Dog Myths Vs Facts: Some May Surprise You!

This post contains affiliate links. 

Have you ever been told that dogs are colorblind just to read an article saying otherwise? Did your vet tell you that raw food was dangerous but your dog trainer told you kibble was unhealthy? From behavioral traits to health concerns, it seems as though everyone from dog owners to veterinarians has conflicting information when it comes to our canine companions. There is a ton of info floating around the internet about dogs, how to care for them, and how to understand them, but it definitely is not all completely true. Today I’m going to be sharing 10 dog myths vs facts and some of them may surprise you! 

Dogs are Colorblind

Myth! Dogs do see color, just not as vibrantly as humans do. Color is detected by something known as “cones” in the eye. Dogs have just 20% of the cones as a human does, so while they do see color it’s not on the same spectrum as humans. Dogs tend to see shades of blue, grey, brown and yellow. So while a ball appears purple to you, it likely appears as a shade of blue to your dog. 

Dogs Sleep in a Ball to Protect Their Organs

Fact! Your dogs sleeping position can tell you a lot about them. A common sleeping position for our furry friends is curled tightly in a ball. This sleeping position dates back to their canine ancestors, and is used to keep them warm and protect their organs. If you notice Fido sleeping in a donut like shape, he’s likely cold or in a place he doesn’t feel 100% safe.

Raw Diets are Dangerous

Myth! To feed raw or not to feed raw is a common debate in the dog community. Everyone has an opinion on the subject and at the end of the day you should feed your dog based off of veterinarian recommendation and what works best for you and your pup. However, raw diets are not dangerous for our furry friends-when fed correctly! Common concerns around raw feeding include salmonella and an unbalanced diet. If you do your research and feed raw correctly, your dog will not only be perfectly healthy, but will most likely thrive!

Long Nails Can Cause Arthritis

Fact! Not only can long toenails cause arthritis, they can cause other health issues such as damaged quicks and injured toe joints. If you can hear your dogs nails tapping on the floor as they walk, it’s time for a trim! You can trim your dogs nails at home with a good set of clippers and 6 simple steps, or you can bring them to the vet or groomer regularly for a quick clip. 

All Dog Breeders are Bad

Myth! While there are a few bad eggs in every basket, not all dog breeders are bad! It’s often thought that dog breeders are contributing to the rise in homeless pups, however, reputable breeders are not the problem. Good dog breeders help keep healthy, purebred dogs around. Without them, most dog breeds would eventually die out. Of course, you should always do your research when picking a breeder to avoid buying from a backyard breeder or puppy mill. When done correctly and responsibly, dog breeders do more good than bad for the canine community. 

Dogs Whiskers Help Them Get Around

Fact! A dog’s whiskers are little sensors that help them navigate the world. Whiskers have sensory nerves on them that help dogs determine dangerous vs safe situations in their environment. Dogs without whiskers are more likely to have a harder time navigating through their environment, leading to injuries and other problems.

One Dog Year is Equal to Seven Human Years

Myth! This is a very common myth when it comes to dogs. Dogs age at a much faster rate than humans, hence why their lifespan is much shorter, but the 1:7 ratio is not perfectly accurate. A dogs size and breed play a lot into how quickly they will age. For most dogs, they will age much quicker than 7 human years in their first year alone! However, after the puppy stage, their aging does slow down quite a bit. 

These days, dogs can live to be 15 or 16 years old! That is 112 in human years and most humans won’t ever live to see 100 so the 1:7 ratio has been debunked.

Dogs Need Mental Stimulation

Fact! Mental stimulation is something that many dog owners completely overlook. We all know that dogs need exercise, but physical exercise is never enough. Think about it, when you sit on the couch all day doing absolutely nothing you get bored-so why wouldn’t your dog?? Dogs need to be mentally enriched to avoid boredom. Visiting new places, working on new tricks, and playing with puzzles are great ways to mentally stimulate your pup. 

A Wagging Tail Means A Happy Dog

Myth! I’ve witnessed multiple dog fights where the owner states, “but he was wagging his tail so he was obviously happy!”. This is a huge myth that dog owners need to be aware of because it can cause a lot of issues down the road. Dogs do wag their tail when they’re happy, but they also wag it when they’re angry, stressed, or nervous. Understanding dog body language is so important to prevent a situation such as a dog attack.

Dogs Love Their Owners

Fact! A study done by Canine Cottages showed that a dogs heart rate shot up 48% when told “I love you” by their owners. Our dogs do indeed love us just as much as we love them. This is why it’s so important to understand them and their world so we can do everything in our power to make their lives as happy as they make ours. 

Which myth or fact surprised you the most?