Are these statements true or false?
Cats always land on their feet.
Cats should drink milk everyday.
The correct answer to both is FALSE.
These are common misunderstandings that veterinarians frequently hear from pet owners, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Following is a list of popular myths that AAHA veterinarians and The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) would like to dispel.
Myth: Cats always land on their feet.
Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.
Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.
Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.
Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.
Myth: Indoor cats cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in on a cat owner's shoes or clothing. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals feces.
Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.
Myth: Putting garlic on a pet's food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal's food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.
Myth: Pregnant women should not own cats.
Fact: Some cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat litter boxes and cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these problems can be controlled, if the expectant mother avoids contact with the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other family member.
Myth: A cat's sense of balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers" but not to maintain their balance.
Myth: Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage the wound.
For the most accurate information on these and other concerns about pet health care, the American Animal Hospital Association and The Cat Fanciers' Association advise cat owners to contact a veterinarian.
The AAHA is an international association of more than 12,000 veterinarians who treat companion animals, such as cats and dogs. The association is well-known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care.
The CFA is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats and has reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of the welfare of ALL cats, pedigreed or random bred.
The Winn Feline Foundation was founded in 1968 by CFA as a source of funding for medical studies benefiting cats. The Winn Foundation has provided funds over the years for a wide variety of studies and has helped to advance veterinary knowledge in all areas of feline health. Grants totaling more than $1.2 million have been awarded by the Winn Foundation since its inception.U For additional information on CFA, AAHA or the Winn Foundation, please contact:
The Cat Fanciers Association, Inc.
1805 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 1005
Manasquan NJ 08736-0805
Phone: 732-528-9797
Fax: 732-528-7391
American Animal Hospital Association
PO Box 150899
Denver CO 80215-0899
Phone: 303-986-2800
The Winn Feline Foundation
1805 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 1005
Manasquan NJ 08736-0805
Phone: 732-528-9797
CATNIP FAQ's
Cats of all nationalities have been getting high on catnip for over 3,500 years. Ancient Egyptians watched with delight as their deified felines abandoned their dignity to roll about in the magic herb. And modern American felines enjoy over 3,000 tons of catnip a year.
Of course, not every cat is susceptible to the euphoric effects of catnip: about 20 percent of cats aren't genetically programmed to respond. Experts say that catnip reactions are inherited and if a cat loves her 'nip, it's likely that mom or dad enjoyed it as well. In general, catnip is an aphrodisiac and it seems to affect males more than females. Kittens younger than six months old who haven't developed sexually usually avoid catnip.
If you think watching your ten-pound housecat enjoying the effect of catnip is amusing, imagine watching a five-hundred-pound lion roll around like a kitten. Most big cats -- including lions, cougars, bobcats, lynx and leopards -- react to catnip with the same cheek-rubbing antics as your favorite domestic cat. Tigers, however, seem to be immune to the herb's effects.
So what is it about catnip that's makes most cats large and small purr? The "high" appears to be triggered by the plant's release (in oil form) of the chemical nepetalactone, which is similar to the sedative ingredient in the herb valerian, which has been called the "Valium of the nineteenth century." (The two substances are not related.) Humans, of course, don't generally turn cartwheels in the air or bounce around on the furniture after taking valerian: they skip straight to the gentle sleep portion of the effect.
Having Catnip Parties
As with sleeping or pain medications or almost any kind of drug that humans use, prolonged use of catnip establishes some immunity. If catnip is too readily available, your cat is liable to get bored and lose interest.
The best way to keep your cat interested in her catnip toys is to store them in the freezer (to help them keep their freshness and to keep your cat from finding them) and bring them out once every two to three weeks for a special catnip party. As an added bonus, during catnip parties you can turn off the TV and let yourself be entertained by your cat's antics.
If you have more than one cat, make sure that you have enough catnip toys to go around; cats tend to be very possessive of their 'nip and will try to hide their catnip toys. Cats can also get aggressive when given catnip, and you don't want your fun-filled party to turn into a cat fight.
Sharing a Nip with Your Cat
While your cats are enjoying chasing their catnip toys, why don't you pull out the teapot and brew up a pot of catnip tea. Although catnip doesn't give humans the same euphoria as it does cats, it has been used for centuries to ease stomachaches and headaches, relieve colds and fevers, sooth colicky children and ease menstrual cramps. A cup of catnip tea can sooth anxiety, provide a restful night's sleep and help hyperactive kids settle down. Some companies sell catnip tea, but to create your own, simply cut up leaves and brew them as you would other types of loose tea. Catnip can also add an unusual flavor to sauces, soups and stews.
Buying or Growing Catnip
Catnip toys and loose catnip are both available, but catnip toys are often the best choice because the catnip is contained and you won't end up with loose leaves all over your house. It's the scent of the catnip and not the taste that creates the euphoric effect, so your cat won't be deprived if you choose toys over loose catnip. Catnip toys for your feline friends come in all shapes and sizes -- from the traditional mice to holiday favorites such as Santa figures and pumpkins.
If you're looking for loose catnip to cook with, you can either purchase it or grow your own. Catnip is a perennial herb with white or pale lavender flowers that can grow up to five feet tall; it prefers full sun and well-drained soil. You can harvest and dry the catnip leaves as needed. Plus, catnip contains citronella and can act as a natural insect repellant. The only caution about growing catnip is that once the leaves are bruised and release their scent, cats will come running to play in your catnip garden.
All Catnip Is Not Created Equal
Catnip's potency, like that of other herbs, is affected by a number of factors, including soil, growing conditions and climate. Cats can have different reactions to catnip grown under different conditions, so if your cat isn't responding to the catnip in her fuzzy mouse, try buying a new catnip toy and see if there's a different reaction.
Another factor that can affect your cat's reaction to catnip is the herb's age. Although it doesn't take much catnip for cats to go bonkers -- they respond to catnip in concentrations approaching 1 part per billion-- it's important to remember that catnip loses its potency over time because the nepetalactone that causes the euphoric reaction breaks down. Storing catnip in the freezer can prolong its life and keep it safely out of your cat's reach for those special occasions when you and your cat can both enjoy it.
And that only leaves one question . . . what is it that cats dream about when they're on a catnip trip? Perhaps it's that ideal world of cat kind -- a world where birds fly low, dogs run slow and people walk around with their pockets full of catnip.
