When it comes to caring for animals, there are many old wives' tales and misconceptions that have been perpetuated in the general public. Some have started to die slowly over the years, but many persist. While thinking that black cats bring bad luck or that frogs cause warts may be harmless superstition, the following 10 misconceptions about animals can have serious consequences for your pet's health:

1. I can save money by treating my pet at home instead of going to a veterinarian.

   The majority of illnesses in animals require the professional experience of a trained veterinarian, who can provide proper diagnosis and treatment. By delaying appropriate treatment, not only will your pet be at risk of developing further complications, but also, your total expenses likely will escalate. In addition, the cost of veterinary care as compared to the equivalent in human medicine is surprisingly economical.

2. Indoor dogs and cats don't need vaccinations and heartworm preventatives.

   In most states, rabies vaccination is required by law for all dogs and cats. There have been reported cases of rabid bats getting into houses, potentially exposing humans as well as pets to the fatal virus. Depending on your individual situation, other vaccinations may be recommended by your veterinarian as well. And because mosquitoes can enter the house, your pet will be susceptible to heartworm infection if it is not given a preventative.

3. The brother and sister that I kept from the litter won't mate with each other.

   Please do not make this mistake. Unneutered males and females will eventually mate, whether they are related or not. Congenital defects can result from inbreeding, so be sure to have all of your pets spayed or neutered by the time they are six months of age.

4. My cat is urinating outside of the litterbox because she is mad at me.

   Animals do not generally exact "revenge" on their owners by soiling the house or clothing. They may mark their territory if they feel it is threatened, but most cases of inappropriate elimination are due to a medical condition. Such problems include urinary crystals or stones, urinary tract infection or inflammation, and metabolic disease such as diabetes or renal failure. See your veterinarian if your cat is "going outside the lines."

5. My dog could have a heart attack if he gets too excited.

   Dogs and cats do not have true myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks. However, they can suffer valvular heart disease and heart failure. If your dog has difficulty breathing or coughs with exercise, you should have him examined by your veterinarian.

6. Cats are a danger to babies.

   The old wives' tale that a cat will try to steal a baby's breath probably resulted from a cat sniffing the odor of milk that can linger on the lips of an infant. Cats do not have the ability to "drain the life force" from an infant and probably will have little interest in getting that close. However, you should protect both cat and child from injury by being observant once the little one can grab the fur and the tail.

7. My dog should have a litter of puppies so that I can educate my children about the miracle of birth.

   There is a terrible pet overpopulation problem in the United States with both dogs and cats. Please educate children about birth by using books or videos. In addition, some people think that birth will make a dog calmer. However, going through a heat cycle or having a litter of puppies will not have any benefit to a female dog's calmness. There are many positive health benefits to having your dog spayed, including the reduction of the chance of mammary cancer.

8. I have to get rid of my cat because I am pregnant and don't want to risk getting toxoplasmosis.

   Even though the Toxoplasma gondii organism can be shed in the feces of cats, you can avoid infection by taking the proper precautions. Have another member of the household clean the litter box or wear latex gloves if you live alone. You do not need to give up your furry friend.

9. Crate-training a dog is cruel.

   Dogs view a crate as their very own safe den. It does take a short adjustment period for them to get used to the crate. After this time, though, they will feel that the crate is their territory. Be sure to become educated about how to properly crate train your puppy for the most rewarding experience.

10. Cats need to drink milk.

         Cats that are fed a good quality commercial cat food do not need any supplements except for the possible hairball remedy. Cats like the taste of milk, but because they become lactose-intolerant soon after weaning, they suffer when they drink it. Most cats will have gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and excessive gas production as a result.

      Have you fallen prey to any of these misconceptions? If so,  don't feel bad. The important thing is to seek accurate information about your pet's health, and to go to your veterinarian with any questions--that's part and parcel of responsible pet ownership!