I don’t know how often I heard the claim that ALL calicos are female. This is not the case. While most calico cats are female, there is the occasional male. Fact is that the majority of those calico males are sterile, because the color is linked to the sex.
Calicos require two X chromosomes which means the cat is a female. On some rare occasions however, a male calico will be born. The cause is usually an extra chromosome; instead of him having XY, he has XXY. About 1 - 3000 calico cats turn out to be a male and out of those males only 1-10,000 are fertile.
I also heard the myth that all orange cats are male
That can’t be true, because right at this moment I am looking at 2 orange kittens that I have raised a male and a female; brother and sister. The reason is that the orange male needs one copy of the O gene to produce an orange coat where the female requires the O to be on both chromosomes. If she has only one O she would turn out a Calico.
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The cat saliva which contains an allergen that causes allergic reaction in humans. Once a cat grooms herself, saliva is deposited on her fur which dries into dust and turns into dander or dandruff. These particles then are released into the air when a cat only moves about and especially when she is grooming or scratching herself. Brushing your cat doesn’t really help it either.
Word is getting loud that some research labs are attempting to produce cats that are free of the dandruff that causes allergies in people. They will try to use RNA interference to eliminate that particular gene in cats that produces the irritant, which is excreted through saliva and the skin.
So far, all cats produce the protein that will cause the allergic reactions in humans, even the hairless cat breeds.

If your dog pees on the carpet you should rub his nose in it in order to house-break him.
Wrong - All you will really achieve with this is that your dog will get sneakier in peeing on the carpet.
Only male dogs raise a leg to pee.
Wrong – Quite a few of the alpha females raise a leg as well, usually not as high as a male dog though.
Puppies should stay with their mother for at least 8 weeks.
Correct – This gives them the time to get weaned properly and learn how to socialize with their siblings.
Small dogs don’t need obedience training.
Wrong – There is no difference if your dog is huge or tiny, a dog is a dog is a dog. Obedience trained dogs have learned how to behave when and where and you will much more fun and feel much more secure on your outings.
Dogs are smarter than Cats.
Correct – Laboratory tests have shown that dogs are by far superior when it comes to solving problems, arrange puzzle pieces, learning tricks and commands, etc.

Summer is a wonderful time to spend time outside with your dog, however, many do not take the heat into consideration. People leave dogs in cars, take them for long hikes, let them chase after a Frisbee without end and then are devastated when the dog suffers heat exhaustion or in the worst scenario, a heat stroke and death.
None of the dog owners has the intention to harm their dog and usually a little bit of education can save a dog’s live, so please read on!
No living being should be left in a car, EVER! Not even for 5 minutes (because you never know what is going to keep your from coming back). If you see a dog unattended in a car, call the police!
It is a myth that long fur insulates a dog and keeps them cool. Imagine you were wearing a fur coat in the heat and you’ll get the idea. Trim your dog’s long fur in the summer!
Jogging, running, or hiking is good exercise for your dog. The moment your start sweating, you can be sure that your dog feels the heat too. Cool your dog by pouring some water on his belly, chest, and paws, never over his head or back! If your dog starts to slow down, be sure he has a reason for it and don’t push him to go faster.
I personally do not believe in dogs that are stuck in a back yard and left unattended most of the time, but many people think that is a good idea. So please do provide shelter and enough COLD water for your dog to cool down and stay hydrated.
Rule of thumb: If you feel the heat, your dog does too!

Chocolate is highly poisonous to your dog, because it contains a substance called theobromine which will make him violently ill. In many cases it has been fatal.
Mexican drug lords put a $300,000 bounty on US Customs dogs Rocky and Barco’s heads, because they did their job so well patrolling the border.
The basenji, a wild African dog, is the only dog in the world that can not bark at all.
Only humans and dogs have prostates.
The first dogs kept as pets by humans was over 12 000 years ago.
Some say dogs are color blind, but this is a myth. Dogs can see in color, just not as good as we do.
Basset Hounds can’t swim.
Obesity is the number one health problem among dogs in the
Dogs have two times as many muscles to move their ears as people.
Follow these Tips:
1. Gather the tools. The list is below.
2. Don’t do it alone, have another person help you..
3. Take the tweezers and grab the tick by the head, as close to the cat’s body as possible. Do not grab the tick’s body!
4. Slowly but firmly pull outward. Do NOT twist or jerk.
5. Once the tick came loose, drop it into the glass with alcohol where it will be killed and desinfected.
6. Apply hydrocortisone spray to the bite wound.
7. Thoroughly wash and desinfect your own hands and safely dispose of the dead tick.
Myths:
It is an urban legend to use vaseline, kerosene, nail polish remover, or rubbing alcohol to either suffocate the tick or force it to come out on it’s own. All this action will do is irritate the skin around the bite more and cause infection.
Keep treating the bite wound with hydrocortisone spray until it scabs over.
Tool List
Tweezers
Rubbing Alcohol in a glass
Disinfectant
Hydrocortisone Spray

Declawing is the surgical amputation of the first joint of the cat’s toes which includes the nail. It is illegal and considered cruel and inhumane in many European countries unless the declawing surgery has a medical benefit.
The surgery itself is performed using a guillotine-type blade and the cat will be under general anesthesia. Post-operative pain will be severe therefore pain control medication is often prescribed. Another procedure called tendonectomy involves the severing of the ligaments behind each of the cat’s toe, which then prevents the claws from being extended.
Cats were born with claws for a reason and that reason is to defend themselves and to hunt their prey. Depriving the cats of their basic form of defense as well as their tools for exercise and mobility is cruel and inhumane.
Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth
There is only one way to find out if you cat will tolerate to have her teeth brushed: go for it! Use a toothbrush and toothpaste for cats. Human toothpaste is NOT safe for cats. Simply open your cat’s mouth by lifting his lip at the sides of his mouth and start brushing carefully. Regular checkups at the vet’s should include a dental examination and regular cleanings.
Cleaning Your Cat’s Ears
You can use a Q-Tip, but be careful. Moisten it first with some water. Carefully wipe the exterior areas of your cat’s ears. Never insert the Q-Tip directly into the ears; the eardrum is very sensitive and easily destroyed. You can use a table spoon of Peroxide and let it drip into the ear. The cat will shake his head and get rid of the gunk that way himself.
Litter box and spraying can cause frustration to every cat owner. You will find help in understanding what causes the behavior to begin with. It’s could be caused by a urinary tract infection, a territorial response, new home, new baby, new litter box, new pet, new litter, not enough litter, the wrong box, location of the box, not enough boxes, you name it! Please be aware and understand that punishment is never the answer. It might make the situation even worse.
The first response to your cat not using the litter box should be a trip to the vet to eliminate any physical causes such as a urinary tract infection (the most common cause). Spraying is marking the territory. If your cat has not been neutered, you should consider it.
Most common reasons for declawing a cat are:
1. The protection of children in the household from getting scratched.
2. The protection of other pets in the household.
3. The protection of furniture, doors, curtains, etc.
4. It's a condition of the rental agreement (believe it or not!)
Reasons to support an Anti-decaling Law in the United States:
1. To declaw a cat is painful, inhumane, cruel, and considered a mutilation and amputation.
2. To declaw a cat deprives him of his most important defense mechanism and leaves him vulnerable to attack.
3. To declaw a cat means that he might develop other negative behavior issues such as biting or using everything but the litter box to eliminate himself.
4. To declaw a cat means the deprivation of the stretching and pulling exercise that is needed to develop strong muscles.
5. To declaw a cat means to deprive the cat of her stalking ability. A cat is meant to walk on her toes and will suffer tendon damage and arthritis in the long run!
6. To declaw a cat means to put the cat through the phantom pains. Yes, cats have those too and often turn neurotic.
7. To declaw a cat deprives the cat of the ability to scratch herself.