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What Shouldn't You Feed Your Dogs !?!?!

Need Help Knowing What the WRONG Foods are for Your FurBabies?!?

Editor's Note:  Since this article was first published in 2008 we've learned that, in addition to the other foods listed here, raisins, grapes, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and are especially dangerous for smaller dogs.  Be safe!  Please avoid giving them to your pet!

This includes a brief rundown of common and not-so-common household foods and products that if given to your dog can be deadly.  And just in case you think turkey bones are safe, owner beware: turkey bones, like chicken bones, can be just as deadly if given to man's best friend.

If you think the best way to a dog's heart is through food, think again.  Foods high in fat -- such as the table scraps that we humans cut away from our meats -- can cause canine pancreatitis and gastroenteritis, serious and potentially fatal conditions.  Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas can result in a complete loss of appetite, frequent vomiting, diarrhea that may contain blood, weakness and abdominal pain (apparent through whimpering and restlessness).  The reactions can range from barely noticeable to a severe shock-like collapse that can result in death.  These conditions can occur after raids on garbage cans, also.  Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines' lining and has similar symptoms.  These cases often require hospitalization and fluid relacement.

Onions:  Many table scraps also contain onion that can be toxic for a dog, especially smaller pooches.  Onions can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition that destroys a dog's red blood cells, according to Dr.  Kathy Michel of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.  An onion-poisoned dog will become lethargic, develop breathing difficulties and will have pale gums (check around the teeth).  Fortunately, the toxins will pass through the dog's system, but until then, he or she may need a blood transfusion.  If you cook dog food at home, hold the onions.

Chocolate:  It may seem like the best treat of all, but it can be deadly.  All chocolate, with its caffeine and related chemical called theobromine, can raise your dog's heart rate to beat abnormally.  It can cause seizures that will eventually lead to a coma.  Baking or dark chocolate is the deadliest -- about nine times more toxic than milk chocolate.  A chocolate-poisoned pooch will vomit, urinate more than usual, have diarrhea, and show hyperactivity.

Naturally Non-toxic Plants:  Naturally nontoxic plants can still make your pet sick if the greenery has been sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers.  Although it depends on the type of plant consumed by your dog, symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, convulsions, excessive salivation, gastroenteritis, skin rashes, stomach upset, swallowing difficulties, vomiting, and watery eyes and nose, according ot the book, "Are you Poisoning Your Pets?" by Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper (Avery Publishing Group).  Some of the deadliest plants and flowers include dieffenbachia, mistletoe, poinsettias, laurel, rhododendrons, azaleas, daphne, lantanas, holly, delphiniums, foxglove, irises, lillies of the valley,amaryllis, morning glories, and daffodils.  The bulbs of daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils trigger severe gastroenteritis; hyacinth bulbs cause trembling and convulsions.  Avocado leaves and unripe stems, rhubarb leaves, spinach leaves and tomato vines, stems and leaves can also be harmful.

Flea Repellents:  Most pesticide chemicals in commercial flea repellents are fat-soluble and are stored in the fatty tissues of the body, primarily in the liver and in the nervous system.  As these chemicals accumulate over time, they negatively affect nerves, hormones, and immunity.  Symptoms to lookout for include anorexia, cancer, colic, convulsions, deformity of sexual organs, depression, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, nausea, seizures, stiffness, vomiting and weakness, according to Anderson and Peiper.

Chemical additives:  Pyrethrum, a nontoxic insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers, is found in may flea repellant products and is considered safe in its natural state.  However, combine pyrethrum with chemical additives and you have a potentially dangerous environment for your dog.  Chemical additives to look out for include diethyl toluamide (DEET), propoxur, diazinon, carbaryl, dichlorvos, and DDVP.  Be forewarned: constant inhalation of DDVP, found in flea collars, can causepermanent damage to your dog's internal organs.

If you can keep the fleas off your dog, they will eventually die.  So you don't necessarily have to kill the fleas, just keep them off your pets so they cannot feed on your pets and they will eventually starve to death.  A great NATURAL repellent is Rosemary Oil and Cedar Oil.  It is very effective and also it smells great!  Mix your Rosemary Oil and Cedar Oil half and half and then pour it into a spray bottle about 1/4 of the way full.  Fill the bottle to the top with water and be sure to shake it to get it mixed everytime you use it.  Spray the underside of your pet as well as his legs and tail area and back.  DO NOT get this in the eyes!  Rough up the hair, mist it over the pet and then rub it in.  You can also use it on the pet beds indoors & out and you can even use it on YOUR bed, to keep the fleas away while the pets are resting.   Remember, it is a repellent and not an insecticide.

The following vomit guide is taken from "Dogs: The Ultimate Care Guide, Good Health, Loving Care, Maximum Longevity", published by Rodale Press, Inc.

--- NOTE:  If your pooch is having trouble breathing, having seizures, has a slow heart rate, is unconscious, or has a bloated stomach, never induce vomiting.

One teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for each ten pounds of body weight can quickly induce vomiting.  If you're fresh out of hydrogen peroxide, try a combination of one tablespoon of dry mustard and one cup of cold water.  But, as indicated in the chart above, vomiting should never be induced when trying to purge caustic substances such as drain cleaner and petroleum-based products that can burn twice -- once when they do go down and again if they are vomited.  Also, if your pooch is having trouble breathing, having seizures, has a slow heart rate, is unconscious, or has a bloated stomach, never induce vomiting.

The Illinois-based National Animal Poison Control Center is available at 217.333.2053.  For emergency calls: 900.680.0000.  Cost is $20 for the first five minutes; $2.95 for each additional minute.  A flat rate of $30 per case is available.  Call 800.548.2423 or 888.4-ANI-HELP.

"The Healthy Dog" is a twice monthly newsletter about dog's health, dedicated to Diablo, our German Shepherd, and Janczi, our Vizsla, both rescued animal actors who were inhumanely "debarked" by their original owners.  A portion of the proceeds from this newsletter benefit nonprofit animal shelters and organizations.  To subscribe, send a check or money order for $30 to The Healthy Dog, 2275 Huntington Drive, Suite 237, San Marino, CA 91108, or email healthypet@aol.com.  Phone: 626.397.2715 or toll-free 888.WELL-DOG.  References available upon request.  The information in "The Healthy Dog" is not intended as medical advice, but only as a guide when working with your veterinarian or pet's health practitioner.

-----  by Karen Klemens (Used with Permission)

ASPCA's 2008 Top 10 List of Pet Poisons:

In 2008, the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA) handled over 140,000 cases pertaining to pets that were exposed to toxic substances, and many included everyday household products in and around their own homes.

In response ASPCA put together the top 10 list of pet poisons in 2008, and it's important that you become familiar with this list to help prevent any mishaps at home.

The Top 10 Poisons of 2008

1. Human Medications: 50,000 cases
   It's easy for pets to snatch pills from counters and bed-side tables, or quickly eat them if you've dropped a couple on the floor.  Both over-the-counter and prescription medications including painkillers, antidepressants and even dietary supplements can be problematic.
   
   
2. Insecticides:  31,000 cases
   One of the most common exposures involved using chemical flea and tick products incorrectly, such as applying a topical product for dogs on a cat.
   
   
3. People Food:  15,000 cases
   Grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruits can all be dangerous for pets, but one of the worst offenders was chocolate, which contains large amounts of methylxanthines.  If ingested it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination and hyperactivity, and in severe cases abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
   
   
4. Rodenticides:  8,000 cases
   Rat and mouse poison can contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets.  Aside from eating the poison itself, pets can also become sick from eating a rodent that's ingested poison.  Exposure to rat and mouse poison can cause bleeding, seizures and kidney damage.
   
   
5. Veterinary Medications:  8,000 cases
   Drugs meant for animals can still cause side effects, especially when they are misapplied or improperly dispensed.  Some of the most common toxic exposures involved non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
   
   
6. Plants:  8,000 cases
   Azaleas, rododendrons, sago palms, lilies, kalanchoe, and schefflera are common houseplants that can be toxic to pets.  Lilies are especially toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure even in small amounts.
   
   
7. Chemical Hazards:  5,500 cases
   Many chemicals around your home can symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset and respiratory difficulties to depression and chemical burns in your pets.  Examples include antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals.
   
   
8. Household Cleaners:  3,200 cases
   Bleaches, detergents and disinfectants contain chemicals that can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract in your pets.
   
   
9. Heavy Metals:  3,000 cases
   Metals such as lead, zinc and mercury can all poison your pets.  Lead is especially widespread and pets can be exposed via paint chips, linoleum and lead dust that's produced when surfaces in old homes are scraped and sanded.
   
   
10. Fertilizer:  2,000 cases
    If your lawn has been sprayed with a chemical fertilizer it's essential to keep your pet off of it.  Prevention is the best tip for avoiding accidental exposure to these potentially toxic chemicals.

Which "Human" Foods are Toxic for Pets?

People food was the third top poison to pets in 2008, and while certain human foods can be very healthy for dogs and cats -- and it's certainly preferable to feed your pets fresh, species-appropriate human-grade food as much as possible -- there are some foods that are toxic to pets.

Here are some human foods you absolutely should not feed your pets:

•  Grapes and raisins, which can sometimes cause kidney failure in very low amounts.
  
  
•  Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both classified as methylxanthines;  these can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, and potentially death (the more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it is for your pets).
  
  
•  Onions and members of the onion family, such as leeks and chives;  these can cause damage to red blood cells that could result in anemia in both dogs and cats.  The exception is garlic, which is metabolized into a different metabolite than onions that is not toxic to pets.  A small amount of fresh garlic fed to pets daily actually has some great health benefits.
  
  
•  Macadamia nuts may cause problems including weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, tremors, and hyperthermia.
  
  
•  Rising bread dough can be life-threatening -- The bread dough itself is not toxic but the animal's body heat can cause the dough to rise in the stomach, doubling or tripling in size and leading to impaction.  The dough can also produce ethanol, which causes animals to stumble and become disoriented, lethargic and depressed.
  
  
•  Xylitol, a sugar substitute common in sugar-free chewing gum, can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and liver damage in dogs;  if your dog has ingested gum, bring your dog to the emergency vet immediately!

*** As set down by the Food and Drug Administration, vitamin supplement products cannot be advertised as intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ***