Just when you think you already know a lot about cats, you may still find it difficult to tell whether a thing about cats is a fact or a myth. Read on to know more about the real deal about common cat misconceptions.

Cats and dogs are eternal enemies.

Fact: Contrary to popular belief, cats can actually develop harmonious relationships with dogs and other pets as well. They can also make very good pets in the home. If you take good care of your pet cat, you will find that it can be the most loving and comforting creature you will ever have.

Indoor cats are unhappy. Fact: Although it may be true in many cases that older cats who have been outdoors can be unhappy when kept indoors, any indoor cat can be happy as long as you give them different stuffs that they can spend time and have fun playing with. Give your furry friend toys and other stuffs, but be sure that these are safe for your pet.

Cats can take care of themselves and are low maintenance. Fact: while cats may project an image of being independent, this does not necessarily mean that they should be given the least care. It certainly is not true that cats can live up to nine lives either. In fact, the average life of stray, undomesticated cats is only three years. Cats also need proper care, nourishment and attention too.

De-clawing and trimming nails are one and the same.

Fact: De-clawing or onychectomy is done by surgically amputating the first joint of each of a cat’s toe. This procedure is performed so that owners will not have to worry about annoying cat scratches anymore. However, animal rights advocates view this procedure as inhumane and cruel. De-clawing is not the same as mere trimming since the claws will just grow back after a while.

Female cats need kittens before neutering.

Fact: Female cats may have more serious risks when pregnant than when she is spayed. Although many people may want cats to produce kittens, the truth is that spaying can prevent uterine and mammary cancer, formation of ovarian cysts as well pregnancy complications that include malformed kittens and stillbirth. And if you find cat overpopulation alarming, spaying your female cat just might be your option.

Spayed male cats have higher risks of UTIs.

Fact: Although a study showed that neutered cats had no bearing on the increase of the risks of UTIs, a study conducted by the Win Feline Foundation revealed that a spayed male cat aged 10 to 15 years old had the highest risk of developing certain uroliths or crystals. When measuring the risks of acquiring UTIs between spayed and non-spayed cats, the former is better.