Here are some common misconceptions about dogs and cats, courtesy of onlynaturalpet.com . . .
1. A warm or dry nose means a sick dog
Regular fluctuations in the temperature and moisture of a dog’s nose are normal. Canine distemper used to be a prevalent virus which caused a thickening of the nose and foot pads. A cold, wet nose indicated the dog didn’t have distemper. Today distemper is uncommon due to vaccinations.
2. All cats are loners
Many cats love company and spending time with their humans. It’s not unusual for a cat to follow you around and try to ‘help’ with whatever chores you’re doing – from typing emails to wrapping packages.
3. Eating Grass = A Sick Pet or an Upset Stomach
It’s believed that grass is a normal part of the ancestral diet for both dogs and cats, consumed in the belly of their prey. Many pets eat grass because it tastes good, or because they crave certain nutrients missing from their food. While some pets vomit after eating too much grass, this is generally a side effect, not an intended result. If your dog or cat regularly eats too much grass and vomits, you should probably discourage eating grass and look for ways to enhance their diet.
4. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
You’ve heard it said a million times. But while this might be true for humans, it’s definitely not for dogs! Fifteen minutes a day is usually enough to teach the most stubborn dog to sit, stay and a few other fun tricks.
5. A purring cat is a happy cat and a wagging tail means a happy dog
Cats purr when they’re happy, but also when they’re anxious or nervous. In the same way, dogs wag their tails to show happiness, but also excitement, stress, or even aggression. Pay attention to the overall body language of dogs and cats to fully understand a wagging tail or a purr.
6. Giving supplements to pets is a painful & difficult process
Not true! Many supplements come in powders, tasty chewables, or even treats – and pill pockets can work wonders.
7. When pets lick their wounds, it speeds up healing
Licking a wound too much actually slows down the healing process. You can speed up the healing process and ease irritation with all natural herbal ointments and sprays.
8. An itchy pet is always a sign of fleas
Allergies are the most common cause of itching and licking, and there are other skin irritants and diseases which need to be ruled out as well when tracking the source of the itch.
9. Pets get stiff when they get old (FACT: They get old when they get stiff!)
Just like humans, you’re not old till you feel old! Keep your dog playing like a puppy and your cat playing like a kitten with joint health support.
10. Changing foods is bad for your pet’s digestion
Would you want to eat dry cereal 3x/day every day? And changing up foods means overall better nutrition too, as long as they’re healthy, high-quality foods.
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