Top 10 Dog Care Myths Debunked: What You Need to Know

Rumor 1: Pregnant Women with Dogs Lead to Abortion or Deformed Babies

While in recent years, the claim that pregnant women with dogs can cause miscarriage has been increasingly challenged by professional research data, many people still, out of concern or caution, choose to send their pets away when someone in the household is pregnant. The biggest risk associated with pregnant women and dogs is the infection from Toxoplasma gondii, but as long as the pet's vaccination is up to date and the expectant mother maintains comprehensive health checks and hygiene, the risk of the baby being affected by Toxoplasma gondii is very low. As an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii, if the dog becomes infected, the parasite will only exist in the dog's muscles and blood, and the dog's feces and excrement are not contagious. Therefore, as long as pregnant women do not consume dog meat, the likelihood of infection is minimal.

Rumor 2: Dogs Fear Heat, So They Need to Be Shaved in Summer

Contrary to popular belief, a dog's fur does not hinder its ability to dissipate heat. One of the significant roles of a dog's hair is to shield the skin from UV rays. If the owner shaves the dog's fur during the summer, it can leave the dog's skin exposed, increasing the risk of skin diseases. Moreover, some dogs' fur even has insulating properties, so pet owners should never shave their dogs. If a dog has long hair, and it's hot during the summer, you can trim the hair under the dog's belly and between the paws to help with cooling.

Rumor 3: Dog Urine Damages or Explodes Tires

There are no substances in a dog's urine that react with rubber, and the pH level of dog urine is not acidic enough to corrode rubber. Therefore, the impact of dog urine on the aging of rubber is negligible. The outer rubber of tires is designed for wear resistance and shock absorption, while tire blowouts depend on the internal reinforcing fibers and materials. Therefore, the aging of the outer rubber does not cause tire blowouts. Dogs urinating on tires is merely a marking behavior or a simple desire to urinate.

Some people also believe that a dog's saliva can heal wounds, so when they get hurt, they let their dogs lick the wounds. However, this can easily lead to wound infections, as dogs' mouths contain many bacteria, and the act of a dog licking wounds is purely instinctual. If you have any other questions, feel free to consult an online veterinary doctor.