Social media, Internet searches, and word of mouth spread information faster than ever before. But as you’ve probably noticed, just because something is trending on TikTok or Instagram doesn’t make it true. Let’s tackle some popular pet care myths to separate fact from fiction—and keep your furry friends healthy and happy.  

Myth: Dog or Cat Saliva Has Healing Properties

The notion that pet saliva has healing properties is nothing more than an old wives’ tale, making this one of those false but common pet misconceptions. Allowing your pet to lick their wounds—or yours—can actually:  

• Slow healing by causing continuous trauma to the wound  
• Damage the surrounding tissue  
• Introduce bacteria, leading to infection  

While dog saliva was once thought to have antiseptic qualities, modern veterinary medicine debunks this idea. It’s best to keep wounds clean and covered and consult your vet for proper care.  

Myth: Garlic Will Get Rid of Fleas, Worms, and Other Parasites

Despite its popularity in home remedies, garlic is not a safe or effective way to treat parasites in pets. In fact, garlic can be toxic to both dogs and cats, particularly in high doses. Stick to veterinarian-recommended parasite preventives to keep your pets safe and pest-free and to avoid this false notion in pet wellness care. 

Myth: Cats Always Land on Their Feet  

This one has a nugget of truth. While cats are agile and often capable of righting themselves during a fall, this ability isn’t foolproof. 

When a cat falls from a short height, has an unexpected fall, or has health issues that affect balance, their self-righting ability can be impacted. This can result in serious injuries. Protect your feline friend by keeping windows secure and providing safe climbing structures.  

Myth: Dogs Are Color Blind

This is only partially true. Dogs aren’t limited to seeing in black and white. Research suggests that our canine companions can see colors similarly to people with red-green colorblindness. While their world isn’t as colorful as ours, they can still perceive a range of hues and rely on their other senses for navigating their environment.  

Myth: Purring Means a Cat Is Happy 

The notion that a purring cat is a happy cat isn’t true. While content felines often do purr, cats may also purr when scared, stressed, injured, or sick. Experts theorize that purring may serve as a form of self-soothing, but its exact purpose remains a mystery.  

Myth: Milk is Good For Cats

Despite popular depictions, milk isn’t a healthy treat for cats. Most cats are lactose intolerant, and consuming milk can lead to digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Stick to fresh water and veterinarian-approved treats for your feline friend.  

Myth: Indoor Pets Don’t Need To Go to the Vet

This pet care myth is very untrue! Indoor pets aren’t immune to health risks. Airborne illnesses, rabies-carrying wildlife, and contaminants brought in on shoes or clothing can all pose dangers. Regular wellness exams and prevention like vaccinations, and screenings are crucial for detecting and preventing health issues, even for indoor pets.  

Myth: Spaying/Neutering Will Change a Pet’s Personality 

Spaying or neutering won’t alter your pet’s core personality. These procedures can, however, reduce certain unwanted behaviors like urine marking or roaming. They also provide significant health benefits, like lowering the risk of certain cancers.  

Pet Insurance Isn’t Worth It

Veterinary care costs can add up, especially in emergencies. Pet insurance helps alleviate financial stress, which makes it easier to prioritize your pet’s health. It’s worth exploring coverage options to find a plan that works for your family.  

When it comes to pet care, separating fact from fiction is very important. If you ever come across advice online or hear something from a friend that raises questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Shiloh Veterinary Hospital. We’re here to provide accurate information and keep your pets healthy for years to come!  

The post Debunking Popular Pet Myths: What Every Pet Owner Should Know appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

Responsible pet owners know that their furry, feathered, and scaled friends need to be seen by the veterinarian regularly – after all, those vaccinations are pretty important! 

Pet wellness examinations are about so much more than shots, however. Getting to know your pet through a detailed health history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing is an essential part of keeping your pet’s healthy for years to come.

The Basics

Establishing good habits early on in your pet’s life makes it easier to keep up with their well being for the long term. This is true for all pets, including exotics. 

Pets age much more quickly than humans, which is why adhering to your pet’s scheduled wellness visits is so important. We recommend bringing your pet in for a wellness exam once per year until they reach about age 6 or 7, after which twice per year is advised.

In a pet wellness exam, the following areas of pet health are assessed:

• Nose-to-tail physical exam – Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s ears, mouth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system at each visit. 

• Dental health – The majority of pets have some form of dental disease by the time they reach age 3. Untreated dental disease can have serious health consequences for your pet, which is why your pet’s oral health is assessed and discussed at each wellness visit.

• Nutrition/weight management – Maintaining an ideal weight for your pet through proper nutrition and exercise is an important part of pet wellness. Sudden weight changes can also indicate underlying health problems.

• Disease prevention – Vaccinations and parasite prevention are crucial to your pet’s long term health. Your veterinarian may also recommend certain diagnostic disease testing, such as fecal testing, bloodwork, or urinalysis.

• Behavioral concerns – Your pet’s wellness exam is the perfect time to bring up any issues or areas of concern you have regarding your pet’s behavior or personality. Nipping problems in the bud will reduce stress for both you and your pet, and lead to a happier, healthier life.

• General monitoring – Age, size, and breed all predispose pets to certain health problems. Seeing your pet regularly will enable your veterinarian to catch and treat these problems as they arise.

Pet Wellness at Home

Your daily, weekly, and monthly pet care routines are the backbone of pet wellness. You know your pet best, and your careful observations of any “off” behaviors, personality changes, lumps, bumps, or anything else out-of-the-ordinary can give us a head start in diagnosing a problem.

At Shiloh Veterinary Hospital, we care deeply about all of our pet patients. If you need help getting into a pet wellness routine, please contact us. We are here for you!

The post Building an Incredible Foundation with Pet Wellness Care appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.