4 common misconceptions about cats

Source: News Center

Scientists have debunked four common myths about cats that are based on hearsay.

Here are the four most common cat myths, debunked by scientific data, as reported in Popular Science :

The "cat happy while drinking milk" scenes we often see in classic movies are actually misleading. Most cats lack the lactase enzyme needed to digest milk and are lactose intolerant. Julia Henning, a cat behaviorist at the University of Adelaide, states that milk and dairy products can cause health problems in cats, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating.

"Cats are very good at hiding their discomfort because, in the wild, showing weakness makes them a target for predators," Henning added. So, if your cat is drinking milk, it might be in pain and should be completely removed.

Many people think of cats as being active during the night. However, scientific studies show that cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they are active early in the day and at dusk. This behavior is based on their natural hunting habits.

If your cat's nighttime activity bothers you, it may be helpful to play with it and feed it a small meal before going to bed.

While cat purring is often associated with happiness, this isn't the only reason. Cats also purr when stressed, in pain, or to comfort themselves before sleep. Therefore, interpreting purring alone as a "sign of happiness" can be misleading. Observing the cat's body language during purring is important for understanding a cat.

Cats' cold and detached appearance can lead us to perceive them as incapable of affection. However, research from the University of Oregon reveals that cats also develop trusting bonds with humans. Cats view their owners as sources of security and can reduce their stress levels by interacting with them. In other words, cats aren't necessarily less attached than dogs; they just show it differently.