25 Curious Facts About Cats Most People Might Not Know

As the most popular pet in the United States, the cat enjoys a certain level of fame as the ideal pet. (Of course, if you are a dog owner you might object!) Easy to care for, affectionate when they want to be, and super intelligent, the cat has made it’s way into millions of people’s hearts. But this lovable animal has its secrets. Some of its secrets are mere curiosities; others however, are a bit darker and more sinister. On today’s list we’re going to share with you 25 curious facts about cats that most people might not know. After this list, you might not see your lovable furry friend the same again.

Note: All images from Shutterstock.com unless otherwise noted.

Every cat owner knows cats love to sleep, but how much they actually sleep may be a bit of a surprise. It’s estimated that cats spend about 70% of their lives sleeping.

Source: Brainjet.com, veterinaryhub.com,

Next time you visit Disneyland, keep an eye out for mice and rats (besides Mickey and Mini that is). Chances are, you won’t find any. That’s because 200 cats live on Disney property with the task of eliminating any sight of a rodent.

Source: Brainjet.com

Humans can’t drink seawater, but cats can. They have special kidneys that can filter out salt.

Source: Buzzfeed.com, Brainjet.com

It’s believed that cats can hear ultrasonic noises. Theoretically speaking, they can hear the ultrasonic “language” of rodents and dolphins.

Source: Buzzfeed.com

A female cat is called a “Molly” or a “Queen,” and male cats are called “toms.” (Tom and Jerry anyone?)

Source: Buzzfeed.com, Factretriever.com,

The most expensive domestic cat so far is an Asian Leopard cat – Domestic shorthair hybrid named Zeus. At 90% Asian leopard and 10% Domestic Shorthair, Zeus has an asking price of $154,000. However, there is concerns as to the legitimacy and reasoning behind such an asking price.

Source: theguardian.com, factretriever.com. Note: Pictured cat is not Zeus and is used as a visual representation.

Cat’s have a third eyelid called a “haw”.

Source: scientificamerican.com

Domestic cats have been documented to run at 30 mph. That’s about 3 mph faster then Usain Bolt. (Usain’s record is 27mph.)

Source: Buzzfeed.com

Black cats may be bad luck in the United States, but in the United Kingdom and Australia, they are actually good luck.

Source: Buzzfeed, cat-world.com.au, ancientsuperstitions.com

There are cats that have survived falls from over 32 stories onto concrete. In fact, the record holder for the longest non-fatal fall in the feline world is a cat which fell from the 46th floor of an apartment building and survived.

Source: Factretriever.com, Moscow-pullman daily news

Cats have magnetized brain cells that act like compasses which enables them to easily find their way home.

Source: Buzzfeed

Want even more facts about cats? Check out our list on 25 bizarre and crazy facts about cats by clicking on the link.

Cats are the most popular pet in the US. It's estimated that there are 74 - 96 million cats. In comparison, there are about 70 - 80 million dogs.

Source: ASPCA.org

Cat’s may have evolved their tone of voice to communicate with humans. In fact, it’s said that the more you talk to your cat, the more your cat will talk back (meow back if you will).

Source: Buzzfeed

Speaking of cats talking, cats are known to have 100 vocal sounds…dogs only have 10.

Source: Buzzfeed.com, factretriever.com

A croup of cats is called a clowder

source: Factretriever.com

A cat has been the mayor of Takeetna, Alaska for 15 years! It’s name is Stubbs (Mayor Stubbs). That’s one step closer to world domination! (Bonus fact: One ran for mayor of Mexico city in 2013.)

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Image: commons.Wikimedia.org

Cats can’t taste sweet things.

Source: Buzzfeed, Factretriever.com

The world’s largest domestic cat measured 48.5 inches long.

Source: Buzzfeed

Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans.

Source: ASPCA.org

For the most part, cats are lactose intolerant. Milk for cats is a no-no.

Source: Yourcat.co.uk

Domestic Cats are effective hunters. Free-ranging domesticated cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 different species. Consequently, they are listed as one of the top 100 most invasive animals.

Source: Bbc.com, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), IUCN Red List

According to Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine researchers, a cat’s brain is similar to a human’s. In fact, some sources claim cats brains are about 90% identical to humans'. Cats and humans have nearly identical sections of the brain such as the cerebral cortices with similar lobes.

Source: Buzzfeed, Wikipedia.com, Petful.com, petmd.com

Speaking of a cat’s brain, cats have 300 million neurons firing away in their cerebral cortex. By comparison, dogs only have about 160 million.

Source: Livescience.com, huffingtonpost.com

The first cat in space was French. Its name was Felicette (AKA “Astrocat”). And yes, it survived the trip.

Source: Buzzfeed.com, Factretriever.com

Though it is commonly believed that cats were domesticated by ancient Egyptians, a recent discovery is casting doubt on this belief. A pet cat has been found in a 9,500-year old grave on the Mediterranean island of Cyrprus. This grave predates early Egyptian art depicting cats by about 4,000 years.

Source: national geographic, CBS news, BBC news, Sciencedaily.com

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25 Curious Facts About Cats Most People Might Not Know

Every cat owner knows cats love to sleep, but how much they actually sleep may be a bit of a surprise. It’s estimated that cats spend about 70% of their lives sleeping.

Next time you visit Disneyland, keep an eye out for mice and rats (besides Mickey and Mini that is). Chances are, you won’t find any. That’s because 200 cats live on Disney property with the task of eliminating any sight of a rodent.

Humans can’t drink seawater, but cats can. They have special kidneys that can filter out salt.

It’s believed that cats can hear ultrasonic noises. Theoretically speaking, they can hear the ultrasonic “language” of rodents and dolphins.

A female cat is called a “Molly” or a “Queen,” and male cats are called “toms.” (Tom and Jerry anyone?)

The most expensive domestic cat so far is an Asian Leopard cat – Domestic shorthair hybrid named Zeus. At 90% Asian leopard and 10% Domestic Shorthair, Zeus has an asking price of $154,000. However, there is concerns as to the legitimacy and reasoning behind such an asking price.

Cat’s have a third eyelid called a “haw”.

Domestic cats have been documented to run at 30 mph. That’s about 3 mph faster then Usain Bolt. (Usain’s record is 27mph.)

Black cats may be bad luck in the United States, but in the United Kingdom and Australia, they are actually good luck.

There are cats that have survived falls from over 32 stories onto concrete. In fact, the record holder for the longest non-fatal fall in the feline world is a cat which fell from the 46th floor of an apartment building and survived.

Cats have magnetized brain cells that act like compasses which enables them to easily find their way home.

Cats are the most popular pet in the US. It's estimated that there are 74 - 96 million cats. In comparison, there are about 70 - 80 million dogs.

Cat’s may have evolved their tone of voice to communicate with humans. In fact, it’s said that the more you talk to your cat, the more your cat will talk back (meow back if you will).

Speaking of cats talking, cats are known to have 100 vocal sounds…dogs only have 10.

A croup of cats is called a clowder

A cat has been the mayor of Takeetna, Alaska for 15 years! It’s name is Stubbs (Mayor Stubbs). That’s one step closer to world domination! (Bonus fact: One ran for mayor of Mexico city in 2013.)

Cats can’t taste sweet things.

The world’s largest domestic cat measured 48.5 inches long.

Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans.

For the most part, cats are lactose intolerant. Milk for cats is a no-no.

Domestic Cats are effective hunters. Free-ranging domesticated cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 different species. Consequently, they are listed as one of the top 100 most invasive animals.

Speaking of a cat’s brain, cats have 300 million neurons firing away in their cerebral cortex. By comparison, dogs only have about 160 million.

The first cat in space was French. Its name was Felicette (AKA “Astrocat”). And yes, it survived the trip.

Though it is commonly believed that cats were domesticated by ancient Egyptians, a recent discovery is casting doubt on this belief. A pet cat has been found in a 9,500-year old grave on the Mediterranean island of Cyrprus. This grave predates early Egyptian art depicting cats by about 4,000 years.

SEE ALSO: 25 Most Powerful Marvel Characters »

NOW WATCH: 25 Crazy Things You'll Only Find In Chinese Walmarts

25 Curious Facts About Cats Most People Might Not Know

Every cat owner knows cats love to sleep, but how much they actually sleep may be a bit of a surprise. It’s estimated that cats spend about 70% of their lives sleeping.

Next time you visit Disneyland, keep an eye out for mice and rats (besides Mickey and Mini that is). Chances are, you won’t find any. That’s because 200 cats live on Disney property with the task of eliminating any sight of a rodent.

Humans can’t drink seawater, but cats can. They have special kidneys that can filter out salt.

It’s believed that cats can hear ultrasonic noises. Theoretically speaking, they can hear the ultrasonic “language” of rodents and dolphins.

A female cat is called a “Molly” or a “Queen,” and male cats are called “toms.” (Tom and Jerry anyone?)

The most expensive domestic cat so far is an Asian Leopard cat – Domestic shorthair hybrid named Zeus. At 90% Asian leopard and 10% Domestic Shorthair, Zeus has an asking price of $154,000. However, there is concerns as to the legitimacy and reasoning behind such an asking price.

Cat’s have a third eyelid called a “haw”.

Domestic cats have been documented to run at 30 mph. That’s about 3 mph faster then Usain Bolt. (Usain’s record is 27mph.)

Black cats may be bad luck in the United States, but in the United Kingdom and Australia, they are actually good luck.

There are cats that have survived falls from over 32 stories onto concrete. In fact, the record holder for the longest non-fatal fall in the feline world is a cat which fell from the 46th floor of an apartment building and survived.

Cats have magnetized brain cells that act like compasses which enables them to easily find their way home.

Cats are the most popular pet in the US. It's estimated that there are 74 - 96 million cats. In comparison, there are about 70 - 80 million dogs.

Cat’s may have evolved their tone of voice to communicate with humans. In fact, it’s said that the more you talk to your cat, the more your cat will talk back (meow back if you will).

Speaking of cats talking, cats are known to have 100 vocal sounds…dogs only have 10.

A croup of cats is called a clowder

A cat has been the mayor of Takeetna, Alaska for 15 years! It’s name is Stubbs (Mayor Stubbs). That’s one step closer to world domination! (Bonus fact: One ran for mayor of Mexico city in 2013.)

Cats can’t taste sweet things.

The world’s largest domestic cat measured 48.5 inches long.

Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans.

For the most part, cats are lactose intolerant. Milk for cats is a no-no.

Domestic Cats are effective hunters. Free-ranging domesticated cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 different species. Consequently, they are listed as one of the top 100 most invasive animals.

Speaking of a cat’s brain, cats have 300 million neurons firing away in their cerebral cortex. By comparison, dogs only have about 160 million.

The first cat in space was French. Its name was Felicette (AKA “Astrocat”). And yes, it survived the trip.

Though it is commonly believed that cats were domesticated by ancient Egyptians, a recent discovery is casting doubt on this belief. A pet cat has been found in a 9,500-year old grave on the Mediterranean island of Cyrprus. This grave predates early Egyptian art depicting cats by about 4,000 years.

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SEE ALSO: 25 Most Powerful Marvel Characters »

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