True or False

True

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the nutritional standards for pet foods sold in the United States and is recognized in Canada. The nutritional adequacy of pet foods is generally determined by one of two methods based on nutritional levels and procedures defined by AAFCO: the formulation method and the feeding trial method, with the feeding trial method being superior.

False

It is okay to feed your cat tuna from time to time instead of commercial soft food but, you should never feed your cat a diet that consists only of tuna. Tuna alone is not nutritionally complete and most fish contain trace amounts of mercury which will accumulate and lead to mercury poisoning.

True

In both humans and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas in humans, but it does in dogs.  The sudden release of insulin causes a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), within 10-60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. The most common source of xylitol poisoning that Pet Poison Helpline gets calls about comes from sugar-free gum.

True

The common belief is that animals keep warm with conduction, where a layer of air is trapped in the fur and slowly heated by the temperature of their bodies. When the fur becomes wet, the air is no longer trapped in the fur. The latest research shows that radiation may also be involved.

True

Although they will grow back, whiskers are actually touch receptors. These longer, stiffer hairs, also called vibrissae, are embedded more deeply in the cat’s skin and are rich in nerve endings. The vibrissae send information about the surroundings directly to the cat’s sensory nerves, giving it a heightened sense of feeling and helping the cat to detect and respond to changes in its surroundings.

False

Although pets that eat dry food may have slightly cleaner teeth, eating kibble instead of canned food does not prevent periodontal disease.

True

It is the number one recommended way to prevent plaque and tartar build up, but can be used in combination with other products. For a complete list, you can refer to the VOHC website.

False

Anesthesia free dental cleanings provide no benefit to your pet’s oral health. Scaling (scraping with an instrument) teeth is not only risky in that the gums can be injured, but only makes teeth whiter in appearance, so they give you a false sense of security that your pet has a clean mouth, leaving periodontal disease undetected and untreated. In addition, it leaves a rough surface on which plaque will accumulate more easily and quickly.

False

Very hard objects or chew toys can actually fracture chewing teeth.

True

Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly as well as providing other plaque reducing products, treats or food will help greatly reduce plaque build up, which leads to periodontal disease.