Cat Myths That Have Circulated the Internet That Really Have No Truth In Them At All
Cats have been part of human life for a very long time, and somehow the internet still cannot stop making things up about them. From old superstitions to modern social media claims, cat myths spread fast, even when they do not hold up at all.
That is what makes this list so fun, and so useful. It pulls apart some of the most common cat misconceptions, from their supposed nine lives to the idea that every black cat brings bad luck, and shows why so many of these beliefs never really made sense.
If you have ever repeated one of these cat myths yourself, you are definitely not alone. Read on.
Cats have nine lives
This is probably the biggest myth that everyone believes—even I did! The whole nine lives story originated in Egypt, where it was said that the sun god Atum-Ra could shapeshift into a cat and had nine deities. The myth was kept alive because of their ability to escape trouble quickly, but they by no means have nine lives and are not invincible.
That old saying has stuck around for generations.
They will always land on their feet
Even though cats are quick on their feet and flexible enough to turn and twist their bodies mid-air, they do not always land on their feet. They love to climb to high places, which is known as high-rise syndrome, and when they fall, they can sustain very serious injuries.
Cats can't be trained like dogs
Although it can be a bit more difficult, a cat can certainly be trained to do all the things that a dog can. You just need the right methods, and they tend to respond well to clickers and treats. They can be trained to sit, stay, lie down, and roll over, and some people even train their cats to use the human toilet!
People love to compare them, even when the comparison does not really fit.
When cats wag their tails, they are happy
We all know that when dogs wag their tails, they are usually happy, and it's safe to pet them. However, people have assumed the same about cats, which is a misconception. According to Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, "When a cat wags its tail, it often indicates annoyance or agitation rather than happiness." Therefore, if you are petting a cat and it starts wagging its tail, it’s best to give it some space.
Image Credit: Dr. Helen Fisher
Pregnant women need to stay away from cats
There is a serious disease called Toxoplasmosis that can be transferred from a mother to her unborn baby. The misconception about this disease, however, is that cats can give it to humans. Pregnant women definitely cannot contract the disease from just petting their cat, but they can, however, contract it from the litter box. Infected cat feces normally contain Toxoplasmosis, so it is safer if they have someone else clean it or use gloves and wash their hands after cleaning it.
That one has caused plenty of unnecessary worry over the years.
It’s like the viral “cat hacks” people swear by in odd little tricks that actually work.
Milk is the best thing you can give your cat to drink
Almost every picture of a cat you see online or in movies features a cat drinking milk. Even though we think it's good for them, it actually isn't. It has been discovered that most cats are lactose intolerant, and drinking cow's milk can upset their digestive system. Although not all cats are lactose intolerant, Pets Web MD states, "Cats don’t need milk, and the potential problems outweigh the potential benefits."
Every cat hates water
Yes, there are many cat breeds that absolutely hate water and won't go near it, but there are some that love breaking the stereotype. Savannahs, Maine Coons, and Bengals actually enjoy water and will run toward it instead of away. They are excellent swimmers and love taking baths!
Black cats are bad luck
In Western cultures, it is said that when you see a black cat or if it crosses your path, something bad is going to happen to you. Even though nobody knows the origin of this superstition, many people still associate black cats with witches. Because of this myth, black cats have a harder time getting adopted from shelters.
Some superstitions just refuse to go away.
Declawing cats is fine
It is very natural for cats to scratch carpets, furniture, and basically everything they come across. Sometimes owners get angry and don't want their cats to damage their furniture, so they declaw them. Most see it as just trimming a cat's nails, but it's much more extreme than that. They essentially amputate the last knuckle on a cat's paw, which means performing ten amputations. If cats undergo this procedure, they live the rest of their lives with chronic pain, and it is banned in many countries due to the abuse it causes the cats.
Cats are too independent, so they don't make good pets
It's true that cats are very independent, but that doesn't mean they don't love their owners. They tend to form a strong bond with their human families and rely on them to meet their basic needs, as well as to provide them with attention and love. Cats are even used for therapy in many hospitals because they bring so much joy and affection.
And that is where a lot of cat owners would strongly disagree.
Think you know everything about cats, check out 20 fascinating cat facts that will amaze you.
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