Busting the Top 7 Feline Myths · Kinship Leave a comment

Cats are featured prominently in mythology, and that’s cool, however there are a variety of prevailing misconceptions about cats, and that’s positively not so cool. Debunking these myths offers us a higher understanding of the true nature of cats, and due to this fact permits us to construct nearer relationships with the cats in our lives. Beneath, among the most typical feline stereotypes and superstitions.

1. Fable: Cats can’t be educated.

It’s curious that when many individuals consider coaching their pets, they solely consider canines. All the opposite animals might be educated, too — goldfish, rats, geckos, anoles, lovebirds, hamsters, hermit crabs, and in fact, cats. With using optimistic coaching strategies, treats, toys, endurance and love, cats might be educated to high-five, come when referred to as, play fetch, current their paws for nail trims, enter a cat provider, hop up on a desk, and a lot extra.

2. Fable: Cats at all times land on their ft.

Cats are agile, and regularly able to delivering mid-air to land in a way that any Olympic gymnast would envy. Nonetheless, they don’t magically land safely. They want sufficient time to make these maneuvers and in the event that they fall from too low a peak, they’ll and do land on their backs or sides, which might trigger harm. Moreover, in the event that they fall or soar from too nice a peak, even touchdown on their ft can’t defend them from accidents to their legs, again, or different physique components.

3. Fable: Cats are nocturnal and might see in complete darkness.

Actually two myths in a single, the concept cats are creatures of the night time isn’t solely right. Cats are crepuscular, that means that they’re most energetic at daybreak and nightfall. They are often awake at any time of day or night time, and simply because they’re strolling throughout you as you attempt to sleep doesn’t imply they’re nocturnal.

Cats can see in very low mild as a result of they’ve a variety of light-sensitive receptors of their eyes, and since they’ll open their pupils actually vast to let in additional mild. Nonetheless, they’ll’t see when there isn’t a mild in any respect.

4. Fable: Cats are low-maintenance pets.

Maybe no fantasy has performed extra injury to the standard of life for cats. Cats want a variety of consideration and care. Simply because they is probably not tremendous pushy or demanding in the event that they don’t obtain it doesn’t imply their well-being isn’t being compromised. Presumably as a result of they don’t require each day walks, a fantasy of low upkeep has developed. Nonetheless, caring for a cat requires plenty of time spent enjoying with, grooming, coaching and petting them, all of which assist develop a very good bond. Each day upkeep of the litter field, common feeding, and altering out their water provide additionally require time. 

5. Fable: Cats hate getting moist.

Not all cats object to having a swim, although it’s true that many cats are terrified of being submerged in water. That could be a results of dangerous experiences with water early on, a pure inclination to remain true to their desert-dwelling ancestors, or maybe wariness as a result of they lack expertise being in water. There are many cats of each sort who get pleasure from being in water and search it out. An affinity for water is most typical in sure breeds equivalent to Turkish Vans, which have been nicknamed “swimming cats” and Bengal cats, who’re well-known for his or her love of H2O, and fortunately take to the water.

6. Fable: Cats shouldn’t be round pregnant ladies.

The parable that cats are a hazard to pregnant ladies has induced many a cat to be ejected from the house when somebody is newly anticipating and induced many households to grieve the cat they miss. No person ought to should say goodbye to a cat due to being pregnant. The kernel of reality behind this fantasy is that cat feces can include a parasite that’s doubtlessly harmful for the growing fetus as a result of it will possibly trigger toxoplasmosis. Right here’s the factor, although — it’s primarily cats who reside open air and feed on birds or rodents who’ve this parasite. Indoor cats consuming business meals or meals ready particularly for them are unlikely to have it.

It’s usually good recommendation for somebody aside from the pregnant girl to scrub out the litter field as a precaution, although if she should do it, sporting gloves and washing her arms totally after cleansing the litter field is smart. (Observe: the parasite can be present in uncooked meat, so avoiding contact with it, or no less than good hand hygiene after touching uncooked meat can be a good suggestion.) So, it is smart to keep away from cat feces when pregnant if doable, however there’s no must keep away from cats!

7. Fable: Cats don’t like canines (or individuals!).

If cats are socialized to canines and other people (that means that they’ve optimistic experiences with them throughout a essential interval of growth — three to seven weeks of age), they’re very more likely to think about members of each species to be social companions. It’s additionally extraordinarily useful if they’re genetically predisposed to be sociable, pleasant and playful versus fearful and cautious. Such pleasant, sociable cats who’ve had good early experiences with individuals and canines will play with, settle for affection from, and snuggle up with their human and canine buddies.