Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Cats > 18 Biggest Cat Myths & Misconceptions: Get the Facts Straight

18 Biggest Cat Myths & Misconceptions: Get the Facts Straight

Cat drinking milk_Pixel Shot_Shutterstock

When it comes to cats, there are some well-known facts, but there are also some really common myths and misconceptions surrounding cats as well. Some of these cat myths are funny or absurd, but others can be harmful. We all love our cats and want the best for them, and the last thing any of us want is to accidentally do harm to our cats by choosing their care based on things we’ve heard that may or may not hold water. So, here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about cats that we really need to stop believing.

divider-cat

The 18 Biggest Cat Myths & Misconceptions

1. Myth: Cow’s Milk is Good for Cats

Reality: Cats lack the enzymes necessary to properly digest lactose, which is a sugar present in cow’s milk. Giving cow’s milk to your cat can lead to diarrhea and stomach pain, which is unpleasant for your cat and you, and may even lead to a veterinarian visit. Cow’s milk is especially dangerous for kittens, especially skim and other low fat content milks, because it does not contain the nutrients that kittens need to thrive. Like adult cats, kittens are unable to properly digest cow’s milk, leading to diarrhea and dehydration, which can be deadly.

Soy, almond, oat, and other non-animal milks are not good options for cats or kittens since they may lead to stomach upset and do not provide much in the way of nutrients. Goat’s milk is a tricky subject, and whether it’s good for cats or not seems to be up for debate. Some cats experience stomach upset with goat’s milk, and it is very high in fat, which isn’t ideal for adult cats. For kittens, it’s best to stick with commercial kitten milk replacers if mom isn’t around.

Catt drinking milk in black saucer_Joanna Zaleska_Shutterstock
Image by: Joanna Zaleska, Shutterstock

2. Myth: Cats Can Live on a Vegan or Vegetarian Diet

Reality: Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that their natural diet almost exclusively consists of animal protein sources. Plant proteins and vegan or vegetarian diets do not meet all the nutritional needs of your cat. It’s the same concept as vegans requiring B vitamin supplementation because some B vitamins are only available in animal protein sources. Except, for your cat, this supplementation isn’t something you can pick up at the local pet shop.

Even though there are some commercially available vegan and vegetarian diets for cats, this doesn’t make them safe or ethical to feed to your cat. If you are ethically or morally opposed to feeding meat products to a pet, then you should stick with a herbivorous pet, like rabbits.


3. Myth: Cats Always Land on Their Feet

Reality: While cats are exceptionally agile and acrobatic animals, they do not always land on their feet. Like any other animal, cats can be injured by falls, especially those from high heights. If you have a two-story home or a balcony, take precautions to prevent your cat from making risky moves that could result in a long fall. Don’t rely on your cat to make good judgment calls when it comes to preventing falls. From high enough, it doesn’t matter if your cat lands on its feet because it can still end up with injuries to its legs or back.

cat playing
Image by: Pixabay

4. Myth: Cats Have Nine Lives

Reality: Obviously, this isn’t one to take at face value. We all know that cats only have one life, just like everything else. However, many people believe that cats will eek through risky situations by the skin of their teeth because of their agility, speed, and grace. This isn’t a reason to allow your cat to enter potentially dangerous situations, because they can end poorly for your cat. Cars, other animals, falls, and other hazards pose daily dangers to cats that can result in injury or death.


5. Myth: Purring Means Your Cat is Happy

Reality: This one may come as a shock, but purring doesn’t always indicate your cat is happy. Purring can indicate happiness, but it can also indicate stress or pain. There are many reasons it’s believed that cats purr, and it has been discovered that cat purrs happen at frequencies that support healing and stress relief. Sick or injured cats, or cats that are in pain for another reason, like labor, will purr to ease their discomfort. If your cat only purrs when it’s sitting in your lap and getting scratches on its head, then it’s likely purring because it’s happy. It’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s purring habits, though, and note any changes or unusual purring instances.

a young lady carrying a cat
Image by: Piqsels

6. Myth: Cats are Low Maintenance Pets

Reality: Cats can be low-maintenance pets. Usually, if you stand on your head and hold your breath and do the splits on a Tuesday. Sorry, but cats just aren’t low maintenance. They got that label because they don’t require walks and don’t have the same play or energy expenditure requirements as dogs. However, cats still require daily attention. Your cat’s litter box should be attended to daily, food and water should be refreshed, and routine vet visits should be performed (more on that in a minute). All of that doesn’t include daily playtime, grooming, bonding, and the additional care that sick or elderly cats may require.


7. Myth: It’s Cruel to Keep Cats Indoors

Reality: Domestic cats are apex predators, and they are capable of annihilating entire species. In fact, domestic cats have been tied to the extinction of 63 species across the world. Outdoor cats are a danger to the natural ecosystem and allowing cats outdoors unattended can put your cat in danger too. Cars, wildlife, and other domestic animals all pose threats to your cat, not to mention the risk of parasites and disease.

In some countries, it’s unusual to keep cats indoors, so there’s often pushback on this, but cats can be perfectly happy indoors, they are safer indoors, and they don’t endanger the native ecosystem. If your cat seems particularly interested in the outdoors, you can fit a secure cat harness for your cat and train them to use it, allowing them outdoor time on a leash, or you can build or purchase a “catio” for secure outside time.

grey tabby laying on couch
Image by: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

8. Myth: Cats Hate People

Reality: Just like people and other animals, cats have preferences. Some cats are shy, unsocialized, or simply prefer to stay hidden away from people. Some cats may even have preferred people they’ll spend time with but hide away from other people. There are plenty of cats that are cuddly, playful, and adventurous, and love spending time with their people. As a whole, cats don’t hate people. They are domestic animals that have been selectively bred over thousands of years to create the animals we have today.


9. Myth: Cats Hate Dogs

Reality: Some cats hate dogs, some cats love dogs, and some cats are fully indifferent to dogs. Proper introductions and socialization of both the cat and dog are necessary to succeed in keeping the two together. You will have to supervise and make sure boundaries are maintained, but cats and dogs are both good about letting the other know when boundaries have been crossed. It’s your job to keep your cat and dog safe together.

Cat and Dog_Chendongshan_Shutterstock
Image by: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

10. Myth: Cats Hate Other Cats

Reality: This one is exactly the same as “cats hate dogs”. Some cats hate other cats, some love them, and some are indifferent. Socialization and proper introductions are necessary, and cats can be slow to warm up to new introductions in the home.


11. Myth: Cats Hate Water

Reality: Overall, cats aren’t huge fans of water, but some cats love water. Some people’s cats refuse to drink from a water bowl, insisting instead that they must drink from running water. Some cats will put their head under a stream of running water and lick the drips off to drink. Some cats, like Bengals, are known for their affinity for water.

cat drinking from fountain
Image by: Nana_Hana, Shutterstock

12. Myth: Declawing Cats is Harmless

Reality: Declawing cats involves fully removing the first joint of the toes. This practice has been outlawed in multiple countries, and tensions often run high when discussing it. However, declawing cats has been linked to arthritis, generalized pain, and behavioral problems. Some declawed cats refuse to use the litter box because digging in the litter hurts their feet, while others may become prone to biting since their first means of protection has been removed. Nerve damage and bone infections are not uncommon, and if not performed correctly, you may struggle with helping your cat’s feet heal from a declaw surgery.


13. Myth: Indoor Cats Don’t Need Shots or Vet Visits

Reality: Indoor cats require the same vet checkups that outdoor cats do. Some veterinarians may alter the shot recommendations or schedule for indoor cats, but there is always the risk of your indoor cat getting out of the house, in which case you’ll want them to be fully vaccinated and protected against diseases. Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most parts of the US, and they must be administered by a veterinarian, so don’t skip out on this one.

Routine vet visits can also help catch problems early. Indoor cats may have a lower risk of catching diseases from other animals, but they are still susceptible to cancers, thyroid disease, kidney disease, and other illnesses. Routine vet visits can help catch these problems early, giving the best chance of good outcomes. Also, fleas may get into your house on other pets or even on your clothes, and they can be difficult to get rid of. Fleas can lead to anemia and skin infections, and a veterinarian prescribed medication can help get rid of and prevent fleas.

Cat Vet_Stock Asso_Shutterstock
Image by: Stock Asso, Shutterstock

14. Myth: Cats Can See in the Dark

Reality: The reality is far less cool, unfortunately. Cats cannot truly see in the dark, but they have developed the ability to see well in low light environments. This allows them to hunt during low light times, like dawn and dusk. However, if you put a cat in a pitch-black room, it won’t be able to see.


15. Myth: Cats are Nocturnal

Reality: Cats are crepuscular, which means they are typically most active at dawn and dusk. They sleep somewhere around 18–23 hours per day, though, so it’s hard to say they’re nocturnal just because sometimes they’re awake during the night or early morning. Bouncing off the walls at 2 am doesn’t equate to a nocturnal animal.

cat sleep-pixabay
Image by: husnerova, Pixabay

16. Myth: Get Rid of Your Cat if You’re Pregnant

Reality: Cats can carry a parasite called Toxoplasmosis, which is shed in their stools. In pregnant people, Toxoplasmosis can lead to birth defects and miscarriage, so it can be very dangerous to pregnant women. However, if you aren’t directly handling your cat’s stool, then the risk of this is exceptionally low. Generally, the recommendation is to wear gloves when emptying the litter box while pregnant to reduce the risk of Toxoplasmosis transmission. Reducing the frequency that you empty the litter box can actually increase the risk of Toxoplasmosis transmission, so daily emptying is necessary. When it comes to managing cat ownership during pregnancy, your OBGYN is your best starting point.


17. Myth: Black Cats are Bad Luck

Reality: This myth is present in multiple countries, from the US to Japan, and it has been around for centuries. The myth was especially strong during panic surrounding witches and witchcraft in Europe and the United States, and it has simply held on since then. There is no actual link between black cats, or any cats, and bad luck. However, black cats may be adopted at lower rates than cats of other coat colors simply because they are often harder to spot in the poor lighting of shelters.

Bombay-black-cat-portrait_Viktor-Sergeevich_shutterstock
Image by: Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock

18. Myth: Cats Will Steal Your Baby’s Oxygen

Reality: Ok, we all know this one isn’t true. The belief that cats would steal oxygen from a baby is an old wives’ tale that went out of fashion long ago. However, it does tie into a belief that people do still hold today, and that is that your cat will smother your baby. Here’s the thing about cats, they love to cuddle up in warm, cozy spots. Few spots in the home are warmer and cozier than a baby bed, and some cats take quite an interest in babies, choosing to spend time with them.

It is absolutely possible for your cat to accidentally smother your baby, but cats aren’t going out of their way to intentionally smother babies. Like any other pet, your baby and cat should not be left unattended. Babies are loud and unpredictable, and cats are animals and may react to being grabbed or startled. Your cat should not be allowed in your baby’s bed simply because your cat needs to understand the boundaries of what does and doesn’t belong to it, and because it helps keep your baby and your cat safe.

divider-cat In Conclusion

There are a lot of inaccuracies out there when it comes to cats, which is surprising considering they are one of the most common domestic pets. In fact, cats were domesticated somewhere around 10,000 years ago, so you’d think we’d have fewer misconceptions about them after that long! Clearing up misconceptions and cat myths can help to keep cats safe and healthy. It can also lead to improved knowledge of cat husbandry and help people come up with better alternatives for things like declawing and keeping cats outdoors.

Next on your reading list:


Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets