Cats cheeky, cuddly, and full of curiosity! Whether they’re napping in the sun, chasing shadows, or giving you that mysterious stare, our feline friends have a way of stealing hearts (and sometimes our seats on the couch!).

In honour of International Cat Day, we’ve rounded up 20 purr-fectly fascinating facts about these whiskered wonders. Some will surprise you, others might give you a chuckle, all of them are a celebration of just how unique and clever cats truly are.

So put your feet up, give your kitty a pat if you’ve got one nearby, and enjoy these cat-tastic tidbits!


1. Cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, some even up to 20 hours when they’re kittens or seniors!



2. Each cat’s nose print is unique, just like human fingerprints.



3. A group of cats is called a clowder, while a group of kittens is called a kindle.



4. Cats can jump up to six times their body length, that’s some serious spring!



5. They have 32 muscles in each ear, allowing them to rotate their ears 180 degrees.


6. Cats purr when happy, but also when in pain or scared, it may be a form of self-healing.



7. Your cat’s whiskers can detect changes in air currents, helping them navigate tight spaces.



8. Most cats don't have a sweet tooth, they can't taste sugar due to a genetic trait.



9. Cats walk like camels and giraffes, moving both right feet, then both left feet.



10. Their rough tongue helps them groom and strip meat from bones.




11. The oldest known pet cat was found in a 9,500-year-old grave in Cyprus.




12. The world’s oldest cat lived to 38 years old, her name was Creme Puff.



13. Domestic cats share 95.6% of their DNA with tigers.



14. A cat’s brain is about 90% similar to a human’s, more so than a dog’s.


15. Cats dream just like humans, usually during REM sleep.



16. They can run up to 30 km/h over short distances.




17. In Ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped and killing one was considered a serious crime.



18. Cats can hear ultrasonic sounds, which helps them detect rodents.



19. Cats often knead with their paws as a leftover behaviour from kittenhood, when they kneaded their mother for milk.


20. Cats have five toes on their front paws but only four on the back.



Whether you're a lifelong cat lover or just enjoy a good chuckle at their antics, there's no denying our feline mates make life more entertaining.

To help us celebrate International Cat Day, why not share a snap of your own kitty in the comment box below? Whether they’re snoozing, stretching, or just being their usual cheeky selves — we’d love to see them!