Ten Myths About Dogs

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Ten Myths About Dogs
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1. One Dog year is Equal to Seven Human Years

• According to the American Animal Hospital
  association the first eight months of a dogs
  life is equal to 13 years in human terms
• At two years of age your dog is about 21 in human
  years
• Aging differs among breeds of dogs a Lab may be
  considered old at 8 yr. while a Pomeranian is
  healthy well into the teens
• Nutrition and exercise help your dog live a
  longer and healthier life

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2. A Hot, Dry Nose Means a Fever

• A dog has a fever when a rectal temperature
  reading exceeds 102.5 degrees
• Thermometers are available at pet supply stores,
  using lubricating jelly makes the temperature
  taking easier on you and your pet

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3. A dog should go through one season before
being Spayed

• Puppies should be spayed at eight weeks of age
• Spaying before the first season reduces risk of
  mammary tumors and other forms of cancer

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4. Spaying and Neutering Makes Dogs Fat

• Too much food and too little exercise makes dogs
  fat
• Activity level of male dogs decreases after
  neutering so adjust food portions accordingly
• Obesity in animals is human driven, do not give
  your dog too much or the wrong types of food

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5. If a dog scoots his rear, he has worms

• Worms could be one problem, but this could also
  indicate infected anal sacs, fecal matter caught
  in hair, or foreign object that has not been
  digested and is not completely expelled from
  stools
• Keep dog well groomed
• Watch fecal matter for signs of intestinal worms
  (squirming segments of live worm or rice-like
  appearance of dried segments)
• Be alert for swollen areas on either side of tail
• Inspect fecal matter for foreign objects such as
  rubber bands

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6. A dogs mouth is cleaner than a humans.

• Have you seen the type of things a dog will eat
  or chew on!?!
• People with compromised immune systems and small
  children should avoid doggy kisses because some
  forms of illness, although rare, can be passed
  from dog to human

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7. Dogs eat grass when their stomachs are upset

• Some dogs constantly eat grass
• This activity on occasion may indicate a nutrient
  deficiency
• Dogs are not pure carnivores, they can live on a
  vegetarian diet and in the wild consumed
  vegetable matter when eating the stomach contents
  of prey animals

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8. Adding oil to a dogs diet solves skin problems

• This can help some skin problems, but the problem
  needs to be diagnosed first
• Problems caused by fleas and allergies will not
  be cured in this way
• Check with your vet before adding anything to
  your dogs diet so you do not cause unintended
  problems

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9. Brewers yeast and garlic control fleas.

• This wont hurt your dog but may not help either
• Other strategies for flea control such as
  shampoos, powders, collars, and other treatments
  are more effective

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10. A barking dog wont bite

• Watch for the dogs body language such as
  standing tall on his toes, leaning forward, fur
  over hackles is on end, eyes are steely glazed,
  growling or a guttural bark
• Always ask an owner before approaching a dog
• The safest place to pet a dog is under his chin

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Reference materials

• Dogs for Dummies by Gina Spadafori
• www.ack.org American Kennel Club Web site