Foods never to feed your dog

Summer brings with it outside picnics, celebrations, and lazy days at the beach. Fruit trees are abundant, and cold drinks kept handy. Be extra diligent when it comes to your dog’s health by keeping clean, fresh water available for him, as well as a high quality feed that meets his active summertime needs. It is also important that you are careful with what your dog does not eat as well.

You should NEVER feed your dog the following foods:

Apples, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots all contain seeds that have a substance that is cyanide based. Different amounts are fatal to dogs.

Avocados are poisonous for dogs. The bark, fruit, pit, and leaves are all very toxic.

Baking soda and baking powder both cause electrolyte imbalances that can can be fatal.

Chocolate contains an element that is fatal to dogs in large doses.

Alcohol can poison your dog; even small amounts of alcohol.

Heartworm passed by mosquitos

Did you know that heart worms are transmitted by a mosquito?

When a mosquito feeds off the blood of an animal with heart worm disease, then feeds off the blood of another animal, the heart worm larvae are injected under the skin of the second animal. The larvae eventually make it through the bloodstream to the right side of the dog’s heart where they settle in.

The female heart worm can grow up to 12 inches long inside your dog’s heart, and will eventually have about 100 – 1000 offspring or larvae of her own that grow inside your dog’s heart. The heart worms will travel to your dog’s lungs when they run out of room in the heart, and if your dog is not treated, he will die of heart failure.

The prevention and treatment of heart worm is easy! Talk with your vet to come up with a plan that is best for your dog.

Signs that your dog is happy

Happiness is a feeling of contentedness, pleasure, and well-being. How do you know if your dog is happy? Here is a general description of what a happy dog would do during the course of a day.

Your happy will dog sleep for about 8 to 10 hours total during the day and at night. He will wake up early ready to start his day with a good breakfast. He wants your attention right away and is excited to see you showing bright eyes with an alert and active demeanor. Your happy dog will also be excited to greet other pets first thing in the morning.

After breakfast, your happy dog is ready to play, socialize, and take a brisk walk. Little resting periods or short little naps are common.

In the early afternoon, your happy dog will chew on his favorite toy, investigate his surroundings, and seek out someone who will pet him. He gets very excited when family members begin to return home from school and work, and his activity seems to increase and peak at this time. Your happy dog looks and acts joyful with bright eyes, an engaging smile (the corners of his mouth turned upward), and alert ears.

In the evening, your happy dog will stay by your side, nuzzling your hand to get you to pet him. He just want to be close to you and keep you company. The best part of his day!

Drugs in our water

According to the Associated Press, researchers recently discovered that our drinking water is not as pure as we may have thought. The drugs that people use are excreted and eventually end up in our water systems. The water goes through treatment plants before it comes from our tap in our houses. Across the country, 28 water sources were tested and 25 showed positive traces of drugs (both prescription and non-prescription), as well as hormonal drugs, steroids, and narcotics.

This impacts our pets, too. They drink water from the same source as we do. The long-term affects of drugs in our water on our pets is not known. The best way to protect your beloved pet is to get a purifier for your water faucet or give bottled water for drinking.

Studies need to be completed for us to know how these findings will impact the health of our pets, but for now give the purest water you can to your pet.

Doggie Play Dates

Doggie play dates are a great way for your dog to get plenty of exercise while socializing and having fun. This can help your dog avoid boredom which often leads to destructive behavior at home. Having fun and getting plenty of exercise are essential for your dog’s optimal health.

Choosing the right dogie friend for your pet may be a tough decision. If you have a dog park close to your house that is up to your standards, great! If you have friends with dogs you can get together with them and their pets for a fun time. You also can use the Internet to find just the right match for your dog to play with. Some popular site are: datemypet.com, meetup.com, petster.com, and dogplaydate.com.

Good luck and have fun!