Debunking Common Cat Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
Let’s clear up common myths about cats. These myths can lead to misunderstandings about how to take care of them. Understanding the facts promotes responsible cat ownership and helps strengthen the bond between you and your cat. Here’s an overview of the myths you should know as you get to know your new feline friend.
Popular Cat Myths
Some popular myths you may have heard of include:
- Cats have nine lives
- Pregnant women need to avoid cats
- Black cats are unlucky
- Cats can see in the dark
- Cats love milk
Many of the most popular myths about cats have traveled centuries to be discussed today, some in more humorous ways than others. Let’s look at some of these most popular myths.
Myth: Cats Have Nine Lives
Fact: The myth most likely originated from Egyptian gods and religions, where sun god Atum-Ra, one of the Ennead, or the Nine would assume the form of the cat when visiting the underworld.
Do cats have nine lives? No. But throughout the ages, cats continued to be considered magical and otherworldly, and their resilience in surviving falls from high places and long confinements seemingly without sustenance continue to amaze. However, we implore: Do not trust a cat’s health and safety to those mythical extra lives. It’s essential to remember that cats do not truly have nine lives and should not be left without food and water for long periods. Lack of sustenance can lead to serious health issues, so always provide them with what they need.
Myth: Pregnant Women Cannot Live with Cats
Fact: Pregnancy and cats aren’t in the green, as toxoplasmosis is a risk for fetuses, though a woman is more likely to catch it from handling raw meat or digging in the garden than from her cats. Cat guardians can protect themselves from cat-related exposure by emptying the litter box daily, having someone else clean the litter box or wearing rubber gloves and a mask if the litter box task can’t be given to anyone else.
Myth: Cats Steal the Breath of Babies
Fact: Cats are heat- and comfort-seekers. Curling up next to a newborn in a crib meets both needs. However, if the cat chooses to press up against the face of a bundled infant who is too young to turn away on their own, their breathing may be hampered. Keep cats out of the nursery at naptime/bedtime.
Myth: Black Cats Are Unlucky
Fact: Are black cats bad luck? There are nearly as many superstitions about black cats bringing luck as there are about them being harbingers of bad luck. In different cultures around the world, other colors and coat patterns are seen as lucky—or not. However, in one 2000 study of 321 patients reported in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology patients with dark-colored cats were up to four times more likely to suffer a moderate to severe allergy attack than those with light-colored cats. Researchers speculate that darker cats produce more Fel d 1 allergen in their skin and saliva. So, if adopters are mildly allergic to cats, it may be smart to steer them to lighter colored ones, leaving all the terrific black cats to those lucky folks with no cat allergies.
However, there is another option. Feeding a cat allergen-reducing cat food, Pro Plan LiveClear®, can provide relief from those itchy, puffy eyes and sneezing in as little as three weeks by working to reduce the Fel d 1 allergen in cat dander and hair.
Myth: Cats Can See at Night
Fact: Can cats see in the dark? Not entirely. The construction of cats’ eyes allows them to see well in low light. Cats only need 1/6 of the light humans do to decipher shapes. However, they cannot see in absolute darkness. That is one of the top cat myths.
Myth: Cats Love Milk
Fact: Some cats do love milk, but many don’t. That also doesn’t mean they should. A lot of cats happen to be lactose intolerant. When cats wean off their mother’s milk, they typically lose the ability to digest milk. So, it would upset their stomach if you were to feed them cow’s milk, for example.
Myths About Indoor and Outdoor Cats
There are also a lot of popular myths about indoor vs. outdoor cats, including if you can leave a cat outside, are cats loners, people often wondering, “Why do cats hate water?” and more, just to name a few.
Myth: Cats Hate Water
Fact: While most cats hate baths, do cats hate water? No. Many find running water fascinating and spend time pawing at dripping faucets or demanding their guardians turn on the water for a fresh, cool drink. Kittens find sinks and showers a source of amusement, although for most the thrill lessens with age. One breed, the Turkish Van, is nicknamed “the swimming cat” for their swimming prowess and love of all things wet. (All cats need plenty of water to drink.)
Myth: My Cat is Safe When They Go Outside Because They Stay Close to My Home
Fact: A study of 10 house cats and seven farm cats published in the European ecology journal Ecography found that on average, the house cats covered more ground than the farm cats—at night, the house cats moved within an average area of nearly 20 acres, compared to just over 6 acres for the farm cats.
A lot can happen even within a small radius of your home, so if you’re really wondering, “But can I just leave my cat outside?” consider harness training them or creating a screened-in enclosure for them.
Myth: Cats Are Loners
Fact: Outdoor cats are solitary hunters, but most will choose to live in a colony near a food source. Unneutered males will roam the farthest in search of food and females in heat. Studies of barn cats showed matrilineal groups were created by a founding female, her daughters and their kittens. When males reach approximately 18 months of age, they leave the area and strike out on their own. The kittens of domesticated house cats are best prepared to fit into a multi-cat household when they are kept with their littermates until at least 8- to 10-weeks of age. Cats can even be friends with dogs.
Do Indoor Cats Get Bored?
Fact: Yes, they can get bored! This one is not a myth. The truth is indoor cats can and do get bored, but letting them outside is not a good solution.
Instead, make your home more interesting: Set up perches where they can watch birds from the safety of inside, build a DIY cat playhouse, hide their food or modify their feeder so they have to “hunt” for it. (Find more suggestions in our environmental-enrichment series.) Finally, if your cat is amenable to it, you might consider adopting a second cat as a playmate.
If your indoor cat won’t stop acting funny, and seems to bring some of these myths to life, make sure your cat is getting to play enough to beat boredom. Indoor cats can exhibit damaging behavior such as scratching furniture due to causes such as boredom or illness. Meanwhile, transitioning outdoor cats to an indoor lifestyle inside your home is an option to keep your beloved cat safe, and that’s all true.
Myth: Indoor Cats Are Overweight
Fact: If your cat is overweight, the safest way to help them trim down is by combining portion control and a daily exercise and play routine.
Stop free feeding your cat or at least be mindful only to feed a healthy amount per day. (Yes, cats do overeat. You can consult your vet about how many calories your cat should be eating in a day.)
Have a cat who won’t stand for an empty food dish? Keep them distracted with the activities mentioned above—the feeder toy would be perfect for them. If you feed wet food, try a toy designed for kittens or cats and wet cat food (like a Kitty KONG) so your cat will have to work to get the food out. You could also choose to use an automatic feeder like this one that works for wet or dry food, so you have options.
Cats love a schedule. Try feeding them at the same time each day and they’ll get used to the routine quickly. (Just remember to consult your veterinarian before starting any new feeding or weight-loss routines.)
Myth: Indoor Cats Are Destructive
Fact: Destructive behavior is often a sign that something else is going on. Is your cat sick? Bored? A talk with your vet or a behaviorist may be in order.
Solving the problem might be simpler than you think. For example, if your cat suddenly scratches your couch despite already having a scratching post, your cat might benefit from an additional vertical scratching post.
Cat Behavior Myths
There are also several myths related to cat behavior, such as purring not always being a sign of happiness, do cats always land on their feet, and people often wondering, “Are cats nocturnal?”
Myth: Cats Purr Only When Happy
Fact: Purring is one of the first sounds kittens can make. They can purr by the time they are 48 hours old. While nursing, both mom and kittens can purr. But does purring mean a cat is happy? While purring is often heard at times of contentment, out of fear and aggression, and in the throes of death.
Myth: Cats Always Land on Their Feet
Fact: As a tree-climbing species, a cat’s survival depends on their ability to survive falls when possible. The feline vestibular system and vision work together with a cat’s flexible spine to allow the cat to right themself and, when there is enough time, to “parachute out” in a manner like the flying squirrel. While cats are known for their ability to right themselves during a fall, often they can still sustain serious injuries to their limbs, jaws and thoracic region, which may ultimately lead to death. This possibility makes the belief cats always land on their feet also among the common cat myths.
Myth: Cats Are Nocturnal
Fact: Are all cats nocturnal? Not quite. Cats are crepuscular. They are most active at dusk and dawn when prey abounds, and hunting is best.
For more expert tips on adopting a new cat, explore our other cat and kitten adoption articles.