The time has arrived for vacations, parties and family visits. Perhaps you are going on vacation and placing your dog in day care or plan on having friends or family care for your dog. Perhaps you are having a big party and your dog will be around to enjoy it. Or perhaps you are having family visit who will enjoy doing a little scratching behind your dog's ears.
Whatever you are doing this summer, amongst all your preparations, incorporate keeping your dog free from illness. Keep your dog safe from getting sick by being prepared for those around you. Not everyone has a dog or is a dog person. Gone are the days when dogs were simply given table scraps for their daily meals. Now ensuring your best friend has a long healthy life is optimal. But how do you prepare for visits, vacations and parties where your dog can participate?
Easy. Post a list of toxic foods on your refrigerator. Then let your family, friends and people who are babysitting your dog know about the list. In fact, walk them over to your refrigerator and have them see it. Well meaning friends and neighbors sometimes give a dog a bite of a cookie that fell on the floor. Little do they know that those macadamia cookies are very dangerous and can cause paralysis in dogs. Save yourself the heartache and post the list on your fridge (and show them where it is!). Don't forget to list anything your dog might be allergic to as well.
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It would be great if when people adopt a new dog they were also given this list. Please pass it on to anyone who has acquired a new dog in their household.
Always contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic. In the event it is after hours -- you can contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. You can also reach out to them to find out if a particular food is safe to eat.
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Do Not Feed Your Dog These Foods
1 - Chocolate
(abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, death)
2 - Onions/garlic/chives powdered, raw, cooked or dehydrated
(can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia and breathlessness)
3 - Grapes and raisins
(kidney failure, vomiting, hyperactivity, heart failure, can become lethargic/depressed/disoriented)
4 - Avocados/guacamole
(congestion, difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation around the heart)
5 - Coffee
(caffeine poisoning -restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, bleeding)
6 - Xylitol - Sugar free foods, gum & candy
(seizures, heart failure, death)
7 - Alcohol
(vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, difficulty breathing, coma, death-the smaller the dog, the greater the effect)
8 - Nutmeg
(tremors, seizures and death)
9 - Macadamia nuts
(muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate)
10 - Milk
(diarrhea, stomach upset, vomiting)
11 – Salt (and Salty foods) chips, pretzels, etc.
(sodium iron poisoning/vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, death)
What are some ‘people’ foods you can give as snacks safely?
1 – Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peas & corn (boiled, cooked/frozen, etc.)
2 – Banana slices (in moderation)
3 - Tomatoes (without the green leaves on top)
4 – Apples, oranges, cantaloupes and watermelon slices (no seeds)
5 - Plain pasta noodles (in moderation)
6 - When sick - plain white rice with plain boiled ground beef or plain boiled chicken
7 - Canned Pumpkin (plain) (good for hardening the stool) (no pumpkin pie – it contains nutmeg!)
9 –Boiled/frozen plain green beans (good for hardening the stool)
10 – Piece of plain cheese/cottage cheese (in moderation)
Note: Please wash all fruits & vegetables before feeding
To learn more, please visit the ASPCA website at: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.aspx
