The Pet Myths We've Heard Over the Years (Part 1)

As pet owners, we’ve all heard various rumors and myths during the process of raising our pets. Some of these myths have subtly influenced the way people perceive their pets and their care. Let’s take a look at some of the common myths in the pet world.

1. Pet Hair Will Be Sucked into Human Lungs and Cause Serious Illness Pets like cats and dogs often shed a lot of fur, especially during shedding seasons. Even though pet owners regularly use combs to groom their pets, it can still feel frustrating. However, the idea that pet hair could be inhaled and cause illness during grooming is pure exaggeration. The human body's defense mechanisms are layered and complex. The respiratory system's defenses are more than just nose hair; the nasal conchae also generate air vortices when foreign particles approach. Additionally, the many fine branches in a pet’s trachea act as natural defenses. Only particles that are too small to be seen by the naked eye might enter the human body, but pet hair clearly doesn’t fall into that category. Thus, the chances of pet hair entering the lungs and harming the human body are almost zero. Most people usually experience allergic reactions to pet hair instead. 2. Pets Can Spread Colds to Their Owners Respiratory diseases in pets are often caused by viruses and bacteria, with viral infections making up a large portion of them. These include canine distemper virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and some mycoplasma or chlamydia viruses. However, these viruses generally do not affect humans in everyday life. Of course, common colds in pets will not be transmitted to humans. But some diseases like leptospirosis, leptospira, and Q fever, which are more common in cats and dogs, are worth paying attention to for pet owners. 3. Pet Ringworm Doesn’t Transmit to Owners Many pet owners focus on their pets' fur and their colds, but neglect the impact of skin diseases like ringworm in pets. If pets like cats and dogs suffer from ringworm, they will have corresponding fungal infections on their skin. Fungi are highly infectious, and without thorough and repeated disinfection and cleaning, they can easily reinfect. Pet owners who come into contact with pets with ringworm are at a high risk of contracting it. Therefore, when pets like cats and dogs show signs of ringworm, fleas, or any red, swollen skin conditions, owners should take care to maintain appropriate hygiene and limit direct contact with the pet.