Ten common myths about cats get debunked here: cats don't have nine lives, they can't digest milk, black cats aren't unlucky, and they can be trained just like dogs. Learn what's actually true about how cats see color, land on their feet, and show affection.
Cats are so admired and intrigued by their instinctive abilities and behaviors that they have become the protagonists of various myths, such as that they have seven lives, that they always land on their feet, and that they cannot live with dogs. There are many false claims about our cats. To promote a better understanding of cats and their true characteristics, an animal expert invites you to learn about 10 false myths about cats that you should stop believing. Who hasn't heard that cats have seven lives? This is surely the most widespread myth about cats around the world. Perhaps the legend originates from the feline's agility and ability to escape or avoid accidents and fatal blows. Or perhaps it comes from some mythological story. Who knows? But the fact is that cats only have one life, just like us and all animals. Furthermore, they are delicate animals that need to receive adequate preventive medicine and specific care with their diet and hygiene in order to develop optimally. Although lactose has acquired a bit of a bad reputation in recent years, the image of the cat drinking milk from its bowl still persists. For this reason, many people continue to question whether cats should drink cow's milk. All mammals are born prepared to drink their mother's milk, and this is the best food they can receive while they are babies. However, their bodies change as they develop and acquire new nutritional needs and consequently, different eating habits. During the nursing period when they are suckled by their mother, mammals produce a large amount of an enzyme called lactase, whose function is precisely to digest the lactose in breast milk. However, when they reach the weaning period, the production of this enzyme progressively decreases, preparing the animal's body for the dietary transition from consuming their mother's milk to feeding on its own. Although some cats can continue to produce a certain amount of the enzyme lactase, most adult males are allergic to lactose. Drinking milk for these animals can lead to severe gastrointestinal problems. For this reason, it is a myth that milk is the right food for felines. In the case of kittens without a mother, we should opt for artificial formula milk available in veterinary clinics. And when it comes to adult cats, we can opt for commercial feeds specially formulated to meet their nutritional needs. This false claim has its origins in the Middle Ages when black cats were associated with the practice of witchcraft. In addition to being a prejudice without any foundation, this claim causes very negative consequences for black cats, since, according to statistics, black felines are the least adapted in animal shelters. There are several arguments to show that this claim is a myth. In principle, luck would have nothing to do with a color or a pet. Furthermore, a cat's color is determined by its genetic heritage, which is also not related to good or bad luck. But the best way to verify this falsehood is by adopting a black cat. Those of you who have had the opportunity to live with these little cats will know very well that their unique character brings much joy to our home and no bad luck. Although cats can often land on their feet, this is not a rule that is true in 100% of cases. Cats have a very flexible skeleton that allows them to have excellent mobility and the ability to better withstand some falls. However, many times the position that the animal assumes when falling to the ground depends on the height from which it falls, so it is not always possible to land on their feet. If the feline has time to turn around before reaching the ground, it will be able to land safely. However, any fall can represent a risk to their well being, and landing on their feet does not guarantee that the animal will not be injured. Furthermore, cats only develop this instinctive orientation reflex called righting, turning quickly on their own axis when falling after their third week of life. For this reason, falls are usually especially dangerous for kittens and should be avoided throughout the animal's life. This unfortunate myth led to many cats being abandoned when their owners became pregnant. The origin of this claim would be in the supposed risk of transmission of a disease called toxoplasmosis. In very brief terms, it is a disease caused by a parasite, Toxelama gondii, whose main form of contamination occurs through direct contact with the feces of infected cats. However, toxoplasmosis is actually rare in domestic felines that do not go outside the home, those that consume commercial feed, and that also have adequate preventive medicine. Likewise, if a cat is not a carrier pathogenic parasite, there is no risk of transmission for a pregnant woman. A pregnant woman can completely prevent toxoplasmosis by picking up feces from the litter box with gloves and avoiding handling raw meat. In any case, if you suspect that the feline may have this disease, you should visit the vet to perform an analysis. Although cats innately develop many instinctive skills and behaviors characteristic of their species, it does not mean that they can train themselves. In fact, training is not only possible, but also absolutely recommended for our felines. Proper education will help your kitty adapt to home life and avoid developing behavioral problems in the future. Felines have an independent nature and tend to be solitary, but that does not mean that a cat does not care about its owner or feel affection for them. Certain characteristics are simply inherent to their nature. However, domestication has changed and continues to change many aspects of cat behavior, incorporating good notions of cooperation and coexistence. It is also unfair to compare the character of a cat with that of a dog. They are different animals with different lifestyles, trials, and ethagrams. Canines learn to live in packs to ensure the survival of their species, while cats, like their closest relatives, are prepared to hunt and survive on their own and tend to avoid exposing themselves to unknown individuals and contexts in order to protect themselves. As we mentioned, home life and proper early socialization can shape certain aspects of the behavior of felines and canines. If a cat is properly introduced to a dog before eight weeks of age and maintains a regular relationship with the dog, it will learn to see the dog as a friendly being. Human eyes have three types of color receptor. Blue cone cells, red cone cells, and green cone cells. This explains why we are able to distinguish a huge number of colors and shades. Cats and dogs do not have the red cone cell, so they are unable to perceive pink and red tones. They also have difficulty recognizing the intensity and saturation of colors. But it is not true that cats see in black and white since they can distinguish shades such as blue, green, and yellow. This claim is actually quite dangerous. It is still common to hear that cats do not need adequate preventive medicine due to their body's resistance. Although they are truly strong and independent animals, they can be very delicate just like any other pet. They require care with their diet, hygiene, vaccination, deworming, oral hygiene, physical activity, mental stimulation, and socialization. So it is a big myth that cats are less worked than dogs. The dedication lies with each of the owners and not with the animal. And that's it for today's video. What did you think? What other false myths do you know? If you liked this video, give us a like and subscribe to our channel. Until next time, experts. Mental stimulation and socialization. So it is a big myth that cats are less work than dogs. The dedication lies with each of the owners and not with the animal. And that's it for today's video. What did you think? What other false myths do you know? If you like this.
