5 Cat Myths That Can Be Easily Debunked

There are many misconceptions attributed to our feline friends that are simply not true. Many of these myths have been fuelled by people simply believing that because the myth is commonly heard then there must be some basis in fact when in many instances this is just not the case.

Here are five commonly held beliefs that can easily be debunked

Pregnant Women Should Avoid Cats

Pregnant women should avoid cleaning out a litter tray, or of they have to, then wear disposable latex gloves. The cat is not the issue to a pregnant woman but the Toxoplasmosis, the parasitic disease carried and passed on through the cats faeces is.

Cats Hate Walking On Tinfoil

Cats are like us, not all afraid of the same things. Some cats may hate walking on tinfoil and some may initially hate the texture and find it a little daunting at first. The truth is that if you are looking to keep a cat off the kitchen counter by using tinfoil then you may well find that the cat is not bothered for very long, if at all, by your attempts to thwart their intentions.

Cats Are Nocturnal

Cats really aren't nocturnal. They are what is known as crepuscular which means that they are more active around the twilight hours of dawn or dusk. Cats are very good at hunting at low light levels and the twilight hours are optimum hunting times. Our feline friends function poorly when hunting for prey in complete darkness.

Cats Always Land On Their Feet

Whilst their natural agility and their flexible spine allow them an advantage in righting themselves in a mid-air situation-cats simply do not always land on their feet and there are enough cases of cats landing badly and sustaining injuries to thoroughly debunk this myth.

Butter On A Cats Paws Will Help It Find Its Way Back To A New Home

The butter myth has been extended in some quarters to include the added benefit that it helps the cat to feel less stressed in a new environment. Putting butter on a cat's paws will have neither of these desired benefits and may well bring stress to a cat. It simply does not work.

A more tried and tested way to help a cat when moving home is to keep the cat indoors for a couple of weeks to get them used to the environment and to seeing you in it feeding and petting them. This is all the motivation most cats need to come back home.

Credit: John Deeprose