My kids used to love the show, MythBusters. I’ll never forget listening to them laugh at an episode when Jamie and Adam tried to bust the myth that banana peels are slippery. It seems that all kinds of interesting myths surround our pets too, and today we’re going to bust some of them ourselves.
Spaying/Neutering is expensive and will change my pet's personality
Busted: There is no need to worry about your dog or cat’s disposition being altered after spaying or neutering. According to Kate Maher, DVM, “A dog's intelligence and personality is formed more by genetics and environmental factors than by sex hormones.” And luckily, spaying and neutering is covered by PetPartners' Wellness Plan. Our flexible wellness plan offers you a choice of receiving reimbursement towards spaying/neutering or a dental cleaning each year. You’ll only need to take advantage of the spaying/neutering the first year you have your young pet, so each additional year, you can have his teeth cleaned. It’s a win-win!
One dog year = seven human years
Busted: While a dog’s average lifespan is roughly 1/7 that of a human’s, it is not accurate to say one dog year is equivalent to seven human years, since dogs age much more rapidly during their first two years than they do in subsequent years. According to Dr. Kathryn McGonigle, clinical professor of internal medicine at Penn Vet, a dog’s first two years are equal to 15-24 human years. From there, the aging process slows down a bit. “After that, we think each year of their life is roughly equivalent to maybe four or five of our years,” says McGonigle. See the AKC Pet Insurance blog, Dog Age to Human Age for more on how size of the dog play into the aging process.
All cats hate water
Busted: This one is complicated, just like our pet cats. Dr. Katy Nelson, vet and medical advisor for PetMD suggests that cats don’t actually hate water, rather they dislike the loss of control they may feel when they get wet. Cats like being in control and tend to be finicky about their own appearance. When it comes to bathing, their mentality is, “I got this,” and they typically don’t want anyone else calling the shots in terms of getting their fur wet. On the flip side, many cats actually like running water and prefer to drink out of a faucet as opposed to still water. This may be instinctual, since in the wild, moving water is more likely to be uncontaminated. According to Nelson, as far as water is concerned, “When it’s their idea, they’re probably a big fan of it.” So, if you can get your feline to think bath time is her idea, you may have more success with bathing your cat when needed.
Don't believe everything you hear!
What myths have you heard about cats and dogs? It’s important to do your own research and consult with your vet before you believe everything you hear! There are many myths about pet insurance floating around, but our customer care team can be reached at 866-774-1113 and are happy to help separate fact from fiction!
