Two veterinarians, Dr. Carly Fox and Dr. Anton House, debunk common myths about cats. They discuss the following myths:
1. Pregnant women can't live with cats due to toxoplasmosis, but this can be mitigated by daily cleaning of the litter box.
2. Cats love milk, but they are lactose intolerant and can't digest milk after being weaned.
3. Cats are nocturnal, but they are actually crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
4. Cats hate water, but some cats may enjoy water, especially when they're feeling unkempt.
5. Cats think their owner is their mother, but they likely see their owner as a source of food, comfort, and safety.
6. Cats can see in complete darkness, but they actually need a little bit of light to see.
7. Human food is bad for cats, as it doesn't meet their nutritional needs as obligate carnivores.
8. Black cats are bad luck, but this is a myth, and black cats are often overlooked in shelters.
9. Cats don't love people or babies, but they may be wary of babies due to their unpredictability and different scent.
10. Cats always land on their feet, but this is not true, and they can suffer severe injuries from falls.
11. Cats and dogs don't get along, but this is not necessarily true, and it depends on the individual personalities of the pets.
12. When cats purr, it means they're happy, but purring can also be a sign of nervousness, warning, or hunger.
13. One human year equals seven cat years, but this is a myth, and the aging process is not directly comparable between humans and cats.
The veterinarians aim to educate cat owners and dispel common misconceptions about their feline companions.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Cats are lactose intolerant as they get older, meaning their bodies can't digest milk.
2. Kittens have an enzyme called lactase that helps them break down milk from their mother.
3. Cats can't digest milk after they've been weaned from their mother.
4. Special cat milk is available that is lactose-free and has added taurine, an amino acid required in a cat's diet.
5. Cats typically sleep for 23 hours a day and are most active during dusk and dawn.
6. Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they are active during twilight hours.
7. Cats can be infected with a parasite called toxoplasmosis, which can be shed in their feces.
8. Pregnant women can be at risk of infection from toxoplasmosis if they come into contact with cat feces.
9. Cleaning the litter box daily can help prevent the spread of toxoplasmosis.
10. Cats can't see in complete darkness, but they have excellent night vision due to a reflective layer in the back of their eyes called the tapetum.
11. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet of meat.
12. Cats have a righting reflex that helps them land on their feet, but it's not foolproof.
13. Cats can suffer severe and life-threatening injuries if they fall from a height.
14. Some cats can get along with dogs, and it's more about the personalities of the individual animals than a general rule.
Note: Some points have been rephrased or condensed for clarity and brevity.