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 Accidents Minimizes Future Accidents

Rubbing your cat’s nose in its urine or feces after an accident serves no good goal. In brief, this will only terrify the animal and react to you with fear. Furthermore, some owners will frequently place their cat into the litter box after this discipline, which only results in associating punishment with the litter box. Generally, cats don’t eliminate away from their litter box unless there’s a strong reason so it can be far more effective to start there. Some usual problems that lead to eliminating away from litter box include: An actual medical issue; the litter box is soiled; the litter box in not placed to provide privacy and various other issues. Consequently ignoring this myth and performing some detective work is the simplest way to avoid accidents in the house.

Cat Myth # 2: Spaying or Neutering Will Make My Cat Lazy and Fat

Due to domestic cats’ extraordinary reproductive ability, spaying or neutering your cat is crucial, so this myth performs a disservice to everyone. Without having to be de-sexed, the cat population will rapidly blow up and a cat’s weight is not notably influenced by the treatment. Commonly some symptoms relevant to mating manifest themselves as variations in eating routine; cats that go after a mate are frequently underweight, so as soon as they are de-sexed they may put on weight which 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 vet to find out what the reason could possibly be and ways to address it.

Cat Myth # 3: Cats Require Little Work

As compared to many other varieties of pets, cats may be regarded as lower maintenance but by no way should they be considered low maintenance. Cats need regular care and attention much like other pets like dogs, birds and even reptiles. First, well before bringing a cat home for a pet the entire family ought to appreciate the economic commitment they are making. Guardians should anticipate spending between $800 and $1,000 annually, per cat, on the essentials. Second, cats require interaction with people to be happy. Routine play and communication are important to keep these animals interested and engaged. Finally, any cat’s guardian has to be sensitive to the needs of the animal to ensure that it is acting normally and not in need of veterinary help. Certainly, with all this in mind, cats are not low maintenance pets.

Cat Myth # 4: Pregnant Women Cannot Live Safely With a Cat

Obviously, pregnant women must be careful to prevent risking any conditions that may risk the health of their unborn children, however some OB-GYNs propagate the incorrect myth that pregnant women cannot live safely with a cat. This misconception is based on fear of a parasitic sickness called Toxoplasmosis, which can be given to a pregnant woman and can be harmful to her fetus. Cats can be exposed to this parasite from the ingestion of live pray and passed on to humans through exposure to cat waste when cleaning the litter box. Assuming that a cat is an indoor animal not capturing live prey, there’s no danger of transferring Toxoplasmosis to the unborn baby. In reality, pregnant women encounter more risk of Toxoplasmosis exposure when touching raw or undercooked meat in their kitchen. Understandably, this myth could force the unnecessary loss of a close friend.

Cats are unique and amazing creatures with many fascinating facets, however these four cat myths are certainly not factual.

Regina T. Roby is a zealous cat owner that has survived through numerous feline emergencies with her inquisitive Siamese cat Thurston and Mackerel Tabby Oscar. As a result, she’s found cat insurance indispensable in limiting big veterinary bills and is a dedicated proponent of pet insurance for every owner.