The Red Water Bottles Myth: Do Dogs Really Fear Them?
Red water bottles hanging outside homes to deter dogs is a myth. A senior veterinarian confirms that dogs can't see red and rely more on smell and hearing
From the streets of Burhanpur of Madhya Pradesh to various regions across the country, you may have noticed red water bottles hanging from ropes outside homes or shops. It is a common belief that these bottles deter dogs, preventing them from causing a mess or loitering around the premises. But is there any truth to this belief?
To explore this question, the Local18 team consulted Dr Ajay Raghuvanshi, a senior veterinarian with 30 years of experience. Dr Raghuvanshi stated unequivocally that this belief is purely an illusion with no scientific foundation.
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According to Dr Raghuvanshi, dogs do not perceive colours in the same way humans do. They can only see three colours: blue, yellow, and brown (which is a mix of the first two). Dogs are unable to see red at all. Therefore, red bottles cannot serve as a warning or deterrent for them.
Dr Raghuvanshi clarified that the notion of dogs being repelled by red water bottles is merely a rumour. Science does not support this claim. In reality, dogs rely more on their senses of smell and hearing rather than vision. Thus, any effective deterrent would need to impact their senses, not their sight.
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