An article in the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad dated 30 October 2026 reveals five scientific facts about cats — from the genetics of coat colour to the peculiarities of their sense organs. The piece explains why many familiar ideas about domestic pets need to be revised.
Almost two thirds of orange cats are male. The gene responsible for the ginger colour is located on the X chromosome: a male needs only one copy, while a female needs two. That is why orange female cats are less common than males, the publication reports, citing the organisation Cats Protection.
Cats have far fewer taste receptors than humans and dogs: about 475 compared with 9000 and 1700 respectively. At the same time, the sense of smell plays a key role in choosing food, and they lack the ability to distinguish sweetness, notes the encyclopedia of clinical nutrition for cats.
Cats usually do not suffer from tooth decay in the form in which it is known to humans. Their dental problems are linked to other factors, such as tartar and gum inflammation, rather than to enamel destruction caused by sugar.
A cat's whiskers — vibrissae — serve not only for touch but also for precisely determining the width of passages and for orientation in the dark. Each whisker is connected to nerve endings that transmit information about the slightest changes in the air and about obstacles.
These facts show how finely tuned cat biology is and how genetics and physiology influence their everyday behaviour. Owners who take such characteristics into account understand their pets' needs better.
