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In a season where drama and over-the-top behavior has graced all media coverage, we’ve decided that you can’t trust everything you hear. From assumptions to illusions, many people believe things that someone once said, according to their Uncle’s sister-in-law’s cousin, and take it as pure fact.
No one understands how fantasy becomes reality more than a cat. These fine creatures have been the target of superstitions and myths for centuries. Truthfully, they would probably rather stay out of the limelight and sleep, stretch, get some owner-affection, and enjoy a good meal; and repeat.
When it comes to cat nutrition, tips and suggestions flood the market. Many people believe that if cats ask for it by name then it must be the best right? Well, fiction #1 busted: Cats can’t really talk. Sorry.
General Myth Busting
Fiction: Black cats are bad luck.
Fact: This is a superstition that has been handed down through the ages. At one point in time, many years ago, black cats were associated with witches due to their color and their penchant for night prowling (as many cats love to do). Since witches are no longer on the most wanted list, today’s black cat is just plain old bad luck. Of course, in several other countries and cultures, they are seen as good luck. Who’s right? In the spirit of “a house divided cannot stand,” we say that this fiction has no bearing whatsoever in fact.
Fiction: All cats hate water.
Fact: Don’t run out and try to put your putty-tat in the bathtub just because we’ve busted this myth. Many cats do not like water and will give you heck if you try to put them in it. However, there are several cat breeds who actually like water and will jump in the shower or bathtub with you such as the Maine Coon, Bengal, Manx, Abyssinian, Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, and the Savannah. How can you argue with those amazing breeds? This is why we say it’s a fraction of a faulty fiction.
Fiction: Cats have 9 lives.
Fact: The closest thing that your cat will have to 9 lives is the cat food, but more on that later. Because cats are known to survive falls, jump to great heights, maneuver their way out of troublesome spots, and land on their feet, they are seen as almost supernatural. Unfortunately, and we want to put this delicately, this is definitely fiction because they only have one life to live. Make it good!
Fiction: Cats land on their feet. Always.
Fact: Not always. There are some cats who have taken a nasty spill or two when the situation was not right for a clean landing. You can look up about a million cat videos to see the evidence of this, which is why it is fiction in our book. We will say, however, that cats are quite amazingly flexible creatures who have the ability to land correctly 999 times out of 1000. Their bone structure allows them to twist and turn in mid-air quickly and having no color bone helps with that.
Busting out The Cat Nutrition Tips
Fiction: Cats can get worms from eating candy.
Fact: This is a myth that has been around for ages, so don’t fall into the fictitious trap. No, cats cannot get worms from eating candy or any other foods. Tapeworms come from swallowing fleas which carry the parasite. They can also get worms from eating mice or other animals who carry the parasite. But this does not mean that you should give your cat candy; that’s a no-go for other reasons.
Fiction: All cat food is the same.
Fact: It really isn’t. Cat food ingredients differ from brand to brand and bag to bag. Some brands are full or real meat or fish. In fact, the first 9 ingredients of Orijen Six fish are completely fish-based. Other brands, like Purina Cat Chow Indoor formula, start with cornmeal as ingredient #1 and use a poultry by-product meal as the only other meat source in the bag. You never know what’s in the bag unless you read the label on the outside.
Fiction: Meat by-products are made from real meat so they must be good for my cat.
Fact: Yes, meat by-products are made from real meat, and yes they contain a lot of good protein for your cat. But the jury is out on whether or not they are really good for your cat. You see, “Meat” or “Animal” by products are carcasses and parts of carcasses from slaughterhouses, animal shelters, zoos and veterinarians, and products of animal origin not intended for human consumption, including catering waste. Legally, this ingredient can even contain roadkill or euthanized animals. When specified as chicken by-products, it’s a combination of meat (or cuts or parts) including lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, necks, undeveloped eggs and intestines.
Fiction: If a cat food costs more, it means that it’s the best.
Fact: This is a rather grey area. First, there are many cat food brands that are high quality and cost more than the average cat food, such as Blue Wilderness Adult Indoor Chicken. However, there are some brands that cost less, but are still high quality food, like Purina Beyond Salmon and Whole Brown Rice. But watch out for the higher priced brands that appear to be high quality, but have ingredients that are not very good for your cat, such as IAMS Proactive Health Adult Original which includes both by-products and corn meal.
There you have it; cat superstition to cat nutrition. Be sure to make informed decisions and base your decisions on facts, not fiction. Feed your cat the best ingredients, not necessarily the best seller. Read the labels, don’t just assume it’s a good food. And if you see a black cat cross your path, wish him a good day and be on your way.
