It is undeniable that cats have been targets of various myths, some considered, while most are misleading. Cats being misperceived encourages us to build an entirely different attitude towards felines. This blog post tackles 15 of the most widespread myths about cats with the aim of helping people better grasp the idea of cats.
1.Cats Always Land on Their Feet
The “righting reflex” which permits them to twist in the air and land on their paws, does not make cats indestructible. Cats can get seriously injured due to falling from high places or open windows. Moreover, windows and balconies should have screens in order to prevent such accidents.
2. Black Cats Are Unlucky
In fact, a cat’s coat color serves as a form of luck in places such as Japan and Scotland. Western societies assume that black is unlucky, but these cats are usually sweet and affectionate, myths significantly reduce their chances of adoption.
3. Cats Hate Water
Due to their fur being an obstacle when it comes to swimming, most cats avoid water at all costs. However, this isn’t the case for a Turkish Van or Maine Coon, who are known to love splashing in the water.
4. Cats Can See in Complete Darkness
Cats are great at seeing in low light due to the size of their pupils and the eyes having a reflective layer. Like humans, they require some light to be able to see, so they are unable to navigate through complete darkness.
5. Cats Are Nocturnal
Cats are most active during dawn and dusk, also known as crepuscular. Their activity is in sync with the hunting behavior of their ancestors, but most domesticated house cats will alter their schedule to match that of their owners.
6. Milk Is Good for Cats
For the most part, cats are lactose intolerant, so cow’s milk would upset their stomach. Adult cats do not drink their mother’s milk, and instead drink fresh water and require a balanced diet with no dairy.
7. Cats Are Solitary Creatures
Despite cherishing their solitude, the average house cat will form attachments for people and other pets. Expecting cats will seek affection, attention, and love from their owner; which is actually quite common.
8. Cats Don’t Like Other Cats
Most cats are comfortable being the only feline in a house, although cats can be well-adjusted to other cats if introduced properly. Making sure there is enough food, litter trays, and sleeping spots can ensure harmony with multiple cats.
9. Reluctant Affection Is Common In Cats
As much as they may appear to be independent, cats show affection by purring, kneading, or cuddling beside you. They form strong bonds with their humans and demonstrate love differently.
10. Cats Have Nine Lives
The nine lives myth likely comes from the unfathomable ability of a cat to survive a perilous fall or accident unscathed. While resilient, cats only have one life, which they depend on us to sustain by offering them safety and health.
11. Purring Means Happiness
Cats purr for many reasons: comfort, happiness, pain, or fear. While a content cat will always purr when being stroked, there are instances (and some self-soothing during stressful/painful moments) when purring might signal soothed during stressful situations.
12. Rubbing butter on a cat’s paws helps them adjust to new surroundings.
This is an ungrounded myth. Adjusting to butter-rubbed paws after moving can actually make cats more stressed. Moreover, letting the cat adapt to their new environment at their own pace helps a lot.
13. A cat’s hatred towards dogs is universal.
This universal cat and dog animosity trope is a myth. With proper timely and gradual exposure to each other, many cats and dogs develop strong, friendly relationships.
14. Cats Are Active Only at Night
Felines are not strictly nocturnal, as they do not sleep the entire night. A lot of cats tend to follow their owner’s routines, especially if they receive interesting stimulation throughout the day and evening.
15. Cats Are Hypo-allergetic
No Cat is truly hypo allergenic. Allergies are caused by protein found in a cat’s saliva, dander and urine. Some breeds like the Siberian, though, produce less of this protein and are therefore more tolerable to mildly allergic people.
Final Thoughts
Myth busting does not just eradicates cat myths but also prepares a person to marvel at the wonders of these animals. Caring for pets requires shedding light on the truths pertaining to pets, their behaviors, and the relationships they form with humans.
EXTRA:
> Are you curious about “Prepare Your Cat for a Vet Visit: Tips for a Stress-Free Trip”? Discover our Tips in our blog post.
