#positivelycat

1. A cat’s first year is equal to that of 15 years of human life

By the time your cat reaches age 1, the growth that has occurred is equal to 15 years of human growth. By the time your cat reaches age 2, your cat has equaled the growth of 25 human years. After the age of 2, your cat develops more slowly and grows about 4 to 5 human years every year

2. Male cats tend to be left-pawed while female cats tend to be right-pawed

If you don’t know the gender of a cat, pay attention to which paw they swipe with. If they swipe with their left paw, they’re most likely male. In one study, 73% of cats show a clear paw preference when reaching for food.

3. Cats developed meowing to communicate with humans

Meowing is not an innate language for cats. They actually learned to meow in order to communicate with humans. Cats recognize that the only way to communicate with humans is through verbal communication.

4. Cats purrs can heal bones

Cats purr at a frequency of 25 to 150 hertz which is the frequency needed to promote bone health and repair. Purrs can also improve bone density, help with swelling and pain, and help with muscle growth and repair. 

5. Cats sleep between 12-16 hours per day

Wild cats spend most of their time preserving their strength sleeping when they are not hunting. Although indoor cats don’t hunt like wild cats do, this evolutionary trait has continued to carry down through generations. 

6. A cat’s nose is like a human’s fingerprint

Like a human’s fingerprint, each cat’s nose has a pattern that is unique to each cat. The ridges and bumps of the nose form a unique nose print.

7. Cats can taste scents in the air

Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents in the air. Cats may use this “extra sense” when gauging information about a cat that isn’t present. They simply stick their tongue out and are able to learn important information about another cat without the other cat being present. 

8. Cats can jump 5-6 times their height

This is measured from the ground to their shoulders. The average height of a cat is 30 centimeters which means a healthy adult cat can jump between 150 centimeters and 180 centimeters.

9. Cats can run around 30 mph

Cats can run around 30 mph over short distances. To put this speed into perspective, the average human can run up to 22 mph. Cats have very muscular legs as well as a flexible spine that arches and straightens as they run which gives them great speed.

10. Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees

Bringing your cat to the vet can be a stressful experience- for both you and the cat. Most cats run in terror at the first sight of a carrier making it very difficult for you to get your cat to the vet in the first place. Many people think cats are born with an innate fear of carriers but that’s just not true. If you only bring the carrier out for vet visits, your cat learns to associate the carrier with an unpleasant experience. It’s time for your cat to learn to love the carrier. It will make vet visits easier for everyone involved!

The first step to getting your cat accustomed to a carrier is placing the carrier in one of your cat’s favourite spots. Take the cover and door off the carrier, or if it’s a soft carrier, leave all the openings unzipped to allow your cat to venture in and out freely. Having the carrier out all the time will take away that negative association your cat has that a carrier = vet visit.

Make sure to make the carrier as comfy as possible for your cat. Place a blanket or one of their beds inside. You can also place a comfy sweatshirt of yours in the carrier. Your scent will make your cat calm and comfortable.

Now it’s time for treats and food! Give your cat a treat whenever they are in the carrier. Make sure to only give treats to your cat if they are in the carrier. Your cat will become even more comfortable with the carrier if you feed them while they are in the carrier. By associating food with the carrier, you are teaching your cat that a carrier is a safe place for them to be in.

After your cat is comfortable spending time in the carrier, it’s time to practice closing the doors. Once your cat is inside the carrier, close the door then give them their treat. It’s important you only give your cat a treat if they are calm. You can also place their food in the carrier and close the door when your cat is eating. 

It’s time for the final step! When your cat is accustomed to being in the carrier with the doors closed, pick up the carrier then place it back down gently. Continue doing this until it becomes a pleasant experience for your cat. You can take some walks around your house or the block with your cat in the carrier once picking it up and putting it down become a breeze. Make sure to continue with this routine regularly. By doing this, your cat will associate a vet visit with the carrier every one time out of ten instead of every time. 

Cats actually don’t meow at other cats, only at humans. Cats have learned that they can’t communicate with humans the same way they do with cats. Humans can’t decipher a cat's facial expression nor their complex body language. Cats realize that the only way to talk to you is through speech, so they create their own way of talking to you- meowing. In other words, cats created their own speech in order to manipulate you! It’s the only way they get what they want.

Kittens create a high pitch mew in order to get the attention of their mother. After a few months kittens stop meowing all together. This is when cats use their means of communication with other cats. When a human is in the picture though, a kitten will learn either through observational learning or trial and error that non-verbal communication does not work. They might notice that we only communicate verbally and thus use verbal communication themselves or they might attempt communicating with us the way they communicate with other cats and when they go ignored they will adapt to communicating verbally.

It’s important as a cat owner to understand that when your cat meows at you, they are trying to tell you something. It’s up to you to decipher what their meows mean and act accordingly. Here are some different type of meows to look out for:

Short Meow: “Hello!”

Multiple meows: “I’m excited to see you!”

Mid-pitch meow: a plea for something, “I want food!”

Drawn out meow: demand for something, “Let me out now!”

Low-pitch meow: you’ve done something wrong, “Don’t touch my belly again!”

High-pitch meow: anger or pain, “You stepped on my tail!”

You come home from work and your cat greets you at the door. All of a sudden, she rolls on her back, exposing her gorgeous belly! You take this as an invitation for a belly rub, a rare occurrence. You bend down and place your hand on her belly. The next thing you know, you’re pulling your hand back in pain. What could have gone wrong? Turns out, a cat showing you her belly isn’t an invitation for a belly rub. It’s important to recognize how your cat feels about belly rubs and why they are showing their belly in the first place.

Why Cats Show Their Belly

A cat can show their belly for several reasons. One reason is that they are defending themselves. In the wild, cats roll on their back to fight off predators. By doing this, all their claws and teeth are ready to attack and defend their vital organs. You can tell if your cat is in defensive mode if they are licking their lips, flattening their ears, and making agitated noises.

On the other hand, a cat who shows you their stomach can mean that they trust you. It’s a sign that they are safe and comfortable around you. When a cat is showing they trust you, they may purr and look very relaxed. Your cat may also be in a playful mood when they show you their belly. This doesn’t give you an invitation for a belly rub though! 

If your cat is unspayed, she might be showing her stomach as a sign of frustration and affection to her mate. It would be best to stay away until she settles down.

Why Some Cats Don’t Like Belly Rubs

Giving your cat a belly rub can be very suspenseful. Will she attack or will she love it? Some cats love belly rubs and some hate it. If your cat loves it, she’ll allow you to continue rubbing her belly. If your cat doesn’t like it, be prepared for scratches and bites. If your cat rejects belly rubs, don’t take it personally. 

There are two reasons why some cats don’t like belly rubs. One is that the sensitive organs are located there. Your cat feels uncomfortable having you so close to those organs so they act defensively. Another reason is that the hair follicles on the belly and tail are sensitive to touch. Touching your cat in these places can be overstimulating to your cat.