Learning what makes cats tick and their particular needs can help prospective pet parents decide if cats are right for them.

The following are some facts about cats, courtesy of MSN, Fact Retriever and Purina food company.

Food-motivated cats likely will not be tempted by sweet treats. Stick to savory options. Unlike dogs, cats do not have taste receptors for sweet flavors.

Lions may be kings of the jungle, but domesticated cats are kings among pets. They often beat out dogs as the most popular pet in North America.

Cats are very good at hearing sounds and their eyesight is exceptional as well. Cats have 32 ear muscles that allow for “directional hearing.” Comparatively, humans only have six ear muscles. Cats also can rotate their ears 180 degrees.

Developmentally speaking, the first year of a cat’s life is equal to the first 15 years of a human’s. After its second year, a cat is the equivalent of 25 in human years.

Domesticated cats can spend about 70 percent of the day sleeping. Another 15 percent is spent grooming.

Cats do not have nine lives. However, they have something called a “righting reflex.” The eyes and balance organs in the inner ear tell cats where they are in space so they can land on their feet. This is what helps them survive falls - some from more than 32 stories high.