10 Cat Facts Every Cat Person Should Know

You live with one. You wear one on your hat. But how much do you really know about cats? Here are ten facts worth sharing.

The facts

1. Cats sleep a lot — often 12 to 16 hours a day.

2. A cat’s whiskers are roughly as wide as its body and help it judge tight spaces.

3. Cats can rotate their ears about 180 degrees.

4. Adult cats rarely meow at each other — meowing is mostly a way to talk to humans.

5. Cats can’t taste sweetness; they lack a working sweet taste receptor.

6. A group of cats is called a clowder.

7. Cats have a third eyelid, called the nictitating membrane.

8. Most cats have five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw.

9. Cats walk on their toes — they are digitigrade.

10. Purring isn’t only a sign of happiness; cats also purr when stressed or unwell.