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Tips for Happy Canine Campers

May 5th, 2011

Going camping and getting outdoors with your pets always sounds like great fun… until it isn’t.

Away from the routine and comforts of home can be stressful if you aren’t prepared. A little planning can make a huge difference in the fun factor.

If you are planning a trip, be sure to check out GoPetFriendly.com for pet-friendly campgrounds, hotels and restaurants. Once your trip is planned out, it’s time to get packing with these tips in mind.

Tips for Happy Canine Campers

1 ) First Aid Kit – This is probably a ‘no-brainer,’ but a first aid kit customized for your pet is even better. An extra supply of any current meds, or medications they might need, such as a vet-approved NSAID for pain from extra hiking, etc. are especially useful.

2 ) First Aid Training – A first aid kit is great, but if you don’t know how to use the items, it isn’t much use. When your dog is in pain and the situation is tense, staying calm and putting previous training to work is much more effective than guessing.

My vet colleague and I do a “wilderness first aid” class at our local REI store – check your outdoor stores for similar first aid intro classes. Check with your local Red Cross chapter or community college for more in-depth training on pet first aid.

3 ) Pet Identification – Is your pet’s collar tag and microchip registration information up to date? It is important to remember that cell phones may not work in the places you are camping. Adding a phone number of your vet or someone in town who could reach you is a good idea; either by adding a new tag or affixing the info to the current tag(s).

4 ) Food from home/regular diet – Keeping your dog’s diet as ‘normal’ as possible will help prevent diarrhea, upset stomach and pancreatitis. Fatty trimmings from campfire cookouts (and the yummy, drippy foil found on the ground!), corn cobs, and other camping feast foods can spell disaster for your dog.

5 ) Wildlife – Keep your pet in close range to avoid mishaps with wildlife – bites and unfortunate encounters with porcupines and skunks.

6 ) Extra towels and rags – A sudden downpour or swim in the lake can make for a wet dog who may get hypothermic with all of that wet hair as temps drop. Bringing a supply of towels to have on hand helps with the comfort factor too.

7 ) Flea, tick, mosquito and other bug protection - Your pet may already be on a monthly flea/tick preventative, but if not, check with your vet about the best product for your pet and where you will be traveling to. Extra caution for dog and cat households; products should never be used on a species it is not labeled for, and some dog flea/tick products are toxic to cats.

8 ) Keeping it routine – My dogs, like many, get to know and anticipate the normal routines of life very quickly. Travel and camping disrupt that routine. Most dogs go with the flow and are totally fine with this. Some aren’t. You may notice pacing, panting and even trembling if your dog is feeling out of sorts.

Throw in a thunderstorm or fireworks, and you may be up all night with a dog who is very frightened and won’t settle.

We pack the big bulky dog beds. The Greyhounds go “oh good – HOME” and settle right down. I am also a big fan of DAP spray to spritz on their beds. (I also love the DAP collars – see my review here.)

Finally, packing the Thundershirt is great to take a chill off the Greyhounds as well as provide a little comfort, if needed.

And sometimes…

Pets do better staying with family, friends or the pet hotel rather than braving the wilds of nature.

Photo credit: Bluey estoril/Flickr

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Top 4 Easter Dangers for Pets

April 14th, 2011

When people think of potential pet hazards associated with the Easter holiday, chocolate often comes to mind first. In fact, according to veterinarians at the Pet Poison Helpline, calls concerning dogs that have been poisoned by chocolate increase by nearly 200 percent at this time of year.

But other, more deadly dangers may sneak in the house unnoticed.

Top 4 Easter Dangers for Pets

1) Easter Lily – this iconic flowering plant is highly toxic, even deadly, to cats. The toxin of this plant causes kidney failure within 6 – 12 hours of ingestion. There is no antidote; treatment is supportive and must be quick and aggressive to counter the toxin.

Other plants of the Lilium and Hemerocallis species, commonly referred to as Tiger lilies, Day lilies and Asiatic lilies, are also toxic. Asiatic lilies are commonly found in grocery store bouquets.

“Unbeknownst to many pet owners, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. “All parts of the Easter lily plant are poisonous – the petals, the leaves, the stem and even the pollen. Cats that ingest as few as one or two leaves, or even a small amount of pollen while grooming their fur, can suffer severe kidney failure.”

Learn more: Lily toxicity

2) Easter Grass - while not a toxin, this ‘fake grass’ can be very tempting to cats and dogs. The plastic stringiness of Easter grass can get caught around the tongue or bunched up in the intestines, causing a complete blockage, or what is known as a Linear Foreign Body; a bunching up, and sometimes slicing through, the intestines.

Related: Icky things pets eat

3) Xylitol – this sweetener is commonly found in gum (the amount varies widely by brand of gum), baked goods, and candy. It is very toxic in small amounts to dogs and ferrets.

Learn more: xylitol toxicity

4) Chocolate – bunnies, eggs, and all sorts of chocolate goodness abound at this time of year. Most people know that chocolate should not be eaten by pets (more for us!), but ingestion accidents happen. Pets can be sneaky and can sniff out chocolate, even when hidden.

Most of the chocolate this time of year is the milk chocolate variety, which is one of the least toxic (darker, more bitter chocolate is more toxic), but gastric upset can occur. Larger chocolate ingestions may bring on tremors.

Ever wonder why can we eat chocolate and pets can’t? Learn what makes chocolate toxic to pets and not humans.

Learn more: All about chocolate toxicity

Help spread the word

All of these items are available year round (if not Easter lily, then a common lily substitute), and awareness is key to preventing a tragedy. If your pet has ingested any of these items, please call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately.

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Slow Down, Chow Hound

March 31st, 2011

Eating too fast. Gulping large quantities of food (and air) in seconds. This is a problem that I have not had to deal with for any of my dogs. I have always had “regular” eaters, some even picky. Gulping was not a problem. Until now.

We failed Fostering 101 last week and adopted “Burro,” now “Purl” the Greyhound. She, like Argos, had a very ravenous appetite when she arrived, and we had to remove all extra temptations of food on tables or counters. She inhaled everything.

Unlike Argos, she hasn’t calmed down on eating. She may have even been trying to eat faster, it was hard to tell.

I am working to add a few pounds to her frame, so the good appetite is great. But this quick food intake can also be a problem. If they also swallow a bunch of air with the food, it may lead to bloat or vomiting or discomfort.

For pets prone to putting on pounds, calories add up quickly, too. It is hard to resist that “wow they are really hungry I should give them more” feeling.

Ways to Slow Down Food Intake

Here are a few ideas to slow down eating. Every dog is different – what works great for one dog will frustrate or bore another. Try out a new technique or consult a dog training professional for ideas/products that resonate with your dog.

1) Small meals throughout the day – Hopefully reducing the over-anticipation. Also reducing amount of food for the body process at one time. You could divide the portions further to 4-5 servings a day if that works with your schedule.

This worked great for Argos. He was fed three times a day for the first few weeks. He completely calmed down around mealtime, including laying down until he gets the signal that his dish is ready. He is a very deliberate eater now.

2) Interactive food toys – I purchased a Kibble Nibble Dog Toy prior to Purl. This was for Sophie and Argos, both moderate eaters at the time. Neither one not needing to slow down or lose weight, but something to engage them and keep them busy.

Each dog played differently with this toy: Watch video of Argos | Watch video of Sophie

There are many other toys like this on the market. Some are food-dispensing puzzles, some are designed to slowly release food with activity, similar to the Kibble Nibble.

For the food dispensing toys, the entire day’s ration can be put inside, releasing the ‘meal’ over several hours.

3) Human treat dispenser - Veterinary Behaviorist Sophia Yin DVM MS advocates the “learn to earn” method of training.

In a nutshell:

“For the fastest training dogs should earn their meal throughout the day when you are home. That means no food in the food bowl. Instead you’ll carry food around with you in your pockets or bait bag or have it available in easily accessible containers in throughout the house. Then throughout the day, when you are home, you’ll reward appropriate behavior.”

From The Learn To Earn Program (PDF)

With three hungry dog mouths to feed, this would take more time than I have in my day. So I opted for…

4) Brake-Fast® Pet Food Bowl – I learned about this dish a few years ago from my friend (also a veterinarian) who has Labs. And we all know how Labs love to eat! It was more of an amusement at that time, since I did not have a need for this bowl for my dogs.

Until now.

After three full weeks with no slow-down in sight, Purl needed help. At first, I turned one bowl upside down in her regular bowl to add an obstacle. That worked for a few feedings until she figured out how to flip out the extra bowl.

We purchased the Brake-Fast® bowl on a Saturday, and by Tuesday she was eating slower than the other dogs, the last to finish. More importantly, she is calmer about approaching her food and eating. Hopefully in another week or so, she will be a normal paced eater. Time will tell.

Do you have a chow hound?

Please share what worked to slow your dog’s food intake in the comments below. Always good to have new ideas and products to try out. Just in case.

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6 Free (Or Almost Free) Stuff for Pet Health

January 27th, 2011

Today’s economy is tough. Routine veterinary care is becoming a luxury for some dogs and cats.

What can we do? Start small. Keeping our pets healthy is a first step. Some of these ideas can also be applied to animals awaiting homes in shelters and foster care, too.

6 Free (Or Almost Free) Stuff For Pets

1) Go for a walk

• Cost: Free
• Benefits: A happy, healthy dog. Healthier you, too. I find that even if I feel that I am too busy/it’s too cold/it’s too hot/I’m too tired, I always feel better after a nice walk with the dogs.

2) Brush their teeth

• Cost: $5 -7 for pet toothpaste and toothbrush. You can use a human soft toothbrush to save money, but do not use human toothpaste or mouth rinses. Dogs won’t spit out the fluoride like we do. Most pet toothpastes work with enzymes, and do not need to be rinsed. And bonus – they are flavored with yummy things like chicken and beef!
• Benefits: Healthy teeth, gums and mouth. Dental disease affects more than the mouth – heart, liver, and kidneys can suffer from the bacterial load of dental disease. Keeping those pearly whites clean and white equals good health, and less problems necessitating vet visits.
• How to do it: Tips and Tools for Dental Health
• Related post: More Than Fresh Breath
  

3) Check their weight

• Cost: Free.
• How to do it: At home, weigh yourself, then you and your pet together, and subtract the difference. This can be difficult to do with a large dog and one bathroom scale. Most veterinary offices have the easy walk-on platform scales where you can weigh your pet at no charge. (Call ahead to ask what the best days/times are for stopping in.)
• Benefits: Knowing your pet’s weight and optimum/target weight keeps everyone honest and on the right track. Added to that, visiting the vet for “non-stressful” visits such as a weight check help dogs (and cats) who may not enjoy vet visits, car rides, or meeting new people.
• Related: Tips to reduce your cat’s stress in the car and at the vet

4) Keep them safe in the home
Pets eat stuff they shouldn’t, and sometimes tip over a burning candle or potpourri. We want to keep them safe all of the time, but what if there is an emergency or fire while we are away? Here are some free alert stickers for all of these situations.

• Cost: Free, or for cost of a stamp.
• Benefits: Information at your fingertips and piece of mind for emergencies.
  Free fire alert rescue stickers – from ADT
  Pet Poison Helpline clings (requires self-addressed stamped envelope)
  Pet Safety Pack – from ASPCA
  Rescue Sticker and Alert Cards – from ARF, Animal Rescue foundation

5) Keep track of them and find them fast if lost
No one wants to think of their pet being lost. But wonder if they are scared by a thunderstorm or disoriented in new surroundings while on a trip? Pet ID tags and microchips have reunited thousands of lost and separated pets.

• Cost: Here is a free ID tag.
  For other ID tags, check with your vet or one of the many places online to buy pet ID tags. For microchips, check with your veterinarian or local pet shelters and rescues. Some even offer microchip “clinics” with discounted prices. Once your pet is microchipped, it is important to register the chip. Fees may apply, and vary with the service the chip is registered with.
• Benefits: Quick reunions. Lost pets are at risk of being hit by cars, or end up in shelters, where disease or euthanasia are possible outcomes.

6) Check in with the vet
Some vets offer “free first exam” and some cities have low-cost options for veterinary care at shelters or clinics. Call your shelter or local veterinarian for options in your area.

• Cost: Here is a free new pet exam at Banfield Veterinary Hospitals.
• Benefits: Establishing a vet-pet relationship is good for many reasons. Besides a health exam and head start, your vet is a resource to call if you have health questions or concerns, or need a record of care if your pet needs to be boarded or needs emergency care in the future.

One more…
While I didn’t include this on the list, good nutrition leads to good overall health. You can also find many free pet food samples on the web and on K9Cuisine, too.

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Season of Giving

December 1st, 2010

The holidays are here, and while many of us focus on gift ideas for pets and their people, many others focus on where their next meal is coming from. The economic recession has caused loss of jobs, homes, and families all over the country struggle to put food on the table.

According to NPR, “More than 50 million Americans lived in households that had a hard time getting enough to eat at least at some point during 2009. That includes 17 million children, and at least a half-million of those children faced the direst conditions. They had inadequate diets, or even missed meals, because their families didn’t have enough money for food.” Read full article

Included in this crisis are pets and animals. Stories of starved and abandoned horses, dogs and cats are in the news are all too common, and shelter surrenders due to inability to care for pets are at a record high.

You Can Make A Difference

Gifts of food and cash help animals and people in need — not only provide immediate help, they may help keep the family together, too.

Here are some programs and organizations working to provide basic necessities for pets and people. Donations are easy and there are many ways to be involved on a local level, too.

→ PetCo Food Bank Program
From their site: “The PETCO Foundation is expanding our “We Are Family Too” program to include a Food Bank Collection Program in our PETCO stores nationwide. This program was specifically created to support food bank’s inventory of pet food/litter to assist people in financial crisis feed their pets.”

Click on your state and find your city to see what store(s) are collecting food, and for what pet food pantry in your area.

→ PetsMart Shelter Donation Station
From their site: “Each year, millions of pets are surrendered to shelters. To help care for the many homeless pets in their charge, shelters often need items like food, bedding and health care products. Shelter Donation Station makes it easy. You can find the products shelters need on their Wish Lists, purchase the products you wish to donate and have them shipped to the shelter.”

Click on your state and find your city to see local shelter wish lists. Don’t see your shelter? Email shelterdonation@ssg.petsmart.com to see about getting your shelter listed.

→ Banfield Season of Suppers
From their site: “Pet parents have been known to forego their own dinner so their furry companions can eat and we’ve teamed up with Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) to ensure that Pets and their people both get what they need. Since its inception in 2006, the Season of Suppers campaign has collected thousands of pounds of food to help feed needy pets nationwide.”

The Season of Suppers is one of the first “pet pantry” programs I wrote about. I know seniors who benefit from Meals on Wheels, and before the Season of Suppers, many seniors split what little food they had with their beloved pets. Now, pet food is delivered with the people food.

Season of Suppers offers many ways to help feed pets and become involved in your local community. Get started now.

Start a Pet Food Bank
No pet food bank in your community? No matter how rural or how small of a location, there are likely pets and people in need of food and basic necessities. Local human resources (shelters, food banks), schools, and churches are a good place to start. Here are some starting a pet food bank tips from AnimalShelterTips.com.

Pet Pantry Gets Some Love from K9Cuisine

I “met” Anthony Holloway, CEO of K9Cuisine, almost 2 years ago on Twitter. We have since met in person (and his lovely wife Kate!) at two Blogpaws events. They are the most kind, genuine people you could meet, and they really “walk the talk” by giving back to animals in need. Here is a video of pet food pantries that have benefited from their generosity. Kudos!

Every Little Bit Helps

No donation is too small. Every kibble counts. Don’t have any extra funds or food to donate? Consider volunteering your time; many of these programs are run by volunteers.

Happy holidays to all!

Photo: Licky Dog / TB2011 on Flickr

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10 Pet-Safe Human Foods

November 25th, 2010

The holidays are here, and that means… food. This is the season of celebrations, festive tables, and friends and family enjoying all sorts of delicious treats. Yum!

And then there are the big brown eyes staring at us, just under our elbow, as we sit at the table. Uh oh. How can we resist? We must resist. We must be strong. Pets who have a large helping of fatty treats and table scraps to “be included” in the party might just be spending the night all alone in the pet emergency room, dealing with painful pancreatitis. Yuck!

Some Human Foods May Cause Problems for Pets

Besides the high fat content of many foods that may prove harmful for pets, many human foods are toxic to dogs and/or cats. Be sure to keep grapes, raisins, chocolate, yeast dough, macadamia nuts, and products containing alcohol, xylitol (artificial sweetener) and caffeine securely away from pets.

Related: Top 8 Picnic Poisons

10 Pet-Safe Human Foods

Here are some foods that are OK to share with your pets. Check with your veterinarian first if your pet has any food allergies or specific dietary requirements before feeding anything out of ordinary for your pet.

Standard disclaimer: just like for humans, everything in moderation. Too much of a good thing isn’t always good. Treats for pets should also be with no or very little butter, sauces, salt and other spices, too.

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Who are YOU bringing home for the holidays?

October 15th, 2010

The first of October kicked off this year’s Iams Home For The Holidays pet adoption drive. Coincidentally, October is also Adopt-A-Dog month.

The goal of Home for the Holidays is to find homes for 1.5 million pets — dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, goats, you name it — by January 4th, 2011.

That is an ambitious number, but considering that 1.3 million pets found homes last year, I think it is attainable. To date, 15 days into October, 51,107 pet have been adopted (numbers updated weekly).

I learned about this drive in September of 2009, after hearing a talk by Mike Arms, founder of Home For The Holidays. He also spoke about this and promoting adoptions in general at his September 2010 Blogpaws keynote speech, Saving Pets Is A Business.

The holidays … really?
At first, it seemed counter-intuitive to me. The holidays are a crazy time – shopping, parties, houseguests or trips out of town to visit friends and family. Bringing a pet into the middle of this almost didn’t seem fair. Would there be enough time and enough calm to help that animal become part of the family?

Pets are a commitment for the life of that animal. The time, costs, and day-to-day management of that pet’s health and happiness requirements must be considered by all family members responsible for care. I feel strongly that pets shouldn’t be given as surprise gifts.

The more I thought about it though
Why not? The kids are on a break from school, and we actually are home more than the busy days of summer. So I started looking at Petfinder.com. Just to look. A little research for an article I was writing about pet adoption. Oh hey – you can enter in your zip code to localize your search. That was it. I started sending my husband links to many adoptable dog profiles. Then he got involved, doing more searches.

Which is how we found a local rescue group and adopted our retired racing Greyhound, Argos.

Before that though, we had a family sit-down meeting to discuss this choice and how everyone would be involved. Argos did beautifully. He and Sophie really hit it off. He traveled with us to see relatives, and blended in to our family immediately. I will be doing a 1 year update on Argos’ adoption this December.

Home For The Holidays 2010

• Iams Home 4 the Holidays runs from Oct.1, 2010 to Jan. 4, 2011
• This year’s goal is to adopt 1.5 million pets
• 1.3 million pets were adopted last year alone
• 3,500 partner animal organizations (21 participating countries around the world)
• Information on how to get involved, how to find a participating shelter in your area and other important tips for new parents can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iams or on IamsHome4theHolidays.com.

New ways to be involved and help animals this year:

• You can “Like” Iams on Facebook to donate food to shelters in need.
• You can “Share” Iams content with friends to adopt or donate food.

Related: Hilary Swank – Champion for Animal Adoption
My interview with the 2009-10 Spokeswoman for Home for the Holidays

Iams 2010 Home For The Holidays Commercial:

Posted in K9 Care, K9 Fun, K9 Health, K9 News, K9 Nutrition, K9 Rescue, K9 Stories | 3 Comments »

Top 8 Pet Picnic Poisons

July 15th, 2010

Summer is here and that means lots of picnics, barbecues and other food-related gatherings. I love the impromtu-ness of summer!

We have pets. So do our friends. This means that picnic parties often involve our pets. And, even though my friends know me and “the rules,” sometimes part of a potato chip is sneaked in answer to the woeful eyes of Sophie or Argos.

One little potato chip isn’t going to hurt them, but there are plenty of other human foods that can. With the help of Ahna Brutlag DVM and Justine A. Lee DVM DACVEC, veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline, here are some treats to avoid, all year round.

8 foods that must be kept away from pets

1) Grapes, Raisins and Currants
These fruits are delicious, and many pets like them. They are also found in many baked goods, such as breads, rolls and cookies – and pets usually love those kinds of foods.

• These fruits cause acute kidney failure in dogs and may cause kidney failure in
  cats and ferrets as well.
• While not all dogs or cats will develop kidney failure after eating grapes
  or raisins, it’s impossible to know which pets will be sensitive to this fruit.
• Therefore, all pets (especially dogs) that ingest grapes, raisins or currants should
  be monitored closely and treated appropriately.
• If a small dog eats just a small number of grapes or raisins, this is considered an emergency.

More about: Grape and Raisin Toxicity | Case report of a raisin toxicity in a dog

2) Caffeine – coffee, tea and sodas

• Caffeine is most commonly found in coffee, coffee grounds, tea, used tea bags, soda, energy drinks and diet pills. Theobromine, a cousin chemical to caffeine, is also found chocolate (see chocolate toxicity).
• Threat to pets: Pets are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people are.
• While 1-2 laps of coffee, tea or soda will not contain enough caffeine to cause poisoning in most pets, the ingestion of moderate amounts of coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet pills can easily cause death in small dogs or cats.

3) Chocolate and Cocoa
When it comes to chocolate, it’s imperative to remember this fact: Dark = dangerous! The darker the chocolate, the larger the amount of theobromine, a cousin chemical to caffeine, that it contains. Thus, baker’s chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder and gourmet dark chocolates are more dangerous than milk chocolate.

• White chocolate has very little theobromine and will not cause chocolate poisoning in pets.
• It’s the dose that makes the poison! Pets that ingest a few M&Ms or 1-2 bites of a chocolate chip cookie are unlikely to develop chocolate poisoning.
• Due to the large amount of fat in chocolate, some pets may develop pancreatitis after eating chocolate or baked goods containing chocolate (see pancreatitis).

How much is too much? Chocolate toxicity calculator

4) Xylitol
Xylitol is a common sugar-substitute used in sugar-free chewing gum, breath mints, candies, and baked goods. It is also found in some smoking-cessation products like nicotine gum. It has dental plaque fighting properties and also found (in non-toxic amounts) in pet mouth wash and oral rinse.

• Xylitol may cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar as well as causing liver damage to dogs. Cats and people do not experience this problem.
• Chewing gums and breath mints typically contain 0.22-1.0 gram of xylitol per piece of gum or per mint. Thus, to achieve a potentially toxic dose, a 10 pound dog would only have to eat one piece of gum!

More about: Xylitol Toxicity

5) Onions, garlic, chives and leeks (Allium. species)
The small amount of garlic sometimes found in dog treats is unlikely to be harmful to dogs. However, if cats or dogs ingest a tasty pan of sautéed onions, garlic, or leeks, poisoning may result. The ingestion of large numbers of garlic pills or powder may also cause poising. Garlic was once thought of as a “home remedy” for flea infestations; however, it has been shown to be ineffective and is not recommended by Pet Poison Helpline.

• These vegetables can cause red blood cell destruction (specifically, Heinz body formation) and result in anemia.
• Ingestions of onions or garlic of > 0.5% of dog’s body weight are potentially toxic. For example, this would equate to a 30 lb dog ingesting about 2.5 ounces of onion or garlic.
• Cats and Japanese breeds of dogs (Akita, Shiba Inu, etc) are even more sensitive.

6) Yeast-bread dough
Homemade and store bought unbaked dough that contains yeast (used for bread, dinner rolls, etc). Unbaked yeast containing dough can result in multiple problems if a pet ingests it.

More about: yeast dough toxicity.

7) Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks aside, alcohol can be found in some surprising places. Rum-soaked cakes or other unbaked deserts containing alcohol may contain alcohol to cause poisoning in pets. Alcohol is also a major byproduct of ingested yeast dough (see yeast-bread dough).

Even small amounts of alcohol, especially in small dogs and cats, can cause life-threatening toxicity.

8 ) Fatty foods and meat scraps
Fatty foods such as butter, oils, meat drippings/grease, chocolate and meat scraps may cause pancreatitis when ingested, especially by dogs. Certain breeds, miniature Schnauzers in particular, are more likely to develop pancreatitis than other breeds.

And… one more food hazard to add: corn cobs
While not toxic, they are tempting and tasty to pets. Corn cobs are dangerous though, as they may not make it all they way through the intestinal tract, causing a potentially life-threatening obstruction.

Pet-safe people food

It’s not all gloom and doom for the pets who picnic with us, here are some healthy human food treat ideas from Pet Poison Helpline.

• Apples
• Peas
• Green beans
• Popcorn (Hold the butter and salt!)
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Zucchini and summer squash
• Winter squash
• Ice chips (Freeze cubes of diluted beef or chicken broth for a real frozen treat!)
• Lettuces
• Blueberries

Thank you Pet Poison Helpline, for your assistance with this article.
Photo: School Picnic Lunch by Edenpictures on Flickr.

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Top 3 Pet Loves of Spring

May 27th, 2010

Last week I wrote about my 3 Pet Peeves of Spring. (I forgot about thunderstorms, but I’ll save that for another day.)

I don’t want to leave the beautiful springtime on a sour note, so here are three fun, pet-loving things about spring.

1) Fresh green grass Those tender shoots that spring up after a long winter are so inviting. Sophie can’t resist a good roll in the fresh grass. Sometimes she eats grass. Sometimes Argos joins in.

That is a common question… why do dogs eat grass? Is it sign of illness? The answer is multi-faceted and honestly, unknown. For my dogs, they are usually picky about finding the tender new shoots of grass and haven’t had any gastrointestinal upset before or after eating grass on these occasions. I think they just like the taste of it.

2) Getting outside and active I know. I should be ‘active’ all year round. I am… but the springy not-freezing days, the longer daylight hours, and the lush greeness everywhere is very energizing. The dogs and I are heading out more often.

It is important to remember though, that dogs need to get in shape gradually, just like their humans. Especially if they are overweight. Not sure about your pet? Here are 7 ways to tell if your pet is overweight before you start a diet and exercise plan.

A good friend of mine, someone very fit and knowledgeable about exercise, was out biking along the country roads last weekend. Great day for it, but she brought along her Labrador who was having a little trouble keeping up. He is not overweight and a fit dog, but not used to running like this. Thankfully, she was smart about it and turned around early in the ride to take him back home.

One of my favorite patients ever, a Labrador named “Jake,” went running with his human, as he always did, on too hot of a day. He kept up until they got home, and he nearly died of heatstroke later. (Thankfully he pulled through.) Dogs won’t always stop if they are tired and over heated. Heatstroke from warm weather and exertion is a possibility.

Consider the type of dog, too. Some are suited for running and active lifestyles, some are not. A walk around the park or neighborhood is a safe bet for most dogs, at least to start. Your veterinarian can help devise a safe exercise plan, especially if your pet needs to lose some pounds and get in shape. There are also many dog trainers and fitness experts available now in many cities. Check with your vet or local listings.

Related:
Protect Your Dog’s Feet from Getting Burned on Hot Pavement
Running with Your Dog – How Far is Too Far?

3) Outdoor dining and recreation Friends are invited over for an impromptu picnic dinner or they meet up at the lake. Dogs are always invited. We recently had a large “Greyhound Adoption Party” for Hammer the Foster, and  it was a yard full of people and dogs!

We had a great time, but we had to watch the dinner plates. Greyhounds in particular can be sneaky. And quick! We all know that pets will eat just about anything and pancreatitis is a worry if they grab too much of a good thing. Also, picnic foods such as corn on the cob may cause intestinal blockage if the entire cob is consumed.

Don’t forget water safety. Just like some dogs aren’t natural running athletes, not all dogs natural swimmers. I know I will be getting a life vest for Argos — Greyhounds are not known for their swimming talent and with a much lower body fat, they tend to sink! Hypothermia is another possibility.

Your Turn
What are YOUR favorite things about springtime and pets? Do your pets ‘help’ keep you in shape?

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