Today we’re debunking the feline mystique, from their notorious independence to their tendency to go outside the box. (Learn surprising things you never knew about your cat.)

Nope. Cats can definitely get injured from falls, but there’s a literal twist that may be what gives them this reputation.

When cats fall, a mechanism in their inner ear causes their head, neck, and backbone to rotate into a position that will help them land on their feet.

Cats may love cream, but cream doesn’t love cats.

“They are really carnivores, and don’t break down lactose” very well, says Kelly Ballantyne, clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. (Read whether cats can be vegan.)

A little cheese or yogurt