Animal Medical Center blog debunking common myths about cats.

2. Myth #1
• Cats don’t need to go to the veterinarian
as often as dogs do.

3. 82 million pet cats
72 million pet dogs
36% of cats go without veterinary care

4. Cats are masters of disguise
• “Hands off”
personality
• Aloof
• Independent
• Self-sufficient
• Silent diseases

5. “Silent” Feline Illnesses
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Dental disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Overactive thyroid
• Obesity

6. Signs of Feline Illness
• Nearly all feline illnesses
look the same
• Hiding
• Weight loss
– Except obese cats
• Poor appetite
– Except cats with over-
active thyroid

7. Without an annual veterinary
examination, significant illness will go
undiagnosed in your cat.

8. Myth #1
• Cats don’t need to go to the veterinarian
as often as dogs do.

9. Myth #2
• All cats like fish

10. Kittens’ taste preference are influenced by their mother’s.

11. Cat taste preferences
• Cats prefer the taste
of meat.
• Cats’ taste buds are
insensitive to salt
and sugar.
• Cats like food served
at about the same
temperature as a
recently killed
mouse.

12. Myth #2
• All cats like fish

13. Myth #3
• Cats love milk.

14. • Cats lack lactase
• Tummy upset from
milk products
• Lactose free products
• Beware of calories
– No more than 30
calories = 1/3 cup low
fat milk

15. Myth #3
• Cats love milk.

16. Myth #4
Black cats
are bad luck.

17. Why are black cats bad luck?
Medieval folk
believed witches
could turn into
black cats.
Charles I of England
was arrested the day
after his beloved black
cat died.

18. Myth #4
Black cats
are not bad
luck. Adopt
one today!

19. • The Animal Medical Center recommends
your cat see the veterinarian at least once
per year
• Cats should be fed a complete and balanced
diet
– Some cats like a fish diet
– Milk may upset some cats’ stomachs
• A lucky black cat is one you adopt