However, this is not actually true. Learn how getting rid of cat odors in carpets and fabrics is key to getting your house to smell fresh and clean. Vittoria is a full-time blogger with a passion for cats and pets in general. 8 Reasons for This Behavior, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Some say that cats have nine lives because they are able to land on their feet when they fall from a great height. 2. If you love your cat but not the destruction they wreak on your furniture, you may be considering a DIY cat scratching post. However, they are not necessarily associated with the number nine. They just have 8 totems of undying. Pet cats were mummified and buried. This is thought to relate to seven being considered a magical number related to good luck. They do not demand walks or need taking outside to poop, and they dont require a lot of space; all you need is a sofa, and soon enough you will have a purring cat sitting on your knees. The first known reference to the nine lives myth was in a book by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. As a result, cats with nine lives are often seen as bringing good fortune. Lastly, believing that cats have 9 lives can also help people to be more compassionate towards others. Why do cats clean themselves but dogs don t. WHY DOES MY CAT CHECK IF I AM BREATHING? We may never know the exact origin of the myth. Based on popular beliefs, cats are believed to have nine lives, or even 7. Christ died on the ninth hour of the day. We may also be more cautious in treating them for fear of injuring them and taking away one of their nine lives. Theyre always striving for perfection and theyre always looking for ways to improve. The proverb that started it all states: "A cat has nine lives. Unfortunately, cats do not have 9 lives, but science has uncovered some fascinating facts about cats and their relationship to a danger that might explain why this myth has persisted . The origin of this saying is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories. One is that it can give people a deeper appreciation and love for cats. Cats have nine lives, according to popular belief. In my culture, theyre viewed as dirty and if I had even stroked one, I would have to shower. There is no definitive answer to this question as it is largely dependent on the individual cat. However, there is no . Unfortunately, cats do not have 9 lives, but science has uncovered some fascinating facts about cats and their relationship to a danger that might explain why this myth has persisted for so long. The idea that cats have nine or seven lives is a commonly held superstition in many cultures worldwide, and it has been popularized in literature, art, and media. A version of each of us lives in the minds of other people - from a person who briefly sees us out on the street, to our closest loves ones who know us for decades, and everyone in between. Anita Kelsey, U.K. feline behaviorist and author of Let's Talk About Cats, told Newsweek: "No one really knows for sure where that saying came from and we can only go on myths such as from ancient Egyptian times As the Egyptians revered cats the myth of the saying originating there does sound feasible.". [3] Abu Hurairah reported that he had heard Muhammad declare that a pious woman went to Hell for after she had been annoyed by a female cat, tied her with a rope and neglected to provide her with food and water until she died. The answer to this question has been a mystery for centuries. [1], Cats have been venerated in the Near East since antiquity. She comes back from shopping weighed down with presents and toys for him. They love to explore and theyre always up for a new challenge. This is a question that has been debated by cat lovers for centuries. Youve made your very own DIY cat scratching post. According to legend, they do but where did this idea come from? Why do they say cats have nine lives? Theyre very loyal to their family and they believe in sticking to tradition. Do cats have 9 lives in Islam? It is possible that the myth originated from the fact that cats were often associated with the goddess Bastet, who was thought to have had nine lives. I sometimes think she loves him more than me. They are thought to be ritually clean which is why they're allowed to enter homes and even mosques.. However, they are still susceptible to disease and accidents, which can shorten their lives. Some say that cats have nine lives, while others believe that they have infinite lives. Cats who sleep in this position are often very active and playful. In some cultures, cats have 9 lives, while in others, 7. Cats also have super-flexible bones with a light structure and a thick fur all which they use to their advantage. In the end, there was only one approach that I knew could work. Cats check if you are breathing, especially at night, because they have not seen you moving for several hours. Some cats have personalities that stand out from, Read More CAN A CAT BE EVIL? Whatever the reason for the belief that cats have seven lives, its clear that these creatures are often able to evade danger and live long, happy lives. Cookie Consent Tool. Finally, it is sometimes seen as aprecursor of change or transformation. POPULAR BELIEFS AND SAYINGS ABOUT CATS AND THE 9 LIVES. And finally, some cultures believe cats have nine lives because they can heal quickly from injuries. Others believe that the seven lives refers to the fact that cats have seven different stages in their lives, from kittenhood to old age. Cats Always Land On Their Feet. Like many teenagers in lockdown, sweating through hours of home learning while struggling to remain positive, I really wanted a cat. What happens when blood sugar gets too high. This is because they have a unique ability to regenerate their cells. After all, we are considered a zoophilist nation. Do they real have nine lives? Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives? This is likely due to their ability to escape dangerous situations unharmed. This is a question that has been debated by cat lovers and scientists for years. William Shakespeare uses the idiom in Romeo and Juliet which was written around 1595 (6). While there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats have seven lives, there are a few theories that could explain where the idea originated from. There is no scientific evidence to support either claim, so it is ultimately up to each individual to decide what they believe. This is a balance reflex that allows them to orientate themselves as they fall in order to land on their feet. Islam is a loving and caring religion, and Muslims who have faith in Islam must spread the love to every being on Earth, including the cats. In certain regions of Spain it is believed that cats have seven lives, for example. Ive done the same thing with a can of wet food.) Cats Belong To A Very Special Family They Have The Power Of Lions, Tigers, And Cheetahs In Their Soul. The 9 Friendliest & Nicest Cat Breeds In the World, 10 Popular Cat Myths Completely Debunked By A Vet, 11 Tips To Train Your Cat To Sleep All Night, How To Pet A Cat The 3 Basic Dos And Donts, 7 Signs Your Cat Is Not Getting Enough Love, Is Your Cat Lonely? However, cats are known to be remarkably resilient creatures, and they do have some amazing survival stories. complete answer on animals.howstuffworks.com, View Hurry up, or I'll smack you on the ears with my sword before you have yours drawn. No one can say whether cats can see ghosts or not, as there is no scientific evidence to support, Read More HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CAT SEES A GHOST? Once youve wrapped the post to your desired height, cut off any excess rope and staple the end down. Theosophy believes that cats are endowed with something special that makes them so agile that they can cheat death in most dangerous situations. Do cats have 9 lives in Islam? And more importantly, is there any truth to it? Use the groups and forums to connect and share with friends. So, do cats really have seven lives? Dispelling the Myth of Nine Lives For one, cats are not described as having nine lives in all cultures. Ancient Origins of a Cat's Nine Lives The proverb that started it all states: "A cat has nine lives. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It is thought the departure from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a farming one was beneficial to these ancient cats. In the end, it only took a couple of weeks of telling my mother how seraphic and spiritual cats are in Islam for her to fall in love with the idea. If they do, theres a punishment whoever owns the dog loses good deeds each day, although there are exceptions to this rule. The result, then, is fewer cavities. While certain areas around the world believe that cats have multiple lives, the number nine is not universal. In complete contrast, I am an ailurophile. Rather than wake her, he used a pair of scissors to cut the sleeve off, leaving the cat undisturbed. Now she does everything for him: cleans out his litter tray, feeds him and plays with him. 6. r/Showerthoughts. Lets look at the science behind cats legendary nine lives and find out if theres any truth to it! Most notably, the goddess Bastet's ability to change from human to cat and back again may have promoted the idea that cats have multiple lives because she kept appearing and reappearing. She spams everyone with WhatsApp photos of Milo and texts me every couple of hours about how her favourite child is doing. The short answer is no, but there's something so beguiling about a cat's demeanor that makes it seem almost possible that they could have extra lives. Theyre also fiercely independent and they like to do things their own way. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Whod have thought that Islam would help to cure my mothers ailurophobia and turn her into a fully fledged cat-lover? However, William Shakespeare knew about the saying because he referenced it in his play Romeo and Juliet, written in the late 16th century: "Good king of cats, nothing but one your nine lives." Few have made progress; many have, Read More CAN CATS SMELL CANCER? They clean themselves, keep their fur relatively knot-free, and they don't need to be potty trained. No, cats do not actually have nine lives. In Egyptian mythology, the goddess Bastet was often depicted as a cat, and she was believed to have the power to bestow seven lives upon her worshippers. An old English proverb of unknown origin directly references the idea of cats having nine lives. Meanwhile, some Turkish and Arabic legends say cats have six lives. Specifically, it is believed that cats have seven lives in Portugal and Spain, and from there, this belief was spread to the rest of Europe. If youre a cat lover, I think youll enjoy this article. The site is also monetized with affiliate programs from LinkShare, CJ, ShareASale, and other networks, at no additional cost to you. Whether or not they have nine lives is still a mystery. If youre a cat person, you know that each feline friend has their own unique personality. For example, the numbernine is often considered the final number in a set of ten. Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock. Cat meaning and symbolism includes elegance, curiosity, independence, protection, magic, and other notable qualities. 4. Another theory is that cats are able to regenerate their cells at a faster rate than other animals. [1], In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. As weve deduced, there isnt a magical number of lives that cats havethey can die just like any other animal. That's because they were born via eggs or some other mode to incubate the baby other than a placenta. This information should not be substituted for a professional veterinary consultation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Of all the cat myths and misconceptions out there, one of the most persistent is that cats have lives to spare. Truth be said, a cat is a unique animal, he can jump from the top of a two-storey building and land safely, look at you and walk away just as if he jumped from a sofa. No matter how spectacular their leaping skills are, keep in mind that cats are not indestructible and don't always land on their feet. Mothers being mothers, she also spoke to lots of different Muslims about their cats, and eventually, her fears melted away. I have four cats of my own, and I frequently foster kittens for a local animal shelter. But because animals aren't consuming a lot of carbohydrates, their mouths aren't inundated with this specific bacterium. Nevertheless, I still wanted a cat, and desperately needed my mothers approval, so she could allow me to buy a cat from a reputable source, without trying to acquire one clandestinely on the internet. Now shes the proud owner of Milo and has researched more about the prevalence of cats in Islam, she says: Cats are a blessing from God, who provide their owners with nothing but happiness and positivity.. She says that he is like a playful, charming teenager who doesnt answer back. The number nine holds significance in numerology, especially due to its composition of three groups of three, like the structure of the English proverb. As a passionate fan of everything about cats, she is is more than happy to be the editor and provide content on what she is passionate about. Cats have almost a supernatural ability to move from a low, crouching position to a high, long leap in a matter of seconds. Capricorn (December 22 January 19): The Capricorn cat is the true traditionalist. And with that comes the same onus to protect them from harm and take proper care of them. So much so, that one of Prophet Muhammads companions was known as Abu Hurairah (Father of the Kittens) for his attachment to cats. We couldnt help laughing at her overreaction and yet her fear of cats was genuine. Atum-Ra was said to have given birth to eight other gods. In certain regions of Spain it is believed that cats have seven lives, for example. But we are going to follow the ancient Egyptians and say our cats have 9. . Stock photo of a cat. The origins of the nine lives belief are unknown, but there are a number of theories about how it started. Cats.com went out and did some research to find what makes cats super survivors. It has been suggested that the idea of cats having nine lives has its roots in Ancient Egypt. The educational cat health content on Cats.com is written by or reviewed by our team of veterinary experts to ensure that its in line with the latest evidence-based veterinary information and health guidelines. The Egyptians saw their feline friends as divine creatures with supernatural powers. Keeping dogs for hunting, protecting livestock and guarding crops is allowed. Cats are capable of doing things that allow them to avoid danger and survive when other animals might not be so fortunate. One New York cat is known to have survived a fall of 32 stories. DO CATS BITE THEIR NAILS? It suffered a chipped tooth and a collapsed lung and was sent home from the vet after two days. Do cats have nine lives or seven based on popular belief? YfeboAnvakenss 3 yr. ago. However, there is no denying that cats are amazing creatures that have the ability to heal quickly and survive falls from great heights. Earlier this year, researchers announced the discovery of what they believe to be the world's oldest pet cemetery, with nearly 600 cats and dogs at one single Ancient Egyptian site. I am completely satisfied, I found useful information and tips in this article, Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. So, while science cant prove that cats have nine lives, it can certainly explain why the myth has existed for so long! Unlike dogs, cats have been revered for centuries in Muslim culture. Will you pull your sword out of its sheath? Nine has traditionally been considered a magic number, which could also help to explain why cats are associated with nine lives. Both cats and dogs can pick up each other's behaviors, and their humans, too. By the time cats made their way to England, however, they were revered more for their ability to ward off rodents than to reincarnate. 10 REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT CATSContinue. If you don't have one of those breeds, but your dog still acts like a cat, it might be because of a feline-canine cohabitation or even friendship. Partly it was based on watching a scary video about a cat in her childhood. In addition, domestic dogs tend to live shorter lives than wolves. One could say that many cultures have a unique take on what cats mean spiritually to them. While cats are often known for their agility and ability to escape danger, they are still vulnerable to injury and death like any other animal. Dogs can be hit and abused by cruel owners and will come back for more. Theyre always doing their own thing and theyre never afraid to be different. Dammit Sabrina I told you to stay off reddit. They are able to come away from these perilous drops because of what is known as their "righting reflex." Read More WHY DOES MY CAT CHECK IF I AM BREATHING? Cats who sleep in this position are usually very independent and self-sufficient. Plus, they get up to so much mischief we want the nine lives saying to be true!". Regardless of its origins, the belief that cats have nine lives is widespread. Cats who sleep in this position are often very social and enjoy being around people. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.". In this video, . All these quality are what makes cats truly unique. I am not alone; a total of 3.2m UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. Theyre also very passionate and they can be quite stubborn. If you have observed a cat falling, you may have seen that they open its paws apart, forming a sort of parachute. Cats who sleep in this position often have a regal air about them and enjoy being the center of attention. Historians have traced the importance of cats and the significance of the number nine to the ancient Egyptians, who considered cats sacred. [2] According to many hadith, the Islamic prophet Muhammad prohibited the persecution and killing of cats. For example, thinking cats have 9 lives can help you appreciate the moments you live in more. So the age process, like the other life processes of a dog, is sped up. Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is a writer, STEAM educator, and long-time cat mom. It crops up in a stitch in time saves nine.". ster Cat is for cat owners and lovers. Egyptians believed that cats were reincarnated six times, which may have led to the belief that they have six lives. She cooks arguably the best chicken parmesan in the world, and also has impeccable taste in Bollywood music. Im a mom, writer and professional dog trainer who has worked with dogs all my life and has been training them professionally for a little over 10 years. Another story is, upon returning from the mosque, Muhammad received a bow from Muezza. Throughout history, cats have been said to have nine lives. Cats can pull off the most incredible stunts ever to make you wonder if they have extra senses or special powers. (Click to sign up>>Animalia.pet). The myth that cats have multiple lives exists in many cultures across the world, but it is not always nine lives. So, where did the idea that cats have nine lives come from? They have sharp claws and teeth which help them to defend themselves, and they are also very good at landing on their feet when they fall. ats are perfect to most people, but not to my 42-year-old mother. is a question that has long perplexed cat lovers and scientists alike. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats have nine lives. Cancer (June 21 July 22): The Cancer cat is a true homebody. So, do cats actually have nine lives? Theyre also very affectionate and they love to be petted and cuddled. They are confident and secure in their surroundings. here are a few proverbs and sayings related to the belief that cats have nine lives: Its worth noting that while these proverbs and sayings are often used in popular culture, they are not based on any factual evidence, and cats only have one life, just like any other animal. Also, Cats are popularly known to have nine lives because they are very agile. She is just like any of my 17-year-old friends parents she is spirited, sparky, generous and can be feisty when she needs to be. Many superstitions and fantastic stories from many centuries ago surround cats. By now, most of you know that I am a bit of a cat lady. Some believe that cats have nine lives, while others believe they have seven. Shed always found them evil and scary, but when I wanted a cat in lockdown I appealed to my mums faith. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, well receive a percentage of the proceeds. Because of this, the myth predates the late 1500s and possibly has ancient origins. Without an umbilical cord, a belly button cannot be created. In many countries, they are believed to have nine lives, but in Italy, Germany, Greece, Brazil, and some Spanish-speaking regions, they are said to have seven lives, while in Turkish and Arabic traditions, the number of lives is six. They are thought to be ritually clean, and are thus allowed to enter homes[1] and even mosques, including Masjid al-Haram. They love to be around people and theyre always the life of the party. Dogs have yet to make this reputation. ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO BELIEVING THAT CATS HAVE 9 SOULS? Muslim scholars are divided on the issue of neutering animals. Another theory is that the number nine has been considered a lucky number in some cultures, and cats have been associated with good luck and mystical powers. Aquarius (January 20 February 18): The Aquarius cat is the true independent. Some cultures see them as lucky animals that bring good fortune. Domestication sped up in Ancient Egypt. In Islam, cats are viewed as holy animals. In Japan, cats are also seen as lucky creatures. One theory is that the belief originated from Ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as gods. And what is the meaning behind that famous saying? An old English proverb. Across the U.S. there are almost 60 million pet cats, with around one in four households having a feline companion. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This might change how we interact with them because we may be afraid they will see ghosts or spirits around us and tell them what we are doing. The ancient Egyptians believed these animals were sacred and divine beings with supernatural powers. I have trained dogs ranging from standard poodles to golden retrievers to border collies and now the passion of my life is working with aggressive dogs with behavioral issues in order to help them be more confident, calm and easygoing dogs who are well-behaved in their own homes. It has been suggested that the idea of cats having nine lives has its roots in Ancient Egypt. Have you ever encountered this behavior from your cat? Food sampled by cats is considered halal, in the sense that their consumption of the food does not make it impermissible for Muslims to eat, and water from which cats have drunk is permitted for wudu (the ablution that is done by Muslims). One theory is that the number nine is considered to be a lucky number in many cultures.

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