Pet Parent Roadmap: PET MYTHS

I started a new video series called the Pet Parent Roadmap - a Live series that comes out each week discussing a new Hot Topic in the pet parent world.

WEEK ONE: I started my first week talking all about Flea & Tick Prevention.

I already have a blog post all about that plus a Mini Course to dig even deeper into the topic and learn the ins and outs of doing pest control effectively & naturally.

The blog post can be read HERE & the Mini Course HERE.

Each accompanying blog post is all about what I talked about in the LIVE video with additional resources and insights.

WEEK TWO: I chose to debunk 10 pet myths that I commonly hear from other pet parents.

This was a really fun one and I can't wait for you to check it out below :)

Now let's get ready to debunk some common pet myths!

MYTH #1: Dogs & Cats eat grass primarily to settle their stomachs.

Oftentimes when we see our pet eating thick blades of grass in the Springtime it is because, to them, it smells like protein. They are carnivores and they LOVE protein, so this makes sense.

Not to mention that many pet foods (I'm talking about kibble and lower quality canned foods) contain highly processed proteins - both animal and plant - which is not readily available to be digested and used properly in their body. So what does that mean? Their body is CRAVING what it needs....PROTEIN.

Dogs and cats will often eat a bunch of the grass and then proceed to vomit. This is because they are not capable of fully digesting plant protein and therefore the body forces it out.

On the other hand, dogs do self-medicate just like their wild ancestors.

Have you ever noticed your dog picking and choosing which weed, plant, or specific grass to eat? It could be that she is self-medicating because her body is telling her she needs something and is instinctually looking for that missing piece.

Quick Little Story Time:

I know a lovely Bernese Mountain Dog who did just this. I used to be her dog walker and on every walk without fail she would walk past this certain plant and grab a mouthful of its' leaves. She never did this to any other plant/grass/weed on our walks just this specific one.

I became curious and looked it up - the plant was an echinacea plant which is used for boosting the immune system. To me that was no coincidence and solidified the idea that our pets haven't lost that instinctual skill....pretty amazing, right?

MYTH #2: There is more harmful bacteria found in raw food diets than there is in kibble.

Vets will often use this as a deterrent for pet parents to feeding raw food.

BUT, there has actually been more recalls due to harmful bacteria in kibble foods than there have been for raw diets.

Safe handling for foods when preparing or feeding your pet is important for all types - kibble, raw, or otherwise.

Here is some math for those of you that like the data:

An article by Susan Thixton wrote an article titled "2019 Through 2022 Pet Food Sales And Recalls" and breaks down the recalls between 2019-2022.

Over those 4 years this is the breakdown:

• Dry pet foods were 84% of all recalls.

• Canned pet foods were 14% of all recalls

• Refrigerated/Frozen pet foods were 2.9% of all recalls."

As you can see, dry pet foods take the lead on recalls and raw pet food has the least.

The main 4 reasons for those recalls during this time frame were due to Aflatoxin, Vitamin D or other mineral/vitamin excess, pathogenic bacteria (such as Salmonella), and foreign objects.

If you'd like to read the full article, you can read it HERE.

MYTH #3: It is safe for Dogs & Cats to eat cooked bones.

Cooked bones are not safe to feed your pet. They can splinter and puncture their mouths and GI tract leading to serious health issues.

It is much safer to feed raw bones. You can buy them at your local grocery store, butcher, or even in the frozen section at your local pet store.

As with any chew - choose the appropriate size for your dog and always monitor while chewing.

I have an entire blog post about different chews to give your pet whether they are a light, moderate, or heavy chewer. More info on raw bones and other options too. That blog post is HERE.

MYTH #4: Dry pet food (kibble) helps reduce tartar buildup on teeth.

This is probably the most common misconception I hear from other pet parents and even vets.

Hear me out...

All kibble contains carbohydrates - it is what gives the kibble its' shape.

Carbohydrates get sticky with saliva and get stuck in the crevices of their teeth. It is difficult for them to remove it with their tongue, unlike if it were a wet or raw food where they could easily drink some water or run their tongue over their teeth and remove the leftover pieces.

Let's think about this logically...

When we eat a bowl of cereal or a crunchy granola bar it is common for that to get stuck in our teeth, right? Luckily we can brush our teeth or swish some water around to help loosen that up.

Now let's think about our dogs and cats. They aren't going to the bathroom to brush their teeth nor are most pet parents grabbing the toothbrush after each meal to get those kibble pieces out. Overtime that leads to a buildup of tartar and plaque on the teeth that may lead to more serious health issues.

MYTH #5: Cats don't like water.

This one is just a fun one. I have know cats that will jump in the shower with their owner and sit happily under the stream of water. I also know plenty of cats that cringe away from even the slightest hint of water like it burns them to the touch. I can also say the same for dogs.

My pup, Archie, hates water. If it is even sprinkling outside he will refuse to step a paw outside to pee. And then you have the dogs that will jump off a dock happily into a lake and have the best day ever.

Animals are like us. They have personalities, likes, and dislikes....it is what makes them so unique :)

MYTH #6: A dry, hot nose indicates a sick dog.

All dogs are different so this is not a clear indicator for whether your pup is sick or not. A healthy dog can have a cold, wet, hot, or dry nose,

If you suspect your pup is not feeling well, look for other signs that would give give a clearer idea, such as lack of appetite, loose stool, vomiting, lethargy, etc.

If you are concerned, consult with your vet.

MYTH #7: Dogs & Cats have adapted to a eating a cooked processed diet.

Surprisingly processed pet food (like kibble and canned food) have only been around for about 60 years. That is not nearly enough time for their species to have adapted fully to this processed food.

Their ancestors required animal protein and fresh whole ingredients from nature to thrive which is not obtained from a highly processed kibble.

Their bodies have not fully adapted in the 60 years since processed food has been around, plus it was created as more of a convenient way to feed our pets rather than as a health benefit for them.

Chew on this:

Even if minor changes have been made in their genetic make up to be more efficient at processing starches in dry foods, it isn't nearly enough to say that they can thrive on it. Many can survive, but how many are thriving?

With the high numbers of obese, allergy-ridden pets it doesn't look like many pets are doing so well with the highly processed kibbles out there

Feeding kibble everyday to your pet would be like us eating the same bowl of cereal every day for every meal - we wouldn't be at our healthiest...and neither are our pets.

MYTH #8: Cats can & should drink milk.

Although some cats will do okay with this, most cats (and most species) become lactose intolerant as they reach adulthood.

Kittens are able to have their mother's milk or a specific formula replacement if orphaned, but they wouldn't do well on just plain cow's milk right out of the refrigerator.

If you have your heart set on giving your kitty milk try goat milk or kefir. Here are some great brand options: Answers Pet Food goat milk or kefir OR Open Farm Organic Kefir

MYTH #9: Garlic is toxic to dogs.

This misconception stemmed from a very unrealistic study where a very large dose of garlic was fed to dogs and you guessed it...they didn't have a good reaction to it!

In this study, they fed a 75lb dog 4 FULL heads of garlic or in other words about 60 CLOVES! It's no wonder they got sick!

By feeding fresh garlic in the proper dosage this can most definitely be avoided and your pet will gain a whole lot of health benefits from it!

Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic (great for pest protection!), anti-cancer, a liver enhancer and body detoxifier and that's just naming some of the benefits that it has on health.

Pet Parent Tips:

• Fresh garlic is always best (organic, even better!) & none of that minced-in-a-jar stuff.

• Always feed the appropriate amount based on your pup's weight.

• Double check that there are no known interactions if your pet is on medications.

• If you have concerns check with a holistic veterinarian in your area.

For even more guidance about dosages and medication interactions check out this article HERE.

MYTH #10: Your pet needs to have vaccinations each year to ensure they are fully protected.

I've always wondered why veterinarians push yearly booster vaccinations, when our own human doctors don't do the same for us. They both use vaccines for the same purpose, so why is there a difference in the pet world? Just something to ponder...

If you haven't heard of Titer Testing it is next weeks' Pet Parent Roadmap HOT TOPIC and I will go much more in depth in that LIVE and in the accompanying blog post like I've done with Pet Myths here.

I have done titer testing for two of my dogs and each time the results have shown that they have protection and are immune to the common infections that the vaccines fight against.

AND not only are they protected at that time, but the vet also can tell me that they will be protected for a minimum of 3 more years (length of time may vary depending on your pet, when their last vaccine, was, etc.).

In my dog's case that is 3 years of not requiring unnecessary booster vaccines and still ensuring their protection from diseases.

Understanding Titer Testing and the benefit of doing so will not only help your pet stay healthy for longer (no unnecessary vaccines with often harmful side effects), but also help your wallet because you'll save on the number of vaccines needed yearly.

Tune into next weeks' LIVE and read through the blog post all about Titer Testing to learn more!

Follow us @TheBalancedCompanion on Facebook & Instagram to stay in the loop!

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I hope you learned something new today and are able to incorporate your new found knowledge into your pet parenting!

If you have other myths you'd like debunked - comment or email me at alyssamauzerkola@gmail.com and I'll add it to the list!

Until next time ....

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DISCLAIMER: The information offered by The Balanced Companion is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace regular veterinary care. I strongly encourage you to seek the professional advice of a holistic veterinarian that supports your efforts to incorporate species appropriate nutrition and holistic lifestyle choices into your pet’s life. To locate a holistic integrative vet, please visit www.ahvma.org or ask me for a referral. This blog post contains affiliate links for purchases of products on Amazon that I may receive commission for. Thank you for your support.