The cat has been worshipped as a god, vilified as a demon and is treasured as a companion today. Despite all that change, the cat is not much altered in form or temperament. Cats are pretty much the same as when they first chose to associate with our kind.
Even though cats have shared our lives for countless generations, there's still a lot we don't know about them, and a lot we think we know about them that's wrong. Here are a few enduring myths and the facts to counter them.
-- Cats have nine lives.
Cats are survivors, no doubt of that. More so than any other domesticated animal, they keep their wildness about them, slipping back and forth across the line that separates the feral from the tame.
Finely tuned to the slightest hint of danger, the cat can run fast, climb faster and, if cornered by an adversary, defend himself with a formidable array of claws and teeth. With all this, is it any wonder people came to believe that the cat had not one chance at life but nine?
The truth is that cats are more fragile than we think. Cats as a species have proven resilient, but as individuals, they are every bit as mortal as we are -- and very vulnerable in the world.
Cats have but one life, and they need our help to make that life a long, healthy and happy one.
-- Cats purr whenever they're happy.
Cats purr if they're happy but also often when they're not. They purr while giving birth, and they may even purr while dying. British zoologist Desmond Morris has said that purring is "a sign of friendship -- either when (the cat) is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship -- as with a cat in trouble."
Although the experts are pretty clear on why cats purr, they're not yet certain as to how. The most common explanation has the sweet sound originating in the voice box, with what are called the "vestibular folds," or "false vocal cords." The passing of air across these structures is thought to produce the purr all cat lovers adore.
-- Cats are dangerous around babies.
It doesn't matter what well-meaning relatives say. You don't need to find a new home for your pet if you become pregnant. Cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies, as the myths hold. While common sense dictates that no pet be left unattended with an infant, you can rest assured that your cat doesn't present any special danger to your child.
A bigger concern involves not infants but pregnancy and the risk of toxoplasmosis. Miscarriages and birth defects can result when pregnant women are exposed to cat feces containing the organisms that cause this disease.
Because of this risk, someone else should take over the maintenance of the litter box for the duration of the pregnancy and even before the pregnancy in the case of couples who're attempting to conceive. (Litter boxes aren't the only way to contract the disease, so talk to your doctor about additional precautions.)
-- A well-fed cat doesn't hunt.
Hunting behavior in cats is very controversial, especially if the prey is songbirds or endangered rodent species. Some cats hunt, some cats don't, and it has more to do with what a cat learned from his mother than from the rumbling in his belly. Plenty of well-fed cats are very active hunters.
Putting a bell on your cat has little effect on his ability to hunt; turning him into an indoor-dweller is the only way to protect wildlife from your cat -- and protect you from his thoughtful "gifts" of dead mice and birds.
-- Black cats are bad luck.
Black may be an unlucky color all right -- for a cat. Black cats have been associated with the forces of evil for hundreds of years, and humane societies warn that this myth has cost many of them their lives. Black cats have been the target of those who want to practice rituals that include the torture and killing of animals.
Black may be an unfortunate color for another reason: visibility. Thousands of cats are killed by cars every year, and the difference between a hit or a near-miss may be the driver's ability to see the cat darting across the road before him. At night, patches of light-colored fur are a distinct advantage to a kitty.
Q&A
Avoiding the vet not a good idea
Q: I currently have two cats, both 6 years old. I have always taken my cats to the veterinarian for everything necessary to maintain their health.
A few years ago I took a beloved cat to have his teeth cleaned. He came out of anesthesia very badly, and within a week he was dead. Since then, I have not taken my other two cats back to the veterinarian.
I decided that they were safer staying away from procedures and vaccines. One of my cats actually gets lethargic and sick after every vaccination. It has been more than three years since they have been vaccinated. They are indoor/outdoor cats. One is a hunter; the other is not.
I have read that cats do not need annual vaccinations. How often do cats need vaccinations, and how do I handle the situation with the cat who gets ill every time she is vaccinated? -- E.P., via e-mail
A: There are two issues here, so let's break them up.
First, despite your tragic loss, your cats need regular veterinary attention. Would you avoid your own physician because someone once died in a doctor's care? Of course not! I am not sure what happened with your cat, if the death was something that could not have been prevented or if the veterinarian could have done something differently.
Did you discuss what happened to your cat with your veterinarian? Were you satisfied with the explanation? If not, it's perfectly reasonable to change veterinarians, but don't give up on veterinary care entirely.
Now, about vaccines. It's true the trend is toward less-frequent vaccinations, and vaccination protocols tailored to individual cats. Indoor cats, for example, may need to be inoculated against fewer diseases than cats with access to the outdoors. Cats who become ill after vaccination may have boosters infrequently or not at all.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has published guidelines on vaccinations that every cat lover should review. The document can be found on the Internet at www.aafponline.org (click on "resources"). The 29-page document discusses vaccine risks and benefits, and gives guidelines on how to best balance one with the other.
Run, poodle, run
Q: I have a 3-year-old toy poodle who is wonderful in every aspect except one -- once the front door opens, he bounds out and goes running. It's almost a game for him, but it's exasperating for us.
I know you have said in the past not to get angry with him when we finally catch up with him, and we do not. We enrolled him in a training class about a year ago, but he continues to run. Any suggestions? -- T.P., via e-mail
A: You're right about one thing: You should never yell at or otherwise punish a dog for not coming when called. That's the surest way I know to make sure he runs even farther and faster the next time he gets out. Wouldn't you do the same if you knew you'd be punished when caught?
In the short term, a loose dog is a crisis -- he could get hit by a car. As you've discovered, if you chase him, he will run. So don't. Instead, try to run in the opposite direction and see if he will chase you instead. Or squat down, open your arms and call sweetly. The idea is to be as appealing as possible to lure your dog in.
Also, instead of "come" -- which your dog doesn't know -- try "sit." We tend to ask our dogs to sit often, and you might be able to stop the free flight by asking for a sit.
These are emergency measures, though, and are no substitute for training him to respond to a reliable recall. Go back to your trainer, or ask your veterinarian for a referral. Instead of joining a group class, arrange for a few private lessons on this one problem area.
(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)
THE SCOOP
Summer swims good clean fun
Summer is the perfect time of year to find a clean, calm body of water and let your dog jump in. For dogs who enjoy it, swimming is great exercise on warm days.
Some precautions do apply, however. First, make sure your dog is capable of swimming. Top-heavy breeds like the bulldog are more likely to sink than swim and should be kept away from any water deeper than what he finds in his dish.
Even if your dog is physically capable of swimming, don't make him sink or swim the first time he's introduced to water. You'll scare the dickens out of your dog, and you may get badly scratched up yourself. Learning by example is probably the best way to encourage swimming: A dog who sees another dog swim is more likely to give it a try. Alternately, you can lure your dog into the water by wading out yourself, or with a game of fetch.
Dogs who love swimming don't know always know when they're in danger, so be careful on their behalf. Old or unfit dogs should be given limited time in the water, and even the best swimmers should be kept away from fast, cold rivers, ocean riptides and other hazards.
Don't forget to bring drinking water. Pollution and parasites make natural bodies of water an unhealthy source of drinking water for you and your dog. Finally, be sure to rinse your dog off with clean water afterward.
ON THE WEB
Online magazine for parrot fans
I don't know how I managed to miss the Parrot Chronicles (ParrotChronicles.com) for so long. This online magazine has hundreds of great articles on choosing and caring for parrots, along with first-person pieces that share the joy and the challenges of living with these intelligent, demanding pets.
The site has short profiles of many parrot species, with pros and cons that should give prospective owners an idea of what they're getting into. Parrot Chronicles also doesn't shy away from controversy, with opinion pieces and letters to the editors on some hot avian topics.
Training tips, health information and product reviews round out the collection. Great site!
BREED TYPE
Yorkies maintain their feisty nature
Most toy breeds were not developed for any work other than sitting on your lap. The Yorkshire terrier, however, started out as a real working terrier, and he is not likely to let you forget it.
Today Yorkies are not kept as ratters but as companions, a job at which they excel. They are smart, active, affectionate and possessed of much more than their share of charm. Even those who prefer larger dogs have been known to lose their heart to a Yorkshire terrier.
Yorkies may be a bit hard to house-train, and they require training to prevent barking from being a problem. Their coats require daily care. They can be kept cut short and scruffy or long and silky, according to the owner's preference, but they cannot be left ungroomed.
This cheerful little dog is plagued with two serious problems -- rampant irresponsible breeding and major health issues. Be sure to obtain your Yorkie from a breeder who belongs to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, which has an exceptionally strict code of ethics and conduct for its members, or from a reputable rescue organization. Known health problems of the breed include luxating patellas (a kneecap deformity), liver shunts and dental disease.
A word of warning: Beware of breeders advertising "teacup" or otherwise smaller-than-normal Yorkies, or charging more for Yorkies in unusual colors. Very small Yorkies have more health problems than normal-sized toy dogs.
The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America does not allow its members to advertise their dogs using the words "teacup," "doll-faced" or similar terminology, nor does it recognize any markings other than the standard blue and gold, black and gold, blue and tan, or black and tan. Don't be taken in by a marketing ploy. -- Christie Keith, doghobbyist.com
PET RX
Don't leave dog in car
You'd think everyone would know this by now, but every year some people learn the hard way. So take note: Dogs should never be left in a car when it's warm.
Note the word "warm," not "hot." That's because even on a mildly warm day the temperature in a car left in the sun can grow hot enough to kill your dog within the time it takes to run an errand or two.
And don't leave your dog in the car with the air conditioner running. Recently, a police dog died when the air conditioner in the squad car went out. There's also a chance that your running car will provide a tempting target for thieves, dog or no dog.
(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.
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