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Cat Health and Safety Myths and Facts

Common Misconceptions Regarding Feline Care and Wellbeing

Nov 5, 2008

Popular myths regarding feline behaviour and health requirements can lead to irrational fears and inappropriate feeding and medical treatment.

Is it safe for pregnant women to live with cats? Do cats always land on their feet? Will garlic cure tapeworms? Here are the answers to some common cat-health-related questions.

Myth: A Cat That Falls Always Lands on His Feet.

Fact: While cats will twist around to land feet first if they have sufficient time, they are not always able to do this. Also, even when they do manage to land on their feet, they can still sustain serious injuries, so screening in high windows and balconies is advisable.

Myth: Cats Need Milk

Fact: While the majority of cats like milk, a properly nourished cat doesn’t need it. Some cats will even suffer digestive upsets such as diarrhea if given too much milk, and some cats can’t tolerate milk at all. A little milk can be provided as an occasional treat if the cat can tolerate it, but it shouldn't be a dietary staple.

Myth: Neutering a Cat Will Make Him Lazy and Fat.

A neutered male cat is unlikely to wander, spray, or get into fights, and neutered cats don’t hunt or climb as much. They are also less likely to show aggression toward humans and other pets in the household, or strangers who visit. They may seem lazy because they stick closer to home, but they won’t necessarily become inactive.

Neutered male cats will only gain weight if their wandering and fighting behaviours aren’t replaced with other forms of exercise. A fixed cat that has plenty of playtime with his human companions and the right diet will not gain weight. After they have been neutered, cats should be fed approximately 30% less food per day.

Myth: Neutering a Cat Will Make Him Feel Less Masculine.

Fact: While many people are concerned that neutering a cat will harm his self-esteem by making him feel less like a male, cats don’t have a sense of gender identity the way people do. As such, they’re not inclined to value one type of sexual identity over another and be psychologically damaged by its loss.

Myth: Cats Try to Steal Babies’ Breath.

Fact: Cats are often drawn to babies because they like the warmth. It’s a good idea to keep cats out of the nursery when a baby is too young to turn her head, as the cat may accidentally block her mouth. However, the cat is not intentionally trying to harm the baby when she snuggles up to her.

Myth: Pregnant Women Should Not Live with Cats.

Fact: Toxoplasmosis is dangerous to the fetus, but there is a far greater risk of catching it from digging in garden soil or handling raw meat than from a cat. To be on the safe side, pregnant women should either have another person deal with the cat’s litter box or wear a mask and rubber gloves when cleaning it, and the box should be cleaned at least once a day for the duration of the pregnancy.

Myth: Indoor Cats Don’t Catch Diseases

Fact: Although indoor cats are far less likely to succumb to contagious diseases, airborne microorganisms may get into the house through open doors and windows, and most indoor cats find their way outside from time to time, where they are exposed to a variety of diseases.

Myth: Cats Get Tapeworms from Bad Store-Bought Food.

Fact: Fleas carry the tapeworm parasite, and pets acquire them when they groom themselves and swallow the fleas. Eating infected rodents or other animals may also cause an infestation.

Myth: Garlic Cures Tapeworm Infestation.

Fact: Garlic is ineffective against tapeworms. Tapeworms should be treated with a veterinarian-prescribed medication.

Myth: Licking Wounds Speeds the Healing Process.

Fact: Although purring does speed the healing process, licking wounds can actually keep them open and cause further damage. While initial licking cleans the wound, injured animals that engage in excessive wound licking once the injury has begun to heal should wear Elizabethan (cone-shaped) collars to prevent this behaviour.

Myth: Female Cats Should Be Allowed to Have One Litter Before They’re Spayed.

Fact: Cats that are spayed before having any litters are less inclined to develop mammary tumours, which are particularly deadly in cats. Allowing one litter contributes to the overpopulation problem that leads to many cats being euthanized in shelters each year and provides no medical or psychological benefits for the cat.