We all know that cats are incredibly intelligent and sensitive creatures, but how much do they actually know about human emotions?

​Cats have a very heightened ability to pick up on disease and illness, and this is actually why they make such fantastic companions to their human friends. 

If you are a cat owner yourself, or just curious about our feline friends, you might want to know more about their capacity for empathy. If this is the case, then keep reading, as we take a look below. 

This is a question that has been asked by many people for decades, but do cats actually have a sixth sense? The simple answer is - not in the traditional sense.

Cats do however, have superior senses to ours in almost every aspect apart from taste. They can see, feel, hear, and smell much better than human beings can. 

Sight

Cats are able to see very well in lighting that human beings can't. So for example, in dimmer light. This is due to their lifestyle and that they spend many hours wandering around in the dark. 

They also have another feature in their eyes that human beings do not. This is called a tapetum, which is a layer that allows them to absorb light.

Smell

Cat’s are also incredibly good at sniffing out treats! This is actually the second best of all their senses. The sense of smell that cats possess is actually fourteen times more powerful than that of human beings. They have an incredible 200 million scent receptors in their noses. 

Along with these receptors, they also have organs which can be found at the very top portion of their mouth at the roof, that act as a secondary sensor for smelling things. 

Hearing

This is actually the strongest sense possessed by our feline friends. They can actually hear at the same capacity as human beings and dogs, but in addition to this, they can hear high pitched sounds inaudible to humans.

​This is why if you’ve found yourself lounging with your cat and they appear to perk up, even with no immediate noises to be heard. This allows them to both hunt prey themselves and protect themselves from impending predators.

This is an interesting question. Cats may actually be able to tell if their human companion is feeling ill. This is due to their sense of smell that we covered above.

​They can pick up on hormonal and chemical changes within human beings that occur when we’re not feeling our best. 

When you are feeling unwell, just by rubbing up against you, your cat will be able to tell. They are often incredibly intrigued by new scents, so if you’re giving off something different on account of your feeling sick, they will be interested.

Although cats are not as attuned on picking up on whether or not somebody is sad like dogs can, they are able to sometimes read social cues associated with depression. For example, if you cat continually observes your smiling, they will begin to associate this as a positive emotion. 

Some of the more obvious symptoms of depression can include feeling fatigued, lackluster, less sociable and tired. It is not just human beings that can pick up on these feelings, your cat will be able to too if it affects the way you interact with them. 

Perhaps you are less enthusiastic about the way you pet them, or simply do not give them the same attention as you used to. Your cat will pick up on this and gather that something is amiss.

​Very loving cats will become more sympathetic as a result, and try to be a comfort to their owners during times of distress.

Because cats are always hyper aware of predators, they are never fully relaxed. This means that fear is one of the most prominent feelings that cats respond to.

If human beings display any changes in body language, or facial expressions associated with fear, cats will be able to tell.

​They will also be able to detect this through bodily functions themselves, such as an increased heart rate, faster breathing, and shaky muscles.

This is an interesting question too. Cats are in fact able to recognize the chemical and hormonal changes associated with death. Just like when you are ill, cats will be able to smell the changes in the body of someone who is dying. 

Perhaps this is why in many cultures cats are seen as bad luck, because they seem to have such a superior and almost supernatural ability to sense big events. 

Many cats who sense that their owners are approaching the end of their lives will tend to be very sympathetic and loving. Choosing to stay with them steadfastly at their bedside. 

Kind of! Because their paws are so sensitive, their little pink pads can tell if there are any vibrations in the ground.

​This is because of the nerve endings that they have in their feet, which are called Pacinian corpuscles. Your cat will let you know if they sense impending danger by pawing you and purring.

Cats are truly remarkable creatures, they sense far more than human beings are aware of. Because they are able to sense when humans are unwell, either emotionally or physically, they make great companions that provide a lot of love and support to their caretakers.

​Although they do not technically have a sixth sense, their superior senses attune them to a wealth of different emotions.

​Cats are incredibly affectionate creatures that have proven to be enduringly beloved pets for multiple generations.

The problem is that cats can also be very solitary creatures that often enjoy their alone time, and they often also have incredible survival instincts that allow them to be very independent. 

This means that, sometimes, it can be hard to tell exactly what a cat is trying to communicate with its behavior.

Where it’s immediately clear what a dog’s wagging tail communicates, it is a little harder to tell what a cat’s wagging tail communicates. 

One common cat behavior that many people find themselves mystified by is winking. Have you ever noticed your cat winking at you?

​Ever wondered what it might mean? If you have, then you have come to the perfect place. Let’s dive right in and find out what your cat might be trying to say!

There are actually numerous reasons why your cat may be winking at you.

One of the reasons may be to show gratitude or love, whereas other reasons may be because your cat is suffering from some kind of problem with their eye.

Let’s take a deeper look at some of the reasons that cats wink at you.

To Show Affection

Cats are very affectionate, and can prove to be very loving and loyal pets, however, this affection needs to be earned, as, unlike dogs, cats will not simply show affection to just anyone. 

If your cat has ever winked at you, it is most likely because they are trying to show affection for you.

This behavior often goes hand in hand with slow blinking, which can also be used to show affection to owners. 

The reason that cats wink and blink slowly to show affection is because they are showing that they feel safe in your company, as by closing their eyes they are leaving themselves vulnerable, but they trust you not to take advantage of that.

Cats also do this with other cats, to show that they do not believe them to be a threat.

The reason why cats sometimes wink instead of slow blinking is often unclear, but it is most likely just a simple quirk of their biology, and not likely a sign of any deeper meaning!

The Nictitating Membrane

You may or may not be aware that cats actually have a third eyelid that closes independently from their exterior ones.

This is called the nictitating membrane, and it is a translucent membrane that moves diagonally across the eye, and keeps it moisturized.

You may not have even known that your cat had one, because they tend to use them so quickly that they can easily go unnoticed!

However, if the nictitating membrane is ever impacted, then it can cause irritation to a cat, which may cause it to blink more frequently in an attempt to clear the issue up.

Things that can cause issues with the nictitating membrane include whiskers, strands of fur, or even small bits of dirt or debris. 

If you see your cat winking at you rapidly, and they look as though they are in discomfort, then it is possible that there may be something irritating their nictitating membrane.

If you believe this to be the case, allow the cat some space to sort the issue out for themselves, but if it persists for a considerable amount of time, and your cat continues to wink in discomfort, then it may be worth contacting your veterinarian. 

Eye Problems

Another reason your cat may be winking, though a little less likely, is that it may have an eye infection or some other kind of physical problem.

You’d be able to tell if your cat’s eye is injured or infected by looking to see how often they do it.

If your cat continues to blink frequently within a short space of time, then it is likely that it may have an eye problem.

You’ll be able to tell if it is a large problem because, unlike with an irritated nictitating membrane, your cat will continue winking for hours at a time.

Common eye problems that affect cats are issues such as conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the mucous membrane.

​It may also be caused by an infection, either viral or bacterial, which can cause the eye to become very red, and may also cause the cat to sneeze excessively. 

Less frequent causes can be things such as cataracts, glaucoma, and allergies.

If you ever notice that your cat is winking excessively and that the behavior does not let up, make sure to contact your vet.

​Why Does My Cat Wink At Me With One Eye?

Your cat may wink to show affection, or in order to remove an irritant from its eye. Sometimes cats can accidentally poke themselves in their eyes, which can cause them to wink.

How Do You Tell Your Cat You Love Them?

If your cat is being affectionate, and you want to also prove your affection, you can show it by slow blinking back at it. Most cats will be incredibly receptive to this, as it shows you trust them.

Do Cats Know Their Names?

Research has shown that cats actually can recognize their own names, and that they just simply choose to ignore them sometimes, which creates the belief that they do not! 

​As you can now see, the most likely reason that your cat has been winking at you is simply because it is trying to show affection towards you!

Winking and slow blinking shows that a cat feels comfortable in your presence, and that it does not consider you a threat! 

On the other hand, if you notice that your cat is winking excessively, and more often than usual, then it could be that it is suffering from some kind of irritation in the eye.

​If you notice your cat winking more than usual, make sure to contact your vet as soon as you can.

​It is not uncommon to find that your cat is scratching the door. Not only does it ruin your painted or glossed wooden doors, but the sound is annoying too. 

Not only that, it is the kind of behavior that you will want to nip in the bud, afterall, you don’t want your cat to keep scratching at the door with its sharp claws - you likely can’t afford to replace the door a few times a year, nor would you want to!

It isn’t surprising then that you have ended up here.

​If you have a worn out door or two, and are exhausted from having to get up early due to the scratches on the bedroom door in the morning, fortunately there are a few things you can do.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s take a look at them. 

​One of the things you will want to work out is why your cat has begun scratching its claws along the door. Doing so can help you to understand why and to identify the correct solution.

Territory

If you are the type of cat parent who at one point let their cat roam freely around the home, and now you keep them in only a room or two, then there is a good chance that they might begin scratching at the door in the hope you will let them back in.

For example, maybe you used to let them sit in your living room or bedroom.

If you suddenly do not let them in anymore, then they are likely going to scratch at the door until you open it and let them inside. 

Attention

Despite cats preferring to sleep in the day and play at night, they are quite social animals - well, if you call curling up with you sociable.

As it happens, if your cat enjoys interact with both other animals and humans, they might want extra attention if you leave them.

This could involve something like scratching their claws across the door, asking to be let in.

​This is very similar to the territory option, except this doesn’t happen because you have cut the cat off from a specific room. 

Curious Behavior

Cats are naturally curious animals. For this reason, they may scratch on a door because they are wondering what is on the other side, and might want to know what a smell is, for example. 

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can stop your cat from scratching the door if it has become a problem you cannot solve. Here are some ideas (you may need to try more than one):

Use A Cat Safe Deterrent

There are a few different scents that cats really dislike such as rosemary, cinnamon, and citrus smells.

For this reason, you can use them to deter your cat from going near the door which will stop them from scratching it.

To do this you will need to create a spray and spritz it at the door a few times a day. To create, mix one tablespoon of the mentioned essential oils with three tablespoons of fresh water. 

Do keep in mind that the ones mentioned are safe to be around a cat, however not every essential oil is safe.

If you are concerned, even about the ones mentioned, speak to your veterinarian first to avoid any problems. 

Distraction Is Key

Catnip is a good way to distract a cat from scratching, but it isn’t something you can do all the time.

Fortunately, catnip is very safe and is a weed that belongs to the family of mint, and is considered non-toxic.

However, cats absolutely love the stuff and it can cause them to purr, roll around and salivate. 

To use, rub a toy such as a scratching post with some catnip to distract your cat. This will keep him or her distracted for at least ten minutes. 

Let Them Play With A Scratching Toy

Speaking of a scratching post, if you haven’t already got one for your cat, this could be an ideal solution.

That is because there is a chance your cat could be scratching a door out of sheer boredom. 

A few things to think about when purchasing a stretching post is that you want it to be large enough to be used by your cat, or small enough if they are tiny.

Place it in an area that your cat spends most of his or her time. 

If you find that the cat is still scratching the door, try putting it closer to the door to see if they become distracted by the scratching post instead. 

If your cat prefers a bed to scratch, then that is a great option too. Just see what works and hopefully they will stop scratching those doors.

Tire Them Out

Another thing you can do is to tire them out so they won’t want to scratch the door. This one is also great to try if they scratch to get your attention. 

Playing with them by using some of their favorite toys is a great way to give them your 100 percent attention.

​This means that your cat will have your attention, but also feel too tired to want to scratch the door. 

If All Else Fails, Protect Your Door

If you struggle with any of the above solutions, you could try and change the door instead by adding a glass panel or a different material so that they won’t enjoy the scratching.

Just make sure that whatever you use is safe around your cat.

​When a cat starts to scratch the door, not only can it be annoying, but it will also ruin the door.

​There are reasons as to why your cat may be doing it, as well as solutions to try and stop them from scratching.

​Have you ever wondered whether cats really enjoy wearing collars? Well, they don’t seem to mind at all. In fact, some even wear them 24/7.

Cats love being around other animals, especially dogs. They also enjoy playing games with their owners.
If you want to give your pet a little extra attention, then you might consider buying him or her a collar.

A cat collar is designed to prevent your cat from scratching furniture and walls. The material used to make these collars is usually nylon or leather.

Some collars come with bells attached to them. This way, your cat won’t be able to scratch anything without alerting you.

​Also, this way, you can keep tabs on the safety of your cat when they go roaming around outside for hours on end. 

​The most common type of collar for cats is the buckle-style collar. It has two parts: a headband that goes over your cat’s neck and a buckle that fastens on top of it.

You can choose between different sizes depending on how big your cat is.

Another type of collar is called a slip collar. These are similar to buckles, but they have no metal pieces. Instead, they have a plastic part that slips onto the cat’s neck.

Slip collars are easier to put on than buckles because there is less friction when sliding them over the cat’s skin.

You can buy any kind of collar you like as long as it fits your cat properly.

​However, if you want to get one that will last longer, then you should opt for a durable collar. Your cat may start to chew on it after a while.

​We often wonder how to find out what size collar is appropriate for your cats. And, more particularly, how tightly should a cat collar be worn?

The great news is that Noggins & binks offer a wide range of collars for cats, designed to suit every type of pet owner.

Their collars come in many sizes and styles - ranging from simple, plain collars to ones with bells and lights.

But, most importantly, they're all adjustable, meaning that you'll always be able to ensure that your cat wears their collar comfortably and safely.

And, while there's no one 'right' way to wear a collar, they do recommend that you follow some basic guidelines.

For example, make sure that your cat's collar fits snugly around their neck without being too tight.

Also, remember to check that the buckle is securely fastened. If your cat starts pulling against the collar, then it could lead to injury.

Finally, don't forget to adjust the collar regularly. You should be checking your cat's collar daily.

​If you'd like to know more about how to choose the correct collar size, please contact their team!

​If you are looking for a custom size cat collar, then you'll need to tell us how big your pet's neck is.

We recommend using a flexible tape ruler (like those used by tailors) or placing a piece of string snug but not too tight around your cat's neck.

Mark the spot where the strings meet and lay it on a flat surface. Use a standard ruler or tape measure to the mark.

You do not need to measure perfectly because there are teams of experienced seamstresses that can work with a range on either side of your measurement.

​This ensures that you get the best fit possible for your pet. Just visit your local pet store or an equivalent to get it done!

​Cats are very independent animals, and sometimes they do things without us knowing about them.

They can wander away from home without our knowledge and cause themselves harm.

For example, if you lose sight of your cat while out walking, you could find him or her lying injured somewhere and unable to move.

If your pet does stray, there are some steps you can take to try and bring him or her home again safely.

You can use a tracking device such as a GPS tracker, microchip, or collar to locate your lost cat.

​Once you know where your cat is, you can call local animal shelters or veterinary clinics to see if anyone has reported missing cats.

You can also contact your vet to ask whether they have seen your cat recently. Your vet will be able to tell you whether your cat needs medical attention.

If you think your cat has been taken in somewhere, you must report it immediately to the RSPCA or another relevant organization.

These organizations will keep your cat safe until you decide what to do next.

Once you have located your cat, the first thing you need to do is make sure that he or she is comfortable.

To do this, place your cat inside a warm room or wrap him or her up in a towel. Make sure that your cat is drinking water regularly and eating well.

Next, you'll want to fit your cat with a collar. A good quality collar will be easy to wear and won't pinch or chafe your cat's skin.

However, you'll also need to consider how long your cat will be wearing the collar, as some are designed to be worn for several days.

The size of the collar you choose depends on the size of your cat.

​Smaller breeds tend to have smaller necks, so you may have to go down a size to prevent the collar from being too tight around your cat's neck.

​Your cat can be a great companion. It's important to look after them properly so that they don't end up in a shelter or, worse still, at risk of injury or death.

When choosing a collar for your cat, remember that they're individuals, and you should always select one based on your individual cat.

​Be careful when selecting a collar, though, as many collars are made cheaply and poorly.

​When you do get kittens and begin raising them, it can be an exciting time. It is also crucial that they grow and are given the correct nutritional support.

Though an average and healthy-sized kitten can last up to two days, or perhaps longer, without food, it is generally accepted that they need to be fed often.

​At this point, kittens do not require huge portions and as long as they are fed little but often they should grow healthy.

In this guide, we will look at why your kitten may not be eating, what to do if they aren’t, and how long they can go without food. 

​The death of a kitten’s mother shortly after its birth can mean that a kitten has no food source.

This can prove difficult and the kitten may not be eating as it is not yet able to digest solid food.

The reliance on the mother’s breastmilk is to sustain its early life and with that gone, it could prove fatal within a couple of days.

At this early stage in a kitten’s life, it is vital for the mother to be around at all times or the responsibility falls on the owner to feed it. 

Another reason for the kitten not to be eating is that, even with the mother around, it could still fail to nurse.

The mother could reject one kitten in the litter or the kitten could fail to jockey for a position to feed itself.

Just like newborn babies, kittens need to be fed at regular intervals and this is typically around a maximum of four hours as any longer could risk hypoglycemia. 

There could be a medical concern that means that your kitten is not eating too.

​If they are simply not feeling well due to a clogged nose, intestinal parasites, or are constipated then you should be contacting a veterinarian to find a way to alleviate the concern. 

​There are several underlying causes of a kitten’s failure to eat though every effort should be used to ensure it gets a feeding.

This can include searching for a suitable foster mother, particularly if the kitten is under eight weeks old.

Your veterinarian may be able to help though you could also try a local cat shelter to find a suitable candidate.

The cat needs to be lactating already and have a small litter that your kitten can suckle from relatively conveniently. 

Bottle-feeding is another option if you cannot find a lactating cat with a litter of its own.

This may be the only available option should the mother not be around during that crucial eight-week period after which the kitten has been weaned.

You should opt for a specific kitten formula and not just general milk as cats are lactose-intolerant and will fail to digest it.

​Sweet water can also be another good choice though check the kitten beforehand as if it seems cold then those fluids may give them chills.  

​Once a kitten has been completely weaned from the litter then the responsibility for feeding falls onto the owner as the mother’s work is largely done.

That means frequent feedings of small portions during the day as the consequences of a single missed day could be crucial.

Even if you have to leave the kitten unattended as you leave for town, any kittens would need to be looked after in your absence. 

The older that the kitten gets then the longer it can go without food. At eight weeks, it can go a full eight hours, or even half a day, without a feed.

A fully grown cat can go a whole two days without food, that is as long as they have a supply of fresh water too.

A lot of that depends on the size of the cat as the smaller they are then the shorter their window of going without feed. 

There is also the prevailing possibility that the kitten could starve itself and die. That is an extreme case yet is increasingly possible if they are under eight weeks old.

​Particularly if medical conditions cannot be solved within two days or so then they may lose their appetite or are unable to digest their food.

What Do I Do If The Kitten Feels Cold?

Should the kitten feel cold, you should try to warm it up before feeding it any formula to prevent chills from occurring.

You only need to use your body heat to sufficiently warm up a kitten and you can rub it gently for around half an hour and then check its footpads.

Only when the kitten has warmed up should you try to bottle-feed it and you can either use a bottle with a small opening or a syringe that comes without a needle. 

How Long May An Eight-Week-Old Kitten Survive Without Food?

At eight weeks old, a kitten should be fully weaned and away from the litter. As it is stronger than you could argue at four weeks, it should be able to feed and defecate all on its own.

​However, the longest period of time that an eight-week-old kitten should be without food is still only around eight hours though that can be pushed to half a day.

​If you still cannot get your kitten to feed after a day then you should consult your local veterinarian as it should be serious enough by then.

This may be your first time looking after a kitten and it is typically a time to learn. The veterinarian can offer advice on what to do in such situations and examine the kitten. 

It could be an aspect of the bottle feeding, another part of routine care, or simply stimulation.

​That period after 24 hours is critical as hypoglycemia could set in and the veterinarian may be the only option to save the kitten.

​You won’t be surprised to hear that a cat’s sense of smell is pretty amazing.

​It is likely that they can smell their dinner before they have had a chance to see it. This might have gotten you thinking about how far a car can actually smell.

To put it simply, cats are able to smell things up to a distance of 4 miles, which is around 14 times of a bigger range than us humans. Impressive, right?

The reason they can smell so far away is down to having evolved as a species, and it means they are great hunters of prey.

So, with all this in mind, let’s take a look at a cat’s sense of smell in more detail. 

​When it comes to a cat’s nose, they have around 200 million sensors that detect odors. In comparison to us humans, we only have 5 million.

Think about all those smells we would be picking up whilst running an errand - it would get too much!

They are officially called olfactory receptors which cats have a fair few million of unlike us humans who don’t.

This means that your cat will be in the same room and be able to detect scents that we will never be able to. 

Because a cat’s nose can pick up smells much better than us, this means they have a scent range of around 4 miles.

​No wonder your kitty always smells her lunch before it even ends up in the bowl.

​Olfactory receptors are really important when it comes to detecting the smells around us.

They help the connection between the nose and the brain to figure out what it is that is being smelt.

Once a cat sniffs at something and takes up the molecules of odor, they begin to dissolve as soon as they reach the mucus in the canal of the nasal cavity.

​The olfactory cells in this area use something called cilia to make sure the mucus reaches the olfactory receptors.

As soon as the molecules reach the receptors and bind together, this then sends the signal all the way to the brain so the smell can be linked with the actual thing that is being sniffed at. 

​Once the kitten is born, they have their ability to smell.

Whilst they are blind at this stage, they use their noses to figure out the world around them, but most of all to seek out the milk from their mother.

Just like they did at birth, they will continue to use their sense of smell to find and seek out food, whether that is in the wild of the backyard, or inside the home. 

Not only that, a cat also has an organ connected to the nasal cavities called the vomeronasal which lives in the mouth.

You may have noticed that when your cat sniffs an object, they also have their mouth slightly open.

This is because they are not only using their nose but the organ too.

It can help to identify and smell something, and it has the ability to pick up pheromones, but also a wide variety of scents which humans cannot detect.

Because a cat has a unique pheromone, it means that they can use it to mark their own territory.

​They use the vomeronasal to pick up the pheromones of other cats. This isn’t just about territory either, a male cat can smell a female cat who is in heat a few miles away. 

​A cat may find a new smell a threat to them which can keep them pretty safe whilst they are wandering outdoors.

This means that they also use their amazing sense of smell to protect themselves too. 

This is because whilst they are outdoors, they will be using their sense of smell before their own sight to navigate.

If there is a smell that is not familiar, they will be very cautious as it cannot be trusted. 

For example, if they can smell another cat, it is likely they will attempt to defend themselves and their territory.

​Sometimes however, they may just show caution to the new cat. 

​Just like we said above, a cat can smell their owner around 4 miles away, but did you know they can also recognize who you are just by your scent? Of course you did!

You may notice that your cat spends a lot of time sniffing you and getting to know you. This way they learn your scent and become familiar with it in order not to feel threatened.

​Doing this means they can trust you, and know you will not become a threat to them.

Over time, once a cat becomes familiar with a scent like that of their owner, they relate it to feeling safe and protected. 

​You may find that your cat goes missing from time to time, but then shows up out of the blue as if nothing has happened - or has a present for you in the shape of a mouse.

It is said that cats have a natural instinct to find their way home, though some cats have a stronger sense than others.

​However, it is also said that some cats struggle with this and can never find their way home. More studies are needed.

Even so, cats can smell their owners from up to 4 miles away, which can help them to find their way back home. 

​Cats have an amazing sense of smell, with being able to detect scents from up to 4 miles away.

​This means that it is not surprising when kitty appears at the kitchen door when you are opening up her favorite can of cat food.

​The social lives of animals can often seem confusing to humans.

They have families in the same way we do, they make friends whether it be within their species or outside, and they seem to remember each other even after long periods of separation.

Cats are fairly social animals who are some of the best companions seen throughout human history.

But if you’ve ever owned a cat you’ll know that telling what they’re thinking can be difficult.

So just how social are cats? How close are their family ties? Do they remember their siblings after a long time apart?

If you find yourself asking questions like this, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article we’re going to be breaking down everything there is to know about cats and their siblings.

​We’ll explore how cats interact with each other and how much family means to them. We’ve also included a short FAQ to break down some of the more technical terms used in this article.

So let’s get right into it!

​If you’ve recently bought or adopted a brand new kitten, you’ll probably know a little something about the litter they come from.

Cats tend to be born in litters of around four to eight.

This means they are bound to have at least one or two siblings, and that they’re likely to have lived the earliest stages of their life in their company.

You might be thinking that this would surely cause massive psychological problems for your new pet.

After all, if you were separated from your siblings at an early age, you’d likely still have memories that would haunt you as you grow up.

But cats are slightly different, and they have much less reliance on their blood relatives than humans do.

Take for example a cat's relationship with its Father.

It is very normal for a cat to never meet their father, and whilst they are going to follow their mother for a while, cats soon become fairly self-sufficient animals. 

When it comes to siblings, the normal lifecycle of a domesticated cat will see them interacting with them for around 8 weeks.

Before this time, a kitten needs to feed from its mother’s milk, meaning that it will have to stay close to its siblings.

​After this, kittens will usually be sold to good homes and separated from their littler. 

​But what about their siblings? Do cats remember their littermates as they grow older? Well, the answer to this question is - in most cases no.

To better understand this, we need to examine how a cat remembers things a little closer. 

Cats are actually very good at remembering. Whilst they’re not the smartest of all animals in the world, they do possess impressive long-term memory capacity.

This means that they can easily remember who feeds them, who is safe to be around, and who might annoy or be a danger to them.

If you’ve ever had a cat before and left it for a long period of time, you’ve no doubt noticed how excited they are to see you. 

If we compare cats to dogs in this area, dogs have much less impressive memories. It is thought that a cat has up to 200 times more long-term memory capacity than a dog has.

However, cats are more likely to remember things that are beneficial to them, meaning they are more inclined to remember those who fed them or gave positive benefits to their lives. 

So then - if they have a good long-term memory, why don’t they remember their siblings? To answer this, a good starting point is to consider how humans remember their infancy.

As a baby, you don’t form so many memories as you do in your later childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

This is because your mind is still developing, and the first eight weeks (four years, in reality) are much more likely for you to be able to retain concrete memories.

And cats are no different in this regard. The first 8 weeks of a cat’s life are likely not to be remembered.

As their brains develop further, they begin to get the capacity to remember things for a long time.

​So in this case, it’s likely that a cat will have almost no memory of its siblings or even their mother. The cat you’ve had since a kitten is likely to remember you instead of their blood family. 

Are Cats Social Animals?

Because cats are much more independent pets than dogs, you may be wondering if they can be considered social animals.

Whilst cats will sometimes search for food and hunt alone, they are still social animals. If you were to find a group of cats in the wild, they are likely to keep together in social groups.

This would usually consist of female cats and their litters. Male cats tend to be a lot more solitary, only socializing to mate. 

Should I have 1 Or 2 Cats?

Whilst this question depends a lot on the individual context of your situation, either can be fine!

Cats do well with companions (especially if they have grown up together) but can also be fine as a solitary animal.

​One thing to note is that cats can be quite territorial, so you’ll have to be careful when introducing a new cat into the home of an already established cat.

​So whilst cats are unlikely to remember their siblings from the earliest parts of their life, they do have the capacity to remember things once their minds have developed.

If they have a sibling grow up with them, the ties between them are likely to be strong.

However, it’s important to note that the social connections and bonds of cats are fairly different to humans, so you should keep this in mind when considering this topic.

We hope that this article has explained everything you wanted to know about whether or not cats remember their siblings and that you now understand a little more about the topic.

​If you still have some questions, check our Frequently Asked Questions section below! 

​Cats are renowned for their cunning and intelligence. But just how intelligent are they? For example, are they able to recognize faces?

It can be hard to tell whether or not you have a close relationship with your cat. They are famously aloof creatures, though every cat is different.

​This personality trait can make it difficult to determine one’s bond with their feline pet.

This guide aims to answer some of your most pressing feline questions, particularly relating to a cat’s ability to recognize its owners.

​Most cats possess the ability to recognize faces. Therefore, if you have ever wondered why your cat has been staring at your face, it is perhaps because they recognize you.

However, this recognition is very different from other animals.

For instance, dogs have demonstrated the ability to not only recognize human faces, but also the ability to detect changes in faces.

This allows them to respond differently depending on the emotion that has been identified.

Meanwhile, cats do not only use sight to recognize people. This is because cats are not very skilled at viewing objects that are a far distance away. 

Thus, if you are far away from your pet or tower over them due to your height, your cat might struggle to recognize you through sight alone.

Alternatively, if you get close to your cat, they might be better able to recognize your face.

This distinction likely resides in the way that both animals were introduced into the household.

​Dogs were intentionally domesticated via training so that they would be a suitable companion for humans. 

In comparison, cats are believed to have first been bought into the home during the days of Ancient Egypt. However, they were not exposed to the same level of training as dogs were.

​Yes, cats are able to recognize individuals. Studies have found that cats are capable of recognizing their owners. They do this through a variety of senses, not just sight.

On the other hand, cats are not able to differentiate between people’s faces. The reason for this is that the majority of cats simply don’t care what humans look like. 

While this may seem a bit contradictory, it makes sense that cats can recognize their owners but not be able to differentiate between random individuals.

​While cats can recognize people from sight alone, they often use other senses alongside sight.

Research carried out by the Pennsylvania State University discovered that both cats and dogs have the ability to recognize the face of their owners merely from images. 

This suggests that both animals can do this via sight alone. However, dogs were better skilled at this task than most cats.

Perhaps the reason for this is that cats also use their hearing and sense of smell to recognize people. Cats have not only proficient eyesight but also excellent hearing and scent.

Cats are heavily reliant on their ability to smell. They can detect not only people through scent, but other animals too.

​This is why cats mark their territory via urine, which can be smelled by other cats.

​Have you ever called your cat’s name only for this to be completely ignored? This may cause you to question whether cats can recognize their own name or the voice of their owners.

As mentioned, cats have an astute sense of hearing. Consequently, they are capable of recognizing voices. Cats are also sufficiently intelligent to recognize their names.

Therefore, if you feel as though your cat has been ignoring you, it is not due to a lack of ability to recognize your calls.

​Instead, the cat may just be ignoring you. Cats can be detached, hence why they may take no notice of their owner’s calls.

Every cat is different, so some might respond to your voice but others will ignore it. This will vary depending on the personality of the pet and the relationship that you have with it.

​Yes, cats have incredible long-term memories. This is why they rarely get lost. Because of this, cats can remember people. They can remember people for years.

Consequently, if you haven’t seen your cat for a while, such as because you have been on vacation, they should still remember you.

They can remember if you are someone who has fed them and taken care of them. If so, they are more likely to be affectionate towards you.

Research has found that cats can remember things for up to 10 years. Of course, every cat will have a different level of recognition. 

In terms of short-term memory, cats can remember for up to 16 hours. Therefore, if you interact with a cat only once, they will only remember you for this short amount of time.

​This is much longer than a dog’s short-term memory.

​Do Cats Have A Favorite Person?

If you consider your cat to be a part of the family, you might be surprised to learn that they often develop favorite people.

A cat will often prefer people who make a lot of effort. Namely, this person could regularly feed them or frequently pet them.

If you regularly treat your cat, you are likely their favorite person! Cats often spend a lot of time with their favorite person.

Why Does My Cat Stare At Me?

Cats communicate in very different ways to humans. One way that they communicate is by staring at their owners.

​Often, this is a sign of affection. This can be considered a sign that you have a positive relationship with your favorite feline.

Cats are exceptionally smart animals. Though you may not think that your cats pay much attention to you, they actually can recognize the face, voice, and scent of their owners.

​With any luck, this information will give you a newfound appreciation for your cat and allow you to forge a closer bond with it!

​Your favorite feline friend likely has incredible eyesight. Cats famously have amazing senses, including sight, smell, and hearing.

They’re very skilled at seeing nearby objects and can even see in the dark.

Many people assume that their beloved pet is colorblind. If so, they would be unable to register certain colors.

​This guide tells you everything that you need to know about a cat’s perception of color. Namely, we answer which colors cats enjoy.

​No, cats are not entirely colorblind. However, they are not capable of seeing as broad a spectrum of colors as humans.

Their perception of color is much more limited.

It used to be believed that cats were dichromatic. Essentially, this means that they could only see two colors.

However, research has since disproven this theory, as a cat's perception of color is more complex. Cats can see shades of blue and yellow.

They can also see some shades of green, which is a combination of these two primary colors. Moreover, your feline can recognize some hues of purple.

Cats are not able to see shades of red and pink. Thus, they are considered red-green colorblind.

For felines, this means that they are unable to distinguish between brown, red, purple, and orange. This is due to the shades of red that are present in all of these colors.

Green is a tricky color for cats because they can see some shades but not others. This is the same with purple.

If the shade of purple contains a lot of red, your cat is unlikely to perceive it properly. Even though cats do perceive these colors, they will see them as being more muted than humans do.

The reason that cats are partially color blind is that their eyes lack the number of cone receptors that humans possess.

​These cones allow humans to recognize a large spectrum of colors. Unfortunately, cats gave roughly ten times fewer cone receptors than humans.

​If you are looking for toys for your cat and are unsure which colors you should look for, we advise getting a yellow or blue toy.

Though your cats can still see toys that are red or another color, they will not be able to perceive the color itself. 

As a result, the toy will become a muted version of a different color. Therefore, you should stay away from toys of other colors.

In terms of relaxation, cats prefer blue and purple shades. Though they cannot detect all purple hues, they can see some.

Consequently, you might want to opt for a shade of purple that is closer to blue than red. For instance, indigo is an outstanding option.

If you are trying to relax your cat, you should utilize these colors.

For instance, if you are creating a sleeping space for them, you might want to obtain blankets and cushions that are blue or purple.

​Though, as many cat owners will tell you, it can be difficult to get your pet to sleep in one location. Instead, many cats will sleep anywhere but the designated area!

​You might be confused to learn that cats can’t see shades of red. After all, cats are obsessed with laser pointers.

Many of these devices use red lasers. Surely this would suggest that cats can’t see the red lasers?

Interestingly, cats aren’t interested in these laser pointers because of the color. They will see red as either yellow or white. 

The reason why cats are so fascinated by laser pointers is a result of their movement. Most people will move these pointers in a fast and dynamic way.

The cat will perceive this light, causing them to try to chase it. In many ways, these laser points are comparable to a cat’s prey.

Laser pointers are a magnificent method of getting your feline to do some extra exercise. Just avoid shining this light in their eyes.

This is because laser pointers can cause permanent damage to their vision.

​If you are afraid of causing this, it is best to refrain from using a laser pointer, even if your cat does enjoy playing with one.

​Cats are famous for their ability to see in the dark. In this sense, their eyesight is superior to human eyesight.

Aside from cats, only a few other animals have this ability, including owls, foxes, and bats.

Though cats have fewer cone receptors in their eyes, they have more rods. These receptors are light-sensitive, enabling cats to see in dim conditions.

​Plus, they possess the ability to expand their eyes, thus permitting more light to enter. As a consequence, cats can see in the dark over six times better than humans.

This ability gives felines a major advantage over their prey. Therefore, many cats choose to hunt at night.

What Colors Irritate Cats?

There are no particular colors that annoy cats. This is because cats can see such a limited spectrum of colors.

Colors are less vibrant to cats due to the structure of their eyes. Of course, every cat is different, so some cats may be annoyed by specific colors while others will not.

Are Red Lights Suitable For Cats?

If you have red lights in your home, they should be fine for your cat. The majority of cats are fine around red and infrared (IR) lights.

​These lights will not harm your cat, especially if they are not very intense.

​If your cat is irritated by these red lights, they will likely avoid them or turn their heads away from these lights.

​Cats are fascinating creatures. Though their ability to see in the dark is brilliant, they are unable to see certain colors, namely red, pink, brown, and orange.

If you want to find an object that will appeal to your pet, whether that be a toy or blanket, you should opt for ones that are either blue or purple.

​This is because these are the most relaxing and visible colors to cats!

​It's probably fair to say that cats are like no other animal we’ve ever encountered before.

They're also one of the most interesting pets to keep because they have super interesting personalities, unparalleled levels of cuteness, and a stubborn attitude that makes them very independent.

One interesting thing about cats is their relationship with water. We’ve all heard about cats and their dislike for water but whether they like it or not, water is essential to their health.

​It helps them stay hydrated and keep cool.

However, there are actually quite a few questions that need answering when it comes to cats and water. The fact you’ve landed here would suggest you have plenty of questions too.

One big question is do cats like cold water? 

While the answer may vary depending on who you ask, we’re going to answer it for you today.

If you want to learn more about your cat's relationship with water, stay tuned!

​Let’s start by answering the main question you came here looking for the answer to. If you’re talking about drinking water, yes, cats do like cold water. 

Cold water is much fresher and safer for them. It also leads to much better overall health and higher levels of hydration.

Having said that, the main reason your cat will like cold water is that it cools them down on hot days.

Some cats love cold water so much that they will happily drink out a cat bowl that contains ice cubes.

However, there are other cats that don’t like to drink water that's too cold. They might instead prefer water at room temperature.

When thinking about the answer to this question, context is also important. If you’re talking about cats liking to drink cold water they love it.

​On the other hand, if you’re talking about bathing them in it or them swimming in it, the answer is completely different. 

Let’s look at that next!

​When it comes to cats being in the water, it doesn’t matter what the temperature is, they will not like it. Cats absolutely hate getting their fur wet.

The water waterlogs their fur, making them feel very uncomfortable. It also affects how quick and agile they are.

Of course, this makes the cat feel more vulnerable and ineffective as a predator. 

Aside from the uncomfortable feeling cats feel when in water, it is believed that the species don’t like it because of how they evolved.

​Cats evolved in dry, hot climates that had little exposure to lakes, rivers, and other water sources. Therefore, water is a fairly unfamiliar element that they naturally try to avoid. 

​It is perfectly safe for your cat to drink cold water but you have to be careful when giving them ice cold water. 

Ice cold water, whether it be fresh from the freezer or with ice cubes added is much cooler than a bowl of fresh tap water.

While this may not be a problem with most cats, there are some that don’t react brilliantly to water that is so cold.

Some cats may be encouraged to drink more water when it’s icy cold whilst others might wait until it warms up a little. This could cause your cat to over hydrate or simply not drink enough.

Aside from that, ice-cold water isn’t hazardous. However, it can cause a few complications. One common complication is brain freeze.

​If your cat were to get brain freeze, they could be put off drinking water if it keeps happening.

One good thing is that you don’t need to worry about your cat feeling too cold.

Overall, ice-cold water won’t harm your cat but it could make the experience uncomfortable for them.

​Yes, your cat can have water with ice cubes in it. However, you have the responsibility to ensure ice cubes are of an appropriate size.

This is the only safe way you can ensure your cat won’t choke.

Using ice cubes can actually be a great way to encourage your cat to drink. Cats generally see ice cubes as a toy. Therefore, they will drink the water in an attempt to play with the ice. 

The only other concerns you should be aware of when giving your cat ice are the potential for brain freeze and tooth damage.

​Cold drinking water won’t damage a cat's teeth but hard ice cubes might. 

​Ideally, your cat’s water should be at a temperature of 50 to 72 degrees. This is the same sort of temperature that we drink our water. It is also a perfectly acceptable temperature for your cat. 

However, you might have to take your cat's preferences into account. If your cat clearly prefers another temperature, don’t be afraid to give them their water at that temperature.

There is an element of trial and error with this so make sure you stay patient with your cat.

​It isn’t uncommon for some cats to prefer warm water instead of cold. As long as the water isn’t too hot, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this.

​Ideally, if your cat does prefer warm water, it will still only be at room temperature. 

When giving your cat warm water, always make sure you keep temperatures as low as possible. Anything too high will hurt your cat.

​For obvious reasons, you should never give your cat boiling hot water. However, there’s nothing wrong with giving your cat water that has been boiled and allowed to cool. 

In fact, boiled water that has been allowed to cool can be one of the best ways to give the cat water that you know is safe to drink.

​Boiling the water removes any bacteria and essentially filters it.

Water that is too hot or boiling will seriously hurt or even kill your cat.

​So, cats do like cold water. They find it much more refreshing than warmer water and often enjoy playing with the ice cubes.

However, as you’ve seen in this post, there are a number of things you need to think about when giving your cat cold water.

​Brain freeze, overhydration, underhydration, and choking are all things you need to remember.

Overall, you might need to go through a process of trial and error with your cat in order to see what they prefer. 

Stay patient, take precautions, and do everything you can to give your cat the water they like best.     

​Cats are majestic and entertaining, but there are plenty of curious things about them.

From their adorable little toe beans to their weird tongues, there are endless things to love about them.

​However, that tongue gets a lot of questions. It's rough and spiky, and you either love it or hate it when it licks you. 

But – why are cats’ tongues like that? 

If you want to learn about it, keep reading. We’ll go through everything you need to know right here.  

If you would like to know why cats have rough tongues, and a little information about said tongues, just keep reading! There’s a lot to cover. 
​

​Cats’ tongues are like regular tongues – except they have backward facing spikes, or filiform papillae.

If a cat has even licked you, you probably know that it might  not be the most pleasant experience.
​You don’t need to see when to know that they are there, one lick is enough for most people.

If you’ve ever spent some time looking at your cat’s tongue, these spikes are actually pretty easy to see.

​They’re white, and run across the entire tongue. There is nothing delicate or soft about them, because they’re there to get a job done! 

This sounds like some kind of nasty weapon, but it has two very important uses, which we will go through below.
​

​Yes, all cats have rough, spiked tongues – even the big ones! You can expect to see these backward-facing spikes on your local house cat, cougar, and even lions and tigers.

​All of these cats have the same uses for their special tongues. 

A cat’s rough tongue has four primary uses: grooming, air conditioning, drinking, and stripping the meat from bones.

Let’s take a look at each of these points one by one to get a better understanding of them.

Grooming

First up - grooming! If you know any cat, you already know that they spend a lot of time grooming themselves.

The backwards-facing spines on the tongue of a cat act like the ideal hairbrush for them! As they lick through their fur, they are combing it.

This gets rid of all the tangles and mats that might be hiding in there.

Of course, this tongue also collects fur and any kind of debris, which explains hairballs that cat owners will be well aware of already. 

Since cats are typically solitary animals, meaning they don’t live in groups like many other animals, self-sufficiency is key for them.

As such, being able to properly and effectively groom themselves is crucial for their health and wellbeing.

Because they don’t traditionally have a pack of house cats with them, they need to get the job done themselves!

Built-in Air Conditioning

Grooming isn’t the only use for these tongues. As you will know, not all cats live solitary lives! Look at the lion, which lives in a pride.

In the heat of Africa (and Asia), another important use for these tongues is air conditioning. The spines on these tongues are hollow, and gather saliva as the animal grooms.

When a cat licks their fur, saliva is released onto the fur and skin, which results in the fur getting wet.

The moisture will slowly evaporate, which will cool the animal’s coat surface.

When this happens, a temperature gradient is formed, and heat actually moves away from the animal’s body surface.

This is crucial, as cats are only able to sweat through acres of their body that are hairless (like their paw pads).

As such, this method of air conditioning is very important for these animals to regulate their body temperature, especially when temperatures can reach 120 degrees F!

Stripping Meat From Bones

The third use for these tongues is for stripping the meat from bones. This can apply to all kinds of cats, because they’re all hunters at heart!

Since these animals need to get as much nutrition from their prey as possible, they need to get all the meat they can.

Their rough tongues are strong and muscular, and those spikes are able to clean bones very easily. 

Imagine being out in the wilds of Africa as a leopard, and you’ve just killed an impala.

Leopards are solitary animals, and their biggest threats are lions, hyenas and baboons, especially after making a kill.

They need to eat their kill and fill themselves as much as possible.

Sure, they are able to drag their prey up into the trees to shield it from prying eyes and claws, but it doesn’t always work. Being able to strip meat from bones is crucial. 

Drinking 

This might sound a little obvious, but cats need those spikes to drink effectively, too! They have a special drinking method that turns the water into a column.

The water will get caught on the spikes, then get pulled up by the momentum of the tongue’s movement.

​When the water is in the air, the animal’s mouth will close around it. It’s a pretty handy method, right? And not one that many other animals have. 

​Dogs are pack animals. This means that they can depend on each other for their grooming needs, and don’t usually have to rush with their meals too much.

​Overall, grooming for dogs just isn’t so important, so they have the regular old smooth tongues. 

​Next time you’re around your cat, and they yawn, take a moment to peer inside their mouth and check out that tongue.

Those little spikes, and small and insignificant as they seem, are one of these animals’ biggest secret weapons.

Because of those little spikes, your cat can keep themselves clean, drink effectively, cool themselves down, and make the most out of their meals.

​It’s all pretty impressive when you stop to think about it. 

You’ve likely heard the expression “Curiosity killed the cat” before, but you also likely find yourself wondering what the expression actually means, and why cats are so often linked to curiosity and inquisitiveness. 

Cats have been lifelong human companions for many generations, and in the time that we have been living with them, we have come to understand a number of their most frequent behaviors and why they behave in certain ways. 

But one thing that still mystifies many cat owners is why exactly cats prove to be so curious. What makes them act that way?

Do you have a particularly curious cat, maybe one that often gets up to mischief? Ever wondered what makes them behave that way?

​Then you should read on below because we are going to find some answers!

​Luckily, the simple explanation for why cats are so curious is that it is simply in their nature and their instincts to be curious and to investigate the environment around them.

The instinct that drives a cat’s curiosity is simply the survival instinct.

Your cat is exploring things in its environment to ensure that they are safe, and so that it can ascertain the dangers, in the interest of its own survival. 

This is also often why cats end up causing trouble with their curiosity, as it often causes them to push boundaries, which can occasionally cause trouble. 

Whenever you introduce even slight changes to a cat’s environment, its curiosity will naturally take over as it sets out to determine the risks of the new element that has entered its territory.

Make sure to allow a cat to explore its curiosity in its own time, as cats can often become rather on edge when presented with new information. 

A cat may also let its curiosity take over as a result of its prey drive.

​Whenever a cat, in the wild, hunts for prey, it will make sure to carefully scope out the area before it stickers, so that it can be sure that it will get an accurate kill. It also helps them to maximize their stealth to be ready to strike at any moment. 

​Definitely, aside from the prey drive, and the survival instincts of the average cat, the physiology of a cat also suggests a lot about how curious it is. 

For starters, a cat's ears are highly sensitive, and can move around at will to help a cat to monitor its surroundings and get a greater grasp of its bearings.

This also helps them to notice potential dangers that may be sneaking up behind them. 

As well as their sense of sound, a cat’s sense of smell is incredibly keen, and smell is often how a cat will build up information regarding the things in its environment.

Whenever a new object is brought into a cat’s environment, you may notice it sniffing around the new object to try to understand it.

This is also why it is recommended to allow a cat to sniff your hand before you pet it, so that it can determine that you are not a threat. 

One of a cat’s most unique features is its whiskers, and these are very vital for helping a cat to understand the world around it.

Whiskers automatically detect vibrations in the world around a cat which helps it to always be aware of its surroundings, even while its eyes are closed.

​Whiskers help to give cats situational awareness at all times, which aids them in their curiosity, as it helps them to not be surprised, or struck by sneaky predators! 

Cats are also very flexible, and can react very quickly, thanks to their spring-like legs, and their quick speed. This means that, if they do encounter danger, they can escape very quickly. 

​Definitely not. In fact, curiosity is largely what helps a cat to stay alive.

​Cat’s use their curiosity to scope the area around them so that they can always have a sense of their surroundings to stay safe, and be wary of predators or dangers entering that space.

If you ever introduce a new stimuli into a cat’s space, make sure to allow it to explore it, smell it, hear it, and feel it, as it will allow them to accept it and determine it as safe, which will help your cat to feel much more comfortable in your presence. 

​Cats are curious simply because it is in their nature to be.

Cats naturally have a survival instinct that drives them to want to understand the world around them and to get a complete picture of their environment.

Whenever you introduce something or someone new to your home, your cat will naturally be curious, in order to determine the safety of the new stimulus. 

Rest assured that if your cat is very curious, it is because it is trying to understand the environment around it, and because it wants to feel comfortable in your home, and in your presence.

​And if your cat does find itself in danger as its curiosity takes hold, rest assured that it will be able to use its natural agility to escape.

Why Are Cats So Nosey?
Cats are naturally very nosey simply as an extension of their natural curiosity.

​Whenever a cat experiences something new in a space that is familiar, it will often go very close to investigate it, and may often sniff it, as smell is one of a cat’s keenest senses.

Do Cats Actually Want Attention?

Although cats are very solitary and independent, they do also need a lot of love and affection lathered upon them.

If you have a very independent cat, make sure to still give it plenty of love and affection, as it will appreciate it!

How Do You Tell If A Cat Has Bonded With You? 

Building a bond with a cat is very special and takes some work.

You’ll know if there is a bond if your cat rubs their face on you, lays down on your lap or pads on you, or if they touch you with their paws!