Mary Allen
Cats need milk, only tomcats need to be neutered, dry food is healthy… – such myths about cat health should be properly investigated. This guide clears up five common untruths.
With some myths, you may smile when you find out that the supposed truths are not correct. But when it comes to cat health, things get serious. Some myths can seriously hurt your velvet paw if you, the owner, don’t know that they are long outdated assumptions.
Adult Cats Need Milk Too
Cats need protein and other components that are ingested through food and found in milk, for example. Nevertheless, milk does not belong on the diet of adult cats. As they grow, cats lose the ability to digest milk sugar (lactose) and get diarrhea from regular cow’s milk. Special cat milk is also usually not advisable, as it often contains a lot of sugar.
Only Males Need To Be Spayed
Both tomcats and cats should be neutered. Castration reduces, among other things, the risk of developing tumors, inflammation, and mental illnesses. Talk to your vet about the pros and cons of neutering – regardless of gender.
Dry Food Cleans the Cat’s Teeth & is Healthy
That’s not true. The individual pieces in dry food are often so small that they are not chewed properly. The pulp that is produced when eating can wet the teeth and thus promote the accumulation of bacteria.
Dry food cannot easily be described as healthy, since cats can easily get too little liquid with it. The animals take in liquid primarily through food, which is not possible with dry food. The possible dehydration can lead to kidney problems and urinary stones.
Cats Need To Be Dewormed Regularly
Deworming medication is suspected of putting a strain on your pet’s organism. Therefore, talk to your veterinarian about whether or not he or she recommends regular deworming for your cat. This may be useful for outdoor cats.
Cat Must Be Vaccinated Annually
It’s debatable whether your cat needs annual vaccinations. Speak to your veterinarian about this as well and get advice. For indoor cats, a basic immunization is usually sufficient; outdoor cats should get a booster vaccination at least every three years.