Did You Know??
August 25, 2026
Odds and Ends
Candilee Jackson
Welcome to my new recurring column “Did You Know ??”, a compilation of all sorts of feline trivia. As a disclaimer, a great deal of the material comes from my head (having lived with cats for seventy-plus years), as well as from a mountain range-sized and (most likely) a bottomless pit of cat trivia found online. Please note that some of the material will be sourced, some is from old wives’ tales, and some is just stuff I know. And yeah, I tried to check out online sources for the “head” stuff, so please enjoy!
PS: If you have questions or suggestions about all things cat, drop me a line at Cat Talk!
Introduction
One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a contributing writer for Cat Talk is the research involved in each assigned project. As a teacher with forty-five years in the classroom, I am a lifelong learner, so digging into the internet for information is in my DNA. Usually, “odds and ends” as a topic is the last in the series of any long-term writing project. However, this month’s column came about accidentally, through my research for a completely different topic. If this sounds like “going down a rabbit hole,” you are correct!
Cats Are Unique!
So much of what the general public knows about cats is based on personal experience (or lack thereof) and observation. And according to veterinarians and feline experts, the general population is clueless. Cats are unique, complex, communicative, compassionate, and sometimes (depending on the breed) annoying and seemingly aloof. Felines are full of surprises, and close scrutiny of their habits and behavior can “open the eyes” of the clueless.
- A lover of felines is called an ailurophile.
- A cat’s nose print is like a fingerprint; no two nose prints are alike.1
- Cats are “crepuscular,” rather than nocturnal, being active at dawn and dusk.1
- Although cats have a “righting reflex,” they do not always land on their feet, especially during a fall or drop from even moderate heights. 1
- Cats, as carnivores, have “taste buds that reflect their dietary requirements,”1 and cannot taste sweetness.
- “Calico and tortoiseshell cats are almost always female”1, while “orange tabbies are more likely to be male.”1
- Cats CAN recognize their names, but often choose to ignore whoever is calling!1
- Making “biscuits” (or kneading) only happens when cats feel safe.1
- Cats are the most popular pet in the United States: there are 88 million pet cats and 74 million dogs.2
- There are cats who have survived falls from over 32 stories (320 meters) onto concrete.2
- A group of cats is called a clowder.2
- Cats sleep 70% of their lives.2
- A cat has been the mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, for 15 years. His name is Stubbs.2
- Cats are often lactose intolerant, so stop givin’ them milk!2
- The technical term for “hairball” is “bezoar.”2
- Female cats are typically right-pawed, while male cats are typically left-pawed.2
- Cats make more than 100 different sounds, whereas dogs make around 10.2
- A cat’s brain is 90% similar to a human’s — more similar than to a dog’s.2
- Cats have 1,000 times more data storage than an iPad.2
Interested in MORE Odds and Ends?
If you are a true ailurophile and find yourself craving more little pieces of “cat-ology,” take a look at the second reference point below!
References
- Dubin, Alesandra. 2025. “Twenty Surprising Cat Facts You’ve Never Heard.” Good Housekeeping. October 20. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g69020271/shocking-facts-about-cats-you-never-knew/.
- 2015. “Sixty-two Facts About Cats.” NEKO Cat Cafe (blog). September 08. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://www.nekocatcafe.com/blog/62-facts-about-cats.