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 deat

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.

roducts or avoid them altogether.