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Pet Poison Month: Most Toxic Substances for Dogs

  March is pet poison month; do you know which substances are most poisonous to dogs?  Listed here are the top 8 most toxic substances for dogs that are found in your home and yard. Prescription Medicine One of the most toxic substances for dogs that causes numerous problems each year is prescription medication for humans.  Heart medication, blood pressure pills, antidepressants, and pain medication can all be disastrous for canines.  When you are prescribed medication make sure your pills are stored out of reach from your pet and that each dosage is accounted for each day.  Even one small pill can cause serious problems for a small dog. Flea and Tick Products Even though flea and tick products are generally safe for dogs, improper use or ingestion can lead to pet poisoning.  Always make sure you are giving your dog the proper dosage.  In addition, ensure these products are...
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Product Review: Kyjen Slo Bowl

Slow bowls are dog dishes that force a dog to eat more slowly in order to avoid upset stomach and gastric torsion (bloat). [amazon_link asins=’B00FPKNRF0′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’ndop-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f4135d4b-f79b-11e6-9118-91b51c57fca2′] I first purchased a Kyjen Slo Bowl in 2014 for my dog, Sadie, who is a 30 lb beagle/chow mix.  Prior to purchasing the bowl, we had started fostering dogs.  What we did not know at the time was that when other dogs are present, Sadie will inhale her food and throw up 10 – 15 minutes later.  I was concerned she would eat too quickly and develop bloat.  The vet, on the other hand, was concerned that throwing up regularly was causing her to have a few digestive issues.  Our veterinarian strongly recommended we find a slow bowl. Why I Chose The Slo Bowl I chose the Kyjen Slo Bowl because of the value, as well as the design.  Some...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

When you let your dog into the yard does he or she immediately munch on the greenery?  Almost 80% of dog owners report that their pets behave more like herbivores than carnivores from time to time.  Why do dogs eat grass, and is it dangerous for their digestive systems? Boredom One reason that dogs eat grass is out of boredom.  Dogs will do the darnedest things when left to their own devices, and digging for worms (while eating the excess dirt and grass) is one of them.  Limit the amount of time your dog spends in the yard by his or herself, and invest in a few interactive toys. Nutrient Deficiency Another theory for grass eating is that your dog may be experiencing a nutrient deficiency, such as fiber.  Make sure your dog’s food is a high-quality brand with adequate protein, fat, carbohydrate, and fiber sources.  If your dog seeks...
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Hidden Danger for Dogs: Xylitol

One of the most toxic substances for dogs has only surfaced in recent years, thanks to the health-conscious minds of today’s consumers.  A particularly scary aspect of this ingredient is that it is not always listed on a food’s label, and can appear in unlikely sources.  Everything you need to know about xylitol and the dangers it poses to your dog is discussed here. What is Xylitol? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that adds sweetness to food without the calories or insulin-spike of sugar.  It is commonly added to sugar-free or “diet friendly” foods in order to make these items more palatable.  In addition, xylitol is less likely to cause side effects in humans, such as gastrointestinal upset, which is commonly experienced with sweeteners such as sorbitol. Which Foods Contain Xylitol? The most common sources of xylitol are sugar-free gum, breath fresheners, toothpaste, and most recently, certain brands of peanut...
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Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Remedy for Dogs

During your dog’s life, you are likely to run into problems such as itchy skin, fleas and ticks, ear infections, or digestive distress.  These ailments are common among pets, but are also preventable.  One common remedy and preventative is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (ACV), which can be purchased at any health food store.  The recommended uses of ACV for dogs are discussed below. Skin Allergies Dogs can develop skin irritation from any number of common allergens, including grass, pollen, dust, and even their food.  Unlike humans, dogs do not display allergic reactions in localized areas, rather, their entire bodies will become itchy and irritated.  ACV can help soothe irritation when applied directly to the skin and coat.  Simply dilute 1 part ACV with 1 part water, and combine in a spray bottle.  Spray your pet (avoiding broken skin) for fast-acting relief. Fleas and Ticks Not all dogs can...
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10 Most Poisonous Plants for Dogs

Indoor and outdoor plants are common in most homes thanks to improved air quality and aesthetically pleasing colors and shapes.  However, many common houseplants are poisonous to pets, and should be kept out of reach of animals.  Some of the most poisonous plants – along with their symptoms – are described below. Aloe Vera Aloe is typically kept in the kitchen as a quick, natural remedy in case of burns.  However, if your dog happens to eat a leaf of this plant, beware that he or she will experience gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea. Autumn Crocus Not to be confused with the spring crocus variety which is only mildly toxic to pets, the Autumn Crocus is poisonous and can lead to vomiting, bleeding in the GI tract, organ failure, and respiratory distress. Azalea These pretty pink flowers are extremely toxic to dogs, and even the ingestion of one...
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Which Situations Does Your Pet Require Emergency Treatment?

As a new pet owner, you may be unfamiliar with which situations are medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment and which can wait until the following day.  Since emergency vet visits are expensive, it is important to know which situations are dire emergencies and which are not.  Discussed here are a handful of common problems a new pet owner may face. My Dog Is… Vomiting Vomiting in itself is not a cause for immediate concern.  If your dog is attempting to vomit but cannot produce anything in conjunction with having a very bloated stomach, you should seek immediate medical attention for your pet, as Bloat may be to blame.  However, if your dog is throwing up but acting normal otherwise and the vomit does not contain traces of blood, pet owners are advised to wait 24 hours to see if symptoms subside before scheduling an appointment. Has Diarrhea Dogs are prone...
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8 Foods to Never Feed your Dog

Despite all the physiological similarities dogs and humans have, there are a number of “human” foods that can be poisonous to our pets.  Every pet owner should be aware of the effects of the 8 foods below, especially pet parents of small breeds, which require a much lower dose of toxins before exhibiting symptoms of food toxicity. We suggest reading 5 people foods that are healthy for your dog after reading this article. Grapes/Raisins Grape and raisin toxicity among pets is a recent concern, first appearing to be a national problem in 2003, which has led some veterinarians and scientists to believe the issue is actually due to a pesticide that is used during the growing process of this fruit.  While the toxicity mechanism is largely unknown, veterinarians do know that grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs, as well as anuria (lack of urine production).   Garlic/Onion Garlic and...
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Can I Feed Bones To My Dog?

Dogs and bones seemingly go together like peanut butter and jelly; but, are bones really a healthy snack for our dogs?  A growing number of veterinarians are warning pet owners to avoid giving their pets bones as treats due to the potentially harmful implications they have for sensitive digestive tracts.  Listed below are the many types of bones available to dogs and whether or not they are safe. Cooked Bones Cooked bones, particularly poultry bones, are never recommended for a dog because they become brittle during the cooking process, leading to an increased chance of splintering.  Bone fragments cause numerous issues for dogs, including abrasions in the mouth and throat, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, constipation, diarrhea, and perforations in the intestinal tract, which can be deadly.   Rawhide Bones A common treat for a dog is the rawhide bone, which can be purchased at any pet store and is comprised of...
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Dealing With Dog Diseases

Dogs are likely to catch certain dangerous diseases, and these if not treated immediately, may cause further health problems. The key is that owners take responsibility of addressing the disease in time so that necessary steps can be taken to eradicate the disease as soon as possible. Admittedly, a disease-free dog is one which is healthy and active! Canine distemper is caused by an extremely contagious virus through tiny particles present in the air or respiratory secretions of infected dogs. Such infected dogs usually develop watery eyes, fever, runny nose, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea etc. Such a disease, if not attended to within the timeline, may even become fatal. However, there is an effective vaccine available now to protect your dog from this deadly disease, which is considered a “core” vaccine and thus applicable to every dog! Canine influenza is another common disease found in dogs, and is caused through respiratory...
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