Common myths about cats, debunked

We've all seen cats being fed milk in Hollywood movies and heard some questionable assumptions about these animals, such as "all cats are afraid of water." But how true are these statements, really?

In this gallery, we look at the most common myths about cats and debunk them. Browse through, and we promise you'll never look at cats the same way ever again. 

Cats prefer food to people

A study found that cats actually prefer socializing with a human over having food or playing with a toy.

Purring just means they’re happy

Cats don't just purr when they're with humans, they also do so when they're on their own or with other cats. It's a complex form of communication that we're still trying to understand.

Cats can be dangerous for babies

Cats might not be particularly thrilled with the arrival of another human, but they're hardly a threat to a newborn baby. The feline will eventually get used to it and the baby will grow up near an animal, which is great!

All cats love catnip

Most cats go crazy over catnip, but not every animal likes it. In fact, VetStreet estimates that 30-50% of cats don't react to catnip at all.

Cats love milk

Although they drink milk as kittens, cats then become unable to digest regular milk. They're essentially lactose intolerant, so feeding your cat milk on a regular basis is not good for their digestive system.

Cats are nocturnal creatures

Cats seem to get up to all sorts of things at crazy hours. This is because they're crepuscular animals. Meaning that they are more active during dusk and dawn, as this would be the time they'd be hunting.

They use their whiskers for balance

Their whiskers are actually used for navigation and sensory perception.

Color and personality

Judging a cat by the color of its coat is yet another myth. There is no evidence linking color with personality traits.

Cats sleep a lot because they’re lazy

It might seem like cats sleep all the time, but in fact, most times they're not deep asleep. They stay in a relaxed state, but ready for action if needed—it's their predatory instinct.

Stray cats and feral cats are the same thing

Feral cats do not have a good relationship with humans, whereas stray cats are simply pet cats who've ended up on the streets and know that humans can be kind, so they're approachable.

Indoor cats are unlikely to get sick

Outdoor cats are more susceptible to contracting certain diseases, but indoor cats also get sick. From diabetes to cancer and arthritis, indoor animals can also fall ill.

Domestication of cats first occurred in Egypt

Although cats were worshiped in Ancient Egypt, there is evidence of humans having cats as pets way before the Egyptians, from Neolithic paintings to buried animals with their owners.

Cats like to be fed like dogs

Cats actually like to work for their food, rather than having it readily available like most animals do.

Cats are fine with a vegetarian diet

Cats need more protein and more meat-based nutrients in their diets than other mammals. Taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin B12 are just a few examples of these.

Cats are colorblind

Cats are actually not completely colorblind. They can pick up shades of blue, violet, green, and yellow.

Cats are smarter than dogs

Cat are intelligent animals, but to say they're more intelligent than dogs is not accurate. Their brain just works differently.