{ Cats: Fact or Fiction

 Cats instinctively fall feet first  They may survive falls from high places  They may receive broken bones in the process  If a cat falls from a distance under 12 feet they may not have enough time to right themselves Cats always land on their feet.

 Most cats like milk but do not need it if they are properly nourished.  Many cats will get diarrhea from drinking milk.  If they are given milk at all, it should be in small amounts only occasionally. Cats should not regularly be fed milk as part of their diet.

 Like any animal, cats gain weight from eating too much, not getting enough exercise or both.  Spaying or neutering is usually done when a cat’s metabolism has started to slow down so they need extra exercise and the right about of food to keep them at a healthy weight. Being spayed or neutered does not cause a cat to gain weight.

 Any mammals can carry rabies  Cats should be vaccinated against rabies regularly according to local laws  In PA, dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies by 3 months of age and vaccination must be kept up to date Cats cannot get rabies.

 Indoor cats are still exposed to organisms carried in the air or on shoes and clothing  House cats sometimes get out and are exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animal feces As long as a cat is kept indoors, it cannot get diseases.

 Pets become infected with worms from swallowing fleas  They can also get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other animals Tapeworms come from bad food.

 Garlic has no effect on worms Putting garlic on a cat’s food will get rid of worms.

 Pregnant women should stay away from litter boxes or clean it wearing rubber gloves  The cat could be infected with toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease, which causes birth defects  Toxoplasmosis can only be contracted through the cat’s litter Cat litter boxes can be dangerous for pregnant women.

 Cats use their whiskers as “feelers” used for:  Navigation  Measuring an opening  They are so sensitive that they can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze A cat’s whiskers have nothing to do with its sense of balance.

 Licking a wound can actually slow the healing process and cause further damage to the wound Licking a wound does not help it heal.

 Cats may purr when they are experiencing anything intense; even pain or fear Cats only purr when they are happy.

 Cats need 5 times more protein than dogs do Cats require more protein than dogs.