I’m taking a break from the normal ranting and raving to post this Public Service Message. You see, I’m a dog person:
“The more people I meet the more I like my dog.”
“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” – Mark Twain
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner
“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andrew A. Rooney
“No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has.” – Will Rogers
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” – Unknown
“If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.” – James Thurber
“Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” – Mark Twain
“My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am.” – Unknown
With this in mind I offer you “How to Avoid Foods Dangerous for Your Dog” found at wikiHow:
1. Chocolate contains theobromine (a methylxanthine derivative). It can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, pant excessively, urinate frequently, develop a great thirst, have seizures, show hyperactivity, get an abnormal heart beat and possibly die.
2. Caffeine/Coffee warrant the same precautions as for chocolate. Caffeine, like theobromine, is a methylxanthine derivative with similar effects on dogs.
3. Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, poor breathing, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death, just like in humans. The difference is that dogs are much smaller and are more susceptible to intoxication.
4. Onions, garlic and chives in all forms (dry, raw, cooked) contain thiosulphate, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your dog. A relatively high dosage (600-800 grams) in one meal or spread apart over a few days can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia).
5. Macadamia Nuts (both raw and roasted, as well as macadamia butter) contain an unknown toxin that can cause locomotory difficulties: weakness, panting, tremors and swollen limbs. Commonly in cookies, so be careful what you feed your dog.
6. Grapes and Raisins can lead to kidney failure. As yet, it is not known what substance in grapes causes this. Be careful, as raisins are often in cake and cookies.
7. Avocado – the substance Persin can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes heart congestion.
8. Yeast dough – this refers to the dough prior to cooking. The yeast can continue to rise in the dog’s stomach and cause painful bloating, gas and even rupture of the intestines or stomach.
9. Raw or undercooked meat and eggs – While there is controversy surrounding the role of raw meat in a dog’s diet, studies have shown that raw meat has a higher likelihood of harboring harmful bacteria than cooked or prepared dog food. As with humans, care needs to be taken in handling raw meat and eggs to avoid the possibility of contamination with Salmonella bacteria and E. coli.
10. Milk – owing to the lack of lactase, consumption may lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea and other digestive upsets.
11. Xylitol – this can lead to liver failure through the over-release of insulin, vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. It does not take long to see signs of nearing liver failure – only a few days. Be very careful as this substance in a wide range of products, such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste and baked goods.
12. Bones can cause choking, or they can break apart into jagged pieces that become lodged in the digestive tract. Look for sturdy marrow bones that are less likely to splinter or nylon bones that wear down slowly.
13. Corn on the cob is one of the most common ways a dog can get a blocked intestine. The dog bites of a piece of the cob one inch long and swallows it. The corn is digested off the cob in the tummy and the cob is left to block the small intestine and feels like a brillo pad trying to scrape it’s way down the digestive track.
14. Salmon and trout frequently have a parasite that cooking does not kill. It is fine for humans but can harm dogs.
