There are many myths that folks nonetheless imagine about cats, says PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh.
From consuming a saucer of milk every day to seeing ghosts, cats are related to all method of unusual beliefs and superstitions – nevertheless it’s protected to say, don’t imagine all the things you hear.
Here, Shauna debunks six widespread feline myths…
Cats have 9 lives
Quite why we are saying they’ve 9 lives is unclear however the thought is expressed in an historic proverb: “A cat has 9 lives. For three he performs, for 3 he strays, and for the final three he stays.”
Obviously, cats have just one life. What they do have, nonetheless, is a outstanding means to fall from a peak and land on their ft typically unhurt, which could be fairly surprising to witness. And whereas they may appear fortunate, they positively don’t die and return to life once more. They handle to get out of some ‘sticky’ conditions, however they don’t seem to be invincible.
Instead they depend on their athletic skills, flexibility, energy and their tail, which they use for stability. Having stated that, it’s at all times greatest to ensure your second-floor home windows or balconies are securely closed or lined with mesh in order that they don’t trigger themselves any accidents.
Cats needs to be fed milk
For years, we’ve got seen cats having fun with a saucer of milk on TV and different media, so a variety of house owners typically suppose that cats want milk to be wholesome – however this isn’t true. In reality, milk would possibly truly do extra hurt than good to your feline buddy.
Your cat could appear to love the style of milk, however we might at all times advise steering away from giving it to them. Most cats are literally lactose illiberal as they don’t have the enzyme (lactase) of their intestines to digest the sugar in milk (lactose), that means milk containing lactose could make them poorly. They can get vomiting, diarrhoea and abdomen ache from consuming it, identical to lactose intolerance in people.
Not simply that, however a saucer of milk could be loaded with fats. One saucer of milk to your cat is such as you consuming a whole 12-inch pizza. That won’t sound too dangerous by itself, however think about consuming that on high of all of your standard each day meals. Suddenly that pizza looks as if much more. Giving your cat milk cannot solely make them poorly however it may additionally result in weight achieve and weight problems. It’s greatest to keep away from.
Cats can see ghosts
All cat house owners have in all probability skilled their feline buddy working crazily from room to room – however regardless of what you might need been informed about cats seeing ghosts, there’s no proof to assist this.
Cats can sense issues that we are able to’t – for instance, their listening to is rather more delicate than ours, however this doesn’t essentially imply they’re sensing something paranormal. They’re simply selecting up on issues which might be occurring round us that is likely to be too quiet for us to listen to.
If your cat is working round like one thing possessed, the chances are they’re having a humorous 5 minutes (zoomies!) to eliminate the surplus vitality they may in any other case burn when searching – or they’re attempting to persuade you to play with them.
Scaredy cats
We’ve all heard of the time period ‘scaredy cat’, however sadly when a cat is scared, it’s greater than only a phrase. Cats could be afraid of a number of various things and, for a lot of house owners, discovering the reason for the issue and figuring out what to do subsequent could be a problem. Unfortunately, in case your cat is left with none assist, their concern can result in stress, anxiousness and even sickness, particularly as fears are likely to worsen over time. If you suppose your cat is appearing out of types, hiding away, or typically extra careworn, it’s at all times greatest to talk to your vet for recommendation.
Cats can inform the climate
Some imagine that if a cat licks their fur extra, it means it’s going to rain. However, as useful as that may be, our pets can’t predict the climate. Generally, cats are very clear animals and wish to groom themselves, so except it’s going to rain each day, this superstition is totally false.
If your cat is licking themselves much more than regular, it’s at all times greatest to contact your vet for recommendation as this could be a signal of sickness equivalent to stress, parasites, or pores and skin allergy symptoms.
Cats aren’t as pleasant as dogs
It’s typically thought that cats are loads much less pleasant in comparison with different in style pets equivalent to dogs – however once more this isn’t true. All animals are completely different, no matter sort of pet or breed, and so they have completely different personalities, identical to people.
Cats make pretty pets, and with the correct home life atmosphere and optimistic coaching, they’re typically nice, loving companions. Cats present their feelings and show affection differently to dogs and normally like issues to be on their phrases. We simply have to be taught their language to know them.
Love cats? Check out our pets part for recommendation on cat care from How to take your cat to the vet with out stress to the best way to eliminate fleas
About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK’s main vet charity, offering free and low-cost remedy to pets in want. PDSA vets and vet nurses present veterinary care and recommendation to sick and injured pets whose house owners in any other case couldn’t afford to pay the total cost of remedy.
To discover out extra about cats, together with feeding, well being and behavior go to pdsa.org.uk/cats
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