Dogs really are our best friends. With over 25% of adults thought to own a dog in the UK alone, it’s no surprise that so many myths surrounding dogs exist. However, it can be hard to tell what’s real and what is just a myth! This guide will explore everything that you need to know, to help you uncover the truth from the false – helping you to understand your pooch better, and keep them happy and healthy!
1) Dogs Can Only See in Black and White
Whilst it’s true dogs can’t see as much colour as humans, they can see colour, black and white! This myth stems from dogs having a much less vibrant sense of sight, with the colours they do see appearing duller and less intense. For example, bright green grass only looks slightly green to your pooch. This makes your dog’s sight less reliable than ours, which is why many dog owners believe that their dog can’t see colour at all!
A dog’s sight also depends on the breed. Many dog breeds can see much more than others, depending on the shape of their face, how their skin falls and possible infections and eye problems many breeds are prone to develop. Therefore, it is extremely important that your dog’s eyesight is checked regularly, and if you feel like your pooch may be losing their sight, go see your vet immediately!
2) Dogs Eat Grass When They’re Sick
Many dog owners immediately panic when their pooch starts eating the garden grass, as most dog owners think that this is their dog’s way of telling them that they’re poorly. It is not untrue that dogs are often sick after they eat grass, but it is not accurate to assume that your pooch has eaten grass to induce vomiting. Dogs are actually sick after eating grass as they are unable to digest the blades properly and therefore, vomit to get it out of their digestive system.
It’s much more likely (and widely considered amongst professionals) that dogs actually like the taste and texture of grass, as it stems back to what wild dogs would have had to eat many years ago. Therefore, although your pooch may vomit and show signs of illness after they’ve eaten grass, it isn’t a direct sign of them already feeling unwell. Therefore, it’s better for you to make sure that your dog avoids eating grass at all costs. When they’re in your garden, make sure to watch them and prevent them from eating the grass and no sickness will occur!
3) A Raw Meat Diet Is the Best Diet for Most Dogs
T
his is a very wide and controversial topic amongst dog owners, in particular, dog owners with larger dogs. Although it isn’t untrue that a raw meat diet has its benefits, it does cause your dog to have a very unbalanced diet, as they are not getting nutrients that can’t be found in raw meat.
Therefore, if you are currently, or are thinking about feeding your dog a raw meat diet, make sure that you are introducing other foods alongside it – ensuring that your pooch is having a well-balanced and healthy diet.
4) A Dry Nose Means Your Dog Is Sick
When your pooch starts acting strangely, one of the first things most dog owners do is check to see if their nose is wet or dry. The theory behind this being that if their nose is dry, then their dog is poorly. However, this is most definitely not the case. The truth is, a dog’s nose can feel cold and dry for many different reasons and blaming it on their health is not accurate or factual.
A dog’s nose may be dry due to sleep or lack of it, them being too warm or cold, exercise or simply due to the elements your pooch has been exposed to. Therefore, there is no immediate threat to your dog’s health when your pooch’s nose is dry - so there’s no need to panic!
5) Rescue Dogs Are Always Hard Work
Unfortunately, rescue dogs have been given a bad name amongst the dog owners community. Many people are under the impression that rescue dogs will automatically come with a lot of problems – from being nervous and shy, or really aggressive and unpredictable. Although undoubtedly this could be the case, it’s not true to assume this will only happen with rescue dogs when you look at the facts and figures.
When examining the data between vicious attacks that have taken place that involve both rescue and non-rescue dogs, it’s almost equal. Although many rescue dogs may be nervous at first due to a past of violence, abandonment and neglect, it is actually how the owner treats their pooch (rescue or not) that is going to have the biggest impact on how they respond and act in certain situations.
6) Dogs and Cats Hate Each other
We’ve all seen those cartoons where a dog and a cat seem to hate each other – with the dog chasing the cat away. However, there is no scientific evidence that proves this and with many households owning both a cat and a dog (and them seemingly getting on fine), there may be more evidence to suggest the opposite!
Although there have been countless stories about cats and dogs becoming best friends under the same roof, it obviously depends on the cat and the dog individually. This means that there is just as much chance of your dog or cat not getting on with any other animal, as there is with them not getting on with each other.
7) Changing Your Dog’s Diet Will Mess with Their Digestion
To some extent, this is true. If you’re planning on changing your dog’s diet drastically, it’s best to do this slowly over time (for example, if you’re planning on transitioning your dog onto a vegan diet). However, the diet change itself is something that should be encouraged – especially if it’s a change towards a more nutritious and healthy diet.
This myth seems to stem from people changing their dog’s diet too drastically in a very short amount of time, leaving their pooch with an upset stomach and in some cases, being very poorly. However, if the diet you’re transitioning to has been approved by your vet, there’s no need to worry. Dogs respond much like humans to new foods and your pooch may just need some time to get used to them!
8) Dog’s Teeth Don’t Need Brushing
For many dog owners, teeth brushing has never been part of any grooming routine as they believe a dog’s teeth never need to be cleaned. However, dogs can get a build-up of plaque, holes in their teeth and other teeth problems – just like us! Not only are their teeth not as strong as people may think, but a dog’s diet is also much richer than ours, causing plaque to develop even quicker!
Regular brushing (3 times a week at least!) is actually what most vets and dog health professionals recommend to keep your dog’s teeth and mouth as clean and healthy as possible. Therefore, investing in a good quality toothbrush and toothpaste is essential for every dog owner!
9) Garlic Can Help Prevent Fleas
Arguably, this is one of the most damaging and harmful myths out there! Not only does garlic do absolutely nothing to prevent fleas and ticks, but garlic can also be extremely harmful to dogs if digested. Garlic can actually damage your dog’s red blood vessels, making them much more likely to burst, which will cause long-lasting damage to your dog’s overall health.
This is not only the case with garlic, but it is also the same with the whole Amaryllidaceae family (this includes onions, leeks, spring onions etc). Therefore, it is advised that you always check the ingredients in your own food before giving your dog your leftovers! Although a small amount will often have no impact, it’s not worth the risk when it could cause some serious and painful reactions for your pooch.
10) Dogs Will Let You Know When They’re Sick
This is a myth that vets all over the world hear every day. A dog owner will take their dog to the vet and once they find out they have an illness or wound, are shocked that their dog didn’t somehow let them know. Although it is easy to think that your dog will give you some warning signs or might start to act different, this is often not the way many dogs respond when faced with an injury or illness.
In fact, it can actually be the complete opposite. For many dogs, it can actually be their natural instinct to try and hide their pain and act like nothing is wrong, as they are trying to protect themselves from potential predators by not showing any sign of weakness. Therefore, it is very important that your pooch has regular check-ups with your vet (or even simple ones by you) to ensure you are always aware when your dog is in any pain.
11) Dog’s Tails Wag When They’re Happy or Excited
To some extent, this is actually true! Your dog’s tail is much more likely to be wagging when they see you after a few hours of being alone, when their food is being put out or when playing, but it can also be a sign of stress and anxiety.
Your dog’s tail may start wagging when they feel uncomfortable, are in pain or are even frightened. This can become problematic when you believe that your dog only wags their tail to demonstrate happy emotions, as you miss an obvious sign that your pooch is in distress. Therefore, when you notice your dog’s tail wagging when there isn’t an obvious reason as to why, it may be time to evaluate the situation and start to wonder if they could be experiencing anxiety, stress or pain.
