Emma Miller
Many owners believe false myths about cats and make serious mistakes in raising a pet.
People adore cats and dedicate many works of culture to these cute creatures. But the psychology and behavior of cats are often a mystery even to pet owners. Often we misjudge a cat’s actions and can harm the animal by doing so.
Before spaying a cat it needs to give birth
This myth is sometimes propagated by unscrupulous veterinarians because a cat that has given birth has larger organs and is easier to sterilize. Pregnancy and childbirth are not good for the cat. They wear down the animal’s body, aggravate chronic diseases, and shorten the cats’ lives. Not to mention the fact that the offspring need somewhere to go.
Animal Welfare International recommends that cats be spayed as soon as they are 6-7 months old. Neutering a cat greatly reduces the risk of mammary gland cancer. Neutered cats live 39% longer and neutered cats live 62% longer.
Cats always land on their feet
This myth can seriously harm your pet. In fact, cats don’t always land on their feet, especially when the jump is unplanned. Don’t put this to the test-just believe it.
Cats can retaliate against their owners
Many owners scold their pet or get mad at him if he shits or scratches things in the wrong place. But the pet is not aware of the harm of its actions and does nothing “out of spite.” The concept of revenge is too complicated for a cat’s brain. It is absolutely useless to be mad at a cat because he is guided only by his instincts – he scratches his claws and shits where he feels most comfortable.
A cat cannot be trained
Cats are more difficult to train than dogs, but you can teach them simple commands. Many cats at least know their name and understand the command “no.”
If you poke a cat where it has pooped, it will be re-educated
This method of education is completely useless. The cat is incapable of understanding what he is being scolded for. You will only frighten and offend the cat. If the cat won’t go to the litter box, try moving it to another location or changing the litter. You can also put a piece of paper soaked in cat urine in the tray.
Cats can eat human food
A cat can actually live up to 15 years by eating human food. Or it may not even live if it is unlucky. Human food doesn’t have all the micronutrients and vitamins that an animal needs. Kashi and vegetables are useless for a predator, and chocolate, onions, nuts, dough, and many other foods are very harmful.
Cats can’t live in an apartment – they definitely need to go for a walk
Many people attribute to cats the human experience and believe that it is bad for a cat to be cooped up and it needs to take a walk. In fact, domestic cats do not really need to go for walks, although they may sometimes try to escape out of curiosity.
Apartment cats are fine without walks and live longer than their walking relatives. Outdoors a cat can get an infection, get into fights with other cats or dogs, get hit by a car, or get lost.
Milk is good for cats
Many cats love milk, but it is almost never good for animals. And some animals may be allergic to milk and have digestive problems. Kittens should also avoid cow’s milk. In a pinch, you can replace it with goat’s milk.
Domestic cats do not need to be vaccinated
Vaccination is necessary even for those animals that do not leave the apartment. The owner can bring the disease from the street on shoes and clothing. Thus the cat can infect, for example, caliciviruses, which is almost 70% end with the death of the animal.
A chubby cat is very cute
Being overweight for cats is a huge strain on the bones and internal organs of the animal. It is a serious problem that threatens the animal’s life. An overweight cat should be switched to less calorie-dense food or play with it more.
