John T. Kristy VMD
Wendy B. Harris DVM
181 Kings Highway 
Fairfield, CT 06825
203-367-4475 Phone 
203-336-0878 Fax 

DEBUNKING COMMON MYTHS ABOUT PETS

Are these statements true or false? Bad breath is normal for dogs; cats always land on their feet; bones are good for dogs; cats should drink milk everyday.

The correct answer is false. These are common misunderstandings that veterinarians frequently hear from pet owners, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Following is a list of popular myths that AAHA veterinarians would like to dispel.

Myth: Bad breath is normal for all dogs.

Fact:  Many times, mouth odor is a sign of dental disease. Food particles, tartar and bacteria collect in dogs’ and cats’ mouths, causing dental problems such as cavities and inflamed gums. This “halitosis” can be greatly reduced with regular brushing and veterinary dental checkups, cleaning and polishing.

Myth: Cats always land on their feet.

Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on a balcony can help protect pets from dangerous falls.

Myth: Bones are good for dogs.

Fact: Bones especially small ones, can cause life-threatening conditions such as constipation, choking and laceration of the intestine.

Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.

Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they should drink too much milk. If it is give at all, the amounts should be small in infrequently.

Myth: Animals that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.

Fact: Like people, pets gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal’s metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the pet continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Pet owners can help their animals stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.

Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.

Myth: Indoor cats cannot get diseases.

Fact:  Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in on a pet owner’s shoes or clothing.  Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals and feces.

Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.

Fact:  Pets become infected with tapeworms from swallowing fleas. Which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice, and dogs can be exposed by catching infected rabbits or other animals.

Myth:  Putting garlic on a pet’s food will get rid of worms.

Fact:  Garlic may make the animal’s food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Myth:  Pregnant women should not own cats.

Fact:  Some cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat litter boxes and can cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these problems can be controlled if the expectant mother avoids contact with the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other family member.

  Myth:  A cat’s sense of balance is in the whiskers.

    Fact:  Cats use their whiskers as “feelers” but not to maintain balance.

   Myth:   A cold nose means a healthy dog.

 Fact: Dogs lick their noses frequently, and the evaporation of the moisture makes the skin cold.A dog can be sick with a fever and still have a cold, wet nose.

Myth: Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.

Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage the wound.

Myth: If dogs and cats drink milk, they can get worms.

Fact: Cats and dogs do not get worms from drinking milk any more then you do! But they often will get diarrhea if they drink milk because many of them lose lactase, an enzyme essential to the digestion of milk, around the age of six to eight weeks. Young animals often are infested with worms because of direct contamination by their mother during pregnancy or through maternal milk. This is why it is important to treat both future mothers and their litters for worms.

Myth: Yeast will prevent fleas from attacking your pet.

Fact: While yeast is a good source of B vitamins, there is no scientific proof that yeast prevents fleas.

Myth: Mix-breeding a female dog will alter or terminate her ability to give birth to purebred babies in subsequent litters.

Fact: Only the litter born from the mix-breeding will not be purebred. Every time a purebred animal is bred with a purebred mate of the same breed, the litter is purebred.

Myth: Dogs that scoot their anal areas on the ground have worms.

Fact: While dogs infected with tapeworms may scoot on the ground, most such pets have overly full or inflamed anal sacs. Anal sacs are structures located near the dog’s anus that produce a foul scent. Sometimes the ducts of these sacs close up causing a buildup of material that causes itching and burning. In an attempt to relieve the discomfort, the dog scoots its anal area along the ground.

Myth: Pet birds need only to eat a seed diet.

Fact: Birds, like all animals, need a properly balanced diet to live and thrive. While seeds may form the basis of a diet, they must be supplemented with a variety of other foods to provide the best nutritional value. Many veterinarians recommend vitamin supplements. Pelletized, balanced diets are another alternative that can supply a properly balanced diet for your bird.

Myth: Before being spayed, dogs and cats should have at least one heat cycle.

Fact: Pets do not need to experience a heat cycle before being spayed. In fact, one of the major medical benefits of spaying may be lost. Research has shown that pets spayed prior to their first heat cycle have significant protection against the formation of breast tumors. Therefore, waiting to spay your pet until after she has undergone one or more heats may be a poor decision and may result in an unwanted pregnancy.