Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Cats

Fun Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Cats

Quirky, derpy, snuggly, aloof, playful, lazy, fuzzy, and frisky are all words that are often used to describe one of mankind’s favorite pets, Felis catus, the domestic cat. While each cat is wildly different with its own personality and unique features, these animals are a delight to live with and a wonder to care for.
So, to get to know your resident enigma a little better, here are a few fun facts about cats that you probably never knew!
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10 Fun Facts About Cat

1. Carnivores through and through, cats’ taste buds cannot taste sweetness.
2. Other than kittens trying to get attention from their mothers, cats usually only meow at humans and not at each other.
3. Purring has healing powers for both cats and people. Their purrs vibrate at frequencies between 25 and 150 Hz, which creates ideal conditions for stimulating bone and muscle growth and repair.
4. Despite popular belief, cats are actually lactose intolerant and should not be fed any dairy. No more bowls of cow’s milk for those kittens!
5. Cats spend about 15% of the day grooming, 70% sleeping, and the remaining 15% on eating and antics.
6. A cat’s ears can move independently of each other and rotate 180-degrees, making them better able to hear the rustle of a pack of treats or catnip blowing in the wind.
7. On average, a cat’s hearing is at least five times sharper than most human adults’ hearing.
8. A group of cats is most commonly called a clowder, but it can also be referred to as a cluster, clutter, or glaring.
9. When your cat “boops” you, rubbing its head against you, this is not only a sign of affection but also a way for your cat to mark you as its territory.
10. When your cat gazes at you, blinking slowly, this is a sign of trust and affection.
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Unravel Even More Feline Fun With Our Woodland Park Veterinarian

If you’re a lover of cats, and have one or a few of your own at home, then we encourage you to establish veterinary care at Compassion Animal Hospital in Woodland Park. Our veterinarian, Dr. Cooper, loves caring for felines of all ages by providing personalized care to each unique patient.
To learn more about caring for your cats or to schedule your cat’s next veterinary exam, we welcome you to contact our office today.

How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Furniture

How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Furniture

Pets can be fairly destructive in our homes, and cats scratch for a variety of instinctive reasons like maintaining healthy claws, helping them stretch, marking their territory, and just because it seems to feel good.
However, you don’t have to live with clawed up, scratched, and torn furniture just because you love cats. There are some ways that you can help discourage your cat from destroying your nice things, without putting them in pain or at risk by having them declawed.
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6 Tips to Keep Your Cat From Scratching Your Furniture

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1. Provide Better Alternatives

Cats are going to scratch. Period. So, to discourage them from ruining your furniture, provide them with more attractive alternatives that are actually made for scratching. Add a few scratching posts to different areas of your home where your cat tends to scratch. Be sure to provide posts that offer different textures (sisal rope, carpet, cardboard, or turf) and differently angled surfaces.

2. Try Cat Scratch Tape or Spray

Special double-sided tape that sticks to furniture or specially scented sprays can discourage your cat from scratching treated furniture.

3. Homemade Deterrents

You can also try to deter your cat from scratching the furniture by hanging aluminum foil from the backs of your sofa or chairs.

4. Vinyl Guards

You can also purchase specially designed vinyl guards that are designed specifically to protect the corners of your furniture from kitty claws.

5. Nail Caps and Mittens

If your cat still hasn’t given up on the furniture, then we recommend trying nail caps or socks/mittens for your cat. Nail caps are small, plastic covers that fit over your cat’s claws, preventing them from scratching. Mittens or socks are just what they sound like, cloth covers that fit over your cat’s paws to prevent them from scratching.

6. Trim Your Cat's Nails

One of the reasons cats scratch is to maintain the health and length of their claws. If you keep them trimmed regularly, their paws will stay comfortable, and they won’t feel as compelled to scratch as before.
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Feline Lifestyle Enrichment Advice From Our Woodland Park Veterinarian

At Compassion Animal Hospital in Woodland Park, we want to help all of our patients live their best animal lives, and this means providing our clients education on the proper ways to enrich their pets’ environments and daily lives. To learn more about discouraging your cat from scratching and addressing other potential behavior problems, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian today.