Cats seem to have a mysterious disposition, and people have always been fascinated by these felines. Other cats are playful, comical, or just plain “crazy” that they are entertaining to watch. Little wonder these popular “cat videos” are littering everywhere on the Internet.
We cannot figure out precisely what these cats are thinking or feeling. But we’re otherwise sure that the following common perceptions about cats are, in fact, plain misconceptions. It’s time to stop believing them.
Cats always land on their feet when they fall
Yes, cats are pretty graceful and agile creatures, and many of them do land on their feet. But not always.
Cats have what is called a “righting reflex,” wherein they can twist around very quickly while falling and land on their feet. The flexible backbones also help cats in doing this.
But the reflex isn’t always effective, especially when a cat falls from a high place. Like many other animals, cats also suffer injuries after falling from heights. Some cats are lucky to survive and recover quickly; while others, devastatingly, can’t make it. And some cats who don’t succumb to their injuries do suffer long-term damage, and treatments for their injuries can be pretty costly.
As a responsible pet owner, you know how expensive it can be to bring your pets to vet clinics, especially if they’re gravely ill or seriously injured. That’s why it’s recommended to have insurance for your pet so that you won’t be forced to spend on their treatments out of your own pocket when the inevitable comes. You might as well be interested in getting the best pet insurance online, which you can do in the comfort of your home.
In addition, you want to ensure to safety of your pet cats at home. If you’re living in a high-rise apartment or condominium, keep your windows closed and install mesh to your windows and balconies to keep your pet felines from falling out.
Cats have nine lives
Like the rest of us, cats have only one life to live. So, where does this “cats have nine lives” expression come from? No one really knows the exact origin of this myth, but it has certainly been around for centuries. There are a couple of possibilities.
Many would attribute this expression to William Shakespeare and his play Romeo and Juliet, which refers to the nine lives of cats.
There’s also an old English proverb that says, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.” The proverb is obviously a light-hearted one, so it shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
However, it’s most likely that this myth has built up over time because of the cats’ ability to get out of sticky situations. Over time, these felines have survived falls or other accidents (thanks to their agility and flexibility) so it’s no surprise they’ve earned this “nine lives” title.
Black cats bring bad luck
This enduring superstition exists very much in the Western world. If a black cat crosses your path, it means that bad luck is coming your way.
Black cats are also one of the popular modern Halloween symbols, giving them the (undeserved) reputation as spooky creatures.
Sadly, this irrational belief has led to several abandoned black cats. They’re also less likely to get rehomed and adopted in animal shelters and rescue facilities, no thanks to this dumb superstition.
But just like their lighter-colored counterparts, black cats can have different personalities – sweet, loving, aloof, or demanding. However, many pet owners claim that black cats are more loving than the other cats. Like other pet animals, these little panthers deserve our love, care, and affection. It’s humans who bring bad luck because of their ignorance.
All cats hate water
By saying “most,” it means that not all cats hate water.
In fact, many cats are fascinated by water and some even love to play with it, especially if it comes from the faucet or their drinking fountain.
However, most cats hate to be splashed with or submerged in water because their coats don’t dry fast, leaving them uncomfortable and cold. The dampness is also likely to weigh these animals down, which means they cannot be as quick and agile as they usually are if they’re trying to escape perceived dangers.
Some breeds, such as the Maine Coon, love the water. They love being around water and even swimming in it.
Cats are cold and unloving
Many pet owners, especially dog lovers, argue that cats are cold and unloving. There are many reasons for the cats’ perceived “aloofness.”
Our pet cats are, by nature, more independent than pet dogs. It can be traced to their wild ancestors, who don’t live naturally in the same kind of family groups as dogs do. Another, cats are not specifically bred to spend time around humans.
But many cats do show affection towards their owners. In fact, many of them love to be petted and stroked, and you will know that from their contented purring. Cats also love to rub their faces against you – an affectionate behavior that means they like you and regard you as a friend.
A purring cat is a happy cat
Now, speaking of purring, cats often purr when they’re happy, especially when they’re getting a lot of fuss and attention from you.
Actually, purring is another way for cats to express a variety of emotions. When they’re frightened, nervous, or feeling sick, they may purr as a coping mechanism.
Cats can purr even when they’re close to dying. Many pet owners assume this behavior as a gesture of contentment, but that’s not always the case. As said before, cats may purr as a coping mechanism – it’s their way to comfort themselves. Purring has been shown to strengthen the cats’ muscles and even release endorphins to help the animal deal with whatever pain they’re going through.
Pet cats are untrainable
Unlike dogs, who will follow any commands right away, cats are more like, “I will do it whenever I feel like it.” However, cats can actually be trained.
But of course, training a pet cat differs from training a dog. This is due to the fact that cats will not learn from discipline and otherwise run away from punishment.
Teaching your cat with certain tasks can ultimately strengthen the bond between you and your feline friend. Try doing short training sessions with a clicker and rewarding your pet cat with treats for a job well done. Over time, you can replace the clicker by saying “good” and your cat will associate it with a reward. It takes more patience and determination to train a pet cat, but it will be worth the effort when your kitty learns new tricks!