History Main / ArtisticLicenseAnimalCare

** Particularly bad is the scene when Harry attempts to feed Hedwig ''vegetables''. Not his fault -- the Dursleys hadn't given Harry anything else to eat himself -- but Harry would have been wiser to use the veggies as bait for mice or bugs than to expect a carnivorous bird to eat them.
*** To be fair, Hedwig does give him a look of utmost disgust.

* Subverted in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'', when Pal got sick and had to be taken to the vet, and it turned out it was from the junk food Arthur had been feeding him [[ChekhovsGun earlier in the episode]].
** Of course, the fact that the protagonist aardvark is bipedal, sapient and able to keep a pet dog (which in turn, is a dumb beast who is disproportionately smaller) is never brought into question.
** This is made even stranger by the fact that several of Arthur's classmates are dogs of the bipedal, sapient variety.

[[folder:VideoGames]]
* In ''TheSims 2'', womrats (a fictional rodent-type creature similar to a hamster or guinea pig) are depicted living in a ''maybe'' 5-gallon plastic cage. In reality, that type of cage should never be used because not only are they too small, but they do not give the animal adequate ventilation.

* An early ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'' strip had Dogbert eating chocolate cake; when it was first published, the author was immediately bombarded with emails pointing out that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. [[FridgeLogic Bipedal talking egg-dogs are, apparently, not immune.]]
** Which is a bit misleading, it is poisonous to dogs, but it's also poisonous to virtually every other mammal. Dogs just have a lower tolerance for theobromine per kilo than humans (humans can handle approximately three times more per kilo than dogs). A 20 kilo dog (44 pounds), can eat a bar of chocolate without it being fatal, but it will end up coming out both ends.

[[folder:VideoGames]]
* In ''TheSims 2'', womrats (a fictional rodent-type creature similar to a hamster or guinea pig) are depicted living in a ''maybe'' 5-gallon plastic cage. In reality, that type of cage should never be used because not only are they too small, but they do not give the animal adequate ventilation.
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* A sad real-life example occurred with the film ''TheBeastmaster''. The tiger who played Ruh, Sultan, died two years after the movie was filmed because he was poisoned by the black dye they used on his fur, since the animal handlers apparently didn't realize that it was toxic [[EpicFail and that cats, even large ones, tend to lick their own fur]]. As a result the second movie had to use a different tiger and didn't use any dye on him.

* In ''Film/JackAndJill'', Jill's cockatoo is seen sticking its head under a chocolate fountain. See the chocolate example under "General" for why. This resulted in a minor FlameWar on Tumblr where a user didn't realize that the filmmakers knew this and used a CGI bird for the scene. The original poster proceeded to [[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/chocolate-bird refer to someone who disagreed as "cum-slut"]] and the entire thing degenerated hilariously.

** Not that it's advisable to give adult cats milk anyway, but at the time the film was made, that wouldn't have been common knowledge - it still isn't as well known in this day and age as it should be, especially given the complication (for human comprehension) that some adults cats actually can cope with cow's milk without any reported side-effects.

** At the beginning of the movie, Blu is shown enjoying a hot chocolate and some chocolate chip cookies. See below under "multiple media" for why this belongs here.

* Done in-universe in an episode of the original version of ''{{Survivors}}''; The heroes have been struggling along, attempting to keep their post-pandemic farm going, when a genuine farming expert turns up and chews them out for all the things they've been doing wrong with their animals.

* In the biopic ''TempleGrandin'', the RealLife animal-husbandry genius designs a revolutionary cattle-dip which cows willingly and safely walk through, unhindered by poor footing, sharp turns, or frightening surroundings. Contemptuous ranch hands take one look at it, assume it's ridiculous, and modify it to suit their normal practices ... [[WhatAnIdiot which result in three drowned cattle within the first five minutes.]]

[[quoteright:315:[[OliverAndCompany http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/icecream_8021.png]]]]

-->- Peter Griffin from FamilyGuy

* ''OliverAndCompany'', in which [[LonelyRichKid Jenny]] feeds ice cream to her cat, provides the page image. A few licks from an ice cream cone, or a little bit of milk is not going to affect a cat that much, but it's still not a good idea given the sugar and other things ice cream is loaded up with, especially since Oliver is a kitten and their digestive systems are not as resilient as an adult cat's (as any cat owner or animal shelter worker who's worked with kittens for long enough can tell you).

* The treatment of owls in ''HarryPotter''. Possibly justified in-universe since owls seem to be at least partially magical in the PotterVerse as it's been noted a number of times that they can find the recipient of a letter without an address. However, this led to an all-too-real [[TheRedStapler Red Stapler]] situation, which JKRowling herself has [[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=20 come out against]]. Also the behind-the-scenes special features on the [=DVDs=] have ''twice'' felt the need to directly address the fact that owls do not actually make good pets.

* Inverted in BlackBeauty: this was the book that kicked off concern about animal care.

* PlayedForLaughs in the ''MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' "Fish Feeding" sketch.

* Averted, believe it or not, in TobyKeith's song "Beer for My Horses" -- some Thoroughbred trainers do give their horses beer as an appetite stimulant. Guinness is the traditional choice. Because horses are so large they're pretty unlikely to be harmed by alcohol since they process it much more quickly than humans, and most beers are made of things horses eat anyway like barley and grains.

* [[{{Foxtrot}} Jason]] regularly feeds his pet Iguana mealworms or crickets - they actually are vegetarians, or are at least 98% vegetarian. However, an early comic shows him pouring a bowl of fruits and vegetables into Quincy's terrarium, so maybe he wasn't too far off...
* [[GetFuzzy Rob Wilco's mother]] tries to force her cat to go vegetarian (something her also-vegetarian son would never dream of inflicting on his own pets); although it's unrealistic in that the cat is still alive, she's in obvious distress and begs Rob to kill her. Cats are carnivores; feeding them vegetable matter is at best a starvation diet and at worst actively detrimental to their insides.
* An early ''{{Dilbert}}'' strip had Dogbert eating chocolate cake; when it was first published, the author was immediately bombarded with emails pointing out that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. [[FridgeLogic Bipedal talking egg-dogs are, apparently, not immune.]]

* Subverted in an episode of ''{{Arthur}}'', when Pal got sick and had to be taken to the vet, and it turned out it was from the junk food Arthur had been feeding him [[ChekhovsGun earlier in the episode]].

* ''LooneyTunes'' taught generations of children how to kill their pets through poor diet. Mice are lactose intolerant and would only eat cheese if starving to death, adult cats cannot digest cows' milk, and a diet of nothing but carrots would kill a rabbit.

* PippiLongstocking keeps her horse on the veranda of Villa Villekula. While being there isn't directly harmful to the animal, the horse could easily trip and hurt itself if it ever tried to use the veranda's steps to enter or leave. (Fortunately, Pippi's strong enough to lift and carry it when necessary.)

[[folder:Multiple Media]]
* You know how fiction writers just love to put goldfish into, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin goldfish bowls]]? Yeah, funny thing, goldfish don't live very long in goldfish bowls. They thrive better in aquariums, artificial ponds or both. Sadly, this one is still widespread TruthInTelevision, as many companies still market small bowls as being for goldfish.
** The same goes for the popular Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish). They are often sold in small decorative containers or vases, when in reality they are much happier and healthier in a larger aquarium.
*** Even more true of turtles. A baby turtle needs a lot more than a little dish of water with a fake island in the middle. Most aquatic species need deep water for swimming, lights to bask under, and some form of filtration.
* Unless they're trying to kill it at the time, ''every'' instance when a character picks up a live rat by its tail is this trope, unless it's the ''base'' of the tail and no longer than a couple of seconds. Not only is it painful, but there's a risk that the tail's skin will tear under the rat's own weight and peel entirely off. This goes double for animal wranglers who allow actors to hold rodents in such a dangerous way during filming.
** Some lizards' tails will actually ''break off'' if pulled on too hard, and then [[{{Squick}} wiggle around frantically for several minutes after being detached]]. This isn't accidental--predators are likely to grab the lizard by its tail, and letting it pop off often distracts the predator long enough for the lizard to escape--but it's not a fun experience for the lizard either way. In general, almost no animals should ever be picked up by their tails. Most animals only use their tails for balance; tails usually aren't strong enough to safely hold the animal's entire weight.
* Many illustration of magic tricks such as the old "Rabbit-Out-of-a-Hat" trick show the magician holding the rabbit up by the ears. This act is quite painful, much like pulling a person by the ear is, and in fact old-school magicians hold rabbits like that ''[[HumansAreBastards because]]'' it's painful. Rabbits aren't very entertaining if they're just being held up limply — when a rabbit is being held by the ears, it kicks and moves around, which is much more 'appealing' and shows the audience that it's a real, live rabbit. Neither should one hold the rabbit by the scruff of its neck the same way you would hold up a kitten. Kittens can be lifted this way since they produce a special hormone that calms them when lifted by the scruff because their mothers need to carry them like this. Rabbits don't produce this hormone, but scruffing a rabbit isn't too dangerous if it's done properly. That said, most bunny care books will advise you not to try it, because doing it properly can be ''very'' tricky, especially if the bunny panics.
* Any show portraying hamsters (most particularly syrian hamsters) living happily in pairs or groups. A normal syrian hamster would eventually kill even a litter-mate, as they are loners by nature. Male-female pair may occasionally work, but would lead to the female breeding continuously till she dies of exhaustion.
** Another hamster example: In the History Channel's documentary ''Hippies'', the narrative of how LSD was invented is backed up by footage from early experiments with the drug, including a shot of a hamster trying to chew its way through the bare metal mesh at the bottom of its cage. Exposed wire-floor cages are ''terrible'' for pets' feet. (Also a case of YouFailBiologyForever, as the context implies that the animal is chewing the wire ''only'' because it's drugged out of its mind, but gnawing on objects and attempting to dig its way free is perfectly normal behavior for a hamster, and any other rodent, that feels frustrated.) Research animals were often kept in bare metal mesh cages back in the day. Things have gotten [[SocietyMarchesOn MUCH better nowadays]].
* This trope applies any time a cat is fed straight ruminant milk. Especially if it's a kitten. Feline bodies can't handle milk unless it's watered down. You can give your cat either goat's milk or special pet milk available at pet supply stores (note: this is different from the milk replacement formula for kittens). Also, cream and yogurt are less harmful for cats than regular milk. So long as your cat doesn't throw up or display other digestive problems, you can give ''small amounts'' of regular milk as an ''occasional'' snack, but it's still not recommended.
** Same goes for dogs for that matter, dogs should not be given milk in more then tiny quantities, being partial omnivores some (very small numbers) canines can process milk but most experience acute intestinal symptoms including, gas, diarrhea or vomiting. That's because most dogs can't digest lactose well at all, others who can could only be given watered down milk for example 1/2 cup of milk & water is more then sufficient as a treat to large dogs while 1/4 of milk and 1/4 water for medium while small dogs shouldn't even drink that small amount.
** Mice and rats are also often fed milk by their owners, according to a book on rodent care "..this is fine in small amounts like thimble sized cups for mice and bottle cap sized for rats for a once in a while treat it is alright if 2% or 1% milk." While most mice and rats are omnivores and like wild cousins not only eat seeds, grains, nuts, berries and other fruits, but they also eat worms, insects, fish and eggs but milk is not a normal thing, in fact lactose can give them gas and vomiting just like anyone who is lactose intolerant, so while it seems ok its probably not the best idea to feed your mouse or rat milk even in the 1% grade.
* Whenever a [[SharkPool piranha tank]] is included in an action scene, it's this trope if the tank doesn't have a lid of some sort. Not to prevent Mooks from falling in, but because they're notorious for jumping out of the aquarium to their deaths when kept as pets.
* Whenever an iguana is portrayed as being fed live insects (usually flies). Unlike many lizards, iguanas are herbivores. They prefer fresh leafy vegetables to creepy crawly insects.
* When just about any animal is given chocolate. Humans process theobromine much more quickly than most animals, and for most animals it's very toxic and potentially fatal, especially if they get hold of dark chocolate. Most vets will flat out state that animals shouldn't have ''any'', no matter the concentration, just to be safe. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine#Danger_for_animals See here]] for more. Note that it's also possible for ''humans'' to get poisoned by chocolate, but most of us don't eat nearly enough of it for that to happen.
** Most media are aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but not cats. Cats are more sensitive to theobromine than dogs, but unlike dogs cats are obligate carnivores. They have no interest in such a sugary foodstuff. Interestly, rats [[YouDirtyRat (of course)]] can tolerate even ''more'' theobromine than humans, but it's still unhealthy for them due to the caffeine content.
* Any time a cat is shown being held up by the scruff of its neck. Mother cats carry their kittens this way, but it's generally advised that humans shouldn't even try it. Kittens held this way instinctively freeze so that they won't hurt themselves by squirming around too much. If you know ''exactly'' what you're doing you can gently pinch this area to evoke the same response in adult cats, but ''never'' actually pick them up by it. Adult cats, save for unusually tiny ones, are far too heavy, and being picked up like this strangles them.
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* In ''GirlsWithSlingshots'' Hazel tries to put her cat Sprinkles on a vegitatrian diet to cure its excessive flatuence. It almost kills poor Sprinkles.

** Most media are aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but not cats. Cats are even more sensitive to theobromine than dogs, but unlike dogs cats are obligate carnivores and usually have no interest in such an often sugary treat. Interestly, rats [[YouDirtyRat (of course)]] can actually tolerate even ''more'' theobromine than humans.

** One sympathetic character does what he ''thinks'' is right for Beauty -- gives him a lot of cold water to drink after a straining effort and leaves him standing uncovered in his stall -- and it nearly kills him.

** Not that it's advisable to give adult cats milk anyway, but at the time the film was made, that wouldn't have been common knowledge - it still isn't as well known in this day and age, especially given the complications that some adults cats actually can cope with cow's milk without any reported side-effects.

[[caption-width-right:315:[[SarcasmMode Yes, nothing like ice cream for a cat's digestive system]].]]

[[redirect:YouFailAnimalCareForever]]