CELEBRATIONS
National Cat Day: History and interesting facts about our feline friends
Cats have long been cherished as beloved companions, and today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate these graceful and cheeky creatures.
Observed on 29 October in the US, National Cat Day provides a chance for cat lovers to learn more about the history and intriguing facts surrounding these sometimes mysterious animals.
National Cat Day itself was founded by Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, initally to promote cat adoption. It encourages people to adopt cats from shelters and rescues, reducing the number of homeless felines and giving them a forever home. It’s a day to raise awareness about the challenges many cats face and the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Interesting feline facts
Cats have been revered for centuries. Ancient Egyptians considered cats to be sacred animals, associating them with the goddess Bastet. They were believed to bring good fortune and protection to their households, first being domesticated in the 38th century BC. This historical connection between cats and spirituality may have left a lasting legacy in the way we view and treat them today.
Cats have remarkable senses; being able to see in light levels six times lower than what a human needs, capable of detecting sounds in the ultrasonic range, and have approximately 45 to 80 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to a human’s 5 to 20 million.
While cats are known for their meows, they primarily use this form of communication with humans. They rarely meow to each other. Instead, they communicate through body language and scent marking.
The animals can leap up to six times their body length in one jump, thanks to their powerful hind leg muscles. They have a unique skeletal structure with a flexible spine and no collarbone, allowing them to twist and turn gracefully.