Pets: Fact or Fiction?

Myth Versus Reality

Ever wonder why cats purr or dogs wag their tails?

There are various theories floating around to explain why our four-legged friends do what they do; some are true and some are false.

Below we take a look at some common animal behaviors and attempt to debunk the myth.

Cats Purr Because They’re Happy

Purring, for the most part, has been known to signal that a cat is happy. Although purring by domestic cats is usually a sign of contentment, purring, in general is a way for cats to communicate. Used as a self-calming technique, cats have been known to purr when they’re injured, nursing or even dying.

Cats Rub Against People as a Sign of Friendliness

While getting a friendly rub by a cat may be a sign of affection, it also serves another important feline function: scent-marking. Cats have scent glands in many parts of their bodies, and use them to ‘mark their territory’ by leaving their scent on objects they come in contact with.

Scent-marking is an important cat habit. By leaving their scent on everything they touch, they become familiar with the smells around them, thus helping them to establish or claim a particular person or object as ‘their own’.

Dogs and Cats Eat Grass Because They Have an Upset Stomach

Dogs and cats eat grass for a number of reasons; it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not feeling well. While some people believe dogs and cats eat grass as a digestive aid, they tend to eat grass (and other plants) because they like the taste.

If you find your kitty likes chewing on houseplants, you might consider providing her alternative things to nibble on, such as a small pot of grass or other young plants (avoid toxic plants that can threaten your cat’s health).