Can cats see in the dark?
Busting cat myths
Now that you have a kitten all the things you've heard about
cats over the years suddenly seem more relevant. But the myths
and old wives tales that you've grown up with can be hard to
fathom. This list will help you separate fact from fiction.
Do cats always land on their feet?
Unfortunately the answer to this one is a resounding 'no'.
Cats are pretty agile and do tend to instinctively fall feet
first but a significant number of cats injure or even kill
themselves in falls every year. Keep your kitten safe by
fitting screens on windows and balconies. And don't be tempted
into testing the theory!
There's nothing better for cats than a saucer of
milk
This one's another myth. If your kitten is well nourished
and you're feeding her a complete food, all she needs to drink
is water. In fact, although she may like milk, too much milk is
not good for her. Many cats find the lactose in cow's milk hard
to digest and it can give them diarrhoea.
Rubbing butter on a cat's paws helps them find their way
home if they're lost
If you're after greasy paw marks all over your furniture, go
ahead and rub butter on your kitten's paws. If, however, you
just want to make sure she finds her way home, fit her with a
microchip. That way, if she ever does get
lost, and she's handed to the local veterinary clinic or
charity, they can check her details. Then you can bring her
home again, safe and sound.
Cats can see in the dark
Your kitten won't be able to see in complete darkness. This
myth probably came about because cats can see in very low light
levels. This is because their pupils dilate to make the most of
all available light.
Pregnant women should avoid all contact with
cats
Some cats can be infected with a disease called
toxoplasmosis which can occasionally be spread to humans
through cat faeces in litter trays or gardens, causing serious
problems in unborn babies. However, pregnant women do not have
to avoid contact with cats, they just have to take a few
sensible precautions. If you are expecting a baby, you should
avoid cleaning out your kitten's litter tray and ask someone
else in the family to do it for you. If you do have to do it
yourself, make sure you wear rubber gloves and wash your hands
thoroughly