Demystifying common cat myths

Feline history is full of magical tales of those graceful, agile creatures who carry a sense of mystery about them. From The Cat in the Hat to Cats on Broadway, we fondly recall them in art, literature, and entertainment while as pets they’re held in high esteem as loving members of our families.

So with cats revered in multiple societies throughout history, how did we get to the popular (but untrue) myths that cats — especially when compared with dogs — are often aloof, lazy, and untrainable?

Whether you are a long-time cat lover or sitting on the fence thinking about bringing one home, we’d like to clear up a few common cat myths. In this myth-busting exercise, we hope it will both inform you and perhaps convince you that having a full-time cat companion is what you’ve been waiting for.

Indeed, purring can mean a happy cat, but cats under stress also purr. In addition to expressing their contentment through purring, cats also purr to make themselves feel better, such as when they are experiencing pain. Distressed purring is usually accompanied by dilated pupils, a twitching tail, or other body language that shows a cat is feeling anxiety.

Not true, say the experts. At Best Friends, many cats receive clicker training to learn a number of skills, including sit, lie down, and roll over. Cats at Best Friends have even learned how to ride a skateboard, give you a high five, and walk on a harness to take safe strolls outdoors. Such training is not only good physical and mental enrichment, but it can also help with behavior. For example, a clicker-trained cat who is bored often becomes active upon hearing the clicker, or a cat intent on picking a fight with another cat can similarly be diverted from the confrontation.

Cats mature quickly. After just one year, they’re equivalent to a person in their early teens. After their second year, cats are considered young adults, and from then on, they age roughly four to six human years for each cat year. Unlike dogs of different breeds who mature at different rates, all domestic cats age at pretty much the same rate.

It’s more of a superstition than a myth, but black cats — associated with ghosts and goblins on Halloween — are unfairly portrayed in stories and movies as being bad luck. But in places including Britain, Japan, Ireland, and Germany, encountering a black cat on your travels can be considered a good thing. Cats are cats, say the experts at Best Friends. Black cats are loving, loyal pets for many families, just like orange tabbies and Maine coons and other fluffy felines. And that’s good luck in our book.

Most of the time, yes, they do. But cats who are scared sometimes take chances when running and jumping. They can miscalculate and fall on their faces or their sides. But most of the time, with their extreme agility, cats are quite crafty at maneuvering from point A to point B.

It’s true that some cats can be very independent. And, yes, sometimes they’ll give you the side-eye as if to say, “Later, bro.” But in playful moments, their seeming aloofness is replaced by speedy zoomies. Cats can hear you drive up, and they’ll meet you at the front door — sometimes with their favorite toy ready for some fun. And when they really want your attention, they’ll let you know with a gentle bump that it’s time for a head scratch.

You might be familiar with the Norman Rockwell paintings with a beautiful cat licking cream from a saucer; however, adult cats are actually lactose intolerant. Cow’s milk, which can cause bloating, gas, or other digestive issues, is off-limits for both cats and kittens. Kittens can be fed a special powdered formula, which, when mixed with water, closely resembles their mother’s milk.

Cat declawing, a surgery that involves amputating each toe at the first joint, can have long-lasting negative physical and psychological effects on cats, including on their balance and ability to climb. Deprived of their claws, they no longer have one of their primary defense mechanisms, and they can develop litter box issues. Various toys and scratching posts provide ways of satisfying a cat’s urge to scratch, keeping them away from the living room furniture.

Oh, but they do! Without exercise for their bodies and minds, cats can develop behavioral problems that include litter box issues. Some exercise-deprived cats will react by tearing things up around the house. But when you give them things to do, they find joy. A busy cat is a happy cat.

Now that you’re up to speed on debunked cat myths, perhaps it’s time to start thinking seriously about finding that special cat to bring home. Why not head over to your local animal shelter and see the many wonderful kitty friends — all of them unique individuals — waiting to meet you? We bet you’ll fall head over heels.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.