Debunking Common Pet Myths
If you are like the rest of us at All Critters Veterinary Hospital, you are pretty obsessed with your pets. It is fun to learn all that you can about the amazing critters you share your home with, but be aware that there are some common misconceptions about dogs and cats floating around out there. Learn what pet myths are fact and which are fiction in this blog post.
Cat Myths That are Purr-fectly False
Cats, even more so than dogs, are subject to a lot of myth and lore. We know a lot about our feline friends, though, and can debunk some common misconceptions about cats with ease:
- Purring equals happy: Happy cats do tend to purr, but the truth is that no one is quite sure what purring really means. Cats also purr when sick, stressed, scared, injured, or even near death. We think that cats may purr as a means to self-soothe, but this one remains a mystery for now.
- Cats need milk: Many cats will definitely drink milk, but it is best to not to offer this treat to cats regularly. Adult cats are lactose intolerant, and drinking milk can lead to digestive upset such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- Always landing on their feet: Cats are extremely agile and are often able to right themselves, hence this popular myth. That said, many are also injured every year when falling from heights. Factors like fall height, being taken off guard, or sickness can also interfere with a cat’s ability to land safely.
Doggone False Misconceptions About Dogs
You might be wondering if those facts about Fido you heard are true or false. Some of the more common pet myths we hear about dogs include:
- Dog saliva has healing properties: The old-wives tail that says allowing an animal to lick a wound helps healing is altogether false. Allowing a pet to lick a wound can be detrimental to healing, as can slow healing, introduce infection, and even cause further damage
- Garlic will prevent fleas: Despite some information out there that says garlic is a cure-all for parasites, it is not. There is absolutely no evidence that it can cure or prevent fleas or any other parasite for that matter. In addition, at higher doses, garlic has been proven to be toxic to pets.
- Dogs are color-blind: This pet myth is only partially true. It is thought that dogs may see colors similarly to a person with red/green color blindness. This means that while their vision is not the same as ours, they don’t see in black and white either.
- The nose knows: Many people want to depend on how wet or warm their pet’s nose is in order to assess overall health. Truthfully, though, this information is of little information in a sick pet patient.
In the age of the Internet, it can be difficult at times to distinguish true from false when it comes to our pets. If you are ever unsure, don’t hesitate to ask us! We are here to help you care for your pets the best way possible.