My Friendly Pets

We all know that dogs are not supposed to have chocolate, but did you know that there are other common household treats which could actually kill your pooch? I found the following facts very interesting and most I had never heard of.

Grapes or raisins can be deadly for dogs. In some dogs, these fruits will cause vomiting and then kidney failure. The toxin that causes this reaction in some dogs is still unknown.

Do you know what can cause alcohol poisining in dogs if ingested? Too much wine…probably, but actually bread dough will cause alcohol poisoning in dogs because the yeast ferments in their stomachs which then releases large quantities of alcohol.

We all know chicken bones are bad for the pups, but what is worse, cooked or raw bones? It is the cooked bones, because they are drier and will splinter more easily upon chewing and digestions.

Macadamia nuts can cause temporary back leg paralysis in dogs. Again, the agent in the nuts that causes this is unknown, and it is only temporary, but keep Fido away from the nuts!!

Raw salmon or trout carries a bacterial worm that only attacks dogs. When the dog eats the raw fish infested with this bacteria, he will experience weakness, vomiting, swollen glands, fever and 90% of dogs diagnosed with this will die. So please, no sushi bar for our puppies…no matter how much they beg!!

Onions or garlic can cause an anemia in dogs known as Heinz body anemia. Dogs can become anemic from these seasonings by either ingesting a large quantity or smaller quantities over a period of time. The condition will reverse itself once the onions or garlic are removed from the dogs diet.

Cocoa bean mulch has the same toxin in it as chocolate. The smell is very attractive to dogs, but the ingestion of this mulch can kill the dog.

I found these facts to be enlightening and will remember our table food is not always the best for our best friends…!!

Wouldn’t it be great if our pups could tell us what was bothering them, their aches and pains and other discomfort they experience? Well, in many ways they do, we just have to be able to recognize what and how they’re telling us.

One in five dogs suffers from osteoarthritis. This is a painful condition that affects a dog’s joints. It is the most common affliction that causes chronic pain in dogs.

Some dogs are at greater risk for osteoarthritis than others. Some of the risk factors that would make a dog more prone to osteoarthritis are:
a)predisposition to orthopedic disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia
b)a large or giant breed of dog
c)inactive or overweight
d)over the age of 5
e) the dog has suffered joint injuries

The changes in our dogs’ behavior can be subtle and sometimes go unnoticed. It is important to look for signs that you pooch is experiencing pain and discomfort. Some of those signs include:
a) reluctance to climb stairs
b) loss of appetite
c) stiffness after exercise
d) difficulty jumping
e) limping
or any other change that you notice in your dog that seems unusual.

If you do notice anything, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet. Dogs have an extremely high tolerance for pain, so it might be hard to see your dog really experiencing the pain he is feeling. Assume his/her suffering is worse than what you’re seeing and have him treated to minimize or eliminate his/her discomfort.

It is August and we are truly in the “dog days” of summer. Did you ever wonder where that cliche came from? Whether you did or didn’t, here is the interesting fact!!!

DOG DAYS — “Mad dogs don’t give us this name for the hot, close days of July and August, though perhaps the prevalence of mad dogs at that time of year has kept the phrase ‘dog days’ alive. The expression originated in Roman times as ‘canicularius dies,’ ‘days of the dog,’ and was an astronomical expression referring to the dog star Sirius, or possibly Procyon. The Romans linked the rising of the Dog Star, the most brilliant star in the constellation, ‘Canis Major,’ with the sultry summer heat, believing that the star added to the extreme heat of the sun. ‘Canicular days,’ of course, have nothing to do with heat from the Dog Star, but the ancient expression remains popular after more than 20 centuries.” From “Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins” by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

This site is just a wealth of knowledge, isn’t it??? But practically speaking, during these dog days of Summer, it is especially important to take care of your pooch!!! They feel the summer heat as intensely as we do, sometimes more!!!

Use these tips to keep your dog safe and healthy during the summer!!

1. Never ever ever leave your dog in a parked car. They can rapidly dehydrate as the temperature in the car increases drastically. DON’T EVEN LEAVE THEM FOR THE MOMENT IT WILL TAKE YOU TO DO YOUR QUICK ERRAND!!!!

2. If possible keep the dog in the house, especially during the hottest times of the day, between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. If the ac is on, that is great, if not, try and keep a fan going. If it is not possible to keep the dog in the house, make sure they have a ventilated shelter to be in and it is shaded from the sun’s intensity.

3. Always keep plenty of clean fresh cold water available. We used to fill cups with water and freeze them. We would then fill the dogs bowl 1/2 full and put the giant ice cubes in there to keep the water cool and refreshing. For some reason, the dog didn’t try to eat the ice, but he let it melt and remained cool for a couple of hours.

4. Don’t walk or exercise your dog in the heat of the day…either in the early morning or early evening when the sun goes down is the best time to exercise your pet.

5. Keep them cool with water….meaning, use a mister or sprinkler or wet a towel in cool water for the dog to lie on. Also, some people use the small kiddy pools, fill them with a couple of inches or more of water, depending on the size of the dog and let them cool off in there. This wasn’t great for my dog, because he thought it was a toy and would bite and pull on the plastic, but I hear it works great with some.

6. If the surface where you are walking is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog!!! Their paw pads will burn!!! Booties are available. These were used widely during the search and rescue operations at Ground Zero after September 11th. The dogs were brought in to search for people, but the ground and debris were still very hot from the smoldering explosions, so the dogs were equipped with booties to prevent burning.

7. Swimming is great exercise for a dog and helps them keep cool as well. Make sure whatever body of water the dog is able to get in, they know how to get out, especially with pools. Many dogs and pups die from drowning because they couldn’t find a safe way out!!

Keep yourself and your pooch cool!!!! You both will be happy.

I will be giving many health tips as well as behavioral tips for our 4-legged friends as the days go on. Also I will be talking about getting a dog if you’ve never had one or if you are a bit hesitant to have one. There are many things to consider when you are deciding to become a dog owner.

However, today, I’d like to talk about a canine health issue that many of us can relate to. That is canine cancer. According to Patricial Olson, CEO and president of the non-profit Morris Animal Foundation, 1 in every 4 dogs will die from some type of canine cancer. The foundation has begun a Canine Cancer Campaign which hopes to raise enough funds to cure cancer in dogs within the next 10 to 20 years. The site is www.curecaninecancer.org.

Ms. Olson knows that this is a lofty goal, but if according to Ms. Olson, “that’s how big things happen”

We had a mixed german shepard mutt. His name was Ziggy and he was truly there from when our family began. In fact, we got Ziggy as a pup the day after my husband and I returned from our honeymoon in 1986.

Ziggy was about 11 when he started biting at his leg and we noticed a lump. We took him to the vet, had the lump removed, and it was diagnosed as a malignant tumor that had already metasisized. There was little we could do, but keep him comfortable. Ziggy was with us another 11 months, until we let him go, so that he would suffer no more. That was one of the hardest experiences ever, as I’m sure many of you know.

I believe we all must speak for these animals as they can’t speak for themselves. They need our help. Please visit the site above and learn as much as you can and give what you can afford. Every little bit helps…

Here’s and easy breakfast recipe from About.com. It contains garlic and other ingredients which help keep fleas and other parasites off dogs. Watch the video.

Yummy!

dog, pets, animals, dog food recipe, home cooked, fleas

I came across another dog food recipe that looks pretty healthy. This one is a little softer for those old dogs with missing or no teeth. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 cups brown rice
1 cup raw carrots, chopped
1 cup cooked spinach, chopped

Cook brown rice until just underdone, leaving some crunchiness in consistency. Combine all ingredients in an airtight container, mixing until well blended.
Store in refrigerator.

dogs, pets, animals, senior dogs, dog food, recipes, homemade

My dogs love getting treats, but with the recent food recalls it’s hard to feel comfortable giving them just any ol’ bag of treats from the grocery store. Thus, my babies only get natural or organic food, as well as treats. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing all those pups out there aren’t getting any treats because their pet-parents are scared of what might be in them. So, below is a list of some all-natural dog treats (NOT affected by the recall) which you can feel good about giving to your precious pups!

Bully Sticks - completely digestible chew sticks made from beef muscle, similar to rawhide. Bully Sticks will keep your dog chewing for hours.

Wellness Pure Rewards - an alternative to recalled beef jerky treats. Grain free, wheat free, and 100% natural.

Newman’s Own Organics - these treats come in chicken flavor, peanut butter, cheese, and vegetable. You can find them at common places like grocery stores and PetCo / PetSmart. My dogs love these!

Merrick Puppy Nibbles - pork chew treats for your puppy. All natural, of course.

Merrick GrandPaws - for your senior dog. All natural beef hide treats which are a little softer than regular chew treats.

dogs, pets, animals, recall, food, treats, natural, organic, wellness, merrick, newmans

Still on my home cooked dog food kick… here’s a cute little recipe from ‘The Poop Pantry’ for dog treats made with baby food:

You will need:
-2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
-1/2 cup powdered milk
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-1 egg
-6 tablespoons vegetable oil
-10 tablespoons water
-2 small jars strained baby food (beef, chicken, lamb, or liver)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and knead for about 3 minutes. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape will do) and place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 min.

Makes approximately 2 dozen doggie biscuits.

YUMMY!

dogs, pets, animals, dog treats, homemade dog treats

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
2 cups cooked brown rice
2 cans sweet potato
2 whole eggs, shells and all.
1 can mackerel
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound chicken liver or gizzards

Puree ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pour into a pot and simmer for about two hours. Since this recipe makes a large amount of food, You may need to freeze or refridgerate portions of it, which is fine. Enjoy!

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Some pet owners have been making their own dog food and kibble for years, and with the recent commercial dog food contamination, I presume that many more people may be jumping on that bandwagon. If you’re going to try home-cooked dog food, it’s important to remember that dogs need proteins and fats, not carbohydrates. A few carbs are okay, but should be kept to a minimum.

Here’s a healthy dog food recipe:

3/4 lb chicken (12 oz)
1/8 lb cottage cheese (2 oz)
1 egg (approximately 2 oz)
2 oz beef kidney
6 oz mix of cooked cabbage and zucchini
1350 mg of calcium
2 fish oil capsules

Cook all ingredients and mix together with the calcium and fish oil.

This recipe makes approximately two meals for a 50lb dog. Bon Appetit!

dogs, pets, animals, dog food, home cooked dog food, dog food recipes, protein, kibble

I think it’s a great idea to cook a fresh, tasty meal for you pup. You could do it everyday or once in a while for a nice treat. Here’s an easy recipe from SimplyPets.com:

-6 Cups Ground beef, turkey, lamb, or rabbit

-3 Cups Barley, brown rice, or millet (cooked per pkg. instructions)

-1 Cup Finely chopped raw vegetables (kale, yam, carrots, green beans)

-1 Small clove garlic

-3 Tbsp. Canola oil

Brown the meat and mix with grain and vegetables. Let cool completely before feeding to your pet.

dogs, pets, animals, dog food, dog food recipes, cook for your pet

Have you ever read the label on your dog’s food? If you have, you were probably thoroughly confused by it, just as I was. You could research all the ingredients yourself, but that would probably take quite a while, and who has the time anyway.

For the most part, dogs need proteins and fats, with some carbohydrates to thrive. Since protein tends to be expensive, many dog food companies fill their products with grains and sweeteners to make the food more attractive to the dog, and fill them up quickly. Dogs don’t need grains, or sweeteners. That’s not to mention the artificial preservatives, by-products, and other ingredients that could be harmful to a dog.

Luckily, I found a very helpful website that explains what all those ingredients are, and which ones are good and bad. To make things even easier, here is a list of common dog foods with a nutritional review explaining why you should or should not feed it to your beloved pup.

The Dog Food Project.com

dogs, pets, animals, dog food, commercial dog food

Since dogs can’t talk, we, as their caretakers have to be able to recognize signs of illness in them. Do you know what to look for?

This is what a healthy dog should look like:
- Smooth skin with no scabs, growths, or rashes.
- Coat should be without bald spots, dandruff, or parasites.
- Eyes should be clean with no watering or discharge.
- Clean ears with no discharge, although some wax is normal.
- Nose should be moist, not dry or cracked.
- Stools should be firm with no parasites.
- Temperature should be between 100-102.5
- Gums should be pink, some may have darker pigments

Signs of illness:

- Visible pain, limping or chewing at joints

- Change in behavior

- Excessive urination

- Lack of appetite

- Vomiting, diarrhea, or coughing

- Lethargy

dogs, pets, animals, vet, illness, pet health

Owning a dog can be time consuming, expensive, and sometimes a bit challenging. Is it worth the trouble? The answer is YES, Absolutely! Studies have shown that pet ownership can improve a person’s mental and emotional state, as well as provide many health benefits.

According to medical research, owning a pet lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Pets can also alleviate stress, depression, and anxiety. The simple act of petting a dog is relaxing and calming. Of course pets encourage us to be more active. Walking dogs and playing with them gets people moving when they might otherwise sit on the couch and watch television. The companionship provided by pets can decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. They also encourage us to be more social. I’ve met many neighbors out walking my dogs. Conversations strike up easily by asking “What kind of dog is that?� or “Oh, what a cute dog you have!�

Pets can bring families closer together. There is just something about taking care of a little furr-ball that creates closeness among family members. Caring for a dog develops a nurturing behavior in children. They learn empathy and maybe even some responsibility.

Our dogs love us unconditionally and are loyal beyond belief… what could be better for a person than that?

Pet Power
Surprising Health Benefits for Pet Owners

dogs, pets, animals, benefits, dog owner

Vet bills can be so expensive and unexpected. Pet Insurance may be worth looking into. It’s sounds weird when you first think of it.. insurance for a dog. After I gave it a little more thought, it made sense. There are several companies out there who offer pet insurance. It doesn’t work quite the same as human insurance, and it’s definitely less expensive. For a young dog in good health, it will probably run around $20 - $30 per month. Older dogs will cost around $40 or $50 per month.

Some companies allow you to go to any vet, you then file a claim and are reimbursed. Others require that you use a vet in their network. There are no co-pays involved, you pay upfront, and then wait for reimbursment. From what I have gathered, most services are covered at around 80 percent. Annual vaccinations and routine exams are covered completely. VPI is the oldest pet insurance company. They have been around since 1982. PetCo and PetSmart also offer their own coverage for their in-store vets.

Before you purchase pet insurance, do you homework! Read all the fine print

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