Waggles Blog — dog flea
Common Dog Myths That Are Total Bully Sticks! 0
They may be man's best friend but our furry companions are still pretty mysterious at times, and as humans we crop their behavior up to silly sayings or assumptions a lot of time. Here's a list of common myths us humans have assigned to our dog friends through the years that are plain untrue and reveal what could really be going on with your pet.
1. Eating Grass Means An Upset Stomach
Owners have often believed that when their dog is munching on grass outside it means they're attempting to make themselves throw up due to an irritated stomach. While some dogs vomit after eating too much grass, this is generally a side effect, not an intended result on the part of the dog. If your dog regularly eats too much grass and vomits, you should probably discourage eating grass and look for ways to enhance their diet
Dog's ancestors have eaten grass throughout the ages, or absorbed it through the digesting the stomach's of their prey. Some dogs simply eat grass because they think it tastes good or they're craving a form of nutrients that is missing from their food.
2. Weekly Baths Are Good For Your Dog
This is one of those myths that is applied across all dog breeds, when really it's only true for some. Over bathing your pet is actually more common for people who live by this mantra, which can lead to skin irritation. If you do have to bathe your pet weekly, we an all-natural, gentle cleanser formulated to protect and support sensitive skin and coats.
3. A Dry Nose Means Your Dog Is Sick
Just like us, your pet's temperature and regulation of their temperature fluctuates often so varying levels of moisture on their nose is normal. If your pet's nose isn't overly dry, cracked or inflamed and they are playing and acting as they usually do, then there is nothing to worry about.
4. A Wagging Tail Means A Happy Dog
They may look super cute when they're jumping around, wagging their tails but that doesn't always mean they're happy or having a good time. A wagging tail can also be an indication of stress or anxiety, or even aggression depending on the situation. You should pay attention to the overall body language of your pet to fully understand the intent behind their wagging tail.
5. An Old Dog Can't Learn New Tricks
I wish we could pin-point where and how this turn-of-phrase came to because it is simply incorrect. Dedicating 15 minutes here and there throughout your day to teach your dog basic commands or tricks is all it takes to teach a dog something new, at any age. Dog's especially are always willing to learn or investigate something new, as long as it's repeated, integrated into their routine, and positively reinforced. Don't doubt our old dogs, they're the best!
6. Dogs Get Stiff When They're Old
In fact this myth is quite the opposite, dog's get old when they get stiff! Just like for us, a sedentary life isn't entirely healthy and the more exposure to consistent exercise helps support strong bones and muscles. Keeping your dog active and having fun is the best way to prevent a stiff, seemingly 'old' doggy.
7. Dog's Have Clean Mouths
We've all heard the ratios about the amount of bacteria in a dog's mouth versus ours or versus a toilet set and so on. The truth of the matter is dog's eat their own poo so they can't truly be that clean. Although dog's have powerful saliva and are regularly self-cleaning and pruning their tongue - this does not mean they have clean mouths.
8. Garlic Is An Effective Remedy For Fleas & Ticks
Not only does garlic do nothing to improve a bad flea or tick condition, but garlic ahs also been known to cause something called hemolytic anemia in dogs, a condition where the body attacks and destroys it's own red blood cells. Of course, this doesn't always happen as a result of your dog eating garlic but it's best to play it on the safe side and not let them around it.
9. Dogs Are Colorblind
Dogs actually can see color, but they don't see the same range of colors as humans or nearly as many. Instead a rainbow made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, they see a study in shades of khaki, ranging from brown through yellow and mustard to blue.
However, their unique eyesight does allow them to see better in the dark.
10. Dogs Heal Their Wounds By Licking Them
In reality, if a wound heals faster after a dog licks it, that's because his rough tongue has been removing dead tissue and stimulating circulation, much like a surgeon would debride a wound. On the other hand, licking wounds can sometimes cause more harm than good by introducing bacteria and/or irritating the wound.
