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Cats have long been known for their mysterious ways. They sneak around unnoticed, vanish in the dark, and keep their innermost thoughts hidden behind their soft fur. But recent research shows that these creatures are even stranger than we ever imagined. From their unpredictable purring to glowing cats, here are ten of the most bizarre discoveries about felines.
10. Cats Are Capable of Hundreds of Different Facial Expressions
For years, it was assumed that cats only had basic facial expressions like fear, aggression, or curiosity. However, a year-long study in 2022 uncovered a fascinating truth: cats have a remarkable 276 distinct expressions. This is far more than humans, who have 44, and dogs, who have only 27.
Even more fascinating is how each of these expressions combines up to four of 26 distinct facial movements. These include nose licks, pupil dilation or constriction, whisker position, lip movement, blinking, ear shifts, and even the way their mouths curl.
This wide range of ‘looks’ challenges the typical idea that cats are distant or unemotional. In fact, they display a great deal of emotion. However, the researchers acknowledge that it may take some time to fully understand what each expression truly means.
9. Healthy Cats Can Act Like They’re Sick
A few years ago, Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center housed 12 healthy cats alongside 20 cats suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic condition that causes cats to vomit and urinate more frequently than usual, often outside their litter box.
While these cats were part of a research study aimed at better understanding IC, the researchers made an unexpected observation. When the cats maintained a consistent, stress-free routine, the sick cats actually began to improve. On the other hand, when their routine was disrupted, such as when their primary caregiver took a vacation, the healthy cats began showing symptoms of IC, including vomiting, refusal to eat, and litter box avoidance.
This finding suggests that if a healthy cat suddenly starts coughing up hairballs or vomiting, it may not be a sign of illness as we typically assume. Instead, it could indicate that the cat is stressed due to environmental changes. The research also offers hope for cats with IC, showing that a steady, low-stress routine can actually help alleviate their symptoms, countering the earlier belief that they were doomed to a life of chronic illness.
8. Cats Have a Preference for Carbs Over Protein
Cats are well-known for their hunting instincts, with many owners receiving ‘gifts’ such as dead mice, birds, or frogs. One might assume that cats are obsessed with protein. However, a surprising study has uncovered a craving that might change how pet food manufacturers formulate cat food.
In the study, Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine provided both cats and dogs with different food options. The meals were designed to be appetizing but neutral in flavor, allowing the animals to freely select what their bodies craved.
The dogs immediately gravitated toward food high in fat. The cats, on the other hand, surprisingly chose carbs, particularly the older ones. This contradicts the commonly held belief that cats thrive only on a protein-rich diet.
7. Cats Have a Preferred Paw
Think only humans are left- or right-handed? Think again. A small study conducted in 2018 found that cats also have a preference for one paw over the other.
In this study, cats were allowed to stay in their own homes with their owners, who were tasked with observing the cats’ behavior in specific situations. They had to record which paw the cat used to step out of their litterbox, climb stairs, and in other routine actions.
Around 60 to 70% of the time, the cats showed a distinct preference for one paw. Interestingly, female cats tended to be more right-paw dominant, while males were more inclined to favor their left paws.
6. Cats Have a Mysterious Feature Called the Primordial Pouch
When cats reach six months of age, they develop an intriguing feature—the primordial pouch. Often mistaken for a fat belly, this pouch has nothing to do with obesity. In fact, every cat has one, regardless of gender, body type, or weight.
The pouch stretches along the entire length of a cat’s belly, made up of fat, skin, and fur. While its exact purpose remains unclear, its structure suggests three possible explanations. Its flexibility might allow cats to move faster when needed, while the loose skin and fat could protect vital organs during combat. Alternatively, the pouch may act as a fat storage area, providing energy during times of scarcity.
Interestingly, some cats have highly noticeable primordial pouches, while others have them barely visible. This feature isn’t exclusive to domestic cats—big cats like lions and tigers also possess them.
5. The Mystery Behind Fetching Cats
When people think of playing fetch, they almost always picture a dog. Dogs are famous for chasing frisbees, balls, and sticks. But cats? The usual response to hearing 'fetch' and watching a toy soar through the air is typically a glare at their owner. But that’s not always the case.
Although cats may not fetch on command, some cats do initiate fetch games with their owners. The reason behind this behavior is still a mystery. To explore this phenomenon, a study surveyed over 900 cat owners, and intriguing patterns started to emerge.
Like many things cats do, they’re in charge. They decide when the game begins, and none of them were trained to play fetch. These felines bring an object to their humans simply because they feel like playing. In fact, many owners claimed their cats actually trained them to play fetch!
4. Cats Can’t Taste Sugar
Many cat owners share treats like ice cream or pudding with their sweet-toothed cats, but the animals aren’t after the sugar. Instead, they’re likely attracted to the fat content, something they can taste quite well.
Humans have about 9,000 taste buds on their tongues, while cats only have around 470. However, their keen sense of smell might allow them to taste certain flavors more intensely than humans. But when it comes to sugar, cats just can’t detect it.
The reason cats can’t taste sugar lies in their genes. The receptor for sweetness relies on two genes, Tas1r2 and Tas1r3, which work together to create proteins that allow the tongue to taste sugar. In humans, both genes are active. But in cats, Tas1r2 is a pseudogene—essentially a broken gene that can’t make proteins. This means that cats, even big cats like lions and tigers, can’t experience the taste of sugar. Tough luck!
3. Cats Are Fascinated by Invisible Boxes Too
Cats are irresistibly drawn to two things—catnip and boxes. The latter trait is particularly endearing. Many cat owners have found their missing pet tucked inside a cardboard box or watched as their cat spent hours amusing itself within one. Taking this observation further, researchers wondered: Would a cat settle into an imaginary box?
To create the illusion of a box, the study utilized Kanizsa squares. These dots, with a quarter removed, resemble the shape of an open-mouthed Pacman. When arranged in a square formation with the gaps facing inward, they create the optical illusion of an invisible box.
The researchers asked cat owners to place the Kanizsa squares in their homes to test whether the cats would recognize the two-dimensional outline of a square and settle in the ‘invisible’ box. They also set up a second Kanizsa arrangement that didn’t form a square. To their astonishment, the cats favored sitting in the squares that created the illusion of a box over the ones that didn’t.
2. Cats Glow When Exposed to UV Light
Scientists have long been aware that certain animals glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. This glowing phenomenon has been observed in various creatures, including insects, fish, reptiles, and birds. However, little was known about how UV light interacts with mammals.
In 2023, a groundbreaking study shed new light on the subject. It turns out that mammals can glow just as brightly as other animals—yes, even your average house cat. The study revealed that all 125 mammal species tested under UV light exhibited some degree of fluorescence.
Mammals fluoresce in a range of colors, including yellow, red, green, blue, and pink. This glowing effect can be seen in their fur, skin, claws, teeth, and even their bones. Interestingly, animals with white or lighter-colored fur tend to shine the brightest.
It’s still uncertain whether fluorescence serves a biological purpose for mammals or if it’s just an accidental byproduct of their chemistry. What researchers do know is that the glow is caused by surface-level chemistry. Compounds, like proteins, absorb UV light and then re-emit it at a lower-energy wavelength.
1. Cats’ Purring is an Involuntary Action
Cat owners already know that purring is a sign of contentment, but scientists have long been curious about the mechanics behind the distinctive rumbling sound. For years, they struggled to understand how cats produce this iconic noise.
Earlier studies uncovered the existence of squishy pads in a cat's throat, but their role remained a mystery. However, in 2023, a study not only confirmed that these pads are involved in purring but also revealed an unexpected twist—cats may not consciously purr at all.
To investigate, scientists used deceased cats and directed air through their pads. Surprisingly, the cats continued to purr after death. This discovery showed that cats don’t need voluntary muscle contractions to produce the sound. While the exact mechanism is still not fully understood, it is believed that when a cat is happy, the brain triggers an automatic response—purring—that operates on autopilot.
