Fluffy tales

Why nine lives? 12 cat myths that need debunking!

Image: Jari Hytönen

Cats may be mysterious, but let’s not give them credit for magic tricks they don’t actually perform. Over the years, these curious creatures have picked up numerous myths—some harmless, others simply misleading. Today, we’re debunking 12 common cat myths and setting the record straight. Ready? Here we go!

Image: Andreea Popa

Let’s kick things off with a classic: black cats are a symbol of bad luck. Poor black cats! This myth goes way back to the days when people thought witches had feline sidekicks. However, depending on where you are in the world, black cats arouse different opinions. In Japan and parts of the UK, for example, they’re seen as symbols of good fortune. What is it for you?

Image: Nick Sorockin

Cats and baths go together like oil and water… usually. While many cats aren't big fans of water, some breeds, like the Turkish Van, will gladly paddle around. The real reason most cats avoid water is that wet fur is uncomfortable and slows them down.

Image: Aditya Sethia

If you have a cat, you don’t need us to debunk this myth for you. This is simply a lie! They may not wag their tails or slobber all over you, but cats have their own subtle ways of saying "I love you." A head bump, a slow blink, or even just choosing to nap on your lap is their version of a warm hug. They're more independent than dogs, sure, but unloving? Not a chance!

Image: David Grandmougin

Cats do have an impressive aerial trick called the "righting reflex," which helps them twist midair and often land feet-first. We wish we had that! However, that doesn't mean they're invincible. Falls from high places can still cause serious injuries. If you live in a place with high windows or balconies, a few safety screens can go a long way!

Image: Thien Phu Pham

We’ve all heard this one: Cats have nine lives. But while they do have a knack for wriggling out of trouble, again, they’re not actually immortal, you know? This saying likely comes from their agility and sharp instincts, which often help them avoid danger. Still, one life is all they get; it’s up to us to help them make it a good one.

Image: Jonathan Fink

Purring can mean a happy cat curled up in a sunny spot, but it's not always a happy sound. Cats may also purr when they're scared or in pain, using it as a kind of self-soothing mechanism. Did you know that? Pay attention: If the purring comes with hiding, limping, or not eating, your cat might be expressing that something’s wrong.

Image: Ray ZHUANG

Cat eyes are pretty amazing, but they’re not night-vision goggles. What they can do is see in much lower light than humans, thanks to their wide pupils and a reflective layer in their eyes. That’s what makes them glow like tiny headlights at night. So yes, they can stalk around in the dark better than we can, but not pitch black.

Image: Chris Yang

This is a widespread myth: Cats aren’t strictly night owls. They're actually most active at dawn and dusk, a rhythm known as crepuscular. It ties back to their hunting roots when early morning and evening were prime times to catch dinner. A good evening play session can help burn that energy off.

Image: Danilo Batista

Despite the classic cartoon image of Tom lapping up a bowl of milk (and Jerry trying to steal it), real-life kitties often can’t stomach dairy. Many become lactose intolerant after kittenhood, meaning milk could lead to an upset stomach, to say the least. In short, they’re much better off with water and a well-balanced diet.

Image: The Lucky Neko

Some cats are social butterflies, others are lone rangers. While many prefer to rule the roost solo, cats raised together, especially siblings, can form strong bonds. The key is a slow and careful introduction. And don’t forget: cats hate sharing their stuff. Extra food bowls, litter boxes, and cozy napping spots can make the difference between feline friendship and a feud.

Image: freddie marriage

Yes, cats are independent, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get lonely. Many enjoy being around their humans and can even form deep attachments. Some cats might follow you from room to room, "help" you around with chores, or curl up next to you every night. And when that bond is strong, long absences can lead to anxiety. So while they won’t fetch your slippers, they miss you when you’re gone! How cute is that?

Image: Andriyko Podilnyk

This tale says that if you move house, you should butter your cat’s paws so they’ll remember the new location. It sounds cute, but it doesn’t do anything. That will only stress out your cat and make a mess on your floors. Imagine you get buttered feet! A better way to help them settle in is to keep them indoors for a while, let them explore slowly, and give them lots of familiar smells and comforts.

ALL MYTHS HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?

You Won’t Believe These 10 Myths Originated In Real People

Image: Fine Photographics

While most myths are based on fiction, some are based on real-life individuals. Greek, Egyptian, and medieval figures that once were thought to be inventions have turned out to be real people thanks to archaeological findings. So, scroll down and learn more about 10 larger-than-life characters that actually existed.

Image: Juliet Furst

Paris, the handsome Trojan prince from The Iliad who abducted Helen, was in fact a real person. The city of Troy was located on the west coast of Anatolia (modern Turkey), and it might have been known as Wilusa, during the Bronze Age.

A surviving treaty from this period was signed between a man named Alaksandu (which sounds very similar to Prince Paris's second name, Alexander) probably from Wilusa/Troy, and Muwatalli II of the Hittites. Also, other historical documents hint that Alaksandu lived in and ruled Troy/Wilusa.

Image: Nathan Cima

Since we are talking about Troy, Paris wasn't the only Trojan who might've been real; his father, King Priam, might have been a legitimate Trojan ruler. In the Late Bronze Age, the Hittites ran into some trouble with an individual named Piyaramadu, who was a rebel who took over Troy/Wilusa.

Image: Babak Habibi

The phrase "rich as Croesus" is used to describe a semi-legendary monarch who was extremely wealthy. But Croesus was a real sixth-century BC ruler of Lydia (in Anatolia), who was both rich and martial, conquering many Greek towns that were located in what is now Turkey.

Image: Carlos Felipe Ramírez Mesa

The Roman general Cincinnatus was a military man who only reluctantly assumed power when the Romans faced a dangerous rival group called the Aequi. They called Cincinnatus to defend them who, at the time, was busy working on his tiny farm outside the city.

After defeating the enemy in just one day, Cincinnatus remained in power long enough to ensure Rome was safe. As soon as the crisis ended, he went home and started farming again. The humility and courageous character of this general inspired George Washington.

Image: Victoria Strukovskaya

According to an ancient legend, the Assyrian queen Semiramis was the daughter of a goddess. She invented the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and became a prominent ruler in her own right.

This might seem a bit far-fetched but "Semiramis" was the Greek name for a real ancient Assyrian queen, Sammu-ramat, who lived in the 9th BC. This queen was the wife of King Shamshi-Adad V and the mother of King Adad-Nirari III, but also maintained a lot of power in her own right.

Image: Julia Kadel

Imhotep was a real-life person, who served as the Egyptian pharaoh Djoser’s architect, healer, and minister. He served as the pharaoh’s right hand and even helped design his famous step pyramid. His popularity was such that, eventually, he was deified and worshiped as a real god.

Image: Giancarlo Corti

Maybe he was not the legendary king who ripped a sword out of a stone or had a powerful magician at his side, but Arthur was a genuine historical figure leading the Roman-British against the invading Anglo-Saxons during the late 5th and early 6th centuries.

His involvement at the Battle of Badon, in particular, is supportable but also exemplifies the problematic nature of the historical narrative, recording he slew 960 men in battle, quite an impossible number.

Image: Ani Adigyozalyan

The incredible story of "Beauty and the Beast" might have been based on a real person, Petrus Gonsalvus, a young boy from the 16th century. Petrus suffered a severe case of hypertrichosis, a condition that causes a person to grow hair all over their body, often referred to as "werewolf syndrome."

Gonsalvus was 10 years old when he was sent to the King of France to operate as a court jester. Eventually, King Henry's wife, Catherine de Medici, found Gonsalvus a wife. Though it took some getting used to, the beauty fell in love with the "beast." They remained married for 40 years and had seven kids together, four of which also had hypertrichosis.

Image: Christian Chomiak

According to Greek mythology, the Amazons were a race of legendary female warriors. This was disputed until modern archaeological discoveries gave new life to the claims. Believed to be descendants of Ares, the God of War, and Harmonia, the Goddess of Harmony, these women supposedly dedicated their lives to the perfection of martial prowess.

Recent archaeological findings have uncovered numerous burial sites of female Sarmatian warriors. With as many as twenty percent of all warrior tombs in the ancient territory containing women, this discovery has provided new impetus to believe in the Amazons as real historical individuals.

Image: Igam Ogam

One of the most supernatural characters in our list is based on a real-life individual. Count Dracula, the literary villain created by Bram Stoker was, at least partially, based on Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula, a Romanian prince who employed some gruesome tactics to defend his territory of Wallachia, a region south of Transylvania.

During his lifetime, Vlad was known for his enjoyment of torture and killing, reportedly impaling tens of thousands of enemies on stakes and then feasting among his victims.