14 Facts About Cats That Are Really False

Most cat lovers will do anything for their pets, but even they don’t know the true truth about their purring furry friends.

We will debunk the most common “facts” about cats that the vast majority of their owners believe in.

Cats are nocturnal

In fact, this is not true. “We only think so because cats love to run around us at 3 am. But in fact, cats lead a twilight lifestyle, which means that they are awake in the morning and evening, – said Jackson Galaxy, a renowned American expert on the behavior and health of cats. – Over time, you can train your cat to sleep at night and stay awake during the day so that your biological rhythms match. It is advisable to feed her at about the same time every day so that she gets into the right rhythm.

Cats are unteachable

“Cats are as trainable as dogs! Most people just don’t try to teach their pussies about commands or know how to do it, says Russell Hartstein, a board-certified behaviorist and dog and cat trainer. “However, cats love to train and learn as much as dogs!”

No wonder you can often see trained cats in modern circuses.

You don’t need to look after cats too much

Another myth that 90 percent of the world’s population believes in: cats can exist on their own, they do not need supervision.

“Cats that are kept exclusively indoors need a lot of grooming to stay happy and healthy,” says feline veterinarian Lynn Bahr. “They require constant attention, good quality food and clean trays.”

Cats are not as attached to their owners as dogs.

“When comparing their behavior to that of dogs, we often describe cats as distant, overly independent and even unfriendly. This is not fair. Cats really aren’t as dependent on their owners as dogs, but that doesn’t mean they love their owners less, Galaxy says. “Cat love just looks different than what we get from dogs.”

Milk is a favorite treat for cats

Like some people, cats can be lactose intolerant. Even if you associate cats with milk, you do not need to constantly feed them this product.

“All mammals are born with the ability to digest their mother’s milk, and their bodies contain the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the protein lactose,” says cat blogger Down Lafontaine, a cat shelter volunteer. “However, after a certain age, the feline body stops producing this enzyme.” This is why milk can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

Cats can be left at home on weekends

Many people mistakenly think of cats as loners and think that everything will be fine if they are left alone at home with an automatic feeder and an adequate supply of water. But in reality, leaving animals for a few days is a bad idea. Like dogs, baleen can experience panic attacks and depression. They crave attention and want to live in a family of people, although they often do not demonstrate this in an obvious way.

A purring cat is a happy cat

If your cat is curled up in a ball next to you, purring while you pet it, this is usually a sign that the animal is pretty. However, this is not always the case.

“Cats also purr when scared and threatened. They can purr in pain when they are injured, during childbirth and even when they are on the verge of death, ”says Down Lafontaine.

Clipping the claws does not harm the health of the cat

Another cat myth created by cat beauty salons.

“Clipping the claws is a completely unnecessary operation. Basically, you are saving your furniture, harming your cat’s body, ”says Galaxy. “Clipped claws can cause inflammation and permanently cripple your cat.” 

Cats hate water

It is true that many cats don’t like to bathe, but they don’t hate water.

“Cats are less water-loving than dogs, their fur is thinner than a dog’s, so if they get wet, they can easily catch a cold,” says Lafontaine. “But many cats and kittens love to play with the water, splash around, drink from the faucet or dip their paws into the bathtub.”

The only cat breeds that definitely love water are the Turkish Van and Bengals. 

Domestic cats live longer

“This is only true if you are comparing domestic cats to stray cats,” says veterinarian Lynn Bahr. “Otherwise, cats that live at home and can go outside live as long as stray cats.”

Cats and dogs don’t get along with each other

Indeed, sometimes cats and dogs squabble. But this is not because they are of different types. Two people also may not find a common language with each other, it all depends on the characters. In fact, half of cats and dogs get along well and can take care of each other. 

Cats always land on their paws

They do have the reflex to roll over in the air and land on their paws, plus a flexible spine and strong muscles. But this system is not always reliable, and if you toss the cat not too high above the ground, it may not have enough time to roll over. Even the most trained cats are not immune to injury.

Dry food is better than wet food

Another common myth. In fact, wet food is better than dry food because it contains more protein, fewer calories, and tastes better. 

All cats love catnip.

“In fact, only about 50-75 percent of cats are susceptible to catnip charms. Sensitivity to catnip with an essential oil called nepetalactone is actually a hereditary trait, and cats in Australia, for example, are generally immune to it, ”says cat blogger Lafontaine.

Although for many cats, the smell of catnip is as attractive as valerian and causes an intoxicating feeling.