8 Amazing Little-Did-You-Know Facts about Cats

In celebration of National Cat Day, learn more about the lovely feline

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A cat and newborn kitten curl up together

A cat and newborn kitten curl up together. [ANURAK PONGPATIMET / Shutterstock.com]

When it comes to pets there are usually two strong camps - cat-lovers and dog-lovers. At Goodnet we’d like to think that there is space for all our furry friends, but since today marks National Cat Day, the spotlight is on the felines.

INFOGRAPHIC: 7 Facts That Prove Cats are Awesome

The official day is a celebration of domesticated cats along with a call to action to encourage people to rescue strays and provide them with a proper home. While cats sometimes get a bad rap for being unpredictable, antisocial and quite solitary creatures, if you keep on reading, you might be surprised by how amazing cats truly are. In celebration of National Cat Day, take a couple of moments to brush up on your cat facts

1. CATS CAN HEAL BONES

Frequencies of 20 to 50 Hertz are helpful in speeding the healing process of bone injuries. Cat's purr vibrations which range from 20 – 140 Hertz, can help heal soft tissue injuries to ligaments, tendons and muscles. 

A cat rests its body on its owners lap, its head peeks out above the knees

A cat sitting on its owner's lap. [yurakrasil / Shutterstock.com]

2. CATS HAVE ACUTE SNIFFERS

A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times – yes, 14 times! – more sensitive and stronger than humans. 

A close up of a cat's nose and face

A kitty nose close-up. [8th.creator / Shutterstock ,com]

3. CATS ARE FAST

Cats can run at 30 mph or 48 kph which is faster than gold-winning 100 meter world record champion Usain Bolt

A fast running cat in motion

A fast running cat in motion. [pudiq / Shutterstock.com]

4. CATS ARE SLEEP MASTERS

On average, cats spend around 2/3 of their days sleeping. To give you an idea, a nine-year old cat has been awake for three years of its life. 

a beautiful cat sleeping on a red couch

The word catnap has its origins in the fact that cats love to snooze. [MaxyM / Shutterstock,com]

5. CATS ARE VOCAL

Cats can make over 100 different sounds, whereas dogs make around 10. 

A kitten opens its mouth wide

This kitten has something to say. [Tony Campbell / Shutterstock.com]

6. CATS CAN’T TASTE SWEETS

Felines lack a sweet tooth, as it is believed that there is a mutation in a key taste receptor that prevents cats from tasting sugar.

Cat licking its nose after drinking water

Cat licking its nose after drinking water. [NataliyaBack / Shutterstock.com]

7. CATS ARE ONE-OF-A-KIND

The ridged pattern on cat’s nose is as unique as a human fingerprint. The same applies to dogs

A beautiful cat in a box looking up at the camera.

Every cat is an individual. [Magui RF / Shutterstock.com]

8. CATS ARE POPULAR

There are 88 million pet cats in the United States. Dogs trail closely behind with around 74 million. 

A cat cuddling and being held by a young girl

This sweet cat is cuddling up with its owner. [Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock.com]