December 14, 2011
Posted in Pet Health

People have kept animals as pets for centuries now, so over this huge span of time many pet owners have discussed the right and wrong methods of caring for their dogs. Although some of these ideas still ring true today, many misconceptions still exist and some may actually put dogs at risk.

Veterinarian Marty Becker spoke about some of the most common myths that many pet owners still believe today, including how often dogs should be bathed, how much certain breeds shed and more.

One of the most popular myths to date is that dogs should only be bathed a few times a year and that cleaning them more often is bad for their coat and skin. According to Becker, many believe that frequent baths will strip the animals' coats and skin of moisture. In truth, weekly baths with a gentle pet shampoo like oatmeal shampoo for dogs or Be Soothed Shampoo can actually make living with a pooch much easier as it will shed less and smell better as a result. More importantly, Becker reports that frequent grooming can actually help ward off some skin diseases.

Another common myth is that short-haired dogs shed less. However, Becker reports that this couldn't be further from the truth, in reality long-haired pooches shed less as they are genetically programed to keep their fur long, meaning less falls out. Although this myth might have been busted, owners of short-haired dogs can still keep the shedding to a minimum by using grooming pet supplies like the FURminator deShedding Tool for Dog. Starting it on a daily supplement like Nordic Naturals Omega-3 pet will enhance coat and skin health, making it less likely that the pooch will shed.

Most pet owners believe that they need to get their dogs vaccinated every year, in a sort of "one-size-fits-all' scheme. This is somewhat of a myth because all dogs need to get the core vaccinations such as rabies, distemper and bordetella, but other vaccinations may only need to be given in three-year intervals, depending on what your dog has the risk of being exposed to. These issues should always be discussed with a veterinarian to figure out what system will work best for your dog. Preventative pet meds used to ward off heartworms, ticks and fleas like Iverhart Max or Frontline Plus, should be used all year to protect your dog.

Other myths include anesthesia being dangerous for older dogs and that pain management isn't important for dogs – both of which were found to be false.

Related posts:

1. Decoding the pet nutrition myths
2. Why do dogs pant and other fun facts
3. Reasons behind shedding
4. What to expect from your cat when you’re expecting
5. How to reduce your dog’s shedding