Our dogs hold a special place in our hearts. Their loyalty, companionship, and boundless affection enrich our lives in countless ways. However, along with our canine friends come a host of myths and misconceptions that have persisted over the years. Although well-intentioned, these myths sometimes lead to confusion and misguided beliefs about how to care for our furry friends.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the common dog myths and set the record straight.
Myth #1: It is okay to feed your dogs table scraps
Most of us consider feeding our dogs table scraps a harmless act of love. After all, how can we bear to reject those puppy eyes? This myth, however, can cause detrimental effects on our dog’s health.
When consistently fed, it may lead to obesity because it causes a spike in caloric intake on top of their regular meals. Table scraps can also be a choking hazard for your pups, especially cooked bones from meats like turkey and chicken. Cooked bones should never be offered because bones may splinter and get lodged in your dog’s throat or stomach.
Lastly, food that humans consume are likely to have ingredients that a dog’s digestive system simply cannot handle, e.g. higher salt & fat content. This can cause a stomach upset, causing nausea or diarrhoea.
Myth #2: Shaving your dogs down to keep them cool
We can all agree it sure does feel better when we get a haircut to counter the sweltering heat here in Singapore. But this definitely isn’t the case for our pets.
Contrary to popular belief, shaving down our pet’s fur actually robs them of their natural defences against harsh weather. Their coats have a built-in heating and cooling system. E.g. When it is too hot, individual hairs in their coat stand upright to maximise air flow, keeping them cool. There is the possibility of their coat not growing back completely too and without that protective layer of hair, they will not be able to regulate their own temperatures.
Myth #3: Dogs wag their tails only when they are happy
A dog’s tail wag is often associated with happiness, when in fact, it could convey a whole range of emotions. Depending on the situational context and your dog’s overall body language, a tail wag can also mean anxiety, feeling threatened, submission or even excitement, e.g. a stiff and rapid tail wag can indicate that your dog is feeling stressed or uncomfortable.
Myth #4: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
People often think that older dogs lack the ability to learn new tricks because they will not be able to absorb new information as well as a puppy. They are, in fact, very much capable of learning new tricks. However, due to factors like decreased learning capacity or physical limitations, it may require extra patience and persistence to teach them these new behaviours. Training and teaching your ageing dog not only strengthens your bond further, it also benefits their cognitive health and overall well being.
Myth #5: Dogs can only see in black and white
Dogs do see the world a little differently than we humans do, but they can see much more than just in black and white. Dogs lack some light receptors that allow them to see colour ranges of red and green, but they can see the colours yellow and blue, e.g. what we see as the colour red or orange will look like a shade of tan to our dogs.
Myth #6: A dog’s dry nose is a sign of illness
It is believed that a healthy dog has a cold, wet nose. Though a wet nose is more typical for a dog, a warm and dry snout does not mean that your pup is under the weather. Some dogs just don’t lick their noses often, or it could have just been exposure to the wind or cold that dried out their noses. Even taking a nap could be a reason for a dry snout!
Debunking these common dog myths is essential for promoting the well-being of our canine friends. Understanding these facts allows us to provide them with the care and attention they deserve! Remember, when in doubt about your dog’s health or behaviour, it is best to consult with your veterinarian for accurate and expert guidance.
