Some of the most treasured pets of all time, cats have a unique place in the hearts of owners around the globe. With a history of over 9500 years, it's no wonder that the bond between cats and humans is special. In ancient times, the cat was used in numerous religions as a figurehead but the typical house cat was used for a more specific role: to kill vermin. Since then, our relationship with cats has expanded as we've welcomed them into our homes as companions and even members of our households. Nevertheless, we have seen countless misconceptions surrounding cats which are just plain wrong. Let's look at four myths that are untrue.
Cat Myth # 1: Sticking Your Cat's Nose in It Minimizes Future Accidents
Rubbing your cat's nose in its urine or feces after an accident serves no helpful purpose. Briefly, this will only frighten your pet and respond to you with dread. Additionally, some owners will generally place their cat into the litter box after this punishment, which only brings about associating punishment with the litter box. Frequently, cats don't eliminate outside of their litter box unless there is a strong reason so it could be far more effective to start there. Some common problems that lead to eliminating outside of the litter box include: A genuine medical issue; the litter box is soiled; the litter box in not placed to provide privacy and many other relevant issues. For that reason overlooking this myth and doing a little detective work is the best way to avoid accidents in the house.
Cat Myth # 2: Spaying or Neutering Will Make My Cat Slow and Heavy
As a result of domestic cats' unusual reproductive ability, spaying or neutering your cat is essential, so this myth does a disservice to everyone. Without being de-sexed, the cat population will quickly grow uncontrollable and a cat's weight is not noticeably affected by the treatment. Frequently some symptoms associated with mating express themselves as variations in eating routine; cats that seek a mate can often be underweight, so as soon as they're de-sexed they may gain weight that brings them up to normal. If it's seen that a cat has gained significant weight, it's best not to put the cat on a diet but to visit a veterinarian to find out what the reason could possibly be and ways to address it.
Cat Myth # 3: Cats Are Low Maintenance Pets
When compared to many other varieties of pets, cats may be viewed as lower maintenance but by no chance should they be considered low maintenance. Cats require regular care and attention just like other pets like dogs, birds as well as reptiles. First, ahead of when bringing a cat home for a pet the entire family should recognize the financial commitment they are making. Guardians should plan on spending between $800 and $1,000 per year, per cat, on the basics. Second, cats need to have interaction with people to be happy. Regular play and communication are essential to keep these animals amused and engaged. Finally, any cat's guardian should be sensitive to the needs of the animal to ensure that it is acting normally and not in need of veterinary help. Plainly, with all this in mind, cats aren't low maintenance pets.
Cat Myth # 4: Expectant Mothers Cannot Live Safely With a Cat
Understandably, pregnant women must be cautious to avoid risking any conditions that could jeopardize the health of their unborn children, however some OB-GYNs propagate the incorrect myth that pregnant women cannot live safely with a cat. This misunderstanding is founded on fear of a parasitic sickness called Toxoplasmosis, which can be given to a pregnant woman and can be dangerous to her fetus. Cats can be exposed to this parasite from the consumption of live pray and passed on to humans through contact with cat fecal matter when cleaning the litter box. Assuming that a cat is an indoor animal not catching live prey, there's no danger of transferring Toxoplasmosis to the unborn baby. In fact, pregnant women encounter more risk of Toxoplasmosis exposure when touching raw or undercooked meat in their kitchen. Not surprisingly, this myth could force the unwanted loss of a close friend.
Cats are weird and wonderful creatures with numerous fascinating facets, however these four cat myths are certainly not factual.
Cat Myth # 1: Sticking Your Cat's Nose in It Minimizes Future Accidents
Rubbing your cat's nose in its urine or feces after an accident serves no helpful purpose. Briefly, this will only frighten your pet and respond to you with dread. Additionally, some owners will generally place their cat into the litter box after this punishment, which only brings about associating punishment with the litter box. Frequently, cats don't eliminate outside of their litter box unless there is a strong reason so it could be far more effective to start there. Some common problems that lead to eliminating outside of the litter box include: A genuine medical issue; the litter box is soiled; the litter box in not placed to provide privacy and many other relevant issues. For that reason overlooking this myth and doing a little detective work is the best way to avoid accidents in the house.
Cat Myth # 2: Spaying or Neutering Will Make My Cat Slow and Heavy
As a result of domestic cats' unusual reproductive ability, spaying or neutering your cat is essential, so this myth does a disservice to everyone. Without being de-sexed, the cat population will quickly grow uncontrollable and a cat's weight is not noticeably affected by the treatment. Frequently some symptoms associated with mating express themselves as variations in eating routine; cats that seek a mate can often be underweight, so as soon as they're de-sexed they may gain weight that brings them up to normal. If it's seen that a cat has gained significant weight, it's best not to put the cat on a diet but to visit a veterinarian to find out what the reason could possibly be and ways to address it.
Cat Myth # 3: Cats Are Low Maintenance Pets
When compared to many other varieties of pets, cats may be viewed as lower maintenance but by no chance should they be considered low maintenance. Cats require regular care and attention just like other pets like dogs, birds as well as reptiles. First, ahead of when bringing a cat home for a pet the entire family should recognize the financial commitment they are making. Guardians should plan on spending between $800 and $1,000 per year, per cat, on the basics. Second, cats need to have interaction with people to be happy. Regular play and communication are essential to keep these animals amused and engaged. Finally, any cat's guardian should be sensitive to the needs of the animal to ensure that it is acting normally and not in need of veterinary help. Plainly, with all this in mind, cats aren't low maintenance pets.
Cat Myth # 4: Expectant Mothers Cannot Live Safely With a Cat
Understandably, pregnant women must be cautious to avoid risking any conditions that could jeopardize the health of their unborn children, however some OB-GYNs propagate the incorrect myth that pregnant women cannot live safely with a cat. This misunderstanding is founded on fear of a parasitic sickness called Toxoplasmosis, which can be given to a pregnant woman and can be dangerous to her fetus. Cats can be exposed to this parasite from the consumption of live pray and passed on to humans through contact with cat fecal matter when cleaning the litter box. Assuming that a cat is an indoor animal not catching live prey, there's no danger of transferring Toxoplasmosis to the unborn baby. In fact, pregnant women encounter more risk of Toxoplasmosis exposure when touching raw or undercooked meat in their kitchen. Not surprisingly, this myth could force the unwanted loss of a close friend.
Cats are weird and wonderful creatures with numerous fascinating facets, however these four cat myths are certainly not factual.
About the Author:
Regina T. Roby is a ardent cat owner that has lived through countless feline emergencies with her inquisitive Siamese cat Thurston and Mackerel Tabby Oscar. As a result, she's found cat insurance invaluable in limiting big vet bills and is an avid supporter of pet insurance for every owner.
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