Do you consider yourself a pet expert? Even if you think you know everything there is to know about pets, we guarantee that there are some surprising facts about them that you don’t know. For example, did you know that cats were domesticated before dogs? Or that some pets can actually read human emotions? In this blog post, we will share ten of the most surprising facts about pets with you. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn something new!
1. Dogs may pretend to be sick
Dogs are pretty smart. They can learn tricks, understand human emotions, and even fake being sick to get what they want. That’s right, dogs have been known to pretend to be sick in order to get attention from their owners. So if your dog is giving you the sad eyes and looking a little off, they may just be trying to get a little extra love and attention from you.
2. Cats were domesticated before dogs
Dogs might be man’s best friend, but cats have actually been our furry companions for longer. Cats were domesticated around 3600 BCE, while the first evidence of dogs being kept as pets dates back to around 30,000 years ago. So if you’re a cat person, you can take pride in the fact that your beloved feline friends have been by our side for thousands of years longer than dogs have.
3. Cats sleep for around 70% of their lives
Cats are known for being lazy creatures that sleep for most of the day, but did you know that they actually sleep for around 70% of their lives? That means that a nine-year-old cat has only been awake for three years of its life! Cats spend so much time sleeping because they are predators and need to be well-rested in order to be able to hunt effectively.
4. Dogs can smell when their owners are afraid
Pets are not just simple animals – they are actually quite complex creatures. For example, did you know that some pets can actually read human emotions? Dogs, in particular, are known for their ability to sense when their owners are afraid. This is because dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can pick up on the scent of fear in humans.
5. A cat’s brain is 90% similar to the human brain
If you think your cat or dog is smart, you’re not wrong. A cat’s brain is 90% similar to the human brain, and dogs have the intelligence of a two-year-old child. But did you know that some pets are actually smarter than that? A study conducted by Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, found that border collies are the smartest breed of dog, with an intelligence level comparable to that of a three-year-old child.
6. Dogs can get jealous
Dogs can get jealous. If you’ve ever had a dog, you know that they can be very possessive of their toys and food. But did you know that dogs can also get jealous of other people and animals? A study conducted by the University of California found that dogs will show signs of jealousy when their owners pay attention to other dogs or even inanimate objects. So if you think your dog is giving you the side-eye when you’re talking to your friends, there’s a good chance that they’re actually jealous!
7. Happy rabbits like to hop and do a twist in the air known as binky
Today, rabbits are still popular pets, and they are known for their playful nature. In fact, rabbits love to play so much that they have a special way of showing it! When rabbits are happy and content, they will often do a “binky” hop in the air.
8. Cats can rotate their ears up to 180º.
Cats’ ears are one of the most distinctive features about them. And did you know that those cute little ears can actually rotate 180 degrees? That means that cats can hear sounds from twice as far away as we can. Pretty amazing, right?
9. Rats laugh when they’re tickled.
Rats are one of the most commonly kept pets in the world, and it turns out that they are ticklish creatures! When rats are tickled, they release a sound that is similar to laughter. So next time you’re playing with your rat friend, give them a little tickle and see if you can make them laugh!
10. Female cats tend to be right-pawed and male cats tend to be left-pawed.
Female cats tend to be right-pawed, while male cats are usually left-pawed. This is similar to the way that human handedness works, with most people being right-handed and a smaller percentage of people being left-handed. Interestingly, this paw preference is not seen in dogs. Scientists believe that this difference may be due to the fact that female cats are more independent than male cats, while dogs of both genders are equally dependent on humans.
So there you have it! Ten surprising facts about pets that you probably didn’t know. We hope you found this blog post informative and that you learned something new about your furry friends. Thanks for reading!
