Contrary to popular opinion, pet cats aren’t just for lonely little old ladies who sit on their front porch in a rocking chair all day, sipping iced tea. They are great for just about anyone looking for a laid-back little animal pal.

I never had that pleasure when I was growing up in Malaysia. During the ’90s and early ’00s, pet cats weren’t that common in most households. And my mother, well, she just couldn’t bear the thought of having an animal plant its’ dirty paws on her leather furniture or scratch it to bits. So all I ever had was goldfish.

Now that I’ve had Schubert, (adopted from the Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, Maryland) a domestic gray feline living with me for a year and a half, and seen what his personality is like, I’ve realised how many  myths there are about cats.

Myth #1: Cats are aloof and tend to ignore you

It depends entirely on how much time you spend with them. Cats don’t seek you out in the same way pooches do. Nowadays it annoys me so much when people react with scowls and mean words about cats being unfriendly when the humans themselves don’t make an effort to get acquainted. You have to entice a cat with toys or treats if you want it to play.

Playing, petting and even talking to a cat helps you bond with it and hence, the more attention you pay, the more attached it will be to you. This seems really obvious, but the truth is, many people write them off as being indifferent to affection. They can be skittish and dart away when you try to pick them up, but give them a chance to get used to you. Be patient, treat and praise. Eventually, you’ll see the loving side in your feline.

I got super lucky with Schubert. I’d expected him to run out of the pet taxi and stay under the bed for a week, but once he emerged from the taxi, he sniffed around curiously, establishing who lived in this apartment. He then began running around me in half circles, sniffing at me as he went. By the end of the night, he was dashing about, playing with a mouse toy and curling up with me on the couch as if we’ve been best buddies for ages.

Myth #2: They ruin your furniture

I haven’t had a single piece of furniture ruined for as long as I’ve had Schubie. What has worked for me:

-Scratching posts around the home of course. It’s amazing and surprising how many people omit to get these things for their cats.

-Yelling and/or squirting water  at (poor) Schubie if I’ve ever caught him attempting to mark my furniture with his sharp little claws.

-Clipping his nails. They aren’t as hard as you think it is. Do it more frequently and he/she will get used to it. You’ll get (inadvertently) scratched less when holding your cat too. Have a second person hold your cat while you clip the nails if that makes it easier. However, you should NEVER have to use force, and if you do, loosen your grip or back off and try again when kitty has calmed down. Get more tips from here, another here and this video here.

Myth #3: Cats hate water

Imagine how you’d feel if someone picked you up and threw you into the bath tub when you weren’t prepared to be soaked. But that doesn’t mean cats HATE water. They’ll get wet, just on their own terms, like this fellow:

And then there’s this kitty who takes a drink and a head shower all at once, killing two birds with one stone:

Myth #4: You can’t train them

And I don’t mean that cats can/will learn to jump through hoops (although some do.)

People often think there’s no stopping cats if they insist on climbing up your sports trophy shelf or ripping up curtains. Be consistent with the rules. If you don’t want them on your couch, don’t confuse them by letting them up there some occasions and not on others. Sometimes training material is needed. I put sticky tape (you can roll duck tape into doughnuts) on the edges of my dining table to stop Schubie from making it a habit of jumping on to it. Yes, he had tape stuck to his paw and I had to peel it off him little by little, (so he wouldn’t freak out) but it definitely sent a clear message that he should stay off the tabletops. He also understands the word “no” in a stern tone. Doesn’t always listen to me, but he’s not a robot after all.

Myth #5: They love catnip

Apparently, a cat reacts to catnip depending on whether they are born with a unique type of smell receptor. Here’s a short explanation from About.com -Vet Medicine:

The active ingredient in catnip is called Nepetalactone. The response to this chemical is mediated through the olfactory system that cats have a special receptor for. This chemical is thought to mimic the effects of a pheromone to cause a variety of behaviors.

Very young and senior cats do not respond as much, or at all, to catnip. Also, 10-30% of the cat population does not respond to catnip at all, at any age. This is due to genetics — reactions to catnip are hereditary. Some cats are genetically “programmed” to respond to catnip, some aren’t.

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