More and more people are keeping cats, and many owners, especially first-time cat owners, have made mistakes along the way. Today, let's take a look at five common "misconceptions" about cat ownership. How many have you made?
Myth 1: Giving cats milk
People who don't own cats may not know that cats can't drink milk. In fact, a significant number of cats are lactose intolerant and cannot digest or absorb pure milk. Although not all cats have this problem, it's best to avoid it for their health.
Myth 2: Frequently feeding cats fish
From childhood, many people have come to believe that cats love to eat fish, based on cartoons or novels. However, fish bones are a real safety hazard for cats. Whether it's a wild cat or a domestic cat, fish bones can scratch a cat's delicate esophagus. Therefore, when feeding fish to cats, you must remove the fish bones first, and also try to cook the fish thoroughly.
Myth 3: Taking cats out
Some pet owners take their cats out frequently. If your cat is free-roaming, that's fine. But if your cat is kept indoors for a long time and never goes outside, it is very likely to experience stress.
Most domestic cats are terrified of the outside world. Even when taking your cat out, you should gradually socialize them to help them get used to the outside environment.
Myth 4: Cats don't need exercise.
Many pet owners have a misconception that cats don't like exercise because they see their cats lounging around at home. However, cats still have a wild streak; they like to sleep during the day and are more active at night.
If you don't want your cat to disturb your sleep, it's best to play with your cat using toys to expend its energy and prevent it from becoming overweight.
Myth 5: Feeding cats human food
Many people believe that cats can eat with them, and that they can feed their cats a few bites of their own food, saving them the time and money of buying cat food.
However, cat owners should know that human cooked food has a strong flavor that cats cannot digest properly, or they may get sick from consuming too much salt. Even if your cat is looking at you pitifully, you must be firm.
