Exploding Cat Myths: Curiosity Killed the Cat

Everyone has heard the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat". I wondered where this bit of wisdom came from, so I checked out Wikipedia, always a fun source of information. Apparently, this proverb is a very old one, dating back to 1598 and attributed to British playwright Ben Jonson. Actually, his play Every Man in His Humour used the phrase, "...care will kill a cat..." where care actually meant "worry". Shakespeare used a similar phrase in his own play, Much Ado About Nothing shortly thereafter. O. Henry altered this further in his 1909 short story, Schools and Schools, making the first reference to "curiosity" rather than "care". Finally, the Washington Post used the headline, "Curiosity Killed the Cat" in 1916, while reporting about a cat who met his death after climbing up and then falling down from, a chimney flue.

Although I 'm not sure why they attributed the cat's climb and fall to curiosity, that adaptation of the phrase has stuck. It has come to mean a warning against harm in following one's curious urges. Why a cat, though? Are cats really more curious than any other animal?

Personally, I don't think they are. Of course, kittens are very curious; but then, all youngsters are. Talk to parents of toddlers, forced to "baby-proof" their home to keep curious fingers from getting into trouble. This curiosity is ingrained, as this is how living things learn about their environment.

This would lead one to think that the most intelligent of animals are the most curious. Not necessarily so! Cows are very nosy, as you will see if you ever hang out on the perimeter of their pasture. Goats and sheep are also curious, almost as much as cows. But none of these stock animals are brain trusts, mostly because of breeding programs instituted by humans. When they come over to see what's up, they're mostly looking for a handout, not a life lesson.

Of course, "cat-proofing" your home is always a good idea. Kittens have been known to drown in open toilets, cats have been poisoned by toxic houseplants and chemicals and died from complications from ingesting things like needles, thread and dental floss. Basically, the same things a human child might get into!

The ultimate safety tip, of course, is to keep kitty indoors. A recent article by Steve Dale in the USA Weekend magazine called Curiosity Really Can Kill strongly advises this, as do I. After all, there's enough to keep track of inside without adding all those outside hazards in, as well!

Just So You Know: My opinion regarding the most inquisitive species? Why, humans, of course!
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Bling-Bling for Cats: Are Collars Safe?

Every now and then I see an outdoor cat wearing a collar. Personally, I have never put collars of any kind on my cats, even when the previous two went outdoors. What kinds of collars are available for cats? Are they safe? People put collars on their cats for different reasons, so let's take each one in its turn.

Cat flea collars are still available, despite much evidence that they just don't work. They do irritate a cat's skin, though, and since cats groom themselves constantly, they are ingesting whatever insecticide is impregnating the collar. They usually have a wimpy little buckle, not all that adjustable. Even though directions say not to put these products on kittens, some people do. We once saw a young neighborhood cat flopping around in our yard because he got one of his lower teeth caught in that buckle. Luckily we were there to help, or he may have hurt himself badly. The other problem with using these collars on young cats is that they grow so fast, people sometimes forget to keep adjusting them and they can become too snug. They also don't stretch, so a cat can get hung up and trapped by getting them caught on things.

There are a plethora of different decorative collars for cats, and almost every one addresses the issue of "stretchability" and "breakaway" capability so that cats don't get caught on branches, fences, etc. Why put a collar on a cat, knowing this propensity of theirs to squeeze under and around things? Some owners feel more secure if their cat wears a collar and identifying tag. Others like to put a bell on their little hunter, to preserve avian lives. Reflective collars supposedly prevent cats getting hit by cars at night. Some just claim to make kitty even prettier.

Are any of these necessary? I don't think so. Can you guess how all of the above concerns can be assuaged easily? That's right--keep kitty indoors!
Hazards and parasites can't touch your pet inside your home. No collar, no worries. Oh, and cats don't need bling-bling. They're beautiful enough all on their own!

Movie of the Week: Undertaking Betty, directed by Nick Hurran and starring Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina and Christopher Walken. Set in Wales, this very cute romantic comedy features superb acting, excellent direction and a very witty script. If you're a fan of Christopher Walken (who isn't?) you won't want to miss his antics here. Truly a laugh a minute!
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