Cats do not have nine lives. Neither do they have six or seven lives, as other cultures believe. The myth that cats have nine lives has been popularized for a long time because of this animal’s ability to escape near-death experiences. However, like all other animals, cats only have one life. That said, it wouldn’t cost anything to delve deeper into how the myth started and spread, would it?
What Is the Origin of the Myth That Cats Have Nine Lives?
The saying that cats have nine lives is believed to have originated from Ancient Egypt. Not most people know this, but cats started living with human beings during the Neolithic period when civilizations transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming.
These farms would attract common cat prey such as rodents, and cats would kill and eat the rodents, creating a symbiotic relationship between them and humans. In Ancient Egypt, cats were more than just domestic animals; they were considered to be spiritual beings, and that’s why Ancient Egyptians worshipped them.
The myth behind cats having nine lives came from the Egyptian sun god Atum-Ra, who believed it could assume the form of a cat while visiting the underworld. It’s also Atum-Ra who created the eight other gods, leading to a total of nine gods, including himself. This led to the belief that cats have nine lives. As cats were shipped to other parts of the world, such as Europe and the Americas, they brought this myth with them.
Is the Number of Cat Lives Always Nine?
As expected, the number of cats’ lives changed from one place to another. For instance, the Spanish believe cats have seven lives, whereas the Arabs believe the animals have six lives. Upon closer examination, these numbers represent luck in their respective cultures.
Cats are considered one of the luckiest animals in the world because of their ability to avoid danger. Therefore, the number of cats’ lives mostly has to do with the specialty of that number in certain civilizations.
How the Myth That Cats Have 9 Lives Spread
While we’re still in civilizations, it’s important to mention that cats were associated with witchcraft and paganism in Europe. Pairing this with Ancient Egyptians’ beliefs, the myth about a cat’s nine lives spread like wildfire.
William Shakespeare also played a crucial role in popularizing the myth. In Romeo and Juliet, one of the characters, Mercutio, asks Tybalt whether he can take one of the nine lives from the Good King of Cats. He also mentions how he can beat the other eight out of him.
Indirectly, Shakespeare and other writers during his time may have solidified the belief that cats have nine lives. There is also the English Proverb: A cat has nine lives. For three, he plays, for three, he strays, and for the last three, he stays.
Instances Where Cats Have Survived Impossible Scenarios
Throughout history, cats have been known to survive very dangerous scenarios. For instance, in New York City, a cat once fell from a 32-storey building, and the only injuries it incurred were a collapsed lung and a chipped tooth. It was treated for two days before being sent home and making a full recovery. Another example is the cat at the Miami football stadium hanging 30 feet from the air. It fell on an American flag without getting a scratch on its body.
There have been many other stories about cats surviving near-death experiences. Cats have an air-righting reflex that allows them to adjust their bodies in the air to minimize impact when falling. Besides that, they are incredibly flexible and swift. These survival skills contribute significantly to the saying that cats have nine lives.
What Is the Average Life Expectancy of a Cat
Myths aside, cats only have one life, which can reach 18 years with proper dieting and care. Out of the 18, cats experience the prime time of their lives during the first three to six years. They are physically fit at this stage and can quickly recover from injuries and accidents. From 7 to 10 years, they become weaker and start to put on weight. From 10 to 14, cats spend most of their time sleeping. It’s during this age that diseases begin to creep in.
The Key Takeaway
There is no scientific evidence that cats have nine lives. During your lifetime, you may have seen a cat escape from a near-death experience. However, that doesn’t reaffirm the myth that they have nine lives. It’s just that they are so good at escaping dangerous situations.
Even though it’s a fascinating myth, cat owners need to properly care for their pets. Cats only have one life, and it is your responsibility to ensure they make the most of it. By keeping them out of dangerous situations, providing them with a healthy diet and regular vet check-ups, your cat should have a long and prosperous life.