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Cats are among the most loved pets across the planet. But it’s also true that no other animal is associated with as many myths as cats. It may be due to the complex and mysterious personalities that make the people misunderstand them.
Generally, these myths are comical or absurd superstitions believed to be true by only a few. But still, there are many superstitions about cats that are considered true by a large number of people. Most myths can’t do any harm; however, some myths can harm cats. Some people may treat these innocent animals differently because of their beliefs.
So we have made a list of the 14 most common cat myths to make you know what the reality is.
1 Black Cats (Lucky Or Unlucky)
We have kept the myth associated with black cats at the top of the list because it is the most interesting aspect of believing a myth. Black cats are signs of misfortune in some areas of the world and are considered lucky in others. Interesting, isn’t it.
Suppose a black cat passes in front of your way. In that case, it’s a good sign in Japan. In Asia and Europe, people believe something terrible will happen, so delay your journey.
Similarly, Scottish people believe that a black cat entering your door will bring money. In China, black cats (entering your door) are thought to bring poverty.
Although these myths hold no ground, still it’s difficult for abandoned black cats to find a new home.
2 Cats Live 9 Lives
As a cat lover, I wish this myth could have been true but unfortunately, like humans and other animals’ cats have only one life to live. Nine lives may be associated with cats due to their extraordinary agility and ability to escape dangerous situations.
There are many other stories about the origins of this myth. But instead of origin, its impact is more important. A few people who believe this think that nothing wrong can happen to their cats, so they don’t need a medical checkup. That’s a blunder, and they expose their cats to serious health concerns.
3 Cats Hate Water
Cats avoiding water doesn’t necessarily mean that they hate water. Hunting is their instinct, and they don’t mind going into shallow water bodies in search of prey in rough conditions. However, domestic cats get “ready to eat” food from day one, so they are not used to the water.
Another possible reason domestic cats avoid water is that once their thick fur is wet, it gets heavier and takes hours to dry. Restricting their movement and leaving them uncomfortable for the time being.
There are certain cat breeds determined to prove this myth wrong. Feline breeds like Maine Coons, Bengals, and Savannahs love to be in the water and enjoy playing, bathing, and splashing water in the pool.
4 Cats Always Land On Feet
Many believe cats don’t get hurt while falling from height because they always land on their feet. But this is not the complete truth. No doubt they have a God-gifted ability (called righting reflex) to twist their body quickly in the air; accidents can happen anytime.
Data collected from veterinary hospitals indicates that many cases of cat injury after falling from multi-story buildings are reported every year.
5 “Purr” Is A Happy Sound Always
We all are familiar with the particular sound cats frequently make, called “Purr.” Generally, this “purr” sound is associated with a state of happiness, calmness, and contentment. But this is not always true.
Cats can also make a “Purr” sound when they are afraid, anxious, stressed, or in pain.
6 Cats Can See In Complete Darkness?
This is another big misconception about cats. No doubt they can see better than humans in the low light areas. It’s so because; their eyes can absorb far more light than ours because their cornea is thinner, and Iris can open much wider.
As far as the ability of cats to see in complete darkness is concerned, this is not true.
7 Cats Are Nocturnal
Many people believe that cats are nocturnal animals by nature. They are compelled to think this when they see their feline friends busy early morning or during the night. It is in their genetics that they inherited from their wild ancestors. At those times, hunting opportunities were plentiful, and enough light was available to see and hunt the prey more easily.
But the fact is that cats are not true nocturnal, and they sleep during the night. Experts categorize them as “Crepuscular,” meaning animals that are active during dawn and dusk hours.
8 Cats Can’t Be Trained
Many people who believe in the myth that cats can’t be trained like dogs completely underestimate the cats.
In fact, if you adopt the right way (like +Ve reinforcement), you can teach your cat basic tricks like yes, no, sit, go, lay down, roll over, shake hands, etc.
9 Pregnant Women Should Avoid Cats
This is a myth that many people believe because of their incomplete knowledge of the subject. The “toxoplasma” infection is supposed to spread in cats. But the fact is that the probability of a pregnant woman acquiring infection from eating infected meat is much higher than from the cats.
The cat’s feces and litter box can spread the infection, so the pregnant mother should not clean the litter box. Playing and grooming your feline friend is OK.
10 Milk & Cats (A Centuries-Old Myth)
It has been thought for centuries that milk is a staple diet for cats. Even today, many domestic cats are offered milk. But the fact is that cats are “obligate carnivores,” which means the major portion of their diet must consist of meat.
Furthermore, cats don’t have enzymes to digest lactose (which is present in milk in abundance). So feeding milk can create many digestive issues.
11 Cats Don’t Like Dogs
This is a half myth and half-truth scenario. A cat and a dog can live together depending on the breeds and individual personalities. Because some cat or dog breeds are more likely to live in harmony than others.
Proper socialization and introduction are also crucial. Even dogs and cats are seen sleeping on the same bed or sofa.
12 Cats Are Low Maintenance
This myth (or misconception) comes from the fact that they don’t need a lot of outdoor walks and exercise like dogs. However, this does not mean that cats are low-maintenance pets.
Cats require regular grooming, litter box cleaning, vet clinic visits, and food at fixed times. Above all, they need 15-20 minutes of playtime with their owners twice daily. It is necessary to keep your feline friend happy and healthy.
13 Cats Are Not Affectionate Or Friendly
If you believe this myth, adopt a cat and see how your views change within days. The only difference is that dogs are more expressive and can express their love for you more clearly by jumping and wagging tails. On the other hand, cats are less vocal and have ways of expressing their love for the owner.
In fact, cats follow their owners everywhere in the house, always want to keep him in sight, and always try to be along your side. That’s how they show love and affection for you.
14 Cats Are Introverts & Like To Be Left Alone
Most people who believe that cats are not affectionate or friendly also believe that cats are introverted and can be left alone for a long duration. However, cats develop a strong bond with their human counterparts and want continuous interaction.
Cats get stressed and develop separation anxiety if left alone for a long duration. So, experts advise not to leave your cat alone for more than eight hours.
Final Thoughts
Cats are popular and most sought-after pets worldwide. Another interesting aspect of cats is that many myths or superstitions are linked with them. Obviously, most of them are wrong and baseless; however, many people still believe in one or more myths. Such people unknowingly can harm their feline friends.
We hope that this guide has cleared up many of your misconceptions, and now you can look after your cat in a better way.
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