What are some....????

Question

Of the myths you have heard about cats????

Answer 1

Hi there...thanks for asking such a simple and good question!

Top Ten Myths about Cats

1. Cats have nine lives

2. Cats' eyes shine at night because they are casting out the light they gather during the day.

3. When a cat's whiskers droop, rain is coming.

4. If you want to keep a cat from straying put butter on its feet.

5. If a cat sneezes near a bride on her wedding day, she will have a happy marriage.

6. A man who mistreats his cat will die in a storm.

7. Stepping over a cat brings bad luck.

8. If a dark colored cat crosses your path, it will bring you gold

9. If a light colored cat crosses your path, it will bring you silver.

10. Black cats are bad luck.


About.com:
1) Myth: Pregnant Women Can't Have Cats
Fact: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that can cause birth defects if contracted by the mother during pregnancy. It is found in soil outdoors, and also in raw or undercooked meat (the most likely source of contact.) It can also be found in cat litter boxes if the cat has been exposed. The truth is that you don't have to get rid of the cat. Also read Toxoplasmosis: Not Just for Pregnant People for more info.

2) Myth: Female Cats Need a Litter Before Spaying
Fact: A cat can suffer more harm through pregnancy than she can by being spayed. The truth is that some people just want kittens, and will use any excuse. Spaying will prevent uterine cancer, and help prevent mammary cancer, ovarian cysts, as well as complications of pregnancy, including stillbirth and malformed kittens. Need I even mention the overwhelming cat overpopulation problem? See also The Cat Show.

3) Myth: Neutered Male Cats Have More UTIs
Fact: Although one study found that castrated cats did not increase the chance of UTIs, a Winn Feline Foundation study found the greatest risk for certain uroliths (crystals)is the 10 to 15 year old neutered male cat. When measured against the risks of leaving male cats whole, neutering is the better choice.

4) Myth: Cats Are Unhappy Kept Indoors
Fact: While an older cat who has been outdoors for years might be unhappy at being kept inside, cats that grow up indoors, even in apartments, can be very happy, as long as they are provided with pleny of toys and climbing towers for exercise. There are also a number of safe compromises for those times when you (or your cat) want him outdoors.

5) Myth: Declawing is Like Trimming Nails
Fact: Declawing is actually the surgical amputation of the first joint of each toe of the cat, a procedure which is viewed as mutilation by advocates. See my declaw resources for more information.

6) Myth: Cats Are Low Maintenance Pets and Can Take Care of Themselves
Fact: Cats' aura of independence fools some people into thinking they need only minimal care. The truth is that the average age of stray cats and ferals is three years; which should be adequate proof against this myth. When we domesticated cats thousands of years ago, we assumed the responsibility of adequately caring for their needs.

7) Myth: Cats Don't Need Vaccinations
Fact: The scare about VAS (Vaccine Associated Sarcoma) a few years ago has made some people reluctant to allow their cats to have any vaccinations. The VAS Task Force has listed certain vaccines as core, and almost all cats should receive them.

8) Myth: Cats Can Thrive on a Vegan Diet
Fact: Some people who choose a vegan lifestyle also subject their cats to a meatless diet. By and large, veterinarians disagree, because cats are obligate carnivores and need animal tissue, e.g. meat, to meet their dietary needs. See also Vegan Cats Dialogue, and let your own conscience guide you.


CFA.org:
Myth: Cats always land on their feet.
Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.

Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.

Myth: Indoor cats cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in on a cat owner's shoes or clothing. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals feces.

Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.

Myth: Putting garlic on a pet's food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal's food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Myth: A cat's sense of balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers" but not to maintain their balance.

Myth: Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage the wound.

For more fund reading on feline myths:
http://www.wistcatrefuge.homestead.com/files/Myths.htm
http://cats.about.com/od/catloreurbanlegends/
http://www.kittykind.org/cc_myths.html
http://messybeast.com/folktails.htm

Answer 2

That cats like to suck the breath out of your newborn baby....which has been proven wrong, cats don't kill babies Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is what kills the babies, not the cats, Cats are creatures from hell.....just because they are smart and gorgeous and have their own personality does not mean that they are evil. Black cats bad luck...just because that's how Halloween has stereotyped the black cat does not mean they bring you bad luck. etc...etc...

Answer 3

Black cats are bad luck, cats will suck the breath out of a baby (or smother it), cats cause permanent breathing problems (that's a new one!), cats always land on their feet (they're very agile, but I have witnessed a few who weren't so lucky).

Answer 4

if u r planning on getting a cat read all u can and learn all u can about them. in europe they said cats were evil and they killed them. then all the mice and rats and rodents spread the Bubonic plague which killed many people, before they realized the cats were helping them

Answer 5

That they were the familiars of witches...which is ridiculous because everybody knows you cannot get a cat to do what you want it to do when you want it to do it! LOL!

Answer 6

Cats r not loyal to their master...

As it goes

"Cats were once worshiped as Gods.... They havnt forgotten that yet"

"Dogs have masters..... Cats have slaves"

Answer 7

they make a great companion and can make a person cheer up when you are feeling blue. Cats are a peoples best friend.

Answer 8

That cats are dumb,cats are only as dumb as their owners allow them to be.

Answer 9

They can suck a babys breath away, all witches have black cats.

Answer 10

The one that I've heard is that they kill babies. But that is NOT I repeat NOT true.