Cats are everyone’s favorite pet. Those, who like to have a cat at home, attach to it very soon. Have you ever heard that cats have nine lives? It is a well-known myth. Let’s see the facts, how far is this true?
Fact-finding starts from the scientific research. So, first of all, we will see, what science says about it? According to study, cats do have only one life, just like other living beings.
Life expectancy of a cat depends upon several factors. The indoor cat can have a life of twelve to eighteen years. Some cats live twenty years and even longer. The highest record of a cat is twenty-eight years.
If cats do not have nine lives, then why is it said so? Well, there are several reasons behind this statement. Here they are!
Table of Contents
Cats Are Felines
They are agile and highly dexterous. They can jump from height easily and safely. Also, they don’t get injured like us. This quality is named as “Righting Reflex.” They can sharply twist their body in the air while falling from the high buildings.
Cats are in the habit of jumping from the trees. This quality makes their body flexible and irresistible to delicacy.
Cats Survive in Extreme Conditions
Some people meet accidents now and then, but each time, they escape. We generally call them cats, since cats have nine lives. They are strong enough. They can survive in extreme conditions.
A holistic physiotherapist believes that nine lives of cats are associated with the ability to stay right after falling. This is because of the flexible ligaments and bones. This helps them in attacking the prey. They might get injured, but chances are minimal.
As per sayings of a joint specialist and orthopedic surgeon of pets, the history reveals that cats live longer and stronger than other animals. Even, if you throw them from tall buildings, they will survive. It is, on the other hand, dangerous for other living beings.
Cats Have Vertebras
Unlike humans, the cats have more vertebras. The ability to be flexible and poise is awesome. It makes them keep balance while jumping. Stability is more important than weight, height, and other factors.
Nine Lives or Less?
The myth that cats do have nine lives is different in many cultures. The digit varies from country to country. For example, the Spanish believe that cats do have seven lives. The people of Turkey and Arabia claim that cats do have six lives.
Where is the Proverb Originated?
Again, nobody has any idea, where the proverb came from. However, people are using it from ancient times. You might know that William Shakespeare used this myth in Romeo and Juliet as “Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives.”
In ancient times, the people of Egypt had great respect for the cats. Atum Ra, who was their God, accompanied a cat while going to the underworld. He gave birth to 8 other gods. So, he merged nine lives in a single cat.
Some people believe that the origin of this myth is China, but how?
Well, the people of China consider nine as one of the lucky numbers. They use this number frequently in the mythology.
Another Explanation for the Myth
There is another explanation for this myth. A cat has nine lives, out of which it passes three lives in playing, three in straying and the last of the three in staying.
Literally, this explanation is not about nine lives. It instead shows that cats live a long life. When they grow old, they cannot chase mice or run after them. So, they just stay in one place.
Can Cats Escape from Death?
Many people are of the view that cats can escape from death. But, there is no reality in this belief. It is against the scientific evidence that cats have nine lives. They have only one life like others on earth. Nature has gifted certain advantages to the felines, due to which they can face danger.
Cats have great intuition and intelligence. They can make quick decisions. Their spine is very flexible. When they feel danger, they can protect themselves by maintaining particular positions.
Every creature on this planet has to taste death. So are the cats as well. They do not have any magical tool to escape from death in any way. The ability to sustain and live longer does not mean that they can fight death. Death is, of course, a natural phenomenon.
In a report presented by a veterinarian, Wyne Whitney, who is one of the specialists at Gulf Coast Veterinary, describes the survival rate of this cute pet as.
The cat reaches the max falling speed (Terminal Velocity). Ninety percent cats held up a fall of more than two stories, successfully. On average, the fall was 5.5 stories. It is interesting to know that the cats fallen from the highest stories, had the maximum chances of being survived. This is because they got more time to keep themselves in the right position. Thus, the ideal posture allowed them to land safely.
This observation is interesting that ninety percent of cats survived. Means 9 out of 10. Has this theory any coincidence with the myth that cats have nine lives?’
Does Being Feline Always Benefit?
The quality of being feline is, no doubt, fantastic, but it does not always benefit the pets like cats. Researchers give details on it. It is not necessarily beneficial for the cats. There are many cruel persons, who try to injure them to check, are they strong? They drop them from a high building.
Conclusion
Looking at the facts and sayings of the specialists, we can conclude that cats have nine lives in the sense that they have great qualities of surviving their life.
Take extra care of your cutie. Do not harm them to check what happens, if they fall. Have a wonderful experience with your cat as a pet.
You May Also Interested In: