat, you belong to a very exclusive club. Most orange cats are male due to genetics. Estimates suggest they make up only about 20% of all orange cats!
Cats Have Fewer Taste Buds Than Dogs or People
Cats are selective eaters, and part of that is due to their sense of taste. Humans have around 9,000 taste buds, dogs have about 1,700, and cats have only 473. This means their taste experience is much more limited than ours or a dog’s. Cats can detect savory, salty, bitter, and sour flavors. Surprisingly, they can’t taste sweetness at all.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores
One of the most important facts for cat owners to understand is that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to survive. Unlike omnivores or herbivores, cats depend on nutrients found only in animal tissue, like taurine. This is why choosing the right cat food is so crucial, and a commercial raw diet is an easy way to feed your cat how nature intended.
Cat Whiskers Are as Sensitive as Human Fingertips
Cat whiskers are thicker and coarser than regular fur, with roots that go three times deeper than normal hair. Positioned strategically on the face, whiskers help cats measure spaces, navigate around obstacles, and even detect changes in air currents, much like antennae.
Every Cat’s Nose Print Is Unique
Just like human fingerprints, a cat’s nose print is entirely unique. Each nose has a distinct pattern of bumps and ridges, making it possible to identify individual cats based on their nose alone.
Cats Are Imprint Eaters
Cats are imprint eaters, which means they form lifelong food preferences early in life based on what they were exposed to as kittens. In the wild, this was a vital survival tactic: young cats had only a short window to learn what was safe to eat from their mother and what wasn’t. Kittens “imprint” on foods they see their mother eat and avoid anything unfamiliar as a potential threat. This instinct carries over into modern house cats, making them seem picky or resistant to new foods. Patience is key when it comes to transitioning your cat to a new food.
Cats Meow Only for Humans
Adult cats don’t typically meow to each other; this behavior is something they’ve developed specifically to communicate with humans. This means every “hello,” “feed me,” or “let me outside” meow is a direct message to you. If you have multiple cats at home, observe them carefully. You’ll notice they rarely meow at one another, relying instead on body language and other sounds to communicate.
Cats Can Have a Dominant Front Paw
Just like humans are left- or right-handed, cats can show a preference for one front paw over the other. Studies have found that male cats tend to favor their left paw, while female cats may be more likely to use their right paw.
Give Your Cat The Best In Life
Cats are endlessly fascinating creatures, full of surprises and unique traits. Understanding our cats allows us to provide exactly what they need to thrive. Support your cat’s biological nutrition needs today with raw food. Use code PURR25 to get 25% off your first order of Quest Cat Food!
