10 In style Cat Myths Fully Debunked by a Vet

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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 most typical 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 Blissful

Cat lounging on white background

Whereas cats often do purr as a result of happiness and luxury, they might additionally purr to self-soothe in periods of stress and ache.

Whereas cats positively purr when they’re blissful, in addition they purr once they really feel sick, are in ache, or are afraid. Whereas we don’t know completely why this occurs, one idea 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 are very unwell nonetheless purring, and they’re positively not blissful. A contented cat will often offer you further indicators that they’re blissful along with purring.

2. Pregnant Girls Can’t Dwell With Cats

Pregnant woman with orange and white cat on a grey couch.

Whereas it could be dangerous for pregnant girls to scrub out a cat’s litter field as a result of potential T. gondii an infection, it’s protected for them to reside with cats typically.

You in all probability heard concerning the cat litter being pregnant fable. This fable originated after the invention {that a} frequent parasite present in cat poop causes delivery defects in people. The perpetrator is Toxoplasma gondii, and pregnant girls can change into contaminated by unintentionally ingesting the parasite after cleansing the litterbox.

Luckily, it’s pretty straightforward to keep away from an infection by having a non-pregnant particular person clear the litterbox, sporting 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

Kitten drinking milk from a saucer

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!) may cause digestive upset in cats who’ve been weaned.

What concerning the cats and milk fable? Nicely, in a single phrase… False! Most of us have seen nostalgic photos of cats ingesting cow’s milk from a dish or fed a cat milk from a dish. This fable 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 change into naturally lactose illiberal.

Additionally Learn: Is Milk Good For Cats?

Feeding a cat milk doesn’t present the best vitamins and will trigger diarrhea or vomiting. If you wish to feed your cat milk strive Cat-Sip, a lactose-free different.

4. Cats Are Most Energetic at Evening

Cats hunting at night

Whereas it’s frequent to think about cats as nocturnal animals, they’re, actually, crepuscular and most energetic 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 energetic at nightfall and daybreak.

In case your cat is preserving you up at evening, strive rising play time along with your cat at these instances and see if that doesn’t assist reset your cat’s circadian rhythms.

5. Cats All the time Land on Their Toes

Cat standing on a desk

No, cats don’t at all times land on their ft! In reality, 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 permits them to twist in mid-air and land on their ft, more often than not. Cats aren’t foolproof and might nonetheless injure themselves in falls, typically with chin and enamel accidents.

As well as, age, arthritis, and different diseases can cut back a cat’s reflexes, and sufficient cats are injured by falls from nice heights yearly to provide it a reputation: excessive rise syndrome.

6. One Human 12 months = 7 Cat Years

Exotic shorthair cat

Whereas we frequently think about one yr of a cat’s life to equal seven years of human life, feline growing old 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 reside a very very long time, some cats have been documented to reside 25 years!

7. Declawing Cats Doesn’t Harm

Grey Scottish Fold Cat with Paws in Foreground

Whereas some declare that declawing doesn’t damage, the operation is painful and infrequently results in power ache and behavioral issues.

Time for the cat declawing myths

Some individuals are beneath the impression that declawing a cat doesn’t damage any greater than trimming fingernails, however it is a grave false impression. Declawing is a surgical process achieved beneath anesthesia, and includes amputating the third digit, which comprises the nail.

Many cats go on to develop power ache from arthritis, and lots of cats develop aggression due to this ache. Luckily, there are alternate options to declawing, simply ask your veterinarian!

8. Cats Can Be Vegan

Cat chewing a carrot surrounded by vegetables

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 have to eat meat to fulfill their dietary wants, together with full and balanced important amino acids. Feeding a cat a vegan eating 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

Cat lying under a blue cloth during surgery

It’s greatest 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, enhance the unfold of infectious illness, and harm 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 influence 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’ll get pregnant!

Additionally Learn: Ought to I Let My Cat Exterior?

It’s endorsed to maintain younger feminine cats indoors till they’re spayed at 5-6 months of age to stop unintended being pregnant.

10. Cats Don’t Want Train

kitten playing

Whereas we frequently consider cats as sedentary in comparison with canine, they want loads of train. Cats are happiest and healthiest once they’re in a position to play a number of instances per day.

Weight problems is a giant drawback amongst indoor cat populations, no pun supposed. Indoor cats are usually heavier than outside cats as a result of they don’t get as a lot train, contemporary 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. You probably have a cat, it will be important that your cat will get train on daily basis.

Whereas this varies primarily based 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 periods. As well as, give your cat plenty of vertical house to climb on, and ensure your cat isn’t overeating.

Should you aren’t positive about your cat’s train and dietary wants, ask your veterinarian for recommendation.

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