Old Wives Tales

essential OldWives TALES

by Lori Scarlett, DVM

When I was pregnant with my first child, my brother suggested I needed to get rid of my cats because they “suck the breath” out of babies. This is obviously an old wives tale and not based in scientific fact at all. My cats did like to sleep in the crib (before I brought my baby home) and liked to be near the baby as I was holding him. They all sniffed the baby’s face, but I saw no “sucking of breath.” This advice likely came from people who thought cats were evil (or just didn’t like them, like my brother). I don’t recommend rehoming your cat when you’re starting a human family, but I would keep the cat out of the crib when the baby is there. If the baby should suddenly move and startle the cat, the cat might scratch or bite. It might be worthwhile to get a second crib just for the cat!

Old wives tales are supposed truths passed down over generations. These truths are really just superstitions or claims with exaggerated or inaccurate details. Although we may think we’re smarter than the average “old wife” from the 1500s, I still have people mention or ask about them.

One common misconception is that you can tell if a dog is feeling well because it has a cool, wet nose. In actuality, a warm, dry nose is perfectly healthy. One of my dogs has some anxiety issues, and when his nose is wet and dripping, then I know he is stressed. The only nugget of truth is that a dry, crusty, or cracked nose is not normal and may need treatment. Perhaps we only think about a dog’s cool, wet nose when they boop our warm skin in the summer.

I often hear people say a dog is happy because they see the dog’s tail wagging. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Dogs with relaxed ears and a whole butt wiggle are happy or excited, but if the tail is slowly wagging side to side and the ears are up, it’s best to keep your distance; the dog is assessing the situation before deciding how to act. That action might be to bite. Cats wag their tails too, but that motion communicates different things than a dog. A swishy tail usually means the cat is excited. Watch your cat’s tail when they’re focused on a bird outside the window. As their excitement mounts, the swish becomes more of a twitch and may culminate in the cat pouncing. A more vigorous wag or thrashing of the tail means agitation. The best thing if you see that in a cat is to stop what you’re doing and back away. If you don’t, you’re liable to get swatted or bit!

If you do get bit, don’t assume that the dog or cat’s mouth is clean. There are a lot of bacteria in those mouths! Some people think that it’s good for a dog to lick a wound, as it helps clean and heal it. This is not true. Dog tongues can do a lot of damage to the skin, and the bacteria in the mouth can cause further infection of the tissue. If your dog (or cat) is excessively licking at an area, try to clean it with some soap and water; cover it with a sock, t-shirt, or other wrap; then schedule an appointment

with your vet. Dog or cat bite wounds should also be checked out, even if they seem superficial. All that bacteria in the mouth can set up a nasty abscess under the skin.

Cat scratch fever/disease is an infection caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria. Cats usually become infected through flea bites and then transmit the disease to humans through scratches. While cats are often asymptomatic for Bartonellosis, dogs can develop a wide range of problems, including a fever, heart disease, or nose bleeds. To keep fleas from getting on your pet, feeding garlic and onions is a good remedy, right? No! Actually, garlic and onion should not be given to dogs and cats as it can cause anemia. There are very effective products available that kill fleas—talk to your veterinarian about which are right for your pet.

What about those dogs and cats who like to go out and munch on grass then vomit? Should you rush them to the vet for stomach issues? Probably not. A lot of dogs and cats just like the taste of grass, especially in the spring. If they

eat too much and cause some stomach irritation or have some long strands stuck in their esophagus, then they will vomit. But unless the vomiting continues, it’s fine to just pull them away from the grass and see how they are in a few hours.

You’ve heard the old adage you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that’s actually the best way to help with cognitive decline! Old dogs and cats can learn new things. Just keep in mind that they may not hear or see as well, and arthritic joints means that some new tricks might be painful. But hiding food treats and telling your dog to find it is a great way to engage their brain.

Finally, at what age is a dog or cat really old? The one year equals seven dog years isn’t accurate. Aging depends a lot on the size of the dog, but currently it’s thought that a one-year-old dog is the equivalent of a human teenager, and a two-year-old dog is comparable to a 25-year-old, which is why they suddenly seem to have settled down. Interestingly, small breeds mature sooner but age more slowly. A 15-yearold small-breed dog is about the same as a 77-year-old human, whereas a largebreed dog reaches that age around 12 years old. A cat is similar to a smallbreed dog, but cats tend to live longer. A 21-year-old cat is the equivalent of a 100-year-old human.

Just like humans, because of good healthcare, cats and dogs are living longer, more healthy lives. Debunking yet another old wives tale, that is just one life for a cat, not nine!

Lori Scarlett, DVM, is the owner and veterinarian at Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic. For more information, visit fourlakesvet.com.

Lori Scarlett, DVM & Charlie Photograph by Brenda Eckhardt