3 Interesting Facts and Myths about Cats - Whisker Hut

3 Interesting Facts and Myths about Cats

Cats are special animals, they are affectionate, playful, squirmy, and they make wonderful pets. A lot of cat owners are unaware of the various factors that make this animal special. Given the enormous amount of information available today, there are many facts and myths about this creature. However, these interesting facts and myths will help you understand the special value attached to your pet. Cats are wonderful creatures; they have a very important place in human society. Some civilizations even worshiped them. As one of the most popular pets in the world, cats are often misunderstood by the general public.

You may have heard different things about your feline pal. These things can be facts or myths. As a cat owner, you need to know these amazing facts about your furry pal. Because most of these cat facts and cat myths can be misleading to cat owners, it is always advisable to check every fact before following them. This will also help you give your feline pal a quality healthy life. So, in this article, we will take a look at the 3 interesting facts and myths about Cats.

Myth 1: Indoor cats can’t get diseases.  One of the popular myths about cats is that indoor cats cannot get infected with diseases. There is a belief that cats that live indoors do not need to be vaccinated against infectious diseases. But simply because your cat spends all her time indoors does not mean he/she is not prone to disease.

The fact is that all cats can get diseases, even if they don't set their paws outside. Although indoor cats are certainly safer than outdoor cats, and their lifestyle contributes to a longer life expectancy, but some infectious diseases can still affect indoor cats. These cats are still exposed to airborne organisms that are brought in on their owner's clothing and shoes. Also, most indoor cats venture outdoor once in a while and can be exposed to worms and diseases through contact with the feces of other animals.

Myth 2: Cats always land on their Feet. This is another popular cat myth. Many believe that cats always land on their feet when they fall. Although they have a pretty impressive righting reflex, meaning that when they fall, they can twist themselves to land on their feet just before impact. The truth is that cats can actually hurt themselves if they fall the wrong way. Though they instinctively fall feet first and can survive falls from high places, they can still experience broken bones in the process. To keep your cats safe, make sure your window screens are intact and free of holes, also ensure your tabletop and shelves are unattractive platforms for your feline pals.

Myth 3: Pregnant women should not own cats. This is a huge myth fueled by people who correctly believe that contaminated feces from infected cats pose a risk to women pregnancy. The fact is that some cats can develop a disease called toxoplasmosis, the disease can sometimes be transmitted to humans through feline litter boxes and can cause severe problems in unborn babies. That said, these problems can be controlled if the expectant mother avoids any contact with the litter box and allocates the daily cleaning of the litter to someone else. So, inasmuch as pregnant women avoid touching cat litter boxes and asks someone else to take care of the litter box, there shouldn’t be any problem with mothering your cat while you are waiting for your baby. Good hygiene of the cat is also a very good practice. 

Fact 1. Cats spend 70 Percent of their lives sleeping

Research shows that domestic cats actually spend 70 percent of their lives sleeping; this amounts to about 13 to 16 hours every day. Cats are known to do mostly four things: Eat, sleep, prey, and play. According to research, sleeping takes more time than the other three activities combined. They are among the frequent sleepers in the animal world because, in the wild, they use much of their energy to hunt.

Fact 2. A house cat can run at speeds of about 30 mph

If you have ever seen your feline pal running around your room when they are lively, you will know that cats are very fast creatures. It might surprise you to know that your feline pals can reach the speed of up to 30 mph. The Egyptian Mau is the fastest breed of domestic cats; they can attain speeds of about 48 km/h or 30 mph and have been referred to as the feline greyhound.

Fact 3. Cats have 200 scent receptors, more than the average human.

Cat eyes are not the only things that help them hunt for prey; they have an amazing sense of smell too. Cats have a sense of smell that is14 times greater than that of a human. While their sense of smell is incredible, it's still not as keen as that of a normal dog's.

In conclusion, these are the three most common myths and facts about cats in our society today. No matter how these myths originated, it is always important to have at hand the appropriate knowledge and information about your feline pals. This will help you to care for your feline pal in a better and more informed manner. And once you separate myth from fact, you can help your feline family members live long, active and healthy lives.

As usual, your respectful comments are welcome. If you need supplies for your cat be sure to check out our collection of cat toys, apparel and grooming tools here. #whiskerhut #catlovers #furrbaby

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