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

What's Next

  • 1

    Call us or schedule an
    appointment online.

  • 2

    Meet with a doctor for an
    initial exam.

  • 3

    Put a plan together for
    your pet.

Screenshot 2023-03-03 at 12.15.06 PM