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Ailurophilia is the "love of cats."



The nose pad of a cat is ridged in a pattern that is unique, just like the
fingerprint of a human.



There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world, with 33
different breeds.



The American cat population reached nearly 68 million in 1996. *American
Demographics* magazine estimates that's about 200 million kitty yawns per
hour and a whopping 425 million catnaps each day!



If your cat is near you, and her tail is *quivering*, this is the greatest
expression of love your cat can give you. If her tail starts thrashing,
her mood has changed --- Time to distance yourself from her.



Don't pick a kitten or a cat up by the scruff of its neck; only mother cats
can do this safely, and only with their kittens.



Your cat loves you and can "read" your moods. If you're sad or under
stress, you may also notice a difference in your cat's behavior.



A single pair of cats *and their kitten*s can produce as many as 420,000
kittens in just 7 years.



Cats have 290 bones in their bodies, and 517 muscles.



A cat will almost never "meow" at another cat. This sound is reserved for
humans.



The average age for an indoor cat is 15 years, while the average age for an
outdoor cat is only 3 to 5 years.



The oldest cat on record was Puss, from England, who died in 1939 just one
day after her 36th birthday.



The *weirdest* cat on record was a female called Mincho who went up a tree
in Argentina and didn't come down again until she died six years later.
While treed, she managed to have three litters with equally *ambitious *
dads.



People who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart
attacks.



The greatest number of mice killed by one cat? 28,899! Towser, a
tortoise-shell tabby in charge of rodent control in Scotland, killed 28,899
mice in her 21 years. This is about four mice per day, every day, for 21
years. Towser died in 1987.



"Sociable" cats will follow you from room to room to monitor your activities
throughout the day.



Cats get their sense of security from your voice. Talk to your cats! And
be mindful of your tone of voice. Cats know when you're yelling at them
(though they *may not care*).



The Giraffe, Camel and Cat are the only animals that walk by moving
*both*their left feet, then
*both* their right feet, when walking. This method of walking ensures
speed, agility and silence.



It is believed that a white cat sitting on your doorstep just before your
wedding is a sign of lasting happiness. White cats are a symbol of good
luck in America, while black cats are a sign of bad luck.



Cats are partially color blind. They have the equivalency of human
red/green color blindness. (Reds appear green and greens appear red; or
shades thereof.)



Kittens begin dreaming at just over one week old.



A cat's ear pivots 180 degrees. They have 30 muscles in each ear, and use
twelve or more muscles to control their ear movement.



A group of kittens is called a "kindle."



A group of grown cats is called a "clowder."



Have you ever tried to feed your cat food that was just taken out of the
refrigerator? Most cats prefer their food at room temperature, and will
boldly REFUSE any food that is too cold or too hot.



Many experts report that cats will purr when feeling *any* intense emotion
(pleasure or pain).



Cats are the sleepiest of all mammals. They spend 16 hours of each day
sleeping. With that in mind, a seven year old cat has only been awake for
two years of its life!



Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.



A cat that bites you after you have rubbed his stomach, is probably biting
out of pleasure, not anger.



"PSI trailings" attempt to explain a cat's ability to travel a long distance
to return to their home. It is said they use the earth's gravity to
determine "their place" in the world, and to develop the ability to return
there when necessary.



Egyptians shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when they lost a
beloved cat.