Cat Facts and Trivia
(compiled by Glenda Moore)

Both humans and cats have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.

 A cat's brain is more similar to a man's brain than that of a dog.

A cat has more bones than a human; humans have 206, but the cat has 230
(some cites list 245 bones, and state that bones may fuse together as the cat ages).

Cats have 30 vertebrae--more than humans have.
The cat's clavicle, or collarbone, does not connect with other bones but is buried in the muscles of the shoulder region.
This lack of a functioning collarbone allows them to fit through any opening the size of their head.

The cat has 500 skeletal muscles (humans have 650).
Cats have 32 muscles that control the outer ear (compared to human's 6 muscles each).

A cat can rotate its ears independently 180 degrees,
and can turn in the direction of sound 10 times faster than those of the best watchdog.

Cats' hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs.
Cats' hearing stops at 65 khz (kilohertz); humans' hearing stops at 20 khz.

 A cat sees about 6 times better than a human at night, and needs 1/6 the amount of of light that a human does - it has a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light. Recent studies have shown that cats can see blue and green. There is disagreement as to whether they can see red. A cat's field of vision is about 185 degrees.

Blue-eyed, pure white cats are frequently deaf.

It may take as long as 2 weeks for a kitten to be able to hear well.
Their eyes usually open between 7 and 10 days, but sometimes it happens in as little as 2 days.

 A cat has approximately 60 to 80 million olfactory cells (a human hasbetween 5 and 20 million). Cats have a special scent organ located in the roof of their mouth, called the Jacobson's organ. It analyzes smells - and is the reason why you will sometimes see your cat "sneer" (called the flehmen response or flehming) when they encounter a strong odor.

 A cat has a total of 24 whiskers, 4 rows of whiskers on each side. The upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. A cat uses its whiskers for measuring distances.

Cats have 30 teeth (12 incisors, 10 premolars, 4 canines, and 4 molars), while dogs have 42. Kittens have baby teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth around the age of 7 months. A cat's jaw has only up and down motion; it does not have any lateral, side to side motion, like dogs and humans. For this reason, don't rely on feeding dry food as a dental care program - cats need to have their teeth cleaned by a vet.

When a cat drinks, its tongue - which has tiny barbs on it - scoops the liquid up backwards.

Cats purr at the same frequency as an idling diesel engine, about 26 cycles per second.
Domestic cats purr both when inhaling and when exhaling.

 The cat's front paw has 5 toes, but the back paws have 4. Some cats are born with as many as 7 front toes and extra back toes (polydactl).

Cats step with both left legs, then both right legs when they walk or run. Cats walk on their toes.
A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour.

The heaviest cat on record weighed 46 lbs. A kitten will typically weigh about 3 ounces at birth. The typical malehousecat will weigh between 7 and 9 pounds, slightly less for female housecats.

Cats take between 20-40 breaths per minute. Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 degrees F. A cat's normal pulse is 140-240 beats per minute, with an average of 195.

Cat's urine glows under a black light. Cats lose almost as much fluid in the saliva while grooming themselves as they do through urination.

Almost 10% of a cat's bones are in its tail, and the tail is used to maintain balance. The domestic cat is the only species able to hold its tail vertically while walking.

You can also learn about your cat's present state of mind by observing the posture of his tail.

If a cat is frightened, the hair stands up fairly evenly all over the body; when the cat threatens or is ready to attack,
the hair stands up only in a narrow band along the spine and tail.

10 Steps to Preventive Care

Want to prevent disease in your cat? Follow these steps to help keep your pet healthy.

1. Vaccinations: personalized for the breed, lifestyle and risk.

2. Sterilization: unless a valuable breeder, do early spay/neuter.

3. Parasite control: for internal and external parasites.

4. Optimal nutrition: as recommended by your veterinarian.

5. Weight management: don't let cats become overweight or obese.

6. Dental care: cats need dental care, too.

7. Socialization and behavior training: friendly cats taught good manners.

8. Easy access to fresh, clean water: under-hydration is a major problem with cats.

9. Environmental enrichment: indoor cats need stimulation and accommodation to reduce stress

10. Twice yearly exams by the veterinarian: instinctively cats hide their illnesses. Only veterinarians have the experience, training and resources available to catch things early on, and to look past obvious problems to potential ones.

Cat Diary

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage....

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.

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Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus that is specific to cats only. It is considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat's immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. It CANNOT be transmitted to humans (including children) nor can it be transmitted to other species such as dogs.For more information please talk to your veterinarian.