28+ Cat Facts That Every Feline Lover Should Know! (Free Printable)

Cats, known for their grace, agility, and playfulness, are adored by people worldwide and are cherished as wonderful companions.

In addition to their captivating characteristics, cats possess several fascinating facts you may not be aware of, such as their remarkable sense of smell and exceptional jumping abilities. 

Despite being one of the most popular pets, with 18% of UK households having at least one, cats continue to surprise us with their unique traits and behaviors, from the world’s largest cat to their unusual gait.

Interesting Cat Facts

Cats Prefer Free Meals: Debunking the Myth of “Working” for Food

According to animal behaviorist Julie Posluns, cats have been scientifically shown to be freeloaders. Unlike many other animals that would instead “earn” their food, cats don’t share the same preference even if there’s an option for free food.

If presented with an identical bowl of free food and a puzzle toy containing food, a cat will invariably choose the effortless meal, as per Posluns.

A Comprehensive List of Domestic Cat Breeds Sporting Solid Black Fur

Over 20 domestic cat breeds have the potential to exhibit solid black fur, including the Bombay, Norwegian forest cat, British shorthair, and American shorthair.

The Egyptian Mau Capable of Reaching Speeds of Up to 30 Mph

Capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph, the Egyptian Mau holds the title of the quickest domestic cat.

Cats Can Be Trained Effectively

As per animal behaviorist Julie Posluns, cats can be trained effectively with positive reinforcement techniques, which goes against the commonly held belief.

They can master an array of tricks and skills and are even capable of walking on a leash.

Egyptian Art Depictions of Cats Over 4,000 Years

Cats Have Excellent Long-Distance Vision

According to animal behaviorist Julia Posluns, cats possess exceptional long-distance vision; however, nearby objects may appear blurry.

Therefore, when playing with your feline companion, it’s advisable to position toys further away so that they can clearly distinguish the “prey.”

Waffle the Warrior Cat Holds Guinness World Record for Farthest Jump

An ordinary healthy cat can jump at significant heights and distances. However, Waffle the Warrior Cat holds the current Guinness World Record for the farthest jump, achieving an impressive leap of 7 feet.

Cats’ Advanced Abilities to Understand Humans

Felines have developed refined means of communicating with humans. They can track where we’re looking and follow the direction of our fingers.

These abilities assist them in comprehending our intentions. Furthermore, they employ behaviors like purring and slow blinking to convey their ease and affection towards us.

A Polydactyl Cat Carries a Genetic Mutation

A polydactyl cat carries a genetic mutation resulting in extra toes, typically on the front paws, hence the moniker “mitten cat.” The most renowned of these felines can be found at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

Black Cat Bias

Regrettably, as per Julie Posluns, cats with black fur are frequently subjected to “black cat bias,” resulting in fewer adoptions and a higher rate of euthanasia in shelters than other felines.

Posluns notes that individuals may have trouble discerning black cats’ amiable and affectionate nature due to their relatively indiscernible facial expressions.

Cats Spending 70% of Their Time In Dozing

According to Veterinary Hub, cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping. This equates to approximately 13-16 hours of daily slumber.

If you’ve ever owned a feline companion, you may have observed that cats are skilled nappers, able to doze off at a moment’s notice.

The Unusual Mayor of Talkeetna, a Beloved Tabby Cat

For 20 years, a small town in Alaska named Talkeetna had an unusual mayor – an orange tabby cat named Stubbs.

Despite having no legislative power, Stubbs won several uncontested elections and was beloved by the locals and tourists who visited the town.

Record-Breaking Cats

While domestic cats are commonly known for being small, a Maine Coon named Stewie proved this stereotype wrong by holding the title for the longest cat measuring 48.5 inches.

In contrast, the record for the tallest cat belonged to Arcturus, who measured a towering 19.05 inches. These felines indeed prove that cats can come in all shapes and sizes.

Blackie is The Wealthiest Feline in History, with A £7 Million Fortune

Guinness World Records states that the wealthiest feline in history was a cat named Blackie. When his wealthy owner passed away, he decided not to leave anything to his family in the will and instead bequeathed his entire £7 million fortune to Blackie. It’s certainly an intriguing fact about cats.

Isaac Newton’s Cat Door: An Inventive Solution to Cat Disturbances

How Stuff Works states that Isaac Newton is also believed to have invented the cat door in addition to calculating gravity. While conducting experiments at the University of Cambridge, he was frequently disturbed by his cats scratching at the door.

So, he called upon a carpenter to create two holes in the door, one for the mother cat and one for her kittens. These holes are reportedly still visible at the university today.

Felicette was The First and Only Cat to Travel to Space

While it’s widely known that animals like monkeys and dogs have been sent into space, few know that a feline astronaut named Felicette, or “Astrocat,” also made the voyage. On October 18th, 1963, Felicette became the first and only cat to travel to space.

Genetic Similarities from House Cats to Tigers

Prepare to be amazed by this interesting cat fact: research has shown that house cats share an incredible 95.6% of their genetic material with tigers! Despite their size differences, house cats and tigers also exhibit similar behaviors like scent and urine marking and stalking and pouncing on prey.

The Loudest Purring Cat is Merlin

Merlin, a black and white cat from Torquay, UK, holds the current record for the loudest domestic cat purr at 67.8db(A). To put this in perspective, it’s almost as loud as a shower! Typically, cats purr at around 25 dB.

Creme Puff is The World’s Oldest Cat

Creme Puff, who resided in Austin, Texas, with her owner, holds the record for the oldest cat to have ever lived. She lived from August 3, 1967, until August 2005, reaching the remarkable age of 38 years and 3 days.

The Incredible Hearing Abilities of Cats

With an incredible 32 muscles in each ear, cats can swivel their ears precisely toward the source of a sound. Cats can rotate their ears up to 180 degrees, highlighting their acute hearing abilities.

The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Female Cats

Female cats can become pregnant as early as 4 to 6 months. This highlights the importance of spaying and neutering your cat at this stage to prevent unintended litters and control cat overpopulation.

Abraham Lincoln was A Cat Lover

Loving President-During his time in the White House, the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, held a deep affection for cats, often spending hours playing with them. In fact, he even owned several cats during his presidency.

The Feral Cats of Disneyland Resort

While the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, is commonly known as the “Happiest Place on Earth,” it is also home to a group of feral cats that freely roam around the theme park.

These cats have been residing at the Disneyland Resort for several decades. Also, they are actually used to (ironically) help control the rodent population within the park. It seems that even Mickey Mouse is not immune to their watchful eye.

Cats in Ancient Egypt is Symbols of Mourning and Afterlife

In Ancient Egypt, it was customary for a family to shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when their cat passed away. Cats were occasionally mummified and laid to rest in tombs alongside their owners.

Taking Care of Your Cat’s Teeth

During their kitten stage, cats have 26 deciduous (or “baby”) teeth, while adult cats have 30 permanent teeth. Proper care of these teeth requires scheduling regular dental cleanings.

The Remarkable “righting Reflex” of Cats: Always Landing on Their Feet

Due to their “righting reflex,” cats have a reputation for always landing on their feet. They achieve this feat by combining their eyes and organs in the inner ear, which helps them orient themselves in space and land on their feet. Some cats have even survived falls of up to 65 feet due to this remarkable ability.

Cats’ have Ability to Find Their Way Back Home

Scientists believe cats can find their way back home, a process known as “psi-traveling.” This ability may be attributed to their utilization of the angle of sunlight or the presence of magnetized cells in their brains, which act as compass points.

Cats Can Become Super Spirits After They Die

According to Japanese beliefs, cats can transform into super spirits upon their death. This may be attributed to the notion in Buddhism that a cat’s body serves as a temporary abode for highly spiritual individuals.

In the end, we learned some fascinating facts about cats. Our website has many such facts available on several other topics. Visit our website to get more such information.