Myths Debunked

There are several common myths about canine and feline behavior, traits, and characteristics. Some of these are true and some really stretch the truth. The most common myths and the realities behind them are as follows.

Myth 1: Dogs are colorblind.
Reality: False. Dogs actually have different vision than humans; instead of the three types of cone cells humans have, dogs only have two. They are not colorblind in the limited sense of only black and white vision. But they can only see objects in some of the colors in the spectrum. Scientists have conducted experiments with dogs to analyze the range of color they can see. It has been discovered that dogs see the world in black, white, and shades of gray, with red-yellow, and blue colors.

Myth 2: All cat’s eyes are reflective.
Reality: True. Actually all eyes reflect light in two directions using cone cells and rods. Cat’s eyes have a unique reflective surface called the tapetum that improves their night vision by doubling the amount of light that hits the retinal cells. This permits their eyes to remove diffused light inside the cell by propelling it back the opposite direction through the pupil in order to improve night vision -- so that's why cat's can see so well!! This special layer makes a cat's eyes glow brightly in the dark, especially when you shine a light near their eyes at night.

Myth 3: Cats and dogs have dreams similar to human dreams.
Reality: True. Cats and dogs do dream. They usually dream about and relive exciting or traumatic events. Just as humans have stages of sleep, so do cats and dogs. During the Rapid Eye Movement stage, humans and animals dream. Animals can be easily awakened during REM sleep, a useful protective device.

Myth 4: Cats and dogs have emotions and feelings like humans.
Reality: True and False. Cats and dogs can act out of frustration, stress, fear, anger, affection, revenge and contentment. Like people and all animals, they react to stimuli. But labeling these reactions as emotions is going too far for most experts. Differentiating between reactions, which are observed to occur in patterns, and emotions, which are subjective and often unable to put into patterns is key to sorting out this dilemma. Currently scientists mostly agree that animals do have emotions, but that these are different from human emotions; it is necessary to study animals on their own terms, not comparatively.

Perhaps, as we study our canine and feline counterparts, we will more fully be able to comprehend them, thus being able to interact with them on a more mutually satisfying level, and eventually leading to a more enriching relationship with our animal companions.