Myth checks
Myth checks
Popular dog and cat advice, checked against the research.
A warm, dry nose means your dog is sick
Not true. A dog’s nose changes temperature and wetness through the day. A healthy dog can have a warm, dry nose and a sick dog can have a cold, wet one. Look at eating, drinking, energy and behaviour instead.
Dogs only see in black and white
Not true. Dogs see colour, just fewer colours than we do. They see blues and yellows well, while reds and greens look dull, greyish or brownish to them.
Milk is good for cats
Not really. Cats don’t need milk, and many adult cats can’t digest the lactose in cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhoea. Fresh water is all a cat needs to drink.
Cats always land on their feet, so falls don’t hurt them
Cats are very good at twisting to land feet first, but falls still injure them badly. Vets see so many falls from windows and balconies that it has a name: high-rise syndrome. Screens on windows and balconies prevent it.