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PET HAPPENINGS October 2014

The no-no list
by Jessica Turquette co-owner of Moab BARKery

Dogs can be a lot less discriminating about what they eat than we are, much like a two year old human if they can stick something in their mouths they will. The dogs I’ve shared my life and home with have eaten a lot of things that were bad for them. Those things include house plants, garbage, coins, paper money, dryer sheets cigarette butts and many more strange items. Dogs are resilient and can often hide discomfort and pain, so it’s important to pay attention to what your dog is doing. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can’t possibly list everything your dog should not eat. These are the most common items listed by veterinarians that dogs have ingested.


Alcohol: It is recommended that no alcohol at all should be given to your dog (not even beer). When drunk, dogs may become disoriented and possibly cause themselves and/or others injury. Their alcohol buzz won’t be as cool as yours; they may vomit, get alcohol poisoning, slip into a coma or even die.


Anti-freeze:
Okay, if this one comes as a surprise, you probably shouldn’t be allowed to own a pet at all. It may seem strange to include anti-freeze on this list, but dogs love the taste of it. Obviously, it has some serious negative effects, including kidney damage, so be sure to keep it out of paws’ reach.


Avocado: Avocados are high in fat, and so, may cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or in extreme cases, pancreatitis. The other dangerous element in avocado is persin. This can be more harmful than the fat content, and causes heart and lung damage. This warning also applies to guacamole.


Caffeine:
Caffeine can be harmful to humans as well as dogs. Canines, however, can react to caffeine not only by getting hyper, but can also develop a rapid heartbeat, tremors, and even seizures. So be sure to store your caffeinated pop, tea, and coffee carefully.


Chocolate:
Chocolate can easily become deadly for dogs. The higher the cacoa content the lower the dose needed to cause death. For instance 3 squares of bakers chocolate is the same as an entire snickers bar worth of toxic ingredients. The risky ingredients in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. If ingested, it can cause hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, and seizures. Since death can occur within 24 hours, it’s better not to take any risks. Bring your dog straight to a vet.


Dairy: Like lactose-intolerant humans, dogs lack the enzyme to digest dairy. Believe me, if you ignore this, you’ll be punished. Dairy cause gas build-up and it will smell bad, it can also cause just as fragrant diarrhea.


Grapes and Raisins: Just six grapes can put your dog in serious danger. Although no one has determined exactly what makes dogs sick, it has been documented to cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and lethargy and kidney failure.


Medications:
Just like humans, dogs shouldn’t be given any medication not prescribed to them. Especially over the counter pain medications like Ibuprofen and Tylenol (both are deadly!). Always, I mean always check with your vet before giving your dog anything like this! If there has been an accidental ingestion, go to the vet NOW!
Mushrooms (Wild): Some kinds of mushrooms can be poisonous. If you allow your dog to eat the wrong kinds he or she can experience abdominal pain, anemia, and liver and kidney damage, so keep an eye out while you’re walking them.
Moldy or Spoiled Food: Make sure to keep your garbage cans tightly sealed, because food that’s gone bad is also harmful for dogs. If they eat the wrong foods, they can get diarrhea, start vomiting, have seizures, and damage internal organs. That goes for compost too! Keep your dog out of there.


Onions (and Garlic):
One small onion can contain enough thiosulphate to prove fatal for your dog. Although small amounts can be used safely in dog food, too much onion or garlic (but especially onion) can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, confusion, diarrhea, anemia, and increased heart rate.


Plants: Lilies, daffodils, and foxglove may look good in your garden, but they sure don’t go well with a dog’s diet. Some more of the dangerous varieties of plants are oleander, rhododendron, azalea, yew, rhubarb leaves, and cycads, but it’s best not to let your dog nibble any houseplants. If they are craving greens, we recommend growing some organic oat grass, from seed to edible it takes less than 2 weeks and is great for both cats and dogs.
Salmon (Raw): Salmon Poisoning Disease is a serious disease that can kill your dog in a matter of days. If he or she eats raw salmon, some reactions from it can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, bloody diarrhea (which may also be bright yellow) and death. If you have a suspicion that your dog may have had raw salmon, get in contact with a vet immediately.


Salt:
Too much salt is bad for humans and dogs. In the latter, it may cause pancreatitis, stomach problems, and bloat (this can occur when dogs drink a lot of water too quickly after having salty foods, which traps gas in the intestines and may ultimately kill them).


Tomatoes:
Tomatoes contain atropine, which can negatively affect your dog. Ripe tomatoes are the least dangerous of these, followed by unripe. The most unsafe part of the plant is the leaves and stem.
Yeast Dough: As yeast dough is designed to rise, it can do so in your dog’s intestines. When the yeast dough expands, it can create uncomfortable gas, and even rupture your pet’s stomach or intestines. Even small amounts can rise dangerously.


Of course there are other things that can sicken or even cause the death of your pet. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, or if it has eaten something that worries you, don’t wait. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Keep the product container or plant sample to assist in identification so appropriate treatment recommendations can be made.


Training Guru Quote of the Month:
“Every moment you are with your dog, one of you is training the other. Behaviors are constantly being reinforced – or not – and you and your dog are constantly making choices – deliberate, or not – about how to behave, based on which behaviors get reinforced. In general, your relationship with your dog is more successful if you are the trainer more often than you are the trainee – that is, if your manipulating your dog’s behavior more often than he’s manipulating yours. When I realized this vitally important concept, I started paying a lot more attention to what my dogs are doing all the time, and started being more deliberate about reinforcing behaviors that I like, and not reinforcing those I don’t.” – Pat Miller, Whole Dog Journal.


MoabBARkery website

 

Dog Friendly Walks/Hikes in the Moab Area
Trail or Walk Difficulty Length
(one way)
Proximity to Downtown
MillCreek Pathway
easy 1.1 miles Little to no driving
Starts at 100 S & 100 W
Portal Overlook
(trailhead @ Jaycee Park)
Hard 2.0 miles 25 min drive N on US-191 to W on Utah 279 (4.2 miles)
Moab Rim Hard 3.0 miles
(to Hidden Valley trail)
8 minute drive 2.6 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Negro Bill Canyon
(aka William Grandstaff Canyon)
Moderate 2.0 miles 10 minute drive N on US-191 to
W on Utah 128, 3 miles
Hunter Canyon Easy 2.0 miles 25 minute drive (mild off-road)
7.5 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Corona Arch Trail Easy/Moderate 1.5 miles 25 minute drive N on US-191 to
W Utah 279 (10 miles)
Hidden Valley
(trailhead at end of Angel Rock Rd)
Hard 2.0 miles 10 minute drive S on US-191
3 miles to Angel Rock Rd
Fisher Towers
(trailhead 2.2 miles off Utah 128)
Moderate 2.2 miles 35 minute drive N on US-191 to Utah 128, then 21 miles

Tips for enjoying your time with your dog here in the Moab area:

  • Bring lots of extra water for you and your dog.1 gallon per day for every 60lbs of dog!!
  • Don’t let dogs chase wildlife (especially coyotes, they can lead dogs into an ambush).
  • In the city, dogs are required to be leashed, but on public lands off leash with voice control is allowed.
  • Slickrock and sand is very abrasive!  Check paw pads often, or buy and use booties.
  • If it’s over 85 degrees only consider early AM or late PM hikes, daycare or leave your dog at home.
  • Pack out my poop!  Seriously or the other hikers without dogs will eventually demand no dogs allowed!

To see past articles about animals, pets and their care check our archives.

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