Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

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Cocoa Mulch can Harm Dogs and Even Kill Them

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

A lot of people start planting their gardens during Spring, and there’s a certain kind of mulch that can potentially harm their pets. Cocoa mulch is gaining popularity and can be very bad for dogs and other pets who try to eat it.

This mulch is made out of cocoa bean shells, which contain Theobromine. As mentioned in a previous post, Theobromine is very poisonous to dogs and cats. Some cocoa mulch companies have managed to get most of the Theobromine out of their mulch, but there are still others who don’t do that kind fo filtering.

The mulches are popular for their color and scent, unfortunately, that scent is also appealing to some pets. If a dog eats enough of the unfiltered cocoa mulch, it will get sick and can possibly die. Small amounts of Theobromine will cause vomiting and minor illness, but if your yard is covered in the stuff, there’s a good chance a large amount can be eaten by your pets.

There are plenty of other mulches to choose from, and if you really need to have the cocoa mulch, just make sure it’s one that has gotten rid of most of the Theobromine.

The unfiltered cocoa mulch is so bad for pets that some lawmakers are trying to get bills passed that require people to put up signs in their yards warning against the presense of the cocoa mulch. While owners should always try to be aware of what their dogs are eating, it’s not always possible to do so.

Signs would be helpful to owners who are walking their dogs, but realistically, this mulch seems to do more harm than good and should be avoided if at all possible.

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Automated, Coin Operated Dog Washes Gain Popularity

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

There is a new kind of facility popping up at car washes around the country. Now, when you go get your car washed, you may also have the option to clean your dog.

There are different kinds of washes for dogs, just like their are for your car. Some dog washes are self-serve where you drop in some coins and get a squirt-gun looking thing to spray off your dog, other washes are automated and involve you putting your dog inside of a machine.

At first, the automated dog washes can look a little intimidating, and they probably aren’t for skittish dogs. You put your dog inside of a compartment where the dog gets sprayed with a wash that lasts about four minutes, then a drying cycle takes place and lasts about 20 minutes. Some dogs seem to be calm during the events, but it’s hard to imagine that all dogs would be.

Washing your dog can be a messy experience, so it’s nice to have some other options out there for getting your pooch cleaned. Groomers can get expensive, and spending hours cleaning up your bathroom can be a hassle. Just make sure your dog is comfortable with the method, or your pet might start hating you for making it go through a traumatic experience.

Also, make sure your using the designated dog wash area of the car wash, using the regular car wash areas can cause harm to your dog. The dog wash areas keep the right temperature for your dog and use dog shampoo. Using a car wash section could cause skin problems for your dog, and possibly create other medical issues because of the cleaning chemicals made specifically for a car.

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$1,000 Fines for Walking Dogs Off-Leash or Failing to Pick Up After Their Mess

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

People who walk their dogs off of a leash or forget to pick up after them in Baltimore will now receive $1,000 fines. While this will no doubt decrease the amount of violators in the city, it’s a very harsh punishment that some could argue is even a bit cruel to dog owners.

The increased fine equates dog walking violations to those of dog fighting and animal abuse. It’s tough to justify such an increase, especially in a time when people are pinching pennies during a rough economy.The new law wasn’t voted on by the people, and there was little to no press about the law before violators started getting fined.

To charge a fine like this to average people will hurt their finances and make it so they can’t afford basic necessities. The fine is a month or two of rent for a lot of people, so charging this much for such a minor offense is ridiculous.

It’s important to keep your dog on a leash when you take it for a walk. It keeps everyone (including your dog) safer, but it’s not a major crime. Picking up after your dog is also important, but the results of the minor infraction don’t have any real effect on society. While walking your dog without a leash can result in your dog biting someone and getting in a fight with another dog, what does not picking up after your pet do?

To charge $1,000 for not picking up after your pet doesn’t make any sense. This just looks like a city’s way to try and gain extra income, but they’re doing it wrong. To take away so much money from pet owners for minor offenses is a terrible way for a city to make money.

The law went into effect on April 1, and citizens who have a problem with it are told to notify their city council members. People who receive the gigantic fine can appeal it in the Environmental Court. Howard being walked on a leash

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Chocolate and Dogs: How and Why it Effects Them

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Easter is around the corner, and that means more chocolate in the average household. While you’re scarfing down that creme egg or solid chocolate bunny, it’s important to keep that kind of stuff away from your dogs.

Chocolate doesn’t agree with dogs in the same ways it does with humans. While it tastes good and makes us feel happy, it can affect the central nervous system of your dog and possibly be fatal if large amounts are consumed.

There is a chemical compound in chocolate called theobromine, which has negative effects on dogs and cats. In small doses, this will cause some digestive problems, but large doses can be much more harmful.

Some of the effects theobromine can have on dogs include excitability, irritability, an increased heart rate, muscle tremors, vomiting and diarrhea. If a combination of these symptoms start to appear in your dog, it’s possible that your pet consumed some chocolate.

Different kinds of chocolate have different levels of theobromine. While the amount of theobromine in each kind of chocolate can’t be pinned down, there are some general guidelines to go by. Milk chocolate has the lowest levels of theobromine, and will most likely only cause digestive problems. Semi-sweet chocolate has the next highest level of theobromine, and the largest amount can be found in baker’s chocolate. If your dog consumes a couple of ounces of baker’s chocolate, it’s time to worry.

If it’s only been an hour or two since the chocolate has been ingested, inducing vomiting can be helpful. If it’s been longer than that, you’re best bet it to call a vet and see what they have to say.

Here’s a video that explains a little bit more about chocolate poisoning:

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Dog Turns Wild, Swims 5 Miles, Survives 4 Months on an Island Before Rescue

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

A house dog named Sophie Tucker went sailing with her owners one day off the shore of Australia. The water was choppy, and somehow Sophie fell overboard. Her owners looked for her in the water, but after searching for a while, they accepted what they thought was Sophie’s fate.

Sophie didn’t give up once she hit the water, and she ended up swimming over five miles to a nearby island called St. Bees. The island was mostly deserted, and Sophie had to resort to her natural instincts to survive. Even after being a house dog all her life, she was able to come up with the strength and knowledge to survive.

Sophie spent four months alone on the island before being trapped by officials who were curious as to how a wild dog ended up on St. Bees. During those four month, Sophie was able to hunt wild baby goats to stay alive and regain health after her long journey at sea.

When she was in the cage of the trap, Sophie was described as vicious. She wouldn’t take food from anyone, and no one could touch her. To anyone who didn’t know who she was, Sophie looked like nothing more than a vicious wild dog.

When Sophie’s owners heard that a wild dog was captured on St. Bees, they made sure to have a look at the dog when it was brought to the mainland. Even though Sophie seemed very hostile when she was captured, once he owners called out to her, she started to whimper. Sophie went crazy with excitement and knocked her owners down once she was let out of the cage.

Almost in an instant, Sophie was back to her old self. She recognized her owners and was obviously very happy to see them.

It’s amazing to see how long a dog will remember and love her owners. Even after everything Sophie went through, she was able to go back to her old life with nothing more than an amazing story under her belt. Howard Huge jumping on his owner

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Watch your pet, bad economy means more dognappers!

Monday, April 6th, 2009

As the economy keeps getting worse, so do the thieves that go around stealing pets. Money is getting tighter, so people who make quick cash on the streets are more likely to snag your pup when you leave it unattended.

In the first five months of 2008, there were three times the average amount of pet thefts, according to a spokesperson for the American Kennel Club.

A lot of these thefts occur when the animal is left outside unattended. Some of these dogs are taken while at dog parks, or when they’re tied up outside of stores, but some of the pets are taken in ways you might not suspect. More expensive pets are now being taken right out of their owners’ yard.

With people around who are now more likely to take your pet out of your yard, it’s important to take precautions to prevent losing your pet for good. Some pets can’t be kept inside all of the time, so make sure your pet is protected when it’s out on its own.

Microchipping your pet is a good way to eventually get it back. Most people who steal pets are doing it so they can sell them. Someone who buys a pet on the street might eventually take it to a vet who will scan it and give you a call.

If you let your dog run around the yard all the time, it’s not out of the question to install a security camera This way, if your dog is taken, at least you’ll have an idea of who did it.

The second you realize your dog is gone, make sure everyone in the neighborhood, and possibly the city, knows it’s missing. Make sure to put up fliers, post you dog’s picture on Web sites, and make sure to tell the authorities and animal shelters. Doing these things will drastically increase your chances of finding your pet again.

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Effects of Marijuana in Dogs

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

As marijuana becomes more acceptable in society, it’s important to realize what kind of effects the substance has on your pet. It’s possible for your pet to be under the influence of marijuana in a couple of different ways. These ways include ingesting it by eating, or inhaling second-hand smoke.

Marijuana affects dogs differently when compared to the effects humans experience. It isn’t just that dogs feel the same effects to a greater extent, THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) has a different effect on their biological functions.

When a dog ingests marijuana, a few different things can happen: the dog may get woozy, vomit, urinate involuntarily, and in some extreme cases, marijuana can cause seizures, comas and even death. During a study done in 2002, 250 cases of marijuana ingestion were reported to the ASPCA and two deaths resulted in those cases. While death is not a common occurrence, it shows that marijuana and pets are not something to take lightly.

Some people think it’s funny to get their dog high, but they probably don’t realize what the dog  is going through. It isn’t just the physical effects that damage the dog, mentally the dog doesn’t know what’s happening. The dog becomes fearful and scared when under the influence, even if just from second-hand smoke. It may look cute, but the amount of mental and physical damage to your dog is not worth the risk.

As the stock market falls, people are looking for new ways to boost the economy. One way people are talking about is legalizing marijuana. This may or may not actually help our country’s financial situation, but either way, it’s making the drug more main stream. If your one of the people who believes it’s okay to partake in smoking the substance, just make sure to keep it out of reach from your dog.

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Military Dogs Need to Make it Home Safely

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

During the Vietnam War, dogs were used as military scouts and had personal dog handlers. The dogs were an important part of the war effort, but when the war ended, dog handlers had to leave their companions to fend for themselves in a foreign land.

The dogs were left behind as unneeded equipment, disposable objects that would only serve as extra cargo weight. After everything the dogs did to help the war effort, they were shown little respect in return.

When Bill Clinton was president, he passed a law that said dogs could be brought back home during a war effort, but it still isn’t mandatory. We need to make sure our government knows this shouldn’t be an option; dogs should be required to be brought home, just like troops can’t be left after a war.

Dogs are playing an important role in wars now just like there were in Vietnam. Even though laws state that the military can brings dogs back if they want to, it should be a requirement. A lot of money is spent on these wars, and there is no reason why a little bit of that money can’t be spent on ensuring that dogs who serve are taken care of for the rest of their lives.

The cost wouldn’t be too much. If they were able to bring the dogs back home and advertise that these dogs were available for adoption, there would no doubt be lines of people waiting to care for these heroic pups.

God only knows what happened to those dogs who we left behind during the conflicts in Vietnam. We can’t allow the same things to happen to the dogs who are serving now. This is one of those times where we need to learn from the mistakes of our past.

Here are some of the dogs and handlers who were lost, but not forgotten in Vietnam:

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Humans Fall for Pets, Especially Dogs

Friday, March 27th, 2009

About 86,000 people a year suffer injuries because pets cause their owners to fall. Only about one seventh of the accidents involve cats, while most of the rest involve dogs.

A lot of the accidents involve children and people around middle-age, but severe injuries happen to the elderly. This only amounts to about one percent of the total falling accidents that occur, but people who own pets should still be aware of the risk.

Your pets are walking tripwires. Most of them a small, low to the ground, and love being around your feet. It would be easy to see that you’re about to step on your pet, then lose your balance and crack your head open on the side of a table. It sounds gruesome, but it does happen.

Some of the falling accidents occur on walks while your dog is on a leash. These falling accidents can be prevented as long as your dog is well trained. Don’t let your dog pull you around. If you’re in control, it’ll be easier to keep your balance and make sure you’re safe.

The Howard dog causing his owner to fallAs long as you take precautions, there won’t be a big chance that you’ll trip over your pet. While pets can cause you to fall, if you’re aware of your surroundings, it would be tough for one to sneak under you. Combine that with proper leash training, and you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Also, if your dog is massive, make sure he doens’t try to jump on you or give you his paw while you’re in a chair. This can cause serious injury as you fly back and smack your head on the floor. It’s a dangerous situation, and may be comical to onlookers.

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Obese Pets and Their Ignorant Owners

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

About a third of pets are overweight or obese and their owners don’t realize a problem exists. This information comes from a survey that covered more than 2,100 households in the U.K.

Apparently, owners think their pets are magically immune to the weight problems that plague humans, and they don’t need to worry about keeping their pets within a safe weight range. The study claims 62 percent of dog owners don’t think they can do anything about their pet’s weight, and even worse, less than 25 percent say they read the advice on the food label that says how much to feed your animal.

The truth is, pets can suffer from the same types of problems that we get from being overweight. It’s important to know what the healthy weight range is for your specific pet and keep them within that range. If you see your pet gaining too much weight, it isn’t that hard to get your dog back on the right track.

Making a dog lose weight is just like making a human lose weight: it all about diet and exercise. If you don’t walk your dog everyday, than start. It’ll help your dog lose weight and keep increase happiness levels. If you do walk your dog regularly, consider feeding him or her less.

Make sure to check the label on the can or bag of food, then weigh your dog and see where your pet fits in and how much it should be consuming. This is an important step for a lot of owners, since the study also stated that only about one third owners knew their pet was fat.Howard wants more food

Don’t fall for your dog’s begging! Dogs can be very good and looking sad to get food from you, especially if you just put your pet on a diet. I know, it’s so cute and sad, but giving your dog what it wants now, might be hurting it later.

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