Not All Bones Are Equal: 8 Dog Grooming Myths That Can Harm Your Pet

Myth 1. Dog clothes are for beauty

Jackets and boots are not needed at all for photo shoots and tenderness. Many breeds of dogs are not adapted to difficult weather conditions. Cloth need Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs and other miniature shorthaired breeds. For squat dogs such as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi overalls too come in handy. Their belly is close to the ground and can touch snow and ice. Protection from the cold is needed for thin, short-haired dogs and breeds that are regularly sheared, such as poodles.

Sometimes clothes can required even a husky or an Alaskan Malamute with a thick coat. For example, in old age: over time, the regulation of heat in dogs deteriorates.

Myth 2. Small breeds should not be dragged outside

Even a palm-sized Chihuahua is not enough to run on the balcony. A walk for a dog is not only an opportunity to relieve himself, but also get necessary physical and mental stress. From a long confinement in an apartment, the pet will get bored sooner or later, and this

will lead to unwanted behavior. For example, he will bark loudly, gnaw on furniture or chew shoes. Therefore, even representatives of miniature breeds need walk at least 20-30 minutes a day. The specific time depends on the state of health and activity of the animal.

By the way, even if you live in a private house and your pet has a spacious yard, it’s still healthy take him out of the area. So the animal will have more chances to explore the world around him, its sounds and smells, and also get to know and communicate with other dogs.

Myth 3. Dogs can be given food from the table

Few people can resist when a pet looks for a long time during dinner, begging for a piece of charlotte or sausage. But you still need to train endurance. Human foods are too nutritious for dogs and you can easily overfeed them. For example, a pet weighing 17 kilograms required about 1151 calories per day - almost two times less than a person. In 100 grams of the popular doctor's sausage contained 257 calories - 22% of the daily value for a medium-sized animal.

In addition, many familiar foods are dangerous for dogs. For example, yeast dough causes bloating, and milk - diarrhea. Feed chips, crackers and crackers too not worth it: Large amounts of salt can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or even convulsions. To avoid trouble, it is better to choose a special dog food that has all the nutrients, vitamins or trace elements.

Myth 4. Healthy Dog Diet - Raw Meat

If you are a supporter of natural food for the animal, and not ready-made stern, then it is important to monitor the balance of his diet. Dogs are different from cats are not strict predators. And while meat dominates their diet, they can get their nutrients from grains, vegetables, and fruits. Suggest pet wheat and rice bran, apples, corn and barley porridge and other foods rich in carbohydrates. In addition, in the diet must be sources of essential fatty acids, such as linseed and rapeseed oils, chicken and fish oils.

At the same time, some vegetables and fruits are contraindicated for dogs. Citrus fruits, grapes, avocado, onion and garlic it is better to exclude from the diet. If you are in doubt about what is healthy and what is harmful for the animal, consult your veterinarian.

Myth 5. Vaccinations are not needed if there are no other animals nearby

Anti-vaxurism also penetrates into the environment of dog lovers. Sometimes owners believe that vaccinations are not needed for their purely domestic dogs. But some diseases can be caught without direct contact with the carrier. For example, the deadly parvovirus enteritis virus persists in the environment for a long time. It's easy enough for a dog to get infected. take a walk next to traces of the feces of a sick animal. And sometimes a virus brings into the house and the person himself - through clothes or shoes.

Veterinarians recommend graft all dogs. The puppy should receive the first vaccine at the age of 9 weeks, and the second - at 13. After that, you need to do re-vaccinations every 12 months. As a rule, animals are vaccinated against canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, canine adenovirus and rabies.

Myth 6. Dogs benefit from meat bones

It seems that dogs' love of bones is a matter of course. But this statement is only partly true. Chewing bones is really helpful. It stimulates saliva production, helps prevent plaque and gum disease. And in this case, the dog will scratch and lick his paws less. But if you want to offer your pet such a treat, it is important to follow some rules:

• Choose a large raw bone. The boiled version is softer, so it will be easier for the animal to bite through them.
• Make sure that the pet does not chew the bone into small pieces. They can get stuck in the esophagus or upper respiratory tract. For the same reason, you should not offer him small chicken bones.
• Pick up the treat after 10-15 minutes and put it in fridge. You can store the bone for 3-4 days.

Also, you can look for an alternative. For example, offer special hard snacks for dogs - rawhide bones, meat sticks, dried pig ears.

Myth 7. Bad behavior should be punished with force

Physical punishment will only lead to aggression or fear of the owner. For example, if you hit a pet or grab it by the collar, over time it will start afraid your hands and get nervous at any touch.

If you see your dog chewing on furniture or digging in a flower pot, try making loud noises like clapping your hands or saying no. You need to react in the process, and not after the dog has done something. Do not overdo it: with a strong fright, the pet's aggression can spread to you or another animal. If you want to stop your dog from doing something specific, like rummaging through a trash can, make that place unattractive to your pet. You can install motion sensors that will react to the approach of the dog and spray compressed air.

Do not use physical force for training. Training should build up rewarding desirable behavior rather than punishing unacceptable behavior. Pick up the award, which motivates pet: offer him a toy, treat, or pet his head.

Myth 8. A dog should not be deprived of the joy of motherhood

Unlike people, dogs do not think about who will give them a glass of water in old age, and can fully live and no offspring. Uncontrolled breeding is one of reasons the appearance of homeless animals on the streets.

But even giving birth once before sterilization is not necessary. Pregnancy creates a great burden on the dog's body and can lead to health problems. Ideally, it is best to leave breeding to experienced and responsible breeders.

Veterinarians recommend sterilize dogs of small breeds at the age of 6 months or before the first estrus (from 5 to 6 months), large animals - after the cessation of growth. This usually happens between the ages of 9 and 15 months. The exact period in each case is best discussed with a specialist. Procedure reduces risk of developing breast cancer. It also helps prevent whining during estrus and spotting. Males are also worth castrate for the prevention of testicular cancer. In addition, they will not mark territory and fight with other males.