Basic Facts About Cat Physiology

1 Cat Physiology Basics

I. A cat’s lifespan is under 15 years

Most people know cats live relatively short lives, but few know exactly how long one stays with them. A cat lives no more than about 15 years, averaging around 12. In other words, if a person lives to 60, a quarter of their life is a cat’s whole life. So spay or neuter your cat—altered cats live 1–2 years longer.

II. Cats distinguish very few colors

Unlike humans in a colorful world, a cat sees only ordinary colors like blue and red, so its world is mostly black and white. But cats excel at spotting fast-moving objects—far sharper than any person.

III. A cat has 24 whiskers

Just as human teeth and bone counts are fixed, a cat’s whisker count is fixed too—24, symmetrically arranged. A cat usually won’t let you touch its whiskers, as they are key to its keen senses.

IV. Cats have amazing jumping ability

A cat’s jumping ranks among the best in the animal world—it can leap five times its body length and land precisely, a skill that lets it catch distant mice accurately.

Beyond these facts, a cat’s hearing is also very sharp, so it reacts to the slightest sound. Knowing a cat’s physical traits helps you understand its habits and care for it better. If you have other questions, you can also consult an online veterinarian.