“Cats aren't loyal.” Hmm, let's talk.

31 things people say 22 busted 5 partly true 4 folk beliefs

• Love & loyalty 💛 They say

  “Cats aren't loyal — not like dogs”

  बिल्ली वफ़ादार नहीं होती Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  In a well-known study about two in three cats were securely attached to their person — the same share as human babies. A cat who seems aloof is often a cat who isn't sure yet, not one who doesn't care.

  How we know

  Researchers at Oregon State University used a test first designed for babies: a cat spends two minutes in a new room with their person, two minutes alone, then two minutes after the person comes back. 64% of kittens and 66% of adult cats greeted their person and then calmly went back to exploring — the sign of a secure bond. About 65% of human infants show the same pattern (Vitale et al., Current Biology, 2019). It's one study with a few dozen cats, but it uses a well-tested method.

  Try this: Loyalty looks quieter in cats: following you from room to room, sleeping where you sleep, a slow blink from across the sofa. Let them come to you — trust grows fastest that way.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Vitale et al. 2019, Current Biology
  • Oregon State University news
• Food & milk 🥛 They say

  “A bowl of milk is the kindest thing you can give a cat”

  बिल्ली को दूध पिलाओ Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Doodh dena pyaar hai — but most adult cats can't digest lactose, so milk often gives them an upset tummy or diarrhoea. Water is the drink cats need.

  How we know

  Kittens make the enzyme that digests milk sugar, but most cats lose it after weaning (Cornell Feline Health Center). In a 2025 survey of more than 500 vets across India (run with a pet-food company's support), vets said most cats are lactose intolerant, and 88% said home-cooked food alone falls short of what a cat needs.

  Try this: For a street cat or your own: fresh water, cat food, or a little plain boiled chicken or egg. If your family feeds a cat for good fortune, cat food carries the same blessing — without the tummy ache.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Cornell Feline Health Center — feeding your cat
  • Indian vet survey (PTI, Aug 2025)
• Dadi's sayings 🛣️ They say

  “A cat crossed your path — stop, or something bad will happen”

  बिल्ली ने रास्ता काट दिया Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Folk belief

  It's a lok-manyata, a folk belief — even Hindi news explainers point out that no scripture calls it shubh or ashubh. Today, the cat is most likely just going home.

  How we know

  Two popular explanations are often given: before street lights, people paused at any sound on a dark road so an animal could pass safely; and in plague years, a cat near the road meant rats nearby. They're plausible stories, not recorded history. Some families even read the direction — left to right or right to left — differently. Our grandparents had their reasons; the cat never meant any harm.

  Try this: If you'd like to pause, pause kindly — then carry on. Never chase, honk at or hurt the cat; she has places to be too.

  A belief — no study or scripture behind it

  • India.com Hindi — billi ka rasta katna
  • Zee News Hindi — myth and reason
• Love & loyalty 🍽️ They say

  “Cats only love you because you feed them”

  बिल्ली बस खाने के लिए पास आती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  When cats were offered a choice of food, toys, interesting smells and a person, most chose the person first.

  How we know

  In a 2017 study, pet and shelter cats were given their favourite of each — food, toy, scent and human interaction — side by side. Cats differed, but social time with people came out on top for the majority, ahead of food (Vitale Shreve et al., Behavioural Processes). It was a small study, so treat it as a lovely hint rather than the last word.

  Try this: Before you reach for the treat jar, try five minutes of play or a gentle chin scratch. Many cats will pick you over the snack.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Vitale Shreve et al. 2017, Behavioural Processes
• Health & family 💉 They say

  “My cat never goes out, so she doesn't need vaccines”

  घर की बिल्ली को टीके की ज़रूरत नहीं Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Vets recommend core vaccines for every cat, indoor or not. Germs ride in on our shoes and clothes, and rabies — which is common in India — is one of the core vaccines.

  How we know

  The 2020 AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines list core vaccines for all cats. Even a balcony-only cat meets the outside world through visitors, other pets, an open door or a vet visit — and a stay anywhere new brings new cats.

  Try this: Keep the vaccine card up to date and ask your vet which jabs and boosters suit your cat. It's also what keeps every guest safe at a cat home like ours.

  Strong evidence — vet guidelines or several studies

  • AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines 2020
  • WHO — rabies fact sheet
• Dadi's sayings 🐈‍⬛ They say

  “Black cats bring bad luck”

  काली बिल्ली अशुभ होती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  A black cat is just a cat in an extra-sleek coat. The superstition is old; the harm it does today is real — studies find people rate black cats more harshly.

  How we know

  Psychology studies (Jones & Hart, 2020) found a 'black-cat bias': people judged black cats more negatively, linked partly to superstition and partly to how hard it is to read a black cat's face in photos. Elsewhere the story flips — in Japan and Scotland a black cat is considered lucky.

  Try this: Black cats are often passed over at adoption drives. Give them a second look — and a good photo in daylight shows off those lovely eyes.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Jones & Hart 2020, Psychological Reports
• Health & family 🏙️ They say

  “Cats always land on their feet, so balconies are safe”

  बिल्ली गिरती नहीं, पैरों पर ही गिरती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Partly true

  Cats do have a righting reflex — but falls still hurt them badly. Most cats brought to vets after a high-rise fall had chest, face or leg injuries.

  How we know

  In two large clinic studies, about 9 in 10 cats taken to a vet after a fall survived, yet most had chest injuries and nearly half had broken legs (Whitney & Mehlhaff 1987; Vnuk et al. 2004). Those numbers leave out cats who never reached a vet, so falls are less survivable than they sound.

  Try this: In a flat, net the balcony and the windows — every one of them. A bird on the railing is a very tempting reason to jump.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Vnuk et al. 2004, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
  • Whitney & Mehlhaff 1987, JAVMA
• Behaviour 😾 They say

  “Cats take revenge — she peed on the bed to punish me”

  बिल्ली बदला लेती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Accidents outside the box are a message, not a grudge — usually a medical problem, stress, or something about the litter box itself.

  How we know

  The feline vets' house-soiling guidelines (AAFP/ISFM, 2014) list the usual causes: bladder trouble, stones, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, stress, and a box that's too small, too dirty or in the wrong place. A male cat straining to pee is an emergency.

  Try this: See the vet first. Then check the box: big, scooped every day, in a quiet corner. Never scold — it adds stress and makes it worse.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • AAFP/ISFM House-soiling Guidelines 2014
• Food & milk 🍞 They say

  “Doodh-roti or bread is a good meal for a street cat”

  बिल्ली को रोटी-दूध दे दो Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  It fills the tummy but doesn't feed the cat. Cats are true carnivores: they need protein and nutrients like taurine that bread and roti don't have.

  How we know

  Cats can't make some nutrients themselves — taurine, for example — and must get them from meat. In the 2025 survey of Indian vets, 88% said home-cooked food falls short of a cat's needs, and vets named taurine, L-carnitine and zinc.

  Try this: A handful of cat food, a boiled egg or plain boiled chicken goes much further than milk and bread. Add a bowl of fresh water, especially in summer.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Indian vet survey (PTI, Aug 2025)
  • Cornell Feline Health Center
• Health & family 🤰 They say

  “You're expecting? Then the cat has to go”

  प्रेग्नेंसी में बिल्ली घर से हटा दो Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Public-health advice is to keep the cat and change who cleans the litter. People more often catch toxoplasmosis from undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables or soil.

  How we know

  The parasite becomes infectious 1–5 days after a cat sheds it, so the US CDC advises changing the litter every day, washing hands, wearing gloves for gardening, cooking meat well and washing produce. Talk to your gynaecologist and your vet — together they'll make a simple plan.

  Try this: Hand litter duty to someone else (or use gloves and wash up), scoop daily, and feed your cat cat food, not raw meat.

  Strong evidence — vet guidelines or several studies

  • CDC — toxoplasmosis prevention
• Dadi's sayings 🌙 They say

  “A cat crying at night means bad news is coming”

  बिल्ली का रोना अशुभ है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Folk belief

  Loud night-time crying is almost always a cat looking for a mate, or two cats arguing over turf — not an omen.

  How we know

  Cats in heat 'become very vocal', as vets put it (VCA Animal Hospitals), and unneutered toms answer and fight. Glowing eyes and wailing in the dark understandably made people uneasy, and the belief grew from there.

  Try this: Want quieter nights? Sterilisation calms a colony. India's ABC Rules 2023 include a section on sterilising cats, and many local groups help community cats get it done.

  A belief — no study or scripture behind it

  • VCA — estrus cycles in cats
  • ABC Rules 2023 (Rule 19, cats)
• Love & loyalty 🏷️ They say

  “Cats don't even know their own name”

  बिल्ली अपना नाम नहीं पहचानती Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  They do. Pet cats pick out their own name from similar words and from other cats' names — even when a stranger says it. Answering is a separate matter.

  How we know

  In four experiments in Japan, cats heard a list of words and then their name; most reacted more to their own name (ear or head turns), even from an unfamiliar voice (Saito et al., Scientific Reports, 2019). That shows recognition — whether they think of it as 'me' is another question.

  Try this: An ear flick is often their 'yes?'. Use their name for good things — dinner, play, a cuddle — and it stays a happy word. (We learn every guest's name on day one.)

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Saito et al. 2019, Scientific Reports
• Food & milk 🥗 They say

  “Cats can eat dal-chawal and paneer like the rest of us”

  बिल्ली को शाकाहारी खाना दे सकते हैं Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Cats are obligate carnivores. A vegetarian home diet can't meet their needs, and missing taurine can damage the heart and eyes.

  How we know

  When 24 vegetarian pet foods were tested in the US, 6 fell short of basic amino-acid minimums (Kanakubo et al., 2015). The one study suggesting vegan cats do fine relied on owners' reports. Indian vets say the same about home food.

  Try this: If your kitchen is vegetarian, choose a complete commercial cat food rather than sharing your plate — and ask your vet which one suits your cat.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Kanakubo et al. 2015, JAVMA
• Love & loyalty 😽 They say

  “Cats never show love back”

  बिल्ली प्यार नहीं जताती Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  They do — just quietly. A slow blink is a cat smile, and a tail held straight up as they walk to you is a friendly hello.

  How we know

  In two experiments, cats slow-blinked back at people who slow-blinked at them, and were more likely to approach a stranger who did it (Humphrey et al., Scientific Reports, 2020). Researchers watching colony cats found the tail-up greeting is used between friends (Cafazzo & Natoli, 2009).

  Try this: Try it tonight: look softly at your cat, narrow your eyes and blink slowly. Many cats blink back.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Humphrey et al. 2020, Scientific Reports
  • Cafazzo & Natoli 2009, Behavioural Processes
• Health & family 🧼 They say

  “Cats are dirty and spread diseases”

  बिल्ली गंदी होती है, बीमारी फैलाती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Cats spend hours grooming and bury their mess by instinct. Like any animal they can pass on a few infections — which vaccines, deworming and hand-washing take care of.

  How we know

  The WHO notes that dogs are behind up to 99% of human rabies cases; cats can still get rabies, which is why the rabies jab matters. For toxoplasmosis, the CDC's advice is litter hygiene, not giving up the cat. During COVID-19 the Animal Welfare Board of India stated that pets and street animals don't spread the virus.

  Try this: Vaccinate (rabies included), deworm on your vet's schedule, scoop the litter daily and wash hands after. That's a cleaner home than most.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • WHO — rabies fact sheet
  • AWBI advisory, 25 Apr 2020 (PDF)
• Behaviour 🛋️ They say

  “She scratches the sofa just to annoy me”

  बिल्ली जानबूझकर सोफ़ा खराब करती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Scratching keeps claws healthy, stretches the whole body and leaves a scent mark. Your sofa is simply the best post in the house — so offer a better one.

  How we know

  A large owner survey (Wilson et al., 2016) found cats prefer tall, sturdy posts with rough rope or sisal, placed where they already like to scratch — often near where they sleep or the furniture they target.

  Try this: Put a tall sisal post right next to that sofa arm, add a flat cardboard scratcher, and praise or treat every use.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Wilson et al. 2016, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
• Dadi's sayings 🪔 They say

  “Keeping a cat brings poverty and bad Vastu”

  बिल्ली पालना अशुभ है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Folk belief

  It's a belief, not a rule — and Indian tradition holds the opposite too: many families say a cat that walks in on Diwali night means Lakshmi is arriving.

  How we know

  Some astrology and Vastu articles link cats with Alakshmi or Rahu, but name no text that says so. Others list cats as good omens — a cat carrying food, a cat with her kittens. In Bengal, Shashthi, the goddess who protects children, rides a cat. Culture has always had room for cats.

  Try this: A calm, well-cared-for cat is good energy by any measure: someone to come home to, a slower breath, a softer evening.

  A belief — no study or scripture behind it

  • InstaAstro Hindi — beliefs about cats
  • Shashthi (Wikipedia)
• Health & family ⚖️ They say

  “Neutering makes cats fat and lazy”

  नसबंदी से बिल्ली मोटी और सुस्त हो जाती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Partly true

  Neutered cats can gain weight — because they tend to eat more, not because they turn lazy. Measured meals keep them lean and just as playful.

  How we know

  In a controlled study, neutered male cats gained 27–29% in weight because they ate about 12% more; their metabolism hadn't slowed (Kanchuk et al., Journal of Nutrition, 2003). Sterilisation also prevents unwanted litters and some cancers.

  Try this: After the operation, measure meals instead of leaving the bowl full, and keep up a daily play session. Ask your vet how much to feed.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Kanchuk et al. 2003, Journal of Nutrition
• Health & family 🐱 They say

  “A female cat should have one litter before she's spayed”

  एक बार बच्चे होने दो, फिर नसबंदी Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Having kittens gives no health benefit. Spaying early does: cats spayed before six months had about a 91% lower risk of mammary cancer.

  How we know

  A case–control study of cats with and without mammary tumours found that early spaying, not having had a litter, made the difference (Overley et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2005).

  Try this: Ask your vet about spaying around five to six months — before the first heat. Fewer homeless kittens, fewer tumours.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Overley et al. 2005, JVIM
• Rules & rights 🏢 They say

  “Our housing society can ban cats”

  सोसाइटी में बिल्ली पालना मना है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Under Animal Welfare Board of India guidance, a residents' association can't ban pets — dogs or cats — even by a majority vote. Being a good neighbour still matters.

  How we know

  As reported by The Week, the AWBI guidelines say RWAs are in no legal position to ban pets from a complex, and residents may use lifts with their pets unless a separate pet lift exists. This is general information, not legal advice; rules on community animals have been in the courts recently, so check the latest.

  Try this: Keep your cat indoors and the balcony netted, keep the litter fresh, and share your vet's vaccination card if anyone asks. Friendly beats legal every time.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • The Week — pet owners' rights in a housing society
• Behaviour 〰️ They say

  “A wagging tail means a happy cat”

  पूँछ हिलाना यानी खुश Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  That's dog language. In cats, a tail straight up is the happy hello; a swishing or thumping tail usually means 'that's enough'.

  How we know

  Colony cats raise their tails straight up to greet friends (Cafazzo & Natoli, 2009). Vets read a lashing, thumping tail as irritation or over-excitement.

  Try this: If the tail starts thumping while you stroke, pause. Your cat is saying 'enough for now' — politely, for the moment.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Cafazzo & Natoli 2009, Behavioural Processes
• Dadi's sayings 🙏 They say

  “If you kill a cat, you must donate a cat made of gold”

  बिल्ली मारने पर सोने की बिल्ली दान करनी पड़ती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Folk belief

  Many of us grew up hearing it, but it's folk memory, not a written rule. What matters today: harming a cat is a crime, and if it was an accident, help is the best atonement.

  How we know

  The old law text (Vishnu Smriti, ch. 50) mentions a day's fast and a gift of milk, sesame and rice for killing a cat by accident — gold appears there only for other animals. Under today's law, killing or maiming an animal is an offence under BNS section 325 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

  Try this: If you hit a cat with your car or bike: stop safely, move her gently off the road with a cloth, and take her to the nearest vet or call a local animal rescue. No shame — just help.

  A belief — no study or scripture behind it

  • Institutes of Vishnu, ch. L (Sacred Books of the East)
• Behaviour 🌅 They say

  “Cats are night animals”

  बिल्ली रात की जानवर है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Cats are crepuscular — busiest at dawn and dusk. That's why the 5 a.m. paw on your face is so reliable.

  How we know

  Activity-tracking studies show cats peak around sunrise and sunset, and pet cats shift their rhythm to fit the household (Parker et al., Animals, 2022).

  Try this: A good play session before your bedtime, then dinner, helps many cats sleep through to a more reasonable hour.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Parker et al. 2022, Animals
• Dadi's sayings 🏅 They say

  “A Persian is a 'better' cat than a desi indie”

  पर्शियन बिल्ली देसी से अच्छी Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Every cat is a good cat. Persians are gorgeous, but their flat faces bring breathing, eye and kidney troubles that Indian summers make harder. Indies are hardy, clever and made for our weather.

  How we know

  Indian vet clinics list breathing trouble, tear staining and polycystic kidney disease among common Persian problems, made worse by heat. Rescue groups in India also see fashionable Persians given up when the care turns out to be hard work.

  Try this: Thinking of a cat? Meet the indies at a local adoption drive first. And if you love a Persian, plan for daily grooming and a cool room in summer.

  Thin evidence — expert opinion or small studies

  • Vetic — Persian cat care
  • IDA India — Persian rescue
• Health & family 👶 They say

  “A cat will steal a baby's breath”

  बिल्ली बच्चे की साँस खींच लेती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  It's an old superstition with nothing behind it. The only real point: cats love warm spots, so keep them out of the cot while the baby sleeps.

  How we know

  No study has ever found cats harming babies this way; historians trace the story to old links between cats and witchcraft. A warm cat curled up close is a smothering risk, which is easy to prevent.

  Try this: Close the nursery door at nap time or use a cot net, and let your cat meet the baby's smell during calm, supervised visits.

  Thin evidence — expert opinion or small studies

  • The Straight Dope — origin of the myth
• Behaviour 🐕 They say

  “Cats and dogs are born enemies”

  कुत्ता-बिल्ली दुश्मन होते हैं Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Most cat-and-dog homes report a friendly or peaceful truce — especially when they meet young and the cat arrives first.

  How we know

  In a study of homes with both, many pairs learned to read each other's 'opposite' body language — a dog's wag, a cat's tail-up (Feuerstein & Terkel, 2008).

  Try this: Introduce slowly: separate rooms, swap smells, then short supervised meetings. Give the cat high escape routes and a dog-free place to eat.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Feuerstein & Terkel 2008, Applied Animal Behaviour Science
• Rules & rights 🥣 They say

  “Feeding street cats is wrong — or even illegal”

  गली की बिल्लियों को खाना देना गलत है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Feeding community animals is lawful and kind. The Animal Welfare Board asks residents to cooperate with feeders, and the ABC Rules ask RWAs to arrange feeding spots.

  How we know

  An AWBI advisory (April 2020) asked residents and authorities to treat animal feeders with 'full protection and respect'. The Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 ask RWAs to agree on feeding spots away from children's play areas, and Rule 19 covers sterilising and vaccinating cats. This is general information, not legal advice.

  Try this: Feed at a fixed spot and time, clean up after, skip the milk, and help get the colony sterilised. Neighbours come round faster when the corner stays tidy.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • AWBI advisory, 25 Apr 2020 (PDF)
  • ABC Rules 2023
• Behaviour 💧 They say

  “All cats hate water”

  बिल्ली पानी से डरती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Partly true

  Many house cats dislike a soaking — wet fur is heavy and cold. But not all: India's own wild fishing cat dives in for dinner.

  How we know

  Vets put it down to coat and ancestry: house cats come from dry-land ancestors. The fishing cat of India's wetlands, West Bengal's state animal, swims and hunts fish.

  Try this: Most cats never need a full bath — they groom themselves. If one is needed, lukewarm water, a non-slip mat and a calm voice, or a gentle groomer.

  Thin evidence — expert opinion or small studies

  • Kinship — why cats dislike water
  • Fishing cat (Wikipedia)
• Love & loyalty 🏠 They say

  “Cats are loners — leave food out and they're fine for days”

  बिल्ली अकेले रह लेती है Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Partly true

  Cats can live alone, but they aren't truly solitary. Most need daily company, play and routine — and an empty home for days is a lonely, risky one.

  How we know

  Where there is enough food, cats form social groups, often related females (Crowell-Davis et al., 2004). And as the attachment studies show, many cats look to their person for security.

  Try this: Going away? Arrange a daily visit or a stay somewhere with people around. (At BilluBnB, no guest is left alone all day.)

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • Crowell-Davis et al. 2004, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
• Health & family 9️⃣ They say

  “Cats have nine lives”

  बिल्ली की नौ ज़िंदगियाँ Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Busted

  Lovely saying, only one life. Falls, roads and illness hurt cats like any other animal.

  How we know

  The saying probably grew from cats' agility and righting reflex. The clinic data on falls tell the sterner story (see 'Cats always land on their feet').

  Try this: Netting, an ID tag or microchip, and up-to-date vaccines are how we help that one life be a long one.

  Thin evidence — expert opinion or small studies

  • Whitney & Mehlhaff 1987, JAVMA
• Behaviour 🔊 They say

  “A purring cat is always a happy cat”

  घुरघुराना यानी खुशी Is it true? Tap to seeClose

  Partly true

  Usually — but cats also purr to ask for things, and vets see cats purr when they're stressed, in pain or unwell. Read the whole cat, not just the sound.

  How we know

  Researchers found a 'solicitation purr' with a cry-like note hidden inside it that people find hard to ignore (McComb et al., Current Biology, 2009). Purring while hiding, not eating or breathing fast is a reason to call the vet.

  Try this: A purr with soft eyes and a loose body is contentment. A purr with a hunched body or a missed meal deserves a closer look.

  Good evidence — a solid study or vet guidance

  • McComb et al. 2009, Current Biology

Dadi's sayings are told with love, never mocked. Where a belief has no study or scripture behind it, we say so — and say where it may have come from.

General information from cat people, not veterinary or legal advice. If your cat seems unwell, please see a vet.