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. Cats are just fascinating creatures, and theres always room for interpretation when it comes to their lives. 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. However, there is no specific mention of cats having multiple lives in Islamic scripture. Plus, they get up to so much mischief we want the nine lives saying to be true!". It is highly amusing when I remind my mother how she used to feel about cats: Qais with his mother Shabnam and Milo. (Click to sign up>>Animalia.pet). That's because they were born via eggs or some other mode to incubate the baby other than a placenta. Across the U.S. there are almost 60 million pet cats, with around one in four households having a feline companion. As he began to dress he discovered that Muezza was sleeping on the sleeve of his prayer robe. Im not sure. 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. Cats have long been associated with having multiple lives, but is there any truth to the idea that female cats have nine lives in particular? From a young age, domestic cats know to use a litter box, unlike puppies that use your floor for the first couple of weeks before being trained to go outside. Cats are pretty tidy creatures. According to scientists, cats actually have an infinite number of lives. However, do cats have abilities that make them survive many times after coming close to death? 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. However, there is no denying that cats are amazing creatures that have the ability to heal quickly and survive falls from great heights. They are confident and like to be in control. Based on popular beliefs, cats are believed to have nine lives, or even 7. Cats have long been considered to be lucky animals, and in many cultures, they are thought to have seven lives. Another benefit is that it can help people be more mindful of their lives. In some cultures, cats have seven lives instead of 9. This is because they have a unique ability to regenerate their cells. As a result, cats with nine lives are often seen as bringing good fortune. The answer to this question has been a mystery for centuries. 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. Scientists call this righting reflex. 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.. This position is often seen in younger cats who are full of energy. DorkyCats.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Haddon said: "Cats are small animals that can be preyed upon by bigger ones such as wolves, dogs, coyotes, large constrictor snakes, leopards etc. Its even permissible to eat from the same bowl that a cat has eaten from. Another theory is that the seven lives myth is actually a reference to a cats ability to survive falls from great heights. Here is the truth about cats. Despite being a myth, why do they say cats have nine 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". Save my name & email in this browser for the next In this video, . 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. Have you ever wondered if cats really have nine lives? Nine has traditionally been considered a magic number, which could also help to explain why cats are associated with nine lives. Cats also have an extra flexible spine that allows them to move their bodies fast and in the most unique positions. One of the superstitions is about cats crying outside the house at night. First, youll need to gather your supplies. Another theory is that the belief originated with the medieval belief in witches and their ability to transform themselves into cats. That being said, cats do experience a certain degree of protection from danger due to their agility and reflexes, so they may have a bit of an edge when it comes to avoiding harm. This is a common misconception about the Islamic faith, likely because of the similar sound of the Arabic words for "cat" (qit) and "life" (qiyam). In humans and animals, the main cavity-causing culprit is a bacterium known as Streptococcus mutans. This is thought to relate to seven being considered a magical number related to good luck. Cookie Consent Tool. Even a pet cat, if it gets lost from its home, has quite a good chance of managing to find food and shelter on the streets at least for a little while. 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. This is a question that I get asked a lot, and to be honest, Im not entirely sure what the answer is. In the end, your cats life may not be nine times longer than other animals, but it can still be a long and happy one! So, do cats really have seven lives? The proverb that started it all states: "A cat has nine lives. [1], Cats have been venerated in the Near East since antiquity. An old English proverb. In China, the number nine is considered to be lucky. The same is true in some Asian cultures. Theyre also very independent and they like to do things their own way. They love to explore and theyre always up for a new challenge. While Muslims are completely free to live with cats, they must treat the cats well. 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). Why do cats clean themselves but dogs don t. ), temperature, interoreceptors (e.g. 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. Cats can sense bad energy and alert you when there is something wrong. Historians have traced the importance of cats and the significance of the number nine to the ancient Egyptians, who considered cats sacred. The myth of cats having nine lives may have come from Ancient Egypt. They are thought to be ritually clean which is why theyre allowed to enter homes and even mosques. The belief that cats have multiple lives dates back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as gods. In addition, cats earned the reputation of having nine lives because of their fast reflexes and ability to survive almost anything. Muslim scholars are divided on the issue of neutering animals. But if the cats are ordinary cats and are not causing a nuisance, perhaps it is better to leave them alone to reproduce. Cats who sleep in this position often have a regal air about them and enjoy being the center of attention. Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives?Happy WatchingLike Comment Share And Subscribe #facts #factshorts #cats ster Cat is for cat owners and lovers. This meant that it was oftenused to represent completeness or perfection. Cats have nine lives, according to popular belief. 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. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and there is still no clear answer. In fact, the number of lives a cat has varies depending on the culture. In the article, the author describes how she once found herself in the middle of the night, chasing a kitten around her house with a can of tuna. 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. It is thought the departure from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a farming one was beneficial to these ancient cats. Lastly, believing that cats have 9 lives can also help people to be more compassionate towards others. Based on this culture, cats are supposed to be treated well and fed appropriately. For three he play s, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.". Unlike dogs, cats have been revered for centuries in Muslim culture. In addition, 9 was seen as asymbol of immortality, as it was the highest number that could be represented in the Greek numerical system. The Egyptian god Atum (also called Atum-Ra) was thought to take the feline form when visiting the underworld. This idea is thought to come from the fact that cats are often able to escape danger, whether its from predators or other hazards. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. Contrary to popular belief, cats only have one life. So the age process, like the other life processes of a dog, is sped up. To your amazement, cats have nine lives is a myth. Like many teenagers in lockdown, sweating through hours of home learning while struggling to remain positive, I really wanted a cat. This is a question that has been debated by cat lovers for centuries. Since ancient times, people have observed cats surviving the most incredible falls and getting through incredible life-threatening situations. [7] Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen, a 20th-century Saudi Arabian Sunni imam, preached: If there are too many cats and they are a nuisance, and if the operation will not harm them, then there is nothing wrong with it, because this is better than killing them after they have been created. Some believe that cats have nine lives, while others believe they have seven. Taurus (April 20 May 20): The Taurus cat is a true foodie. Do Cats Have 9 Lives In Islam? This is a common misconception about the Islamic faith, likely because of the similar sound of the Arabic words for cat (qit) and life (qiyam). 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. Few have made progress; many have, Read More CAN CATS SMELL CANCER? Mimicry is when a dog mimics the behavior of another. As a result, some people have linked the saying of cats having nine lives with this myththe eight gods, plus Atum-Ra, equal nine lives. Cats communicate subtly and quietly. 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? Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? The details are murky surrounding the origin of the nine lives myth. Do cats have nine lives, or do they really have seven? They are curious and like to explore their surroundings. In fact, the Egyptians were so enamored with their feline friends that when a cat died, the entire household would shave off their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. 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. Finally, some people believe thatcats can see ghostsand other spirits. Therighting reflexappears at 34 weeks of age and is perfected at 67 weeks. What You Need to Know! The domestic cat is a revered animal in Islam. The medieval Egyptian zoologist Al-Damiri (13441405) wrote that the first cat was created when God caused a lion to sneeze, after animals on Noah's Ark complained of mice. However, this is not actually true. Heres a guide on how to make your own cat scratching post, complete with all the nitty gritty details. In September, a viral video of a cat hanging off the roof of a football stadium in Miami went viral. But there is one annoying trait that makes her different from the other mothers she unequivocally loathes all animals, unless they are in a palatable format, like her chicken parmesan. In the meantime, we can only speculate why these furry creatures seem so resilient. Do cats really have 9 lives? "Cats are curious by nature and many love exploring new situations and scenarios, some of which clearly are not good for them," Kelsey said. All fields are required. 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. Even the most affectionate and characterful cat may make a poor first impression. They say Curiosity kill cats, but it turns out its actually a lot harder than That. [1] Furthermore, there is a belief among some Muslims that cats seek out people who are praying.[6]. "And finally, they don't take abuse. I don't care who dies in a movie as long as the dog lives? This age-old enigma has perplexed us for generations, yet the answer is much more intriguing than youd imagine.