Raw meat should not be given to puppies. Dogs are just as susceptible to Salmonella or Campylobacter diarrhoea as you are. If you feed your dog with raw meat and it catches these bugs, you might catch them from your dog too.

 

  I would like to explain the dangers behind giving your puppy or dog (bones).

Feeding dogs bones is a topic. People often give their dogs bones as they assume they can not be harmful as they are full of nutrients and completely natural. As you are well aware, even though both these statements have some truth in them, in my opinion it is never a good idea to feed your dog a bone. The main reason for this is that the dog naturally crack the bones open to get at the bone marrow. If not chewed sufficiently broken fragments of bone can be swallowed, and as stomach acid is very slow at dissolving bone these fragments can cause blockage/perforation of the gut, which if left untreated will be fatal. 

Different types of bones have different amounts of risks associated with them. Chicken bones for example are a definite no, they fracture into sharp spears of bone when broken, which are one day going to puncture your digestive system. Cooked bones are dry and brittle and can absorb water from the causing constipation and blockage of the intestines. Whilst cooked bones are the main culprit, raw bones can also splinter and perforate the gut (leading to severe illness), which usually requires surgery to repair.

How harmful is chewing gum for your puppy or dog?

I think if your dog got of hold of one piece of chewing gum it is highly unlikely that your dog suffer from any ill-effect. However, if it consumed a whole packet at once, it is possible that it may cause harm to it. The Animal Poison Control Center is testament to the fact that chewing gum can be toxic to pets. In itself, chewing gum is not however it contains which is highly toxic to dogs. Some sugar-free chewing gums are as much as 70 percent, depending on the brand and whether the product is used as a primary sweetener.  

Research has recommended that if a 22-pound dog ate the equivalent of 3 to 4 pieces of some gum products the dog should be given medical attention immediately. Significant consumption can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which can cause weakness, a loss of coordination and even seizures. These symptoms can occur within 30 minutes of consumption and last for anything up to a day. Treatment would normally include intravenous fluid application with dextrose supplementation

Why does your dog eat grass, and the other day he was eating dirt.

It is actually pretty common for dogs to eat grass, including plants, earth and even rocks! While some aspects of this simply behavioral, there are some possible medical reasons. You should visit your vet for a thorough examination to rule out any particular ailment, but the primary cause of such behavior is dietary deficiency - talk to your vet about the benefits of certain prescription diets that are best suited to your dogs breed. Some dogs have an instinctive taste for certain substances, sometimes related to a genetic predisposition to a deficiency. For example, some dogs like to eat clay - possibly for its iron content.

If your vet finds no particular reason for this behavior, and prescription diets do not help, the behavioris probably not based on a medical condition, and can be approached as a training issue. For example, you could try to stop this behavior by punishment with loud noises or by diversion tactics using toys.  

Making homemade treats for your dog. Here are some ingredients that should not be used such as garlic or onion, etc.?

There are lots of human food items that are not good for dogs. Most would require to be fed in large quantities to have an adverse effect. In most the worst symptoms would be temporary diarrhea or muscle spasms, but some (such as chocolate) can have more serious consequences. Foods known to be toxic to dogs include chocolate, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, green parts of tomato plants, potato peelings, raisins, grapes, rhubarb leaves, yeast dough, hops, coffee grounds/beans, broccoli and pips or stones from many household fruits.

Has your new puppy or dog has been passing lots of gas lately

  When changing a food it is quite common to see symptoms such as diarrhea and bad gas. As sure you know this kind of change needs to be carried out very gradually over several weeks.

Is your dogs  coat dull. What you can do to give him the shiny coat

You should look for a dog food with added sunflower or cod-liver oil, or feed him either pet-food or human-grade supplements of sunflower oil. One capsule every other day will be sufficient at first to avoid stomach upset, and perhaps one every day after several weeks. You should notice an improvement pretty quit.

 So is bacon, sausage, pork etc... bad for your dog?

  Pork in itself is as harmless to dogs as chicken, beef or any other meat. However, there is a slight risk of your dog being infected with trichinosis from eating pork. Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a worldwide, food borne disease caused by a roundworm, uncommon in the United States. Humans and pets who eat raw or undercooked meat of infected animals can develop the disease. Undercooked or raw meat of infected animals contains the roundworm. 

The most important precaution is to make sure that all fresh pork and pork products (all meat of any kind) are properly cooked. Other raw and undercooked meat should also be avoided, especially meat from wild animals.

Raw carrots, and  are any other vegetables suitable for your puppy or dog? 

It is an excellent idea to supplement your dog's diet with fresh vegetables. Many dogs like carrots, and there is nothing harmful about providing a raw carrot. Their diet, as in humans, should consist of a lot of different things in moderation. Your dog can eat any vegetables that humans eat, provided that they are in moderation. A few left over vegetables from the your meal is an excellent addition to your dog's meal.

What kind of fruits and vegetables are OK for dogs to eat and how often

This is good, but start slow with a very small amount at first since any sudden addition of a lot of fruit or vegetables to a dogs diet can lead to stomach upset. However, if you introduce the "roughage" very gradually you should not experience any problems.

You could replace some of your dogs regular diet with a high quality bran or any of the following: Carrots, pear, banana or pepper (non spicy variety!). If your dog prefers food which is not crunchy, try grating or pureeing the additions. Also be aware that some apparently everyday foods can be highly toxic to dogs, such as

·         Chocolate - seizures, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, accelerated heart rate, arrythmia, death, Unsweetened baker's chocolate is most toxic due to high levels of Theobromine.

·         Coffee/Cocoa/Teas - seizures, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, accelerated heart rate, arrythmia, death

·         Onions/Garlic - discolored urine, diarrhea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, labored breathing, liver damage

·         Grapes/Raisins - vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy

·         Raw Salmon & Salmonoid Fish - carries a bacteria that if left untreated can be fatal in 7 to 10 days. Symptoms include high fever, gastrointestinal upset, dehydration, enlarged lymph nodes

·         Macadamia Nuts - locomotory difficulties, tremors, paralysis, labored breathing

·         Nutmeg - seizures, tremors, central nervous system problems, death

·         Alcohol - slow respiratory rate, increased urination, staggering or a wobbly gait, excitement, depression, disorientation, behavioral changes, hypothermia, seizures, cardiac arrest

·         Mushrooms: There are several types of toxins in different types of mushrooms. These can cause anything from kidney and liver failure, (with abdominal pain), to delirium and hallucinations, to vomiting and diarrhea to seizures, coma and possibly death. The symptoms can start anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours after ingestion of the mushrooms.

 

 

Other potential toxic foods:

 

·         Pear pips

·         Potato peelings and green looking potatoes

·         Rhubarb leaves

·         Mouldy/spoiled foods

·         Yeast dough

·         Hops

·         Tomato leaves & stems

·         Broccoli

 


 

Toxicity Treatment

 

Even those dogs who do not appear to be affected should be treated aggressively. Preventing organ damage is to survival. If ingestion occurred recently, your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting to try to remove a significant amount of toxic food. Some toxicity treatment may include all or some of the following:

·         IV fluids - to prevent dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, and /or increased urination, and to "flush" the Theobromine or other toxin out of the system.

·         Emetics - medications that induce vomiting. Used when the ingestion of toxic foods is within 4 hours. Up to 6-8 hours post ingestion may be effective.

·         Activated charcoal - for ingestion greater than 4 hours prior to treatment, or for patients that show continued signs of toxicity.

·         Anti-seizure medications - for patients having seizures and/or muscle tremors.

·         Cardiac medications - for patients exhibiting irregular heart rates or rhythms.


Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish toxicity from such canine health problems as the Parvovirus. Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up nuts of leaves if you have a toxic plant in your garden.

Seek veterinary care for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What happens when small dogs meet larger dogs? 
 

In theory, all dogs in public places should be on a lead. For some reason, smaller breeds can irritate the largest breeds, maybe because of their ill-advised bravery!    For this reason, it is advisable to keep your smaller dog away from the larger dogs. As always, be vigilant and never immediately trust strange dogs as a precaution.

If you suspect

If you suspect that your pet has ingested a caustic substance, do NOT induce vomiting. Caustic substances damage flesh on contact, and can do fatal damage to your dog's innards within minutes.

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately!!

List of  a few Caustic Chemicals and Substances

 Battery Acid   Motor Oil Glue   Laundry Detergent  Sidewalk Salt Paintbrush Cleaner  Household Cleaners   Turpentine
Bleach Drain Cleaner Putty Nail Polish Kerosene Paint Thinner Plaster  Pine Cleaners
   Carbolic Acid Fertilizer Nail Polish Remover
               

There is poisoning assistance hotlines devoted to animals; the Animal Poison Hotline on 888-232-8870, or the The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) can provide advice on cases of suspected toxicities. Note that there is a fee for these services.

So remember, an once of prevention is better than cure!