Cat Fact #1: A cat will almost never meow at another cat. Cats use this sound for humans.
Cat Fact #2: Cats, unlike dogs, do not learn tricks to win your approval. Cats can be taught to perform tasks such as retrieving toys and jumping through hoops – but it may take patience and perseverance…and quite a few yummy treats for your feline.
Cat Fact #3: A cat uses its whiskers as feelers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through.
Cat Fact #4: A cat can be either right-pawed or left-pawed.
Cat Fact #5: A cat can jump as much as 7 times its height.
Cat Fact #6: Cats cannot break a sweat because they have no sweat glands.
Cat Fact #7: A cat’s brain is more similar to a human’s brain than that of a dog.
Cat Fact #8: A cat sees about 6 times better than a human at night.
Cat Fact #9: A cat’s tongue is scratchy because it’s lined with papillae – tiny backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place.
Cat Fact #10: A fifteen year old cat has probably spent ten years of its life sleeping.
Cat Fact #11: A frightened cat can run at speeds of up to 31 mph, slightly faster than a human sprinter.
Cat Fact #12: All kittens are born with blue eyes.
Cat Fact #13: Ancient Egyptians believed worshiped cats were sacred animals.
Cat Fact #14: In Asia and England, a black cat is considered lucky.
Cat Fact #15: Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible.
Cat Fact #16: Cats can see color. Studies have shown that cats can distinguish between red and green; red and blue; red and gray; green and blue; green and gray; blue and gray; yellow and blue, and yellow and gray.
Cat Fact #17: Cats have a third eyelid that is rarely visible. If it can be seen, it could be an indication of ill health.
Cat Fact #18: Cats lack a true collarbone and can generally squeeze their bodies through any space they can get their heads through.
Cat Fact #19: You should talk to your cat often. Cats love to hear the sound of their own name and your voice.
Cat Fact #20: Cats, not dogs, are the most common pets in America.
Cat Fact #21: Human painkillers such acetaminophen (Tylenol) are toxic to cats.
Cat Fact #22: Chocolate is also poisonous to both cats and dogs.
Cat Fact #23: A female cat may have three to seven kittens every four months. This is why having your pets spayed and neutered is so important.
Dog Facts
Dog Fact #1: A dog’s nose has about 4 times as many scent cells as a cat’s and 14 times more than a human’s. That’s why dogs are often used to track down illegal drugs and missing persons. They can sniff out their dinner from any room in the house!
Dog Fact #2: With patience and understanding you can teach any old dog new tricks, depending on what you are trying to teach, or un-teach the dog, which is usually more difficult. Dogs can learn at any age, and like humans, it’s just old habits that are hard to break!
Dog Fact #3: Dogs see in color, but not the same way that we do. Veterinary ophthalmologists have found that dogs are similar to people with red/green color blindness, meaning they can see bluish and greenish shades but not reddish ones. To a dog, a bright orange ball on a grassy lawn appears as a light greenish ball in greenish grass. Go fetch!
Dog Fact #4: According to a recent survey, the most popular name for a dog is Max. Other popular names include Molly, Sam, Zach, and Maggie.
Dog Fact #5: An estimated 1 million dogs in the United States have been named the primary beneficiary in their owner’s will.
Dog Fact #6: Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet.
Dog Fact #7: Every known dog, except the chow, has a pink tongue – a chow’s tongue is black.
Dog Fact #8: Dogs can alert their owners of an epileptic seizure up to an hour before it occurs.
Dog Fact #9: Walt Disney’s family dog was named Lady. She was a poodle.
Dog Fact #10: The dog was one of the first animals domesticated by humans.
Dog Fact #11: The heaviest dog ever weighed 319 pounds.
Dog Fact #12: The oldest dog ever died at age 29.
Pet Facts
Pet Fact #1: Dogs can donate blood to other dogs and cats can donate blood to other cats.
Pet Fact #2: Studies have shown that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
Pet Fact #3: Over 50% of all pet owners would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet, not another person.