Cats are by no means simple creatures. Although sometimes we are enchanted by their clear, watery eyes and adorable appearance, if you truly think your cat’s main trait is its remarkable sleeping skills, then you are seriously mistaken!! Every living being has inherent characteristics and abilities, and cats are no exception.

　　Physical Characteristics of Cats

　　Purebred cats have been bred through interbreeding to produce countless new breeds. People are always amazed by the distinct traits these newer generations display. However, they still retain the following fundamental cat characteristics.

　　1. Cats have thirty sharp teeth (while dogs have forty-two)

　　2. Cats’ eyes have a reflective layer that amplifies incoming light, so in equally dim places, cats have vision six times better than humans. Both cats and dogs have a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane, which is crucial for protecting their eyes.

　　3. There are 32 small muscles in a cat’s ears, whereas humans only have 12. This makes cat ears more flexible, helping them quickly pinpoint the location of prey and even detect faint sounds inaudible to human ears. Additionally, cat ears play a major role in maintaining their balance.

　　4. Cats are very careful to protect their front paws. Having sharp claws allows them to climb joyfully, and of course, these claws are also their most effective weapon against enemies.

　　5. A cat’s whiskers are actually an important part of their tactile system. These whiskers belong to nerve cells and can provide information about their environment, helping them determine if it is safe.

　　Behavioral Characteristics of Cats

　　1. Hate Water

　　Cats are originally land animals, so they dislike water and hate getting wet from rain. Bathing them from a young age is usually not a problem, but they will constantly lick their fur until their body is dry. Even wetting the pads of their feet is something they really dislike, so cats thoroughly hate water.

　　2. Feel Secure Only with Their Own Territory

　　Cats like to define their territory. Territory means a place that can guarantee the safety of food. Domestic cats don’t need to search for food, but they still center their territory around their home and patrol within it daily. Male cats often spray urine on people’s belongings to leave their scent everywhere—this is to protect their territory.

　　3. Occasionally Run Away From Home

　　Cats occasionally run away from home. Whenever they feel unhappy with their environment, they will leave. Reasons causing discomfort might include new pets added to the household, moving, etc.

　　Although they usually return home within 1 to 2 weeks, creating a comfortable living environment for them remains very important.

　　4. Hate Changes in Life

　　A cat’s lifestyle is very monotonous. For a cat, this is happiness.

　　Living every day in a fixed routine is the state in which cats feel secure. Therefore, after a kitten grows up, it is better to avoid suddenly making it travel by car or take it around frequently.

　　5. Like to Purr

　　One of the cat’s unique characteristics is the ability to produce a purring sound. It was once thought this sound was produced from the throat, but now it is confirmed to be caused by the vibration of a large blood vessel wall in the chest cavity. This vibration is transmitted to the upper respiratory tract, producing the purring noise. Cats start purring when very young and generally make this sound when comfortable, safe, or asleep. However, in some rare cases, they may purr when feeling scared or uncomfortable.

　　Personality Traits of Cats

　　1. Intelligent and Quick-Witted:

　　Cats are naturally intelligent animals with high aptitude. From the anatomical features of their central nervous system, cats have typical brains of intelligent creatures, with a rich and well-developed cerebral cortex. A newborn kitten’s brain is not fully developed, but by five months, it is basically mature. Normal brain development depends on sensory stimuli provided by the mother cat and humans. Living alone and poor nutrition can hinder brain and intellectual development.

　　2. Do Not Feel Lonely

　　If you have multiple cats, they will inevitably clash with some others. However, cats are naturally solitary animals. Even with parent-offspring relationships, grown kittens don’t want to stay with their mother. So an apparently lonely cat is not actually lonely.

　　Other Characteristics

　　1. For cats, the texture of food is even more important than its taste, comparable to how picky they are about the food’s smell. If your cat has never licked you, it’s probably because, in their eyes, you feel as rough as sandpaper. Although a cat’s tongue is rough, it functions almost perfectly, not only used for eating but also for grooming.

　　2. Cats like to rub and scratch; this is their unique way of expressing their personality.

　　3. Nearly 75% of cats have a strong reaction to catnip; they are naturally attracted to this plant.

　　4. Cats can move at speeds up to thirty kilometers per hour.

　　5. The Maine Coon is the largest cat breed in Australia, reaching up to 12 kilograms.