We can all agree that cats are strange and mysterious creatures that march to their own beat. Even if you've had several of them as pets over the years, it's possible that you don't know that much about them.
Add to that the fact that cats have been domesticated for more than 4,000 years and there's bound to be some weird facts that you haven't discovered. With that in mind, here are 5 things you most likely didn't know about cats.
Cats Don't Like Milk or Fish
Despite what those Saturday morning kids cartoons showed you, cat's don't actually drink milk or eat fish happily. In fact, most cats are lactose intolerant. This means that they don't have the enzymes that are needed to digest lactose, which is the sugar that is found in milk.
If they do drink milk, it will end up giving them an upset stomach or diarrhea. Kittens can drink milk, but only until they are around eight weeks. Fish is also a bad idea because a lot of cats are allergic to it. So, if you want to know the right diet for your cat, check out this infographic released by Felineliving.net. It's a perfect resource to be sure your cat has a correct and healthy diet.
They're Asleep for 70% of Their Lives
If you have a house cat, then you already know just how much they like to laze around and sleep. In fact, cats actually spend 16 hours of each day asleep. That translates to roughly 70% of their lives.
This trait has a lot to do with their genes. In the wild, cats need to hunt prey for their meals. So they've evolved to sleep a lot in order to save energy for the chase. And although house cats don't need to hunt anymore, their genetic background remains the same.
Their Brain is More Advanced than You'd Think
When most people think of clever pets, their minds automatically go to dogs. After all, they can learn a lot of commands, help the police track people down, and even detect cancer. But a cat's brain is actually more complex and advanced than a dog's.
It's true that a cat's brain is pretty small and takes up only 0.9% of their total body mass. But it also has a highly folded structure that is almost similar to a human's. They also have more neurons and a cerebral cortex that is more advanced than a dog's. This means that they have an amazing short-term memory which lasts for about 10 minutes.
Cats Sweat through their Paws
Since most of a cat's body is covered in fur, they have very few sweat glands there. Instead, most of these glands are located on the pads of their paws. That's why you can sometimes see small, wet paw prints as they walk on your floors in the hot summer months.
They Don't Have a Sweet Tooth
Most mammals have taste buds on their tongue that allow them to tell one taste from another. However, all cats - not just house cats - lack the genetic characteristics that let other mammals taste sweet things. Unfortunately for them, this means that cats don't have much of a sweet tooth.
Bonus: Why Cats Like Catnip!
No, your cat isn't really getting high on catnip! But there is a noticeable change in their behavior! That's because catnip contains nepetalactone, which stimulates receptors in a way that is unique to felines. What you're seeing is a cat that is overwhelmed with happiness, to the point of euphoria.