15 Common Pet Myths Debunked

Having a pet around is a wonderful feeling. The emotions you feel every time you return home from work, and your golden retriever runs to the door to greet you, or when you relax on your couch watching your favorite television show while your cat lies quietly on your lap, are some of the unbound pleasures of life. During all these joyous moments, however, are you constantly subjecting yourself and your pets to misconceptions that have been circulating for decades, or even centuries? Here is a list of common pet myths for you to realize which of the age-old beliefs should go into the trash.

1 Cats Always Land on their Feet

While cats do tend to correct themselves in mid-air when falling from great heights and thus to land on their feet, it is unwise to assume that this is always the case. Agile animals as they are, cats might not be able to twist in mid-air when the height is short, and may consequently land on their backs.

Note: Do not try to prove it through your cat, you might end up grievously hurting it in the process.

2 Dogs’ Mouths are Cleaner than Human's

It is generally believed so because dogs have an entirely different species of bacteria growing in their saliva, which are usually harmless for humans. While healthy adult humans might not have any issues coming in contact with this saliva, it is best to avoid doing so when children and people with weaker immune systems are around.

3 Cats Purr and Dogs Wag Tails When They are Happy

With both cats and dogs, purring and wagging their tails might be often misconstrued. While in many scenarios it is true that cats purr and dogs wag their tails when they are happy, this is not the only reason. The next time your cat purrs, you might also want to check if it is sick or in pain. Similarly, with dogs, they might wag their tails while feeling other extreme emotions such as anxiety, anger, irritability, or fear. Know your pet better to understand which emotion they are trying to express.

4 Milk is a Must for Cats

This may be a surprise to many cat-owners, but some cats could be lactose-intolerant, just as some humans are. Most cats do like the taste of milk; however, it is not essential to feed them with some if they are consuming an otherwise balanced diet, meant for cats.

5 Healthy Dogs Have a Cold Nose

A dog can very well be healthy with a warmer nose, and it may be sick even with a cold nose. The nose of a dog is usually cold because it's constant licking of the area causes continuous evaporation. Do not sit back and relax if your dog’s nose is cold, but it shows other symptoms of being in ill-health.

6 Dogs Eat Grass When They are Sick

It is common to see your dogs feeding voraciously on grass, and then throwing up. Naturally, if any animal overeats of something, especially something which is not a part if its regular diet, it is bound to have an upset stomach. The reality is that dogs have had ancestors that fed on grass, and even in modern times they might do it if they are bored. It might also be a good idea to check on your dog’s nutrition charts as it might feed on grass to correct a deficiency and fill its stomach.

7 Cats Can See in Darkness

They do see better than humans in dimly lit areas, but where there is total darkness, your cat cannot be relied on for navigation anymore. Total darkness renders them as helpless as humans.

8 Neutering or Spaying Your Pet Causes Weight Gain

Any gain or loss in your pet’s weight is similar to any change in your own weight. An animal’s weight has no relation to whether it has been subjected to spaying or neutering. If your pet is gaining weight, check its diet, its exercise routine, and any possible onset of a disease, and then make modifications if necessary.

9 Cats are Dangerous to Babies

Cats, like any other animals (or humans), may feel neglected when not being given enough attention. This might lead to it getting dangerous for babies. However, do not make rash decisions about giving up your beloved cat just because you are expecting a child. With proper precautions and attention, your cat could, in time, grow quite friendly to your baby.

10 Dogs are Color-Blind

Dogs do tend to see minor variations in color than humans do, but their world is most certainly not in shades of black, white, and grey. They generally see colors among the shades of blue and green and might have difficulty distinguishing yellow and red tones.

11 Hamsters Do Not Like Petting

Have you given up trying to hold your hamster, and petting it? Probably yes, because hamsters do not stay in one place, but this does not necessarily mean that they do not like petting. It is just that their bodies can recognize only two states, either asleep or awake and moving. It is neither you nor them; it is the way nature has designed these furry creatures.

12 Horses Always Sleep Standing Up

You have probably been hearing this one for years. Worse still, you might have even been told that horses only sit down when they are about to die. Wrong! Horses are extremely active animals that do not need a whole lot of sleep. Thus, usually, they can manage with the little amount of sleep they get standing up. They do lay down once in four or five days if and when they need longer periods of rest, which does not necessarily mean they are dying.

13 Cats Have Nine Lives

This is more of a superstition than a myth. Cats are known to be extremely agile and are less susceptible to injuries than most mammals. They tend to escape unhurt from incidents that could have been fatal for a different animal. These characteristics have caused people in old times to believe that cats have nine lives. The truth is, they only have one, like all other mortals of this planet.

14 Cats Cannot Walk on a Leash

If you thought dogs are the only pets that can be walked around on a leash, think again. It is possible to take a walk with your beloved cat as well. They might have to be trained slightly different than dogs while walking them on a leash, for example, having them avoid jumping on trees, but once the training is through, you might have a walking companion like you never imagined.

15 A Dog Year is Seven Human Years

There is no scientific basis for the calculation that each dog year is equivalent to seven human years. Dogs of different breeds age differently, and there is no one equation that fits for all. A smaller dog that lives longer might age only 3 human years in one year, while a larger dog that has a shorter lifespan might age more than 7 human years in one year. It is really up to the dog, not up to the humans.

Rejoice the Facts

It is often easy to get lost in myths that have been propagating into our minds through generations, so much so that we might not be able to see through all the flaws in the rules. It is important, hence, to evaluate the science behind the age-old sayings, before jumping to conclusions about your pet’s behavior. In some scenarios, like in the myth with the cold nose, you might actually end up harming your pet by relying on these handed down sayings. Love your pets afresh with practical and scientific information, and help them lead a happy, healthy life.