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When it comes to dogs and cats, myths abound, from misinformation
about health care and disposition to demeanor and intelligence.
The problem with myths, experts say, is that pet owners who act
based on incorrect information can inadvertently endanger a pet.
In addition, pet owners may become confused over what's truth
and what's not.
With the rapid-fire abilities of telecommunications and the Internet,
misinformation can be disseminated quickly, and it's imperative
pet owners remember that anyone can post a Web site - that means
someone with misinformation can keep the cycle going.
To separate fact from fiction, pet owners should always consult
with a veterinarian, animal expert or reputable animal association,
such as Cat Fancier's or the Humane Society.
It's hard to say which animal is associated with more myths -
dogs or cats. Some myths have been repeated so often that they've
turned into cliches or catch phrases. For example, the most common
untrue dog saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," probably
stemmed from someone who couldn't get his adult dog to roll over
and play dead.
"With patience and understanding you can certainly teach old
dogs new tricks, depending on what you're trying to teach the
dog - or unteach the dog, which is usually more difficult, " said
Nancy Peterson of the Humane Society of the United States, Washington,
D.C. Dogs at any age can be taught to sit, bark when the doorbell
rings and fetch a stick.
In the feline world, the most popular cliche is, "Cats always
land on their feet." But in reality, although cats instinctively
fall feet first, high jumps can break bones or strain a cat's
body. According to the CFA's Web site, www.cfanc.org, "Some kind
of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from
disastrous falls."
The following is a list of the top 12 myths about cats and dogs,
chosen for their frequency and popularity in today's culture.
Happy Pups
1. Does a wagging tail always signify a happy dog? In most
cases, the answer is yes. "Tail wagging is similar to a human
smile in that it is a social sign meant to communicate an emotional
state to someone else," wrote Stanley Coren in his book, What
Do Dogs Know? (1997, The Free Press, New York, NY).
"Psychologists have learned that dogs reserve their tail wags
for living things. A dog will wag its tail for a person, or another
dog and may do so for a cat, horse, mouse or even a moth. If the
dog is alone, however, it simply doesn't wag its tail. Thus, when
you give a dog a bowl of food, it will wag its tail to say, -Thank
you. You've made me happy.'"
Pet owners need to be aware - dogs do wiggle their tails when
they are agitated, tense, anxious, annoyed or ready to fight.
Mint, Anyone?
2. The expression "dog breath" means the opposite of minty
fresh, but most pet owners think their dogs' bothersome mouth
odors are just the nature of the beast. In truth, bad breath can
be a sign of tarter buildup and bacteria. To reduce odor, brush
your dog's teeth, and take him to the vet for routine dental cleanings.
Ducking from Abuse
3. Many people believe dogs that crouch or lower their
heads when approached have been abused, but some dogs are so submissive
that they naturally behave this way. Peterson cautioned, "Without
being there and knowing what happened, it's hard to predict what
preceded that [certain] behavior."
Bone Collectors
4. Although dogs love table scraps, pet owners need to
be aware not all bones are good for dogs. "Many bones can splinter
when chewed and cause dogs to choke," wrote Judy Carey and Jack
Block, D.V.M. "Offer a nylon bone or rawhide instead."
Colorful World
5. People who think dogs only see in black and white have
been misinformed. "Dogs see in color, but not the
way we do," wrote Dr. Christine Wilford, D.V.M., at www.Kerryblues.org.
"Veterinary ophthalmologists have determined that dogs are like
people with red/green color blindness: They only have receptors
for bluish and greenish shades, not for reddish ones. So, when
a person with normal vision sees an orange ball on a grassy lawn,
a dog sees only a greenish ball in greenish grass."
Boot Scoot
6. A dog doesn't necessarily have worms if it scoots its
rear end. In fact, it could just be a behavior that alleviates
discomfort from infected, full, impacted or ruptured anal sacs.
Your vet or groomer can pop the sacs, which will provide relief
for your dog.
With Child and Cat
7. Many people believe that pregnant women shouldn't own
cats, but the myth is grounded in fear instead of fact. Cats are
perfectly safe for expectant mothers - as long as women steer
clear of such chores as cleaning out the litter box or gardening.
Cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which
can be spread to humans through contact with cat excrement.
Got Milk?
8. It's healthy for humans, but cats shouldn't drink milk,
according to animal experts.
"Most cats like milk, but don't need it if properly nourished,"
wrote Carey. "If you give milk, do so in small quantities - too
much can cause diarrhea."
The Loner
9. Surprising to some is the fact that most cats don't
like to be left alone. According to many sources, ferals and strays
have been known to form colonies. "People think cats are aloof.
A lot of cats aren't. They need to have company - cats are pretty
social," Tartaglia added.
Baby's Breath
10. "There's an urban myth that cats lie upon a baby's
chest and suck their breath," said Tartaglia, but she assured
that cats are harmless unless they actually sit atop a baby. "Cats
are attracted to [babies] and like to lie by them," she added.
In their book, How to Raise a Sane and Healthy Cat, (1994, Howell
Book House, MacMillan Publishing, New York, NY) authors Sean Hammond
and Carolyn Usrey explain a cat's behavior around infants:
"Even a newborn is loud and physical enough to keep your cat
at a distance. If you're still worried about your newborn, you
might keep the cat out of the baby's room when the baby is alone
and sleeping," the authors said. "When the baby can turn over
unassisted, any fears about injury should be directed to your
cat's welfare."
Content Kitties
11. If a cat purrs, most people believe the animal is happy,
but experts say that might not be the case. According to information
on Animal Den's Web site, "A cat does purr when it's content,
but it will also purr when it's in pain."
Some experts believe cats purr to soothe themselves, Tartaglia
added.
Night Vision
12. A cat's night vision is 10 times better than a human's,
according to Hammond and Usrey. "This advantage in vision can
be compared to what we see on a clear night with a full moon as
opposed to an overcast new moon (no moon) night," wrote the authors.
Cats are also very sensitive to movement, which will alert them
or clue them in to the location or presence of objects, animals
and people, Peterson noted.
The 13th Myth
13. Between dog lovers and cat lovers, one controversy
remains supreme: Which animal is smarter? It's a myth to believe
cats have a higher intelligence simply because they are thought
to be manipulative and mysterious, just as it's not accurate to
believe a dog's mind operates on a higher plane simply because
he can be easily trained to perform and behave. The truth is,
both animals display strong smarts in their selective areas of
specialty.
"It's just like with people - some are smarter, some are more
intelligent and some have more common sense," Peterson said. "A
dog is a dog, and a cat is a cat. It's like comparing apples and
oranges. I think they're very different creatures, and we should
appreciate what each species has to offer."
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