Have you ever seen your cat fall asleep in an unusual position? Cats’ flexibility is due to their unusual bone structure. Fluffy’s clavicle is proportionally smaller than those of several other mammals. She also has plenty of room between her vertebrae and shoulder blades, which are joined by muscle rather than bone. As it turns out, our feline friends have a lot of unique idiosyncrasies. Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about cats from a local Glen Burnie MD veterinarian.
A Purr-fect Vibration
As it turns out, cats purr at precise frequencies, usually ranging from 25 to 140 Hertz. These very same frequencies have been demonstrated to aid healing and stimulate cell renewal. They’re even utilized for physical treatment!
Did you order any biscuits?
Does your cat massage your lap with her claws while cuddling? This is commonly known as’making biscuits’. It’s one of Fluffy’s most painful ways of expressing her affection. This is probably something your pet picked up as a kitten. This promotes milk flow, so baby kittens link it with nursing as well as feelings of comfort, affection, and safety. It’s also a sign that your pet perceives you as a second parent. (Your pet probably also thinks of you as a cook, maid, butler, and sofa, but that’s another story.)
All in the name
Have you ever wondered how we came up with the names for our young kittens? The word originated in Middle English. The term ‘kitoun’ comes from the French words ‘chitoun’ or ‘cheton’. The meaning was, as you might expect, “young cat.” Other spellings include kyton and ketoun.
Claws For Thought
Fluffy’s claws are curled in a way that allows her to easily climb things. This is critical for her survival in the wild, since it allows her to ascend to refuge and protection. Climbing down is more difficult: kitties must acquire this skill. This explains why Fluffy occasionally gets trapped in trees.
They’ve Stood The Test Of Time
We initially made friends with kitties between ten and twelve thousand years ago, around the time agriculture began in the Fertile Crescent.
Fluffy had more than merely won our hearts by the time of ancient Egypt; she had persuaded us to treat her as a deity! The ancient Egyptians regarded cats in high regard, even considering them sacred. In fact, they had a cat goddess, Bastet.
Fluffy is Aging Gracefully
Fluffy’s breed influences how fast she ages Maine Coons, for example, do not reach full maturity until they are around three or four years old.
A Purring Goddess
Kitties have appeared in folktales and mythologies since the dawn of recorded history. Here’s a lovely tale: the pussy willow folklore. According to the account, a litter of kittens was washed into the waters of a rapid river. A nearby tree heard their terrified meows and bent a branch for the little furballs, allowing them to climb to safety. The cats expressed their gratitude through lovely purrs and cuddles. As a tribute to the kittens, the trees have since sprouted buds covered in silky grey down that resembles kitten fur.
They Aren’t Great At Climate Control
Cats can’t regulate their own temperature until they are approximately five weeks old. Prior to that, they rely on their moms and siblings for warmth, which they primarily obtained through body heat. This is one of the reasons why kittens are so sensitive to cold.
As you may have noticed, most felines never lose their desire to seek out warm, comfy places.
Kitties By Any Other Name
We’ve all heard some of the more common names for animal groups: a flock of sheep, a herd of cows, a school of fish, etc. But did you know there’s a name for a gang of cats? That would be a clowder! If they are kittens, you can refer to them as a kindle.
Kitty Longevity
Between 2002 and 2012, the average cat’s lifespan increased by an entire year! While additional study is needed, better veterinary care and a better overall grasp of appropriate cat care practices are most likely to blame. (Sorry, Fluffy, you still have only one life.)
Consult your Glen Burnie MD veterinarian for care advice.
Tail Position Signals
Stray, pet, and wild cats have no anatomical characteristics, but they hold their tails differently. Only pet cats walk with their tails pointing up. This could be a kitty version of indicating that she has successfully bewitched a human. Another adorable fact? Fluffy is delighted to meet you if she runs up to you, tail high.
Schedule an Appointment at Our Glen Burnie MD Animal Hospital.
Do you need to bring your feline companion in? Feel free to contact us at any time. As your local Glen Burnie MD pet hospital, we are always willing to assist!
