Myth or Fact?

Like rumours, myths can spread at the speed of wildfire. Some of the common cat myths are obvious untrue (such as cats having 9 lives), but other cat myths become common misunderstandings at the veterinarians. This site provides a great explanation on myth-busters and is useful information for any cat owner.

Some of the most common myth-busters and cat facts include:

Myth Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact Cats, like most other other warm-blooded mammals, are prone to rabies. They should be vaccinated regularly to prevent rabies infection. Speak to your vet if you are concerned.

Myth Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact Properly nourished cats actually don’t need to drink milk. Some will even get diarrhea if they consume too much milk!

Myth Cats always land on their feet.
Fact It’s instinctive for cats to fall feet first – watch the video below to see a cat falling in slow motion – notice how the body is flipped so that the feet come down first.

However, if a cat jumps from a high place, they can also break their bones in the process, so make sure that you carefully cat proof any open high areas in your house.

Myth Cats purr when they are happy and content.
Fact A cat purrs when it’s happy, but sometimes a cat will purr when it is in pain. They’ll also purr when they are giving birth or if they are very scared. Just think of purring as an expression of an emotion rather than an expression of happiness – the same way that a person may cry when they are happy as well as when they are sad.

Myth Cats can’t stand water
Fact Most cats do indeed hate water, but some, such as Bengal cats, are quite fond of water. Look at the cat below, taking a lazy afternoon swim!