| With the American cat population hovering around 75 | | | | order. You've heard the old saying that "a cat always |
| million, it's clear that cats are one of the country's | | | | lands on its feet," but have you ever wondered how |
| favorite pets. Despite their popularity, though, there's | | | | they do it? A cat that's falling will always start by |
| a lot that most people don't know about | | | | rotating its head to face forwards; then, it will twist |
| domesticated felines. Here are five fascinating facts | | | | its back to orient its spine upwards and align its legs |
| about cats that will help you be a better-informed | | | | accordingly. Finally, the cat will arch its back to |
| and more conscientious pet owner. | | | | minimize the impact of landing. |
| 1. Cats hardly ever meow at one another. The | | | | 4. Cats have a distinctive walk shared by only two |
| familiar meow is a sound reserved almost exclusively | | | | other animals. If you look closely, you'll notice that |
| for cat-human interaction; it is extremely rare for one | | | | your cat walks by moving both its left feet then |
| cat to meow at another. Instead, they rely on looks, | | | | both its right feet in unison, rather than alternating |
| touching and scents for cat-to-cat communication. If | | | | one left and one right the way dogs do. This |
| your cat meows, you should assume that it is | | | | promotes better agility and ensures silence when |
| speaking directly to you. | | | | walking; after all, cats are predatory animals and their |
| 2. Eating grass is healthy for cats. While your first | | | | instincts haven't been bred out of them. The camel |
| inclination may be to stop your cat from grazing on | | | | and the giraffe are the only other four-legged animals |
| your lawn, it actually aids its digestive system and | | | | in the world that walk this way. |
| helps it get rid of any fur that's collected in its | | | | 5. Kittens are born deaf and blind. It's only after 5 |
| stomach. However, if you're going to make an indoor | | | | days or so that a kitten will open its eyes, with vision |
| garden for your cat, you should be aware that many | | | | and hearing capabilities beginning to develop around |
| plants are toxic to felines - avoid tomato plants, ivy, | | | | the 2-week mark. By adulthood, a cat will have an |
| daffodils and aloe vera, and ask your vet for a | | | | incredible hearing range, far beyond humans, with |
| complete list of flora that's poisonous to cats. | | | | 285-degree peripheral vision and night vision that's six |
| 3. Falling cats correct their positions in a particular | | | | times better than ours. |