Curious Facts About Cats and Dogs

By Allison Ford, DivineCaroline

When it comes right down to it, how much do we really know about our beloved furry friends? We may know what kinds of treats they prefer, their favorite spot for an afternoon nap, and where they want us to scratch them, but many things about dogs and cats are still a mystery to their human companions. If we took just a bit more time getting to know about the bodies and minds of the pets that share our lives, we’d learn that they’re full of interesting surprises.

1. Cats are lactose intolerant. Like most mammals, cats lose the ability to digest dairy after infancy. Feeding milk to a cat can encourage stomach upset and diarrhea.

2. Dogs with “squashed” faces have more health problems. The structure of the faces of pugs, boxers, and bulldogs makes them more prone to respiratory problems, dental problems, and other health issues.

3. Cats are capable of about one hundred distinct vocalizations; dogs are capable of about ten.

4. All Dalmatians are born white. Their spots develop within the first few weeks of life.

5. Hunting is not an instinctive cat behavior. If a kitten doesn’t learn to hunt from its mother or other cats, it’s unlikely that it ever will.

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Read more: Behavior & Communication, Cats, Dogs, Fun, Pets, pet facts

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Valentina R.

2:21PM PDT on May 17, 2012

Some of these facts are well-known, others aren't. Thanks for sharing.

send a green star

Glenn B.

7:46PM PDT on Apr 18, 2012

Thank you for posting ths. Now we know more about our pets.

Pat W.

10:49PM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

hmmm... interesting facts

Joe R.

8:24AM PST on Dec 7, 2011

Thanks.

9:32PM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

Great information. Thanks!

Elisabeth T.

4:57PM PDT on Sep 24, 2011

Great info, thanks so much..

Irene M.

11:17AM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

I'm not very sure about #5. I found my cat hiding under a car in the middle of the city when he was about 1 month old. I couldn't find his mother or any other kitten around. I can't possibly know if he was taught to hunt within his first month of life, but he's been living since in my country house, and doing a good deal of hunting. He's almost 13 now and still hunts daily. Insects, mice, small birds - you name it. I tend to believe he learned by instinct. Didn't you Sephi? ^_^

Gerald M.

8:10PM PST on Jan 14, 2011

Item #10 is patently wrong...My research shows that ALL male mammels have a prostate gland.

So PLEASE, do the research yourself.

Karen K.

7:24PM PST on Dec 30, 2010

my son is doing his 6th grade science project on cat paw-dominance, and we were having a heck of a time finding any information about it. Imagine my surprise at glancing through my Care2 email for the day and finding this! Thanks! Your website is now a source reference in his bibliography. I hope that is OK?!

Laura V.

12:22PM PST on Dec 30, 2010

Very interesting, thanks.