10 Surprising Yet Funny Myths About Pets

10 Surprising Yet Funny Myths About Pets

In modern world, a pet is an important part of a household. You must owe a pet whether a dog or a cat, but do you know about some myths related to them? Yes, there are certain myths related to pets and so here, we are going to unfold these myths and check to which extend they are true and if they are really true!

1. Dogs are blind to colours

The fact: Dogs are not blind to colors; however, they are less able to differentiate between colors and see them in different manner from that of human beings. It has been proved by Veterinary ophthalmologists that dogs see same as people who have red/green color blindness. The truth is that dogs’ have receptors for shades of blue and green, but not for red. Consequently, it seems that dogs cannot easily differentiate between yellow, green and red, but can recognize different shades of purple, blue and gray. Brightness, contrast and movement are very important for a dog’s understanding of whatever it sees.
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2. Cats land on their feet

The origin: It is very popular myth in the world of feline. However, in reality even if a cat does mechanically try to fall feet first, it commonly breaks bones or faces other type of injury while falling from heights.

The fact: This is the most famous and widely spread myth regarding cats. Moreover, unfortunately many children have tried to show it true. Nevertheless, it is not true. Cats are considered very athletic and agile; they have an exceptional inborn ability to twist the body around in mid-air to correct their posture while falling. On the other hand, if they are surprised, unwell, confused or wounded, it is unlikely to be able to adjust their position to land feet-first. Evidently, if cats fall from a great height, their ability to reposition will not matter, as the force of the fall will cause them serious injury and in some cases even death. Furthermore, if cats fall from a short height, they may not find enough time to twist around to land on their feet.
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3. A dog’s warm nose signifies it’s illness

The origin: There is no certain origin of this myth. People just seem to imagine for them that a dog’s warm and dry nose is symbol of its sickness, and its cold-wet nose is signifies its wellness.

The fact: In reality, a dry or a mildly warm nose has nothing to do with the health of a dog. Its nose does not signify the state of its health.
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4. A dog’s wagging tail shows its happiness
The origin: When dogs are happy they start wagging their tails. Consequently, people relate it with the happiness of dogs.

The fact: When a dog is happy, it starts wagging its tail. It also signifies the excitement or pleasure of a dog. Tail wagging of dogs can be compared with smile of human beings, as both express a strong state of emotion. Nevertheless, as we are not sure of the truth behind a human smile, a dog’s wagging tail also does not essentially reflect happiness or something positive. Dogs often wag their tails when they are irritated, restless, tense, worried, annoyed, scared, angry or aggressive. Interestingly, researchers have also found that dogs do not wag their tails when they are all alone, even if they are apparently happy or in a pleasant situation. It seems that tail wagging is reserved for times when they are in the company of others.
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5. Cats enjoy nine lives

The origin: The origin of this myth stems from the fact that cats are very supple and flexible animals, even if they are not well or are injured. They have a keen talent to get out of situations, which would probably cause the death of lesser animals. There is much news of cats surviving from very harsh conditions, even without easily available food or water. The related myth of cats always landing on their feet may also add to the myth that they have nine lives. Nine is regarded a lucky number by many people. Some cultures have myth that cats live seven lives. This is why they are considered lucky pets.

The fact: Certainly, cats do not have “nine lives”. They are mortal. However, cats tend to be very healthy and hearty animals taking care of themselves in every kind of situation. They are lively, intelligent and resourceful, but have only one life to live like all other mammals.
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6. Dogs have cleaner mouth compared to humans
The origin: Dog spit was once believed to be antiseptic, and even today some people believe that it has healing assets. However, the basis of this belief is not known.

The fact: It is not true that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a person’s is. Dog saliva may be toxic to some bacteria, but it contains its own sum of bacteria and other communicable organisms. That sum of bacteria is different from the collection of bacteria and other “germs” of the mouth of human beings, which is based largely upon differences in diet. People who have damaged immune systems and the young children should not have direct contact with dog or cat saliva.
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7. A dog’s life of one year is equal to human’s 7 years of life
The origin: This myth is a mystery. It seems like originated from simple math: the normal life duration for dogs is 10 to 12 years, and if we multiply this by seven it equals to 70 to 74 years, which is the average life span of modern man.

The fact: Opposite to common belief, there is no accurate formula to measure how much a dog develops or ages compared to so-called “human’s years.” Age of dogs is as individual as it is for humans. By taking a dog’s age and multiplying it by seven is an extremely simplistic formula and thus it does not show dogs’ actual developmental status. A more precise rough guide can be made as follows:

• 1-year-old-dog equals a 15-year-old human stage

• 2-year-old-dog equals a 24-year-old human

• 4-year-old-dog equals a 32-year-old human

• 7-year-old-dog equals a 45-year-old human

• 10-year-old-dog equals a 56-year-old human

• 15-year-old-dog equals a 76-year-old human

• 20-year-old-dog equals a 98-year-old human

Certainly, there is a discrete dissimilarity in aging between small dogs and oversize breed dogs. Large dogs have a considerably shorter life span compared to lives of small dogs. Their early year’s development is same as other breeds; but we will find that large and giant breed dogs are developmentally much older compared to smaller breeds in their later years, starting from seven years of age.
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8. It is not possible to teach new tricks to an old dog

The origin: The origin of this myth seems with someone who was not able to teach his aged dog to roll over, sit, come or stay. This can be said one of the most common, but false clichés regarding domestic dogs.

The fact: An old dog can be taught new tricks. In fact, dogs can learn newer tricks, skills and orders within their physical potentials until their dooms day. Dogs’ minds need inspiration, just like human beings. Owners can taught their aged dogs all types of new tricks just by having patience, compassion, determination and consistency. You can easily teach your dog tricks like bark when the doorbell rings, lie down, roll over, play dead etc. Until the time your dog is alert, responsive and healthy, you can teach it many things without thinking that it cannot learn new things because it is ageing.
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9. Cats purr when they are happy
The origin: This strange myth does not have an exact origin like rest. May be it has been originated by the fact that most of the cats purr when their owners pamper them and this is considered a sign of happiness.

The fact: It is somewhat true that cats purr when they are happy. However, it is not the only time when they purr. Cats purr even when they are ill, stressed, wounded, terrified or are in pain. They also purr while giving birth, and even while dying. Purring can be called more of an expression of strong emotions regardless of positive or negative. Purring of cats can be compared to humming or whistling of humans. Like humans, it is done out of happiness, but sometimes can also be done in stress, fear or uneasiness.
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 10. Cats can see through dark

The origin: This myth can be said to origin from people detecting cats navigating at night. Cats are active at night and get around very easily in the dark.

The fact: Cats can see better in semi-darkness compared to humans, however they cannot see in complete darkness. Their eye pupils open much wider in dim light compared to those of humans, allowing in more light during the usual hunting hours of dawn and dusk. But, it does not mean that they can see in complete darkness.