Common Cat Myths That Simply Aren't True

We're here to set the record straight by debunking these cat myths that every cat person wishes others would get.

Common Cat Myths That Aren't True

If you want an affectionate companion animal, get a dog. If you want an independent, low-maintenance pet, get a cat. That's what conventional pet wisdom says, anyway, but is it really true?

Cats and dogs are two very different animals, but as cat owners can attest, their feline companions are often misunderstood. They're labeled as standoffish and cold, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We're here to set the record straight by debunking these cat myths that every cat person wishes others would get.

Myth No. 1: Cats Are Unpredictable

Playful silly cute pet cat destroying toilet paper

Cats have a reputation for being unpredictable, scratching without warning. While every cat, like every dog, has a unique temperament, their behavior is more predictable than many cat novices realize. Since dog ownership is more common than cat ownership, and dogs are more frequently taken out in public, people tend to be more familiar with dog body language.

Cat body language is different, but it's still possible to learn to read it. A cat twitching its tail, for example, isn't happy to see you. While a dog wagging their tail is a good thing, it's a sign of annoyance for cats. Once you learn to read cat mannerisms, you're much less likely to receive an unpleasant swipe.

It's also worth noting that, while dogs are viewed as more outgoing and friendly, they're far more likely to deliver a serious bite than cats are. Nearly 80 percent of pet-related ER visits were caused by dogs, while only about 20 percent were attributed to felines. Dogs are usually larger and therefore have greater potential to cause injuries serious enough to need medical attention, but even so, the idea that cats are aggressive and unpredictable by nature is totally unfair and statistically inaccurate.

Myth No. 2: Cats Are Untrainable

Training a cat and training a dog are two completely different experiences, but that doesn't mean cats can't be trained. Cats usually learn to use the litter box instinctively, while potty training a dog takes considerably more effort and patience. Obedience training is a different story. Cats, like dogs, can learn tricks and agility skills and thrive with positive reinforcement. But unlike dogs, cats don't consider praise a substantial enough reward. Small, healthy treats work well, and it's best to time training sessions for when your cat seems interested.

Some breeds are more trainable than others. Active breeds like Bengals, for example, can often learn to go for walks on a leash or even learn to use talking buttons to communicate. That said, even walking a cat is a different experience than walking a dog. Cat walks happen at the cat's pace, but if you want an outdoorsy cat to go on adventures with, try it!

Myth No. 3: Cats Are Low Maintenance

Cats are low maintenance in comparison to dogs, but they're not pet rocks. Sure, they don't need a round-the-clock pet sitter to take them on multiple walks a day while you're on vacation, but they still need love and attention. If you leave them for a weekend with an automatic feeder and a giant water bowl, they'll survive, but will they be happy? Absolutely not.

They can develop separation anxiety just like dogs can, and they'll express stress in their own way. Dogs express it with frantic delight when their pet parents return, potentially in addition to ripping up the sofa. Cats express it by passive-aggressively voiding outside the litter box and giving owners the cold shoulder when they return. Can you blame them?

Myth No. 4: Cats Are Anti-Social

Cats are more solitary animals than dogs, but they're not nearly as anti-social as they're cracked up to be. The issue, once again, is that they're often compared to dogs. They don't respond to owners with the same eager intensity, but they're affectionate and cuddly in a quieter, more understated manner.

Many domesticated cats form tight bonds with their human companions. Like dogs, some are more snuggly than others. Few cats like to be picked up and carried around, but many of them like to nap next to their owners, follow them around the house or sleep on their pillow at night. They'll also express their trust and affection by rubbing against you as a friendly greeting or a request for head scratches.

Myth No. 5: Cats Hate Dogs

Every stereotype has a grain of truth. Cats don't relish being chased by dogs, but if a dog is mild-mannered and doesn't have an intense prey drive, they can get along perfectly well with cats. Terriers and sporting breeds have a more tenuous relationship with cats than other breeds. Many dogs, however, can learn to treat cats with respect, and vice versa.

This is especially true when the animals in question are introduced to each other at a young age, but older dogs and cats can also learn to like each other or at least cohabitate without issue. Some even become best buddies.

Myth No. 6: Cats Hate Other Cats

Cat personalities vary just as much as dog personalities do. Just like some dogs are more into people than other dogs, some cats are best kept as only cats. Many of them do appreciate having another feline friend, however, especially when they're adopted from the same litter. As long as there are enough resources around, including food, water, litter boxes and sleeping spots, cats often get along well with each other.

If you're introducing a new cat to the household, take things slowly. Proper, patient introductions can help prevent future conflicts from occurring.

Myth No. 7: Cats Hate Water

It's true that most cats don't adore swimming, but plenty of them are curious about water. It's not uncommon to see cats playing with a dripping faucet, and certain breeds even like to play in the tub.

The breeds that are more likely to gravitate toward water are those with water-resistant fur, including Bengals, Turkish vans, Egyptian maus and the like.

Myth No. 8: Cats Always Land on Their Feet

In a contest of balance and agility, cats will almost always beat dogs. They do have a reflex called the "righting reflex," which helps them to orient themselves in mid-air, rotate and land safely on their feet. They start by turning their head, and the rest of their body naturally follows. That said, they don't always do this successfully. Cats are actually more likely to injure themselves falling from a relatively low height because it leaves them less time in the air to prepare for landing. They need at least 3 feet of distance to right themselves.

Usually, cats can safely jump down from heights of 8 to 10 feet with little to no risk of injury. They're far less likely to injure themselves falling from great heights than people are, but falling off a 10-story building is still risky.

Myth No. 9: Declawing Cats Is No Big Deal

The temptation to remove a cat's claws to keep them from scratching up furniture or lashing out at wayward toddlers is understandable, but the term "declawing" is misleading. Declawing a cat isn't anything like cutting your nails. The declawing procedure actually removes a section of the cat's toes, causing permanent dysfunction. Should your cat get out, it will also be completely unable to defend itself against predators.

Just trim their nails at home, or take them to your nearest vet, groomer or any pet stores that offer grooming services. They can still scratch, but they'll cause much less damage to the couch. Providing scratching posts will also reduce unwanted scratching behaviors.

Myth No. 10: Milk Is Good for Cats

We're not sure how this myth started, but cats are only designed to process cat milk and only when they need it as very young kittens. Cats are often drawn to dairy products, but they are usually lactose intolerant to some degree.

A small amount won't hurt, but too much is likely to give them an upset stomach. If you're worried about dehydration, just offer wet food more frequently, or mix in some extra water.

Myth No. 11: Purring Means a Cat Is Happy

Cats do purr when they're happy, but that's not the only reason they do it. Cats purr because it's a comforting sound. This can mean they're content, but it may also mean that they're trying to soothe themselves or their kittens.

If they're stressed, scared or in pain, they may purr to calm themselves down. Pay attention to context clues to tell what your cat's purr really means.

Myth No. 12: Keeping Cats Exclusively Indoors Is Cruel

It's true that cats will often choose to go outside if they're allowed to, but that doesn't mean it's the best option. Cats are domesticated, meaning they're not nearly as well-equipped to live in the wild as their ancestors were. Some cat breeds are more athletic and well-adapted to self-defense than others, but all cats are likely to be much healthier and live longer if kept inside.

Outdoor cats have an average lifespan of about five years, compared to 14 for indoor cats. If you're worried your cat will get bored or needs more engagement, consider training them to explore outside on a leash or build an outdoor cat run for them to get fresh air safely.

Myth No. 13: A Vegetarian Diet Is Fine for Cats

Cats are carnivores, period. There's no getting around it. While it's possible for cats to survive for years while being fed a vegan or vegetarian diet, that doesn't mean it's good for them. Even plant-based diets that are high in protein can't fully meet the nutritional requirements of cats. Over time, the lack of proper nutrition can cause serious harm.

Cats need taurine, which occurs naturally in meat and fish, to maintain healthy vision. Without it, they develop serious eye problems and may eventually go blind. Supplements aren't sufficient to keep them healthy. If you can't stomach feeding your pet any meat, bring home an herbivore instead.

Myth No. 14: It's Best for Cats to Have a Litter Before Being 'Fixed'

There's been a stubborn rumor floating around that female cats are healthier if they have a litter of kittens before they're spayed. Unfortunately, this myth is completely false. Having a litter of kittens has no long-term health benefits for a cat. It also contributes to the overpopulation of cats, resulting in more kittens and cats left in overcrowded shelters.

It's best to get your pets, either male or female, spayed or neutered before they're mature enough to reproduce. Doing so reduces the strain on an already overworked shelter system, and it drastically lowers your pet's risk of reproductive cancer later in life.

Myth No. 15: Cats Are Nocturnal

Cats sleep a lot. On average, they sleep between 12 to 18 hours a day. Since they're often snoozing, it's natural to assume they're nocturnal. I

n reality, cats are crepuscular. This means they're most alert at dusk and dawn when their prey in the wild would be the most active. Since they don't have much to hunt in the house, they might hunt your feet from under the bed instead.

Myth No. 16: Cats Can See in Complete Darkness

Do cats have night vision? Kind of. Their vision is considerably better than humans in a few ways. They have a wider field of vision, viewing 200 degrees at a time in comparison to our 180-degree field of vision. Their eyes are also better at detecting and tracking fast-moving objects. They have more rods in their eyes, which allow them to see in low light about eight times better than humans can. They still need some light to see, however. If a room is truly devoid of light, they won't be able to see any better than you can.

In other ways, people have an advantage. Cats are red-green colorblind, and they can't see very well close up. That's why they're not the best at grabbing a treat out of your hand, even when it's right in front of their face.

Myth No. 17: Cats Need Their Whiskers to Balance

Cats use their whiskers to help them get a feel for their surroundings, especially in tight quarters. They're highly sensitive to touch, but they have little to do with a cat's ability to balance. That's controlled by the inner ear, miles away from their fine, nerve-abundant whisker roots.

While whiskers won't help a cat walk a tightrope, whiskers do help them express themselves. The position of a cat's whiskers is often an indication of its mood. For instance, if their whiskers are pulled back tight against their cheeks, it's a sign they're feeling threatened or anxious.

Myth No. 18: Indoor Cats Don't Need Vet Visits

While it's true that indoor cats are less likely to catch contagious diseases or run into predators, they're not immune to sickness. All cats need vaccines and deworming, especially in kittenhood.

Vaccines can safeguard your pet against life-threatening viruses they can pick up at grooming and boarding facilities. Regular checkups can also catch common diseases like diabetes, dental disease and hyperthyroidism before they spiral into something more serious, uncomfortable and expensive. If you have a pet, take it to the vet, period.

Myth No. 19: Owning a Cat Isn't Safe for Pregnant Women

This particularly tragic myth has resulted in many loving cat owners giving up their beloved pets. At the root of this myth is a parasite called toxoplasmosis. Cats can carry toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects or miscarriage if people contract it during pregnancy. It's serious, but it's also avoidable.

Toxoplasmosis is contracted through contact with a cat's feces. Since this typically only occurs whilst on litter box duty, it's pretty easy to minimize risk. Just have someone else in the family scoop poop during your pregnancy. Alternatively, you can wear gloves while cleaning the litter box. If you're worried, talk with your OB/GYN for more detailed advice.

Myth No. 20: Cats Will 'Steal' a Baby's Oxygen

Um, what? We hadn't actually heard this one until recently, and it's hard to believe anyone ever thought it was true. It's an old wives' tale that stemmed from the tendency of cats to curl up in warm spots — including next to sleeping babies. Cats will gladly snuggle up next to a napping newborn, raising concerns of suffocation.

SIDS is a real concern, but there's no malice on the part of your well-meaning meow. Just keep the cat out of your baby's room to keep both of them safe and sound. When your little one is older, snuggles are totally OK, even encouraged.

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