Fun & Fascinating Facts About Cats, Our Feline Friends

Cats are wonderful creatures and if the truth be known, nobody actually owns a cat because it's much truer to say that our feline friends own us. When it comes to ruling the roost, cats have got it off to a tee, and they've sussed it out very well indeed, wrapping their owners right around their little furry paws. People passionate about cats are known as 'ailurophiles' which means they are always eager to make sure their feline friends have everything they need to be happy, content, healthy and pampered.

There are lots of reasons why cats are so popular not only in the UK but worldwide. They are lovable and extraordinary creatures, and getting to know a cat's individual personality is a fun experience. Older cats especially show consistent routines, which new owners often adapt to, as cats usually prefer stability.

Interesting Collective Terms and Biology

• A group of cats is known as a “clowder”.
• A group of kittens is called a “kindle”.
• A female cat can have kittens fathered by more than one male in a single litter.
• The average healthy cat weighs around 12 lbs; the heaviest recorded weighed around 47 lbs, while the lightest was just 8 oz.
• A cat's heart beats about twice as fast as a human's, approximately 140 beats per minute.
• Cats have five toes on their front feet but only four on their back feet.
• Many cat breeds have no eyelashes.
• Cats are not completely colour blind and can see shades of blue, red and green.

Habits and Behaviour

Cats are agile, graceful and love the finer things in life. Their independent nature combines beautifully with their desire for human companionship. They are very clean animals, spending about a third of their day grooming themselves and burying their faeces to hide their presence. Male cats often mark territory by spraying, an act diminished by neutering.

• Cats sleep around 16 hours a day.
• A Persian cat named Bluebell gave birth to 14 kittens—the largest litter ever recorded with 100% survival.
• The oldest recorded cat lived 36 years in England, named Puss.
• Isaac Newton is often credited (though without evidence) with inventing the cat flap.
• In Ancient Egypt, owners shaved their eyebrows to mourn the loss of a cat, and killing a cat was punishable by death.

Communication and Cognition

While many breeds are vocal, cats rarely meow to one another. They become vocal during fights but otherwise communicate through other means such as body language and scent marking. Kittens begin dreaming at about one week old. All kittens have blue eyes initially, which change colour with age.

• Some cats are toilet trained and may even flush after use.
• Cats dislike mouse-flavoured cat food.
• They do not see themselves as small humans, rather as big cats viewing owners as larger cats.

Unique Physiology and History

Cats are incredibly clever and beautiful animals, knowing exactly how to get what they want. They practice hunting skills through play, and physically, they cannot climb down trees head-first because of claw orientation. The first cat in space was Felicette, a French cat who survived her 1963 mission.

• Cats lack a sweet tooth.
• Female cats tend to prefer their right paw, males their left.
• Cats run up to 31 mph in short bursts.
• Thanks to superb reflexes and inner ear balance, cats often survive falls from high places by landing on their feet.
• Cats mark owners by rubbing their faces, using scent glands around their face to claim territory affectionately.

Cultural Fascination and Breed Highlights

Cats have been treasured companions for centuries, featuring in myths such as the Hebrew legend of a lion sneezing out a cat during Noah's Ark. Ancient Egyptians left millions of mummified cats in cemeteries, discovered in 1888 and later scattered across the world.

• In the UK and Australia, black cats are often considered good luck, contrasting with superstitions in Europe and North America.
• The smallest pedigree cat is the Singapura, weighing only around 4 lbs (1.8 kg) find a Singapura kitten.
• The largest pedigree cat is the Maine Coon, weighing up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) find a Maine Coon kitten.
• Cats generally dislike water; their fur lacks insulation properties of other animals.

Adopting and Caring for Cats Responsibly

Cats bring joy and companionship for many years. Responsible ownership includes providing a stable environment, adequate nutrition, regular vet checkups, and understanding their individual behaviour. When considering a new cat, adopting from a rescue centre offers a wonderful chance to give a feline friend a loving home.

For those ready to welcome a cat, consider adopting an adult or a kitten through our kitten adoption pages where you can find cats eagerly awaiting a second chance.