According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are at least 60 million pet cats in the United States. With so many cats in our homes, you might expect that we know everything there is to know about them. Unfortunately, thats not the case, and due to their history, there are still plenty of cat myths that can have dangerous consequences. The sooner we can put those myths behind us, the better, which is why we addressed 15 common cat myths below that we need to debunk as quickly as possible.The 15 Myths About Cats That Need to Be Debunked1. Black Cats Are UnluckyImage Credit: Elisa Bertoldi, ShutterstockThis is a myth that came from European folklore, that linked black cats with witches and satan. However, there is zero truth to it and it is nothing more than a superstition. Black cats are no more lucky or less lucky than cats of any other color. Unfortunately, this myth has led to the mistreatment of many black cats over the years. Some shelters say that black cats are less likely to be adopted 1.2. Pregnant Women Cant Live With CatsThis is a well-intended rumor because of the potential risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can be found in cat feces that can cause damage to a fetus in-utero. Although the risk is small, it is strongly advised that pregnant women avoid cleaning the litter box. However, if this isnt possible, then pregnant women are advised to wear disposable gloves and to wash their hands with soap and water immediately after cleaning the litter box. The box should also be changed daily, as Toxoplasma isnt infectious until 1 to 5 days after the feces is shed 2.3. Cats Always Land on Their FeetImage Credit: Nils Jacobi, ShutterstockCats are incredible climbers, and because of their insane ability to correct their body position while in the air, called the cat righting reflex, some people think that a cat always lands on their feet 3. The truth is that they can only land on their feet when they have enough time to correct their body position while falling.4. Cats Hate WaterWhile it is true that some cats dont like water, others have no problem with it. Moreover, many cats like running water and will even play with it or drink from it. All in all, it really depends on the individual, so get to know your pet, and dont wind up surprised if your cat actually enjoys their time in the bath.5. You Cant Train a CatImage Credit: Andriy Blokhin, ShutterstockWhile its certainly easier to train a dog than it is to train a cat, that doesnt mean training a cat is impossible. You can train them to stay off certain things, perform basic tricks, and other basic tasks. Youll find more success with positive reinforcement, and treats are pretty much always a must during training sessions.6. Cats Love MilkOk, so your cat might love the taste of milk, but that doesnt mean you should give it to them. Like most mammals, your cat loses the ability to process lactose as they grow up, meaning that milk is likely to upset their stomach.The majority of cats are lactose intolerant, so we recommend avoiding giving your cat a drink of milk, as water is always the best choice for them. If you want to spoil them, give them a little catnip or another one of their favorite treats instead, like plain, cooked chicken.7. Cats Only Purr When HappyImage Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, ShutterstockWhen you hear your cat purring, its only natural to think its because theyre happy and content, which is sometimes true, but its definitely not always the case. Cats will also purr because theyre nervous, in pain, or sick. Look at their overall body language when purring as well as any abnormal behaviors to determine if theyre actually content or if something else could be wrong.8. Cats Are NocturnalWhen people talk about cats, they often say theyre nocturnal. Thats not completely true, though. Cats are crepuscular, which simply means theyre more active at dusk and dawn. This is when wild cats hunt, and its why youll see them sleeping throughout much of the day.But cats will also sleep at night, which isnt what nocturnal creatures do! Cats simply sleep a lot (between 12 and 18 hours per day), and theyre just as likely to sleep in the middle of the night as they are to sleep in the middle of the day.9. Theyre LonersImage Credit: Olezzo, ShutterstockWhile feral cats typically hunt alone, they tend to live in groups of related animals. Cats can be very social creatures (with their humans) in the right circumstances, so theyre not living completely outside their norm when you bring a pet cat into your home. Some cats can tolerate or even enjoy living with another cat, but this depends on the cats. If they are related animals, they are more likely to enjoy one anothers company. If they are unrelated, they are likely to tolerate each other but on occasion, true bonding between unrelated cats does occur. Cats also actively enjoy hanging out with you as their owner, even if they dont follow you around as much as some dogs do.10. They Dont Need Frequent Vet TripsWhile many cat owners dont take their cats to the vet every year like they should, that doesnt mean they dont need those visits. Cats need just as many vet visits as dogs, and because cats are so adept at hiding their illnesses, they might be sick and you dont even realize it! Thats why it is usually best for cats to get a checkup at least once a year, but it should be every 6 months for seniors.If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet all at an affordable price! 11. Declawing Is Essentially the Same as Trimming Their NailsImage Credit: Gorodenkoff, ShutterstockThis is potentially one of the most unfortunate and dangerous myths about cats. Trimming cat nails doesnt cause any serious harm to your cat, even if they dont like you doing it. Meanwhile, declawing is a surgical procedure that would be the equivalent of amputating your fingers at the knuckles closest to the fingertips.Unless a vet recommends the procedure for a medical reason, you should never declaw your cat, as it leads to long-term pain that your cat will have to deal with for the rest of their life, as well as potentially long-term behavioral issues.12. Cats Can See in Complete DarknessTheres no doubt that cats have incredibly sharp vision and can see well in low-light situations. But low light doesnt mean no light. When things are completely dark, cats cant see.This is why outdoor cats typically hunt at dusk and dawn. Theres not as much light, which helps them stay hidden, but theres enough light that still allows them to see well.13. Indoor Cats Dont Need Vaccinesimage Credit: Africa Studio, ShutterstockSome people seem to think that since their cats are spending most or all of their time indoors they dont need vaccines. This simply isnt true. While it is true that indoor cats are less likely to develop various conditions, its always possible for them to catch something.Current vaccine recommendations for indoor cats say that all kittens should receive their primary vaccinations against the cat flu viruses (feline distemper complex). The cat flu viruses are hardy and can enter a house on inanimate objects such as someones shoe. Therefore, even if your cat never goes outside, they can still be at risk of one of these viruses.Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a more complicated situation because it does require cat to cat contact to be transmitted. However, the current guidelines suggest that all kittens receive the FeLV vaccination after a negative blood test. This vaccination should be boosted one year later, at which point you can discuss with a veterinarian whether your cat needs this.14. They Can Live on a Vegan DietAs veganism and vegetarianism continue to grow in popularity, you might decide you dont want to consume animal products anymore, and thats perfectly fine. However, while humans dont need to consume animal products to survive, thats not the case with cats.Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to consume meat to survive. Commercial cat food comes with all the animal products they need, but if youre making their food for them, you need to ensure youre meeting all their dietary needs, including feeding them animal proteins. Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl NO MESS - The 360 tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking... Check Price on Amazon Feeding your cat a high-quality diet is important for keeping them healthy and happy. But it goes beyond the food you choose; the dishes they use also matter. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite for its unique, five-star design that protects from whisker fatigue and promotes good posture which also aids in better digestion. As an added bonus, its beautifully crafted and offers a modern take on the traditional cat bowl that fits seamlessly with all home stylings. Learn more about the NomNom by clicking here.At Catster, weve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!15. Cats Dont Love Their OwnersOne of the biggest debates is about whether dogs or cats are better pets. Sure, cats tend to be more independent, but that doesnt mean that cats dont love and adore their owners, as can be seen whenever they come running up to you after youve been gone for a few hours or when they curl up next to you or demand your pets and attention.ConclusionNow that you know a little more about some of the common cat myths out there, you can debunk them the next time you hear them. Knowledge is a powerful tool that you can use to keep your cat happy and healthy, and with a little more knowledge, you can be an even more responsible pet owner moving forward.See also:Pittsburgh Refrigerator Cat: The Myth ExplainedCan Cats Get Dogs Sick? Sourceshttps://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/wellbeing-and-care/12-common-cat-myths-debunkedhttps://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statisticshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7597961/https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/pregnant.htmlhttps://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/do-cats-land-on-their-feethttps://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/cat-keeping-you-awake-how-manage-night-activityhttps://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/behavior-of-cats/normal-social-behavior-in-catshttps://www.pawschicago.org/fileadmin/media/images/News_Resources/Cat_Resources/CatResource_Declawing_2019-web.pdfhttps://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/can-cats-drink-milkhttps://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/why-does-my-cat-purrhttps://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/cat-keeping-you-awake-how-manage-night-activity#:~:text=Cats%20are%20crepuscular%2C%20which%20means,myth%20about%20our%20feline%20friends). Featured Image Credit: Nadezhda Zaitceva_shutterstock