Recently, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has documented approximately 140 cases of dogs exhibiting potential poisoning from raisins and grapes. These dogs are believed to have ingested varying amounts of raisins and/or grapes from varied sources, including directly off the vine.

I know they like them, they even beg for them.  While many animals will avoid naturally the foods that are not good for them, dogs don’t do that!  They like what we like, even if it kills them!

Clinical symptoms can include gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea to life-threatening kidney failure which starts about 24 hours after ingestion. The amount of grapes ingested in these cases varied between 9 oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight.

Because there is the potential for death with this type of poisoning, veterinarians and poison control centers are developing aggressive treatment for any dogs believed to have ingested large amounts of grapes and/or raisins. These treatments may include the following: induced vomiting, stomach lavage (stomach pumping), and administration of activated charcoal followed by intravenous fluid therapy for at least 48 hours or as indicated based on the results of blood tests for kidney damage.

The ASPCA is continuing to investigate raisin and grape poisoning and kidney failure in dogs. However, since much is still unknown, they recommend that owners not feed any amount of raisins or grapes to their pets.

We all want our pets to have safe food and treats.  Resist the temptation to share all the things you eat!

You’ve heard chocolate is really dangerous for dogs to eat.  Why is this?

Chocolate is a toxic dessert.

Chocolate contains methylxanthine alkaloids in the form of theobromine and caffeine, that cause constriction of arteries, increased heart rate, and central nervous system stimulation. These effects can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and increased urinations. More advanced symptoms of toxicity include excitability, increased respirations and heartbeat, stiffness, seizures and exaggerated reflexes.

Certain types of chocolate contain higher amounts of methylxanthines, baking chocolate containing the highest and white chocolate containing the least. Dogs freely ingest toxic amounts of chocolate if it is left accessible. A potentially lethal dose in a 16 pound. dog is only one pound of milk chocolate. People stop eating chocolate before ingesting toxic levels.

Cardiac failure, seizures, coma, and death can result if the chocolate ingestion is not found within four to six hours and treated appropriately. The length of action of the methylxanthines is usually 12 to 36 hours. In dogs that chocolate ingestion is detected early, the prognosis is good.

If your dog has gotten into chocolate, you should note the type, estimate the amount eaten, and then call your veterinarian for recommendations. You will probably need to take your dog in for examination and evaluation of heart rate. If your veterinarian is not available, you should seek emergency care. We recommend that you keep your chocolate in an unreachable location; an ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of ingestion.

We love our pets, and sometimes treat them as they are our children.  We even feel guilty that we’re eating a sweet something gooey and chocolatey, and pets beg so cutely, that we pinch off a piece and give it to them, not realizing how toxic it can be to their systems.  As much as we love them as family members, we must remember they are not human!!

HOW many times have you heard someone confess that they love chocolate themselves and sometimes give their dog a few pieces although they have heard that it is not good for dogs and could make them sick?

That is, unfortunately, quite a common occurrence but the truth is that you are not doing your dog any favours as far as health is concerned. Chocolate contains theobromine, a toxicant responsible for causing canine illness. Signs of theobrimine poisoning include vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhoea, restlessness and agitation.

These signs usually develop in six to eight hours. Kidney damage, seizures, heart rhythm irregularities and death may result, in severe cases. There is no real antidote for a theobromine overdose. Support and care can be given, and vomiting can be induced if the poisoning is recognised early enough. Obviously the best course of action is not to feed your dog chocolate to begin with and to be sure to hide your own chocolate stash so your dog can’t help himself!

Luckily this seems to be what usually happens – human owners with a chocoholic habit do not want their dog to find and demolish their stores, so are generally careful about where they keep them. Perhaps the biggest danger could be from visitors or children who may leave chocolate they have brought with them, or been given, in an accessible place, such as on a coffee table.

White chocolate, however, follows different rules. Some dog treats are available dipped in white chocolate. Is this safe?

The answer is yes. Regular dark chocolate is made from cacao beans, the source of high levels of theobromine, a caffeine-like substance. White chocolate, on the other hand, is made from cocoa butter, which is safe for dogs.

The amount of theobromine in powdered cocoa varies, but it can be quite high. Usually, the darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content. The amount of caffeine in different chocolate products is also extremely variable. For example, unsweetened baking chocolate reputedly has up to 10 times the caffeine of milk chocolate.

This means that as an after-dinner snack or supper treat, white chocolate is less likely to keep you awake half the night than dark chocolate. So what about the chocolate nibbles made especially for dogs – do they contain theobromine? The answer here is no. Manufacturers have formulated them to contain extra vitamins and minerals and to have various added qualities.

They are made especially for dogs, and although they are called choc drops, the name is not accurate – they are made of carob, and are therefore quite safe.

If you eat chocolate yourself you may like to keep a packet of ‘chocolate’ treats for your dog so that you can give him/her a treat when you succumb to the nibble habit yourself (and it does protect you from that feeling of guilt when your dog tries on the “sad eyes and drooling” look that they all keep in reserve for just such occasions).

However, you must remember that dogs are always healthier without chocolate in any form and even the specially produced treats should be used only on very special occasions – not as a daily substitute for some TLC from you as the dog’s owner.

Dog’s aren’t supposed to eat chocolate; we know that.  Try telling that to Buddy.

As we were leaving the house to run errands, Buddy jumped into the car with glee.  Ever on the prowl,  he promptly stuck his nose in my purse, right in front of me, and jumped to the back seat of the car with a look on his face that said “Ha, ha, catch me if you can.”  I tried.  The song “who let the dog’s out?” came to my mind as I dived in after him.

Over the back seat I climbed, trying to capture his little nose and pry the Butterfinger from his jaws, that he had so expertly stolen from my purse. 

I moved in one direction, he moved in another.  “Grrrr!” He knew to keep that little sound gentle.    “Grrrr!”  I said back, in the form of “Drop it, out, Buddy, spit it out.”  He knows what spit it out means and normally complies.  We were driven to hysterical laughter the first time I said a few years ago.  As if he had known all along what the words meant, at that time he worked the forbidden object quickly out of his mouth as if to say, “Oops, well here, I didn’t like it anyway.” 

However, now, he was deaf, determined, and defiant.  “Butterfingers are not to be spit out,” he thought.  “Ain’t no way, Ma, this is mine!”  

I stopped, he stopped.  He didn’t dare eat it, but he wasn’t let it go either.  He looked at me, I looked at him.  “Buddy,”  I explained gently.  “I’m the boss.  I’m the ‘decider,’ you know, like the President.  You can’t have it, spit     it       out!” 

“Forget you, Grrrr!”  Buddy replied. 

My husband said, “You know, you could just swat him and be done with it.”  Then he paused at my look.  “Yeah,  what was  I thinking.  You didn’t swat the kids, much less the dog.” 

“He’s smart, he’ll spit it out.”  I said with confidence. 

“He’s smart, he’ll hold onto it ’til it melts.”  Lynn replied. 

“Oh.”  I looked at Buddy with a firm gaze that was intendee to remind him of who was in charge.  Strangely enough, Buddy looked back at me with the same glance. 

Finally, I nudged Buddy’s butt.  Faking authority, I sternly tjhreatened him like I used to do with my boys,  “Do you want Mommy to spank you?”  Yeah, you guessed it, it didn’t work with Buddy either. 

Sighing I looked at my husband, who was trying not to laugh, for fear of making Buddy feel totally in charge.  Well, I could give up, like I sometimes did with the kids, ok most of the time; or, I could dive in for the gold, ignoring the snurl on Buddy’s face.  That cute little face, with a lock-jaw hold on a Butterfinger. 

“That’s my candy!”  I said and finally stuck my fingers in his mouth while saying  “Don’t you dare bite your mother!” 

He didn’t, but having seen that look on my kid’s faces for 18 years, I knew he wanted to.

Taking candy from a baby, is not easy, no matter the babe.  I won…but Buddy would have nothing to do with me for hours.  The little snot.

-Buddy’s Mom

“This close to Halloween, I thought I’d share this treat with a bite!!  Great for Halloween Spooks, just tell them first, ’specially if they’re children!! 

This is a chocolate bar I make that is NOT FOR YOUR DOG OR PET, I just call it Dog Bark because it has that slight hot bite to it.  Friendly bite, of course.  Shall we say, nibble?”

If you like Hershey’s Almond Bars, try this with a softer nut, like walnuts or pecans, walnuts are my favorite.

Since the holidays are around the corner, here’s some easy homemade candy to bark about!!

In a double boiler, melt sweet chocolate squares (almond bark) slowly.  For 8 squares, use tsp vanilla and stir it in once the chocolate is melted.  Here’s the Kick – add 1/2 tsp cayenne – or more if you dare! – and a pinch of red pepper flakes, stir in chopped walnuts and pour out on waxed paper to cool.  Spread to a consistency that you like, and let harden.

Break apart and store in an airtight jar.  Can you say woof? 

Variations:  Experiment with orange flavoring instead of vanilla, almond flavoring, etc.  You can also melt white chocolate or vanilla almond bark.  The skies the limit!!  Add the cayenne tho’ and this makes great gifts in a pretty jar or cellophane bags for the holidays.   It’s an inexpensive and homemade way to say “I care!”  Just be sure and tell them about the pepper!  (It’s really not that hot if you’re careful with the measuring.)

-Buddy’s Mom (Buddy said to remind you, “No matter how much your dog begs, do not give him chocolate.”

 We all think it’s cute when our beloved dog begs for food. They love to eat what we do!  But, STOP!  Many types of people food are poison to your dog or very dangerous.  Read this list and make sure your pup stays clear of these items!!  Don’t put your dog at risk just because he wants to eat what you are putting in your mouth! 

1. Alcoholic beverages – Could  cause intoxication, coma, and death.
2. Baby food – might contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
3. Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources - Possibly cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
4. Cat food – Most likely too high in protein and fats.
5. Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine – These contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
6. Citrus oil extracts- Could cause vomiting.
7. Fat trimmings – Could cause pancreatitis.  Fatal!
8. Grapes and raisins - These contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.   Note: There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.
9. Hops – This is an unknown compound that causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
10. Human vitamin supplements containing iron - Could damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
11. Large amounts of liver - Could cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
12. Macadamia nuts – Could contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
13. Marijuana  – Not funny!! Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
14. Milk and other dairy products –  Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea.  Note:  Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
15. Moldy or spoiled food, garbage  – I know farm pets were fed this but many died an early death!!  Could contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
16. Mushrooms -  contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
17. Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) – contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.  – but stay away from it – they don’t need it!
18. Persimmons Seeds –  can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
19. Pits from peaches and plums - could cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
20. Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves – potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.
21. Raw eggs – contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
22. Raw fish – No sushi! can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
23. Salt - no chips, etc.  If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
24. String – can become trapped in the digestive system; called a “string foreign body.”
25. Sugary foods  – can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
26. Table scraps (in large amounts) –  Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and could contain any of the above.  They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.
27. Tobacco – Very serious!  Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
28. Yeast dough –  Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
    (some information taken from peteducation.com)

Love your pet, be sensible and make sure they have a healthy diet.  Check with your vet for more information and healthy pet food!

-Buddy’s Mom