Cats are endlessly fascinating, and we have the content to prove it! Read 100+ articles on the Litter-Robot blog that include fun facts about cats. You’ll find cat facts related to coat pattern, breed, unique abilities, and more!
Did you know? Cats instinctively know how to use the litter box. To avoid being eaten or attacked by predators, ancestral wild cats had to cover up their tracks and hide their waste to mask their scent. They gravitated toward soft dirt or sand, since the granular consistency made it easier to bury their waste.
What other interesting facts about cats didn’t you know? Cats meow for humans, not other cats. A group of cats is called a clowder or a glaring, while a group of kittens is a kindle. 30%-50% of cats lack the gene that makes them react to catnip. Research suggests that a cat’s purr has the power to self-heal. People with cat allergies aren't allergic to fur, but rather a protein found in a cat’s saliva, urine, and dander called Fel d 1. Cats seek out boxes that offer cover for their predatory hunting instincts, as well as to hide to avoid becoming prey—an instinct passed down by their wild ancestors. Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t see in black and white—but research suggests that they are red-green colorblind. A 1-year-old kitten is developmentally equivalent to a 15-year-old human. (Most) cats are lactose intolerant. Cats’ whiskers help with directional orientation and spatial awareness.
Shall we keep going? The “tabby” cat isn’t a breed—it’s a pattern. Your cat has a third eyelid that functions as a shield for their cornea. Cats are imitating snakes when they hiss. Your house cat likely isn’t nocturnal, but instead crepuscular, or most active around dusk and dawn. How long a cat lives largely depends on whether they’re indoor-only or an outdoor cat. Cats almost always land on their feet due to their impressive “righting” reflex. Cat pee smells so bad because it’s so concentrated—felines originated in the desert and evolved to absorb a large amount of water from their urine to maintain their hydration. Cats are more likely to knead if they were separated from their mothers as young kittens. And finally, cats aren’t just jerks: They knock things over to test for hidden prey.
