When it comes to our furry, feathered or finned friends, we all want to do the best by them. They’re part of the family after all! Unfortunately, not all the advice you might hear is as accurate as you might hope. Here are ten pet care myths that may do more harm than good to the animals in your life.
Featured Image Credit: Milkos /Depositphotos.com.
Dogs Need to Eat a Grain-Free Diet
Wait a second before you jump onto the grain-free bandwagon for your dogs as they actually benefit from grains in their diet. They include lots of good stuff like carbs, fiber & essential nutrients. Unless your pooch has a specific allergy, ditching grains could mess with their nutrition so you should always speak with your vet first.
Cats Always Land on Their Feet
Cats are quite agile—but they’re not superheroes. Most of the time, they can twist mid-air and usually land on their feet yet they can still get seriously hurt from high falls. You should keep windows & balconies secure—safety first so that your kitty doesn’t end up testing this myth the hard way.
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A Dry Nose Means a Sick Dog
If you’ve ever felt your dog’s nose & panicked because it wasn’t its usual wet self, you can relax. A dog’s nose can go from wet to dry for reasons that have nothing to do with their health. For example, it could be the weather, the room’s humidity—or that they might have just woken up! Either way, keep an eye out for other signs if you’re worried but a dry nose alone isn’t a red flag.
You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Whoever came up with the idea that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” never tried. While older dogs are often set in their ways, they’re still absolutely capable of learning new things. It might take a bit more patience & maybe some tweaks in how you teach them—but don’t underestimate your senior pup. They might just surprise you with what they can learn!
Indoor Cats Don’t Need Vaccinations
Even if your cat doesn’t go outside, they’re not living in a bubble as they can still catch viruses. After all, they can hitch a ride into your home on shoes, clothes—or even other pets. You need to get them vaccinated regularly regardless of whether they go outside. Don’t you want them to be safe?
One Human Year Equals Seven Dog Years
Here’s something more myth than math—“one human year equals seven dog years.” In fact, dogs age a lot faster during their first couple of years and even then it varies by breed & size. Smaller breeds often outlive their larger cousins! You should avoid this rule whenever you’re trying to measure their age as you might grossly under- or overestimate their abilities.
Dogs Eat Grass Because They’re Sick
Seeing your dog chow down on grass makes you think they’re trying to tell you something’s wrong. However, it’s not always a sign of illness—-some dogs just like the taste! In other cases, they might be bored. Either way, it’s not always a cause for concern when they’re chowing down on grass, even if they throw up afterward.
Tail Wagging Always Means a Happy Dog
A wagging tail doesn’t always mean “come pet me” because dogs wag their tails for lots of reasons. This includes excitement, anxiety—or even aggression. You have to pay attention to the context by looking at their whole body & listening for vocal cues. This will give you the full picture of how they’re feeling—it’s doggy language 101.
Fish Only Grow to the Size of Their Tank
Fish won’t grow to fit their tank and we’re not sure why so many people believe it. Keeping a fish in a tank that’s too small actually harms their growth & health. Fish need space like the rest of us. Make sure their tank matches their needs—they’ll be more comfortable that way and likely to live longer.
Bathing Your Dog Every Week is Healthy
You might think giving your dog a bath every week keeps them extra clean & healthy but hold up. Over-bathing strips away natural oils from their fur, leading to dry skin and irritation. Unless your furry friend has rolled in something they shouldn’t have or your vet tells you otherwise, they usually don’t need a bath more than once a month. Let them keep their natural, healthy coat!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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