Myths and Facts About Cats
Are these statements
true or false?
- Cats always land on their feet.
- Cats should drink milk everyday.
The correct answer to both 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 and The Cat
Fanciers' Association (CFA) would like to dispel.
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 balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous
falls.
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 drink too much milk. If it is given at all,
the amount should be small and infrequent.
Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats 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 cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight.
Cat owners can help their cats 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 cat 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 feces.
Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry
the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other
exposed 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 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 its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as
"feelers" but not to maintain their balance.
Myth: Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage
the wound.
For the most accurate information on these and other concerns about pet
health care, the American Animal Hospital Association and The Cat Fanciers'
Association advise cat owners to contact a veterinarian.
The AAHA is an international association of more than 12,000 veterinarians
who treat companion animals, such as cats and dogs. The association is
well-known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet
health care.
The CFA is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats and has reaffirmed
its commitment to the promotion of the welfare of ALL cats, pedigreed or
random bred.
The Winn Feline Foundation was founded in 1968 by CFA as a source of funding
for medical studies benefiting cats. The Winn Foundation has provided funds
over the years for a wide variety of studies and has helped to advance
veterinary knowledge in all areas of feline health. Grants totaling more than
$1.2 million have been awarded by the Winn Foundation since its inception.U
For additional information on CFA, AAHA or the Winn Foundation, please
contact:
The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc.
1805 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 1005
Manasquan NJ 08736-0805
Phone: 732-528-9797 * Fax: 732-528-7391
American Animal
Hospital Association
PO Box 150899
Denver CO 80215-0899
Phone: 303-986-2800
The Winn Feline Foundation
1805 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 1005
Manasquan NJ 08736-0805
Phone: 732-528-9797
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