Cat facts and myths are difficult to differentiate between. With so many myths going around concerning cats and their behavior, it’s hard to tell fact from fiction. Cats are amazing creatures and the truth must be told about these animals.
Cat Facts about a Third Eyelid
Cats actually have a third eyelid. This eyelid is a tiny triangle of pink tissue called the Haw. The eyelid is usually not visible unless there’s an injury or illness, although some may become visible when they’re sleepy or relaxed. Most cats have no problems with their Haw, but if anything abnormal appears, you should have it checked by your vet.
Facts about Cats and Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are at no more risk from cats than anyone else. Toxoplasmosis is a disease in cats that can be spread to humans. This disease can cause problems in pregnancy. It is spread through the feces of cats. Instead of getting rid of your kitty, simply use gloves when scooping litter or have someone else do it. Keep your cat inside and change the litter box often.
Facts about Cat's Vision
Cat’s eyes are similar in make up to ours. The pupil gets bigger letting in more light, but because of this they may not have a good depth of field. Cats have poor detail and color vision, but they can see in the dark. Their retina illumination is five times higher than ours, and they have reflective receptors in the back of the eye which light can bounce off of. So, we have better general eyesight, but cats have the amazing ability to see at night.
Fact or Myth: White Cats Become Deaf
This is true in some cases. The gene for deafness and the gene for white color are usually found in close proximity. This means that if the cat is white, it could possibly have the deaf gene also. Usually these cats will have at least one blue eye. Hereditary deafness could occur in one or both ears or may just impair hearing.
Facts About Bones in Cats
Cats have 230 bones, while humans only have 206. There are many differences though. For example, a cat’s shoulder is designed to support weight, while a human’s shoulder joint allows him to reach over his head.
Cat facts about Smell
Cats are carnivores. Their natural instincts are to kill meat and eat it. They do not have a particular fondness for sweet things, and cannot taste them. According to scientists, cats lack 247 base pairs of amino acids in their DNA therefore they cannot taste sweet treats the way we do.
Facts about a Cat's Balance
This is a fact. If you’ve ever noticed a cat swishing their tail before they jump off of a perch, they are getting balanced. The tail is also used to distract a predator before a pounce. You can often anticipate your cat’s mood and feelings by noticing the position of the tail.