The Secret Life of Cats: 5 Facts That Will Shock You

If you share your home with a feline friend, one that is often referred to as having nine lives, you should know by now that cats are masters of mystery, capable of making everything from deep purrs to the infamous "crazy hour." 

Scientific Names or Social Nouns

Cats, like all living things, have a formal scientific name. The zoological name is Felis catus. With this classification, we understand that even your house cat is in the same family as the Wildcat, reminding us that even the laziest lap cat carries a primal lineage.

Do you know that a gathering or collection of more than one cat is not called cats, thats just the plural. The gathering of cats is called a clowder or a glaring if they look particularly judgmental. 

Knowing these terms adds a layer of fun to your cat vocabulary.

Image of Abyssinian Cat by Catster

The Cat’s Purr

Cats have this magical little sound, one that's deep and comes with a steady rumble you feel in your chest when they curl up against you. But what do cats purr for? 

We usually think of purring as their way of saying, “I’m happy, I’m safe, I love this.” And yes, that’s true. But it’s not the whole story.

Cats also purr when they’re nervous, when they’re in pain, or even when they’re healing. It’s like their built-in comfort mechanism, a way to soothe themselves when life feels rough. Some researchers even believe the purr vibrations help with recovery. 

So while a purr often means joy, it can just as easily be a sign of reassurance, a cat’s way of wrapping itself in calm.

Image of Black Cat from UKPets

The Cat in Culture and Breed Spotlights

From the tiniest, clumsy Kitten to the sleek adult, there are different breeds and varieties of cats just as there are dogs, and they are different shapes and personalities.

1. The Abyssinian: This breed of cats often comes in a ticked coat and has large, expressive eyes that give them an ancient appearance. The Abyssinian cat breed is often described as having a lively, 'dog-like' personality.
2. The Black Cat Legend: Felines even inspire high fashion and pop culture. The iconic Nike Air Jordan 4s Black Cat sneakers are named after this breed of cat due to their sleek, stealthy elegance of a black cat and an acceptance of their powerful, graceful movement.
3. A Champion's Spirit: For pet lovers who love tenacity, the late, great boxer Jacob Matlala, also popularly referred to as Cat Matlala carried the speed and determination of a true champion, much like the focused intensity of a cat stalking its favorite toy.

Petrite Tips for a Purr-fect Home

To give your cat the best life, every cat lover and owner should focus on providing:

1. Enrichment: A vertical space or cat trees and scratching posts are important to keep your Felis catus friend happy.
2. Diet: Always provide a balanced, high-quality diet, one that is tailored and appropriate to their life stage, from Kittenhood onward.
3. Affection: Regular play and quiet cuddle time to strengthen your human-feline bond.

Life with cats is full of little lessons and quiet joys, from watching a playful Kitten batting a toy to enjoying the soothing sound of a cat’s purr. Their world is a mix of play, comfort, and mystery, and that’s what makes sharing it so rewarding.

At Petrite, we always strive to learn and understand as much as possible about these amazing creatures better, from their ancient roots to their behaviors. We share with our audience every interesting fact we have uncovered that can make pet lovers and their buddy even closer than before.