It's true that cats are smarter than dogs.
You may have heard the old saying, “Dogs have owners; cats have staff.” There's a lot of truth to that. Cats are generally more independent and less needy than dogs, but it turns out there's a good reason for that. Cats are significantly smarter than dogs. You might even say they're too smart for their own good.
Let's start with something easy: cats can learn to obey commands, just like dogs do. Dogs, though, seem to be more successful at learning to obey commands because they're better at generalizing instructions—they can recognize the “sit” command more easily than a cat would. Cats are also able to use the toilet and use a litter box—but they choose not to do so if they don't feel like it! And while cats can be taught to fetch toys on occasion, they much prefer the idea of being fetching themselves rather than doing any work.
The true genius of felines lies in their ability to think abstractly; this is one area where they truly outshine our canine friends. A cat is capable of planning ahead and carrying out tasks using intelligence instead of instinct alone—and then refusing outright when you ask them nicely!
It takes about 16,000 brain cells to process a single word from a human.
Cats have about 250 million brain cells. To put that in perspective, humans have a whopping 16 billion. Plus, it takes about 16,000 brain cells to process a single word from a human (though if you visit the American Midwest in July, this number will be significantly lower). Let's do some quick math:
- 250 million brain cells divided by 16,000 = 15,625 words per minute
Given that cats can also hear sounds at frequencies up to 50 kHz (humans can only hear as high as 20 kHz), and their sense of smell is 14 times better than ours (we're more visually driven), it's obvious they are perception junkies who take in loads more information. I'm sure they don't feel stressed while they're processing all of those input signals though—their brains are capable of generating alpha waves at a rate of 25 hertz, which is the same frequency that humans experience during deep meditation.
When a human sacrifices her own life to save her cat, the cat reciprocates.
When it comes to the domestic cat, we all know they’re adorable and affectionate. But did you know cats can be trained to use litter boxes and toilet seats? They pick up on these habits in a similar way humans learn by observing their mothers. This makes them well-suited for apartment living, especially as more people move into urban environments.
Sometimes, cats are too good for this world. And that's not just because they have special organs in their noses that allow them to detect cancerous cells (a skill scientists have yet to master). Cats have been known to sacrifice themselves for their owners by placing themselves between their owners and an attacker.
In one case, a heroic kitty named Tara stepped between her human and a dog attacking the girl. Tara distracted the dog with scratches and bites until help arrived, then she was taken away from the scene bleeding from her neck and head.
While there's no way of knowing precisely how they feel about humanity, some experts believe felines may or may not use their paws as mouths when they rub against your face after meeting you for the first time—in other words, licking your hand with their paws is kind of like kissing your hand with their mouth, which might indicate admiration on some level.
Before the invention of photography, cats could only be seen for about ten seconds at a time.
- Before the invention of photography, cats could only be seen for about ten seconds at a time.
Cat’s eyes are sensitive to light, so they can see in very low-light environments such as dusk or dawn. They can also see six times better than humans in dim light. Cats are also able to detect UV light, which allows them to find things under UV lamps (which is why some cat toys have UV paint on them). While cats cannot see color as well as humans, they do see colors—but not all of them; their eyes have a limited ability to process reds and purples. And while cats can see better than we can at night, they don’t see nearly as well as dogs or many other animals.
Cats can be trained to use litter boxes and toilet seats, perfect for apartment living.
Horses can be trained to pull carriages, elephants can be taught to paint in zoos, and cats can be trained to use the litter box—or even the toilet! These are especially helpful for apartment-dwellers and city folk who don't have yards for their kitties to go out in. Plus, you'll save on litter over time if your cat is using the toilet!
Can cats actually learn how to use toilets like we do? Absolutely—it just takes some patience. One way of training a cat is with a litter box that fits around the toilet seat, gradually raising off of it as the cat learns how to balance on the porcelain. Use positive reinforcement and rewards to entice your cat throughout its training period until it's ready for an empty toilet. From there, you'll need an attachment that fits snugly over your drain hole or tank, provides some level of privacy with a plastic dome or curtain (for your cat's sake), and has edges that aren't too sharp or uncomfortable for paws. Training is no different from teaching a dog tricks: make sure your cat knows what “potty” means before you start training; do so slowly and patiently; avoid punishment; and reward success at every step along the way.
Cats have special organs in their noses to help them smell cancerous tissues in humans.
- Cats have a special micro-organ in their noses called the Jacobson's organ, which helps them detect pheromone and identify scents.
- Because of this organ, cats are able to smell cancerous tissues in humans. In fact, cats are better at detecting cancer than dogs.
- How? Well, your cat can detect the scent of cancer in human urine and breath!
Cats may or may not put their paws in the mouths of people they meet.
Have you ever noticed that your cat puts her paw in your mouth when you’re eating? Or, has she ever held her paw up to your face, as if to say, “be my friend!” This is an ancient cat greeting ceremony called the “cat’s paw.” It is generally believed that the tradition originated with the Egyptians, who held cats in high esteem.
According to legend, when a cat put its front paws in someone's mouth, it was a symbol of friendship and trust. Today we know that cats use their paws for more than just friendly gestures—they also serve as a means of communication. But how do they communicate with us?
Cats may or may not develop claustrophobia when they're shut up in small spaces.
- Pros of keeping a cat indoors:
- Cons of keeping a cat indoors:
- On average, indoor cats live as long as outdoor cats, but they're more likely to develop health problems and spend more time sitting around bored.
- Keeping your cat indoors means she will not be exposed to harmful UV rays when it's sunny out—this can cause skin damage and cancer. She can also help you avoid any potential danger posed by dangerous animals. This includes birds, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bobcats, coyotes—you name it! And then there's the dreaded dog that might bite her. Keeping your feline safe requires plenty of preventive measures and frequent trips outside (if she can go).
If you keep an average cat indoors, it will be happier than you are.
You might be tempted to think that cats are happier outdoors, but this is actually not the case. Most indoor cats are content with their surroundings and do not require frequent outdoor excursions. Although cats may seem bored when they are kept indoors all of the time, they prefer it to the alternative—going outside.
They might enjoy going out for a short amount of time every once in a while, but letting them spend extended periods of time outdoors is not recommended because they can get hurt very easily while they are away from the safety of home. Independent creatures at heart, felines will thrive indoors as long as their owners provide them with adequate stimulation and attention.
Even though cats can seem coldhearted and uncaring, they can actually be kind and empathetic
A lot of people think that cats are cold-hearted and uncaring, but the truth is they can form deep bonds with their humans just like dogs do. Cats are extremely loyal animals and typically choose to bond with one person whom they will love unconditionally.
You’ll know your cat loves you if they turn up at your door at feeding time or cuddle up on your lap when you sit down. Cats have also been known to grieve for a missing owner, so if you leave them home alone too often, don’t be surprised if they act out when you come back!
You may have also heard this stereotype about cats: “They only care about themselves.” This isn’t true at all! In fact, cats aren’t just affectionate toward their owners; they can even be affectionate toward other members of the household if given enough contact time with them as well as playmates outside their own species (i.e., dogs).
Cats are not only loyal and affectionate – they can be empathetic too! They will often respond to our emotions by being playful when we feel joyful or comforting us in times of sadness with gentle purrs and nudges against our skin.
