Common misconceptions about dog ownership, and the mistakes owners should avoid

In recent years, companion animals have brought joy to more and more families. But did you know? Some of our taken-for-granted dog-keeping habits not only harm the dogs but may also bring some conflicts to society. Only by combining a strong sense of responsibility with scientific care can companion animals thrive. Below are some misconceptions and the correct approaches.

1. Taking the dog out without a leash, letting it run and play freely - it is free, and I have less trouble.

Correct approach: if a dog suddenly runs out, even people who like animals cannot help but be startled, let alone those who know nothing about canine behavior. Getting lost, poisoning, fights, car accidents... a small leash can prevent many tragedies. Once danger occurs, with a gentle pull it is under your protection, and those who like dogs but are somewhat afraid are also more willing to get close to it.

2. Our whole family dotes on the dog the most; whatever we eat, we feed it.

Correct approach: a dog is like a child - what it likes to eat is not necessarily good for its health. The nutritional composition of human food does not fully match the growth needs of dogs. Scallions and onions can cause oxidation of red blood cells and trigger hemolytic anemia; chocolate reduces blood flow to the brain and can lead to heart disease; about three livers a week can cause vitamin A poisoning and calcium loss; seafood can make dogs allergic... Many human delicacies are seriously harmful to dogs, and high-quality dog food is the wise choice.

3. Bathing the dog frequently, and washing it even more often when itching or other problems appear.

Correct approach: bathing once every 2 weeks is more appropriate, and it is best to use a dog-specific bath product. Human skin is acidic, while dog skin is alkaline; its structure and texture are completely different from human skin, and it is much thinner than human skin. Frequent bathing, or bathing the dog with human bath products, will destroy its natural protective oils and cause various skin diseases.

4. My dog is the best-behaved; without taking it out, it can hold its pee and poop for a long time.

Correct approach: most dogs do not like to relieve themselves within their own activity area - this is their nature, but it does not mean it is good for their health. It should be trained to form the habit of urinating and defecating in the bathroom, or given enough opportunities to go out to relieve itself. An adult dog should not hold its urine for more than 10 hours; long-term urine retention can lead to various diseases of the urinary system and bring great suffering to the dog. Of course, when going out to relieve itself, do not forget to bring tools to clean up the poop.

5. Pet hospitals are all about swindling money; finding some human medicine at home to treat the dog is no problem.

Correct approach: the bodies of dogs and humans differ greatly, and many miracle human medicines can cause fatal allergies in dogs. Different breeds of dogs, and even one dog versus another, have different physical conditions, and the dosage is very hard to determine. Moreover, symptoms observed by a layperson's eyes are often inaccurate or superficial, and using medicine without authorization carries great risk. Do not reject all animal hospitals because of one disappointing experience.