Cats have captivated humans for around 12,000 years with their mysterious and independent, yet demanding nature. Many human families share their homes or barns with cats, but do we truly know and understand this fascinating species? To help cat owners understand their furry pals and appreciate their endearing quirks, the Stanton Pet Hospital team shares fascinating feline facts.

1: Cats are closely related to their wild counterparts

Cats have been domesticated for less time than dogs and have relatively little genetic variation across breeds. The domestic cat shares much of its DNA with wild cats and retains many of the same behavioral characteristics. Feral cats born “in the wild” can live and thrive completely independently from humans, unlike domestic canines.

2: Cats are natural-born killers

Cats are excellent hunters with strong predatory instincts. They have keen sight, smell, and hearing, and many are experts at controlling rodents. Whether or not your cat has an opportunity to hunt live prey, they require daily play that simulates hunting behaviors.

3: Cats have a special meow for humans

Cats communicate with each other through complex body language, vocalizations, and scent marking. Most inter-cat vocalizations are not the familiar meows, because these are most often directed at humans. Cats figured out how to get our attention and haven’t stopped since.

4: Cats use purring to communicate

One of a cat’s most distinctive features is their purr—a soothing, rhythmic sound produced by vibrations in the larynx. Cats purr when they are content or relaxed, but they also purr to communicate a range of other emotions and mental states, including pain and stress. If you aren’t sure what your cat’s purr means, consider the situational context and read their body language to glean more information.

5: Cats are expert nappers

Cats are renowned nappers—so much so that the “cat nap” was named after them—and can sleep up to 16 hours each day. How deeply your cat sleeps can indicate their comfort level in your home, with lightly sleeping cats remaining alert to potential threats, and deeply sleeping cats feeling totally safe and at ease.

6: Cats have a flexible spine

Although the saying “Cats always land on their feet” is a myth—cats can injure themselves in a fall—they are far more agile and flexible than dogs. They have a flexible spine that enables them to squeeze through tiny openings and settle comfortably in awkward spaces. The flexibility also is essential to their righting reflex, which is the mechanism that allows cats to quickly re-orient themselves and get their feet under them during a fall. Cats also have powerful muscles, lightweight bodies, and excellent balance that allows them to navigate high perches with precision.

7: Some cats are born with extra toes

Mutations are possible in any species or individual, but cats have one famous mutation that links them to author Ernest Hemingway. Cats with polydactyly have extra toes, which isn’t painful, but they can pass down the genes that cause the condition. Ernest Hemingway is famous for owning polydactyl cats, whose offspring still live in the Florida Keys, where they are cared for by workers at Hemingway’s historic home.

8: Cat coat color is influenced by sex

A cat’s chromosome makeup influences their coat color. For instance, the calico coat pattern occurs only in females, but orange tabbies—a closely related color—are 80% male. This is because only one orange parent is needed to create an orange male, but both parents must be orange to create an orange female. 

The domestic cat’s allure and charm have captivated humans for thousands of years. We share our homes and lives with these mysterious creatures, who choose to grace us with their presence each day. Provide your feline friend with the best veterinary care by contacting the Stanton Pet Hospital team to schedule a wellness check-up.