In a previous blog post we talked about the myth surrounding dogs, skunks, and tomato juice. In this post we’ll focus on other myths you might have heard about, or even read about. We’ll get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding dog behavior and determine fact from fiction. Before we begin however, be sure to visit www.petful.com as they have helped with this post. Here is our list:
Dog Myth #1—Dogs Only Eat Grass When They Are Sick
This myth sparked my curiosity because I have watched my dog eat grass and not throw up after he finishes foraging. It turns out, that’s exactly what our dogs are doing. When they eat grass, it’s a natural instinct to search for food. Before dogs were domesticated they didn’t eat dog food, they ate whatever they could find. Animals, plants, berries, basically whatever they found on the ground. Your dog isn’t sick when he eats grass, he is simply looking for a snack.
Dog Myth #2—Dogs Hate Cats
We have a cat and to be honest, our dog gets along better with our cat than I do. Don’t get me wrong, I love cats, not just this one. This myth depends upon the personality of your dog. Some dogs are just meant to be only dogs and there is nothing wrong with this.
Dog Myth #3—Dogs Hate Postal Carriers, UPS Drivers, ETC.
It’s not necessarily the person that your dog doesn’t care for. Dogs have a natural protective instinct and it’s simply a reaction to the person ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door. If it’s a stranger they see, expect them to bark. When this happens at our house we find the mail near the back door, not the front. We even had a delivery driver refuse to drop off a package one day even though it was clear that we were home.
I put these three myths first because they are the ones that intrigue me the most. These are the ones we deal with on a regular basis at home. Here are the rest:
Dog Myth #4—Feeding Your Dog Table Scraps Eliminates Garbage and Waste
I understand this myth, even though to me it sounds a little odd. We’ve talked about table scraps several times in the past and we know it’s not good for our dogs to eat people food leftovers. Feeding your dog too much fat can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. If you want to give your dog a treat be sure to have plenty of snacks on hand, but give them in moderations…but never chocolate.
Dog Myth #5—Dogs In Cars Will Be Okay With The Windows Cracked
It’s still hot in the southern part of the United States. This being said, it’s important to remember just how hot it can get inside your car. Never leave your dog inside a parked car, even for a minute or two while you run inside the store. In some states, it’s against the law to leave your dog alone, even for a brief period of time. Leave your dog at home.
Dog Myth #6—A Dogs age, Multiplied by 7
We’ve always been told that animal years are seven times human years, but recently, this myth has fallen by the wayside. Veterinarians now report there is a much better guideline to follow. When your dog turns one, he is now the age of a twelve-year old, when he turns two, he is that of a twenty-four year old. Larger dogs age faster than medium or small dogs because of body structure. They also have shorter life spans.
In conclusion, these are just six of the myths that are out there concerning dog care. Believe it or not, there are many more. To see a complete list, visit www.petful.com.
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