Top 5 Paw-sitive Facts About Cats

And not just ‘ancient’ as in Fluffy next door is turning 20 next weekend! We mean, historically, cats are an ever-present, and have been for Millennia! National Geographic dates the domesticated cat back to Ancient Egyptian times (during which they were sacred). But some estimates go even beyond that! There is more recent evidence of cat domestication, or at least cat/human co-operation, around 5,300 years ago in China… While other experts claim that the common household kitty may be traced back to one of five African wildcats, alive around 10,000 years ago! So Fluffy actually has quite the heritage… you could say her family’s been around fur-ever!

If ever you’ve been physically hurt or emotionally pained, it’s well known that a snuggle with your cat can help soothe the stress! But, did you know that a kitty cuddle can theoretically help mend broken bones? More work needs to be done to prove this in human trials, but a cat’s purr vibrates at a frequency between 20-140 Hz; bones are proven heal best when subjected to sound at a frequency between 25-50 Hz! Not only that, recent studies have shown that cat owners are 40% less likely to have a heart attack! And anxiety is also, reportedly, alleviated whenever you pet a purring cat… Leaving you feline fine, in no time!

Cognitively speaking, cats are really quite similar to humans. Their brains are 90% alike our own; they harbour long-term memory skills beyond anything a dog can do; and, unfortunately, they’re prone to human-like dementia in old age (which is anything after 8). Adult cats are clever enough to only meow at humans, because that’s where food comes from… And that’s why you never actually see, cats meowing at each other. Hissing, and growling; sure. But meowing; no! Dogs do tend to score a higher social IQ than cats, however… But who needs friends when you’re a genius, right? Those stupid pups need to wake up and smell the catnip!

So we should really stop putting milk out for them. After weaning, milk is not recommended as part of a cat’s diet. The classic image of cats has them drinking dairy like it’s champagne, but they actually become increasingly lactose intolerant with age, giving them upset stomachs and diarrhea. What cats can drink, however, is salt water! The dehydrating demon for many a thirsty sailor, a cat’s kidneys have significantly less trouble with it. We’re not saying you should serve a saucer of the Atlantic next meal-time; Plain old freshwater is all they really require. No milk, and definitely no coffee! It makes them hy-purr-active! And it might kill them. Ha, haaa...

I guess I didn’t have to mention that they can’t fly. Anyway, they can fall from great, great heights and live to tell the tail! T-A-I-L, tail.] Or, live to tell the storey. “Storey” with an E. Eh? There are countless accounts in which a cat has survived a multi-storey plunge, due mostly to the ‘cat righting reflex’ - an innate ability to land on all fours. Falls are further cushioned by an ultra-flexible skeleton, and a natural parachute-like brace position. A 1987 study further suggested that cats reach terminal velocity at around 5 storeys, with injuries actually decreasing above seven storeys! Don’t try this at home, but one cat ran away from a 32 storey slip with just a chipped tooth and a collapsed lung! And catastrophe was avoided!

So, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen a cat survive? For more bone-healing Top 10s and lung-collapsing Top 5s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com!