Guest Posts, Mews

Mews: 12 Truths Behind Common Cat Myths

Posted on by Marc-André
26
Sep

Hi everyone,

Please find below a fun article that was submitted as a Guest post to us by helpucover.

12 Truths Behind Common Cat Myths

Cats are fascinating creatures, believed to have been domesticated since Ancient Egypt, when they were regarded as Gods, and they have been kept as pets ever since. Many myths about cats have been perpetuated since then and some are just as common today as they have ever been! Have you ever heard these cat myths?

Myth – Cats have 9 lives

Truth – An old wives tale that has stood the test of time but is unfortunately untrue. Whilst we would love our kitties to be able to have a get out of jail free card (or 8!) in life, a cat only has one life.

Myth – Cats always land on their feet

Truth – Cats are a tree climbing species and as such have extraordinary balance and a great ability to survive falls. Cats are therefore very good at landing on their feet when falling; however, it is by no means a sure thing! Cats can land awkwardly and sustain injuries from falls.

Myth – Pregnant women should stay away from cats

Truth – It has been said that toxoplasmosis can be caught from our feline friends; however, whilst the infection is a danger for foetuses, it is very unlikely to be caught from petting a cat. The parasite can be found in the excrement of an infected cat however and so it is advised to clean the litter box daily and with gloves to avoid contact.

Myth – My cat is eating grass – they must be ill!

Truth – It has been suggested that cats may eat grass in order to regurgitate inedible food that cannot be digested. Although the reasons why cats munch on grass are not entirely clear, it is not something to be worried about. However if your cats grass eating becomes excessive, it is time for a visit to the vets.

Myth – Cats only purr when they are happy

Truth – Everyone loves to hear a purring cat, as it is often a sign of happiness and contentment. However, this is not the only reason cats purr: purring can also be heard when a cat is giving birth or when in pain or distress. Purring is the emotional response of a cat and may well be a mechanism for rest or repair as well – just as a purr can be therapeutic for us to hear, so it can be for the cat.

Myth – My cat is healthier on a vegetarian diet

Truth – Cats are obligate carnivores that require at least 20% of their diet to be protein. In addition, the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to digest and use plant-derived nutrients is severely diminished in cats. Felines also require increased levels of certain amino acids, which cannot be provided by a vegetarian diet.

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Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/cat-animal-animal-portrait-pet-686803/

Myth – All cats hate water

Truth – Many cats do seem to be averse to getting wet during a bath or rainstorm, however this is not true for all cat breeds. In fact, the Turkish Van cat delights in getting wet! Although a lot of cats do not like being fully immersed in water, many find water fascinating and will play with a bowl of water or a tap.

Myth – Cats expose their belly because they want it rubbed

Truth – It is a familiar situation – you are petting your cat and getting on great when he rolls on his back asking for a belly rub. You proceed and get thanked by being bitten and clawed – why is this? For cats, exposing their belly is a sign of trust and although it seems like they want their belly to be rubbed, this is not necessarily the case. Being stroked on the belly may trigger a defence mechanism to protect their vital organs.

Myth – Cats steal the breath of babies

Truth – Cats do not steal the breath of babies, however, it is well known that cats love warm places, the body heat of a baby may seem perfect to a cat which could accidentally suffocate a baby, who does not have the ability to move their head. Due to this, it is a good idea to keep cats away from babies when unaccompanied at naptimes.

Myth – Cats can only see in black and white

Truth – Cats are actually capable of seeing colours and are capable of distinguishing between several different colours. However, the colour discrimination of cats is not as great as in humans and cats can struggle to distinguish between colours of longer wavelengths (i.e. reds).

Myth – Cats are nocturnal

Truth – Cats are in fact crepuscular, which means that they are most active during periods of dawn and dusk. The eyes of cats allows them to see in a lot lower light levels than humans, which is perfect for hunting during these periods.

Myth – Cats are unfriendly

Truth – Cats have gathered an unfair reputation due to their constant comparison with dogs -as more independent creatures, cats come off looking cold and unloving; however this is simply not the case. Cats can be extremely loving and loyal companions, hence why they have been such popular pets for such a long time!

This article was written on behalf of helpucover. helpucover is a trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc, an insurance company who offer a range of cover including Income Protection, Pet Insurance, GAP insurance and Gadget Insurance. Visit us online at http://www.helpucover.co.uk

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Marc-André

We regularly write about all things relating to cats on our Blog Katzenworld! My partner and I are owned by five cheeky cats that get up to all kinds of mischief that of course, you'll also be able to find out more about on our Blog If you are interested in joining us by becoming a regular contributor/guest author do drop us a message @ info@katzenworld.co.uk .

52 thoughts on “Mews: 12 Truths Behind Common Cat Myths”

  4. loisajay says:

    My little Parker loves water! When I turn on the faucet in the morning, she jumps on the kitchen counter and cannot wait until I ‘accidentally’ forget to turn off the faucet so she can play. She is so weird! 😀

    Reply
  8. Tejaswi says:

    My Simba died just a few days ago.. so not been reading anything here or elsewhere.. been slightly out of my mind … mostly because I did not sleep at all since then.. just short naps .. since Tuesday.. I love this blog, but now I am .. what? I don’t know… envious.. so the reason I have not clicked like or not been here, is.. well. never mind..

    🙂 Take care..

    Reply
  12. Holly'sMom says:

    If you have a cat that is totally indoors there is little or any need for concern about toxoplasmosis when you are pregnant. There is also a test for toxoplasmosis that can be done on cats or on expectant mothers. It doesn’t hurt to have someone else sift the litter box, just to be on the safe side, but if the cat is totally indoors it becomes less of an issue. As was told to me when I was pregnant with my first daughter. 🙂 Very interesting read.

    Reply
  16. multibreeds77 says:

    Yes, I can totally relate to the last myth. Cats are not unfriendly. I have 8 cats running around the outside of my apartment. Mancha, one mum of the kittens, pretty much welcomes me every time I come home and wants me to pet her. At the same time, Zoe (chihuahua dog), comes too jumping up and down as of to say: “Hey, please, pet me first, pet me first!” hahahaha!).

    Reply

  17. Pingback: Infographic: 10 Health Benefits of cat Ownership for National Cat Lady Day, April 19 - Katzenworld

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