True Or False: 10 Misconceptions About Cats!

Among the most popular pets of the French, there are cats. Our country has 15 million felines, compared to 8 million dogs. Cats are loved for their purrs, cuddles, and mischievousness. Unfortunately, these pets also have to deal with many misconceptions. Do Cats Really Like Milk? Are they really independent or solitary? Here are 10 myths about cats and the truths behind them.

1 – The Cat Loves Milk

A cat can drink milk, but not just any milk. During its first 6 weeks of life, the kitten is breastfed. At first, the milk is exclusive. Then, it is supplemented with wet food, such as mash, or dry food, namely kibble. It is diversification. Know that before a year, a cat is not an adult. You must offer him food adapted to his needs. Junior formulas are recommended because they are enriched with vitamins and minerals.

Once an adult, it is not necessary to give milk to your cat. You should know that a majority of felines do not tolerate milk. They may be intolerant or allergic to it. All types of milk are concerned: cow’s milk, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk and even donkey’s milk.

It is possible that your cat seeks to consume milk or dairy products. If he is insistent, you can test his tolerance. Give him a little milk and watch his transit. If he is intolerant, his stools will be more liquid. He may also suffer from vomiting. If he can tolerate milk, you can give him some. Limit yourself to 10 ml per kilo per day.

2 – The Cat Is Independent

On different levels, cats can be considered independent animals. Indeed, unlike the dog, you do not have to take it out several times a day for it to do its business. However, you must maintain its litter. For meals, it’s a bit the same thing. Make sure he has kibble available and he will regulate himself.

However, this independence has limits. Of course, you can leave your cat during your working day, but prolonged absences can be badly tolerated by the animal. He can then develop a form of stress. Depending on his temperament, this anxiety will result in destruction, uncleanliness or a depressive state.

Your cat needs your company. Social interactions are essential to its well-being. You have to play with him so that he is fit physically and mentally. You have to cuddle him to bond and enjoy his purrs along the way. And above all, you must limit long separations as much as possible.

3 – The Cat Must Have Access To The Outside To Be Happy

It is not necessary for a cat to have access to the outside to be fulfilled. Cats can perfectly adapt to life in an apartment or indoors. Of course, it can be beneficial for their well-being to hunt, climb trees and meet their fellow creatures. If you respect your pet’s needs, they can also be perfectly healthy without ever going outside! To do this, it must be stimulated. Invest in a cat tree, set up an observation post at window level, and play with it regularly. If you have an indoor cat, watch its weight. He will be overweight.

4 – The Cat Always Lands On Its Paws

Cats, like all felines, have the ability to turn around in the air to land on their feet. This action is made possible by flexible bones and highly developed muscles. But beware, this is not always the case! A cat can fall and hurt itself. This type of accident is very common. A fall of 1.50 m is potentially dangerous for the feline. To reduce the risk of falling, you must ensure the safety of your pet. To do this, you must arrange the edges of the window but also the balconies.

5 – The Cat Does Not Create A Bond With Its Master

If you have a cat, you’ve probably heard that it doesn’t care about its master. It’s wrong ! Cats are animals that can be very affectionate. Besides, they show you this affection in different ways.

• They purr.
• They rub their head against yours.
• They headbutt.
• They follow you everywhere.
• They sleep near you.
• They want to sit on you.
• They lick you.
• They bring prey.

Remember that every cat is different. Felines express their affection based on their personality and sometimes their past. All are very loyal to their owners.

6 – The Cat Is Clean

Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves. Indeed, felines sleep 12 to 16 hours a day as adults. Half of the rest of the time is spent bathing. To do this, cats lick each other with their rough tongue. Thus, they remove dirt, dead hair and odors from their coat. Cats also lick their paws and face. Cat grooming is essential for its well-being and health.

Attention ! Sometimes a cat no longer has the ability to groom itself. This is the case if your companion is getting older. In this case, its cleanliness may leave something to be desired. It’s up to you to take over. In general, it is highly recommended to brush your cat regularly. Short-haired cats should be brushed once a week. During moulting, that is to say in spring and autumn, brush it more regularly. If your cat has long hair, special attention should be paid to its coat because knots form more easily. Brushing a cat reduces the risk of ingesting hairballs. It also allows you to check for the presence of parasites.

7 – The Cat Cannot Be Educated

Cats can be trained perfectly. However, learning is very different from that of a dog. Here are some methods to apply.

• • Set up a routine. This is popular with cats. It can relate to meals, play sessions and sleep phases.

• • Focus on rewards. Like dogs, cats respond well to rewards. To educate them, treats are a great asset. This technique is known as positive education.

• • Opt for repetition. For a cat to incorporate basic commands, you need to repeat, repeat, and repeat. Never change methods and always have the same reactions.

• • Be patient. To educate your cat, you must be patient and constant.

8 – The Cat Has No Emotion

Even though empathy is not their greatest quality, cats feel all kinds of emotions such as love, anger, fear, sadness and joy. You too can detect some of these emotions through body language.

Tail

If your cat’s tail is erect or wagging, your cat is happy. If it is low, it is a sign of sadness or anxiety. If the tail is erect and bristly, it may indicate anger or aggression.

Ears

If your cat’s ears are straight and pointing forward, your pet is showing curiosity. If they are lying backwards, it may indicate fear or submission.

Posture

If the cat is lying on its back, it is confident. If the cat is contracted and tense, he is afraid or angry.

The meows

Cats almost never meow to each other. this language is intended for us! They meow when they are in pain, when they are hungry, when they are scared, or when they are happy.

9 – The Cat Does Not Like Water

It is true that most cats do not like water. Moreover, in the state of nature, the cat does not bathe. It should be noted, however, that each cat is different. Some like water and can even swim. Others just play with water or soak their feet. Some cat breeds are known to like water. This is the case of Bengal, Savannah or Turkish Van.

10 – The Cat Is Dangerous For Children

This received idea is mostly shared by people who do not know cats. It is not uncommon to hear that a cat can choke a baby or scratch children. For the first statement, know that if this were the case, the media would relay the information. This type of accident is extremely rare! On the other hand, a cat can scratch a child if he feels in danger. The scratches are mainly on the hands and are not serious. Wounds must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Teach your toddlers to respect household pets and everything will be fine. Know that dogs are more dangerous animals than cats. Every year, many dog ​​bites are recorded.