Cats and dogs are two of the most beloved pets in the world, but there's still a lot we don't know about them. Here are 10 surprising facts about cats and dogs that you may not have known:
1. **Cats purr for more than just contentment.** In addition to expressing happiness, cats purr to self-soothe when they're in pain, stressed, or anxious.
2. **Dogs can smell fear.** A dog's keen sense of smell allows them to detect the subtle changes in body odor that occur when a person is afraid.
3. **Cats have a third eyelid.** This thin, transparent membrane helps to protect their eyes from dust, dirt, and other irritants.
4. **Dogs have over 200 million scent receptors.** This is 40 times more than humans, which gives them an incredible sense of smell.
5. **Cats can jump up to six times their height.** Their strong hind legs and flexible spines allow them to jump to amazing heights.
6. **Dogs wag their tails to communicate.** The direction, speed, and width of a dog's tail wag can convey different messages, such as happiness, excitement, or anxiety.
7. **Cats are mostly nocturnal.** They are most active at night, which is when their prey is most active.
8. **Dogs are omnivores.** While they are primarily carnivores, dogs can also digest and benefit from plant-based foods.
9. **Cats can't taste sweetness.** Their taste buds don't have the receptors for sweetness, so they can't experience the taste of sugary foods.
10. **Dogs dream.** Like humans, dogs experience REM sleep, which is the stage of sleep in which dreams occur.