Cats and dogs are two of the most popular pets in the world, but there's still a lot we don't know about these furry friends. Here are seven surprising facts about cats and dogs that you may not have known:
1. **Cats can't taste sweetness.** While cats have taste buds that can detect sour, salty, and bitter flavors, they lack the receptors for sweetness. This is why they don't like sugary foods.
2. **Dogs have a better sense of smell than humans.** Dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to only about 5 million in humans. This gives them an incredibly keen sense of smell that they use to track prey, find food, and identify other animals.
3. **Cats sleep an average of 15 hours per day.** Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. This is why they tend to sleep a lot during the day.
4. **Dogs can mimic human emotions.** Studies have shown that dogs are capable of recognizing and mimicking human facial expressions. This is thought to be a way for them to communicate with us and build stronger bonds.
5. **Cats purr to heal themselves.** Cats purr at a frequency of around 25-150 hertz, which has been shown to have therapeutic effects. This is why cats often purr when they are injured or sick.
6. **Dogs sweat through their paws.** Dogs don't have sweat glands all over their bodies like humans do. Instead, they sweat through their paws. This is why their paws are often damp.
7. **Cats can't see in complete darkness.** Cats have good night vision, but they can't see in complete darkness. They need some light to see, even if it's just a little bit.