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While cats are extremely popular pets in America, there are many unknowns in caring for them. People often perceive cats as low maintenance pets and often underestimate the commitment that ownership brings. Cats are not disposable pets who simply take care of themselves, they are domesticated pets that depend on us for care. In order to take care of your cat you must disregard some widely spread and dangerous rumors surrounding them:

1. Cats always land on their feet. This is a dangerous myth in that your cat can sustain serious injury from falls as few as 10 to 12 feet. While cats generally do land on their feet they are still subjected to potentially serious injuries when doing so.

2. Cats can not get rabies. This could not be any further from the truth. Any warm blooded mammal can contract rabies from the bite of an infected animal. Raccoons, squirrels, foxes, bats and other wildlife are common carriers and can spread the disease to humans and their pets alike. Your cat should get an annual rabies vaccination in accordance with local laws to protect her from potential harm.

3. A cat can not balance without whiskers. While whiskers do serve as feelers or probes for a cat; they have no impact on her ability to stand up or balance.

4. Cats smother sleeping babies. Long before people knew what Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was they often assumed that the family cat was responsible for smothering the infant. Cats love to cuddle up near warm things and were found in the room with dead, yet otherwise healthy infants, and thus the old wives’ tales began.

5. Cats do not need vaccinations. This is absolutely not true, even if your cat is of the in-door variety. Certain germs or parasites can travel in and out of the home on clothing or through the air. No household cat is guaranteed safety from certain diseases because of their in-door status. The only thing that improves their chances of avoiding illness is scheduled vaccinations from your Veterinarian.

6. Cats enjoy a vegetarian diet. Unlike dogs, cats are strict carnivores. While dogs thrive on an omnivores’ diet, their feline friends are what is known as obligate or true carnivores and need to eat meat in order to sustain healthy life.

7. Cats are not happy kept inside. Some people feel that animals are never truly happy unless they are roaming in the wild; however, this is the furthest statement from the truth. While cats who lived their entire lives outside may not tolerate being suddenly locked inside, cats who start out in the home enjoy it very much. Provided they have proper toys, food and perches in which to observe from they have all they need to be happy and thrive.

8. Declawing a cat is like trimming her nails. The inhumane practice of declawing a cat is the surgical amputation of the first joint of each toe of the cat, a procedure which is viewed as mutilation by some. While there is nothing wrong with taking your cat in for a nail trim from time to time, it is abuse to remove their claws entirely. Without claws your cat would never be able to defend herself or get away from danger if she ever escaped or got loose outside of your home.

9. Pregnant women should not own cats. As long as pregnant women stay away from the litter box there is absolutely nothing she should worry about in regards to the family feline. Some cats can spread toxoplasmosis through contact with the litter box. This disease can affect unborn babies; however, if others complete the task there is no danger to the mom or baby.

10. Milk is good for cats. Believe it or not, most cats are lactose intolerant. Cats can get diarrhea as a result of drinking milk which is unfortunate because so many people are under the impression that milk is a treat for cats. While they drink it if you give it to them, a cat on a proper diet will never need a saucer of milk.

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