A Dog Lovers Guide to Cat Facts, Weird Cat Trivia

The fact that cats are my second favorite fur bearing critter should not discourage cat lovers from continuing to read on. As my dog always says, "Know your enemy." Don't get me (or my dog) wrong, we adore cats, but have always put canines first. Placing those feeling aside, the reality is that this Dog Lovers Guide to "Cat Facts" will actually let you (and your feline) in on some pretty unusual cat trivia; so unusual that your feline doesn't even know it!

Like the Majority of us, "Cats" are Immigrants

This does not mean cats are immigrants in the sense that they sneak into the country smuggled in the back of coyote driven trucks (cats generally avoid coyotes at all costs). It means that cats are not native to the continental United States. Due to the fact that cats have always been placed into service on sailing vessels because of their hunting skills, it is presumed that they came over at around the same time as did the human Europeans. These Euro-kitties adapted remarkably well to life state side, making themselves very comfortably at home.

Next time you find your cat doing something unexplainable, remember that transitioning to a new country and its social environment takes time, and even as it has been centuries, it is never wise to rush a cat under any circumstances!

"Cat Grooming" is an OCD Thing

Random behavior has no place in a cats grooming rituals. Felines have a strict pattern to their grooming technique, and will follow it almost every time. If you watch closely you will notice: Grooming begins as a cat licks her muzzle and then dampens the inside of her front paw. Then this damp paw gets wiped over the side of her face and over the back of her ear (like using a hand towel), repeating this same series of moves on the other side.

Next, she will lick her front legs, shoulders, and sides. Then the acrobatics begin as up goes one leg, and then the other, getting to all of her important personal places. Everything comes to a graceful end as she takes a final lap down to the tip of her tail.

The cats goal here is to remove any signs of food odors so predators won't catch a whiff of temptation. She is also spreading her own aroma all over her body (no shame in a little feline narcissism). Finally, the act of grooming herself or others, brings a calm and relaxed feline state.

If you would like to help save a pet's life please begin by adding your contact details to the listings with the forms here, it only takes a minute or two.

To find out if your cat qualifies to donate blood, click here.

Being Stubborn Has Nothing to do with a "Cat Stuck in a Tree"

The idea that a cat climbs up a tree and won't come down until she is good and ready is exactly what a cat wants you to believe. Just the thought that you think she has the inability to mange descent from those high branches makes her blush under her fur covered cheeks. In actuality cats do encounter some degree of difficulty coming down from the tree tops.

Cat claws are designed to move a cat forward, anchoring her as she propels herself. When that forward motion happens to be up a tree, it can be pretty difficult for her to make it back down. Instead, the ballet like movement she conducts as she goes up the tree is counterbalanced by what we witness as a spiral tail-spinning, controlled (hopefully) free fall she undertakes to return to earth.

The majority of cats will find their way back down, which is a great thing. It's a rare city that will allow its fire department to respond to "my cat got stuck in a tree" calls anymore. Don't be tempted to climb up a ladder to save your cat either; this will likely result in a poor outcome (for the human) as a frightened cat has no other interest than to save itself, leaving you to bear the scars of sharp freaked-out kitty-claws! You will be better off opening a can of tuna and leaving it at the base of the tree; stand back and watch as you discover cats have some very resourceful methods for quickly reducing altitude.

Only Love will "Inspire a Cat" to Share Her Mouse

While your lover may graciously bring you chocolates and flowers, a cat will bring you rodents. Each of us has our own way to say, "I love you." But consider this: cats don't bring you just any old mouse. Since your cat can't hop over to the mall to simply buy you a tasty mouse, the gift of mousy-goodness your cat brings, is that which she has hunted and killed herself.

The thrill of the hunt is a highly revered component to the feline lifestyle, even in the best-fed cat. To stalk, chase, and pounce is the most glorious event in her day. The spoils are treasures that only love will inspire her to share.

If you don't understand that the gift of a headless mouse is a sign of respect and admiration—well possibly you are not a true cat-lover at all. And those critters she gives that still have a little fight left? These are the gifts of a cat that really loves you. You not only have a meal, but you are being taught how to hunt for your own food. Besides, she wants you to have as much fun as she does with that prey. Gotta love a friend who shares her toys.

A "Tomcat" is no Sheep

Have you ever noticed how old tomcats look like they came straight out of a Godfather movie? Their big puffy cheeks appear to be like that of Brando himself. The hormones that serge through intact male cats cause these "stud jowls" to form. Male cats that are neutered before maturity will never develop the "Corleone mobster" look (tuxedo not included). These stud jowls often are considered attractive to felines of the opposite gender, who tend to flirt uninhibited with the older tomcats on the block; it's always the bad boys who end up with the pretty girls.

As far back as most can recall, a male cat—especially an unneutered one—has been referred to as a "tom." However, this has not always been the case. Prior to the late 1700s, all male cats were known as "boars" (like a pig) or "rams" (like a sheep). The slang term tomcat comes from the name of the primary character "Tom" in a book written about cats, circa 1700. This publication became very popular in the latter part of that century; since then, male cats have been called tomcats, after this inspirational character.

Boning Up on "Cat Anatomy"

Surprisingly, domestic cats and tigers have very similar skeletons except for the tigers' chest has more depth; there is also a difference in structure at the base of the tongue, which allows the cat to purr (which tigers can't); and a cat tail is a great deal more flexible.

The best we can do when it comes to counting cat bones is average it out. Any given cat can have a different number of bones than other cats. Due to variables in cat anatomy, the number of bones range between 230 and 250, with the average cat having 244 bones—we humans sport only 206 bones, in case you were wondering.

The variables in the number of cat bones comes into play when we consider that a cat with a normal tail will have more vertebrae than a Manx which has no tail, or a Bobtail with only part of a tail. I can't neglect to mention that those cats with extra toes are packing around a few extra metatarsals, too.

Hopefully you have discovered one or two bits of cat trivia that had evaded you before taking in this guide. Cats are special creatures that carry within their being the ability to survive, entertain, and love as no other. Gaining the favor of a cat is a gift only true cat lovers can appreciate; and possibly the dog lover who created this guide for you to enjoy.