Cats have been charming us for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that they often turn up in myths and folklore. As it turns out, there are quite a few rumors about Fluffy that just aren’t true. Read on as a local Eau Claire, WI vet goes over some tall tales about our feline friends.
Fluffy Has Nine Lives
This is likely the most widespread—and possibly most dangerous—myth about our feline buddies. Kitties may have a talent for getting both in and out of trouble, but that doesn’t mean they get bonus lives. Fluffy only gets one, just like the rest of us.
Kitties Love Milk
We’ve all seen those iconic images of kitties happily lapping up bowls of milk on dairy farms. Raw milk contains certain enzymes, such as lactase, which helps cats digest the lactose in dairy products. However, most adult furballs can’t digest processed milk. In fact, Fluffy may get an upset stomach from drinking it!
Cats Always Land On Their Feet
There’s a grain of truth behind this one as well. Cats are very lithe, and they are able to right themselves when falling. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t hurt themselves. In fact, there’s a specific set of injuries that are associated with kitties falling from heights. These are called high-rise syndrome, and can be very dangerous.
They Steal Baby’s Breath
This old wives’ tale actually did Fluffy’s reputation quite a bit of damage. This superstition may be based in kitties’ natural tendencies to love both warm napping spots and cuddling up with their humans. Many cats love snuggling with babies! This is of course adorable. However, it can be a hazard with infants, as babies aren’t strong enough to push a sleeping, purring cat off them. That doesn’t mean you should give your feline pal away if you’re expecting: just get crib covers!
They Can Teleport
To be completely honest, we’re not entirely convinced that this one isn’t true. Fluffy does seem to be suspiciously good at moving from spot to spot. Many cat owners have experienced moments where they would have sworn their cute little pet was in one spot, only to find them somewhere else. Have cats mastered wormholes? We just may have to wait and see!
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