7th October 2009

Exploding The Myths

Read more: Behaviour Cats Dogs | Comments (0)

PDSA vets have revealed that many common beliefs about pet health and keeping a pet turn out to be false. Test your knowledge with these accepted myths.

1. Dogs see in black and white

Wrong. Dogs can see colour. Although they seem to have limited colour vision - red/green/yellow all seem similar to them - they can distinguish blue objects. Though a dog’s overall vision is worse than ours, they have much better night vision and, of course, a much better sense of smell!

2. A purring cat is always a happy cat

Not necessarily. Cats usually purr when they’re contented and when they are enjoying affection from their owners. However, purring can also be a sign of pain. Some cats also purr when they are anxious or uncomfortable, so there is no general rule about this.

3. A wet nose is a sign of a healthy dog

Not necessarily. It is normal for a dog to have a cool, moist nose. Yet a warm, dry nose does not necessarily mean something is wrong. A healthy nose should be smooth and even with no red or ulcerated areas. Dogs tend to lick away discharges, which could be a sign of a problem, so owners need to look carefully to make sure that a wet nose is not due to this behaviour.

4. Dogs will only eat as much as they need

Wrong. Dogs are descended from wolves who are scavengers, feeding off dead carcasses. It is natural for them to eat as much as possible because they don’t know where the next meal is coming from. In addition, as pack animals, they want to eat as much as they can before another pack member pushes them out of the way.

5. Milk is good for cats

Wrong. After weaning, milk is not necessary in a cat’s diet. Their ability to digest lactose (the sugar in milk) reduces. Cats can even become intolerant to milk, resulting in diarrhoea. Owners should give cats limited milk – or none at all.

6. It’s normal for dogs to have bad breath

Wrong. Many dog owners think that a dog’s mouth odour is a natural part of ‘being a dog’. However, bad breath is often a sign of dental disease, caused by bacteria that erode the teeth and cause the gums to become inflamed (gingivitis). It can also indicate kidney failure or the presence of something trapped in the mouth (e.g. a piece of stick) that is rotting.

7. A wagging tail means a happy dog

Not necessarily. In most cases, this is correct, but dogs also wiggle their tails when they are agitated, tense, anxious, annoyed, or ready to fight!

8. Scooting along on the bottom means a dog’s got worms

Not necessarily. A dog doesn’t necessarily have worms if they do this. More commonly it is due to a problem with a dog’s anal glands which can become full and uncomfortable. These are two pea-size glands found inside the bottom and it is usually straightforward for vets to empty them to relieve the discomfort.

9. Neutering will make my pet fat

Wrong. Neutering (castration or spaying) slows a dog or cat’s metabolism so that they burn calories less quickly. This means they are more likely to gain weight, but this can only happen if they are fed too much. As an owner, you should be aware that neutered animals can gain weight more easily, so you should make sure you don’t feed too much. Your vet will be able to guide you on what is best for your pet.

10. Rabbits should eat carrots

Wrong. Carrots have a high sugar content and can cause digestive upset/nutritional imbalance. They can be fed occasionally, in moderation, but the green leafy carrot tops are better for them.

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