14 Cat Facts (To Help Us Understand Our Feline Friends)

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14 Cat Facts (To Help Us Understand Our Feline Friends)

If you're like us, your clothes are covered in cat hair, your couch is all scratched up, and your apartment has a slight musk of cat litter. But all these drawbacks are more than a fair exchange for a feline companion. If you're also a fan of big stretches and head butts, here are 14 facts about our furry feline friends…

Lincoln was the first president to have a cat in the White House

Lincoln was the first president to have a cat in the White House Не even brought in strays. Mary Todd Lincoln was once asked if her husband had hobbies, to which she simply replied, Cats! CRACKED.COM

Source: Washington Post and NPS

Cat genomes: You and I aren't so different

Cats are more genetically similar to humans than almost any mammal The cat genome is more similar to the human genome, even more than that of mice or dogs. Understanding genetic diseases in cats may help treat humans with similar diseases. CRACKED.COM

Source: EurekAlert

People along the Silk Road had domestic cats

People along the Silk Road had domestic cats According to a full skeleton that was discovered in Kazakhstan, the tomcat was cared for and fed by nomadic herders as a pet. CRACKED.COM

Source: CNN

Owning a cat is good for your mental health

Owning a cat is good for your mental health Owning a pet (especially for over five years) is linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults. Think about your cognitive health the next time your cat is driving you bonkers. CRACKED.COM

Source: EurekAlert

Ol' Blue Eyes probably won't last

All kittens are born with blue eyes Like many mammals, kittens appear to have bluish eyes until they're about six to seven weeks old, at which point the eye becomes more mature and starts producing melanin. CRACKED.COM

Source: Catster

You have our permission to watch cat videos at work

Viewing cat videos can boost energy One study showed that watching cat videos increases viewers' energy levels and positive emotions. They also experience a decrease in negative emotions, like stress, sadness, and annoyance. CRACKED.COM

Source: ScienceDaily

Your cat would make a great weatherman

Cats can sense oncoming storms Your cat may be able to sense a change in atmosphoric pressure in its inner ear. Additionally, your cat may be able to hear distant thunder, smell ozone gas (created by lightening), or smell approaching rain CRACKED.COM

Source: Science Focus

Don't try this at home: Cats can (sometimes) survive steep falls

Cats can (sometimes) survive steep falls One study looked at cats who survived falls with an average of 5.5 stories. They discovered cats who fell over 7 stories had less severe injuries than shorter falls because they reached their terminal velocity (meaning they stopped falling faster and faster) and were able to relax, lessening the impact. CRACKED.COM

Source: Science Focus

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