Debunking common dog and cat myths

There’s a few dog and cat myths and misconceptions that some people have about cats and dogs, so Feline Medical Specialist, Dr Keshuan Chow, and I debunk some of them below.

Picking  dog & cats up by the neck

One of very common dog and cat myths is about ‘scruffing’. We definitely want to avoid picking dogs and cats up by the neck – known as “scruffing”. It can cause significant anxiety and helplessness in the cat and can escalate fear and aggression.

It’s a myth that it’s soothing because mothers do it to their kittens – the reflex to go relaxed and limp when scruffed is lost by adolescence and so doesn’t apply to adult cats.

It’s the same for dogs.  After the first few weeks of life, picking them up by the scruff can cause them pain and is risky because they are too heavy to have all that weight placed on their neck.

Saying “shhh” to a cat

We should avoid making “shhhh” noises to calm a cat – while this might be soothing for us, it sounds too much like hissing to a cat, so can cause stress.

Toilet training

Another of the common dog and cat myths, or more likely a misconception, is that their cat or dog is being stubborn by not going to the toilet in a certain area or kitty litter, but there can be many reasons for this.

Because of their strong sense of smell, most cats prefer unscented kitty litter, and many prefer clumping litter because it’s easier for them to push aside.  They don’t like frequent change either, so it might depend on what they are used to as a kitten, so if you plan to introduce a new type or brand of kitty litter, then they might not use it.

Dogs can also have a preference on where they like to go, different surfaces and the like. They generally don’t like to toilet in their den, which might be your whole home, so they might not want to go in the areas they play in, so do keep this in mind when you are toilet training them.  For tips on toilet training a puppy click HERE.

Furballs and cats vomiting

Another of the common dog and cat myths and misconceptions is that vomiting is normal behavior for cats. However, if your cat is throwing up more than once a week, or even consistently every few weeks, you should see your vet. Cats should only get furballs occasionally, usually less than once a month.

Scooting on bottoms

This is one of the most common dog and cat myth – when a dog or cat ‘scoots’ across the floor, it means they have worms, remembering though that dogs and cats showing no signs may still have worms.

Usually if you see your dog or cat scooting on carpet and rough surfaces or frequently licking their bottom, they may have inflamed anal glands, itching or irritation around the anal area.

So, if it’s happening more than every now and then, see your Vet.

Making sure your pet’s parasite protection is up to date is important of course as it can help rule out worms.

Cats can be a bit wary, so be careful not to spook your cat when putting spot-on the back of their neck.

Plus, don’t make giving your dog their parasite protection an ordeal either. If it’s a chew, hide it in their food, chop it up if you need to, even bring out the packet when they’re not around.

Look for Nexgard SPECTRA for dogs and cats at your local pet specialty store, including PETstock, or online.

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog