Many people have a love of all creatures great and small, from dogs, cats, and rabbits to hamsters, fish, and sloths. Then there are others, those who are either in the dog camp or the cat camp. You may not be able to add a sloth to your family, but should you wish to bring home a furry friend, both dogs and cats make excellent additions. If you’ve decided to adopt a feline friend, you’ll want to discover interesting facts you may not know about them.
While dogs rank as the most popular pets in the United States, cats still place rather high, coming in at second. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 37 million U.S. households, or 26 percent, own at least one cat. It is estimated that between 60.2 and 61.9 million cats are living in U.S. homes, and it’s common for households to have multiple cats.
To compile this list of 20 interesting facts you may not know about cats, we’ve gone to professional cat associations, veterinary guides, veterinarians, vet schools, and other sources to gain insight. There’s a lot more to cats than you might think. The following facts are in no particular order.
This post was updated on October 29, 2025 to clarify that domesticated cats predate ancient Egypt, Ashera cats are a scam, number of cat bones, and percentage of cats with gum disease.
Cats Don’t Always Land on Their Feet
It’s a mistaken belief that cats always land on their feet. The ability to land on their feet depends on how far they’re falling. The shorter the fall, the harder it is for the cat to position itself for a feet-first landing.
An Ashera Costs as Much as a Luxury Car
It’s the most expensive cat in the world with a price tag of up to $125,000. However, the “Ashera” was revealed as a marketing scam around 2008, with genetic tests showing it was identical to the Savannah cat (a serval–domestic hybrid). Prices of high-end Savannah cats can still exceed $20,000, but Ashera is not a recognized breed.
Cats Rely on Taurine for Health
Humans and other animals produce taurine naturally, but a cat does not. A cat’s diet requires taurine for digestion, heart health, immune system function, and vision. In nature, they get taurine through prey like mice and fish. A meat or seafood-based diet is essential for a cat’s health.
Domesticated Cats Predate Ancient Egypt
Though Egypt popularized domestic cats, they did not originate them. Genetic and archaeological evidence shows domestication began in the Near East around 7500 BC, with Felis silvestris lybica. Cats later spread to Egypt by 1500 BC, where they were revered and depicted widely.
Dozens of Breeds Exist
According to The International Cat Association, 73 breeds of cats are recognized in professional competitions. However, new breeds may be added as they’re developed. The Selkirk rex, aka the poodle cat, was added to the list in 2013.
Cats Have Upwards of 230 Bones
Larger humans have 206 bones, but cats have even more, between 230–250 depending on tail length and extra toes. Some of these bones are in the spine, which help with flexibility.
Cats Walk Like Camels
When a cat walks, it moves its right feet first. The left feet follow the right.
Cats Have Four Types of Hair
A cat’s whiskers are one of the four types of hairs found on a cat. Awn hairs are thin and provide insulation. Thick, coarse, and pointed guard hairs help with the sense of touch and provide insulation. Secondary hairs are the thinnest and highest in number, which provides the downy undercoat used for temperature regulation.
A Cat’s Whiskers Help Them “Feel” Around Them
A cat’s whiskers are as wide as its body. This helps them navigate the width of a space before entering.
Outdoor Cats Contribute to Species’ Extinctions
Outdoor cats kill over 2.4 billion birds each year. Cats are tied to the extinction of 10 reptiles, 45 mammals, and 87 bird species, as of 2016 findings by the Centre for Integrative Ecology.
Cats Have 18 Toes
Most cats have 18 toes. There are five toes on the two front paws and four toes on each of the back paws. A polydactyl cat has extra toes. Author Ernest Hemingway was well-known for keeping polydactyl cats at his Key West home.
Cats Have a Third Eyelid
Cats have eyelids like humans, but they also have a nictitating membrane or third eyelid that protects the eyeball from scratches.
Siamese Are Susceptible to Glaucoma
Any cat can develop glaucoma, but Siamese are more susceptible.
Gum Disease Is the Most Common Disease in Cats
Some studies show 50–90% of cats over age 4 have some form of periodontal disease.
A Cat Served as an Alaskan Mayor
Stubbs, a Manx mix, was the honorary mayor of the town of Talkeetna, Alaska, from July 18, 1997, until he died in 2017. Townspeople would stop by regularly to visit him.
White Cats Are Prone to Deafness
Cornell University found that a white cat has a 22% chance of being deaf, but that increases to 40% if the cat also has one blue eye. If both eyes are blue, the odds of deafness increase to as high as 85%.
A Cat’s Routine Is Mostly Grooming and Sleeping
Cornell University’s Dr. Pamela Perry reports cats spend as much as 50% of their waking hours grooming. They sleep an average of 15 hours per day.
The Oldest Verified Cat Is 28
Guinness World Records named Flossie, a tortoiseshell cat, as the oldest verified cat in the world. Flossie was born on December 28, 1995. It’s far above the average, as Merck Veterinary Manual reports most cats live 12 to 20 years.
Spaying and Neutering Your Cat Can Increase Its Lifespan
Spaying and neutering cats protects against deadly diseases like mammary gland cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pyometra, a severe uterine infection.
Yearly Vet Bills Average $253 Each Year
The AVMA reports that cat owners pay an average of $253 per year for exams blood tests, medications, and vaccinations. Before adopting or taking in a cat, consider the cost of pet ownership. That includes vet care, food, toys, and grooming. Are you interested in learning more household pet and cat facts? Read about pets and animals from every state.
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