Cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, but plenty of myths still surround them. From old superstitions to everyday misunderstandings, these beliefs don’t always match reality.
This article is for general information only. Cat behaviour and health can vary between individuals. For advice specific to your pet, consult a veterinarian.
1. Cats Always Land On Their Feet
While cats possess an impressive natural ability called the “righting reflex” that helps them orient themselves in mid-air, it’s not foolproof. This reflex needs time to work properly.
Falls from low heights can be particularly dangerous since cats may not have enough time to position themselves correctly. Veterinarians regularly treat cats for injuries sustained from falls, proving this myth isn’t completely accurate.
2. Black Cats Bring Bad Luck
This harmful superstition varies dramatically across cultures and has unfairly affected black cat adoption rates in many shelters. In Japan, black cats are actually considered lucky, especially for single women seeking romance.
Ancient Egyptian culture revered black cats as divine. Far from being harbingers of misfortune, these beautiful felines make wonderful companions with the same loving potential as cats of any other color.
3. One Human Year Equals Seven Cat Years
The simple 1:7 ratio doesn’t accurately reflect feline aging patterns. Cats mature rapidly in their early years, reaching the human equivalent of mid-20s by their second birthday.
After this initial growth spurt, their aging process slows considerably. A more accurate calculation shows a 1-year-old cat is roughly 15 in human years, while a 2-year-old cat is about 24. Beyond that, each additional cat year equals roughly 4 human years.
4. Cats Hate Water
The widespread belief that all cats detest water stems from observing common domestic breeds. Many housecats do avoid getting wet, partly because their fur doesn’t dry quickly and can become uncomfortably heavy.
Several breeds break this stereotype completely. Turkish Vans, nicknamed ‘swimming cats,’ naturally enjoy water activities. Maine Coons and Bengals often show fascination with running water and may even join their owners in the shower!
5. Cats Are Aloof And Independent
Research contradicts the stereotype of the emotionally detached cat. Studies show that cats form genuine attachments to their humans similar to those between children and parents.
Many cats experience separation anxiety when their favorite people leave. They often express affection through subtle behaviors like slow blinking, bringing ‘gifts,’ and following their humans from room to room.
These social creatures simply communicate differently than dogs do.
6. Pregnant Women Must Avoid Cats Entirely
The concern stems from toxoplasmosis, a parasite sometimes found in cat feces, not from cats themselves. This misunderstanding leads some expectant mothers to unnecessarily rehome beloved pets.
Simple precautions make cat ownership during pregnancy perfectly safe. Having someone else clean the litter box or using gloves and washing hands thoroughly afterward eliminates risk. Indoor cats who don’t hunt are unlikely to carry the parasite at all.
7. Cats Can See In Total Darkness
Felines possess remarkable night vision thanks to specialized eye structures. Their pupils open wider than ours, and they have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum that enhances available light.
Despite these adaptations, cats still require some minimal light source to see. In complete darkness, they’re just as blind as humans. Their superior hearing and whiskers help compensate when navigating in extremely dim conditions.
8. Cats Purr Only When Happy
The soothing sound of purring isn’t exclusively a sign of contentment. Veterinarians frequently observe cats purring while in pain or distress, particularly during examinations.
Purring serves multiple purposes in feline communication. The vibrations occur at frequencies that promote healing and bone growth, suggesting it may be a self-soothing mechanism during stress or injury. Mother cats also purr when nursing, teaching kittens to associate the sound with comfort.
9. Indoor Cats Don’t Need Vet Visits
Staying indoors protects cats from many dangers but doesn’t eliminate their need for professional healthcare. Indoor cats still require vaccinations against diseases that can be brought in on shoes or clothing.
Dental disease, obesity, diabetes, and kidney issues commonly affect indoor cats. Regular check-ups allow veterinarians to catch these conditions early. Prevention through routine care typically costs less than treating advanced illnesses.
10. Milk Is Good For Cats
Cartoons and children’s books have perpetuated the image of cats happily lapping up saucers of milk. The biological reality tells a different story.
Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, lacking the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar properly. Feeding them dairy products typically leads to uncomfortable digestive upset including diarrhea and vomiting. Specially formulated ‘cat milk’ products with reduced lactose offer a safer alternative for those feline milk cravings.
11. Cats Cannot Be Trained
The myth that cats are untrainable stems from misunderstanding their learning style. Unlike dogs, who evolved to work cooperatively with humans, cats respond better to different motivation techniques.
Clicker training paired with food rewards proves highly effective for teaching cats tricks, behaviors, and even agility courses. Many cats learn to sit, high-five, come when called, and use toilets instead of litter boxes. Their independent nature requires patience, not an absence of training.
12. Cats Are Nocturnal
The midnight zoomies might make it seem like cats are nocturnal creatures, but their natural rhythm is actually crepuscular. This means they’re biologically programmed to be most active during dawn and dusk, the prime hunting times for their wild ancestors.
House cats often adjust their schedules to match their humans, becoming more active when people are home. Their excellent low-light vision makes evening playtime particularly appealing to them.
13. Declawing Is Harmless
Far from being a simple nail trim, declawing involves amputating the last bone of each toe, equivalent to removing human fingertips at the first knuckle. This permanent alteration can cause lifelong pain and behavioral problems.
Declawed cats often develop litter box avoidance due to paw sensitivity. Many veterinarians refuse to perform this procedure. Alternatives include regular nail trimming, scratching posts, and soft nail caps that protect furniture while preserving natural feline behaviors.
14. Cats Don’t Show Illness
As descendants of both predators and prey, cats have evolutionary reasons to mask weakness. This survival instinct makes illness detection challenging for owners.
Subtle changes often signal health problems: slightly decreased water intake, less grooming, or sleeping in unusual locations. Weight changes, altered vocalization patterns, and litter box habits provide important clues. Regular weighing and observation help catch problems before they become severe.
15. Cats Only Meow To Humans
Adult feral cats rarely vocalize to each other, primarily communicating through body language, scent marking, and facial expressions. Meowing evolved specifically for human interaction.
Kittens naturally meow to their mothers, but outgrow this behavior unless living with humans. Domestic cats essentially retain this juvenile communication method, developing a unique ‘language’ with their owners. Some cats learn to produce different sounds for specific requests, food, doors, or attention.
