Why do cats have 9 lives and humans don t?

While nobody knows exactly where the myth comes from, any cat owner can tell you why it’s claimed these hardy little furballs have nine lives: felines have an incredible set of survival skills.

It seems there’s no situation our pussycats can’t get themselves out of. They can leap from great heights and land with amazing agility; they have the intellect to carefully avoid potential dangers before they become serious risks.

It’s important to remember, though: your kitty isn’t invincible. We may make light of their ability to defy the odds, but, sadly, at some point serious illness or injury might occur.

The myth that felines have nine lives doesn’t hold true, which is why it’s vital to secure reliable pet cover.

Purely Pets is here to help. We want to make sure your cat’s protected, whether they stay indoors or roam outside. Our straightforward pet insurance can be tailored to your pet’s needs and your budget, keeping everyone happy.

We’re cat lovers, too, so we thought it’d be fun to take a closer look at some classic pussycat myths!

Who made up the ‘9 lives’ myth?

According to Blue Cross, no one is entirely sure where this myth originates.

Even as far back as Ancient Egyptian times, kitties were worshipped as sacred creatures, with many attaching superstitions, supernatural powers and mystical beliefs to pussycats.

As a result, some suspect the myth started here.

Others trace the rumour back to William Shakespeare, as there’s a mention of the nine lives of felines in Romeo and Juliet. There’s also an ancient proverb (author unknown) that states: “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.”

It’s more plausible that the myth gathered weight over time, due to our kitties’ impressive ability to get themselves out of tight corners, thanks to their intelligence, dexterity and agility.

Are black cats unlucky?

This myth can be incredibly damaging, as, even today, black cats are harder to rehome due to the negative (yet fictional) associations they carry.

For centuries, black cats have featured in folklore and mythologies.

In the US and many parts of Europe, black cats are thought to signify bad luck.

In Italy, some believe that a black cat hopping on the neighbouring bed to that of an ill person signals oncoming death, while in China, black cat sightings are sometimes interpreted as symbols of impending poverty.

On the other hand, in Japan, crossing paths with a black pussycat is a sign of good fortune – in Germany this depends on the direction in which the cat is walking: left to right is good, right to left is bad.

If you happen to find a black puss on your doorstep in Scotland, it’s believed you’ll soon come into wealth.

Do cats land on their feet every time?

Cats are incredibly agile, in large part due to their flexible backbones and ‘righting reflex’, which enables them to twist very rapidly mid-air whilst falling, landing with ease.

Of course, this isn’t always the case – Blue Cross states that, heartbreakingly, many kitties suffer fatal injuries as a result of serious falls.

Along with securing specialist pet cover, make sure you keep windows securely fastened and attach mesh to them (plus any balconies) during summer months.

Let’s consider some other myths about our cute kitties:

Do cats only purr when they’re happy?

While it’s true that moggies often purr to express happiness and contentment – especially when being fussed by their humans – the sound doesn’t always signify comfort.

Cats may purr out of fear, pain or discomfort, as a means of self-soothing. They also purr to comfort their kittens.

Does putting butter on your cat’s paws help them get home?

Unfortunately, many of us still believe this myth, applying butter to our kitties’ paws when we move to a new house, before we let them outside.

Not only is this untrue, it’s also potentially dangerous. The myth states that butter helps to mask the smell of your mog’s old home, helping them settle into their new habitat and acclimatise as they clean off the butter.

This doesn’t work for a variety of reasons. The scent of your previous house will still remain on every other part of your cat, and they’ll likely become even more distressed when trying to lick their grease-covered paws clean.

It’s far safer to keep your pussycat indoors during the first two weeks of a move, giving them the time to realise that their new abode is secure.

Make sure they’re microchipped, then gradually progress to supervised trips outside, right before their mealtimes – only do this during the daytime. After a few weeks of this, they should settle in.

Do cats prefer being alone?

While cats tend to have a more solitary, aloof nature than their canine counterparts, they’re still incredibly loving creatures, often forming deep bonds with their owners – and sometimes with household dogs, believe it or not. 

It’s true that many kitties prefer to be the only household cat, but feline friendships can and do form, as long as they don’t have to share or wait for resources such as food or personal space – otherwise a catfight or two may ensue. 

Is milk the best treat for cats?

Cow’s milk has long been viewed as a nutritious treat that felines need for good health, even after kittenhood. In actual fact, milk can cause an upset stomach, as many kitties become lactose intolerant once their mum weans them.

If you provide your moggie with a balanced, healthy diet, they should receive all the nutrients they need. However, if you wish to give your kittycat milk, it’s advisable to purchase a lactose-free option.

Protecting your cat’s (one) precious life

If you’re a cat lover, you’ll know just how resilient these beautiful creatures can be.

However, the fact remains: reliable pet insurance is a necessity from day one of kitty ownership, as you never know when injury or illness might strike.

Purely Pets offers specialist pet insurance designed to protect your pussycat (and your bank balance).

We’re here to give you reassurance your feline’s covered, so why not contact our friendly team?

Get a quote today.

Whenever a cat avoids injury after a fall or narrowly escapes an accident, all roads lead back to the phrase “cats have nine lives.” For example, a cat in Boston fell 19 stories from a window and walked away nearly unscathed, and another cat in Oregon escaped the wildfires by jumping from a cliff and floating on a log. So, how is this possible, and why do cats have nine lives?

Cats have nine lives because of their flexible spines, incredible balance, quick reflexes, and a “righting” reflex. All of these allow cats to escape dangerous situations quickly, safely, and on all fours. Nine is the magic number, but some countries insist that cats have six or seven lives instead.

Cats might not literally have nine lives or the ability to reincarnate, but they certainly have nine lives in more of a metaphorical sense. To learn about why cats have “nine lives,” read on!

Where the Phrase Comes From

Nearly every unusual phrase in the English language traces back to an ancient proverb. In the case of “cats have nine lives,” the phrase presumably dates back to the Old English quote:

“A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.”

However, this isn’t the only historical reference to cats being able to “cheat death.” Other possible origins for this now-popular coined phrase include:

• Romeo and Juliet: Mercutio stated, “Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives,” in act 3, scene 1 of the famous Shakespeare play.
• The Egyptian Sun God, Atum-Ra: The Sun God created eight other Gods and sometimes took on the form of a cat, equaling nine gods in total.
• Chinese “Lucky Number”: The number nine in Chinese culture signifies “luck,” possibly referencing a cat’s knack for surviving unusual situations.

It’s also worth noting that not all cultures agree that cats have nine lives. For example, countries like Brazil, Germany, and Spain believe that cats have seven lives. And in many Arabic cultures, cats have just six lives.

What Is the Meaning of Cats Having 9 Lives?

“Cats have nine lives” is a literary phrase used to describe a cat’s extraordinary balance, agility, flexibility, and reflexes in times of peril. For example, a cat can land perfectly on its feet after jumping from a tall tree branch or even squeeze through a narrow door opening to escape a house engulfed in flames.

Here are four reasons that cats bring truth to this phrase, albeit not in a literal sense:

Balance

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably seen your cat’s balance in action, like seemingly tightrope walking the stair railing or even entirely avoiding the mess on a cluttered countertop. A cat’s incredible balance comes from the combination of its tail and inner ear make-up.

In other words, a cat can remain balanced with deliberate stepping, even if a cat is:

• Walking along a section of fencing
• Balancing on the edge of a garbage can
• Venturing across a high tree branch
• Sleeping on a window ledge
• Trekking along a telephone wire

In situations where other species like dogs or rodents would likely fall or become impaled, cats seem to be well within their comfort zone.

Agility

When a dog finds itself backed into a corner, it’ll press its ears back, widen its eyes, growl, show its teeth, and even attack. When a cat’s in a similar situation, it finds a way to escape.

Many people claim that cats have nine lives because cats can do incredible things with their bodies. That includes jumping five feet or higher, scaling a tree trunk in a matter of seconds, and running at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.

A cat’s advanced agility allows it to do amazing things like outrun predators, jump onto roofs when floodwaters rise, or escape a raging fire by jumping from a window.

Reflexes

Many people toss around the phrase “cat-like reflexes,” but you may not realize just how impressive these feline reflexes are. The most crucial reflex in cats is the “righting reflex.”

When a feline falls from a height of at least three feet, the inner ear detects imbalance. A cat will instinctually rotate its body mid-air by stretching its spine and arching its back, a move that looks spastic from the human perspective.

Yet, this righting reflex allows a cat to land feet-down on all-fours gently.

Cats develop this reflex as early as three weeks old, even if they never experience a significant fall at any point in their life.

If you’re wondering why cats don’t jump down from trees or roofs when they appear stuck, it’s simple. Some cats get nervous being so high up in an unusual place, and, other times, a cat doesn’t know how to climb down a tree.

Want to learn more about how cats always seem to land on their feet? The video below will explain the science behind the righting reflex:

Flexibility

Cats might be some of the most nimble domestic critters on the planet, but they also happen to be among the most flexible. A cat’s overly-supple vertebrae, ligaments, and tendons provide more cushion and elasticity in times of need.

So, what does that all mean in the theme of nine lives?

A cat’s insatiable flexibility allows a cat to survive falls from high heights, wriggle through tight spaces, sprint at quicker than usual speeds, and stop or change direction on a dime.

Cats may not literally have nine lives, but their flexible joints enable them to do things like:

• Squeeze through a narrowly-opened doorway to ditch a room
• Twist 180° to escape a vicious dog’s grasp
• Stop short before darting into traffic
• Crawl beneath a couch to hide from an intruder

While your cat’s slinky-like body shape may seem adorable to you, it also serves as a significant protective factor when danger strikes.

Why Do Dogs Not Have 9 Lives?

Dogs don’t have nine lives because they’re not as flexible, agile, or quick-witted as cats. And according to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the difference is about 26 stories.

A cat can survive from a fall up to 32 stories, partially because a cat will spread all four legs mid-fall to slow down, somewhat like a parachute. But while a cat’s “righting reflex” practically ensures a smooth landing on all fours, dogs aren’t quite as lucky. Dogs are far less lighter on their feet than cats and rarely survive balcony falls from six stories or higher.

Another explanation is that dogs are usually far more dependent on humans than cats. A dog left abandoned in an apartment may not be resourceful enough to raid the cabinets for food and may not pee or poop for days. Yet, a housecat wandering in the wild will have the instinct to chase down rodents for food, relieve themselves in a pile of dirt, and create a bed of leaves.

Conclusion

Cats have an uncanny ability to cheat death, but that doesn’t mean your cat is invincible to the elements or accidents. Instead of shrugging off a potentially dangerous situation, keep your cats safe by housing them outdoors and locking up wires, chemicals, and foods that can be harmful.

Also, keep a close eye on your cat’s health. A bout of diarrhea or an occasional hairball might be normal, but your cat’s “nine lives” won’t rescue her if she has a severe medical condition. A vet visit is always a better indicator of your cat’s lifespan than an old English proverb.

Sources

Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.