Pets: Fact or Fiction?

Myth Versus Reality

Ever wonder why cats purr or dogs wag their tails?

There are various theories floating around to explain why our four-legged friends do what they do; some are true and some are false.

Below we take a look at some common animal behaviors and attempt to debunk the myth.

Cats Purr Because They’re Happy

Purring, for the most part, has been known to signal that a cat is happy. Although purring by domestic cats is usually a sign of contentment, purring, in general is a way for cats to communicate. Used as a self-calming technique, cats have been known to purr when they’re injured, nursing or even dying.

Cats Rub Against People as a Sign of Friendliness

While getting a friendly rub by a cat may be a sign of affection, it also serves another important feline function: scent-marking. Cats have scent glands in many parts of their bodies, and use them to ‘mark their territory’ by leaving their scent on objects they come in contact with.

Scent-marking is an important cat habit. By leaving their scent on everything they touch, they become familiar with the smells around them, thus helping them to establish or claim a particular person or object as ‘their own’.

Dogs and Cats Eat Grass Because They Have an Upset Stomach

Dogs and cats eat grass for a number of reasons; it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not feeling well. While some people believe dogs and cats eat grass as a digestive aid, they tend to eat grass (and other plants) because they like the taste.

If you find your kitty likes chewing on houseplants, you might consider providing her alternative things to nibble on, such as a small pot of grass or other young plants (avoid toxic plants that can threaten your cat’s health).

Dogs Wag Their Tails When Happy

A wagging tail is normally associated with a happy dog, and has even been compared to a human smile. However, a wagging tail can indicate a number of emotions ranging from friendliness and excitement to agitation and aggression.

An important communication tool, a dog’s tail needs to be read along with the dog’s body language to determine exactly what the dog is ‘saying’. Is the dog growling while wagging his tail? Are his teeth showing? Or is he is relaxed and perky? Evaluating a dog’s overall body language can help you decipher the emotion behind the wag.

Mixed-Breed Dogs Are Healthier Than Purebreds

This is not necessarily true; while mixed-breed dogs are not susceptible to many of the genetic diseases common in purebred lines, there is no guarantee of genetic health or temperament in either type of dog. Both purebreds and mixed-breeds alike are vulnerable to rabies, distemper, parasite infestation among other non-genetic ailments.

Dogs Age Seven Years for Every Human Year

It was once believed that for every human year a dog aged, you simply multiplied by seven to calculate your dog’s age. Contrary to popular belief, there is no exact formula; aging for dogs is individual to the specific dog and breed. However, as a rough approximation, a one-year-old dog is estimated to be between 10-16 years, a two-year-old dog adds another three to eight years, and each year afterwards equals approximately four or five human years.

Should you ever have a question on your four-legged friends’ health or behavior problems, make sure to consult your veterinarian.

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