Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we tend to take for granted that are potentially very dangerous to your dog's health. It is especially important to be aware of this because as you know, dogs are essentially scavengers and will often eat just about anything they can sink their fangs into. I would say that may own dog is more like a mobile garbage disposal. It is also very important to be aware of these items since their sense of smell is so well developed that your pooch will be able to find what you may think is well hidden.
One of these dangerous household items, it turns out, is simple chocolate. While chocolate has been reported recently to be high in human-friendly antioxidants, it appears to be potentially lethal for our pets, and particularly for our dogs. Cats are mostly unaffected since they do not care for the taste of chocolate, but dogs tend to be crazy about it. Certain breeds of dogs react indifferently to chocolate.
The root of the problem is that chocolate contains various chemicals which are called methylxanthine alkaloids(sometypes have more of these chemicals than others) Sadly, relatively miniscule amounts of these chemicals are capable of causing such serious problems as constriction of the arteries and an increased heart rate. Large amounts may cause even more dire symptoms and a pound of milk chocolate could possibly kill a sixteen pound dog. If you find that your dog has eaten chocolate then by all means take note of the it's type and try to estimate the amount eaten. Then get on the phone with a veternarian or an emergency facility.
Be sure that your children know how important it is to keep chocolate out of your dog's reach. If you are not aware that your dog has consumed chocolate, the consequences could be severe. If consumption is not found within 4 to 6 hours without the right treatment, cardiac failure, seizures, coma and death could result, according to veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks.
In addition to seemingly innocent chocolate, there are a number of other common household items that may seem safe for our dogs but that can be downright dangerous.
Some mushrooms, for example, can produce abdominal pain, liver andd kidney damage and amenia. So be aware of wild mushrooms when you are out walking your dog in wooded areas. Garlic may seem benign but can cause vomiting, liver damage, anemia and diarrhea so do not give your pet baby food since it can contain garlic. Anti-freeze can shut down your dog's kidney and they tend to love the taste. Miscletoe can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and depression. Onions can causeliver damage, anemia and diarrhea. Onion can also sometimes be found in baby food. Cats are actually somewhat more sensitive to this one so keep out of the reach of both. Coffee, like cocoa, is especially dangerous, and may cause heart rate increase, diarrhea, seizures, coma, death. Caffeine just does not have the same effect in dogs. When outside be careful around apple and cherry trees. While the fruit is safe, the leaves and roots are not. And be very careful about Moth Balls. it's primary chemical naphthalene is extremely toxic to dogs and can result in tremors and seizures.
Concerning dog food, you should be looking for dyes and other chemicals, according to Dr. Jane BHA, for instance, which is one of the main synthetic antioxidant preservatives used to prevent food discoloration, has been observed to cause cancer in laboratory rats at certain doses. Small doses are as yet unclear but since dog food is eaten every day caution is advised. Many conventional dog food brands have large quantities of sodium to make them palatable, and this can be quite harmful to a dog. Other ingredients to wary of are dairy, by-products, chemical preservatives and artificial colors.
About The Author
Aaron Wilmont is an author and researcher in the fields of human and pet health. For more info. go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com.
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
Buying a pet bird can be quite an investment. After... Read More
Even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with... Read More
This is an 11 step guide to setting up a... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
In a recent discussion about pet safety, the services provided... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
We are all busy these days and I know it's... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of... Read More
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your... Read More
Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know... Read More
As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More
If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
Pets are people, too. At least, that's the way they... Read More
Dogs make great loyal pets and are always pleased to... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More
Pet |