Dogs
By Julia Williams
There are a lot of mistakenly held beliefs about cats that have no basis in fact. Now, I don’t claim to know everything there is to know about cats (not even close, actually) but over the years I have learned a thing or two. Here are some of the most common myths about cats.
Cat Myth #1: Cats should drink cow’s milk every day
We’ve all seen the cute image of a kitten lapping milk from a dish. Most cats do love the taste of dairy, but they certainly don’t need it to be healthy. Moreover, many cats are lactose intolerant, and giving them milk, cream or ice cream can result in gastric upset. Feed them a high quality natural cat food like FELIDAE Grain Free Salmon formula instead (it’s a favorite at my house).
Cat Myth #2: Cats always land on their feet
Because cats have a flexible musculoskeletal system and a “righting reflex” that allows them to twist their bodies in the air, most cats who fall from high places are able to orient themselves to land on their feet. Shorter-distance falls, however, have a lower survival rate. Although this may seem contradictory, two possible reasons have been given.
One, when a cat falls from a short distance it may not have enough time to right itself. Two, the scientific study of falling cats (“feline pesematology”) concluded that cats tend to panic and curl their bodies up during a fall, until they reach terminal velocity when they relax and spread out, which slows them down and reduces the stress of the landing. Thus, a longer fall allows the cat to reach terminal velocity whereas a short fall does not.
In any case, even cats who land on their feet after a fall can suffer broken bones and serious injuries. Responsible pet owners who live in high-rise apartments should have window screens to protect their feline friends from a fall.
Cat Myth #3: Cats are not affectionate
The notion that cats are haughty creatures who don’t form strong bonds with people and don’t give and receive affection really makes me laugh. I’m 100% certain that anyone who believes this has never been loved by a cat. Although it’s true that some cats are more affectionate than others, more often than not the way a cat is treated (or has been treated in the past) directly contributes to the way it acts and reacts to humans. Any mistreated animal will have issues with trust, and cats that are largely ignored tend to ignore their human in return. But treat them like they are your best beloved friend, and they will be just that, and so much more.
Cat Myth #4: Cats can see in the dark
Cats can’t see in total darkness, but they can see in semi-darkness much better than humans or any other animal can. This is because cats’ eyes are designed so the iris (the colored portion of the eye) can open very wide to let in as much light as possible. Additionally, cats have extremely large eyes relative to the size of their head, and they also have about 24 whiskers that help them find their way around in the dark.
Cat Myth #5: Pregnant women shouldn’t own cats
Some cats can be infected with a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women can get toxoplasmosis from handling cat waste, and babies born to mothers who become infected for the first time just before or during pregnancy can have serious health problems. It sounds scary; however, pregnant women can own cats if they take a few simple precautions. Ideally, someone else should clean the cat’s litter box. If that’s not possible, pregnant women should wear disposable gloves and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
Cat Myth #6: Cats can take care of themselves
Though some cats do give off an independent aura that seems to say “I do not need you, human,” it’s far from the truth. Cats are no more capable of taking care of themselves than dogs or human babies. Any number of injuries and health problems can occur when cats are left to fend for themselves while their owners are away on vacation or business trips. Responsible pet owners hire a “cat sitter” or make other arrangements to keep their feline family member safe while they’re gone. Read more about this prevalent cat myth in Is It Okay to Leave a Cat Home Alone?
There are a lot more myths and misconceptions about cats that people believe – what are some of your favorites?
Read more articles by Julia Williams
- How To Bond With Your Cat
By Julia Williams One of the most prevalent myths about cats is also one that, as a lifelong cat lover, I can unequivocally refute. Cats are said to be aloof, independent creatures that shun humans and don’t form close bonds with them. Many people...
- A Kitty Cat Trivia Quiz, Just For Fun!
By Julia Williams If you’re a “cat person” like me (now…don’t go calling me crazy just because I love cats!) then you probably know a lot about them. Test your knowledge of kitty cat trivia with this fun quiz. 1. Calico cats are almost...
- Are Cats Smart? Smarter Than Dogs Even?
By Julia Williams I can hear the dog owners scoffing and the cat owners saying, “Heck yeah!” I’m not really going to get into this age-old debate. For starters, I don’t believe there has ever been a scientific study which clearly proves either...
- Fact Or Fallacy: Most Cats Are Aloof
By Julia Williams The biggest misconception about cats, in my opinion, is that most of them are aloof. The feline is thought to be a haughty creature that doesn’t show any outward signs of love for their owners. Many people also believe that cats abhor...
- 10 Myths About Cats
Cats have been revered in ancient societies and today are one of the most popular pets in the United States. Though often aloof and appearing to be a solitary creature, cats are social animals and can be quite affectionate with their human companions....
Dogs
Dispelling Common Cat Myths and Misconceptions
There are a lot of mistakenly held beliefs about cats that have no basis in fact. Now, I don’t claim to know everything there is to know about cats (not even close, actually) but over the years I have learned a thing or two. Here are some of the most common myths about cats.
Cat Myth #1: Cats should drink cow’s milk every day
We’ve all seen the cute image of a kitten lapping milk from a dish. Most cats do love the taste of dairy, but they certainly don’t need it to be healthy. Moreover, many cats are lactose intolerant, and giving them milk, cream or ice cream can result in gastric upset. Feed them a high quality natural cat food like FELIDAE Grain Free Salmon formula instead (it’s a favorite at my house).
Cat Myth #2: Cats always land on their feet
Because cats have a flexible musculoskeletal system and a “righting reflex” that allows them to twist their bodies in the air, most cats who fall from high places are able to orient themselves to land on their feet. Shorter-distance falls, however, have a lower survival rate. Although this may seem contradictory, two possible reasons have been given.
One, when a cat falls from a short distance it may not have enough time to right itself. Two, the scientific study of falling cats (“feline pesematology”) concluded that cats tend to panic and curl their bodies up during a fall, until they reach terminal velocity when they relax and spread out, which slows them down and reduces the stress of the landing. Thus, a longer fall allows the cat to reach terminal velocity whereas a short fall does not.
In any case, even cats who land on their feet after a fall can suffer broken bones and serious injuries. Responsible pet owners who live in high-rise apartments should have window screens to protect their feline friends from a fall.
Cat Myth #3: Cats are not affectionate
The notion that cats are haughty creatures who don’t form strong bonds with people and don’t give and receive affection really makes me laugh. I’m 100% certain that anyone who believes this has never been loved by a cat. Although it’s true that some cats are more affectionate than others, more often than not the way a cat is treated (or has been treated in the past) directly contributes to the way it acts and reacts to humans. Any mistreated animal will have issues with trust, and cats that are largely ignored tend to ignore their human in return. But treat them like they are your best beloved friend, and they will be just that, and so much more.
Cat Myth #4: Cats can see in the dark
Cats can’t see in total darkness, but they can see in semi-darkness much better than humans or any other animal can. This is because cats’ eyes are designed so the iris (the colored portion of the eye) can open very wide to let in as much light as possible. Additionally, cats have extremely large eyes relative to the size of their head, and they also have about 24 whiskers that help them find their way around in the dark.
Cat Myth #5: Pregnant women shouldn’t own cats
Some cats can be infected with a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women can get toxoplasmosis from handling cat waste, and babies born to mothers who become infected for the first time just before or during pregnancy can have serious health problems. It sounds scary; however, pregnant women can own cats if they take a few simple precautions. Ideally, someone else should clean the cat’s litter box. If that’s not possible, pregnant women should wear disposable gloves and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
Cat Myth #6: Cats can take care of themselves
Though some cats do give off an independent aura that seems to say “I do not need you, human,” it’s far from the truth. Cats are no more capable of taking care of themselves than dogs or human babies. Any number of injuries and health problems can occur when cats are left to fend for themselves while their owners are away on vacation or business trips. Responsible pet owners hire a “cat sitter” or make other arrangements to keep their feline family member safe while they’re gone. Read more about this prevalent cat myth in Is It Okay to Leave a Cat Home Alone?
There are a lot more myths and misconceptions about cats that people believe – what are some of your favorites?
Read more articles by Julia Williams
- How To Bond With Your Cat
By Julia Williams One of the most prevalent myths about cats is also one that, as a lifelong cat lover, I can unequivocally refute. Cats are said to be aloof, independent creatures that shun humans and don’t form close bonds with them. Many people...
- A Kitty Cat Trivia Quiz, Just For Fun!
By Julia Williams If you’re a “cat person” like me (now…don’t go calling me crazy just because I love cats!) then you probably know a lot about them. Test your knowledge of kitty cat trivia with this fun quiz. 1. Calico cats are almost...
- Are Cats Smart? Smarter Than Dogs Even?
By Julia Williams I can hear the dog owners scoffing and the cat owners saying, “Heck yeah!” I’m not really going to get into this age-old debate. For starters, I don’t believe there has ever been a scientific study which clearly proves either...
- Fact Or Fallacy: Most Cats Are Aloof
By Julia Williams The biggest misconception about cats, in my opinion, is that most of them are aloof. The feline is thought to be a haughty creature that doesn’t show any outward signs of love for their owners. Many people also believe that cats abhor...
- 10 Myths About Cats
Cats have been revered in ancient societies and today are one of the most popular pets in the United States. Though often aloof and appearing to be a solitary creature, cats are social animals and can be quite affectionate with their human companions....