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Should you feed your dog people food?
Dogs and "people" food: Yes or no? (November 04, 2009)
Pet owners are famous for treating their pets like humans. Often, that means feeding them “people” food. In many cases, it’s not a bad idea. Many dog owners do not realize, for example, that their pets not only flourish when eating fruits and vegetables, but most dogs love them, as well. But, like anything else, a little research is required to uncover which “people” foods are good for dogs and which need to be avoided. If you are afraid that your dog may have ingested something toxic, please contact your vet immediately. You can also contact the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 (a fee may be required for a consultation). Foods to avoid: Chocolate and coffee should always be avoided. The methylxanthines in these products can cause heart arrhythmia, tremors, even seizures. It doesn’t take much, either. Just a half ounce of baking chocolate could take your dog’s life! All chocolates are not created equal when it comes to your dog, however. One ounce of milk chocolate contains less methylxanthine than baking or dark chocolate, for example, and therefore may be less toxic to your dog in the equal amounts. No amount of chocolate is a “safe” amount for dogs, however, so keep it out of reach and call your vet if your dog ingests any amount. Macadamia nuts can cause stiffness, tremors, hyperthermia/increased body temperature, increased heart rate, tummy pains, vomiting, weakness, and trouble walking or standing. The ingested amount causing distress varies—some dogs can be affected by just a few, others may need to ingest a lot to induce this macadamia nut toxicosis reaction. So, again, calling the vet if your dog eats any at all is a good idea. Some species of mushrooms can cause toxicity in dogs, and can at times be fatal, causing liver disease and neurological disorders. The most commonly reported species associated with toxicity and dogs in the United States is the Amanita phalloides, but other species could be toxic to dogs, as well. So, in the name of safety, keeping your dog away from mushrooms of all varieties is probably the best idea. Xylitol is a natural sweetener often used in gum, candy, toothpaste, vitamins and an array of sugar-free products. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause a dog’s blood sugar to fall, induce vomiting, and can cause internal hemorrhaging, seizures, and liver failure. A dog who has consumed xylitol may become lethargic, have trouble standing and/or walking, and may collapse completely. Immediate treatment is imperative, so even if your dog has only had a few breath mints or a stick of gum with xylitol, contact your vet for instructions. Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs, although some dogs seem to be much more susceptible than others. Dogs who have ingested grapes/raisins can exhibit vomiting and diarrhea; weakness; and, for those who are highly susceptible to the effects of grape or raisin toxicity, acute renal failure and death can occur, often within 48 hours. If your dog has eaten grapes or raisins and shows any early signs of grape or raisin toxicity, call your vet immediately. In addition to grapes and raisins, the seeds and pits or other fruits, although not the fruits themselves, can be toxic to dogs over time. Seeds in fruits such as apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums and apricots contain cyanide, which can accumulate in your dog’s system over time and make him sick. Pits of fruits are also a choking hazard. Again, the flesh of these fruits is not toxic to your dog, just the seeds and pits, so if your dog likes apples, for example, just be sure to remove the core and seeds (peeling apples is not necessary, but do make sure you wash the skins thoroughly, to remove any pesticides that may still remain on the outside of the fruit). The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of the avocado contain a substance called “persin.” Persin can not only induce vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, it can also damage tissue in the lungs and heart. Interestingly, the ASPCA does say that the avocado found in some dog foods may not be bad for your dog, but why take that chance? Potatoes are a good choice for a healthy dog. However, the leaves, stems and sprouts contain solanine, which dogs have a hard time absorbing and can be toxic. Don’t be afraid to feed cooked potatoes to your dog—just make sure the stems, sprouts and leaves are removed first. Opinions and controversy swirl around onions and garlic. Both contain thiosulphate, which can lead to hemolytic anemia, causing the red blood cells in your dog’s body to burst. Additionally, dogs do not have the enzyme needed to digest onions (cooked, raw, dehydrated/powdered or chives), and after consuming may develop gas, vomiting, diarrhea, tummy pains or anemia. The amount of onion needed to cause toxicity in dogs seems to be unclear, so simply avoiding them in your dog’s diet may be the best plan. However, most experts seem to agree that the amount of garlic needed to cause toxicity in dogs is very large, and that the small amount of garlic contained in many dog foods, treats, etc. is not a threat to the typical dog. In fact, small amounts of garlic are widely touted as having the benefit of repelling fleas. This list is not a comprehensive, but it does contain some of the most common stumbling blocks encountered when feeding your dog. For more products and items that may be toxic to your pup, visit the ASPCA at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/. Works Consulted
ASPCA.org. Animal Poison Control Center. 2009. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/. 30 Oct. 2009. ASPCA.org. “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.” 2009. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html. 30 Oct. 2009. Happydoggyblog.wordpress.com. “Human Foods that are harmful to dogs!” 01 Apr. 2009. http://happydoggieblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/potentially-dangerous-human-foods-to-keep-away-from-your-dog/. 30 Oct. 2009. Suite101.com. “Onion Toxicity in Dogs: A Food Danger Many Dog Owners Don't Know About.” Joy Butler. 10 Jan. 2008. http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/onion_toxicity_in_dogs. 30 Oct. 2009. Vetinfo.com. “Toxins (Poisons) That Effect Your Dog: Mushroom Toxicity.” Mike Richards, DMV. 16 June 2000. http://www.vetinfo.com/dtoxin.html. 30 Oct. 2009. 
Halloween: Keeping your dog safe (October 28, 2009)
Halloween should be a fun time for you, your family and, yes, your dog. Just as with your kids, taking a few basic precautions can help ensure your dog will have a happy and healthy Halloween holiday. Candies that you and your children collect over the holidays are not appropriate to feed your dog. Chocolate is popularly recognized as a threat to your dog’s health, but xylitol, which is found in many artificially sweetened treats, including gum, is also highly toxic to your dog. Never feed your dog alcoholic beverages, of course, which may be found at adult parties, and always make sure the wrappers of candies are properly disposed of, as a curious pet may ingest them and potentially cause choking and/or gastrointestinal blockage. Decorations can cause harm to curious dogs—power cords, candles, and fragile decorations should all be properly displayed and supervised. And, that jack-o-lantern! Yes, you know that the candle inside is a hazard, but do you know that many dogs love pumpkin? The pumpkin itself is not a hazard—pumpkin is actually good for dogs. However, dogs are notoriously unable to “pace” themselves, and eating an entire raw pumpkin, well, it could have some messy results for anyone in the, uh, end—keep an eye on that jack-o-lantern! You know, costumes are fun for people, both adults and kids, and they can be fun for your dog, as well. But, you know, if your dog is unaccustomed to wearing any type of clothing, he may not cotton to it on Halloween. If you want your dog to wear a costume on Halloween, it may be a good idea to pick it out well in advance and acclimate him to it over time instead of just throwing it on him that night. Whatever costume you choose, make sure it is not too tight, which can cut off circulation, or too loose, which could cause him to trip, get hung up on objects around him or even choke if the costume gets wrapped around his airway. And, be sure the costume doesn’t contain beads or other objects the dog might find tempting to tear away and swallow. Because of the potential hazards, it is a good idea to make sure your dog is never alone if he is wearing a costume. Some excellent festive alternatives to a full-blown costume are Halloween collars and bandannas. If trick-or-treaters come to your door, or if you are having a party, make sure your dog is welcoming of such guests to your home. A dog that is unaccustomed or uncomfortable with visitors on other nights of the year is unlikely to suddenly understand that this is a fun time when he should chill and be welcoming of strangers. Also, the “trick” aspect of the season may be lost on your dog—loud noises, strange costumes, people pretending to carry out harmful acts, etc. may cause your dog to react. If the weather is nice, you may want to sit outside the door and meet trick-or-treaters as they arrive, keeping your dog from interacting with them. But, in many areas of the country, weather simply does not permit sitting outside all evening in late October. So, for everyone’s safety, making your dog comfy in another area of the home, away from the ongoing commotion, may be your best option. Although Halloween is fun for most of us, there are, unfortunately, cruel individuals out there in the world. Even if your dog is an outdoor pet the rest of the year, Halloween is a notoriously dangerous night for pets of all kinds to be outdoors alone, not just black cats—just don’t do it. Following these simple guidelines can help both you and your pets stay happy and healthy through the festivities of Halloween; have fun!
Works Consulted
About.com. “Halloween Safety for Dogs.” Jenna Stregowski, RVT. 2009.
http://dogs.about.com/od/caringfordogsandpuppies/qt/halloweensafety.htm.
28 Oct. 2009.
Daily Herald. “Tips for keeping your dog safe on Halloween.” Kerry Vinkler. 28 Oct. 2009. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=331894. 28 Oct. 2009.
BHT & BHA: Do you want your dog eating this? You decide. (October 25, 2009)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene, also known as butylhydroxytoluene) is a fat-soluble organic compound, an antioxidant, and is often used as a food additive to preserve fat. It is also used in cosmetics, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, and embalming fluid. Controversy about BHT began in the 1970s, when a San Francisco doctor, Benjamin Feingold, claimed that BHT may affect hyperactivity in children. Studies have also produced possible links between BHT and cancer. Since these studies have been made public (although some have shown to increase cancer risk and some have claimed that it actually decreases the risk), some food industries have voluntarily removed BHT from products, and have replaced it with BHA. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) has not been studied as much as BHT. It is also an antioxidant, and is often used as a food additive to preserve fat. Because BHT and BHA are antioxidants, oxygen will react with BHT/BHA before the fats or oils found within the given products, which helps prevent food spoilage. BHA is generally used to prevent fats from becoming rancid, while BHT preserves food odor, color and flavor. While both BHT and BHA have undergone testing and review by the United States Food and Drug Administration and have been found to be excellent preservatives, and although testing is actually being done for their use in the treatment of herpes simplex and AIDS, they have also created controversy as possible health hazards. They may actually contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity, and some individuals may not metabolize them properly, which can result in health and/or behavioral changes. So, do you want to risk your dog eating BHA or BHT? That is for each pet owner to decide. But, while the dangers of consuming BHT and BHA are continue to be discussed, pet owners should be aware that there are all-natural alternatives to feeding your pet these controversial preservatives, not the least of them preparing your dog’s food yourself. You don’t even have to cook it daily, if that is an issue! For instance, I cook a package of chicken thighs in the pressure cooker (my stepmom cooks hers in the crockpot!) and fix about two cups of cooked rice. Each day, I shred the appropriate amount of chicken into the dogs’ bowls, add about ¼ cup rice, then add about ½ cup of hot water (which I heat in the microwave as I shred chicken and add rice). As the mixture sits for about five minutes, it not only gently warms the chicken and rice, it makes a yummy broth. Voila! Chicken and rice! Yes, it does take a bit more time than opening a can, but not that much—and you would be surprised how economical it is when you get those chicken thighs on sale and pop them in the freezer for later use. Enjoy your day—and love your dogs! Mechele Works Consulted
About.com: Chemistry. “BHA and BHT: Chemistry of BHA and BHT Food Preservatives.” Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/bha-bht-preservatives.htm.
24 Oct. 2009.
Wikipedia.com. “Butylated hydroxytoluene.” 10 Oct. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butylated_hydroxytoluene. 24 Oct. 2009. |
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