Come across a black cat on your way to work or school? We now know that the innocent feline won’t cause you bad luck. We’ve moved on from that superstition; though many would still admit that coming across a black cat might bring them pause—it’s that ingrained in our culture. But other cat-related myths are still alive and well. It’s maybe because they don’t sound as silly and utterly illogical.
Cats Always Land on Their Feet
Cats don’t always land on their feet, unharmed by a fall. Cats do have the so-called “cat righting reflex” allowing them to correct their orientation midair. They also have the right body structure to prepare them for impact, so they can land on their feet almost unscathed. But there’s no guarantee they can always do so.
Is there enough time between the fall and reaching the ground to complete the maneuver? Falling from a height less than 12 inches may not give enough time for the cat to right itself. Is the cat healthy (an illness called cerebellar hypoplasia, for instance, can affect a cat’s mobility) and old enough to right itself?
Dammit human, you tricked me. Group7Presents via YouTube.
Granted, you can change this myth to “(healthy, sufficiently old) cats always land on their feet (when unimpaired),” but still.
Cats Purr Only When Happy
Cats do purr when they are happy, but purring isn’t always a sign of contentment. Cats purr to convey emotions and needs, though which exactly can be hard to tell. One moment your cat is purring out of content, another out of hunger.
Not amused, human. Not amused. Such-Cate via Tumbler
Of all the sounds cats make, purring is said to be the most common yet the least we know about. But you can always make an informed guess by considering the situation and learning from experts.
Cats are Nocturnal
Does it seem like cats sleep soundly throughout the day because they always pull an all-nighter? Not really. Cats just sleep a lot. They spend two-thirds of their lives sleeping. Also, household cats usually find a quiet spot to hide. Seeing cats sleeping by day and coming out at night, people think cats are nocturnal.
Pulled an all nighter for my thesis. Hope I’d be awake in time for defense.
Nocturnality, however, means hunting, foraging, feeding, bathing, and living daily animal lives at night, and cats perform some of their activities in the day, too. They are predators; when they need to hunt, they hunt. They are active when they need (and want) to be.
Cats are Loners
Cats are individualistic animals. They hunt alone. They like to hide when people are around and come out when they think the coast is clear. Their patterns and tendencies make it easy for them to be mistaken as loners or asocial. Poor, misunderstood felines.
Dont you worry, buddy. I feel you.
The big cats in the wild live in a pride. Feral cats, or even house-raised cats that are allowed to go outside, form groups and even meet up sometimes at night.
Cats Have Always Meowed
Cat language involves scent and body movements. They also use vocals like hisses and caterwauls, but not meowing. The nearest thing to meowing they do is when they mew as kittens to get the attention of their mothers. Grown up cats leave the mewing behind, because they don’t need to be spoon-fed (or in this case breastfed) anyThe big cats in the wild live in a pride. Feral cats, or even house-raised cats that are allowed to go outside, form groups and even meet up sometimes at night.
Because this is just much effort. Meow. via imgur
When they grow up, they meow because of humans. Cats developed the meowing habit to communicate with humans. They realized we’re not picking up on the scents they leave or understand their gestures, but we do respond to their meows. Even with the ability to meow, they still don’t use it to communicate with each other.
Cats Snuggle for Affection
Cats cuddle and snuggle you not because they’re asking for your affection. They rub against you to apply a specific scent marking you as their territory or property.
This human is mine. PhantomisErik via deviantart
On the bright side, that means your cat likes you and accepts you in its pride. Or maybe he just really sees you as his property.
Cats and Dogs are Archenemies
Wazzup, dawg?
They’re just not. Cats and dogs are probably the most typical household pets, so naturally, they are the ones people have seen fighting the most over all of pet history. Or perhaps, we people just like to pit two things against each other so much. Who’s better: cats or dogs? Are you more of a cat-person or a dog-person? We are the ones who ask questions like these. Cats and dogs don’t care.
They’re just not. Cats and dogs are probably the most typical household pets, so naturally, they are the ones people have seen fighting the most over all of pet history. Or perhaps, we people just like to pit two things against each other so much. Who’s better: cats or dogs? Are you more of a cat-person or a dog-person? We are the ones who ask questions like these. Cats and dogs don’t care.
