Ten Common Myths About Cats
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There are things that people routinely think are true about cats—that just are not true at all.
Here are the Top Ten myths about our feline friends . . .
1. All cats prefer canned food.
Not True. While some cats prefer canned food, many cats will only eat dry food. And some cats like to eat both. It is personal preference.
2. Cats cannot be trained.
Not True. Cats are very smart and can be trained to do tricks just like a dog. You may have to use a different training technique though, just because cats are so smart :-).
3. A cat should have a litter before she is spayed.
Definitely Not True. Cats that have a litter before they are spayed are not better for it in any way. In fact, the blood supply to the uterus is greater after a cat has undergone a pregnancy, so that the surgery may incur more bleeding than had the cat been spayed prior to having a pregnancy. Once spayed, cats are healthier and have eliminated the risk for life-threatening uterine infections and some cancers.
4. All blue-eyed white cats are deaf.
Not True. While there can be a genetic link between white coat and eye color, not all blue-eyed white cats are deaf.
5. A cat will let you know when it is sick.
Not True. A cat is often very good at hiding any symptoms that it is not feeling well. This behavior is a result of its survival instinct, trying not to appear vulnerable to a predator. Often by the time a cat allows you to see it is not well, the disease or condition is quite advanced.
6. Mixed breed cats are healthier than purebred cats.
Not True. Both purebred and mixed breed cats can be unhealthy. Mixed breed “domestic” cats can also have many of the genetic diseases common in pedigreed cats, it's just that more medical/genetic background is likely to be known about a pedigreed cat. Some health problems are specific to certain breeds of cats.
7. Cats are happier and healthier when they are outdoors.
Not True. While a cat may enjoy time in the great outdoors, it is definitely not healthier for it to be outside. The outdoor cat is subject to increased exposure to other diseased cats, abscesses from fighting, and injury from other animals like raccoons, dogs and insects. Of course, there is always the danger of being hit by a car too. The average life span of strictly outdoor cats is estimated to be approximately 1 year of age while indoor only cats have an average life span closer to 13 – 15 years.
8. Cats like tasty food.
Not true. Cats actually have poor taste buds. It is their sense of smell that they base their eating preference.
9. Cats don't need heartworm prevention.
Not true. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, so not only can a cat get heartworm disease, even indoor cats are susceptible.
10. Cats don't need to be trained to use a litter box.
Not Always True. While most kittens demonstrate a natural instinct to use a litter box, not all kittens do. Some kittens will need extra training to use a litter box. Occasionally a cat will also only use a litter box if it is filled with a specific type of litter that the cat prefers.
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