December is Cat Lovers Month! Kitties brighten our days and lives with their silly quirks and charming antics. These little furballs definitely deserve to be celebrated! In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cypress, TX animal clinic, a local vet lists some fun facts about our feline pals.

Living Room Lions

We may like to joke about how Fluffy sees herself as a lion, but that’s actually not far from the truth. Housecats share about 96 percent of their DNA with tigers. If you watch big cats closely, perhaps at a zoo, you’ll notice many familiar behaviors … such as a box obsession and a fondness for naps.

Ambush Expert

Does your furry pal like to hide behind doors or furniture, and then rush out at you as you pass? This is actually a built-in kitty feature. In fact, Fluffy is extremely quiet when she walks. This is because of her toe beans, or the soft pads on her feet, which cushion her steps. Cats also have whiskers on the backs of their feet.

Teddy Bears

Speaking of kitty toes, did you know that if you look at your pet’s feet upside down, her paw pads will resemble a teddy bear?

Body Language

While some cats are definitely very outspoken, most kitty communication is actually done through body language. Fluffy has, of course, invented her own rules here. Some cute feline ‘phrases’ include slow blinking to show affection, curving the tail into a question-mark shape to display playfulness, and, of course, elevator butt, which is also a sign of affection.

Kitty Vocabulary

Did you know that Fluffy can make about 100 different sounds? Fido, on the other paw, can only make about ten. Our feline pals also all have their own ‘dialects’ of individual meows and purrs.

Playtime

Kitties are very playful, which is of course one reason they are so entertaining. Fluffy is never quite as amusing as she is when she’s enjoying some catnip. Research shows that this curious plant affects cats in ways that are very similar to how LSD or marijuana affects people. However, the effect is short-lived. It will wear off in about 15 minutes, after which your furball will need time to reset before being susceptible again. Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cypress, TX animal clinic, today!