Cats are part of the most beloved animals in the household and are the most popular companion pets in the United States. They’ve been around since ancient times and have a fascinating history which they share with us every day. Here are some fun facts about cats that every cat lover should know!
History of Cats
Cats have been around for a long time. Cats were first domesticated over 10,000 years ago, with the Ancient Egyptians being one of the first civilizations to keep cats as pets. Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats, and killing a cat was punishable by death. Cats remain a popular pet due to their intelligence, their ability to show affection, their independence, and their cute faces.
Different Cat Breeds
There are more than 70 recognized cat breeds, with dozens more fancy and designer cats. Of all the cat breeds, the most popular is the domestic shorthair, followed by the Persian and the Maine Coon.
Breeds vary greatly in size, shape, color, and personality traits. The fluffiest are probably the Persian and the Himalayan. The largest breed is the Maine Coon with its average size of nine to 10 pounds. For something truly unique, the Scottish Fold has ears that fold forward and down, giving it an owl-like appearance.
Cats Have Unique Abilities
Cats are quite remarkable animals that have some special abilities.
Firstly, cats have very flexible spines that allow them to turn their bodies up to 180 degrees and even jump up to six times their body length. Secondly, cats have excellent balance and night vision that lets them navigate in their environment. Finally, cats have a very sensitive nose, excellent hearing, and can see in color and also ultraviolet light, which helps them find prey even in dimly lit settings.
Health and Wellness
Cats can live long and healthy lives if they are taken care of properly. The average life expectancy of cats is 12 to 15 years, but with proper veterinary care, nutrition, and exercise, they can live much longer.
Cats should be spayed or neutered to help reduce their risk of diseases and to prevent overpopulation. Furthermore, cats should be vaccinated against diseases and parasites. They should also receive regular check-ups with the vet and receive regular grooming. This ensures that cats stay healthy and happy.
Shelter Cats for Adoption
Shelter cats are just as lovable as cats from breeders and pet stores, and often times need extra love and care. Adopting a shelter cat helps to reduce the number of cats in shelters and improves their quality of life.
Shelter cats come in all shapes and sizes and have their own quirky personalities. Each cat will have a different story and more likely will have some medical conditions that need to be addressed. For this reason, it’s important to take it slow and let the cat get comfortable with its new home before trying to take them to the vet.
Interacting With Cats
Cats are independent and need to be respected as such. Cats can’t be forced to do anything they don’t want to do and it’s important to build trust with them.
When interacting with cats, it’s important to not overstimulate them. Let the cat come to you and find its own way of playing. Also, the best way to pick up a cat is to let them come to you and make sure to support the cat correctly with both hands.
Cats are some of the cutest, funniest, and most popular pets out there. We all have our own fun facts about cats, but these should be enough to get you started and make you even more of a feline fan. Cats are wonderful animals and are definitely worth loving and caring for.
