Common Myths About Cats and Dogs Debunked
The Truth Behind 25 Common Pet Myths Debunked
With so much information out there, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to pet behavior, their thinking, needs, and habits. We've debunked some of the most common myths out there, keep reading…
Myth #1: A Dry or Warm Nose Means Your Pet is Sick
We've all heard this one - if your dog or cat's nose is warm or dry, it means they're sick. However, this old wives' tale simply isn't true. The temperature and moisture level of your pet's nose fluctuates throughout the day and can be impacted by genetics, environment, activity level, and more. There's no direct correlation between nose temperature/moisture and illness. As long as your furry friend is acting normal otherwise, there's no need to panic about a dry or warm nose.
Myth #2: Purring Always Means a Happy Cat
It's common knowledge that purring indicates a happy, content kitty. However, the truth is more complex. While cats do purr when they're relaxed and comfortable, they also purr to self-soothe when stressed, sick, or in pain. Some experts believe the low frequency vibrations of purring have restorative properties that help cats heal. So next time your cat is purring up a storm, consider their overall demeanor before assuming they're simply happy.
Myth #3: Wagging Tails Equal Happy Dogs
Much like purring, a wagging tail is widely assumed to mean a happy pooch. But tail wags can actually convey a variety of moods. Researchers found dogs wag to the right when happy and content, but wag to the left when stressed or anxious. Subtle differences in speed and breadth of wagging, along with other body language cues, indicate your dog's true state of mind.
Myth #4: Indoor Cats Don't Need Flea Prevention
This may come as a surprise to strictly indoor cat parents - but yes, your furball still needs regular flea prevention! Fleas thrive in regulated indoor temperatures and can catch rides inside on humans. Plus, flea eggs and larvae can remain dormant inside carpet fibers or floor cracks for months, just waiting to hatch. Don't take chances with parasitic infestations - maintain your cat's monthly preventatives.
Myth #5: Clipping a Double-Coated Dog Helps Them Stay Cool
Shaving down a heavy double-coated breed like a Husky or Samoyed to help them beat the summer heat might seem logical, but it has the opposite effect. Double coats insulate against extreme temperatures year-round. The undercoat and guard hairs work together to trap cool air near the skin. Trimming or shaving this coat interferes with temperature regulation, and can leave your pup vulnerable to sunburns.
Myth #6: Cats Always Land On Their Feet
This myth likely stems from cat's specialized inner ear canals that aid their balance. While this feature does allow cats to right themselves mid-air and stick the landing way more often than other animals, their ability to land feet-first depends on the height fallen from. Short drops of 3-4 feet are no match for our feline friends. But falls from higher places can result in injuries - so don't expect miracles if your cat takes a spills from up high!
Myth #7: Dogs Eat Grass When They Feel Sick
Many pet parents notice their pup nibbling away at grass and assume illness must be the cause. In reality, not all grass-eating stems from a sick stomach. Some dogs simply enjoy the sweet taste and texture. Grass also provides fiber for better digestion or nutrients their current diet may lack. Unless the grass-munching is followed by vomiting or other symptoms, there's likely no need to worry about this behavior.
Myth #8: It's Fine to Skip Winter Flea Treatment
Vigilantly treating your dog or cat with flea and tick prevention may seem pointless during the freezing winter months - but laying off medication can allow reinfestation. Fleas happily survive indoors no matter the weather. And while ticks usually die off around 18°F or below, brief spikes of winter warmth revive them quickly. With such unpredictable seasonal swings, uninterrupted monthly prevention is the only surefire way to prevent parasite problems.
Myth #9: Declawing Your Cat is No Big Deal
Among the most egregious feline myths out there is the idea that declawing cats by amputating the top knuckles of their toes is an acceptable, harmless norm. In reality, this excruciating procedure robs cats of vital mobility and self-defense abilities. Without claws for grasping, pain-free walking is impaired long-term. Behavior issues frequently arise post-declaw as well. There are humane alternatives for directing scratching activity, making amputation absolutely unnecessary.
Myth #10: Small Dogs Live Longer Than Big Dogs
The belief that little lap dogs universally outlive their larger counterparts is incredibly pervasive. But it turns out size alone doesn't determine longevity projections. While giant breed dogs age more rapidly overall due to factors like weight-related joint stress, size is just one piece of the puzzle. Other influential longevity factors include breed disposition for certain health conditions and even neutering status. Some longer living large breeds even exceed smaller counterparts.
Myth #11: Petting Shelter Dogs Spreads Illness
Despite online rumors warning that petting shelter dogs spreads contagious diseases like parvo to people and pets, controlled research shows human-to-human transmission risks are extremely low for most canine illnesses. As long as good hygiene protocols are followed, human hands pose little threat. And for visitors wishing to show affection to pups awaiting new homes, the profound comfort and socialization benefits far outweigh any negligible health risks.
Myth #12: Pets Feel No Pain Because They Don't Cry Out
One troubling myth suggests that pets like dogs and cats don't actually experience pain simply because they rarely yelp or vocalize obvious distress. However, researchers acknowledge most animals demonstrate high pain tolerance due to prey animal instincts to mask vulnerabilities. Just because your pet isn't crying doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering silently. Stay alert for subtle signs of discomfort and never hesitate to call your vet.
Myth #13: One "Dog Year" Equals Seven "Human Years"
The popular belief that one year of a dog’s life equates to 7 years for a human persists, even though veterinarians confirm this aging ratio is wildly inaccurate. In reality, dogs reach adulthood by 1-2 years old, making this 1:7 ratio illogical. Experts now regard calculations considering breed size and lifespan as more reliable for comparing dog and human aging. But even then, neat age conversions remain somewhat arbitrary.
Understand Pet Aging - CLICK HERE
Myth #14: Animals Can Predict Disasters/Weather Events
You’ve likely heard awe-inspiring anecdotes of pets exhibiting odd behavior mere hours before earthquakes, storms, or other catastrophic events hit. We love to romanticize these stories and hail the animals as mysterious heroes with psychic disaster premonition. The reality behind animals’ perceived ability to predict Mother Nature’s outbursts is far less mystical though. Pets simply detect subtle environmental shifts - like drops in atmospheric pressure or ground vibrations - long before humans register them. Not quite a sixth sense, but still impressive!
Myth #15: Breed Bans Reduce Dog Bites
After serious attacks, legislators inevitably propose banning entire dog breed groups like pit bulls or Rottweilers under the guise of safety. However, all available evidence shows breed-specific legislation does not actually improve public safety or bite rates in communities. Shelters overflow with abandoned pets when responsible ownership is made illegal instead. Enacting breed-neutral laws that target reckless owners while promoting humane training methods is the only effective approach.
Myth #16: Raw Diets Are Dangerous
The rising popularity of feeding raw, natural diets has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue raw ingredients increase risks of pathogenic bacteria exposure compared to commercial kibble. However, research reveals that the digestive tracts and microbiomes of healthy canines and felines effectively neutralize most microbes in raw meats. Just like their ancestral, carnivorous diets of whole prey items, moderate pathogen loads pose little risk. Follow safe handling and you can harness the nutritional benefits of fresh foods worry-free.
Learn about the importance of a healthy Microbiome for improving your pet’s health, CLICK HERE
Myth #17: White Cats With Blue Eyes Are Deaf
Among the most common feline myths is the assumption all white cats with bright blue peepers must have impaired hearing. In truth, only white cats possessing two copies of the W gene that suppresses coat pigmentation sometimes suffer deafness. Having one W copy paired with a gene for non-blue eye color poses no deafness threat. Before assuming your vanilla kitty can't hear you calling, verify their eye hue and lineage first. Genetics and phenotypes reveal the truth!
Myth #18: Pets Feel Jealousy & Get Mad At Owners
When pets sulk after being scolded or act out following a new baby's arrival, it's tempting to anthropomorphize them as experiencing complex emotions like jealousy or resentment. However, experts maintain our furry companions likely lack that degree of emotional complexity and moral thought. Simpler explanations like confusion, anxiety, or needing an energy outlet better explain most "spiteful" pet behavior. Though smart, pets probably don't plot elaborate revenge!
Myth #19: Pet Urine Ruins Lawns
Concerns about pets' potty habits killing the grass are incredibly common. But contrary to popular opinion that dog and cat urine scorches lawns, studies show well-diluted pee poses little risk to your turf. In fact, nitrogen and salts present in urine actually fertilize rather than harm grass. As long as urine isn't concentrated in a few spots, feel free to let your lawn serve as the perfect pet potty area without worries!
Myth #20: Hybrid Vigor Makes Mixed Breeds Healthier
Many people enthusiastically embrace mixed breed dogs and designer hybrid cats believing crossbred vigor imparts improved health and longevity. Unfortunately, the common "hybrid vigor" claim asserting first generation blends inherit their parents’ best traits and vigor doesn’t quite pan out genetically. Outcrossing offers no guarantees against inheriting undesirable traits or mitigating breed-specific illness risks over multiple generations. Mixed lineage alone does not determine pets’ ultimate genetic fate.
Myth #21: Pets Hate Each Other On Sight
Expecting immediate animosity when introducing pets is incredibly common. However, while slow intros with ample separation are vital for successful introductions, that doesn't mean pets inherently detest new housemates upon first meetings. By respecting proper introduction protocol (for example, having them meet outside initially) that allows animals to become comfortable with each other's scents before interacting face-to-face, even cats and dogs can form close social bonds given time to adjust.
Myth #22: Pet Rabbits Eat Carrots As Their Main Diet
We had to include one for the rabbits! The classic image of a rabbit happily munching a carrot remains a stubborn pop culture myth even most pet owners now recognize. Feeding carrots or other sugary produce as dietary staples contradicts rabbits' biology as herbivores. These treats are fine occasionally but rabbits' digestive tracts require high-fiber grass hay and/or fresh greens as main components of a healthy diet, along with rabbit pellets to balance nutritional percentages.
Myth #23: Cats Only Bond With One Person
The stereotype of cats attaching to just one "favorite" pet parent while remaining aloof or indifferent to others simply isn't accurate in most cases. Sociability varies among individuals, but when treated with equal kindness and respect even notoriously “standoffish” cats distribute affection across households. Ensure each family member participates in playtime, treats, and providing their preferred strokes and kitty will return the love!
Myth #24: Dogs Feel Guilty When They Chew Up Stuff
Many pet parents arrive home to discover their favorite slippers destroyed or trashcan tipped over and greet their anxious, wide-eyed pooch by exclaiming "You look so guilty!" But researchers challenge the idea that dogs feel morally guilty or preemptively sorry about their misdeeds. More plausibly, dogs displaying submissive "guilty" behaviors are simply responding fearfully to pet parent cues predicting punishment may come next. Be kind about accidents and avoid unfairly accusing pets. They're likely just worried about your reaction, not their own conscience!
Myth #25: Black Cats Cause Bad Luck
No list of animal mythology would be complete without addressing superstitions declaring tuxedo felines bring bad fortune. This unlucky reputation can be traced back centuries to old folklore and paganism across Europe and Asia. By the 1800's, witch hunts and their associations with dark magic cemented cats (especially black ones) as omens of misfortune in the minds of a fearful, superstitious populace. We have science explaining the world's mysteries now, so let’s leave this silly, unfounded stigma behind us once and for all!
The Takeaway On Pet Myths
When it comes to safely raising our beloved furry companions, separating fact from fiction is critical. If one lesson can be gleaned from examining common pet myths, it’s that making assumptions rarely empowers us to care for animals appropriately. Do your research and ask Dr. Bhatt and our vet techs — we’re happy to help! Reserved judgment paired with empathy and patience for learning enables bonds with our pets to continuously strengthen. Stay curious, stay educated, and stay tuned in to your pets’ ever-evolving needs - that’s the formula for successfully nurturing any beloved animal!
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