top of page
Writer's pictureMarcy Santos

Pet Health Myths Debunked

You may have heard one (or several) of these pet health myths before. Misconceptions about your pet’s health are abundant. Read below to learn to differentiate the facts from the fiction.


Brushing your Pet’s Teeth isn’t Necessary

Failing to brush your pet’s teeth regularly can result in gum disease, and your pet is not immune from tooth decay. If you don’t brush your pet’s teeth on a consistent basis it can negatively affect his or her quality of life. If you are having trouble getting your pet to accept having his or her teeth brush, ask your veterinarian for tips.


You Don’t Need Flea and Tick Prevention in the Winter

Fleas and ticks can still be active even in colder weather. Furthermore, winter temperatures can fluctuate, leaving your pet still exposed to fleas and ticks year-round. This medicine should never be skipped. Talk to your veterinarian about the best options for flea and tick prevention.





A Dog’s Nose is an Indicator of Health

This might be one of the most common pet health myths of all time! Most people have heard that their dog’s nose in some way serves as an indicator of his or her health. In fact, there is no evidence that a dog’s nose has anything to do with its health at all. A variety of factors can affect the temperature of his nose, including the weather or genetics. An animal’s nose changes temperature throughout the day. If you think your dog might be sick, the best thing to do is to take him to the vet.


Cats Drink Milk

Most of us have probably seen a depiction of a cat drinking milk before. However, milk is not good for cats! Cats are unable to break down the lactose in milk, and therefore drinking milk can make them sick. Next time you want to give your cat milk, give them water instead.


Pets and People Don’t Share Illnesses

Unfortunately for both pets and people, this is not true. There are several diseases that can be transmitted between people and their pets. A few of these include roundworm, ringworm, and hookworm. To reduce the change of contracting a disease from your pet, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after each interaction.


What pet health myths have you heard? Were any of these surprising to you?

Opmerkingen


bottom of page