LIFE

October 29 is National Cat Day! And here at GL, we're all about our furry friends. In honor of the special occasion, here are five cool cat facts to celebrate our purrfect pets!

1. Cats close their eyes to tell you they love you

@catsarevibe

You walk through the door on your way home from school, and spot your kitty in the kitchen, closing her eyes when she sees you. If you're a cat owner, you've probably seen the famous "slow blink"—and it's your cat's way of telling you that she loves you! Some people call it a "kitty kiss," and it's a sign of trust and affection.

If your kitty isn't slow-blinking, try closing your eyes the next time you two make eye contact. (Direct, prolonged eye contact can make cats feel threatened.) Soon, you'll probably see her doing the same for you!

2. Cats are self-domesticated

My cat Inés

Unlike dogs, pigs and cows, cats started living with humans on their own (studies suggest that the first domesticated cats showed up around 3600 BCE!).

During the thousands of years since, house cats' DNA hasn't changed much. Scientists think that cats started living with humans as a mutually beneficial relationship: Cats ate the mice and rats in humans' grain supplies.

3. Cat purring is a healing vibration

GL intern Karigan Wright's cat Chicken

A cat's purr falls between 25 and 150 Hz, which is the same frequency at which bones and muscles repair themselves. Purring helps cats by releasing endorphins in their brains, and it also helps us! Listening to a cat purring can lower humans' stress hormones and blood pressure.

4. Cats are *really* fast runners

GL Associate Editor Katherine Hammer's cat Norman

You might not always see it if your kitty likes to lie around on your bed all day (probably on the new white shirt you just laid out, because your cat likes things that smell like you!). But cats have some serious speed. Cats can run about 30 miles per hour, and your average sleepy house cat could run faster than Usain Bolt.

5. Cats are magical

@zachmanbeck

In an early Italian version of the traditional Cinderella story, Cinderella gets her wish granted not by a fairy godmother, but a cat! Next time you cuddle with your cat, remember that she might just be a fairy in disguise.

Tag us in your cute cat pics on IG @girlslifemag!

Here are some other things we've been loving this October...
😻 We found a lip color for every zodiac sign
😻 Tips for thrifting an amazing fall wardrobe
😻 Everything you need to take care of your vinyl collection

Slider: @mytigerjojo
Top image: @mel.amartinez

by Ava Slocum | 10/29/2023