Experts debunk the worst Reddit dog care advice

Experts debunk the worst Reddit dog care advice

Giving a dog an entire cabbage to shred and playing "wait and see" after a dog has eaten chocolate are just some of the terrible advice given out by Reddit users, according to vets and dog behaviour experts.

The community site's r/DogAdvice and r/DogTrainingTips/ subreddits, amongst some measured and sensible responses, are hives of bad pet advice. And harness and lead specialist TopDog has invited the experts to set the record straight.

Searching for dog advice online is an increasingly common way of seeking reassurance. r/DogAdvice has 929,000 weekly visitors and 13,000 weekly contributions.

TopDog asked a panel of veterinarians and dog behaviourists their opinion on Reddit's so-called animal experts and how they would tackle the pet parents' problems.

Problem 1: My dog has eaten chocolate

Reddit says: "Do nothing and save some money"
Experts say: If you wait, it may be too late

Here's the scenario. The owner of a two-year-old miniature poodle is panicking after finding their pooch eating from a box of chocolates. The pet parent suspects that the dog has ingested around five chocolates.

A confident Redditor scolded other commenters for being "ridiculously frantic", advising the owner to "do nothing and save yourself a ridiculous vet bill for them to do absolutely nothing."

They continue: "Monitor closely, take her to an emergency vet only if she starts with symptoms. and she'll be fine. Try and get her to drink water. Please update after she's fine so everyone knows I was right."

Dr. Sabrina Kong, a DVM at WeLoveDoodles and a veterinarian based in Tracy, California, warns against playing the waiting game when it comes to dogs and chocolate.

"So chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to dogs. The problem with "waiting for symptoms" is that by the time clinical signs appear (vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, racing heart rate, tremors, or seizures), the toxins have already been absorbed and are causing significant internal damage. Treatment at this stage is far more difficult, costly, and has a poorer prognosis. The most effective intervention (inducing vomiting to prevent absorption) must occur within 1-2 hours of ingestion, ideally under veterinary supervision.

"Never "wait and see" with chocolate ingestion! Time is the most critical factor in a successful outcome. An emergency visit based on a calculation is always preferable to a crisis based on a seizure at 3 AM. Responsible pet owners should treat any chocolate ingestion as a potential emergency and seek professional advice immediately."

Problem 2: My dog won't stop pulling on the lead

Reddit says: "Use a prong collar"
Experts say: You can't resolve this with discomfort

The parent of a six-month-old excitable Australian Cattle Dog finds that the pulling whilst on a walk is non-stop. They have ordered a harness, and want some advice from other dog owners. One commenter suggests a prong collar, claiming that "a harness will only encourage pulling."

Prong collars are controversial training tools that use metal prongs on a collar to reduce or stop a dog from pulling on their lead. When a dog pulls, the metal prongs pinch the skin around the dog's neck. The RSPCA describes them as "painful and unethical".

Amanda VanTassel, Owner of No Hassle Dog Training specialises in leash walking skills and does not recommend prong collars to stop leash pulling. She says: "I don't recommend them because of the damage they can cause in general but especially when used incorrectly. It is much safer (and more comfortable) for the dog to wear a properly fitted harness.

"In addition, I have found that calm walks have more to do with building connection and focus with your dog so that they respond to leash walking cues and can be relaxed in a variety of environments. I don't believe you need special tools for that, just practice and consistency."

Rather than a harness encouraging pulling, as the Reddit commenter suggests, a well-fitting harness can actually help the situation, when paired with training. Unlike traditional collars, which put pressure on the windpipe and neck, harnesses are designed to distribute pressure across the chest and shoulders, so the dog is comfortable and secure.

Problem 3: Shredding cardboard is my dog's favourite game - make it stop!

Reddit says: "Try giving them a whole cabbage"
Experts say: Your dog needs alternative stimulation

This Reddit user is looking for safe items for their dog to shred, after developing a penchant for chewing cardboard and eating it.

Another Dr Reddit chips in with the suggestion of giving the dog "a whole cabbage". Dr. Holly Merker of Orange Grove Animal Hospital explains why this is a bad idea:

"The root cause isn't destructive intent; it's boredom from either a lack of stimulation (the dog is seeking an outlet for pent-up energy) or a need for work where shredding provides a physical and mental release that they aren't getting elsewhere.

"To offset the cardboard shredding, the goal is to introduce nose work and interactive feeding. This engages their brain so they don't feel the need to shred. Snuffle mats and puzzle feeders are excellent, fun, and interactive tools that can really help here.

"While you might be tempted to swap cardboard for something degradable like cabbage, it shouldn't be strictly "off-limits," but giving a dog a whole cabbage to shred/eat can lead to severe gas and possibly digestive discomfort."

Problem 4: My dog hates having their claws trimmed

Reddit says: "Try CBD"
Experts say: Work on desensitisation

Many dogs hate having their nails trimmed, and this Reddit user reports that their dog is anxious and afraid of even the sight of nail clippers. One commenter recommends CBD for nail trimming anxiety. Noting that they "tried the recommended dose" which did "nothing". So they doubled it, which "did the trick."

This one is a little less clear cut. Studies show that CBD can help with pain management in many dogs and its use in treating epilepsy in dogs is ongoing. In terms of anxiety, Cornell University conducted a study where dogs were given CBD chews prior to a stressful event, and 83% showed a decrease in anxiety-related behaviours. However, as it's not FDA-approved for use with animals, very little is known about dosage and some over-the-counter products contain inaccurate cannabinoid levels and even contaminants.

Dr. Kathryn Dench (MA VetMB), Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins notes: "Emerging research suggests CBD can reduce anxiety-related behaviours in certain contexts, and in my clinical experience, some mildly anxious dogs appear calmer with appropriate CBD supplementation, especially when it is part of a broader anxiety-management plan.

"However, dogs with severe nail-trim phobia rarely improve with CBD alone. For them, behaviour modification and desensitisation are far more impactful long term."

Dr. Kathryn also warns against varying the dose without clinical advice: "CBD doesn't function like a volume dial where turning it up guarantees greater impact. In fact, increasing the dose may simply increase the likelihood of side effects such as sedation or gastrointestinal upset, without meaningfully improving anxiety control.

"Timing is also crucial. If a dog is already showing signs of anxiety - for example, trembling, resisting, or in full fight-or-flight mode - any calming aid is far less effective. Once adrenaline is circulating, we're working against the body's stress physiology. In my experience, this is where owners are most tempted to increase the dose, but pharmacologically that's rarely the solution."

TopDog says: avoid crowd-sourced advice when it comes to your dog's safety

As useful as our online communities are, health and safety matters are best left to the experts when it comes to our animals. TopDog co-owner John Skinner says it's safer to seek out the opinion of an expert and leave social media for funny memes and cute dog pics.

He says: "It's appealing to head online to ask for help when you need dog care advice, particularly if you're panicking in the moment. However, contacting your local vet or dog behaviourist before trying any sketchy home remedies is the safest way."

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