All fur parents only want the best for their pets, but maintaining their optimal health can be challenging because they can’t communicate about their pain. That’s why it’s up to you to learn the truth about typical dog health myths and the best ways to keep your pet healthy.
Prevalent Myths About Dog Health
For every fact about pet care out there, there are a bunch of myths about them. How do you decide what to believe when someone tells you anything concerning your pet? The following is a rundown of the most widespread myths surrounding dog health.
Myth 1: It’s Okay to Give Human Food to Them
The dietary needs of man’s best friend are not the same for every dog due to age, breed, and health status differences. Pet owners often feed their animals scraps from their plates out of love and naivety, which is a big no. Humans and animals have significantly distinct digestive systems, dramatically affecting how well each can consume food.
In this light, it’s essential to stay away from things like berries, chocolate, milk, wheat chapatis, fried meals, and so on. Do not delay getting your pet to an emergency vet in Cordova, TN, if they show discomfort after eating these foods.
Myth 2: No Need to Brush Their Teeth
Even pets can develop dental problems. Tooth loss can impair your pet’s chewing ability and result in nutritional deficits. A bacterial infection caused by severe tooth decay can spread quickly, even to vital organs like the heart and brain.
Furthermore, eye care is essential, similar to how crucial it is to keep up with your pet’s dental hygiene. You must take your pet to a veterinary ophthalmologist if your pet has eye issues. This will allow them to diagnose your pet’s condition and provide appropriate treatment properly. Click to read more about pet eye care.
Myth 3: Garlic Can Prevent Parasite Infection
For obvious reasons, you should never offer your dog garlic. Overconsumption of garlic may lead to anemia and digestive issues. If you need help protecting your pet against fleas and ticks, your veterinarian is the best person to ask for guidance in this matter. Moreover, the parasites themselves are carriers of diseases that can affect both canines and humans.
If you see any skin issues in your pet because of parasites, you should immediately schedule an appointment with a pet dermatologist. If you are looking for a reliable pet dermatologist, you can find one on this page www.memphisveterinaryspecialists.com/site/dermatology-cordova.
Myth 4: They Eat Grass When They Are Sick
When feeling queasy or sick, some dogs will resort to eating grass. However, many dogs eat grass for reasons other than hunger, such as boredom, displacement behavior, or laziness. For some dogs, eating grass is a game. There shouldn’t be any issues or problems as long as the grass has not been chemically treated.
There is no need to stop your dog from nibbling on a small amount of grass as long as it doesn’t make them sick.
The Bottom Line
There have been innumerable urban myths about dog health that have been passed down through the ages. Debunking dog myths might be entertaining, but “common sense” that isn’t addressed can be harmful to your pet. This misunderstanding between dog owners and their pets often leads to dangerous outcomes. It is essential to determine what is true and false; this involves examining the reliability of widely held assumptions and beliefs.