The relationship between cats and humans began around 7500 BC in the Middle East, and since then they've evolved from wild hunters to beloved household pets. Yet there's still a lot we don't know about our feline companions.

In some ways, they remain largely unchanged from their wild counterparts. A cat's territorial nature and ability to live independently from humans, along with their strictly carnivorous diet, are just a few traits that make them unique amongst domestic pets.

Our feline fascination could fill a novel, but let's break it down into 20 surprising facts that you may not have known about cats.

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20 Surprising Cat Facts

1. They're colourblind, but not completely.

   
   

Contrary to popular belief, cats don't see in black and white. Experts believe they can see some colours due to the presence of cone cells in their eyes, which are responsible for day vision and the perception of colour. It's likely that they can see blues, greens and yellows but struggle with reds and pinks. Their colour vision is less vibrant than a human's.

Related post: Cat Vision: How Do Cats See the World?

2. Whiskers are their second pair of eyes.

Whiskers aren't just for show, they help cats to "feel" their way around. The 24 whiskers either side of their face are twice the thickness of normal hairs and the same width as their body. They're also highly sensitive and connected to nerve endings in the brain's cortex. This helps cats to detect changes in their environment, navigate objects, judge the size of gaps and even catch prey.

3. Sleep up to eighteen hours a day.

   
   

Ever wondered where the term "catnap" comes from? Conserving energy is essential for a cat's survival as they hunt in short bursts of energy, as well as being on the lookout for predators. This means they're technically awake for less than half of their lives. With our beloved housecats, we can't rule out boredom as a factor!

4. Unable to taste sweetness.

Cats have 470 taste buds in contrast to a human's 9,000. They share many of the same as us - salty, sour and bitter - but lack the receptors for sweetness, since they have no need for them in the wild. Cats are obligate carnivores but can be attracted to the fats in human food - as demonstrated by my cake-obsessed Simba.

5. Only meow at humans.

Cats primarily communicate with each other using body language and other cues, with meowing reserved especially for humans. Kittens meow to get their mother's attention, and this continues into adulthood as a learned behaviour in domestic cats. Simply, they've adapted to communicate with us through vocal sounds by imitating the back-and-forth process of human communication. A clever way to make us do their bidding!

6. Have hooks on their tongues.

If you've ever been licked by a cat, you'll have felt the rough texture of their tongue. The surface is covered with sharp, backwards-facing hooks called papillae that aid in removing flesh from prey, grooming and drinking water.

7. Purring can signal pain.

We all recognise the purr as a cat's happy sound, but did you know that it can also be a response to fear, stress or pain? The soothing vibrations are believed to have self-healing properties, and studies show that this unique frequency is effective on humans by lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety and healing the bones.

8. Have super hearing.

Did you know that the only animals with better hearing than cats are certain insects and bats? Humans can hear frequencies of up to 20,000 Hz, while cats can hear up to 64,000 Hz. Their ears are attuned to pick up the high-pitched calls of prey animals like mice and birds, and they can swivel them around like satellite dishes to 180 degrees. Despite this, cats are great at pretending they can't hear us!

9. Can run up to 30 mph.

The average domestic cat can run up to 30 mph in short bursts - that's the speed limit for driving in most residential areas of the UK. It's faster than the human record and most dogs, which is impressive given their small size; but it depends on factors such as age, breed, health and motivation.

Emphasis on motivation. If your lazy, overweight moggy wants to bolt down the street at 30 mph of its own accord then I'm sure it will; otherwise, don't hold your breath!

10. Can't see in the dark.

While most think cats are nocturnal, they're actually crepuscular, meaning they're most active at dusk and dawn. These are optimal hunting hours, which you might have guessed from those 5 a.m. zoomies. A cat's eyes are designed to spot small, fast-moving prey in dim light. They can't see in total darkness, but they are able to see 6-8 times better than a human at night.

11. Have unique nose prints.

Just like human fingerprints, a cat's nose has a unique pattern made up of tiny bumps and ridges, making it a special identifying feature. So much so that it might be considered to replace microchipping in the future.

12. Sweat through their paw pads.

Cats have sweat glands in hairless areas of their body like the paw pads, nose, lips, chin and anus where the surface area is very small. Despite their thick coats, domestic cats originated from Africa and are designed to cope with sweltering temperatures. They have other effective cooling methods such as grooming/licking their fur, panting and stretching out their bodies. You should always provide fresh water and shaded areas to prevent overheating.

13. Have two organs of smell.

    
    

Cats don't have two noses, but they do have the vomeronasal organ located in the roof of their mouth. It consists of two ducts that connect to the nasal cavity, and cats draw air into the ducts to "taste" scents. This is primarily used to detect pheromones, recognisable by the Flehmen response - more commonly known as the "stink face" - where a cat will curl back its lips and open its mouth in a grimace while sniffing.

14. Recognise human voices.

Research has shown that cats can distinguish between different human voices. In a study of sixteen cats in Paris, ten responded to their owner's voice when calling their name; but not to strangers. Funnily, more signs of interest were shown when owners used their "cat voice" in comparison to speaking normally. Next time kitty ignores you, try speaking to it like a baby!

15. They're lactose intolerant.

Giving cats a saucer of milk seems like nothing out of the ordinary, but it's a great way to give them an upset stomach. They're unable to digest the sugar (lactose) contained in cow's milk and other diary products, but you can offer specially formulated cat milk as a treat.

16. Have a third eyelid.

The nictitating membrane, also known as the third eyelid, helps to protect the eye from dirt and debris and keeps it hydrated. You can't usually see it unless a cat is sleepy or ill, but it's a whitish-pink crescent shape on the inner corners of their eyes. If you look close enough, you might catch it blinking!

17. Can only move their jaw up and down.

A cat's jaw works like a hinge, opening and closing in an up/down motion to a wider degree than most mammals. This is due to their carnivorous nature, with sharp teeth and long canines for tearing through prey, allowing a powerful bite without exerting pressure on their jaws. These restrictions mean that cats are unable to move their jaw from side to side, which humans use to chew vegetables and other foods.

18. Have similar brains to humans.

A cat's brain might be teeny - and by no means identical to a human's - but it has all the same basic parts. Most notably the limbic system, which is involved in emotion, motivation, learning and memory. This may come as a surprise given the aloof nature of felines, who seemingly have no interest in doing what we want them to do. This doesn't mean they're unintelligent or incapable, it means they're sentient beings with their own unique way of communicating.

19. Also called toms, mollies or queens.

A tomcat is a sexually mature male cat that hasn't been neutered, while molly refers to a spayed female cat that can no longer have kittens. The term "queen" is given to a mother cat that has recently given birth, is pregnant or lactating. This regal title aligns with her protective, nurturing characteristics and emphasises her important role within the cat community.

20. They're superheros!

Due to their association with witchcraft and Satan in the Middle Ages, cats were condemned as evil by the church and many were eliminated across Europe. Funny enough, this led to a spike in disease-carrying rats that wiped out millions of people during the Black Death. If it wasn't for their usefulness as vermin control, cats might have become extinct - and humans not far behind. Whoopsie!

These fascinating facts are just a glimpse into the complex nature of cats. Understanding these traits and behaviours can help you to better connect with your furry friend and appreciate the unique bond you share.

Did any of these facts surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments.