Cat Facts, and Other Feline Stuff

These cat facts from various sources will amuse, entertain, and educate. I hope you enjoy what I've put together.

For cat lovers, felines hold a fascination for us that is unlike any other animal.

Living with a cat is sometimes like having a wild animal in your home.

Oddly, one minute they look cuddly and cute, and the next they look vicious, and sometimes act that way!

I'm often left wondering what they're thinking, and why cats do that?

What's in a name?

  1. The Egyptian name for cat was Mau. This also means "to see."
  2. The classical Greek word for cat is ailouros.
  3. Other words for cat used around the world are:
  • Kat - Holland and Denmark
  • Katt - Sweden
  • Katze - Germany
  • Kot - Poland
  • Kots - Russia
  • Gatta - Greece (modern)
  • Gato - Portugal and Spain
  • Gatto - Italy
  • Chat - France

Need help naming your cat? Here are hundreds of kitten names with many suggestions from our readers.

What's that smell? The cat's nose knows

  1. Cats are said to have a sense of smell that is 30 times better than humans.
  2. Cats enjoy the smell, and the effects, of catnip, but only if they've inherited the gene for it. For other cats, the smell may be intriguing, but catnip will have no effect.
  3. Cats are born with their sense of smell functioning, and it is highly developed by about three weeks of age.
  4. Their sense of smell means that felines can be sensitive to tainted food, and perhaps this has contributed to their finicky reputation.

I see you: Cat Eye Facts

  1. The night vision of the feline is legendary. In order to see, they need only one-sixth as much light as a human. They cannot, however, see in total darkness. When enough light is not available, they use their whiskers to feel their way around.
  2. Your kitty's eyes offer her almost 285 degrees of sight in three dimensions. Ideal peripheral vision for hunting.
  3. Cats do see in color, and can distinguish yellow, blue, and green hues. Their eyes are best, however, at detecting movement, and shades of gray.
  4. The feline eye has a third eyelid. Called the nictating membrane, or haw, it is designed to remove dust and dirt, and lubricate the eye. If there is illness or injury, the haw will show. Ironically, content and sleepy cats have been known to show haws as well.

Pet Holidays, Observances, and Awareness Days

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Sometimes referred to as National Black Cat Appreciation Day, this celebration dedicated to black kitties happens every year on August 17.

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

On August 22, we reflect on why it's important to get your cat to the vet every year. Have you taken your cat to the vet within the last year? If not, have you scheduled an appointment?

Quotes, Poems and Literature

Cat Quotes

These select cat quotes, sayings and references to felines in literature include proverbs and sayings from around the world.

Funny Cat Quotes
A collection of funny cat quotes from many different authors submitted for your perusal. I've seen some of these on t shirts, mugs, and even mouse pads (but I got most of them from books).

Cat Poems
Cat poems run the gamut from classic pieces of literature to silliness. Here we'll look at some well known works, including nursery rhymes, that have been favorites for many years, and work in some silliness if we can.

"Milk for the Cat"
"Milk for the Cat" is a poem by Harold Monro. The poem describes, with amazing fluidity and insight, a little cat's love of the juice of the cow.

More cat facts

Ask your cat questions and start a discussion here

Ask your cat health question here

Cat Breed Facts
A cat fact sheet with some interesting facts and quick information on specific cat breeds.

Cat Behavior Facts
A bit of explanation on some common cat behaviors.

Cat FAQ
Frequently asked questions about cats.

A Cheetah Speed Record
The cheetah is the fastest land animal.

Slow motion video of a cat drinking water
Plus, the science of how a cat drinks, cat versus dog, and a slow motion drinking lion.

Facts about Cats
A cat fact sheet with some tidbits and trivia that I've collected from various sources. Some of these are obvious, and some perhaps not so well known.

More Facts about Felines
Here are some more cat facts for you and your cat to enjoy. If you find yourself reading these to your cat, it's time to do a reality check.

Facts about the Domestic Feline
A domestic cat fact sheet for you to chew on, so to speak. We discuss hybrids, pedigrees, cat fleas, scenting and marking, and more.

Fun Facts About Felines
Here are some fun facts for the cat lover, including an amazing story about Cassie the kitten and her unlikely friendship with Moe the Crow.

Interesting Cat Fact Guide
The original Interesting Cat Fact Guide... a collection of interesting cat fact sheets, including feline health, feline behavior, cat anatomy, trivia, and anything else I could think of.

Kitten Facts
Some kitten facts to keep you entertained. Some of the experiences a kitten has will shape her behavior and stay with her for a lifetime.

Facts About Big Cats
Here are some stats on lions, and tigers, and... leopards. You thought I was a going to say something else, didn't you?

Myths About Cats
Here is a collection of myths about cats. Some of these have a history of hundreds of years, while others are quite new.

Why Do Cats Do That?
Why do cats get stuck in trees? Why do cats approach people who don't like them? And other common questions about cat behavior.

Why Do Cats Purr
Why do cats purr? This is a question that has been asked by scientists and lay persons alike. New evidence may suggest that purring is actually a survival technique.

Cat Stuff
More cat related goodies for you to chew on or swipe a paw at.

Cat Coloring Pages
Coloring pages with mostly feline themes, many of them downloadable or printable right from the Web.

Cat Games
Games you can play, either with your cat, or related to cats.

Chloe T. Kitteh
Our mascot, Chloe T. Kitteh meows it up on Twitter.

Fun Cat Stuff
More fun cat stuff.

Growing Catnip
Facts on growing catnip, that most favorite of all kitty recreational drugs.

Pictures Of My Cats
Sappy as it sounds... pictures of my cats.

Ping Pong Cats
Cats playing ping pong!

Colonel Meow: The cat with the longest fur
Colonel Meow has been crowned the cat with the longest fur!

World's Longest Cat
Stewie outnoses Leo. Need I say more?

Cat Lovers Only

Comments: What do you think?

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