Thursday, December 15, 2016

Holiday Pet Dangers---Made simple






It’s that time of the year when we feel obligated to do the annual “dangers of the holiday” blog post.


If you have a dog, I hope you already know not to let the dog imbibe of the chocolate or the eggnog. Yep, dogs can get drunk too (and it’s not a pretty sight). Please try not to let the cat eat the ornaments or the string holding the ornaments on the tree or the package ribbons.  I wish I had a miracle recommendation to help you keep the tree upright if you have a young cat who is thrilled to have a new jungle gym in the house.

 Let’s just keep it short and simple this year: If your pet eats something and you’re worried, give us a call. If your friends feed your pet during a holiday meal and the day after is a puke/vomit fest, call us. We don’t judge (trust me someone has called to admit their pet ate something or was fed something far more embarrassing). Our goal is for you to have a happy, safe and totally awesome holiday.


Fun extra reading links from the ASPCA Poison Control:




Post by Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (canine/feline)

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

People foods your dog CAN enjoy



It’s tempting to feed people food and sometimes seems healthier. We know our dogs love it. Here are a few great options when thinking about offering people food. Remember, though, moderation is the key. Too much of a good thing can be a problem. Always stop if your dog gets diarrhea, vomiting or gas.

If you want to do a homemade diet, phone us and we can give you tips on where to find recipes to balance your dog’s diet. These listed items are intended as treats or supplemented in addition to a balanced commercially prepared diet.

 










1) Peanut butter: An occasional tablespoonful of peanut butter is a great treat and also a useful trick to get your dog to take pills. (Just make sure your brand of peanut butter doesn't have xylitol – this is primarily a problem with powdered peanut butter products)

 






2) Yogurt: PLAIN yogurt can be a great treat. Historically we recommended this for dogs with digestive issues as a source of probiotic bacteria, but we have since discovered this is not a great source of this helpful bacteria. So, if you are using this as a digestive aid then you should ask us for a better probiotic supplement recommendation. Use yogurts without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

 

 

 


3) Chicken/Turkey: This can be a great source of extra protein but it must be cooked. Uncooked/undercooked poultry can give your dog salmonella. Best if giving poultry to stay clear of seasonings and extra salt.


 

4) Seafood: As long as this is well cooked and fed in moderation (e.g., no more than 3 to 4 shrimp at a time), then this can be a great source of omega fatty acids.

 

5) Cottage cheese: A great protein source to add to your dog’s food.

 

 



6) Other cheese: Moderation is the key. In small amounts cheese can be a great treat and also another good choice for giving pills so long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant. Ideal to choose a lower-fat cheese such as mozzarella.

7) Carrots: What a great low fat treat option. And it’s crunchy, which most dogs love and make it good for your dog’s teeth. High in fiber and vitamins.

 

8) Pumpkin: Yes, your dog can have pumpkin, but as either a raw product or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). No pumpkin muffins or pumpkin cake. It’s a superb source of fiber and vitamin A. Highly useful in dogs who have anal sac issues.




9) Eggs: Cooked eggs are okay for an occasional snack for a protein boost. Eggs WHITES are best. If you want to use this on a regular basis, then stick to egg whites only. The yolks are high in fat and can cause pancreas problems if too much is fed. Never feed raw eggs. There is a risk of bacterial contamination from bacteria such as salmonella, which could make your dog sick.

 



10) Honey: A tablespoonful of honey once or twice daily might help if your dog has allergies. It’s rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants.

 



Post by Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (canine/feline)

 

 

 

Picture sources:





Eggs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-eggs-8439/