Cats who sleep in this position are often very social and enjoy being around people. We may also be more cautious in treating them for fear of injuring them and taking away one of their nine lives. Cancer (June 21 July 22): The Cancer cat is a true homebody. In Spain and other Spanish speaking nations, cats are said to have seven lives. Whenever we used to visit family and friends who owned cats, I would have to notify them half an hour in advance to hide them, in fear of my mothers reaction. Or would they think that a cats life is more like a game, where they can use up one of their lives and then start over again? is a question that has long perplexed cat lovers and scientists alike. One of the superstitions is about cats crying outside the house at night. [1], In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The righting reflex, along with their flexible bones and ligaments, is how they are able to survive falls from huge heightsheights that would prove fatal for most other mammalian species, cementing the old saying that cats have nine lives. FRIGHTENING?Continue, Your email address will not be published. Atum-Ra was . But its best to be on the safe side with thebest cat insurance plans. Some people believe the nine lives myth is related to cats' ability to always land on their feet. Few have made progress; many have, Read More CAN CATS SMELL CANCER? What does the Bible say about aging with grace? Based on popular beliefs, cats are believed to have nine lives, or even 7. In humans and animals, the main cavity-causing culprit is a bacterium known as Streptococcus mutans. He then smiled and gently stroked his beloved cat three times, giving all cats the ability to land squarely on their feet. So, while we dont know for sure if cats really do have nine lives, they certainly have a reputation for being able to cheat death in some pretty amazing ways. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. We are practising Muslims and I eventually realised that this was the way to her heart where cats were concerned and I wondered why I hadnt tried this approach earlier. So, while we may not know exactly how many lives cats have, it is clear that they are tougher than most animals and have a better chance of surviving even the most dangerous situations. As a result, you may take fewer things for granted and be more present in your life. What You Need to Know! The fact that there is no universal consensus regarding . So, while we cant say for sure that cats have nine lives, we can say that they are definitely capable of cheating death! This is a question that has been debated by cat lovers for centuries. 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. This is likely due to their ability to escape dangerous situations unharmed. Energetic and tormenting as a teenager, hes also slender, cute and as vulnerable as a baby, which I think appeals to my mother. Shed always found them evil and scary, but when I wanted a cat in lockdown I appealed to my mums faith. Lets dig into it and see if we can figure it out. Partly it was based on watching a scary video about a cat in her childhood. Meanwhile, some Turkish and Arabic legends say cats have six lives. Meanwhile, some Turkish and Arabic legends say cats have six lives. Despite the differences in the number of lives a cat supposedly has, there exists the one common underlying belief: Cats live more than one life. The proverb that started it all states: "A cat has nine lives. Then, thread the sisal rope through the hole, tying a knot at the top. There is a famous tale told in the Muslim community about the Prophet Muhammads relationship with cats. Do cats really have 9 lives? This means that when he jumps or accidentally falls from high places, he is able to twist his body around so as to land right on his feet. Now that you know the science behind cats legendary nine lives, its time to put this myth to rest and focus on taking proper care of these beloved pets. 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.. So, while science cant prove that cats have nine lives, it can certainly explain why the myth has existed for so long! Your email address will not be published. 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. So the age process, like the other life processes of a dog, is sped up. Of all the cat myths and misconceptions out there, one of the most persistent is that cats have lives to spare. Not just lovely, but cats is also beneficial. In Japan, cats are also seen as lucky creatures. Your email address will not be published. In Britain, a hatred for pets is unheard of, any bitterness towards animals is considered completely unacceptable. BOTTOM LINEContinue, How to know if your cat sees a ghost? Another benefit is that it can help people be more mindful of their lives. 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. Theyre always living in their own little world and theyre always chasing their dreams. Do cats have 9 lives in Islam? If youre ever wondering how people come up with ideas like this, just remember that theres no one correct answer. 1. Based on this culture, cats are supposed to be treated well and fed appropriately. This is because they have a unique ability to regenerate their cells. The sun god Atum-Ra was said to take the form of a cat so he could visit the underworld. And when wild cats began to live more closely with human beings around . 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. There are a few benefits to believing that cats have 9 souls. If they do, theres a punishment whoever owns the dog loses good deeds each day, although there are exceptions to this rule. Scientists call this righting reflex. Well the phrase cats have nine lives is an ancient one and can be traced to those times when magic was popular. Morris the Cat strolled onto TV and into Americans' lives in 1969 as the finicky spokes-cat for 9Lives cat food [source: Elliott ]. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cats.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Read also: CAN CATS SENSE BAD ENERGY? Cats can be evil at times. Another belief about cats is that they have spiritual powers and can bring good luck. Pisces (February 19 March 20): The Pisces cat is the true dreamer. It crops up in a stitch in time saves nine.". As any cat parent can tell you, all you have to do is observe a cat's ability to leap, twist and land on their feet to see why this myth is a lasting legend. In certain regions of Spain it is believed that cats have seven lives, for example. Or maybe because it comes from the Welsh, where nine steps was used to measure legal distances. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats have nine lives. In other cases, the number nine has beenassociated with luck or good fortune. Theyre always doing their own thing and theyre never afraid to be different. They love to explore and theyre always up for a new challenge. I am not alone; a total of 3.2m UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. (I can relate! Pet cats were mummified and buried. However, the information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. Well, shes not wrong. In some cultures, cats have 9 lives, while in others, 7. What You Need to Know. There are a few theories as to why people believe that cats have nine lives. Lets look at the science behind cats legendary nine lives and find out if theres any truth to it! Cats are just fascinating creatures, and theres always room for interpretation when it comes to their lives. We do our best to help you better understand your cats, but the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. What we do know, notes Science magazine, is that the fascination with cats dates way back to about 12,000 years ago in the homes and places of worship of the ancient Egyptians. This led to the belief that cats must have some sort of magical power or ability that allows them to cheat death. And as they expanded across the world, so too did the myth of multiple lives. Moral status of animals in the ancient world, "Did Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) have a cat named Muezza? Cats can sense bad energy and alert you when there is something wrong. Another theory is that the six lives myth is based on the fact that cats are relatively resilient animals. What personality disorder does the Grinch have? The content presented on this site is meant for informational purposes only. 5. Image Credit: Ivanova N, Shutterstock Egyptian Gods The number nine may originate from ancient Egypt. Their impressive jumping skills are due to the muscle mass and the length of their hind legs. Now she does everything for him: cleans out his litter tray, feeds him and plays with him. Theyre also very affectionate and they love to cuddle. The answer may surprise you. Rather than wake her, he used a pair of scissors to cut the sleeve off, anything as long as the cat could remain sleeping undisturbed. It says: "A cat has nine lives. Have you ever wondered if cats really have nine lives? Its possible that this belief in the mystical power of cats contributed to the idea that they had multiple lives. Your pet can and will try to get them, so best to keep them out of sight or at a low profile. They are also extremely quick at being able to react when danger presents itself.". However, the truth is that we dont really know how many lives cats have. The details are murky surrounding the origin of the nine lives myth. 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. According to authentic narrations, one may make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat has drunk from. This belief likely comes from cats surviving fallsfrom great heights and other seemingly impossible situations. Ive done the same thing with a can of wet food.) Cats are lucky animals because they often avoid danger. ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO BELIEVING THAT CATS HAVE 9 SOULS? Cat meaning and symbolism includes elegance, curiosity, independence, protection, magic, and other notable qualities. [8][9] Muhammad awoke one day to the sounds of the adhan. Thus, the need for an umbilical cord is nonexistent. Much research still needs to be done to determine if this is true. Keeping dogs for hunting, protecting livestock and guarding crops is allowed. Heres a guide on how to make your own cat scratching post, complete with all the nitty gritty details. No, cats do not have nine lives in Islam. 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. [8][9] There is no mention of any such cat or the associated story in the hadith or supplementary works[10] and there are similar stories attributed to someone else from 6th century Arabia which may explain the origin of the story.[11]. The origins of the nine lives myth are unclear, but it is thought to date back to ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as gods. Within weeks of Milo moving in with us, my mothers attitude changed and now after three months, she has fully adopted him as her fifth child. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.". Why do cats use litter boxes and dogs don't? So if youre ever feeling down, just remember that your cat may have seven more lives to live, and theres always time for a fresh start. [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. This is a question that has been asked by many people over the years, and it is one that does not have a definitive answer. The truth is, no one really knows for sure, but there is evidence to suggest that cats are resilient creatures that may have a few more lives than the average animal. Would they think that a cats life is just like a humans life, only with more lives? Most, however, maintain that neutering cats is allowed "if there is some benefit in neutering the cat and if that will not cause its death". Our feline friends should be treated with the same level of respect that we would grant any other creature in nature, as cats are still animals. The sun god Atum-Ra was said to take the form of a cat so he could visit the underworld. Cats do not make it easy for us to figure them out. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives? Aquarius (January 20 February 18): The Aquarius cat is the true independent. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATIONS BEHIND THE 9 LIVES OF CATS? Hurry up, or I'll smack you on the ears with my sword before you have yours drawn. For the scratching post itself, youll need a sturdy piece of wood (at least 2 feet tall), a piece of sisal rope, and some carpet or fabric. This position is relatively rare and is often seen in cats who are very relaxed and comfortable in their environment. 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." He suddenly sneaks on you while you sleep and starts checking whether you are breathing. And just like our own personalities, these traits can be linked to astrology. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. The answer is still unclear. To your amazement, cats have nine lives is a myth. According to legend, they do but where did this idea come from? [4] According to legend, Abu Saeed's cat saved Muhammad from a snake. She says that he is like a playful, charming teenager who doesnt answer back. So they have evolved to be escape artists. Do cats really have 9 lives? The same is true in some Asian cultures. Cats.com went out and did some research to find what makes cats super survivors. The relationship between human and cat became beneficial for both specieshumans were providing food for the cats, and cats were stopping rodents from raiding human food stores. For example, the numbernine is often considered the final number in a set of ten. There is even a famous saying in China:A cat has nine lives but only uses seven.. 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's a professional member of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA) and has written for industry-leading companies and organizations, including What to Expect When You're Expecting and NIU STEM Read. For example, in some Native American cultures, the number nine is considered a lucky number. They are curious and like to explore their surroundings. These 7 Signs Will Help You Find Out, Eyelid Agenesis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment. Despite being a myth, why do they say cats have nine lives? Cats cant die and come back right after. She vividly remembers watching a black cat, with daunting green eyes, jumping into a mans mouth and suffocating him. Does a cat have 9 lives? Sagittarius (November 22 December 21): The Sagittarius cat is the true adventurer. This is a question that has been debated by cat lovers and scientists for years. 10 REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT CATS. Do cats have nine lives, or do they really have seven? Essentially, they are doing more in a shorter period of time than our bodies are. Therefore, it is believed that cats have nine lives because they are considered to be lucky animals. But where did this idea come from? In ancient Chinese culture, nine is considered to be one of the luckiest numbers of all and quickly became associated with the feline kind. Why don't dogs and cats have belly buttons? While in most countries the cat is said to have nine lives, in Arab and Turkish proverbs poor puss has a mere seven lucky lives (something that was then inherited by countries that were invaded by Muslims at some point, like Spain) and in Russia, is said to survive nine deaths (ergo, ten lives). Cats also have super-flexible bones with a light structure and a thick fur all which they use to their advantage. Christ died on the ninth hour of the day. If pushed, she has even gone so far as to say: Cats are Satan incarnate, who use their cuteness and adorability to bewitch and do the devils work.. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. However, they are still susceptible to disease and accidents, which can shorten their lives. First, youll need to gather your supplies. 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. No, cats do not have nine lives in Islam. Seconds later, a member of the crowd lifts up the cat and the whole stadium erupts in cheers. Moreover, Cats have long been associated with having nine lives. Another theory is that the belief originated with the medieval belief in witches and their ability to transform themselves into cats. Some cats can tell you when something terrible is, Read More CAN CATS SENSE BAD ENERGY? 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. Egyptians believed that cats were reincarnated six times, which may have led to the belief that they have six lives. We all have challenges and struggles, and its important to remember everyone is fighting their own battle. Ageing in cats begins rapidly, but slows down as they get older. This information should not be substituted for a professional veterinary consultation. But in Spain, says Pet Plan UK, you'll hear that cats have seven lives (another number full of symbolic meaning), and Arabic and Turkish legends claim six lives.