Cats have been misjudged for centruies and many of our “knowledge” about them is based on nothing but ancient proverbs, cartoons, or slightly-true tales that were handed down over the years. Some of the myths are innocuous, but others have an impact on the way we treat our kitties. If you have ever wondered about the truth of the cat facts, then you are not the only one. Let us shine a light on the subject and examine closely some of the most common cat myths.
Cats Always Land on Their Feet
It’s true that cats possess a remarkable righting reflex that enables them to turn over in the air, but it isn’t infallible. The dropping from short heights or sudden pushes might still bring about injuries. Veterinarians often encounter “high-rise syndrome” cases in urban areas, where cats falling out of windows and suffering considerable damage.
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Cats Hate Water
Not all of them! Breeds like Bengals and Turkish Vans love swimming. Even regular house cats might enjoy a drizzle or playing in a sink. It often depends on early exposure—many just dislike being forced into a bath, not water itself.
Milk Is Great for Cats
Most people think of cartoons when they think of cats but most adult cats can’t drink milk. Cow’s milk can be very hard on the digestive system and cause diarrhea. Kittens are able to drink their mother’s milk but as soon as weaning is done, plain water is the best.
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Cats Purr Only When They’re Happy
Purring is in general understood to be a positive sign, yes – but still cats purr in case of stress, pain or even during giving birth. It is more like a self-soothing mechanism. Therefore, the purring cat is not necessarily always the completely calm one.
Declawing Is Equivalent to Nail Trimming
Not at all—it’s a much more serious matter. Declawing consists of taking out the last bone of each toe, similar to amputating your fingers at the last knuckle. This could result in pain, bad habits, and infections that last a long time. A lot of vets now prefer to offer solutions like scratching posts.
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Total Darkness Is Not a Problem for Cats
They possess terrific night vision far superior to that of humans, but even so, a tiny bit of light is still a necessity. The light reflecting in their eyes is an indication that they have maximized what little light there is, and that is the reason they appear to glow in pictures. In total darkness? They are groping their way around like us.
Cats Have Nine Lives
Certainly not in the sense that they could live nine lives, but cats still have a very tough lifestyle and sometimes they can survive even the most dangerous situations owing to their quick reflexes, flexibility, and righting reflex. One thing is for sure, they still die just as any other being so don’t allow that myth to make you careless about their safety.
Spaying/Neutering Changes Their Personality Negatively
In fact, it frequently brings about calmness in them that translates to less roaming, spraying, or fighting. They remain playful and affectionate, but the hormone-driven drama is just absent. In addition, it also eliminates the problems of health and overpopulation.
Cats Are Low-Maintenance Pets
Maybe they are in comparison with dogs but nevertheless, they still require some games, veterinary care, grooming (especially for longhair cats), and making their minds active. A bored cat can either become a menace or lose interest in life. They are self-sufficient but not zero-effort.
A Wagging Tail Means a Cat Is Happy
Unlike dogs, a rapidly wagging or a thumping tail signifies irritation or excessive stimulation usually. Slowly swiping may indicate mild interest but fast lashing? It means to retreat the cat is already annoyed.
