Common Cat Health Myths, Examined

Kittens produce the enzyme lactase to break down lactose in their mother's milk, but that enzyme production typically declines after weaning. By adulthood, most cats lack sufficient lactase, meaning dairy milk can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting. The image of a cat happily lapping up milk is a cultural fixture, but it doesn't reflect feline biology. If you'd like to offer a liquid treat, plain water — or a cat-specific, lactose-reduced product — is a safer option. Ask your vet before introducing any new food.

Cats do enjoy fish and many commercial foods include it as an ingredient. However, feeding fish exclusively — particularly raw fish — can lead to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which affects neurological function. Certain raw fish also contain enzymes that degrade thiamine. Additionally, some fish are high in unsaturated fats that require adequate vitamin E to metabolize, and an imbalanced diet can create deficiency over time. A nutritionally complete commercial cat food, formulated to meet established standards, is a more reliable foundation than a single-protein approach.

The feline righting reflex is a genuine physiological ability: cats can reorient their bodies mid-fall to land feet-first more often than not. But landing on their feet doesn't mean landing safely. Falls from windows and balconies — a phenomenon veterinarians call "high-rise syndrome" — regularly result in fractured limbs, chest trauma, and jaw injuries. Paradoxically, falls from very high floors can sometimes cause less fatal injury than medium-height falls because cats have more time to reach a spread-out, drag-reducing posture. This is not a safety argument for height — it's an argument for keeping windows screened and balconies cat-proofed.

Purring is one of the most recognizable cat behaviors, and contentment is certainly one trigger. However, cats also purr when they're anxious, injured, or even dying. Some researchers describe certain types of purring as a self-soothing mechanism — similar to how humans might hum when nervous. Veterinary professionals note that purring alone is not a reliable indicator of a cat's wellbeing. Paying attention to posture, ear position, eye contact, and appetite alongside vocalizations gives a more complete picture of how your cat is actually feeling.

Living indoors significantly reduces a cat's exposure to infectious disease and external parasites, but it doesn't eliminate risk entirely. Some viruses can be carried in on clothing or shoes. Parasites can enter on other animals or through windows. Some vaccines protect against airborne pathogens that don't require direct animal contact. What's appropriate for any individual cat depends on their lifestyle, health history, and regional disease prevalence — a determination best made with a veterinarian rather than assumed. Skipping all preventive care based on indoor status alone is a risk most vets would advise against.