MYTH / Some cats never drink water. TRUTH / Just like their desert cat ancestors, domestic cats naturally have a low thirst drive and rely on their food for most of their water intake. Your cat is biologically inclined to avoid drinking water if it is located near their food or litter area because to them, that poses a risk of bacterial contamination. To encourage your cat to drink more, try placing the water bowl far away from the food bowl and litter tray.
MYTH / Female cats aren't as cuddly and are more aloof than male cats. TRUTH / Regardless of gender, a cat's personality emerges from a complex blend of its parents' genetics and temperament, its own DNA, and the experiences it has during its lifetime.
MYTH / Putting your escaped cat's litter box outside or spreading their used litter around your property will help bring them home. TRUTH / Using cat litter to attract a lost cat back home is ineffective and potentially harmful. Cats do not navigate by smell and do not return due to the presence of their litter. Instead, litter can attract predators and other territorial cats, further endangering the lost cat. Effective recovery methods involve creating safe re-entry points and not relying on litter as a lure.
MYTH / Cats are independent, solitary creatures. It's ok to leave them alone for several days as long as they have enough food and water. TRUTH / Cats need connection and socialization with their humans. While they may not demand attention like dogs, they can still experience separation anxiety, loneliness, and depression. They feel abandonment and fear, just like you do. Cats require multiple daily interactions, including play and social engagement, not just having their water refreshed and litter box cleaned. The maximum time they should be left alone is about 12 hours, and even this should not be a regular occurrence.
MYTH / Cats only need to see the vet if they're sick. TRUTH / Cats are often perceived as being "easier" to care for than dogs, but this belief is dangerous and leads to neglecting their needs. Even though they may not like going there, regular veterinary wellness checks are essential for your cat's health and happiness. Cats are adept at hiding pain, and routine bloodwork can detect devastating long-term illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease early, sometimes allowing for remission. Waiting until your cat is critically ill to seek medical attention is irresponsible, and is usually more expensive compared to addressing issues before they escalate.
MYTH / Cats are picky eaters. TRUTH / Cats aren't finicky by nature; rather, they are naturally cautious of unfamiliar foods, and rightly so. In the wild, eating something unknown could be fatal, so they avoid it until necessary and consume only a small amount. This behavior, known as "neophobia," is a normal and beneficial survival trait. Introducing new food to your cat requires time and patience, along with consideration of their preferences for certain flavors, textures, and even dishes. Never starve your cat—be gradual, consistent, and offer a variety of foods throughout their lives to help them remain confident in trying new things.
MYTH / Cats are jerks. They show you their belly and then attack you when you try to pet it. TRUTH / When a cat rolls onto its back, belly-up, it is generally not an invitation for a rub, pat, or scratch. Sometimes this posture indicates the cat wants to engage in play-fighting (if it knows and likes you), in which case be prepared for some gentle bites and back-feet-kicking on your hand and arm. But generally, a lazy roll-over to expose the belly is your cat's way of saying "I trust you." Don't break this trust by invading her personal space with unwanted contact!
MYTH / Declawing a cat is a harmless way to stop them from scratching furniture and carpet. It's simply removing the nails from a cat's paw. TRUTH / Declawing is animal cruelty, full stop. The procedure always involves severing ligaments, tendons, nerves, and tissue to amputate the last bone in a cat's paw. Declawing is, in essence, amputation. It is illegal or deemed unethical by the veterinary profession in most parts of the world. Beyond the severe pain it causes, declawing often leads to increased behavioral problems, bone infections, crippling arthritis, nerve damage, and excruciating back pain.
MYTH / Litter boxes are disgusting. Cat litter smells horrible, and so does cat urine and feces. TRUTH / If you place litter boxes in well-ventilated areas, scoop daily, and change out the litter completely every 1-2 weeks, there should be no smell. Clean the box with hot soapy water monthly to prevent bacteria buildup, which is the main cause of stubborn odors. Healthy cat stools should be formed and only temporarily smelly, if they smell at all. Unpleasant odors often indicate poor diet or health issues. Proper litter box maintenance and a good diet are key to controlling odors.
MYTH / Pregnant women cannot be around cats. TRUTH / The myth that living with cats during pregnancy is dangerous stems from concerns about contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread by cat feces. However, with simple precautions, the risk is minimal. If no one else can clean the litter box, wear disposable gloves. The likelihood of your cat having toxoplasmosis is low, as they would need prior exposure to infected meat or feces.
MYTH / Cats are nocturnal. TRUTH / Contrary to popular belief, cats are not nocturnal; they are cathemeral, which means they are active at various times both day and night. A key part of their activity is socializing with their human caregivers, so they often adjust their schedules to align with yours. If your cat seems active when you are, it's because they value their time with you and naturally synchronize their routines.
MYTH / Hairballs are a normal and expected part of having a cat. TRUTH / While common, hairballs are not considered normal. Cats groom 30%-50% of their day, swallowing loose hair which should pass through their digestive system. Cat hairballs occur when ingested hair can't move easily through the digestive tract or when the cat consumes more hair than the system can handle. Hairballs may result from over-grooming, often linked to stress or health problems, so check in with your vet if your cat seems to groom excessively.
MYTH / Adopting one kitten will be easier than adopting two. TRUTH / Bringing home a single kitten is not necessarily easier than getting two at once. Kittens need appropriate playmates for social and mental development, which humans can't fully provide. Playing with each other, they learn bite inhibition, claw retraction, and form strong bonds, preventing 'Single Kitten Syndrome.' Solo kittens often develop destructive habits, leading to returns. Happier cats come in pairs! Adopting two kittens can make your life easier by ensuring they entertain and teach each one another.
MYTH / Cats don't show love. TRUTH / Anyone who thinks this way has either never had the pleasure of living with a cat, or is comparing cat behavior to dog behavior as if it should be the same thing. Extended periods of eye contact, especially with "slow blinks," means your cat is showing you deep affection. Other cues that your cat is expressing love towards you would be head-butting, a vibrating upright tail when they see you, playful nibbling and belly flops, sleeping with or near you, following you around, and kneading (on you or on soft things in the home).