7 Cat Myths Debunked

Cats are glorious creatures that keep their owners amused for hours with wonderful antics and often mysterious natures. Because cats tend to be a little on the independent side, our feline friends have earned themselves a place in many people's hearts, but with their independence comes a touch of mystery which has led to a few of behaviours being a little misunderstood some of which are listed in this article.

1. Cats are Solitary by Nature

There's a common myth that cats are solitary by nature which is probably due to fact they are pretty independent creatures when they choose to be. However, cats are not solitary animals and can in fact get very stressed out if they are left to their own devices for great lengths of time. It can lead to them developing all sorts of behavioural problem including the following:

• Excessive grooming
• Being dirty around the home instead of using a litter box
• Constant meowing

It's really important that cats not be left on their own for long periods of time to avoid this sort of thing from happening. When you are at home playing lots of interactive game will keep pussy cat nicely occupied and it helps form a strong bond with them. Investing in well designed, good quality toys will help keep them busy when you’re not around, but this only works for a certain amount of time because your pet will soon miss you when left on their own for too long, too often.

2. Cats Keep Themselves Entertained

This is another myth about cats which again might have to do with the fact they can be a little aloof at times, preferring to be more independent than their canine counterparts. However, cats love to be kept busy (when they are not sleeping) which means playing lots of games with the people they love and getting lots of cuddles. Playing with your cat in the evening means there's less chance of them wakening you up at some ungodly hour in the morning which they are very likely to do if they feel bored and want some attention.

3. Litter Tray Problems are Always Behavioural Issues

Just because a cat has a problem using their litter tray does not mean they are being naughty or dirty around the home. There are several health issues which could be the root cause of them not wanting to do their business where they are supposed to do it. If a cat is normally very clean and they start to do their “business” other than in their litter trays, you should take them along to see a vet for a thorough check up.

However, you may need to assess the situation and change the sort of litter you are using and you may have to retrain your cat to use their trays once a problem has been identified. It's also a good idea to place several trays around the home for them to use until they get back into the routine and once they have to put things back to normal.

4. Cats Scratch because They are Aggressive

A cat will use their claws for all sorts of reasons which can be to show they are annoyed or irritated by something. It could be they are being stroked too roughly or in a way they don't like, but some cats will use their claws when playing which can be a little disconcerting and misunderstood. Unless a cat is feral or really frightened by something, they will not scratch to hurt you because the majority of our feline friends are very kind by nature and not vicious at all. The thing to bear in mind is that when an animal is in pain, they are very likely to lash out if you touch them which is a natural reflex reaction and not because they want to be mean or nasty.

5. Kittens Don't Need to be Socialised

Many people think that kittens don't need to be socialised in the same way as puppies do, but this is another myth that needs to be dispelled. Kittens need to be socialised from a very young age so they learn how to be more confident. They get to learn what's safe and what's dangerous in their environment. If they are not well socialised they can end up being very nervous adults, they can literally become “scaredy cats”.

Kittens learn so much between when they are as young as 2 weeks old and this “learning” period goes on for a couple of months. The result of all this early socialisation is a happier, well-balanced and confident feline and one that can cope with things so much better than a cat that was left to their own devices when they were young.

6. When Cats Meow it's Only for Food

Our feline friends communicate in many different ways. It would be very unfair to think that a pussy cat only meows when they want to be fed because they can be vocal for all sorts of other reasons with some breeds being much more so than others. However, if you think your cat is meowing excessively, it might be a good idea to take them to the vet for a check up to make sure there's no underlying health issue causing them to be so vocal especially if they are in their senior years when they are more likely to develop certain painful conditions like arthritis.

7. Clawing Furniture is a Behavioural Problem

Cats like to scratch their claws on things not because they have developed a behavioural problem, but because they love doing it. Cats really enjoy stretching their legs and clawing at things because it relieves a lot of stress and tension they may be feeling. It's also their way of marking their territory and letting the rest of the world know who is boss. Investing in good quality scratching posts is essential for all cats but more so if you share your home with an indoor pet or you may find they destroy your carpets and furniture!