Fact or Fiction

FACT OR FICTION

 A Dry Nose Means That My Dog/Cat is Sick. False!

It is normal for dogs and cats to have a dry nose. In fact, their nose can vary from wet to dry depending on their activity level

and environmental surroundings. Some breeds may have a drier nose than others but it does not necessarily mean they are sick.

 Dogs See Color. True!

Dogs actually do see in color however their range of color variation compared to humans is much less. Research suggests their vision  is similar to a person who is red

green color blind. While their color range may be more limited compared to their human counterparts, dogs do have some

advantages as well. They have a broader range of peripheral (side to side) vision since their eyes are further off to the side compared to people. Another advantage Fluffy has is their ability to see better in dim light and can detect smaller or more subtle movements with increased accuracy compared to their human parents.

 A Wagging Dog = A Happy Dog. False!

For the most part, when a dog wags his or her tail they are happy. However,  sometimes a wagging tail can also mean they are over stimulated, anxious, fearful, frustrated, or defensive over a situation. Therefore, we have to examine the rest of Fluffy’s body language to determine their mood. As a general rule of thumb,  the position of the tail can help give us an insight into how they are feeling. Typically, a tail that is of a middle height position suggests Fluffy is relaxed, attentive, and happy. If the tail is more vertical, this suggests Fluffy is over confident, over stimulated, or possibly feels threatened. If the tail tends to be down or tucked, this is a sign of submission, fear, anxiety, or defensive.

A Purring Cat = A Happy Cat. False!

While cats due purr when they are happy and content, they also purr for other reasons as well. Purring can also be due to a self soothing behavior if they are anxious, scared, in pain, or feeling ill. Cats will also tend to purr when nursing their young.

written by:

Aisha Kung, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital, Oak Park