Status: 12.10.2023, 05:45 a.m.
By: Sophie Kluß
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Cats are not only mysterious creatures in their behavior. Research on them is also far behind that on dogs. What you might not have known about the house tigers, you can find out here.
1 / 10What many cat owners don't know is that adult cats don't actually meow anymore. According to experts, the special cat sound that kittens make as a signal to their mother is intended exclusively for humans in adulthood. Researchers assume that they adapt emphasis and melody to what they want to achieve. Cats communicate with their conspecifics through their body language. © Pond5/Imago
2 / 10A cat's whiskers are a gauge of its mood: if the fine hairs hang down, the cat is relaxed. If they face forward, it could be that your kitty is upset. If the whiskers are bent back and close to the body, the cat feels fear or prepares for an attack. If, on the other hand, the house tiger points its whiskers forward and fans them wide, this means that it is attentive and ready for action. Did you also know that the so-called vibrissae are not only found on the face, but also on the front legs? © YAY Images/Imago
3 / 10While tricolor cats are almost always female, red cats are mostly male. In both cases, the reason for this lies hidden in the transmission of the genes. © imagebroker/Imago
4 / 10A cat's nose is a real natural wonder – it provides not just one, but several surprises. For one, each cat's nose print is unique, similar to a human fingerprint. On the other hand, about 60 million olfactory cells in this sensory organ ensure that cats outperform humans by three times. In addition, a cat's nose can tell a lot about its health. If it is permanently dry or running, you should have this clarified by a veterinarian. Last but not least, light cat noses in particular can change color: Wild play, stress or excitement can turn a delicate pink into a strong pink. © Pond5/Imago
5 / 10Cats claim ownership of their humans: with the help of various scent glands located in their cheeks, paws and flanks, they mark their owners as property. Thus, they leave a scent message for other kitties, which is supposed to make it clear that this person is already taken. © Viewpoint/Imago
6 / 10A cat's tongue is unique in both its structure and function. Anyone who has ever been licked by a cat knows that it resembles sandpaper. The reason for this is tiny spines, so-called thread papillae, which consist of horned teeth bent backwards. For example, cats are able to lick even the smallest pieces of meat from a bone. However, the tongue is probably the most important for grooming: With the help of the tiny teeth, cats can use their tongue as a kind of comb. By the way: Cats can't taste sweets. © Pond5/Imago
7 / 10Catnip doesn't get its name for nothing: cats love catweed, especially catnip. Its intoxicating effect ensures that house cats simply can't get enough of it. The reason for this is the fragrance nepectalatone, which the plant uses to repel insects. © Pond5/Imago
8 / 10Cats sleep through most of their day. It is estimated that the cats doze off for about 14 to 16 hours a day and about 70 percent of their lifespan. Pretty comfortable life, isn't it? © Pond5/Imago
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9 / 10White cats with blue eyes are not only prone to deafness, but also to blindness. The cause of this is an abnormality in the genome. It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of all cats with this color combination are blind. For this reason, two pure white cats are not allowed to be bred in Germany. © Pond5/Imago
10 / 10The oldest cat in the world reached an incredible age of 38 years. "Creme Puff" was born in 1967 and died in 2005, three days after her record-breaking birthday. The velvet paw even made it into the Guinness Book of Records. (Symbolic image) © Pond5/Imago
Even the smallest cat is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519), Italian universal genius
Around the world, the cat is one of the most popular pets. It is estimated that there are up to one billion domestic and stray cats worldwide. It is believed that the cat was first domesticated around 7500 BC and has remained a faithful companion ever since as a domestic cat (Felis catus). You can read about the exciting facts about the beloved velvet paws and what a cat's nose is all about, for example, in our photo gallery.