Cats are adored and cherished around the world for their behavioral quirks and cuteness. Their purring calms your soul and their obsession with knocking things off a table might frustrate you. Not to mention the urge to rub their fuzzy belly. All of these things make cats quite a unique creature.
Yet, there is some hidden information and fun facts about cats that most people don’t know. Let’s look at them one by one.
- Orange Females Make Only 20% of the Population
If you see an orange cat, it’s most probably a male. Here’s why.
X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes that’s responsible for sex determination in humans and most mammals. The gene responsible for defining the color in cats is on the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes (XX). Male cats, on the other hand, have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY).
Since a male cat has only one X, so if that chromosome has the color gene (in this case, orange), that feline would be orange. This means that if a mama kitty is orange in color, all of its male kittens will be orange – no matter what color their dad is.
On the contrary, the only way for a female kitten to be orange is to have both XX chromosomes with orange color genes. What this means is that each parent will pass their X chromosome with an orange color gene in order to have an orange female.
The accurate percentage of female orange cats is still unknown. However, some estimates say it’s around 20%.
- Cats have Less Number of Taste Buds
Cats have fewer taste buds than humans and dogs.
Cats only have 473 taste buds, which pales in comparison to humans having 9,000 taste buds, and dogs with 1,700 buds. This is the reason cats cannot taste sweets.
But they don’t fret. They can taste bitter, savory, sour, and salty flavors. That’s why as obligate carnivores, meat is the primary food in their diet.
- Cats Don’t Get Cavities
Around 90% of cats older than 4 years suffer from dental issues. However, they don’t get cavities like humans do. The reason is, cats have pointed teeth unlike humans (we have flat teeth).
Dental issues, though not that painful; however can shorten the lifespan of your kitty. So regular brushing at home using cat-friendly toothpaste is highly recommended. Plus, you should also schedule dental cleanings as per your vet’s recommendation.
- Getting Zoomies After Pooping
Most of the cats experience a massive energy explosion after using the litter box. For them, post-poop zoomies are like a victory lap.
However, sometimes they might act unusual and run away from the litter pan. There could be many explanations for this. First, it could just be your feline throwing tantrums and not liking the litter pan.
Secondly, pooping is an uncomfortable experience, especially if they’re constipated or have a swollen urinary tract. If your cat exhibits such strange behavior, consult your vet at your earliest to treat any underlying health problems.
- Cats Don’t Explore Things with Their Mouths
Unlike dogs who explore their environment with their mouths, cats do so by touching and pushing things. So, it’s a common sight for a cat owner to see their kitty pawing over objects on a surface until they topple over. Whether it’s a book, a smartphone, or a drinking glass, this typical cat behavior is partly amusing and partly annoying.
There could be many reasons for this behavior, including but not limited to sheer boredom, seeking your attention, hunting something, or just being in a playful mood.
Another important thing to note is that when a cat throws something and it rolls, the kitty considers it prey as it’s “running away” and it starts chasing it down.
- Cat Whiskers Are Quite Sensitive
Cat whiskers are thicker than its fur and are rooted way deeper into the skin. Their number depends on a cat’s breed, but there are a total of 12 whiskers on average. Located intelligently on a cat’s face, these sensitive hairs act as sensory equipment, much like an antenna on insects. They help guide a cat through the day to get a feel of things while moving.
- Cats are Nearsighted but Can See Excellent in Dark
As opposed to humans, cats are usually nearsighted. This is because they have very big eyes that are placed forward on their face. Anything less than 1 foot in front of them? They can’t see it. So in order for a kitty to survive and navigate through things, it swings its large whiskers forward to sense what’s going on.
However, as contrasting as it may sound, cats have a fantastic ability to see in the dark. That’s right. It is because their eyes are strategically designed for night vision. In the dim light, their pupils undergo full dilation, which allows a cat’s eyes to let in maximum light to focus easily on nearby objects.
- Cats Have the Same Number of Brain Cells as the 10 Times Bigger Brown Bear
Ever wondered why cats are super smart? Well, your curiosity ends here. A gigantic animal like a brown bear has a 10 times bigger brain than a cat, and rightfully so. However, surprisingly, both animals have the same number of brain cells to process information. A bear has 251 million cells while a feline consists of 250 million brain cells.
This means a small cat has almost the same brain power that an enormously large bear needs to survive. No wonder cats are exceedingly sharp!
- Using Dewclaws for Gripping?
Remember the tiny little claw on the inner wrist of your kitty? The one that’s so hard to trim – and even then grows super quick? I feel you.
However, even if it overgrows, it rarely causes any problems for your feline. Some people consider getting it removed through surgery but that’s not a great idea. Doing so would make your cat miss out on a lot of things.
For example, that dewclaw resembles a human thumb in functioning, if you will. Cats use it strategically to hold onto a tree while climbing or grip its prey when hunting.
Know a hidden fun fact about cats that’s not on this list? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.
