If you have a cat, you could very well be doing some things to them that may seem perfectly fine but aren’t good for them.

Cats are generally very misunderstood creatures and there are a lot of myths around how they should be treated. Many of these myths can be downright harmful to your furry friend.

If you think that you might be doing things with your cat that aren’t good for them, keep reading.

Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat

1. Don’t Harass Them

It’s not uncommon for cat owners to harass their cats, even in a lighthearted way. But no matter how you do it, harassing your cat is never a good idea. Cats are naturally temperamental and can become increasingly upset by being bothered and picked on constantly. Not only do you risk them becoming aggressive, but they might start to avoid or even hide from you.

2. Don’t Give Them Yarn or String

Cats love playing with yarn and string but are they really a good option for your cat?

Contrary to popular belief, you probably shouldn’t give your cat yarn, string, or anything similar. As much as they may love to play with these items, they can be a serious choking hazard. Cats can easily and quickly swallow yarn and string, and it can then tangle in their intestines and cause a lot of damage. It can also cause obstructions that may even need to be surgically removed.

So, next time your cat wants to play, pick out something a little less hazardous.

3. Don’t Punish Them

As ordinary as it may seem to punish your cat when they do something bad, this is not the right approach. Cats are not dogs and therefore cannot be trained like a dog.

Spraying, timeout, or any other kind of punishment is not going to get through to your cat. When cats misbehave it is important to identify why they are doing that thing instead of punishing them. Cats will act out if they are missing something in their life.

If your cat is clawing up the furniture, they probably need a cat scratcher; if they are climbing on the counters, they need a cat tree or cat shelves.

Cats are adventurous creatures and need stimulation and entertainment when they are confined to a house all day.

4. Don’t Give Them Milk

A very common belief is that cow’s milk is good for cats, but that is very far from the truth. Most cats are actually lactose intolerant and do not handle milk well. They may love to drink it, but it is not good for them, and it can ultimately make them sick. Very young kittens can even die if given too much milk as they are not capable of breaking it down.

5. Don’t Feed Them Bones

Any form of bone, whether it be a meat bone or fishbone, is a bad idea for any cat. Bones can easily begin to chip and splinter as the cat chews on them, turning them into a severe choking hazard. Even if your cat doesn’t choke on a bone, they could still be consuming bone splinters, which could ultimately harm their insides.

6. Don’t Shave or Bathe Your Cat

You should never shave or bathe your cat unless you have a very good reason to. Not only is it traumatizing to them, but it is completely unnecessary. You should only ever bathe a cat if they cannot bathe themselves or have gotten very dirty. You should only shave a cat if their coat has become severely matted or they have a skin condition or infection. Cats are also very good at grooming themselves, so they do not need to be bathed unless there is a very good reason.

7. Don’t Leave Your Cat Alone

It is a very common myth that you can leave your cat alone for long periods. This just isn’t true and is very harmful and borderline abusive. Cats need companionship and affection just as much as any other animal does, and it can be lonely and isolating to be left by themselves. It is also traumatic as they do not understand what is happening or if anyone is coming back.

Even a cat that stays to themselves will miss you when you are gone, and leaving them alone consistently can create behavioral issues, not to mention distrust.

8. Don’t Give Them Dog Medicine

This is something that happens quite frequently. This is extremely dangerous and could easily kill a cat as dog medicine is not made for cats. Some medicine can be used for cats and dogs, but unless it says so, you cannot use dog medicine on a cat. It is completely different, and the dosages are likely going to be too much for a cat. This could lead to a very dangerous scenario where your cat could easily be harmed.

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