Facts About House Cats

House cats are popular pets in the U.S, second only to dogs. Independent, intelligent and excellent hunters, the house cat has a long history of living side-by-side with humans. Worshiped by the ancient Egyptians and used by humans throughout the centuries to rid their homes of mice and rats, the cat remains a beloved, yet enigmatic, animal that is forever shrouded in mystery.

  1. Types of Cats

    • There are two main types of cats--the long-haired and the short-haired. It is believed that the long-haired cat descended from the Asian wild cat and the short-haired cat descended from the African wild cat.

    Weight and Appearance

    • The average weight of the adult house cat is eight pounds (3.6 kg). A house cat's body is muscular and highly flexible. Genetic mutations throughout the years have caused a variety of physical characteristics, including the absence of tails. Other variants include curled whiskers and ears situated close to the head.

    Diet

    • Cats are primarily carnivorous. They are well-known for killing mice, rats and other smaller animals.

    Gestation Period and Lifespan

    • A female cat is pregnant with kittens for a period of approximately 63 days. She typically gives birth to two to five kittens at one time. House cats usually live for about 15 years.

    Interesting Cat Facts

    • House cats have an acute sense of smell and hearing. They can easily see at night as well.