Whether you’re simply interested in how the feline body works or if you’re trying to learn more about your cat, this guide is a great place to start. We highlighted the essential parts of the cat, how they work, and just as importantly, how they differ from how your own body works!
There’s too much to highlight in just one article, but it’s a great starting point and will give you all the information that you need for a basic understanding of a cat’s anatomy. Moreover, it can provide the necessary information that you can use to start researching any feature that’s more interesting to you!
The 10 Main Areas of a Cat’s Body
1. The Ears
A cat’s pointed ears might just be the cutest parts of their body, but they’re also among the most functional. Feline ears do a phenomenal job of capturing sounds, and they have tons of muscles. These enable your cat to turn their ears toward the source of a sound, so they can pick up on even the quietest noises out there.
2. The Whiskers
You probably don’t think too much about your cat’s whiskers, but the more you learn about them, the more impressive they are. A cat’s whiskers connect to both their muscular and nervous systems, enabling them to pick up all sorts of sensory information.
While the whiskers on their face might be the most noticeable, you can also find cat whiskers on their jaws and the backs of their front legs.
3. The Larynx
If you’ve snuggled up with a cat that’s snuggling you back, we’re sure you’ve heard them purr. It’s how a cat communicates, and it works through intermittent signaling from their laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles. This means when a cat purrs, it’s not just coming from their throat; it’s a whole body effort!
4. The Tail
We all notice a cat’s tail, but unless you’ve taken the time to research it before, you likely don’t realize everything that it does. For one thing, it makes up about 10% of their bones, meaning there are up to 23 bones in a cat’s tail!
Their tail helps them keep their balance, acts as a counterweight, and is part of how they communicate. A cat can completely control the actions of their tail, so if they’re slapping it against you, that’s no accident!
5. The Jacobson’s Organ
One organ that a cat has that a human doesn’t is the Jacobson’s organ. You can find it on the roof of a cat’s mouth, and it’s part of how they analyze scents. When a cat uses this organ, their mouth is partially open, and it helps them figure out what’s going on with something.
6. The Teeth
Cats have 30 teeth that fall into three different categories, and each of their teeth contains three different substances. A cat’s tooth has pulp, dentine, and enamel. The pulp contains the cells, nerves, and blood vessels, the dentine covers the pulp, and the enamel acts as a final layer of protection.
The categories for their teeth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Cats use the incisors to hold their prey, the canines while they’re hunting, and the premolars and molars for cutting food.
7. The Tongue
At first glance, you might expect a cat’s tongue to be identical to ours. While they are similar in a lot of ways, they differ in one significant way. A cat’s tongue has small spines all over it, and these make it a valuable grooming tool.
Interestingly enough, the spines are made from keratin, which is the same substance that makes up your fingernails!
8. The Paws and Claws
A cat’s paws are extremely sensitive and are full of nerve receptors that help them feel even the smallest vibrations and help them keep their balance. They also have retractable claws that they can use while hunting and to help them climb.
Keep in mind that while a cat’s claws retract a certain amount, they can’t completely disappear, so it’s common to see them sticking out a bit when you’re looking at your cat’s paws.
9. The Skeletal System
A cat’s skeletal system is extremely unique, and it’s part of the reason they have a few of their signature physical characteristics. Felines have tiny, rudimentary collar bones, and their backbone is extremely flexible with over 30 vertebrae if you do not count the tail.
In fact, the average cat has about 250 bones total, and since the adult human skeleton has 206 bones, that means a cat has more bones than a human!
10. The Squishy Bits
When we’re talking about the squishy bits on your cat, we’re talking about all their internal organs. There are quite a few systems to break down here, and they don’t really fit into this simple article because of their complexity. Still, it’s a good idea to at least know what they are.
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
- Digestive system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Respiratory system
- Nervous system
- Integumentary system
- Urogenital system
- Endocrine system
- Hematopoietic system
Conclusion
If you’re trying to figure out how your cat’s body works, this guide is a great starting point. But keep in mind that a feline is a complicated creature, and everything works together in a complex yet beautiful way. It also takes vets years to learn everything that they need to know!
While cats might seem similar to us at first, the more you dive into them, the more you start to realize just how different they are!
- See Also: Cat Endocrine System 101
Featured Image Credit: kuban_girl, Shutterstock
