Common Myths About Pets—Busted

Animals do some pretty surprising things. From hard-to-resist cuddles to vicious squeals, a pet owner has probably seen it all. But here are common myths about them that are nothing more than stereotypes.

Although most parrots have the ability to communicate and many do, some parrots will never say a word. Why? For the simple reason that each and every parrot is unique. African Grey Parrots and Amazon Parrots, for example, appear to have a larger proclivity for mimicry.

Ornithologists still aren’t certain why some parrot species are more likely to communicate than others. Individual birds, even among species with a reputation for being good talkers, may never speak.

Of all the dog myths, this is the one that comes the closest to being true. When humans are in a state of stress, they may sweat more and release hormones that dogs may associate with terror. Fear, on the other hand, does not have a distinct odor; instead, it manifests itself through a mix of elements such as body language, pulse rate, and facial expression.

Fear is unlikely to be detected by a dog if it isn’t a smell in and of itself. Dogs, on the other hand, have a highly developed ability to read body language, and even the tiniest signs of dread will be detected.

While we know that black cats don’t bring anything but love and cuddles, for generations, they’ve been the topic of myth and folklore. A black cat crossing your path is considered good luck in Japan, but in much of Europe and the United States, the presence of a black cat is regarded as a sign of impending bad luck.

In Germany, the direction it walks makes all the difference. For instance, if the black cat walks from left to right, good times are ahead, but if it strolls from right to left, the opposite is true. In Scotland, it’s believed that black cats bring money, while these felines are believed to bring poverty in China.