Hello friends!
A little while ago, I wrote a blog post called 15 CAT MYTHS DEBUNKED. Then I found that there are just as many dog myths floating around as there are cat myths, and figured it was debunking time again! Let’s set the record straight.
1. All dogs hate cats.
While this may be true sometimes, in many cases you’ll get a cat and a dog that are the absolute best of friends and live together in harmony.
2. A little chocolate can’t hurt
Yes, it can! Chocolate can be absolutely toxic to dogs, especially dark chocolate. So it’s better to stick to dog treats.
3. Only male dogs hump other dogs
Nope. Females do it too; humping is an act of dominance and is perfectly normal.
4. Indoor dogs don’t need heartworm prevention
Heartworm prevention is vitally important to a dog’s health and shouldn’t be scrimped on, even if a dog is an indoor dog, as heartworm can be spread by mosquitoes which could land on your pet.
5. A dog will be fine in the car as long as leave a window open
You wouldn’t leave your child in the car, so why a dog? Nobody should ever do this. Even on a cool day the heat inside a car can rise quickly, and this is even more dangerous on a hot day. Leaving your dog inside the car is as bad as placing your dog in an oven and turning up the heat. Leaving your dog in a car is also against the law in some places.
6. All dogs are colour-blind
This isn’t strictly true, as research has shown they are only red and green blind, so they probably couldn’t distinguish between the two, but to say they see in black and white is untrue.
7. You can calculate a dog’s age by multiplying human years by seven
This method is outdated. A dog is already considered a teenager at a year old, and extra years are added as they grow older.
8. Dogs wag their tail when they are happy
Whereas this is usually true, it isn’t always, just as certain facial expressions in humans don’t necessarily always mean the same thing. Tail wagging can also be a sign of fear or anxiety, or any number of things.
9. A Bitch (Female Dog) should be allowed to have one litter of puppies before being spayed
The same is said for cats, and I’ll say it again, dogs do not have to produce a litter before they can be altered. There is no evidence that proves this method offers any health benefits to a dog. Don’t forget the thousands of unwanted dogs and puppies in animal shelters already.
10. All large dogs are dangerous
Well, this one is certainly a load of rubbish. Would they have made St. Bernards into rescue dogs if they thought they were going to maul the victims? I don’t think so!
11. A dog gets all the exercise they need if they’re just let out into the garden
Well, in a word, no. Dogs need interaction with other dogs and humans, they love to explore, and nothing makes for good exercise as a good old walk. Letting them out into the garden for a while doesn’t even come close. A walk is simulating for a dog both mentally and physically.
12. A warm or dry nose is a sign your dog is ill
An occasional dry or warm nose is perfectly normal, as dog noses aren’t always cold and wet, so don’t panic! There are also several reasons why a dog may have a dry nose. However a runny nose or crusty build-up is not good, and in that case it’s safest to consult your vet.
13. Dogs hate postmen
Dogs are naturally protective of their home and family, so to a dog, a postman is a stranger who should keep his distance.
14. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
The oldest myth in the world, but it’s not actually true. While older dogs may have limited hearing or eyesight that makes it trickier for them to follow commands, there is otherwise no truth to this statement.
15. When dogs eat grass it means they’re sick
The same rule applies here for dogs as it does for cats, dogs just like to eat grass sometimes, so this is a myth.
I really hoped this has helped! I am not a dog expert, I am just passionate about animals and learn about them as much as I can!
Namaste,
Amanda x
Amanda's Treehouse 