From brain power to political power, our mysterious cats are at it again, wowing with their enigmatic abilities and baffling us with their inexplicable powers. You won't believe these mind-blowing facts about cats, and you'll have some great trivia to share at your next dinner party, too!
1. A Cat's Brain Is More Similar to a Human's Than a Dog's Brain
Cats and dogs are both intelligent creatures, but their brains are very different. Biologically, a cat's brain is more similar to a human brain than a dog's brain. Both humans and cats have identical regions in their brains that are responsible for emotions, and a cat's brain has a 90% similarity to that of a human. You're more like your feline friend than you thought!
2. Female Cats Are Right Pawed & Males Are Lefties
We've all wondered whether our felines are left- or right-handed, and now there's a clear answer. Although many believe cats are ambidextrous, a study by Queen's University Belfast found that female domestic cats tend to rely on using their right front paw, while male cats more frequently use their left front paw when faced with more challenging tasks.
Interestingly, 90% of humans are right-handed, while the remaining 10% of lefties also tend to be male.
3. Cats Make 100 Different Sounds
Ever wonder why it's so hard figuring out what your cat's different mews and purrs mean? It's because cats make about 100 distinct sounds. Yup, you might have thought it was 10 or 12, but you need to up that figure a fair bit. In comparison, dogs only make around 10 different sounds.
4. A Cat Was the Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska
No joke. As ridiculous as this sounds, it is absolutely true! Going by the name of Stubbs, this cute orange cat was the Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, from 1997 until his passing in 2017.
How can this be? Stubbs' position was honorary, as the town is only a "historical district." Still, everyone loved Stubbs, and he was constantly flooded with cards and letters from his admirers.
Stubbs was not the only cat to have mayorship in his sights, however. A cat ran for Mayor in Mexico City back in 2013, as well!
5. The Biggest Cat Is the Savannah F1
You may think you've seen some pretty big cats in your time, but when it comes to the Savannah F1, we're talking huge! The Savannah is a hybrid cat breed that is a cross between the serval and a domestic cat.
A bit like having a mini cheetah around the house, the Savannah F1 can weigh in at a whopping 20 to 30 pounds. A Savannah called Fenrir currently holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest domestic cat at staggering 18.83 inches from shoulder to toe.
6. The Egyptian Mau Is the Oldest Breed of Cat
You probably already know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as deities, but did you know that some of these ancient breeds are still around today? Cue the Egyptian mau.
The Egyptian mau is the oldest and the only naturally occurring breed of spotted domestic cats. They're also the fastest breed of pedigree cats, giving the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt, a run for his money.
Egyptian maus can reach speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour!
7. And Now For the Richest Cat in the World!
Cats can be social media influencers too, and Nala Cat proves it's pretty lucrative. This adorable Siamese and tabby mix is both the most-followed cat on Instagram, with a whopping 4.5+ million followers, and the richest cat in the world. She reportedly has a net worth of $100 million USD.
8. A Sphynx Isn't Actually Hairless
The sphynx, which is, hands down, one of the strangest-looking cat breeds around, is actually not as hairless as you think. Although to most, the cat looks as bald as the day you were born, they are actually covered in an incredibly short, soft fur that feels a little bit like a subtle fuzz. They have also been known to grow whiskers and eyebrows. Who would have thought?
Sign up for our newsletter featuring all the latest stories and products we love.
9. Cat's Purrs Have Healing Powers
No, we're not talking some sci-fi mumbo-jumbo. We're talking real life stuff! The frequency of a cat's purr is between 25 and 150 Hz, which scientists have found is also the same frequency range that can promote bone growth. So having your pet cat sit with you when you're not feeling well isn't just comforting, but it might be healing, too!
Cats don't just purr when they're happy. They can purr when they're scared or in pain, which leads experts to believe that they might be using their purr as a self-healing technique.
10. Cats Can Survive Massive Falls
According to a study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 132 cats falling from an average of 5½ stories and as high as 32 stories have a survival rate of about 90%. This is thanks to their feline righting reflex, which kicks in at lightning speed during a fall, reorientating its body so it can land feet first and intact on the ground.
Cats actually have a better chance of avoiding injury when they fall from a higher point. At shorter distances, they don't have enough time to correct their body position, and can be injured more easily.
Purrplexing Cat Facts
As if we didn't already have enough reasons to be obsessed with our cats, these 10 cat facts give even more insight into our purrplexing pets. You now know a little more about their history and maybe even have a deeper appreciation for your feline friend. Which fact surprised you the most? Why not share it with a special cat-lover in your life?
