Read some captivating cat facts and learn a few things you may not have known about our feline friends.
Cats through the ages
• The Ancient Egyptians are credited as having the first domesticated cats. They tamed them in order to protect their grain stores and loved cats so much that they mummified them when they died.
• In the 15th century cat lovers were outlawed as witches with the animals themselves thought to be a magical disguise adopted by their owners.
• The cat flap is widely thought to have been invented by Sir Isaac Newton. Newton is said to have carved a large hole in his door for a cat and a smaller one for her kittens. However, sceptics have it that Newton never even owned a pet.
• The first British cat show took place at Crystal Palace in July 1871.
• The Cat Fanciers Association, founded in 1906, now recognises 36 breeds of cat.
Feline facts
• At eight weeks old, your kitten's stomach is the size of a walnut.• It takes between 9 months and 1 year for a kitten to reach adulthood.• Cats use their tails for balance and to communicate their mood.• Domestic cats can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.• At night cats can see six times better than humans.• Cats have around 290 bones and 517 separate muscles. • A cat can only move its jaw up and down and not side to side like humans or dogs. • Cats are good for your health. Cat owners generally have lower blood pressure than non-cat owners. They can also help with relaxation and ease the trauma of bereavement. • Domestic cats spend 70% of their day sleeping and up to 15% grooming.• In relation to their body size cats have the largest eyes of any mammal.
• Humans are much better at close up vision than cats. Cats cannot focus clearly on objects that are less than 25cm away.• Cats are unable to taste sugars.• A cat’s sense of smell is approximately 10 times more sensitive than that of a human.• Cats often prefer to sleep high up where they feel safe from danger.
Get great tips on how to care for cats here.See what you should and shouldn't be feeding your cat here.
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