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National Cat Day is celebrated in various countries and in some places it is a day to promote cat adoption. This day is dedicated to the felines that are part of your family, falls on October 27 in the UK, October 29 in the US, and is celebrated on other dates in Italy, Japan, Canada, and Russia.
National cat day was created by Colleen Paige to help bring awareness to the number of cats that need to be rescued every year, according to the National Today website. But cats should be celebrated just for being cats.
These furry, purring, adorable fur babies are a perfect family pet. And with 40- 70 recognized cat breeds, there is a cat for every person. So whether you love Siamese cats or you want to snuggle with a long-haired Persian, there is a cat for everyone. Celebrate the day with these nine fun facts about cats.
Cats Spend 70 Percent of Their Lives Sleeping
It’s no wonder that a short nap is called a cat nap! According to Veterinary Hub, cats sleep an incredible 13 to 16 hours a day or 70 percent of the time. Cats are most active during dawn and dusk.
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House Cats are Closely Related to Tigers
While all cats are related, the closest relatives to a domestic house cat are tigers, according to the Purina website. In fact, cats share 95.6 percent of their genetic markers with tigers. They share a lot of behaviors too, like marking, pouncing, and stalking prey.
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Mayor Stubbs
An orange tabby named Stubbs was the mayor of Talkeetna Alaska for 20 years. He won many uncontested elections during that time but he was a figurehead and didn’t actually have any legislative power.
Cats Have Separation Anxiety
Does your cat cling to you when you are about to leave? Or get destructive when you are not home? Your cat may suffer from separation anxiety. In fact, Science Focus reports that one in 10 cats suffer from separation anxiety.
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You Can Befriend a Cat by Blinking
Cats are usually thought of as aloof, but that is not really the case. Scientists in the UK found the perfect way to build rapport with cats, blinking slowly. This technique actually mimics a cats’ smile and helps build a bond between humans and felines.
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First Cat in Space
While most people know that dogs and monkeys went into space, did you know that a French cat named Felicette was the first, and only, cat to go into space? Space.com reported that on October 18, 1963, Felicette – also known as Astrocat – was launched into space atop a Véronique AG1 rocket and returned to Earth 15 minutes later.
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Cats Can Jump Really High
Cats are really athletic and love to jump. In fact, cats can jump up to six times their body length? They can achieve this feat due to their strong legs and very flexible spine, according to The Better Vet website. Since cats have an amazing sense of balance, they can twist their bodies mid-air and land on their feet.
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Cats Were Worshiped in Ancient Egypt
Cats love to rule the roost and have a very high opinion of themselves. Maybe that’s why the ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as gods. Cats were frequently dressed in jewels and the cats of upper-class people were mummified and buried with their owners.
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A Group of Cats is Called a Glaring
While a group of dogs is called a pack, a group of cats is called a glaring or a clowder. But a group of kittens is called a kindle. Whatever you call them, cats are absolutely adorable.
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