Fun Facts About Cats

Fun Facts About Fluffy

Have you ever noticed your cat falling asleep in an unusual position? Kitties are exceptionally flexible. This is due to their unusual bone structure. Fluffy has a smaller collarbone than many other mammals. She also has a lot of space between her vertebrae and shoulder blades, which are held together by muscle rather than bone. As it turns out, our feline friends have quite a few unique idiosyncrasies! Continue reading to learn some amusing facts about cats from a local Stonington, CT doctor.

A Purrfect Vibration

We all know that cats purr when they’re happy. Even in mature cats, purrs convey feelings of safety, warmth, happiness, and love. While we may never know for certain, it appears that our feline companions chose the purr because it is an effective way for mothers and newborns to communicate. Kittens cannot meow and nurse at the same time, but purring is a terrific way to send Mom and siblings an ‘all is fine’ signal during meals. 

As it turns out, there could be even more to it. When cats purr, they rumble at precise frequencies, often between 25 and 140 Hz. The exact same frequencies have been found to aid in healing and cell renewal. They are also utilized in physical treatment!

Did You Order Biscuits?

Does your kitty massage your lap with her claws during cuddling time? This is affectionately known as ‘making biscuits’ and is actually one of Fluffy’s more painful ways of expressing her love. This is something your pet most likely picked up as a kitten. Kneading promotes milk flow, so baby kittens associate it with nursing, as well as feeling comfortable, loved, and safe. Furthermore, it indicates that your pet regards you as a second parent. (Your pet probably also thinks of you as a cook, maid, butler, and sofa, but that’s another story.)

Baby Blue Eyes

Did you know that kittens are born with blue eyes? It typically takes about a week for little furballs to open their eyes. Fluffy’s permanent eye color could take up to a year to establish. However, this does not mean that little Fluffy will be able to see clearly right away: it takes around a month for your pet to see well.

Another intriguing fact regarding cats’ vision? Fluffy has greater depth awareness and night vision than we have. However, she has poor color vision.

All In The Name

Have you ever wondered how we came up with names for infant cats and kittens? The word dates back to Middle English. The term ‘kitoun’ comes from the French word ‘chitoun’ or ‘cheton’. The meaning, as you may obviously assume, was “young cat.” Other spellings are ketoun and kyton.

Claws for Thought

Have you ever been scratched by a kitten? If you were wondering why those small claws were so sharp, you were not imagining it. Kitten claws are actually sharper than those of adult cats.

Cats Have Enthralled Us For Thousands Of Years

According to research, we initially became acquainted with cats around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. This is around when agriculture began in the Fertile Crescent. 

Fluffy had more than merely won our hearts by the time of ancient Egypt; she had persuaded us to worship her as a divinity! The ancient Egyptians not only held cats in great respect, but also considered them sacrosanct. In fact, they had a cat deity named Bastet, who was frequently represented with felines.

Cats Left Pawprints Across Folklore

Kitties have appeared in folklore and mythology since the dawn of recorded history. Here’s one cute tail: the pussy willow mythology. According to the narrative, a litter of kittens was washed into a rushing river. An adjacent tree heard their terrified meows and bent a branch for the little furballs to climb to safety. The kitties expressed their gratitude as kittens do, with purrs and cuddles. Since then, the trees have had buds covered with delicate grey down that resembles kitten fur, as a tribute to those kittens.

They Can’t Easily Regulate Their Body Temperature

Cats cannot regulate their own temperature until they are approximately five weeks old. Before that, they rely on their moms and siblings for warmth, which they obtain primarily through body heat. 

This is one of the reasons why kittens are particularly susceptible to the cold. As you may have noticed, most kitties never quite outgrow their desire to seek out warm, snug places. (Fluffy also has trouble cooling off when she gets too hot, but that’s another story.)

Clowder or Kindle?

We’ve all heard some of the more common names for animal groups: a flock of sheep, a herd of cows, a school of fish, and so on. But did you know that there is a name for a group of cats? That would be a clowder. If they are kittens, you can refer to them as kindles. Other phrases include clutter, pounce, and glare.

Whiskers

These lovely whiskers may appear adorable, but they are actually really useful. Those stiff hairs have very deep roots and are encircled by nerve endings. They supply kittens with information about their surroundings, including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature. They also assist cats in determining the size of holes, allowing them to assess if their bodies will fit into that small cubby hole. (This does not always work well with chubby cats, but that is a different matter.)

Longevity

The average kitten lifespan increased between 2002 and 2012. Fluffy gained a full year! While further study is needed, better veterinarian care and a broader understanding of appropriate cat care practices are most likely to blame. (Sorry, Fluffy; you still only have one life.) Consult your Stonington, CT veterinarian for care suggestions.

Tail Position

There are no morphological variations between stray, pet, and wild cats, but only pet cats walk with their tails pointed upwards. This could be a feline way of communicating that she has successfully bewitched a human. Another cute fact? A cat with its tail held high is happy to see you.

Schedule An Appointment At Our Stonington, Ct Animal Hospital

Do you have to bring your kitty friend in? Please contact us at any time. As your local Stonington, CT pet hospital, we are always delighted to assist!