18% of households in the UK own a cat, but there’s still so much that we don’t know about them. From the unusual way they walk, to how big the largest cat is, we bet you haven’t heard some of these fun facts!
Let’s dive into some fun facts that even the most seasoned cat owners may not know!
Contents
- 1 1. Cats were first domesticated over 9,000 years ago
- 2 2. Cats sleep for about 70% of their lives
- 3 3. A cat once served as mayor of an Alaskan town
- 4 4. The longest cat ever measured 48.5 inches
- 5 5. The richest cat inherited a 7-million-pound fortune
- 6 6. Cats walk like giraffes and camels
- 7 7. Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door
- 8 8. In 1963, a cat became the first feline in space
- 9 9. Ancient Egyptians mourned their cats by shaving their eyebrows
- 10 10. House cats share 95.6% of their DNA with tigers
- 11 11. Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour
- 12 12. The oldest cat lived to be 38 years old
- 13 13. The loudest purr recorded was 67.8 decibels
- 14 14. Didga the cat can perform 24 tricks in one minute
1. Cats were first domesticated over 9,000 years ago
Contrary to popular belief, cats were not first domesticated by the ancient Egyptians. French archaeologists discovered a 9,500-year-old cat grave in Cyprus in 2004, making it the oldest known pet cat, well before the Egyptians ever included cats in their art!
2. Cats sleep for about 70% of their lives
If you think your cat sleeps a lot, you’re absolutely right! Cats spend around 13-16 hours a day sleeping, which accounts for nearly 70% of their lives. It’s their way of conserving energy for their next playful adventure!
3. A cat once served as mayor of an Alaskan town
You read that right! Stubbs, an orange tabby, served as the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska for 20 years. Though he didn’t have legislative power, he was a beloved figure who attracted tourists and locals alike!
4. The longest cat ever measured 48.5 inches
Think your cat is long? The record for the longest cat goes to Stewie, a Maine Coon, who was a whopping 48.5 inches long. And let’s not forget Arcturus, the tallest cat at 19.05 inches. Those are some big kitties!
5. The richest cat inherited a 7-million-pound fortune
Meet Blackie, the richest cat in the world. When his millionaire owner passed away, he left his entire 7-million-pound fortune to Blackie, disinheriting his own family. That’s one lucky cat!
6. Cats walk like giraffes and camels
Did you know cats walk in a unique way? They move both their right feet first, followed by both left feet, which is the same walking pattern as camels and giraffes. Pretty cool, right?
7. Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the cat door
The famous scientist known for his work on gravity is also believed to have invented the cat door. As the story goes, his cats kept interrupting his work at Cambridge, so he had a carpenter cut holes in the door for them to come and go freely!
8. In 1963, a cat became the first feline in space
We’ve all heard about dogs and monkeys in space, but did you know that a cat named Felicette, also known as “Astrocat,” became the first and only cat to journey into space? She was launched on October 18, 1963.
9. Ancient Egyptians mourned their cats by shaving their eyebrows
In Ancient Egypt, when a beloved pet cat passed away, the family would mourn by shaving their eyebrows. Some even believed that cats had divine powers and that their loss brought great sorrow to the family.
It’s hard to believe, but your domestic cat is closely related to the mighty tiger! House cats and tigers share 95.6% of their genetic makeup, which is why they exhibit similar behaviors like stalking and pouncing.
11. Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour
When your cat zooms around the house, it’s not just for fun—they can reach speeds of up to 30 mph! That’s faster than many humans can run and even rivals some of the fastest athletes!
12. The oldest cat lived to be 38 years old
Creme Puff, the oldest cat ever recorded, lived to be 38 years and 3 days old! That’s nearly 10 years longer than the average lifespan of a cat. She lived a long and happy life with her owner, who also had the previous record-holder, Grandpa Rex Allen.
13. The loudest purr recorded was 67.8 decibels
Most cats purr at around 25 decibels, but Merlin, a black and white cat from the UK, holds the record for the loudest purr at 67.8 decibels. For comparison, that’s nearly as loud as a shower running!
14. Didga the cat can perform 24 tricks in one minute
Think cats can’t learn tricks? Think again! Didga, a talented cat, can perform 24 tricks in just one minute, including rolling over, jumping bars, and even riding a skateboard!
There you have it—14 fascinating facts about cats! We hope you enjoyed learning more about these curious and lovable creatures. Have a unique cat fact or an adorable story to share? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know!
