Pet Health : 10 Toxic Foods for Dogs

<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Maintaining good pet health for your dog includes knowing what not to give her. By making sure that you know about the most toxic foods for your dog, you can ensure that your pet stays healthy and avoids unneeded trauma or pet health issues. The following are 10 common household foods that are extremely toxic to dogs.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUzXqwSCVsD6zkW7YNiYQDiUpqpBSC1-gEJFGY9_qvJy5GmTnHc6KZP4SXD90BmXoSB3DGc0YOut3fuLd6P6ZEM5s7xgV0IgZGHcN5OxLWydju47mM86Q4yz6okBwVUn-C30Epfk3BijJ/s1600/pet+insurance+reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUzXqwSCVsD6zkW7YNiYQDiUpqpBSC1-gEJFGY9_qvJy5GmTnHc6KZP4SXD90BmXoSB3DGc0YOut3fuLd6P6ZEM5s7xgV0IgZGHcN5OxLWydju47mM86Q4yz6okBwVUn-C30Epfk3BijJ/s640/pet+insurance+reviews.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>1. Chocolate, coffee, tea, soda and anything else with caffeine</b><br />These items all have compounds that are known to be toxic to dogs, causing severe heart and nervous system damage. Be very careful not to let dogs get even a bit of these things, be they in icing, cocoa powder or even chocolate milk. The quantity needed to affect a dog varies with body mass, but avoid them at all costs.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>2. Mushrooms</b><br />These can be extremely injurious to pet health, and even fatal, to dogs. Some kinds are worse than others, so it is best to prevent your dog from coming into contact with any mushrooms of any type. Ensure that dogs are not attracted to wild mushrooms either as these are poisonous to everyone, including humans.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>3. Onions and garlic </b><br />These can cause severe liver damage and can be fatal in certain quantities. Make sure that you prevent your dog from having any kind of onion, be it dried, shredded, on pizza or of any color. Watch out for garlic and garlic oil or powder that can be found on bread and other commonly eaten prepared foods.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>4. Nuts</b><br />Most nuts are bad for dogs; macadamia nuts are the worst. Nuts have compounds that accelerate the growth of bladder stones and weaken the bones.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>5. Avocado and persimmons</b><br />Avocados cause fluid accumulation in the lungs and are very toxic to dogs. Every part of them, including fruit, pits, jacket and leaves, are dangerous. The same goes for persimmons.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>6. Tomatoes, potatoes and rhubarb</b><br />Tomatoes, especially unripe green ones, are toxic and can cause all sorts of problems that can lead to heart failure. Potato jackets are especially bad for dogs, as is the entire rhubarb plant. In fact, some parts of rhubarb are toxic to humans, too.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>7. Grapes and raisins</b><br />It is not known why grapes cause sickness in dogs, but they are dangerous nonetheless. If your dog eats them, you can take her to the veterinarian to pump her stomach. Unfortunately, effects are not noticeable immediately.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>8. Nutmeg </b><br />This appears in various foods, especially those eaten around the holidays. It can be lethal to dogs. Avoid feeding gingerbread cookies, eggnog and other nutmeg-laced products to your canine friend.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>9. Alcohol</b><br />While it is something that may happen in movies and on television, dogs should never ingest liquor of any sort in real life. Alcohol causes various behavioral problems (similar to humans) and may cause seizures, cardiac arrest and death, depending on how much alcohol a dog has consumed.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>10. Baking soda, baking powder and yeast </b><br />Leavening agents can cause serious gastrointestinal problems for dogs including spasms, seizures and heart problems. Effects may not be noticed immediately, so make sure you get your dog to the vet quickly.</div> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /><br /></span></div> </div>

10 Rules of Pet Etiquette

<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>There was a time when house pets were banished to barns or the backyard, but with celebs toting their tiny (and not-so-tiny!) dogs to dinner and down the red carpet, it’s safe to say the rules of pet ownership have changed. Still, it’s possible to do right by your pets without insulting your human friends. Modern animal lovers trying to maneuver through the potential social minefield that is “petiquette” should start with these 10 commandments—culled from animal experts—to avoid a pet <i>faux pas</i>.</b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIkwSmw9pOo/UdUaI5ztCnI/AAAAAAAAAI8/-epZsgZpryQ/s400/Pet+Etiquette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIkwSmw9pOo/UdUaI5ztCnI/AAAAAAAAAI8/-epZsgZpryQ/s400/Pet+Etiquette.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>1. Mind Your Pup’s Manners or He Never Will<br />Rushing your new dog off to obedience classes may feel like a bit much; you <i>just</i> got him, after all. That said, the sooner he learns some basic commands (“Come!” “Sit!” “Stay!”), the happier—and safer—you’ll both be, says Nancy Furstinger, author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-Id-Rather-Date-Dog/dp/1933958049?tag=wd_autolinks-20" style="color: #5787f5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Why I’d Rather Date My Dog</a></i>. Another advantage of obedience classes is that they allow your pooch to practice being social with dogs of different sizes and dispositions—and their human companions. After graduation, keep tabs on any behavioral problems and correct them before they become bad habits.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>2. Take Extra Care When You Travel<br />The rules are the same whether your pet will be resting his paws in a hotel or at a friend’s home: Treat pet travel like a privilege, not a right, says Arden Moore, who penned both <i>Happy Cat, Happy You</i> and <i>Happy Dog, Happy You</i>. Arrive with a clean, well-groomed animal and pack enough supplies to keep him that way. Baby wipes are helpful after an especially muddy walk; a spare towel is handy for an end-of-day wipe-down. Have paperwork, tags and licenses on hand, especially if you’ll be travelling by air or spending time at a campground. Even if your pup sleeps in your bed at home, pack a roll-up dog futon for vacations, suggests Furstinger, and encourage him to stretch out there.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>3. Keep Tabs on His Messes</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>“Always scoop poop!” says Furstinger. “There’s no excuse to leave the stinky stuff sitting where it doesn’t belong.” Walk your dog close to curbs and encourage him to relieve himself there; eventually, doing so should become second nature. If he gets sniffy around someone’s personal property—a bike chained to a signpost or a child’s abandoned toys on the sidewalk—pull him gently but firmly away. When he experiences tummy troubles (and poop that’s too soft to pick up), carry a water bottle so you can rinse away the mess.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise<br />Dogs that are taken for regular walks, runs or hikes won’t need to release pent-up energy by chewing, digging or barking. “A bored pet can be bad to the bone,” says Furstinger. Strive for regular walk times so your dog can familiarize himself with a schedule. Once you’ve established a routine, your pup should calm down after each walk and might even settle in for a snooze.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>5. Don’t Make a Stink in the Dog Park<br />Of course <i>you’re</i> playing by the rules, but don’t turn into a hall monitor when someone forgets (or ignores) them. If you see an owner ignoring his dog’s mess, be diplomatic, warns Moore. Here’s how she suggests confronting an ill-mannered owner: “Approach the person with a smile and say, ‘Is that your dog? Wow, what a beauty! What’s her name? Stella? Sweet. Hey, you probably didn’t notice, but Stella just made a doo-doo over there.’ Then reach into your pocket, hand over a spare plastic bag, and say, ‘Here, I have an extra.’ End with a guilt-inducing finish: ‘We are truly lucky to have such a well-maintained doggy park. Don’t you agree?’”</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>6. Take Charge When You Encounter a Careless Owner<br />We’ve all come across the fellow dog owner who insists, “My dog loves every dog!” Don’t bother trying to convince the owner that your pup is timid or tired (or just doesn’t like bull mastiffs). Instead, pull your dog onto the grass and have him sit with his back to the oncoming mutt. If the over-friendly owner doesn’t take the hint, Moore suggests saying hello, then explaining you’re practicing commands and encouraging Spot to stay focused amid distractions. The owner <i>should</i> take the hint and keep walking, she says.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>7. Don’t Dump Your Pet on Unsuspecting Friends<br />Sure, your neighbor (or cousin or college roommate) tolerates your cat when she stops by to visit you. Still, that doesn’t mean she wants your furball setting up camp on her couch for a week while you’re in the Poconos. Unless you can return the favor—and feeding her goldfish over a long weekend doesn’t count—you should pony up for a professional pet sitter. Find one through your vet or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, suggests Charlotte Reed (http://www.missfidomanners.com/index.html), author of <i>The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette</i>. Confirm your pro is insured and bonded and has three references before you turn over your house keys, says Reed.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>8. Know Your Audience<br />Constant canine companionship is part of your life—but not everyone can relate. Before you sign on for Take Your Dog to Work Day, consider whether he follows basic commands or is prone to wandering off. On a similar note, don’t assume your mutt is welcome at every social gathering. A family with a new baby or an ailing parent might be extra-sensitive about germs, so ask beforehand if Fido’s allowed to come. Once you’ve got the OK, you should always be prepared to replace or repair any items your pet damages or destroys, says Reed. And tuck a bottle of pet-stain remover in your purse, just in case.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>9. Accept That Your Little Angel Becomes the Devil as Soon as You Leave Home<br />Scout can’t <i>possibly</i> whimper at the door all day, even if he’s whining loudly while you turn the lock, right? Wrong. You have the luxury of walking away from a dog that barks from 9 to 5—while your neighbors who work from home slowly go insane. If you get a noise complaint, address it calmly and don’t blame the beagle down the hall or another tenant’s loud television. Promise your neighbor that you’ll investigate solutions (such as bark-activated spray collar or a midday dog walker) that will keep your noisy pup in check.</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <b>10. Teach Your Kids to Be Cautious Around Other People’s Pets<br />Your cat doesn’t mind if your toddler bashes her tail. And your dog’s fine doing double-duty as a ride-on pony. It’s great that your kids can roughhouse with your pets or run at them screaming, but not every pet is used to kids or loud noises. Your children (and your pets) will be better off if you establish rules for encountering strangers early on. When you approach another family on the sidewalk, pull your dog to your side and encourage your children to walk single file. Remind them to keep their hands to themselves until they ask an animal’s owner if they can pet it or introduce their own pooch.</b></div> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div> </div>