You’d be shocked at what people think about their furry pals, from risky fashionable diets to ancient wives’ tales. Some of these pet myths may be untrue, while others may endanger your pet’s health. Find out which pet beliefs that are commonly held are untrue. As we dispel some of the most prevalent pet myths, it’s time to learn the reality and science underlying some of these tenacious beliefs.
1. A Dry and Warm Nose On a Dog Means Fever
Many myths have been developed throughout the years to assist diagnose illnesses in animals since pets cannot tell their owners when they are sick. One persistent misconception that vets frequently encounter is the idea that if a dog’s nose is warm and dry, it must be feverish.
The dog’s temperature must be taken, often using a rectal thermometer, in order to accurately identify fever, according to WebMD’s veterinarian Dr. Suzanne Hunter. The typical body temperature of a dog should be between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is somewhat higher than ours. Dr. Hunter also suggests keeping an eye on your pet’s actions. Dogs that are ill are typically less energetic and hungry.
2. Cats Purr When They’re Happy
Although a purr is frequently linked with happiness, it can actually mean much more. Cats purr for more reasons than merely appreciating their owner’s contact, according to recent research. The sound has been heard cats producing when they are anxious, afraid, frightened, or in pain.
A purr’s low frequency vibrations have been found to assist a cat’s body in healing injuries and mending bones. Kittens may purr to comfort themselves or to strengthen their attachment with their mothers. A cat may modify the sound of its purr by screams or meows to evoke a stronger reaction.
3. Rabbits Should Eat A Lot Of Carrots
There is a pet myth that is very popular that has nothing to do with cats and dogs. The notion that rabbits require carrots in order to thrive can be attributed to Bugs Bunny or the many Easter decorations that overrun retailers each spring. While carrots might be a tasty treat, consuming too many will make your rabbit ask his doctor, “What’s up, Doc?”
Like many other starchy fruits and vegetables, carrots are quite rich in sugar. They can harm a rabbit’s health and alter its stomach bacterial flora. The VCA Hospital advises feeding rabbits a diet consisting mostly of hay or grass, some fresh produce, and a moderate amount of pellets. Fruits and carrots ought to be offered in moderation as exceptional treats.
4. You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
The proverb “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is among the most well-known. Experts are demonstrating that while the proverb may have some validity for obstinate humans, it couldn’t be further from the reality when it comes to dogs.
Because they haven’t yet developed some tendencies, puppies may be simpler to train than older dogs, although older dogs can still be trained. Learning new techniques can provide dogs the mental stimulation they need to fend against age-related disorders like dementia, which can affect people and dogs alike. While teaching an older dog may initially take longer, it has been shown in studies done at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and other institutions that the canines do retain their information over time.
5. All Dogs Can Swim
Before you take Fido swimming, remember that not all dogs can swim, advise veterinarians. Dogs frequently can’t stay afloat or keep their heads above water with just their canine paddle. A dog’s capacity for swimming is greatly influenced by its breed and physical make-up.
While certain breeds, such as retrievers, are known to be superb swimmers, others, such as bulldogs, need to wear a safety life jacket because they can sink and die very rapidly. Dogs should never be left unattended near swimming pools or other bodies of water, according to experts. Additionally, fences should surround swimming pools, and dogs should wear life jackets made specifically for them. To keep you and your furry family member safe, specific precautions must be taken, just as with small children.
6. Cats Always Land On Their Feet
Humanity has been baffled by cats’ behavior for a very long time. Today’s scientists have disproved the veracity of this cherished myth, which is one of the most widely held, and they realize that the mysterious power is mostly the result of physics. Animals like cats and others have a “righting reaction”. In order to avoid harm or death, they may now modify themselves as they fall.
A cat may twist its spine in a way that causes the body to reposition, allowing it to land safely on all fours. This is possible because cats have a very flexible backbone and don’t have a functioning collarbone. Although this normally results in a safe landing, occasionally the fall doesn’t give the cat enough time to adjust its posture. Cats don’t always fall on their feet, which can cause serious injury or even death.
7. A Dog’s Mouth Is Cleaner Than A Human’s
Medical professionals encourage owners to resist the need to kiss their pets back when they do so, despite the temptation. Many people mistakenly think that a dog’s mouth is clean, but anyone who has been to a dog park knows that this is untrue. Dogs usually always put something in their mouths or close to their noses, including dung and rubbish.
Similar to a human’s mouth, a dog’s mouth is home to thousands of different types of oral bacteria. Although the majority of these bacterial strains usually only infect canines, around 15% of them also infect people, with the potential to make them sick or even kill them. Although our skin and immune system usually protect us, licking cuts and wounds greatly increases the likelihood of infection.
8. A Wagging Tail Means A Dog Is Excited or Happy
The incorrect notion that a dog’s tail is wagging because it is pleased is one of the most widespread fallacies and one of the main causes of dog attacks. A wagging tail merely indicates that the dog is intellectually active, according to biologists and canine behaviorists. This does not reflect their disposition or state of mind.
Dogs use their tails to convey a variety of emotions, including as fear, displeasure, curiosity, zeal, confidence, tension, uneasiness, or aggressiveness. Dog behaviorists advise paying attention to a dog’s tail’s height and motion. Positive body language typically includes a broad, quick tail wag. A slower, stiffer wag may indicate that you should use cautious. Every breed has a distinctive tail, therefore owners should be aware of what a “neutral tail” looks like to determine their dog’s attitude.
9. A Goldfish Is An Easy-To-Care For First Pet
The idea that goldfish are an easy first pet is widespread, whether it’s due to their inexpensive cost or the frequent representation of them as content in a little bowl of water. Goldfish have kept several “carp family features” despite looking considerably different from their forebears, including the fact that their gills and feces create a lot of waste.
In a tiny, unfiltered tank, this waste can quickly pile up in a dangerous manner. This is why even little goldfish need aquariums that are at least 20 gallons in size. When given the right care, these little fish may reach lengths of up to a foot and have lifespans of more than 10 years. Several nations have banned goldfish bowls because doing so is dangerous and constitutes animal cruelty.
10. One Dog Year Equals Seven Human Years
The idea that one canine year is equivalent to seven human years is among the pet misconceptions that doctors see most frequently. While experts concur that this method is not a reliable way to determine a dog’s age, it may be a nice way to practice your times tables.
Today, scientists are aware that examining the DNA alterations in an animal provides a more accurate measure of maturity. A medium-sized dog’s first year is similar to 15 human years, their second year is equivalent to 24 human years, and the years after that are equivalent to around four to five human years, according to a graphic made by the American Veterinary Medical Association. As a result, even at the young age of 6, many dog owners observe age-related changes in their pets.
11. Dogs Can’t Digest Corn or Grains
The notion that grains like maize are detrimental for dogs has grown in popularity alongside grain-free diets like the paleo diet. However, recent research indicate that switching your dog to a grain-free diet may be risky. Corn and other grains frequently have a poor rap as “cheap fillers” or ingredients in pet food that cause allergies.
Dr. Jamie Richardson, medical director of Small Door Veterinary, disagrees, stating that grains may contribute healthy fiber, vitamins, and minerals to a dog’s diet even though protein should make up the majority of its diet. Recently, veterinarians discovered that grain-free meals may actually contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy, a deadly cardiac ailment that impairs the heart’s capacity to pump blood. Dr. Anna Gelzer, a veterinarian and cardiologist, asserts that “going without grain has no scientific basis.”
12. It’s Okay For My Cat To Be An Outdoor Cat
The idea that indoor cats should be permitted to roam free outdoors is among the most harmful pet myths. While the dangers of car accidents, ingesting poison from rodents, unintended pregnancies, and disease transfer to cats who roam freely are well recognized, new research is beginning to show the hazardous consequences cats have on the environment.
The president of the American Bird Conservancy, Dr. George Fenwick, claims that cats kill more than “4 billion creatures annually, including at least 500 million birds.” Cats leave behind feces that are full of parasites including hookworms, roundworms, and a bacterium that causes toxoplasmosis wherever they travel. The fetus of a pregnant mother may die from this condition or have serious brain damage. Because of this, keeping cats inside is safer for both people and other animals.
13. Dogs Eat Grass When They’re Not Feeling Well
The idea that dogs go for grass when they’re feeling unwell or to induce vomiting is a pet myth that is frequently perpetuated. While it may seem intriguing that canines might self-medicate by grazing on your grass, vets have different hypotheses.
Only a small number of dogs vomit after eating grass, according to studies, and the majority of dogs appear healthy both before and after. Dogs may eat grass as a source of fiber, out of boredom or anxiety, or just because they like the flavor, according to scientific theory. Grass itself is often not harmful, but pesticides or herbicides applied to it can be poisonous. Intestinal parasites are another common soil contamination risk to your dog’s health.
14. Animals From The Shelter Are Flawed
The notion that animals from shelters must have a problem and hence make lousy pets is one pet myth that animal shelters need to dispel on a regular basis. In actuality, many pets who end up in shelters were abandoned due to problems with their owners rather than the animals themselves.
Animals end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, such as owners leaving, losing their jobs, or refusing to properly teach or care for their pet. The responsibility of caring for an animal is something that many individuals who own pets are not prepared for. A dog’s behavior is influenced by a variety of circumstances, and shelters usually make this information known if an animal has behavioral problems or needs special care.
15. Kittens Need Milk
Some of our favorite myths are so embedded in our thoughts that it’s difficult to accept that they are completely untrue. While the sight of a kitten chowing down on a cup of milk may appear innocent, kittens should avoid dairy altogether. In actuality, only mother’s milk or carefully prepared kitten milk replacements or formulas are safe for kittens to consume.
The digestive tract of a kitten lacks the enzymes required to break down the lactose present in cow milk. This may result in diarrhea, which in vulnerable kittens may cause fatal dehydration. Lactose, a sugar, can result in uncomfortable gas and bloating when it ferments in the digestive tract. While milk is safe for adult cats to consume, doctors caution that the high calorie liquid can lead to obesity.
16. A Blue/Black Tongue Means The Dog Is Part Chow Chow
The magnificent chow chow, which resembles a bear, has inspired numerous myths, including one that persists about pets: Because chows are one of the rare breeds to have a black tongue instead of a pink tongue, many people assume that any dog with a spotted or dark tongue is related to the chow chow.
The dark patches on your dog’s tongue are actually just the product of that animal’s pigmentation, contrary to popular belief. The color of a breed’s tongue or gums can be influenced by the same pigmented skin cells that give some breeds darker lips or noses. In addition to chows, several breeds of dogs, such as Dalmatians, Australian shepherds, Shar-Peis, and Cocker Spaniels, can have black tongues.
17. Cats Can’t Be Trained
Although there are several videos of pet cats being naughty or endearingly apathetic on YouTube, cats can really be trained. In addition to teaching them skills, training may also help owners and their dogs form closer bonds.
Many cat owners do not know how to properly teach their cats, which is one problem that keeps them from doing so. Favorable reinforcement, such as high-value goodies like tuna or chicken, or simply caressing, has a highly positive effect on cats. Training sessions have to be brief, and owners shouldn’t chastise or penalize their cats because doing so can make them anxious or afraid. The ASPCA’s pet behaviorists claim that the secret to educating your cat is persuasion rather than punishment.
18. Shaving Long-Haireds Dog Will Keep Them Cool During Summer
On a scorching summer day, many people who pass a fluffy dog presume that it must be in pain due to the extreme heat. While excessive temperatures shouldn’t be introduced to dogs, having too much hair isn’t necessarily a negative thing. Some dogs’ coats, which trap air and allow it to chill the dog’s skin, actually serve as a type of insulation.
Many dogs, like Siberian huskies and collies, have double coats of fur that are made up of a more noticeable outercoat of “guard hairs” and a soft, thick undercoat. The dog’s protective undercoat sheds much of it during the warmer months, enabling cold air to get through. Dogs that have had their fur shaved too closely to the skin run the risk of developing skin cancer or sunburn.
19. Female Dogs Should Have A Litter Of Puppies Before Being Spayed
A common misconception among pet owners is that a female dog should have a litter of pups before being spayed. In addition to endangering female dogs, this pet myth also exacerbates the extremely important problem of pet overpopulation.
Veterinarians assert that there are zero advantages to letting your pet give birth. In actuality, allowing your pet to experience heat cycles and pregnancy can be harmful. Female dogs that haven’t been spayed are more likely to develop ovarian, uterine, and mammary cancer. It is frequently advised to neuter your female dog before to her first heat cycle since early spaying has more positive health effects. According to studies, dogs who have been spayed often live longer.
20. A Raw Meat Diet Is The Best For A Dog
Veterinarians are concerned about a pet myth that is growing in acceptance: the “raw” pet food trend. Uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, raw eggs, and bones make up most common raw meals, which many proponents of raw pet food claim is a diet that is more similar to what a dog would consume “in the wild”.
Not only are the advantages of the diet not supported by any research or scientific data, but this diet has also been related to an increased risk of exposure to harmful microorganisms. Despite the fact that wolves may consume raw meat and bones, veterinarians emphasize that the digestive tract of domestic dogs has altered during thousands of years of development. Even the CDC and the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine have issued comments cautioning owners of the hazards due to deadly diseases found in raw diets.
21. Dogs Can Only See In Black And White
Even if you didn’t have a pet, you probably still believed certain pet myths. Consider this: until recently, many people, including experts, thought that dogs could only see in black and white. Thankfully, developments in science and technology have dispelled this persistent fallacy. According to recent studies, dogs can perceive color, but not the whole range that most people can.
Cone photoreceptors are specialized color-sensing cells found in canine and human eyes. Three distinct varieties of cone photoreceptors exist in humans, and each one responds to various hues of visible light. Dog eyes can only perceive combinations or variants of the hues yellow and blue since they only have two types of cone photoreceptors.
22. Dogs Heal Their Wounds By Licking Them
A canine myth that has been around since the beginning of time is that a dog’s saliva can treat wounds. Fortunately, science has progressed, and we now understand that dogs’ licking of wounds is more likely to exacerbate injuries than to speed up healing.
Dog saliva may have some antimicrobial qualities that can suppress bacterial development, according to research, although these properties only target particular strains of bacteria and only moderately slow down their growth. Letting your dog lick its wounds might lead to the reopening of wounds, the development of hot spots, and the deterioration of surgical sutures. Dogs have potentially harmful bacteria in their mouths that they can transfer into open wounds by licking them, which might slow the healing process or result in infection.
23. Dog Parks Are Safe
Many dog owners think that taking their pets to a dog park is a wonderful method to socialize the animals while the owner unwinds. Dog parks may be risky, despite the fact that they can be a fantastic place for canines to exercise and develop important social skills.
Since some dog owners could be careless or bring hostile dogs to the park, responsible pet owners should constantly be on watch. It’s crucial to keep tiny and large dogs apart since bigger canines might endanger smaller animals or accidentally hurt smaller dogs. BYOB, or bring your own bowl, is another recommendation from experts since shared bowls may quickly transmit illnesses and parasites. The majority of veterinarians advise restricting visits to the dog park to well-behaved, immunized dogs who are always supervised.
24. Some Dog Breeds Are Hypoallergenic
Everyone, from presidents to famous people, is praising the advantages of hypoallergenic pets. But is there really a breed of dog that is hypoallergenic? Hypoallergenic dogs may be adorable, but they are simply another pet myth, claim experts. Pet allergies are frequently brought on by a protein present in the saliva and urine of the animal, not by the fur of the cat or dog.
This protein then forms a link with your pet’s dander, which is made up of dead or dry skin. Most individuals are allergic to this dander, not the hair, according to allergy experts. When the body encounters these proteins, known as allergens, the immune system is triggered, and histamine is released. This may result in pain and usual allergy symptoms such runny nose, increased mucous, and sneezing.
25. Dogs Can Feel Guilt
Most pet owners acknowledge that they are guilty of assuming that their animals have human feelings. Although we could infer a dog’s emotional condition from their behavior, experts warn against doing so. Pets who “look guilty” can be expressing guilt about a previous incident with their sad eyes or hunched heads. In actuality, though, they are responding to your present tone of voice and body language.
Studies have shown that even when a dog was innocent, its owner would still reprimand it because of what they regarded to be a “guilty expression” on the animal. This indicated that the punishment was understood, but the reason for the punishment was not. They not only don’t understand why they are being punished, but disciplining your dog might also confuse them and make them act out more.