We've all heard them. Things you should and shouldn’t do with your pets. Have you ever wondered how many of them are true? We've collected a list of the most common misconception we have and put you on to why they're aren't true.

Misconception 1

A cat will always land on their feet after a fall.

Yes, it's true, cats do indeed have a keen sense of balance. We've all seen them do acrobat-style moves and land on their feet. BUT they can be badly injured from falls so be careful with your kitty. Keep your outdoor balcony doors and window screens secure.

Misconception 2

A dog’s mouth is sterile and licking their wounds is a way to help heal wounds.

Wrong! The truth is that a dog's mouth is as dirty as a sewer (there goes the idea that their mouths are cleaner than ours!) so repeated licking of wounds can actually inhibit healing.

Misconception 3

Cats need milk

Cats may LIKE milk, but they don't NEED it. In fact, many kitties will get sick with diarrhea after drinking the stuff.

Misconception 4

Cats can do just fine on a tuna diet.

Giving your kitty an all tuna diety is actually DANGEROUS. Tuna doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals cats need so such a diet could cause them to get diseases caused by a vitamin deficient diet.

Misconception 5

When dogs eat feces it is a sign of worms.

Yeah, it's nasty but it's not a sign of worms. This behavior is called coprophagy. It's commonly done by mother dogs as she cleans the waste from the newborns. Puppies and adult dogs may continue this behavior forming a bad habit and some dogs will even do it for attention getting from their human companions.

Misconception 6

When a dog scoots it’s rear end on the ground, it means he/she has worms.

Dogs with tapeworms can get itchy around that area but this action doesn't necessarily mean the dog has intestinal worms. Dogs butt scoot for many reasons, including diarrhea or even allergies.

Misconception 7

If a cat’s whiskers are cut off then they loose their balance.

Cats whiskers act more as “‘feelers” and are not involved in maintaining balance.

Misconception 8

Female dogs should have a litter or go through a heat before getting spayed.

There's no evidence for this old wives tale. The truth is that shelters are overfilled with dogs and cats - many of who may have been offspring of such unnecessary breedings. Also, waiting on getting your dog spayed can actually increase its risk of cancer. If a female dog is spayed BEFORE she ever goes into heat, the risk of breast cancer is almost zero. The risk of breast cancer in dogs goes up with each subsequent heat for several years. So get your baby spayed NOW!

Misconception 9

If your dog eats grass then he/she is sick.

We've all seen doggies eat grass. Then they hurl it all out. But that doesn't mean that they're sick. Many dogs just nibble on grass because it's fun or they're bored. Some veterinary nutritionists even think vegetation has some sort of nutritional value. Who knew?!

Misconception 10

A warm, dry nose is a sign of illness and a cold, wet nose-is a sign of health.

In reality, a pet's nose is influenced by activity, climate, and overall behaviors of your pet. Healthy pets occasionally have a dry, warm nose, so unless it is accompanied by signs of illness, there's no need to worry. Pet owners shouldn’t rely on this rule to evaluate when its time to see your veterinarian. Check out your pet's behavior, appetite, and other signs of possible illness. That's a much better predictor.

Sources:
Pets911
PAWS