Myth versus fact when it comes to cats. You could go into all the myths of old, but this writer has chosen to use nine myths that relate to the common domesticated cat of today.

• Myth

Female cats should have a litter of kittens before they are spayed.
This is false. It does not make a difference if a cat has a littler of kittens first. The fact is the blood supply to the uterus is greater after a litter of kittens, which could cause more bleeding during the surgery.

• Myth

Blue-eyed, white cats are deaf. This is false. While some blue-eyed, white cats are deaf this is not true for all.

•Myth

Declawing a cat is painless. This is absolutely false. Declawing your cat is extremely painful, the last bone in your cats claw is amputated. Just imagine cutting off the end digit of your fingers.

• Myth

Cats need milk. This is also false. Most cats are lactose intolerant. A little bit of cows milk will not hurt them but they may experience digestive problems shortly after drinking too much of it. The mothers milk is what provides antibodies to the kitten for a certain length of time.

• Myth

Cats need to eat fish. False. Cats love the smell and taste of fish, but do not need to eat it in large proportions. Tuna is high in fatty acids and vitamin E; if cats eat a diet with a large amount of Tuna, it can lead to yellow fat disease.

• Myth

Heartworm medication is only for dogs. False. Heartworm disease can be spread by mosquitoes so outdoor and indoor cats should be protected as well.

• Myth

Cats always land on their feet. True and false. Cats do always land on their feet per say, but they do not always survive the fall. Due to the unique structure of their bodies, they have the ability to position themselves in a way where they will land feet first. If it is a short enough fall they will survive. However if the fall is from high in the air, although they may be landing feet first, they will not usually survive the fall and not be landing on their feet as they will be crushed in the fall.

• Myth

Cats and dogs eat the same food. False. Cats and dogs require different nutrients for their growing bodies.

• Myth

Cats will let you know when they are ill. False. Cats will often hide their illness from you; you will often not see the symptoms till they are well advanced. It is important to watch for subtle changes to your cats routine.