Pets are really amazing. Not only for the reasons they make us feel when we adopt them and make us part of our families, but for many reasons that we are not even aware of. These beautiful animals that we think we know, how well do we really know them?
Take for example the cat. This house pet is one of the most common pets that everyone thinks they understand. Ask anyone what they consider a strange or exotic pet and I don’t think anyone would say cat. However, much is unknown about this very “common” pet.
In fact, there are also some things that people think they know that are simply not true. For example; gut. Catgut used to be used for strings on a tennis racket and on musical instruments. But these don’t actually come from a cat at all. Catgut originated from pigs, horses, and sheep. I bet your cat will sleep better tonight knowing that information!
The cat has also, for some reason, earned a reputation for being independent and quite fussy. And with that reputation, would it surprise you to learn that the average cat actually consumes about 128,000 calories a year? That’s more than 28 times your own body weight! Not only that, they also drink the same amount in liquids. Doesn’t sound too picky, does it?
By the way, here’s another interesting fact about a cat’s diet. A cat cannot survive on vegetables alone. So if it sounds like your cat wants to go vegan or something because he wants to prove something, don’t believe him. They would really prefer a good fish. Maybe you can close your eyes and let them think we don’t know.
The diet of our pets accumulates quite staggering figures. The next time someone gives you a funny look for buying that expensive pet food, you’ll delight in knowing you’re not alone. You and your fellow pet lovers spend more than 1.5 billion (that’s a billion with a B) dollars on pet food. That’s four times the amount of money spent on baby food in the US!
Speaking of pet food, if you’re a parrot owner, you should know that your beloved bird can eat just about anything you eat, except avocados and chocolate. (I don’t understand why you would be eating chocolate covered avocados!) If your parrot gets hold of either one, it could be his last meal, as both are highly toxic to parrots and can prove fatal.
So the next time you look at your pet, think about everything you don’t know about that beloved creature. Your pet is a world of mystery and I’m sure you’ll love discovering it!