11 Common Myths About Cats That Are Untrue
1. Black Cats Are Unlucky
Black cats have been the subject of myth and folklore for ages; while the cats are thought to bring bad luck in certain cultures, they are thought to bring good fortune to others.
Finding a black cat is supposed to bring good fortune throughout Japan, yet seeing one is thought to herald bad luck in much of Europe and the US.
In Germany, it matters which way a black cat walks in front of you. Left to right denotes happy times, whereas the right to left means impending bad times. Some Italians believe that if a black cat climbs into the bed next to a sick person, that person will shortly pass away.
Folklore in Scotland claims that if a black cat knocks on your door, you might be in for some money, but in China, some people believe that black cats bring poverty.
2. Every Cat Hates Water
While most domestic cats are afraid of the water, this isn't always the case, as anyone who has ever searched for cat videos will know. Scientists believe that the reason most cats dislike water is that it takes so long for their fur to dry, which could make them feel cold and uncomfortable. The water is probably weighing down the ordinarily agile animal, making it more difficult for them to flee any immediate danger. Another explanation is that cats' ancestors came from desert areas, where the ground is dry and there is little to no rain.
Some people use water squirters to squirt water at cats to get them to stop doing something. If you consider how you would feel if someone suddenly threw water in your face, you can see why cats don't enjoy it.
3. Go For a Dog Over a Cat if You Want a Caring Pet
Black cats have been the subject of myth and folklore for ages; while the cats are thought to bring bad luck in certain cultures, they are thought to bring good fortune to others.
Finding a black cat is supposed to bring good fortune throughout Japan, yet seeing one is thought to herald bad luck in much of Europe and the US.
In Germany, it matters which way a black cat walks in front of you. Left to right denotes happy times, whereas the right to left means impending bad times. Some Italians believe that if a black cat climbs into the bed next to a sick person, that person will shortly pass away.
Folklore in Scotland claims that if a black cat knocks on your door, you might be in for some money, but in China, some people believe that black cats bring poverty.
2. Every Cat Hates Water
While most domestic cats are afraid of the water, this isn't always the case, as anyone who has ever searched for cat videos will know. Scientists believe that the reason most cats dislike water is that it takes so long for their fur to dry, which could make them feel cold and uncomfortable. The water is probably weighing down the ordinarily agile animal, making it more difficult for them to flee any immediate danger. Another explanation is that cats' ancestors came from desert areas, where the ground is dry and there is little to no rain.
Some people use water squirters to squirt water at cats to get them to stop doing something. If you consider how you would feel if someone suddenly threw water in your face, you can see why cats don't enjoy it.
3. Go For a Dog Over a Cat if You Want a Caring Pet
Perhaps the biggest debate of our time is whether cats or dogs make better pets, and one argument in favor of dogs is that cats are cold.
Compared to domestic dogs, domestic cats are more independent by nature. They weren't bred to spend a lot of time around people, and the wild ancestors of today's domestic cats didn't naturally live in the same kinds of family groups as dogs, which may also be contributing factors to this.
A recent study from the University of Lincoln found that cats don't show any sadness when their owners depart and don't appear to be particularly upset when their owners return home.
However, as anybody who has come home from a long day at work to find their cat leaping on their lap for a fuss will attest, cats do show affection for their owners, and many like being petted and massaged.
4. Cats Always Touch Down on All Fours
Cats frequently fall from great heights and land on their feet. This is because they have what is known as a "righting reflex," which allows them to quickly turn around in midair after falling. They can also do this because of how flexible their backbones are.
But regrettably, this isn't always the case. Every year, animal hospitals treat cats who have fallen from great heights, frequently out of windows on many stories. Some patients do get well, but a startlingly high percentage do not. In addition, some injury victims who do not die away suffer permanent harm, which can be costly for pet owners without pet insurance to fix.
We suggest closing windows during the summer and installing mesh to balconies and windows to prevent animals from falling out.
5. Are Cats Said to Have Nine Lives?
Where did the saying "cats have nine lives" come from considering that cats only have one life, just like the rest of us? The exact source of this myth is unknown, however, there are a number of hypotheses, including William Shakespeare and ancient Egypt.
6. Cats Only Purr When They're Content
Cats typically purr when they are happy, such as when they are getting your attention and fuss. They can also purr to calm themselves if cats are startled, unwell, or in pain, thus this is not the only reason they make these noises. Cats may also soothe their young by purring.
7. Do You Know That Cats Can See in The Dark?
Cats cannot see in full darkness, just like humans cannot. However, compared to us, they have much better vision in low light. Their eyes are noticeably more bright than ours for a variety of reasons.
Because a cat's corneas are significantly thinner than those of humans and its irises, the colored part of the eye, open much wider, a cat's eye allows for more light to penetrate. The retinas in the backs of cats' eyes also contain more rods, which magnify light impulses.
8. Cats Like The Night Better
Since cats are naturally crepuscular, they are most active around dawn and dusk, when there are many opportunities for hunting and enough light to see clearly. Cats do not live at the night. Just because your cat is domesticated doesn't mean it will ignore this innate predisposition, even if food is readily available. They usually do, nevertheless, conform to your routine.
9. Your Cat Must Consume Cow's Milk
Contrary to popular belief, cats don't require milk. If they are provided a balanced diet, they will get all the nutrients they need. The consumption of milk could upset their stomach if they aren't used to it. This is because many cats experience lactose intolerance following weaning because they are unable to produce the enzyme necessary for effective lactose digestion. But if they have been regularly consuming cow's milk all of their lives, they usually still have a reasonable capacity to digest it.
10. Cats Don't Like Other Cats
Typically, cats like to be the only feline in the residence. They have the ability to establish friends with members of their own species since they are kind, but they don't feel pressured to. Additionally, age can affect how well siblings get along; cats who have lived together since birth are more likely to get along.
The ability to access a variety of resources, including food, litter trays, and sleeping areas, is essential for cat relationships. Cats don't like to wait or share, so when there is competition for resources, tension can develop. To achieve the highest degree of harmony in your home, provide multiple areas for eating, drinking, hiding, and resting.
11. Lonely Cats Want to be by Themselves
Cats are by nature solitary animals. Dogs are descendants of wolves who live in packs, whereas most wild cats live alone.
But domesticated cats can form odd bonds with other animals like dogs and strong attachments to their people. Cats can depend on human interaction and, in rare instances, develop separation anxiety if their owners desert them or leave them alone for a long time.
Fun Cat Facts
2. Kittens have 26 teeth, whereas adult cats have 30.
3. Cats can run over a short distance at a pace of about 48 kph (30 mph). A domestic cat has 95.6% tiger genetic material.
4. Cats are capable of five times higher jumps than humans.
5. The mature cat's brain measures 5 cm (2 inches) in length, weighs 30g, and has nearly twice as many neurons in the cerebral cortex as a dog.
6. Cats have rough tongues with several hooks that point backward or filiform papillae.
7. Every cat has a unique nose, just like every person has a fingerprint.
8. Spayed female cats live 39% longer than unspayed female cats, whereas
neutered male cats live 62% longer than non-neutered male cats.
9. Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours per day, and they groom themselves for a third of their waking hours. Cats also have the ability to dream.
9. Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours per day, and they groom themselves for a third of their waking hours. Cats also have the ability to dream.
10. Grooming improves blood circulation to the skin, regulates body temperature, and encourages relaxation.
11. Cats leave their scent behind when they rub their faces and bodies on you to mark you as their territory.
12. If your cat comes up to you with a straight, almost vibrating tail, it will be exciting to see you.
13. Your cat's tummy-displaying behavior is a sign of trust and calm, not usually a plea for a belly rub.
14. Kneading is a sign of joy, and a cat rubbing its behind in your face is a gesture of friendship. Friendliness is demonstrated by a cat or dog hanging its tail over another animal or even you.
15. Cats are capable of making up to 100 various vocalizations, and they have developed the meowing behavior to communicate with humans.
16. The range of a cat's purr is between 25 and 150 hertz, which is the same frequency at which bones and muscles can mend.
17. A female cat, particularly an older one, is referred to by the moniker Grimalkin. Cat lovers are known as ailurophiles. Ailuro is the word for cat in ancient Greek.
18. With an estimated 88 million domestic cats. Cats are the most popular
pet in the United States.
