Us cat owners spend a surprising amount of time Googling the most random things. A check of my own search history involves everything from “can a cat eat oatmeal” (only a small amount cooked in water) to “why do cats like their butts tapped” (they have a collection of nerve-endings at the base of their tails that, when gently tapped, release happy hormones). There are also the questions that should involve the vet. For instance I just texted ours because Thelma ate a small piece of tape three days ago and pooped it out this morning! She’s thankfully fine, but there are still hundreds of searches for that as well.
So, we thought it would be fun to turn the most popular questions cat lovers and owners search for and put them into a quiz to see if you know the answer. They cover everything from history to behavior, food, and the daily questions that just pop up living with your furry little roommate.
As you answer each question, below, the correct one will pop up, along with the reason behind it. We’ll keep tally of your score as you go, and tell you how you did!
Ready. Set. Go!
Paws, Whiskers, and Toes
Let’s start with the basics! Cat toes, senses, and a few other anatomical facts that might surprise you.
Question 1 of 50
How many hours per day does the average adult cat sleep?
Adult cats typically sleep 12 to 16 hours a day (and kittens and older cats sleep even more). It’s known as a predator schedule: short bursts of energy and activity, with long periods of sleep in between to recharge.
Question 2 of 50
Can cats taste sweet things?
Cats don’t have a sweet tooth because they don’t actually have a working sweet taste receptor like humans do. When your cat begs for some of your ice cream, it’s mostly the fat and dairy she’s after.
Question 3 of 50
What are a cat’s whiskers for?
Contrary to popular belief, it’s a cat’s inner ears and tail that help her balance. Whiskers sense air currents and tell her how close objects are, so she knows whether or not her body can fit through that gap.
Question 4 of 50
Why do cat eyes glow in the dark?
It’s because of a part of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum. This layer sits behind the retina and reflects light, so the light passes through the retina a second time. That helps cats see better in dim light.
Question 5 of 50
How many total toes does a typical cat have?
Most cats have eighteen toes: five on each front paw and four on each back paw. If your cat has more than that she’d be considered polydactyl, and we’ll be meeting a famous group of them later on in the quiz.
Question 6 of 50
Roughly how many muscles control each cat ear?
Cats have about 32 muscles in each ear, and they can rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees. That helps them track sounds without having to move their heads.
Question 7 of 50
A cat’s nose print is:
Cats have unique patterns of ridges on their noses, just like humans have unique fingerprints. This has mostly been studied in dogs, but vets say it’s true of cats, too.
Question 8 of 50
Why does a cat’s tongue feel like sandpaper?
The little hooks on a cat’s tongue are called papillae, and they’re made of keratin (the same stuff your cat’s claws are made of). Their tongues are basically their own combs, so when they groom themselves they collect loose fur, which can lead to hairballs.
Question 9 of 50
Where do cats sweat?
Cats sweat mostly through their paws and small areas on their lips and chin. They don’t have many other places to release body heat, so you might see them stretch out flat to help cool down.
Question 10 of 50
How do cats squeeze through such tight spaces?
A cat’s collarbone is a free-floating bone that’s not attached to the rest of the skeleton the way ours is, so their shoulders can collapse to get through. That’s why if a cat’s head can fit through an opening, the rest of their body usually can, too.
Food and the Danger List
Do you know what cats can and cannot eat? It’s important to memorize this list, not just for trivia!
Question 11 of 50
Nutritionally, cats are:
Meat is the main course for cats. They need animal tissue to get certain nutrients that aren’t available from other sources.
Question 12 of 50
Which nutrient can cats only get from meat?
Cats can’t make enough of an amino acid called taurine on their own, and a lack of taurine causes heart disease and blindness. Taurine comes from animal tissue and has to be in any complete cat food.
Question 13 of 50
Should you give cats a saucer of milk?
Contrary to what cartoons would have you believe, milk often does a number on cats’ tummies, since most stop producing the enzyme needed to digest it after kittenhood. Give your cat a small amount of plain, cooked meat as a treat instead.
Question 14 of 50
Which common bouquet flower can cause kidney failure in cats?
Keep these pretty flowers well away from cats. Any true lily can cause kidney failure, even if they just lick up a tiny bit of pollen they’ve brushed against. If your cat comes into contact with a true lily, call your vet or animal ER immediately and/or the ASPCA poison control line at (888) 426-4435.
Question 15 of 50
What makes chocolate dangerous for cats?
Cats can’t process theobromine, a chemical in chocolate, the way we do. Dark and baking chocolate have the highest concentrations. Keep chocolate away from your cat and pick up any stray crumbs that find their way to the floor.
Question 16 of 50
Onions and garlic are dangerous to cats because they:
Onions, garlic, and other members of the onion family, whether cooked, raw, or powdered, can damage a cat’s red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Keep your cat far away from any food with onion or garlic in it (garlic bread included).
Question 17 of 50
Can a cat live on dog food?
Dog food doesn’t have the animal protein and taurine cats need for a complete diet. It’s OK if your cat steals a bite of dog food on the rare occasion, but don’t feed it to them as their food.
Question 18 of 50
How dangerous is a poinsettia to cats?
This is one plant that has gotten a reputation it didn’t quite earn. The sap can cause mild mouth or stomach irritation, but the ASPCA says this threat is overrated. We never knew that one!
Question 19 of 50
How often can cats have tuna?
Just like dog food, plain tuna isn’t a balanced, complete diet for cats, and it can contain high levels of mercury. Keep tuna to an occasional treat, or feed it as part of a complete meal a few times a week, and you’re likely fine.
Question 20 of 50
Grapes and raisins are:
Grapes and raisins are bad for both dogs and cats and are linked to kidney damage. It’s still unknown how much is unsafe, so it’s best to keep them away from your cat entirely.
Decoding the Weird Behavior
What’s really behind those 3 a.m. zoomies? And other behavioral questions you may or may not know.
Question 21 of 50
Why do cats knead you with their paws?
Kittens knead their mother’s tummy to get her milk flowing, and cats carry the behavior on into adulthood. It’s a sign of deep relaxation.
Question 22 of 50
A cat gives you a long, slow blink. What does it mean?
According to 2020 research from the University of Sussex, cats are more likely to slow blink back at people who slow blink at them. It means relaxation and trust.
Question 23 of 50
A cat walks toward you with its tail straight up. That’s:
When a cat greets you with her tail held high, she’s giving you a happy hello, the same way cats greet other cats they like. Sometimes they’ll even curve the end of the tail into a question-mark shape.
Question 24 of 50
Why does your cat headbutt you?
Cats rub their scent glands (found on their foreheads and cheeks) on people they trust. Also known as bunting, it’s basically a cat’s way of saying “you’re mine!” and letting you know you’re a member of her group.
Question 25 of 50
Why do cats chatter their teeth at birds through the window?
There’s no conclusive evidence for why cats chatter at prey they can see but can’t reach, but most behaviorists believe it’s the result of frustration or excitement (or both).
Question 26 of 50
What are the midnight zoomies, officially?
Formally known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), it’s a normal way for a healthy cat to burn energy, and indoor cats tend to do it more.
Question 27 of 50
Your cat rolls over and shows you its belly. It means:
It’s actually a sign of trust. When your cat shows you their belly, they’re being extremely vulnerable. It’s nice to know they trust you enough to show you their tummy, but they’re usually NOT asking you to poke it.
Question 28 of 50
Why do cats love sitting in boxes so much?
Cats are attracted to small spaces because it makes them feel relaxed. Researchers at a Dutch animal shelter found that newly arrived cats who were given a box coped better and got less stressed faster than cats that weren’t.
Question 29 of 50
Adult cats mostly meow at:
As adults, cats rarely meow at each other. Meowing is mostly aimed at humans and is an attempt to get a response out of us, and some cats even have different meows for different requests.
Question 30 of 50
Why do cats bury their poop?
Cats bury their poop to hide their scent from predators and more dominant cats. It’s an instinct that’s hard-wired even in house cats who don’t have to worry about predators.
Health and Everyday Care
These are the answers most vets wish you already knew.
Question 31 of 50
How many litter boxes should a two-cat home have?
The golden rule is one litter box per cat, plus an extra one to avoid turf disputes and accidents. We only have two for our two cats, though…
Question 32 of 50
At what age is a cat considered a senior?
Feline-medicine groups consider cats seniors starting at about age 10. But many cats live into their late teens in good health, and senior status mostly means it’s time for twice-a-year checkups, not that they’re on their way out.
Question 33 of 50
A cat’s first year equals roughly how many human years?
Cats age quickly compared to people. Their first year is equal to about 15 human years, the second year adds about 9 more, and each year after that is about 4 human years.
Question 34 of 50
What’s a normal body temperature for a cat?
A cat’s normal body temperature is higher than a person’s, which is why they’re so cozy when they climb into your lap. Normal for cats is 100.5 to 102.5°F.
Question 35 of 50
How long is a cat pregnant?
Cats can reproduce quickly, which is why it’s important to have your cat fixed. A cat pregnancy is short, usually only about 63 to 65 days.
Question 36 of 50
When do newborn kittens open their eyes?
Kittens are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, and they open at about 1 to 2 weeks of age. Their eyes are blue at first, changing to their adult color over the next several months.
Question 37 of 50
How often should you trim your cat’s whiskers?
Never cut your cat’s whiskers. They rely on them for sensing things and will be extremely disoriented until they grow back. You don’t have to worry about grooming them, either, since they shed naturally.
Question 38 of 50
What’s the medical term for a hairball?
The medical term for a hairball is trichobezoar, which comes from the Greek word for hair. Try that one at your next trivia night.
Question 39 of 50
Compared to outdoor cats, indoor cats live:
Cats kept indoors commonly live 12 to 15 years or more. Cats allowed outdoors are exposed to cars, predators, and disease, so they usually don’t live nearly as long.
Question 40 of 50
Cats hide pain well. The most telling early sign something’s wrong is:
Cats are masters at hiding weakness. Look out for subtle changes in behavior, like hiding, eating less, or not jumping onto surfaces (like counters) they’ve always been able to reach. If your cat is usually friendly and outgoing but starts hiding in the house, call the vet.
Bragging-Rights Trivia
Get to know these fascinating bits of cat history and you’ll be a hit at the next party.
Question 41 of 50
What’s a group of cats called?
A group of cats is known as a clowder, which comes from a Middle English word. A group of wild cats that live together is known as a colony.
Question 42 of 50
What’s a group of kittens called?
A group of kittens is known as a kindle. (Not THAT kindle.)
Question 43 of 50
An unspayed adult female cat is called a:
An intact adult female cat is known as a queen, and an adult male is known as a tom.
Question 44 of 50
When did cats first move in with humans?
Cats first started living with people about 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, in the first settlements of grain farmers. It made sense, because the farmers’ grain attracted mice, and the mice attracted cats.
Question 45 of 50
The oldest cat on record lived to:
Creme Puff of Austin, Texas, holds the verified record for the longest-lived cat, making it to age 38. With proper care, indoor cats often live into their mid-to-late teens.
Question 46 of 50
The first cat in space was:
In 1963, France sent a cat named Félicette into space to study the effect of space travel on the brain and nervous system. The trip lasted 15 minutes, and Félicette made it back safely under a parachute. She was given a memorial statue in 2019.
Question 47 of 50
Calico cats are:
The orange and black coloring genes are both carried on the X chromosome, meaning it takes two X chromosomes to show both colors at once. That’s why male calicos are so rare, only about 1 in 3,000.
Question 48 of 50
Ernest Hemingway’s famous cats are known for:
Hemingway’s cats were polydactyls, meaning they had extra toes. Dozens of their descendants still live at his former home in Key West.
Question 49 of 50
The Japanese maneki-neko, the cat statue with one raised paw, is meant to bring:
In Japan, the maneki-neko (lucky cat) is a common good luck charm, usually found by the cash register in stores. A raised left paw is said to call in customers, while a raised right paw calls in money.
Question 50 of 50
How many teeth does an adult cat have?
Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that get replaced by 30 adult teeth. These often-neglected pearly whites deserve attention, since most cats show signs of dental disease by the time they’re just 3.
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By Lindsay Jones
✓Medically reviewed by Dr. Lindsey Mortlock
