Vets usually give advice how to feed and care for the dog thus if the pet is regularly taken to the vet it is expected that the owner already had these valuable information. The vet may have given you a list of the human foods that must not be given to the dog. If you have carefully perused the list, you surely would be careful in giving your dog people food. Not understanding the effect of these toxic foods, the youngsters of the family would still sneak a few bites to the dog under the table. The grapes or the chocolate being eaten by the child will be shared with the pet.
Coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages would be on the list. Coffee and tea are made toxic by the caffeine they contain that is proven to have dangerous effects on the dogs cardiac and central nervous systems. A dog that has ingested alcohol will get intoxicated. A dog that has swallowed large amounts of coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages can die.
Chocolates and candies are commonly seen in homes of people with sweet tooth. Chocolate is good for the hearth although this is also a fattening food. Chocolates and sugar-free candies are dangerous foods for dogs. Chocolate has the naturally occurring stimulant known as Theobromine that has dangerous effect on the dogs cardiac and nervous systems. A dog can die from eating a small amount of sugar-free candy as Xylitol, the artificial sweetener triggers a drastic drop in the dogs blood sugar level.
Raw fish and raw eggs will surely be included in the list of foods toxic to dogs. The avidin enzyme in raw eggs prevents biotin from being absorbed by the body and this condition causes the dog to have poor coat and other skin pproblems. Raw eggs also have Salmonella. Dogs that are regularly fed raw fish would develop thiamine deficiency that would cause the dog to have poor appetite, to have seizure and in severe cases to die.
Dog owners are always seen sharing their food with the pet. Children form legendary bonds with dogs thus it would be difficult for them to refuse the food-begging pet. Parens have to carefully explain to the kids the consequences of feeding the pet food considered to be poisonous to dogs. A printed list of the foods toxic to dog displayed in a conspicuous place would remind young and old members of the family of the foods unsafe for the pet.
With this list you are well prepared. But if you want to know more check out the list of food toxic to dogs at Sarah’s Dogs. In addition dog first aid tips can be found here.
Jul 11, 2011 | | Dog training
Any dog owner would know about the pets curious nature. Dogs are also voracious eaters thus food items and even plants that have toxic effects on these animals will be ingested. Dogs often find themselves in tight spots because of these behaviors. Poisoning is a common consequence of the dogs curious nature and voracious appetite. Kids form a strong bond with dogs and they would not understand why they are not allowed to share whatever is being eaten with the pet. Anything eaten will therefore be shared with the pet.
Humans get loads of healthful benefits from eating tomatoes. Tomatoes are consumed raw or cooked into various dishes. Tomatoes contain high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A. The lycopene tomatoes contain is a powerful antioxidant that has the capability of lowering the risk of degenerative diseases and cancer.
Tomatoes are nutrient-rich fruits thus dog owners that give importance to the health of the pet include tomatoes in the dogs diet. But are tomatoes safe for the dog? Tomato is a member of the nightshade family and as such it is expected to have some toxic effects when consumed. Humans would suffer from mild toxic effects of tomatoes but the toxicity of tomatoes in dogs can lead to the death of the pet.
Ripe tomatoes can be safely consumed by dogs as only the green unripe ones contain the substance dangerous to dogs. Dangerous alkaloids are present in the tomato leaves, stem and green unripe fruits. The tomatine alkaloid present in green unripe fruits and in the tomato plant is highly poisonous to dogs. Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are associated with tomato toxicity. Tomatine is not fully absorb by the intestines thus dogs would suffer from stomach upset as well.
The toxin present in tomatoes directly affects the heart and the central nervous system. Accelerated or irregular heartbeats will be noticed in dogs that have ingested considerable amounts of leaves, vines and unripe tomato fruits. The dogs will have weakened muscles; will develop tremors and have breathing difficulties. Dogs severely affected by the toxin can go into coma and can expire.
Tomatoes are actually healthy foods for dogs. The same with humans, dogs too would be benefited by eating tomatoes. To prevent poisoning, owners have to make sure that the pet is given only ripe tomatoes as the amount of tomatine contained by the fruit is considerably reduced during the ripening process.
Tomatoes look and taste delicious. But can your dog eat tomatoes. More at Sarah’s Dogs where you can also learn about dog breeds.
Jun 05, 2011 | | Dog training
Dog have some bizarre behaviors. Dogs, even well fed ones and dogs that are provided with high quality pet foods would still enjoy munching grass. Is it possible that the dog is attracted by grass glistening with dew and thinks of the yard as a salad bowl garnished with mushroom? Apart from a vomiting spell, grass really does not have a dangerous effect on dogs. Dog owners should worry if the pet has eaten mushroom because the mushroom ingested by the pet can be the Amanita phalloides commonly known as death caps because of its highly toxic effect. This specie of mushroom is poisonous not only to dogs but also to humans.
Vegetables are usually given by dog owners wanting to ensure the overall health of the pet. Mushrooms are included in the dogs diet because this vegetable has the nutrients found in meat. Mushroom is nutrient rich. The benefits humans get from eating mushrooms will be gained by the dog as well. The B vitamins- niacin and riboflavin are present in mushrooms. Mushrooms have high levels of antioxidants. Cancer is a killer disease of dogs. Dog owners would incorporate mushrooms in the dogs diet hoping to lessen the effects of cancer causing free radicals in the dogs body.
Mushrooms in the dogs diet will have a significant impact on the health of the pet. Mushrooms in the dogs diet though has one danger – poisoning. The pet can be provided with mushrooms bought from the grocer. But with the dogs inclination to explore and to investigate and eat anything it finds interesting, preventing the dog from being poisoned with mushroom will be a difficult task.
Mushrooms would be very hard to identify as they almost look the same and the edible ones can grow right beside the poisonous species. Poisonous mushrooms can pop up alongside edible ones in the yard. Not all dogs eat mushrooms, some eat only cooked ones but when they eat grass mushrooms will be eaten as well.
Mushrooms, the ones that are not poisonous really do have healthful benefits for the dog. Mushroom poisoning can result to the death of the pet thus owners have to be very careful not to allow the pet to roam in areas where mushrooms grow. Since it would be very difficult to identify which of the mushrooms that have popped out in the yard are poisonous and which can be safely eaten by the dog, it would be best to err on the safe side and remove all the mushrooms to prevent the dog from eating and being poisoned.
Want to know more about if dogs can eat mushrooms? Sarah’s Dogs has the answer to this and many other questions about dog food. In addition you can find out about hundreds of dog breeds.
Jun 01, 2011 | | Dog training
Humans consider nuts as health foods. This favorite snacks contain high amounts of unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and protein. Nuts also have high fiber content. Aside from the taste, humans eat nuts because these foods are known to lower cholesterol levels. It is not uncommon for people to have nuts in their bags or in their desk as nuts are no mess foods that can instantly alleviate hunger anywhere and anytime.
Dogs would always want to have a taste of the food the master is eating. Pet owners would find it very hard to say no to a pet that is begging for food. Dog owners have to refuse if the pet is begging to have a taste of the nuts. Nuts is another item on the list of human foods unsafe to dogs. If the owner is accustomed to giving the pet human foods as rewards, nuts must not be given because of the dangerous effects this food would have on the dog. Nuts are proven to have varying effects on dogs thus almonds, macadamia, pistachio, pecan, and walnuts must be kept away from the dog’s reach.
Generally, dogs that eat nuts would suffer from stomach upset. Nuts are hard to digest. Digestion could have been easier if the dog has chewed the nuts. Dogs normally do not chew their foods. This eating habit makes nuts much difficult to digest. This condition often result to stomach upsets. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the undigested nuts would create an obstruction in the dog’s intestinal tract. A surgical procedure may be necessary to correct the dog’s condition.
Nuts contain high levels of phosphorous. Development of bladder stones is common in dogs that frequently ingest nuts. Pancreatitis is another health concern that can develop if the pet is allowed to eat nuts because of its high fat content. Fatty food cause the dog’s pancreas to swell thus regular ingestion of nuts can result to a pancreatitis attack
Among all the nuts, macadamia nuts is the most dangerous to dogs. This nut contains high levels of fat that would cause stomach upset in dogs. Just as with other nuts, macadamia is high in fat and phosphorous content dogs that frequently eat this nut can develop gall stones and suffer from pancreatitis. The most serious effect of eating macadamia nuts is temporary paralysis which is caused by an unknown toxic compound found in this nut. This toxic compound affects the skeletal muscles of the dog so that the pet would develop tremors and would have swollen hindquarters. This condition would affect the mobility of the dog. Fortunately, this painful condition is not permanent as dogs would recover from the toxicity.
Do you want to know more about if dogs can eat nuts. Come by Sarah’s Dogs and learn about this and dog grooming.
May 30, 2011 | | Dog training
When it comes to the health of the pet it pays to heed the experts advice. Simply put, the pet must not be given human foods as some of them are poisonous to dogs. No dog owner will intentionally feed the pet foods that can cause poisoning. However, not many dog owners are aware that some common human foods can have toxic effects on the dog.
Dogs have huge appetites and they are also omnivorous thus anything will be eaten. Dogs can gain a lot of healthful benefits from fruits. Fruits are loaded with vitamins that will enhance the immune system of the dog and also strengthen the intestinal muscles for easier waste elimination. Dogs owners can give the pet any kind of fruits but not grapes and avocados. An unknown substance in grapes and raisins is toxic to dogs as it can cause severe kidney damage. Dogs must be prevented from eating not only the avocado fruit but also the bark, leaves and pit as the avocado plant contains a toxic substance that causes fluid to accumulate in the dogs abdomen chest and heart.
Dogs must not be allowed to consume chocolate, coffee and tea because Theobromine in chocolate and caffeine in tea and coffee are naturally occurring substances that stimulates the nervous system and the heart. Dogs are highly intelligent thus they can be trained to do many tricks. It would be a big accomplishment if a dog owner can teach the dog to drink beer from the can but ingestion of alcoholic beverages would have ill effects that can result to the death of the pet. The chemical compound in alcoholic beverages called ethanol cannot be tolerated by the dogs system. Dogs that have ingested alcoholic beverages will exhibit signs of respiratory depression as the ethanol is absorbed by the body. Immediate medical attention is imperative for dogs that have swallowed sizeable amounts of alcoholic beverage as inducing vomiting will not help the pet.
Onion is another common human food that is poisonous to dogs. This pungent bulb has thiosulfate, a substance that destroys red blood cells. As this substance is not destroyed by cooking dog owners has to be make sure that foods with onions are not given to dogs. Consumption of a large dose or regular ingestion of small doses would have life threatening results.
Foods that are safe for humans may have harmful effects on the dog. Although it is said that humans and dogs have many genetic similarities, the difference in metabolism makes dog intolerable of some human foods.
Want to know more about what foods are poisonous to dogs. Check out Sarah’s Dogs as it has the answers to this and other questions related to dog food and dog first aid.
May 14, 2011 | | Dog training
Have you witnessed dogs mating? These animals are not very particular where they will do the sexual act. These animals will be seen mating anywhere – on the streets, on the beach and in the park. A bitch in heat emits a distinct smell that is not unlike a red flag that attracts male dogs.
Thus, a bitch in heat will be tailed by very eager male dogs. A cooperative female will let a male dog to sniff and to lick her vulva. As soon as a dog is chosen, the lucky candidate will be allowed to mount. To show that she is receptive to the attention of the male dog, the bitch will hold the tail to one side to clear the entry of the dog’s member. Unlike females, male dogs would always be ready to mate. Females will only accept the attention of male dogs if they are in the estrus stage of the reproductive cycle.
If the bitch is ready to be bred she will allow the male to mount her from behind. The tail that is held on one side will give the male dog easy access to the vulva. The male will mount and penetrate the vulva with the male member. Human’s member have to be erect to achieve penetration. This is not so with dogs as even if the member is not stiff it can penetrate the bitch’s vulva. A small bone inside the member called baculum makes the member stiff so that penetrating the vulva can be achieved. The erectile tissues of the member will be filled with blood after penetration is achieved. The swelling of these tissues called bulbus glandis will produce a clamping response from the vulva trapping the member inside the vulva. This is the reason why dogs get stuck together when mating.
The male dog may choose to stay on top of the bitch or twist around so that the dogs will be facing opposite directions. This position known as the mating tie ensures the impregnation of the bitch. The dogs will remain tied for about 30 minutes and will only be able to disengage after the dog has fully ejaculated. Being stuck together will ensure that the sperm will be delivered into the canal. The distinctive smell emitted by a bitch in heat is not unlike a flyer that advertises her availability.
The mating tie guarantees that dominant dogs cannot interrupt the mating.
Sarah’s Dogs has more answers to why dogs get stuck when breeding as well as information about how dogs mate.
Apr 21, 2011 | | Dog training
Dogs are known to be very intelligent animals. These animals that easily adapt to training would seem to know what must be done in emergency situations. Countless lives have been saved by dogs. However intelligent they may be, dogs would still largely depend on their owners. For thousands of years dogs have managed to survive in the wild without the help of man. Have these animals gone soft so that their well being would depend on the care provided by the owner?
The appearance and the personality of a dog is dependent on the kind of care given by the owner. A dog owner is mistaken if he/she thinks that dog ownership starts and ends with giving the pet regular meals as dogs would require grooming and companionship too.
The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs of a dog. The eyes are the dog’s “window to the world”. Apparently, these very intelligent animals does not know how to care good care of these delicate organs. Dogs after a prey would go scampering in bushes unmindful of the thorns and branches that can poke the eyes. A dog unearthing a buried bone would ignore flying soil and dirt that can get into the eyes. As the dog would not know how to care for its eyes, the task has to be assumed by the dog owner. Grooming the eyes is one of the responsibilities of a dog owner to ensure the clean and impressive appearance of the pet and also to prevent the development of eye infections.
A dog’s eyes must be cleaned daily. Naturally, a dog owner has to have proper eye care supplies in the dog’s first aid kit to give the dog instant relief from any eye irritations and also to treat minor abrasions. A sterile dog eye care solution and an antibacterial ointment are basic eye care supplies.
The gunk in the dog’s eyes must be removed every morning. Long hairs that get into the eyes can be source of irritation. Make sure that the hair near the dog’s eyes are regularly trimmed to prevent the development of eye irritations. An important part of dog eye care is to examine the eyes for swelling, tearing and redness. Flush the eyes with the sterile eye wash to remove foreign objects or dirt that is causing the redness, swelling and tearing. Dogs with eye concerns would tear excessively, have eye discharge and would be seen incessantly pawing the eyes. The swelling, redness and tearing should be gone after a day but if these symptoms continue, consulting a vet would be the best option to arrest the possible development of a serious eye problem.
Sarah’s Dogs has more information about dog grooming as well as information about dog eye care.
Apr 19, 2011 | | Dog training
A dog with prolapsed vaginal tissues would be a gruesome sight as this health concern would cause the swollen vaginal tissues that cannot be contained within thevulva to spill out and appear like a donut or lifesaver protruding from the vaginal lips. This condition is most common in young and unspayed dogs. St. Bernard, German Shepherd Dog, Mastiff, Boxers and Retrievers are some of the breeds predisposed to vaginal prolapse.
The exaggerated swelling of the vaginal lining is primarily influenced by estrogen stimulation. The stimulation of the estrogen that occurs during the estrus cycle of the dog results to the development of vaginal prolapse. When the vaginal mucosa swells, it would bulge as it can no longer be contained within the vulva. The swollen vaginal walls will bulge, spill out and be exposed. Some breeds have a genetic tendency to develop this health concern. Another cause of vaginal prolapsed is the prolonged straining that occurs when the dog is constipated. The turning inside out of the swollen vaginal walls can result from the prolonged straining of the dog due to a difficult birthing. Forcefully separating mating dogs can seriously affect the vaginal mucosa so that it would spill from thevulva into the vulva.
Symptoms of vaginal prolapsed would be easily apparent because the mass of tissue protruding from the dog’s vulva. The discomfort will entice the dog to persistently lick the vulva. In cases where a large mass of tissues have spilled from the vulva, the dog will be prevented from urinating and from mating. Vaginal prolapsed is a dangerous situation for pregnant bitch as delivering the puppies would be difficult because of the blockage in the vulva. The puppies may need to be delivered through C-section.
A dog with vaginal prolapse can be initially treated at home. First aid treatment is aimed to make the pet comfortable and also to prevent self mutilation as the dog would have the inclination to incessantly lick the protruding mass. To ward off infection; the mass must be cleaned with saline wash. Anti-inflammatory ointments and lubricating jellies are also necessary to keep the protruding mass from drying. Injuries to the protruding tissues must be prevented thus the dog must not be allowed to lie on rough surfaces.
Doggie diapers and Elizabethan collars can be used to prevent the dog from licking the affected area. A dog with this condition would not really need immediate treatment if the blockage is not keeping the dog from urinating. However, if the mass is already creating a blockage, the dog would need urgent medical attention. Dogs with vaginal prolapse commonly need hormone therapy and a urinary catheter is used to allow the dog to empty the bladder. Dogs have the inclination to mutilate the protruding tissues and severe damage to the tissues can be resolved with surgery.
Find out more about dog first aid and vaginal prolapse at Sarah’s Dogs.
Apr 13, 2011 | | Dog training
A pet that has lost consciousness is one of the frightening situations a pet owner would experience. Although pet owners are always advised to remain calm when faced with emergency situation to be able to help the pet, keeping calm would be very difficult to do. Treated and loved as the baby of the family, a dog that got sick or one that fell unconscious will make the whole family panic.
Loss of consciousness is one of the difficult health concerns of dogs due to the fact that there is a whole range of reasons why this condition would occur. Any dog owner would know at once what must be done to a bleeding wound but not a lot of dog owners would know what has to be done to an unconscious dog. A dog owner would certainly panic if the unmoving pet is noticed to have glassy eyes and pale or bluish lips and gums. An unconscious dogs can breathe rapidly or not breath at all. The dog may or may not have a pulse either.
Loss of consciousness is one of the sign of a lot of health concerns. The pet’s condition can be due to poisoning or to the ingestion of objects that have blocked the airway. A dog can fall unconscious because of internal or cerebral hemorrhage caused by serious injuries or because of epileptic attacks. It is imperative that first aid be administered to unconscious dogs given that the pet may not be breathing or may not have a pulse. These conditions that deprive the brain and other vital organs with the life sustaining oxygen can result to the death of the pet.
Conserving body heat is the first to-do task of a dog owner if the pet is breathing and has pulse. Before transporting the pet to a veterinary facility make sure that it is covered with a blanket. It would also be necessary to position the dog so that the head is slightly lower than the body.
If the unconscious dog is not breathing and pulse cannot be felt, gently extend the head and open the mouth to see if a foreign object is blocking the airway. Rescue breathing must be initiated at once. With the mouth of the dog tightly closed, give two deep breaths on the nose. This procedure should inflate the chest. If the unconscious dog has no pulse or heartbeat, CPR must be started immediately. Ten cardiac compressions must be alternated with two rescue breathing. Administration of artificial respiration and cardiac massage must be continued while the pet is being brought to the hospital.
Learn more about dog first aid as well as unconsciousness at Sarah’s Dogs.
Apr 11, 2011 | | Dog training
A Diet of Good Food and Good Exercise
Dog Training Academy
To stay fit and healthy and happy and strong, a dog needs good exercise and good food just as humans do.
They’re an important part of our families, and they rely on us understanding their needs, as they cannot talk to us.
Fortunately, dogs are a bit more resilient than humans but they still do need regular exercise and good food.
One of the benefits of owning a dog is the fact that in many cases, knowing that they need exercise is a good reason for us to get out and exercise as well.
So you could say that owning a dog actually keeps humans healthier.
Certainly a well-trained dog keeps us a lot happier.
There has been a marked deterioration in the general health of dogs since the introduction of processed dog foods.
Many of these foods offer very little nutritional value but it is their convenience and the fact that they have added flavors that ensure our pets get delight in eating them that have increased the sales and popularity of this food.
Just as we might like to eat foods that contain sugar, which is detrimental to our health, our dogs also like to eat these low value foods because they taste so good.
Most of the popular dog foods use by-products and are actually worse to feed our dogs than the scraps from our meal tables.
But therein lies another problem with many of the foods that we eat, unsuitable for dog consumption.
Some foods, as discussed in previous newsletters can actually be toxic to dogs so we are faced with the dilemma of knowing what is the best food to feed our pets.
The best solution that many people are finding is to prepare their own dog food using only those ingredients that will enhance the health of the dog.
There are several excellent books that teach you how to prepare your own dog food that will be nutritious and also cost effective.
Dogs find these foods tasty and they don’t need the added sodium, preservatives and coloring to enhance the look and taste of the food.
It is well worth looking at this method to ensure your dog gets the optimum health from their food.
Dog Training Academy
There are many benefits that can be gained from owning a dog but you only get as much out of them as you put into them.
Good training, good shelter, good food, fresh water, regular exercise and a happy home are all that a dog needs to be content.
Just as the wrong foods can be very detrimental to the health of humans, the same goes for the health of dogs.
We have already discussed some of the nutritional requirements in an earlier newsletter and in the next newsletter we will be looking at some items that can be quite dangerous to dogs such as chocolate.
Until then, feed your dog premium pet food and fresh meat and make sure you get out and take them for a walk or run.
Dog Training Academy
Mar 28, 2011 | | Dog training