Cats are surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Some are dangerous, some are innocent, and others are downright unusual. On this article, we’re going to interrupt down among the commonest ones.
Learn on to be taught the reality about 10 of the most typical myths and False impression about cats.
1. All Purring Cats Are Pleased
Whereas cats normally do purr attributable to happiness and luxury, they could additionally purr to self-soothe during times of stress and ache.
Whereas cats undoubtedly purr when they’re pleased, additionally they purr once they really feel sick, are in ache, or are afraid. Whereas we don’t know solely why this occurs, one concept is that the frequencies that cats purr are therapeutic and assist the cat really feel much less ache.
Additionally Learn: Why Do Cats Purr?
I’ve seen cats which might be very in poor health nonetheless purring, and they’re undoubtedly not pleased. A cheerful cat will normally offer you extra indicators that they’re pleased along with purring.
2. Pregnant Ladies Can’t Stay With Cats
Whereas it could be dangerous for pregnant ladies to scrub out a cat’s litter field attributable to potential T. gondii an infection, it’s protected for them to dwell with cats on the whole.
You in all probability heard in regards to the cat litter being pregnant delusion. This delusion originated after the invention {that a} frequent parasite present in cat poop causes delivery defects in people. The wrongdoer is Toxoplasma gondii, and pregnant ladies can develop into contaminated by by accident ingesting the parasite after cleansing the litterbox.
Luckily, it’s pretty simple to keep away from an infection by having a non-pregnant particular person clear the litterbox, carrying gloves when cleansing the litterbox, washing your fingers after dealing with your cat, and avoiding consuming and dealing with your cat on the identical time.
3. Cow’s Milk Is Good For Cats
Whereas we’re all acquainted with the picture of a cat lapping from a saucer of milk, cow’s milk (and another milk containing lactose with out lactase!) could cause digestive upset in cats who’ve been weaned.
What in regards to the cats and milk delusion? Effectively, in a single phrase… False! Most of us have seen nostalgic photos of cats consuming cow’s milk from a dish or fed a cat milk from a dish. This delusion originated from feeding orphaned kittens cow’s milk. Whereas kittens can digest cow’s milk, cats lose the enzyme essential to digest milk as they age and develop into naturally lactose illiberal.
Additionally Learn: Is Milk Good For Cats?
Feeding a cat milk doesn’t present the correct vitamins and will trigger diarrhea or vomiting. If you wish to feed your cat milk attempt Cat-Sip, a lactose-free different.
4. Cats Are Most Energetic At Evening
Whereas it’s frequent to consider cats as nocturnal animals, they’re, actually, crepuscular and most lively at daybreak and nightfall.
When you would possibly suppose that your cat solely has the crazies within the early morning when you’re attempting to sleep, the reality is that cats are crepuscular, which is only a fancy means of claiming they’re most lively at nightfall and daybreak.
In case your cat is preserving you up at night time, attempt rising play time along with your cat at these occasions and see if that doesn’t assist reset your cat’s circadian rhythms.
5. Cats All the time Land On Their Toes
No, cats don’t all the time land on their toes! In actual fact, many cats endure from what vets have dubbed excessive rise syndrome—the accidents skilled by cats who fall from excessive locations.
Cats are extraordinarily agile and have a really versatile backbone that enables them to twist in mid-air and land on their toes, more often than not. Cats aren’t foolproof and may nonetheless injure themselves in falls, typically with chin and enamel accidents.
As well as, age, arthritis, and different diseases can scale back a cat’s reflexes, and sufficient cats are injured by falls from nice heights yearly to offer it a reputation: excessive rise syndrome.
6. One Human 12 months = 7 Cat Years
Whereas we regularly contemplate one yr of a cat’s life to equal seven years of human life, feline ageing isn’t that easy.
False! The primary yr of a cat’s life is equal to about 16 people years, and consists of development from a juvenile to a full fledged grownup. The second yr of a cat’s life provides one other 9-10 human years, and yearly after that’s roughly equal to 4-5 human years.
Additionally Learn: How Outdated Is My Cat In Human Years?
Cats can dwell a very very long time, some cats have been documented to dwell 25 years!
7. Declawing Cats Doesn’t Harm
Whereas some declare that declawing doesn’t damage, the operation is painful and sometimes results in continual ache and behavioral issues.
Time for the cat declawing myths…
Some individuals are underneath the impression that declawing a cat doesn’t damage any greater than trimming fingernails, however this can be a grave false impression. Declawing is a surgical process achieved underneath anesthesia, and includes amputating the third digit, which accommodates the nail.
Many cats go on to develop continual ache from arthritis, and lots of cats develop aggression due to this ache. Luckily, there are options to declawing, simply ask your veterinarian!
8. Cats Can Be Vegan
Whereas cats can survive on a whole and balanced vegan meals, they can not naturally be vegans.
False! Cats are obligate carnivores, which suggests they need to eat meat to fulfill their dietary wants, together with full and balanced important amino acids. Feeding a cat a vegan food regimen will probably trigger signs related to malnutrition, together with signs of a taurine deficiency.
9. It’s Good To Let Your Cat Have A Litter Earlier than Spaying
It’s finest to spay cats as quickly because it’s protected to take action. Spaying after your cat has given delivery to a litter of kittens can contribute to overpopulation, improve the unfold of infectious illness, and injury native wildlife populations.
Whereas kittens are tremendous cute, the reality is that many cities and areas are experiencing pet overpopulation issues. This implies there are too many cats, which might affect the native small wildlife populations (wiping out track birds and lizards) and trigger elevated infectious illness amongst native cat populations.
As well as, undesirable cats get dumped at shelters, and lots of are euthanized as a result of there may be nowhere for them to go. Kittens can go into warmth as early as 5-6 months of age, which suggests they will get pregnant!
Additionally Learn: Ought to I Let My Cat Exterior?
It is strongly recommended to maintain younger feminine cats indoors till they’re spayed at 5-6 months of age to stop unintentional being pregnant.
10. Cats Don’t Want Train
Whereas we regularly consider cats as sedentary in comparison with canines, they want loads of train. Cats are happiest and healthiest once they’re capable of play a number of occasions per day.
Weight problems is a giant drawback amongst indoor cat populations, no pun meant. Indoor cats are typically heavier than outside cats as a result of they don’t get as a lot train, recent air, and psychological stimulation.
Moreover, cats will eat when they’re bored and most cat meals are very excessive in energy (upwards of 400 energy per cup of meals! FYI the typical cat solely wants about 350 energy per day) and tremendous scrumptious to cats. When you’ve got a cat, it will be important that your cat will get train on daily basis.
Whereas this varies based mostly on a cat’s well being and age, most wholesome grownup cats want no less than an hour of vigorous play every day. This may be damaged up into many brief play classes. As well as, give your cat a lot of vertical house to climb on, and ensure your cat isn’t overeating.
In the event you aren’t certain about your cat’s train and dietary wants, ask your veterinarian for recommendation.
