It’s time to focus once more on the chocolate in your home with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching. After all, it’s customary to receive chocolate during this time of year that you would not often have on hand, and this can easily turn into an alluring treat for your family’s pets.
It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, how poisonous chocolate may be for dogs. Although chocolate toxicity in dogs or cats may not always result in death, it can be extremely harmful and may also result in long-term health issues.
To learn more about what to watch out for this Valentine’s Day and whenever you have chocolate in your house, read the information below.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs for two reasons:
The first of these is that chocolate contains caffeine. While certain varieties of chocolate have more caffeine than others, all varieties of chocolate do. Caffeine can make your dog’s heart beat too quickly, which could have major negative health effects. The same logic applies to the argument against allowing dogs to consume coffee.
Theobromine is another component of chocolate that can be poisonous to dogs. This substance can act as a diuretic and behaves similarly to caffeine. Your dog may quickly get dehydrated as a result of this, which could cause other issues.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that a chocolate’s toxicity increases with how bitter it tastes. This indicates that white chocolate is less likely to be harmful than dark baking chocolate, which is particularly poisonous. Do not give your dog any chocolate, even if you believe it is not too bitter, as all varieties of chocolate can be toxic and hazardous to dogs and other pets.
Now that you are aware of the reasons why chocolate is harmful to dogs, it is critical to know how to spot the signs of chocolate poisoning in your pet.
Intoxication symptoms in dogs from chocolate include:
The two issues listed above are the first indications that dogs are poisonous to chocolate. In minor situations, dogs may merely vomit or have a few episodes of diarrhea before feeling better.
However, in extreme circumstances, these symptoms may worsen and eventually lead to the other conditions on the list below.
Dogs who have consumed too much theobromine or caffeine may exhibit increased thirst and urine. This is because theobromine and caffeine are both diuretics.
Particularly caffeine may make dogs act agitatedly. Even without the dog consuming much of it, darker chocolates with higher caffeine concentrations may cause this symptom.
A worrisome sign that might cause cardiac arrest is an increased heart rate, especially in older or sicker dogs. It may be advised to take your pet to the emergency vet for monitoring and/or treatment since it can be challenging to monitor your pet’s heart rate at home.
One of the worst signs of dog’s excessive chocolate poisoning is seizures. This may only happen if a dog consumes a significant amount of chocolate, but it occasionally indicates that the toxicity will become fatal without veterinary care.
If your dog exhibits this symptom after consuming chocolate, take him to the clinic right away.
Depending on the signs your dog exhibits after consuming chocolate, you may need to take different actions.
If you are aware that your pet has had chocolate, call the emergency veterinarian as soon as possible. Depending on the type of chocolate consumed and the size of your pet, clinical symptoms and issues can differ greatly. Your pet may occasionally be made to vomit the chocolate up by the vet in an effort to prevent or decrease the possibility of developing clinical symptoms.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear before contacting your veterinarian; once symptoms appear, treatment becomes much more challenging.
Please take your pet to the emergency vet if he exhibits any of the signs on this list and you are certain that he has consumed chocolate. Dehydration can occur quickly as a result of excessive thirst and urine, which can be very dangerous for dogs.
The more quickly you react to your dog’s alarming symptoms, the more probable it is that your dog will be able to fully recover from the situation.
There are numerous ways to protect your dog at home and avoid chocolate toxicity:
If you keep chocolate of any kind in your home, you should always be aware of how you’re storing it and how probable it is that you’re pet will try to get to it. Whether you have brownies, cookies, milk chocolate bars, or cocoa powder in your kitchen or pantry, they should always be kept in a secure location that your pet can’t access.
Avoid leaving chocolate goodies or wrappers lying around by keeping cabinets and pantry doors closed whenever you can.
Additionally, it’s crucial to teach your pet the “leave it” command to stop them from grabbing objects—either food or inedible—that they shouldn’t. Early training of your dog in good manners and obedience can prevent a lot of hassle later on for both you and them.
Children are renowned for giving pets gifts. Get kids in the habit of putting things away in their right places and teach them not to offer your dog any chocolate or other goodies.
Make sure kids develop the habit of immediately closing the fridge, cupboards, and drawers after usage.
Cocoa shell mulch is a rare but potentially harmful source of chocolate poisoning in dogs. The mulch, which is frequently used as a top covering for plants, can entice dogs with its sweet perfume, causing them to consume some of the mulch, which can lead to disease.
Cocoa shell mulch should never be used for landscaping.
With the use of this knowledge, you ought to be able to protect your dogs at Valentine’s Day and any other time of the year when there is chocolate present. Keep any domestic pets under close observation and store chocolate securely out of their reach. You can avoid this potentially deadly issue altogether if you take this action. Call an emergency veterinarian straight once if you know or suspect that your dog has consumed chocolate.
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How frequently to feed your dog is one of the most contentious topics in the world of dog owners. Do you fed them breakfast in the morning, then lunch and dinner, or does that run the risk of overfeeding them? Do you fed them all at once or do you wait until the end of the day? No matter your dog’s age, take a look at the finest food options to keep them nourished and healthy.
Ideally, you ought to give your dog food twice daily. Most crucial, these two meals need to be served every day at the same time. They will eventually develop a regular schedule for going to the restroom each day. You can also keep an eye out for any health problems. Dogs who are feeling under the weather might not eat as much. As a result, if your dog follows a regular eating schedule, any problems will be obvious.
Ensuring they don’t receive more food than what your veterinarian advises is crucial. For optimal feeding, it’s essential to speak with your veterinarian because some food labels might be deceptive. Remember that less priced dog feeds may not provide your dog with the same nutrients as products that adhere to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional requirements since they contain fillers like maize and brewers rice.
The feeding method that most dog experts advise against is letting your dog graze on a full bowl of dog food all day. This choice could be the simplest for dog owners with a hectic schedule, but your dog won’t gain anything from it.
When dogs have constant access to food, there is a greater likelihood that they may overeat, which can cause complications as they age like excessive weight gain or health problems like heart disease or diabetes.
Young puppies actually require a number of smaller, distinct meals in order to develop into healthy, powerful animals. As early as three to four weeks old, puppies are ready to begin eating solid foods. At that young age, it can be necessary to feed them up to five times per day. When using dog foods designed specifically for puppies, just keep the portions modest. The right amount of food for your puppy’s age and breed should be determined by your veterinarian.
When your dog reaches the age of six weeks, you can cut back on the number of meals to three or four per day. No matter what breed your dog is, three meals a day should be sufficient for them after eight weeks. Keep in mind that pups that are teething can start eating less for a while. Puppies between the ages of three and six months typically experience this.
Due to inactivity or health problems, dogs’ appetites may decline as they get older. They might not have the same amount of energy to run around as they did when they were younger, thus they won’t require as much food. You might wish to switch them to a senior dog chow that has fewer calories at this stage of their life, or just start feeding them less frequently.
Some older dogs are more vulnerable to a variety of ailments. In order to keep them healthy as they age, they will need to keep an eye on their eating patterns and maintain a healthy weight.
Please keep in mind that dogs have sensitive stomachs when feeding your pet. Frequently changing pet food brands could make them uncomfortable. If you decide to switch, make sure to do so gradually over a few weeks so they have time to adjust to the new flavor and recipe.
Overall, your dog is the finest resource for determining its needs. You can be overfeeding them if they appear to be in wonderful health but aren’t finishing all of their food. They may be deficient in important nutrients if they are constantly hungry.
It’s critical to understand what your dog eats. The quantity, rate, and manner in which they digest their meal will give you a decent idea of their health, level of activity, and general contentment.
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Without any negative consequences, milk and other milk-based foods are enjoyed and beneficial by many dogs. If you want to include dairy products in your dog’s diet, stick to these recommendations.
Any food given to dogs may cause conflict, but dairy products cause conflict more frequently than most.
Due to their high levels of protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, and other minerals, milk and dairy products are highly appreciated. Because of this plus the fact that the majority of dogs adore dairy products, milk and other milk-based foods continue to be common additions to canine diets.
Healthy young puppies may easily digest their mother’s milk, but adult dogs frequently struggle to process lactose, the sugar found naturally in milk. Diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss, bloating, gas, and other lactose intolerance symptoms are attributed to the lactose in cow’s milk.
The discussion of dairy for dogs up until recently centered on the production and processing of milk. Dairy cattle are frequently raised in cramped quarters nowadays, fed unsuitable diet, and given hormone and antibiotic treatments that leave residues and lower milk quality. People who believe milk is the best nourishment for adult dogs and puppies call for a return to small-scale, ethical, organic, grass-fed dairy farming.
The nutritional value of milk is said to have decreased as a result of pasteurization. Milk is pasteurized to eliminate dangerous bacteria, yeast, and molds; ultra-pasteurization (treatment at higher temperatures) further increases shelf life.
Critics of these practices assert that pasteurization kills the valuable enzymes in milk and changes the proteins in milk. These people recommend raw milk as the cure. Updates, resources, and safety information on raw milk are available from the Campaign for Real Milk (realmilk.org). While laws differ from state to state, raw milk products for dogs are available in a number of states at pet supply stores.
Additionally, homogenizing is criticized. As cream separates from fresh whole milk, it rises to the top. The majority of dairies sell homogenized milk, which has been processed under high pressure to break the cream into small particles and produce a homogenous combination. Some dairies sell whole milk with a layer of cream on top. It is uncommon to homogenize goat’s milk or sheep’s milk because the fat molecules are already tiny enough to produce a consistent texture.
While milk production and processing techniques continue to be important issues, genetics has altered the dairy for dogs discussion. A1 beta-casein, a milk protein, is produced by a mutation that affects over half of America’s dairy cows. Recent studies have suggested a connection between human health issues like allergies, dyspepsia, and possibly autoimmune illnesses and the consumption of A1 milk, which is produced by Holstein cattle, the most productive dairy cows in America.
In contrast, the older, original A2 gene is more prevalent in cows like Guernsey, Jersey, Charolai, Limousin, Norwegian Reds, and Brown Swiss cows. A Systematic Review of the Gastrointestinal Effects of A1 Compared with A2 Beta-Casein, published in the September issue of the journal Advanced Nutrition, is one of more than 200 studies comparing the effects of A1 and A2 milk in the medical literature. According to that study, both rodents and people who consume A1 milk experience gastrointestinal discomfort and have inflammatory response markers.
While there haven’t been any scientific studies comparing A1 and A2 milk’s effects on dogs, anecdotal tales from vets, breeders, and owners describe dogs with dyspepsia brought on by dairy doing better on A2 milk.
In American supermarkets and natural food stores, it is now simple to locate milk that is branded as A2 or A2A2 (which denotes that both parents of the cows who produced the milk have the A2-milk producing genes).
Sheep, goats, bison, camels, donkeys, and yaks are additional animals that can produce A2 milk. Any of these milks can be given as a supplement for young puppies or as a way to help sick or elderly dogs recover from their illnesses.
Dairy products manufactured from milk, particularly cow’s milk, may cause dogs either no issues at all or severe stomach disturbances. The common explanation for complaints is lactose intolerance.
In comparison to whole milk, cottage, Swiss, and cheddar cheese have much lower lactose content per ounce. Most dogs can accept string cheese or young (as opposed to aged) cheddar training rewards better than old hard cheeses. Mycotoxins, which can be poisonous to dogs, are present in ripened cheeses including Roquefort, blue cheeses, and Stilton. These veined, fragrant cheeses are made with roquefortine C, a toxin that can make dogs throw up, have fever, and even have convulsions.
The salt level in feta and various other forms of aged, hard cheese is considerable. Dogs with heart illness, Addison’s disease, advanced kidney disease, and other disorders that call for a low-salt diet might suffer from too much salt. Goat, Swiss, mozzarella, cottage, and ricotta cheeses often have minimal salt content.
The fat content of cheese, which can cause weight gain and, in rare situations, pancreatitis, a serious condition in dogs, is another issue. Mozzarella, cottage cheese, and cheeses marked “low fat” or “reduced fat” are examples of cheeses that are lower in fat. Moderation is your best cheese-feeding advice because eating large amounts of any cheese can lead to issues.
Whey, a leftover substance from producing cheese, has historically been fed to farm animals, including dogs. Whey protein powder is marketed as a sports supplement that can help canine athletes and dogs who are recuperating from illness or injury perform better. Consult your veterinarian and make any necessary dietary changes for your dog if they think they would benefit from a whey supplement. Some retailers and farms sell liquid raw-milk whey; visit getrawmilk.com for more information.
A microbiome is an umbrella word that encompasses colonies of bacteria, viruses, fungus, and other microbes in the body, particularly in the digestive tract.
Beneficial or “friendly” microorganisms emit substances that kill off undesirable bacteria. Colonies of good bacteria starve dangerous microorganisms by denying them resources and space if they are present in sufficient quantities. The immune system’s first line of protection is a healthy microbiome.
Dogs with yeast infections, inflammation, skin problems, allergies, and digestive disorders are frequently advised to consume lactofermented dairy products, which are probiotics that maintain the microbiome.
The most well-known fermented dairy products are yogurt and kefir, both of which have recently gained popularity as dog food. Especially after receiving antibiotic therapy, they support the body’s healthy bacteria by restoring digestion, boosting the immune system, and strengthening the immune system.
In natural food markets and pet supply stores, a variety of yogurt and kefir products, some of which include extra ingredients, are sold. These goods include fresh or frozen goat’s milk and cow’s milk products (check labels). Making your own plain, unflavored, sugar-free yogurt or kefir is the most economical and straightforward option.
Yogurt starters and live milk kefir starter grains that have been dehydrated are widely accessible. Both the fermentation process and active cultures, which continue to digest lactose while the cultured milk is refrigerated, aid in reducing the amount of lactose in milk.
While kefir ferments at ambient temperature, yogurt must be made in a warm, consistent environment, such an electric yogurt maker. Use organic, pasture-raised A2A2 milk or goat’s milk if you can. Kefir and yogurt should be refrigerated or frozen for long-term storage. Search online for “make your own yogurt or kefir” to find how-to videos on YouTube.com and other websites that walk you through the process.
Start introducing these foods to your dog’s diet in tiny doses, such as 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight. Wait 24 hours before checking for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. Add more the next day if your dog likes the taste and appears healthy. According to some experts, you should give your dog up to 2 tablespoons of yogurt or kefir per 20 pounds of body weight each day, but many healthy dogs consume much more. For the best outcomes, keep an eye on your dog’s reaction and consult your veterinarian.
Dogs enjoy frozen dairy treats much like their owners do, but it’s possible that the treats don’t reciprocate. Cow’s milk ice cream is likely to be artificially flavored, rich in fat, high in lactose (and presumably high in A1 milk proteins), and sweetened with sugar. Always check the ingredients; xylitol, which is highly poisonous to dogs, is a component of certain ice cream.
Typically lactose- and xylitol-free, dog-specific ice cream products may nevertheless contain sweeteners like maltodextrin, polydextrose, sorbitol, and other dubious substances.
Making a healthier substitute is as simple as freezing plain yogurt or kefir in popsicle molds, ice cube trays, or freezer pop molds. Before freezing, fresh fruit, peanut butter, or other sugar-free flavorings can be added. Wooden sticks can also be used to hold the dog treats.
It’s no secret that dogs adore dairy products! Your dogs can fall in love with milk-based products that love them back thanks to carefully chosen ingredients. If you are looking for more information you can contact us through our contact form or you can visit our Facebook Page.
Hey guys! Nikki here, lead veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today I would like to discuss the different food energies proteins (cooling, neutral, warming, and hot). Our bodies natural energy requires a balance that can be attained through many factors, the main one diet. Having an imbalance of our dog’s food energy can cause symptoms such as itchiness, food sensitivities, skin irritation, excessive panting, feeling cold all the time, or feeling hot all the time seeking cool surfaces.
Let’s talk about the different types of energies. First, Cold energy pets tend to always try to get warm. Does your little dog always seek heat, or like to snuggle under a blanket all day? I personally have a boston terrier that is a cold energy, and he even has his own heating pad. Totally not spoiled, right? Also, pets with arthritis that are affected by the cold can also be within this energy.
Please note: Sometimes our energy is different depending on the season. My dog for instance hates to be cold, so I put him on a warming diet in the winter, however, in the summer I give him a neutral protein. I will get into the proteins in a little.
Next up we have Hot energies (hot dogs!) These dogs tend to be warm/hot to the touch, and seek out colder things. Usually dog’s like my parent’s golden retriever, who love to lay down on cold tiles or on top of the air vents. They love the snow and cold weather, and maybe even going swimming in cool water. They may exhibit red eyes, red skin, and pant all the time (IE Bulldogs). By giving these pups a neutral or cooling food, we can help them create balance, and hopefully get those symptoms under control.
Another sample of the hot energy might be an injury, where there is a lot if inflammation going on in the body. These dogs may benefit from a temporary switch to cooling or neutral proteins, just until the injury is better.
Here are some samples of the different proteins by energy (*note* this is just a sample, there are a lot more available online. Also, please do not cold turkey switch your dog food, or you will cause diarrhea and bloating. If you have a sensitive tummy dog, it may be good to discuss the change with a health professional first).
Rabbit
Whitefish
Pollock
Duck
Beef
Pork
Salmon
Bison
Qual
Tuna
Chicken
Anchovy
Pheasant
Turkey
Venison
Goat
Lamb
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Thanksgiving is a holiday of family and food, so don’t leave your fur family out of the festivities. While allowing your dogs to partake in the holiday feast may seem simple, there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure their happiness and wellbeing. There will be less need for emergency room visits, better canine digestive health, and an all-around happy doggie if you can manage to ignore the lovely puppy-dog eyes peeking out from under the table during dinner and pleading for human food.
Remember that dogs depend on humans for their health and wellbeing when you question, “What Thanksgiving meal can dogs eat?”. While it’s true that you’re allowed to indulge, your dog cannot. This is due to the fact that dogs and other pets may actually be in grave risk from the typical Thanksgiving menu. In actuality, dogs shouldn’t eat table scraps at any time of the year. Try some healthier Thanksgiving dog-friendly food alternatives rather than caving in to their cute nudges and whimpers.
Below is a list of Dog friendly food you can feed your dog during Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving will soon be here, which means there will be plenty of delectable food. Many popular human recipes, though, are unhealthy for pets to eat. It’s crucial to keep in mind which meals are unhealthy for dogs. Particularly at holiday feasts when dogs beg for table scraps and guests can be duped by their adorable features.
Here is a list of Thanksgiving meals that may be worse for your dog than they are for you. For your pets to remain healthy during Thanksgiving, make sure to keep them away from them. Also, remember to let your family and dinner guests know about these possibly harmful or toxic pet foods so they won’t feed them to your four-legged family members.
If your pets ingest any of these foods this Thanksgiving, be sure to call your veterinarian immediately. The most important part of holiday pet safety is early action, which may prevent more costly and serious complications from developing. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! If you have any questions you can reach us through our contact form or visit our Facebook page.
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Hey guys, this is Nikki, Lead Veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. So, today I would like to talk about feeding raw diets, pros cons and why it has been clinically proven. First off, studies show that puppies that are raw fed starting at 8 weeks old have a significant decrease in their chances of Atopic dermatitis, and much less chance of developing obesity and cholesterol/glucose issues later on, such as diabetes. They also have an increased resistance to roundworms, which is great news. There is also shinier coats, healthy skin, cleaner teeth, more energy, smaller stools, and most important is healthy weight.
It has been shown to be a great support for joint health, so dogs with CCL tears! Crushed bone provides calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and marrow. This also helps immune systems!
The biggest questions we hearis, Is it safe to feed or dog a raw diet feed? Well, this is a great question. It depends on how you are raw feeding. Some meat may have chemical contaminants, microbial pathogens such as salmonella or e. colli, or there is the issue of feeding whole bones, or unbalanced diet. Bones if not ground properly, or supervised, can cause impactions, or gastric tears, fractures on teeth, etc. So, it is very important if you choose to Raw feed, please do your homework.
What is raw diet food? Typically, this includes muscle meat (not by products), bones whole or ground (I prefer ground), organ meat, raw egg, vegetables, fruit, some probiotics. This can be either via homemade diet, or via pre-made packages. The nice thing about purchasing packaged raw food is that they must provide cleansing methods to prevent contaminations, and grind down any bone material, so it is a bit safer.
There are many companies that can provide frozen raw diets for your pup, just make sure to look at ingredients to ensure they include things that your dog should be eating. One good thing about feeding frozen raw already prepared, is most will have supplements your dog needs already as a part of the diet.
So, whether you feed kibble currently or raw, your dog’s diet is a big decision. We all know that dogs were not meant to eat things like wheat, corn, and soy. Some carbohydrates are required for energy, so there needs to be a good balance. Raw feeding is a huge life change, and can sometimes not be as budget friendly as commercial diets, so that is another thing to consider before making the change. I am not trying to sway you either way, just giving you all the facts on both sides. Let us know if you have any questions, send us a message through our contact form or visit our Facebook page.
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Today I would like to discuss diet, and what is best to feed a dog with a ligament injury. I get a lot of questions regarding if you should feed your dog a grain free diet? Answer: yes, you should. So the reason is, gluten and grains such as corn are some of the more inflammatory foods you can feed. We actually want to take down the amount of inflammatory foods that we feed, and not be adding that to the diet. So you want to be looking for gluten and corn free diets if possible.
The next thing to go over is protein. We want to find a really high, good quality, protein source diet. Some people like to feed poultry, I prefer beef, salmon, or venison. Also, you really want to make sure to check the label. It should not say “by product of.” If it says by product of, or chicken by product, that is garbage, please do not give that to your dog. Protein is really important for dogs, as it has amino acids, which are muscle building blocks. So, without those quality protein amino acids, your dog can’t form muscle, and really can’t get that strength back that we need during this healing time.
Some healthy additives to supplement diet are sweet potatoes. Sweet potato is a safe source of amino acids as well. I personally feed salmon and sweet potato, because my dogs have a lot of energy. Another thing to add is celery. Celery can remove uric acid, which causes and makes arthritis form. This can make an injury more painful. So, we want to take out that uric acid. Another additive is fish oil. Fish oil has a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s are helpful in reducing inflammation, and lubricating joints. You can also add coconut oil, in small amounts. This also contains healthy fatty-acids and aids in lubrication of joints.
Thanks, and please let us know if you have any questions! You can contact me through our contact form or visit our Facebook Page.
Nikki, Posh Lead Veterinary Technician
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