Cat Behavior-Interesting Facts About Your Cat
96The Cat Lover In You
If you are a devoted cat lover like me, and are curious about the little marvels your cat does, then you will want to read this. I know I enjoy the fascinating behavior of my cats, I often wonder what it means when one will purr so loudly, or if eating grass is okay. Cats have such a defined personality, they can be stubborn one minute and craving loving the next.
Listed below are things you will discover about your cat you may have not known, things that will keep your furry friend happy, safe, and healthy hopefully for a long, long time. This is just a small resource I have put together looking into the world of the precious creature known as the domestic house cat we know and love.
Facts You Should Know
1. Your cat's normal body temperature is 100 to 102.5 degree's Fahrenheit.
2. Your cat will shake or shiver when it is in extreme pain. A cat that shakes may be a symptom of a medical condition. Shaking should not be ignored. Have your cat checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
3. Do not feed your cat tuna fish exclusively, because it lacks taurine, an essential nutrient your cat requires for good health.
4. Purring does not always indicate that a cat is happy and healthy, some cats will purr loudly when they are terrified or in pain.
5. Your cat needs fat in it's diet because it is not able to produce it's own.
6. While many cats or kittens enjoy milk, it will cause many of them to have diarrhea.
7. Neutering your male cat will, in almost all instances, stop territorial marking (spraying), fighting with other cats, as well as enhance and extend your cat's quality of life. Males are traditionally neutered when they are six months old.
8. Never give your cat aspirin, unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian, it can be fatal. Never ever give Tylenol(acetaminophen) to a cat, it breaks down blood cells, causing anemia and death.
9. Cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites. If you are bitten, and have any signs of infection, such as fever, chills, redness, swelling, warmth, increased tenderness, oozing sek medical attention.
10. When your cat rubs up against you, they are actually marking you with their scent. As well as claiming you as their property. So the question is, who owns who?
Facts You Should Know
11. Your cat doesn't taste sweets. Because they lack 247 base pairs of the amino acids that make up the DNA of the Tas1r2 gene.
12. Your cat uses it's tail to retain balance.
13. Your cat kneads with it's paws when it is happy.
14. The average age for an indoor cat is 15 years, while the average age for an outdoor cat is only three to five years.
15. Your cat loves to chew on grass, catnip, parsley or sage. If you suspect your cat has been poisoned call your veterinarian or local emergency animal clinic.
16. Your cat prefers it's food at room temperature, and will refuse any food that is to cold or to hot.
17. Never feed your cat dog food. Cats need five times more protein than dogs do.
18. Your cat HATES a dirty litter box and will often refuse to use a dirty box. If you have muliple cats, it is recommended you have a litter box for each cat.
19. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. It isn't known why, but repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs.
20. Your cat can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.
21. Neutering your cat can extend its life span by two or three years. And who doesn't want to have your precious cat around for a lot longer?
22. At three-week-old, your kittens are ready to start eating softened kitten food.
23. Your cat's tongue is scratchy because it's lined with papillae, tiny backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place.
If You Love Cats, More Hubs For Your Pleasure
- 10 Ways to Pamper Your Cat - by the Cat
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aka Rocky Rockstar or Gingervitis. Tony Attwood (PhD, Asperger expert) describes cats as autistic dogs. I like his analogy. I've owned many pets including cats and dogs, and have a special affinity for...
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We have a Polydactyl Bengal cat, and since the day he was born he has a chill like thing he does. And he always does it, even when it's over 100 outside.
i like this because it helps me now
Thank you, that is such a great goal. The cats will be forever grateful. I love that idea.
I love cats, and hope one day, when I'm retired, to be a foster home for cats. Good info!
Yes they are the most unique of creatures.
Very interesting information. Thank you for sharing details about cat's behavior. I really like cats, but sometimes I am puzzled with them.
Very informative, found answers to my question. Thanks
Hi Stephanie-Thank you for linking and sharing, I love Gemini, so sweet.
alphagirl- I had two cats, both have passed, my 18 yr old Ethel recently and I miss so many of their little quirks. I keep my moms 17 year old who is so demanding. But you gotta love them.
Thank you both for reading and commenting. It is always nice to hear from other cat lovers.
love the facts about cats... I have had 3 cats in my lifetime and all three had great personalities. I will say the one with persian meowed and talked more than I could stand. It talked all day. My current cat espresso is quiet and sneaky. LOL
This is such an interesting hub that I think every cat lover will enjoy. I'm linking it to my latest hub (actually written by my cat, Gemini) on ways to pamper your cat. Also, sharing...
Hi Carol, that sounds like a perfect idea. My cat who is now 17 rarely eats dry food anymore, so breaking up the wet food so it isn't to cool for him is his favorite. I have resorted to buying smaller cans and dividing those up as well. he seems to want to eat all the time. Sadly I lost my beloved Ethel in June. I thought she'd live forever :(
Hi Sky- Glad you enjoyed the information, checked out your video, cats are the essence of joy aren't they?
Loved this article. I have three cats and did notice the cold food thing with them. They refuse to eat any food that has been in the fridge, even if we allow it to get to room temputure. We now use the very small cans divided 3 ways twice a day, plus a special diet dry food. Our male gets urinary blockages. So the dry food is for his needs. The girls seem to be ok with it. One of the females has asthma, so we needed to change all of them to a dustless litter. The kitty with Asthma, we use tuna to bribe her to come and get her medication. Very small amount. Just a bribe, not a meal. My other female is the fussy one. She says the litter boxes must be clean for her use at all times. What a princess.
gabriella-Thank you for taking the time to comment, yes cats do have some odd behaviors don't they?
thats some great facts. i didn't know about most of that suff. thanks.
Thank you visitmaniac, I have a 17 year-old. My 18 year Ethel sadly passed on 4 months ago. She was such a wonderful addition to my family, she is missed greatly. Congrats on your 18 year old, wishing many more years ahead of her :))
Really cool facts I found interesting since I have my own cat. Shes 18 now! whats an oldie :D
Yes I have a cat if I pet to long will take a nice swat at me and continue purring...So cats have their own little quirks, thats for sure...
wow i never knew purring could indicate discontent. but if the cat is purring and laying on top of you,that should mean he is happpy, right? My cat gets agitiated if you keep petting him unless he s purring. that is when he seems to enjoy it more.
Enjoyable and informative hub. my cat has caught and killed 2 red belly black snakes in the past few months. he only eats the heads but never gets ill. Is He just lucky?
Good idea starlight, thanks for reading.
Now I am definitely am going out to buy the bowl so the dog's food is elevated so one of my cats won't eat it!!!!
I am with you on that one esmeowl. I can't imagine not having my two cats around. I am missing one who passed, and miss her dearly still. They are such lovely little creatures.
Cats are amazing. I don't know what I'd do without mine.
Thank you. Yeah my two cats tend to run me around in circles too. When they start feding themselves I am in trouble. :D
10. When your cat rubs up against you, they are actually marking you with their scent. As well as claiming you as their property. So the question is, who owns who?
Best hub about cats. I have two (they let me live in their house, I just pay the bills). lol
Hi cathylynn- Thank you for your comment. I wish my cats were snuggly. They get all annoyed if you try to snuggle. My older cat Ethel will even hiss if you pet her to long. Love her bunches anyway :)
voted up and useful. yep, cats purr when they need or want a friend, not when they are happy. my cat is a snuggle bug. i love my schmuppabubba.
Thank you Pamela. I am glad to have provided useful information. I am learning more everyday. I try to keep up on the latest things about cats.
What a wonderful article. I am a big cat lover and have the most loving cat I've ever owned. You had some things listed in your excellent hub that I didn't know. Thanks for the information.
Hi Stephanie-Thank you so much. The pictures are all mine. I have read sage is good in small amounts, apparently it is like catnip for the cat. My cats don't seem interested. If I buy really fresh catnip they will react, but if it has been sitting on a shelf to long they look at me like what the heck?
As a fellow cat lover, I enjoyed your hub and look forward to reading more of them. Pictures are great, too. I didn't know that cats like sage -- I have some in my flower garden that I will bring in for Gemini to see if he's interested.
Thanks Jon, greatly appreciated :)
Great list of facts. I think every cat owner should read these. Nicely done!
Hi RTalloni-Thank you, they let me take pictures of them sometimes. lol! Well look at it this way, your little darling doesn't have to compete for your love.
Hey Tammy- Thank you :) I didn't have cats growing up. These girls are my first cats. They are 15 and 16. Cats are the best I do agree!
Great hub. I've loved cats all my life.
Great photos of your cats! I've come to regret not getting a companion cat for our darling little girl--she should have had a big brother all these years!
Hi Tamz, I guess that depends on the behavior. My cats used to do that with clawing on the furniture. Until I started putting out boxes, I have a few flattened ones as well. They use them now instead of my furniture. They never really like the kitty scratching posts much.
I totally did not know about the Tylenol. I love my kitty! I often wonder though, how do you stop a cat from doing something he KNOWS he is not supposed to do, but he does it anyway, looks at you then challenges you to do something about it. he is like a testy two year old hahaha
Jess-LOL! They love me to much to be adopted out!
hi ur cat is super cute,can u give me one
THank you, I love my cats so much. They keep me happy and without them I would be a bit lonely!
Wow! Cute cats! I just made my first hub about my sleeping cats. Well, there's only two of them now, we used to have 12, sigh! But I enjoy their company so much and truly love them!
Yes that is a long time for outdoor cats. I am sorry for your loss. I lost my 12 year old Sullybug 3 years ago. I still feel the loss. She was fine, in good health, then one day she was sick and the next day I had to have her put to sleep because she was bleeding internally. I would have done anything to save her, but the two vets I took her to would not. It still hurts. So I feel your sadness.
I had two outside cats that live to be 14 and 16...i know this is very old for an outside cat lol. i miss them :(
Very Interesting Hub!!! I really enjoyed it!
Thanks jenn, your comment is much appreciated.
Great Hub. You have good information here.
Your welcome Bob, I am glad you enjoyed the information. Thank you for commenting I appreciate it.
I've got four cats and am always eager to learn more about them. Thanks for the great info.
Thanks tiger-lily for reading and the comment.
Thanks for an interesting hub, I love my 2 cats - both rescued ferals.
Hi myawn, I drop a bit of warm Silk into their dry food, and they get wet food every morning, as they are getting up there in age, so the wet food is easier for them to digest than the dry all the time.
Love my cats they do have there own minds of course good hub I give mine a small amount of milk on top of dry food and a couple of spoons of tuna twice a week.
LOL! Yeah my cats have a tendency to run my household as well. They eat when they want, not when I think they should, they lay where they want, not where I think they should, and so on...I live with them and not the other way around. LOL!
Thanks for such an informative article. There were several new facts that I learned.
I just spent some time with my finnicy cat, she really believes that she owns the house and the folks are her servants. What an ego!
I have two trays because I have two cats. I clean them several times a day, I use the best litter I can find. I do pretty good order wise. They would never use a housing device with a hood. They like their box and I make sure the waste is cleaned out so they don't have issues. I wish I could put a litter box on the balcony, but I don't know if that would work.
Mine has a litter box in the ensuite which has a fan. The fan goes straight on when he does number twos, and I have to hold my breath while scooping it into the toilet. He is very fussy and his litter tray needs racking after wees otherwise he protests. Litter trays are downside of raising an inside cat.
Hi BaileyBear,
I cannot visin my to cats using a anything but a litter box. They are stubborn little creatures to say the least. Thanks for the link, I will do the same :)
Great hub. I tried to train my cat to use a Litter Kwitter toilet seat. He was too stubborn - cat's have minds of his own. My cat features in my hub "All Cat's Have Asperger's" - will link yours
Hi vballkel,
My cats are very into cardboard and paper. They love to lay on it, I leave flat cardboard around so they can scratch it. They seem to love it. Thank you for your comment, the tivo is a great place, maybe she is trying to tell you something. LOL!
I love cats and this article. I won't let my cat have milk because it always makes her sick. The other information was good to know! My cat always wants to lay on the computer too or my papers or whatever I am doing! The other day I caught her laying on the tivo!
Hi Peggy,
Thank you, I have caught my cat lying on my laptop a few times. With a buzz off kind of look in his eye. Maybe he is telling me he can do better, I don't know. LOL!
I also did not know about the purring except for cats being happy. One thing you did not address...why is it that cats always want to lie on the desk right in front of the computer screen? Haha! I know...they want attention! And attention our cats get aplenty!!! Good hub.
Mrs vee, That is awesome you have been surrounded by so much love. I am glad to hear your senior male is doing well after his car accident. Thank you so much for recommending my article. I am learning more everyday about these little creatures of love. I actually study quite a bit, worked with a shelter until I couldn't anymore, my heart couldn't take it. Selfish I know, but my emotions ran wild. Thank you so much for sharing :)
Throughout a 18yr marriage we've been accompanied with 'cat crews' ranging in number of 2 to 5 dominated by neuteured males. On our fourth set now. What a joy my husband introduced to my life! All have been individualistic and worked well to maintain their 'family' and welcome additional kittens/young adults. None were adopted; started with his companion (highly intuitive communicable male) and added a male kitty. He determined who entered the fold and it attracted neighbor's domestics or ones that were alone. The senior male now from the original crew is 12 years (about 70 for a human). He was 9 months when a car accident necessitated a hip joint reconstruction of major surgery that to this day indectable to people unless we tell. I enjoyed and recommend your article of cat facts. Thank you!
Hi Pamela, I have read further that when a cat is nervous and cannot escape a tense situation (at the veterinarians office perhaps), the cat will purr as an attempt to avoid being hurt. Thank you for your comment :)
Hi habee, Taurine is essential for good eye health, and is not contained in canned human tuna, and if you were to feed your cat tuna exclusively, your cat wouldn't be getting the taurine necessary to keep her eyes in good shape.
Lady Guinevere, Sound like you have got a lot of happy cats. Hypoglycemia is one of the top causes of shivering or shaking. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, sometimes happens when your cat has not eaten for a long period of time. That is why it is important to get to a vet asap. Thank you for reading and sharing your comments.
I love cats and have 7 outdoor ones and 4 indoor ones. Some of my outdoor cats are over 5 years old. I didn't know about the shaking.
Cat's tongues are also rough because that is how they brush themselves as well.
Habee, you can get Taurine in the vitamin isle of the store and add a little bit to their foods.
Great tips! I didn't know about the taurine.
I didn't know cats could purr when they are not happy. There are a few things in your article that I never knew before. Thanks for a great hub.
Hey thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I love my cats. I'd probably have a dog too, but live in a apartment that doesn't allow them.
Cats are so cool. Too bad my husband is a dog person.
Nice hub! Your cats are very cute.
Hi DzyMsLizzy, Thank you for the comment. Yes they are most wonderful family members, to say the least. I might have to rephrase number 23 to include that. Thanks for the heads up.:)
Thanks for a great hub! I love cats (we have 4). They are wonderful companions--our "fur children."
BTW--the cat's tongue is rough because it is designed for scraping meat from bones. ... something to think about. :-)
crazybeanrider Hub Author 4 weeks ago
Cats do have some odd quirks don't they, that is one reason I love them so much.