FEEDING

 

Use stainless steel bowls for the food and water. They are healthier. They do not give off any chemical odors like plastic or improperly fired ceramic bowls do. Raise their bowls as they grow so that as they eat, their neck and head are on the same line level as their back. This is much better for their digestion and skeletal structure.

 

WATER

Make sure they always have FRESH water daily. Puppies can't tell you when they are thirsty and you don't want them to get dehydrated, which can happen easily to an active, energetic little puppy! Yes, they pee a lot, but they pee a lot anyway, so let your puppy have access to clean, fresh water. You can take water away a couple hours before bedtime to help with housetraining.

 

 

Sweets & Treats

 

Never give your dog these toxic, potentially fatal substances: chocolate, onions, or mushrooms.

Do NOT give dogs steak or chicken bones. They can splinter and cause serious harm.

Beef  'marrow bones' are fine IF supervised.

These bones can chip off in big pieces, get swallowed and rip the dogs internal linings, so be sure to toss any broken-off pieces. I sterilize them by baking briefly in the oven.

 

 

Pigs' Ears Not Recommended for Dogs

Pigs' ears have a high fat content and can lead to obesity. They can also cause stomach upset in some dogs. Because they are high in fat, they can irritate the pancreas, causing pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. This results in vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Pig's ear treats can also be a source of Salmonella bacteria. The federal government recently issued a warning that pig's ear dog treats from a number of manufacturers were contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and other serious long-term complications. Some pets that become infected may not show clinical signs.

 

These products can also be a risk to humans, according to the Health Canada warning. Transmission of the bacteria to humans can be via direct handling of contaminated product or handling of pets who may have become infected. For this reason, owners are advised to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after handling pig's ear treats. Better yet, consult your veterinarian about these
 

 

Dogs are more likely to become poisoned by eating chocolate than cats, probably because they like the sweet taste of chocolate and because cats tend to be fussier than dogs about what they will eat. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause adverse reactions. Reactions can include nervous system stimulation, tachycardia (fast heart rate), weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, hyperactivity, and frequent urination. These signs usually appear about 4-5 hours after ingestion. More severe signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, seizures, and death.

 

Eating Grass not Unusual in Pets

Grass eating occurs frequently among dogs and cats and it is thought to be normal behavior. Feral cats, (i.e. cats that roam free in the wild), eat grass almost daily and most domesticated cats, if given the opportunity, will eat grass and certain plants.

The reason for this activity is unknown, although some theories exist. Some experts feel that cats eat grass for nutritional reasons, such as adding fiber or bulk to the diet. Others feel that cats eat grass as a form of self-medication, called zoocognopharmacy. They theorize that cats eat broad-leafed grasses to take advantage of their laxative effects while narrow or sharp-leaved grasses or plants are ingested to act as emetics to make themselves vomit. Still others feel that cats eat grass as a tonic to settle their stomachs.

Whatever the reason, dogs and cats seem to enjoy this activity and owners can safely encourage this habit by providing sources of green vegetation. Cat owners can consider growing a small plot of lawn grass or wild oats that their cat can access or, if this is not possible, they can provide an occasional side dish of green vegetables like string beans. Dogs can also be provided with various green vegetables. Ask your veterinarian which vegetables and plants are safe to feed your pets and which are potentially harmful.

 

Chocolate is Sweet...but can be Deadly

Symptoms may not appear for several hours after ingestion and complete recovery after veterinary care may take several days.

Toxicity studies have shown that compared to other species, dogs are unusually sensitive to theobromine. This is because they have a low rate of theobromine metabolism, which causes theobromine to stay in the blood stream for a longer time. After a single dose, the half-life of theobromine in adult dogs is 17.5 hours, compared to six hours in human subjects. This may be the case in cats.

If presented with an opportunity, most pets will tend to over-consume chocolate. For this reason, all foods containing chocolate should be safely stored away in areas inaccessible to pets. If your pet accidentally ingests chocolate, consult your veterinarian immediately for advice