Cat Facts

For those of us who are 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? Big cat lovers might enjoy this page as well.

What's in a Cat 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

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 are extremely sensitive to tainted food, and perhaps this has contributed to their finicky reputation. Cats are hunters, and in the wild, would rarely eat stale meat. Carrion is for scavengers.

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.

More Cat Facts

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 Facs
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.