Debunking 5 Common Myths About Man’s Best Friend

How much do you really know about your dog? Test your knowledge of man’s best friend by seeing if you’ve fallen for one of these common pet care myths.

Myth: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Reality: Your dog’s age isn’t an excuse for bad behavior. Unless your senior dog is one of the small portion of pets that experiences age-related cognitive dysfunction, he’s perfectly capable of learning new things. You just need to be patient and take into account the fact that your dog may not be able to see or hear as well as he did when he was a puppy.

Myth: All dogs like to be petted on the head.
Reality: When it comes to forms of physical contact, dogs are a lot like people. Many people find hugging and tickling to be acceptable forms of affection, but others pull away from this type of contact. If your dog does not respond well to being petted on the head, find a different way to show your affection.

Myth: Your dog’s mouth is cleaner than yours.
Reality: Your dog’s mouth contains plenty of germs from the stuff he eats off the ground and out of the trash, as well as the things he licks off himself. Your dog also doesn’t get his teeth brushed as often as you, so his mouth is full of bacteria and dental tartar. Fortunately, the germs in a dog’s mouth pose little risk to a human. As long as your dog is up to date on his shots, de-wormed, and not showing signs of illness, there’s no harm in getting a little “kiss” from your furry friend.

Myth: A dry, warm nose means your dog is sick.
Reality: The temperature and moisture level on a dog’s nose are not accurate measures of his health. A dog’s nose is often warm and dry when he has just woken up. However, if your dogs’ nose is persistently dry and/or crusty, you should make a vet appointment to check for other signs of illness.

Myth: Dogs have to eat meat to be healthy.
Reality: Dogs are not carnivores; they are more accurately described as omnivores or scavengers. A vegan diet offers dogs many of the same health benefits humans get from forgoing animal products. Dogs who eat a vegan diet are less likely to be obese, have better digestion, show higher energy levels, and have a decreased risk of developing cancer. A vegan diet can also help resolve cataracts and regress the symptoms of arthritis and diabetes. Max & Ruffy’s vegan treats are made with organic, human-grade ingredients to give your dog the nutrition he needs to live a long and healthy life.

Tags: dog myths

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