Fun Facts About Our Feline Buddies

Have you ever seen your cat fall asleep in an unusual position? Cats’ flexibility is due to their unusual bone structure. Fluffy’s clavicle is proportionally smaller than those of other mammals. She also has plenty of room between her vertebrae and shoulder blades, which are joined by muscle rather than bone. As it turns out, our feline friends have a lot of unique idiosyncrasies. Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about cats from a local Peterborough, ON veterinarian.

A Purr-Fect Vibration

We are well aware that cats purr when they are happy. The charming rumbling sound is unique. While we may never know for certain, it appears that our feline companions chose the purr because it is a wonderful way for mothers and newborns to communicate. Kittens cannot meow and nurse at the same time, but purring is a terrific way to send an ‘all is well’ signal to Mom and siblings during meals. Purrs, even in adult cats, convey feelings of safety, comfort, happiness, and affection.

As it turns out, there may be more to it. Cats purr at precise frequencies, usually ranging from 25 to 140 hertz. These very same frequencies have been demonstrated to aid healing and stimulate cell renewal. They’re even utilized for physical treatment!

Love Hurts

Does your cat massage your lap with her claws while cuddling? This is commonly known as ‘making biscuits’. It’s one of Fluffy’s most painful ways of expressing her affection. This is probably something your pet picked up as a kitten. This promotes milk flow, so baby kittens link it with nursing as well as feelings of comfort, affection, and safety. It’s also a sign that your pet perceives you as a second parent. (Your precocious pet probably also thinks of you as a cook, maid, butler, and sofa, but that’s another story.)

Eyes On You

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

Another intriguing fact regarding kittens’ vision? Fluffy has superior depth perception and night vision than we do. She does, however, have poor color vision.

The Name Game

Have you ever wondered how we came up with the name for kittens? The word originated in Middle English. The term ‘kitoun’ comes from the French words ‘chitoun’ or ‘cheton’. The meaning was, as you might expect, “young cat.” Other spellings include kyton and ketoun.

Claws For Thought

Kittens’ claws are significantly sharper than those of adult cats.

Another fascinating fact regarding Fluffy’s claws? They’re curled in a way that allows her to easily climb things. This is critical for her survival in the wild, since it allows her to ascend to refuge and protection. Climbing down is more difficult, and kittens must acquire this skill. This explains why Fluffy occasionally gets trapped on trees.

Cats Have Been Entertaining Us For Centuries

Fluffy had more than merely won our hearts by the time of ancient Egypt; she had persuaded us to treat her as a deity! The ancient Egyptians regarded cats in high regard, even considering them sacred. In fact, they had a cat goddess, Bastet, who was frequently shown holding kittens.

Warm Napping Spot? Yes, Please!

Cats are unable to regulate their own temperature until they are approximately five weeks old. Prior to that, they relied on their moms and siblings for warmth, which they primarily obtained through body heat. This is one of the reasons why kittens are so sensitive to cold. As you may have noticed, most cats never lose their desire to seek out warm, comfy places. (Fluffy also has trouble cooling down if she gets too hot, but that’s another topic.)

Kindle or Clowder?

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, etc. But did you know there’s a name for a gang of cats? That would be a clowder! If they are kittens, you can refer to them as a kindle.

Whiskers

These lovely whiskers may appear cute, but they are actually incredibly useful. These stiff hairs are deeply embedded and covered in nerve endings. They give kittens information about their surroundings, such as wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature. They also help kitties determine the size of holes, allowing them to judge whether or not their bodies would fit into that small cubby hole. (This isn’t always effective for chubby cats, but that’s another matter.)

Tail Position Signals

Stray, pet, and wild cats have no anatomical characteristics, but they all hold their tails differently. Only pet cats walk with their tails pointing up. No one knows exactly why!

Schedule an Appointment at Our Peterborough, ON Animal Hospital

Do you need to bring your feline companion in? Feel free to contact us at any time. As your local Peterborough, ON pet hospital, we are always here to assist!