7 Cool Facts About Cats

7) Lactose Intolerant

Cats are always depicted in cartoons as milk junkies, who will take any chance they can get to get at the white stuff. In reality, it is true that most cats, both adult and young will drink milk when presented with it. Most cats however, share a trait that some humans have: lactose intolerance. Most feline professionals will tell you that not only is milk a bad idea, but it can also be dangerous for kittens because of the indigestion that it causes. And like our fellow humans, you can buy specialty lactose free milk that are designed specially for cats!

 

6) Where's the beef?

Unlike dogs, cats don't have taste buds for sugars. This is reflective of their predatory ancestry. Felines are predominantly predators so they do not require the need to taste sugars.

 

5) Purring

Cats that are purring are not necessarily happy. Although cats do frequently purr when petted, the purring actually symbolizes strong emotions in general. Cats frequently purr when they are in pain such as during birth or death.

 

4) Tortois Shells

Calico cats are cats that have 3 colors and are usually called tortoiseshells. Almost all calico cats are females because a cat must have 2 X chromosomes (XX) in order to display 3 colors at once. Males are XY, and therefore can only have 2 colors at most. However, on very rare occasions, a genetic defect can occur where a male cat has 3 sex chromosomes. These cats chromosomes look like XXY, and will be male but still have 3 colors. Unfortunately, being genetic mutants, they are usually sterile and will not be able to reproduce.

 

3) Cat Crack

Catnip comes from a variety of plants of the family Lamiaceae. Cats usually go crazy and start behaving wildly, almost as if intoxicated. If you've ever seen cats in the presence of catnip, you would probably understand why people call it cat weed. Approximately one third of cats are not responsive to catnip at all, and whether they do is dependant on genes and heredity. There is some confusion as to how this plant actually affects the cats. The active chemical in catnip was indentified as Nepetalactone, but the way it interacts with the cat's brain is still unknown. Some have suggested that the chemical may resemble feline sex hormones.

 

2) Speed

Domestic cats can run in bursts of up to 30 mph. The fastest human Usain Bolt can only manage a measly 27 mph.

 

1) High six!

A cat's front paws have 5 toes. Their thumb is higher up than the rest of the toes. The rear feet have 4 toes each. Sometimes, genetic mutations can make cats have upwards of 6 or 7 toes. This condition is called polydactyl (many-toes).

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