.png)
10 Myths About Pet Care That We’ve Believed Were True for Years
57% of families worldwide own a pet, according to statistics. And all of us try to provide our pets with the most love and care we are capable of. However, we can sometimes make mistakes because of common misbeliefs.
We at Bright Side have collected some myths about pet care and revealed the truths about them.
Myth #1. A warm nose means your dog is sick.
In fact, there is no evidence that your dog’s nose temperature can be of any value in diagnostics. The temperature may vary because of different reasons: overheating, genetics, or even normal temperature fluctuations during the day.
If you think your dog is sick, doctors advise you to pay more attention to their behavior, the way they eat, drink, urinate, or defecate. And, of course, use an actual thermometer to assess a dog’s temperature.
Myth #2. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Actually dogs are trainable, regardless of their age, if you have enough patience, practice as much as possible, and properly motivate them.
And maybe you have heard about Chaser, the world’s smartest dog, who has reached senior status and was still learning new tricks even in its old age.
Myth #3. Human food is not harmful for your pet.
There are some products from your own table that can be good for your pet, like meat, steamed or finely chopped veggies, and fruit. Of course, only healthy leftovers could be a good supplement to your pet’s regular fare and they should not have any junk food.
Moreover, some of the foods that are totally healthy for humans, can cause severe intestinal damage to pets, like for example, grapes, avocados, onions, and garlic.
Myth #4. Dogs and cats need vaccination boosters annually.
Vaccinations are indeed very important for your companion’s health. However, they don’t need “boosting.” Research has shown that a single vaccination for parvovirus, distemper, and panleukopenia results in long-term protection from the diseases — from 7 years to a lifetime of protection.
A very simple blood test can detect if your pet has enough antibodies to resist infection. So the next time your veterinarian insists on a booster shot, you can ask them to do this blood test first.
Myth #5. When pets lick their wounds, it speeds up healing.
Licking a wound too much slows down the healing process instead of speeding it up. In fact, there is a big risk that a wound that is licked too much may get irritated or even infected.
Veterinarians advise using antiseptic sprays or washes in the case of small wounds, but if there is a deep one it should be seen by a doctor.
Myth #6. It’s OK to keep fish in small glass bowls.
Despite the fact that glass bowls are very popular for keeping fish, like goldfish, in them, they actually make terrible homes for them. These bowls are usually small and don’t hold enough water for a fish to feel comfortable. In addition, because of the small amount of space, glass bowls do not provide enough oxygen, which is very important for fish.
If you want to have a fish as a pet, a rectangular or square tank would be a better option, since they have a larger surface area.
Myth #7. You can teach any parrot to talk.
It is definitely true that most parrots have the capability to talk. However, there are some types that don’t. That’s why you could spend countless hours teaching your pet bird to speak, but there will be no results. So it’s very important to check and see if your pet is capable of talking at all. But still, some parrots may learn only few words, while others will talk all day long and have a large vocabulary.
Myth #8. Changing foods is bad for your pet’s digestion.
Image yourself eating the same food, 3 times a day, every day? You wouldn’t like it much, would you? The same is true for your pet. Changing your pet’s food is healthy and provides better nutrition, as long as the products are high-quality. The variety is important for your dog or cat, and they can eat different meals without having any issues.
Moreover, veterinarians say that giving them the same food repetitively can cause the development of sensitivities to any particular food or protein type in the form of allergies.
Myth #9. Cats need milk.
Contrary to popular belief, cats can’t digest the lactose that standard cow’s milk contains. For your pet, consuming milk can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other intestinal issues. Moreover, veterinarians explain that milk contains way more calories that a kitten needs per day.
Myth #10. It’s not safe to sleep with your pet.
If you and your pet are both healthy, it’s absolutely safe to sleep with your companion in the same bed. In addition, studies show that it is actually good for your health and helps you to relax.
And despite the common belief, sleeping with your dog in the bed will not cause any behavioral issues, so go ahead and spend as much time with your loved one as you want.
Did you believe in any of these myths before reading this or do you know about any others? Share your advice in the comment section below.
