Pet Care Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction for Better Pet Health
When it comes to caring for your pets, there is a lot of information available. Unfortunately, much of this information is conflicting, which can make it hard to figure out what your pet really needs. The team at Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital is here to help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to caring for your pets.
Feline Fact Versus Fiction
Cats are quirky creatures. While it’s easy to love them, it can be hard to understand them. Let’s dispel some of the biggest cat myths that we’ve heard throughout the years:
- Cats are low-maintenance pets. Sadly, many owners still believe that cats require less veterinary care, fewer vaccinations, and no preventive care for parasites or dental disease than their canine counterparts. This myth stands in the way of achieving optimal feline wellness and should never be accepted as truth. It’s just as important to schedule annual regular wellness care for your cats to keep them healthy for as long as possible.
- Cats prefer quiet, solitary lives. In fact, cats enjoy, and benefit from, the company of other cats, dogs, and people (although the introductory period can take some time). Prioritizing socialization for cats is essential to their mental and emotional well-being.
- Cats only purr when content. While cats do purr when they’re happy, they also purr as a way to soothe themselves. Pain, discomfort, fear, and stress can all lead a cat to purr, and can clue an owner into what’s going on beneath the surface.
- Cats love to drink milk. They may enjoy the beverage, but due to their inability to digest it, cats really shouldn’t drink milk.
- Cats always land on their feet. It is true that they can correct their body’s positioning during a fall, cats can still get gravely injured if their environment or surroundings aren’t secured.
Misleading Canine Myths
Now let’s take a look at some of the biggest myths about dogs:
- Dogs can heal open wounds on humans by licking them. Dogs may enjoy this experience, but because of the prevalence of oral bacteria, dog saliva should be kept away from open wounds.
- Dogs cannot see in color. There is a common myth that dogs are completely colorblind. With dichromatic vision, dogs can actually see a range of blue and yellow hues.
- A healthy dog has a cold, wet nose. Canine health isn’t measured by the look and feel of the nose. While a healthy dog can have a cold, wet nose, dogs with certain medical conditions can, too. Likewise, a dry, warm nose shouldn’t necessarily signal a cause for concern.
Veterinary Advice
The best thing pet owners can do to get to the bottom of other pet care myths is speak with our team at Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital. We are always here to address concerns and answer questions about pet health, safety, and overall wellness. Please call us at (210) 824-7481.