People seem to have many myths about dogs and their health. Not long ago, I got into a conversation with one of my veterinarians while we were waiting for test results. It gave me a prime opportunity to ask about a few misconceptions that people have. Even my own father had one – the myth about a dog’s taste for blood.
We spoke about five in particular. It’s good to get a professional’s view about these fallacies.
Dogs should get bones.
In actuality, this is one of the worst beliefs about domesticated dogs. Giving your dog bones, especially chicken, brittle beef steak bones or pork chop bones can prove to be deadly for the dog. Some bones are extremely dangerous because they splinter in sharp chards and small jagged pieces. If one of these lodges in the dog’s throat, stomach or passes into the bowels and lodges there in the delicate lining, the dog’s life can be seriously endangered. At the worst, it can kill him; at the best, he may be saved with an operation or the vet can somehow dislodge it. It is not recommended to give the dog bones.
Cross bred dogs, mixed breeds or mutts are healthier than purebred dogs.
As luck may have it, dogs from either a mixed breeding or purebred dogs can develop health issues sometime in their lives. It all depends on genetics. There are some purebred dogs that are extremely healthy and the same can be said about mixed breeds. It really does not matter – purebred versus mixed breed – give the pet the best health care, food and attention you can, and the dog will have a lower risk of getting sick. And by all means, select the dog that is the best choice for you and your family.
Dogs get a taste for blood once they have been exposed to it
Much of this has to do with basic aggression but not simply due to “liking” a taste for blood. However, dogs are carnivores and they will eat raw meat readily. It isn’t ideal these days to feed raw meat for any reason to a dog. Stick with the best dog food proteins that you can get and feed your dog total, wholesome nutrition. This is partially true.
Ideal way to remove a tick from dog is with a match
Good grief, no. Best not to let anyone near the dog or you to remove a tick in this way. It’s dangerous at best, and not effective either. Lets face it, this method can and will cause lots of harm. Easy solution is to take a tweezer, grasp the nasty tiny tick as close to the dog’s skin as you can, and extract it with a firm grasp. Generously splash a disinfectant on it and check the location daily for a while to see if it becomes infected or gets a telltale red border or ring.
Nervous, skittish dogs were abused
This can actually be true in some instances. In actuality though, dogs are skittish or nervous or anxious for many reasons other than abuse. It is a challenge and takes a great deal of care to regain the trust of an abused dog. This is partially true.
We have many dog-related myths and most of them are exactly that. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian.
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