In addition, cats earned the reputation of having nine lives because of their fast reflexes and ability to survive almost anything. William Shakespeare also references nine lives in his 1597 tragedy Romeo and Juliet, appearing in Act 3, Scene 1 during a fight between Tybalt and Mercutio. No, cats do not actually have nine lives. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Are you wondering if your furball is an under-covered sensitive? And why do people believe it? The result, then, is fewer cavities. So, while science cant prove that cats have nine lives, it can certainly explain why the myth has existed for so long! Learn how to create four different DIY cat beds that will provide your furry friend with a cozy space of her own & won't break your bank! Sagittarius (November 22 December 21): The Sagittarius cat is the true adventurer. The details are murky surrounding the origin of the nine lives myth. They are confident and secure in their surroundings. So, do cats really have seven lives? Growing up I was always aware of this hostility. In many countries such as Germany, Spain and Turkey, the Common Belief is that cats actually have 7 lives. 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. How many lives do cats have? Some of them even remember things that they couldnt possibly know unless they had actually lived through them. 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? If youre ever wondering how people come up with ideas like this, just remember that theres no one correct answer. Dogs can be hit and abused by cruel owners and will come back for more. Cats have an infinite number of lives, but they dont always live to a ripe old age. Along with, Cats are said to have seven lives in Spain and other Spanish speaking nations. Do cats have nine lives? Theyre also very affectionate and they love to cuddle. complete answer on wendyvandepoll.medium.com, View In Japan, cats are also seen as lucky creatures. This educational content is not veterinary advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The belief thatcats have 9 livesand originate from Egypt is a popular myth. Finally, some people believe thatcats can see ghostsand other spirits. The ancient Egyptians, for example, worshipped cats and believed they had magical powers. But its an infallible part of British culture: we are a nation of dog-lovers, so as a child I did feel that I missed out. In Islam, cats are viewed as holy animals. Some cats have personalities that stand out from, Read More CAN A CAT BE EVIL? My first attempt to persuade her failed, in the end my mothers fears won out. Hi, Im Amanda. Theyre always looking for ways to keep the peace and theyre always trying to please everyone. Some people believe that cats have seven lives because theyre very resilient animals who often survive falls and other accidents that would be fatal for other creatures. [1], Wilfred Thesiger, in his book The Marsh Arabs, notes that cats were allowed free entry to community buildings in villages in the Mesopotamian Marshes, and even fed. Nine has traditionally been considered a magic number, which could also help to explain why cats are associated with nine lives. This position is often seen in younger cats who are full of energy. No, cats do not have nine lives in Islam. Their impressive jumping skills are due to the muscle mass and the length of their hind legs. In others, they are considered to be sacred creatures. Theyre also quite reserved and they can be quite stubborn. Even our beloved Prophet (SAW) had a cat on his own, named Muezza, proving cats to be a special animal in Islam. In many cultures, cats are seen as lucky animals, and it is believed that owning a cat can bring good luck. Dedicated cat lovers are so proud of the relationship they have with their cats, they embrace the term "crazy cat owners" with open arms. For example, in Arabic-speaking parts of the world, cats are believed to have six lives. Next, its time to put your post together. Do cats really have 9 lives? Historians have traced the importance of cats and the significance of the number nine to the ancient Egyptians, who considered cats sacred. Additionally, early Anglo-Saxon settlers of England (originally called Angle-lond), used the number nine in both legal and literary contexts, says Encyclopedia Britannica. However, this is not actually true. Do cats have 9 lives in Islam? For these reasons, I was never allowed near a dog and the idea of owning one never seriously crossed my mind. Also lending credence to this myth is that falling cats often land on their feet, using an instinctiverighting reflexto twist their bodies around. 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.". Here are some popular cat sleeping positions and what they say about your feline friend: This position is named after the Egyptian cat breed known for its hairless body. They are confident and like to be in control. Unlike dogs, cats can live an independent life in parallel with their owner. This is a balance reflex that allows them to orientate themselves as they fall in order to land on their feet. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Others believe that it is because they are able to see in the dark and avoid danger. Admired for their cleanliness, cats are considered "the quintessential pet" by Muslims. In some cultures, cats have 9 lives, while in others, 7. About our Ads. Of all the cat myths and misconceptions out there, one of the most persistent is that cats have lives to spare. So, while we cant say for sure that cats have nine lives, we can say that they are definitely capable of cheating death! One theory is that cats are very agile and can survive falls from high places, which might have led people to believe they have multiple lives. When a saying gets to be over 400 years old, it's usually very difficult to track its exact origin. Required fields are marked *. Egyptians believed that cats were reincarnated six times, which may have led to the belief that they have six lives. Truth told, I would have liked a dog, but Islam forbids Muslims to keep them. Mercutio: Good King of Cats, I want to take one of your nine lives. Theres no way to know for sure, but its certainly an interesting theory. The Egyptians' obsession with cats is believed to have helped the species disperse around the globe, with felines traveling along trade routes into Europe and beyond. Will you pull your sword out of its sheath? Almost two-thirds of new owners are aged between 16 and 34 and 56% of new pet owners have children at home. Cats can twist their bodies mid-air and land on their feet, thanks to their flexible spine and inner ear. The myth that cats have multiple lives exists in many cultures across the world, but it is not always nine lives. Many superstitions and fantastic stories from many centuries ago surround cats. In many countries such as Germany, Spain and Turkey, the Common Belief is that cats actually have 7 lives. Despite being a myth, why do they say cats have nine lives? ats are perfect to most people, but not to my 42-year-old mother. So the age process, like the other life processes of a dog, is sped up. However, there is no denying that cats are amazing creatures that have the ability to heal quickly and survive falls from great heights. Since ancient times, people have observed cats surviving the most incredible falls and getting through incredible life-threatening situations. 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. Virgo (August 23 September 22): The Virgo cat is the true perfectionist. But if the cats are ordinary cats and are not causing a nuisance, perhaps it is better to leave them alone to reproduce. Cats are lucky animals because they often avoid danger. This is because they have a unique ability to regenerate their cells. The nine lives myth can be believed by people in Islam, like in other cultures. By now, most of you know that I am a bit of a cat lady. We couldnt help laughing at her overreaction and yet her fear of cats was genuine. For cats, the theory surrounding the nine lives origin rose in popularity thanks to an old English Proverb. Do cats really have 9 lives? One theory is that the belief originated with the ancient Egyptians, who revered cats as gods. As humans farmed and stored food, they attracted common prey for cats, such as mice and rats. Read More WHY DOES MY CAT CHECK IF I AM BREATHING? The Egyptians believed that cats were magical creatures with the power to come back to life after death. In Britain, a hatred for pets is unheard of, any bitterness towards animals is considered completely unacceptable. Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life. How many of you have given your cats superpowers? The myth is attributed to the natural suppleness, and swiftness cats exhibit to escape life-threatening situations. And with that comes the same onus to protect them from harm and take proper care of them. Your email address will not be published. Nine has traditionally been considered a magic . One theory is that the number nine is considered to be a lucky number in many cultures. The number was also considered holy, as it was the last digit in the Greek numerical system. Your cat's daredevil antics can be fun to watch, but engaging them in safe play goes a long way to making your feline friend's life a happy and healthy one. Youll also need a drill, saw, and other basic tools. The black and white cat was holding on with just one arm when it plunged around 30 feet, with crowds holding out an American flag in an effort to break its fall. Many Egyptian families would keep cats as pets and even feed them their food. It's an age-old question that has been argued for centuries. And just like our own personalities, these traits can be linked to astrology. Cats also have super-flexible bones with a light structure and a thick fur all which they use to their advantage. Also, Cats are popularly known to have nine lives because they are very agile. Why do cats have litter boxes and dogs don't? Theyre also fiercely independent and they like to do things their own way. In other countries and cultures, the number of lives a cat is said to have differs. Find info on vets or breeds or laugh at funny cats. However, cats are known to be remarkably resilient creatures, and they do have some amazing survival stories. But we are going to follow the ancient Egyptians and say our cats have 9. According to legend, they do but where did this idea come from? That's because they were born via eggs or some other mode to incubate the baby other than a placenta. However, while they are indeed quite resilient, it is not true that they can survive any fall or injury. Start by drilling a hole through the center of your piece of wood. Based on this culture, cats are supposed to be treated well and fed appropriately. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and considered to be sacred animals. Cats have acute senses and know they should not jump from a balcony if it is too high. You may think your cat has 9 lives. Due to this reflex, cats can land on all four paws, making them survive very high falls. However, cats are known for their agility and dexterity, which may explain how they are often able to survive falls and other accidents that would be fatal for other animals. The Egyptians saw their feline friends as divine creatures with supernatural powers. In addition, domestic dogs tend to live shorter lives than wolves. However, do cats have abilities that make them survive many times after coming close to death? Some people believe the nine lives myth is related to cats' ability to always land on their feet. Some people believe that dogs have one life, while others believe that they have multiple lives. Stock photo of a cat. Cats communicate subtly and quietly. We may never know the exact origin of the myth.