True or False

1.      Both Dogs and Cats are Carnivores.

False

Dogs are Omnivores that evolved by being extremely flexible about what they eat. A variety of foods should be part of their everyday diet.  Broccoli, sweet potatoes, and carrots are especially good for them.

Cats, on the other hand, are Carnivores, and must always have meat in their diet.

2.         Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat can be fatal to dogs.

True

Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat (or beef fat or chicken fat) can all create serious health problems for dogs, and can even kill them if consumed in large enough quantities.

3.         Cats are natural hunters that can live by their wits outdoors.

False

When humans domesticate an animal species, we take away their ability to live on their own in the wild. The average life span of a cat that lives outdoors is sadly only about two years. An indoor cat, however, can live 15 to 20 years.

4.         When you leave your dog alone in the house, it's a good idea to leave it with a bone or a rawhide to chew so it doesn't chew your shoes or furniture.

False

A dog can choke to death on these objects while you are away. Supervision is the key, and dogs should never be left alone with these items.

If you want to leave your dog alone with something that will keep him/her occupied while you’re gone, consider a carrot – frozen carrots are especially good since they last much longer.

5.         Cats intentionally forget to use the litter box to show you that they're upset.

False

Owners of cats that stop using the litter box should first start by ruling out a urinary-tract infection. Once that's done, look at the cat's environment to determine what may be causing this problem. Cats often spray as an involuntary response to stress, and they may be trying to mark their territory because they feel insecure. Maybe there's an unneutered cat in your yard or a new kitten or puppy in your home.  If you have more than one cat, maybe you need to clean that litter box more frequently.  Cats truly do prefer a clean box.

6.         It’s best to stay with the same dog food throughout your dog's life.

False

Dogs need variety, to ensure that they get a balanced diet.

7.         Dogs should never get chicken bones, but certain beef bones, such as rib bones or knuckle bones that don't splinter, are OK.

False

Most veterinarians now advise against giving your dog any type of bone.  Bone fragments that get into a dog's intestines can create an impaction, and sharp bone fragments can even perforate your dog’s intestine.  At the very least, dogs can break their teeth on them.

8.                My pet will get fat and lazy if I spay or neuter him/her.

False

The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much, or they don't give them enough exercise.

Spay/Neuter reduces the risk of your pet developing cancer, and it’s also the only way to help control the devastating unwanted pet overpopulation problem in our world today.

9.         It doesn't matter whether you feed your dog or cat cheap food or expensive food. They all provide complete nutrition for your pet.

False

Although all pet foods must meet certain nutritional standards, the way manufacturers meet them can vary widely. For example, the protein requirement can be met by soybeans, but dogs and cats do best with meat as their main protein source.  Cheap foods are cheap for a reason; they have lots of fillers.  As with anything else, you get what you pay for.

10.       Cats are very sure-footed; they hardly ever fall, and if they do, they always land on all four feet.

False

Even cats can be klutzes, and they often fall because they misjudge the distance needed for a successful leap, especially as they age.  They have been known to fall off rooftops, and to even wander off the edge of kitchen countertops.