Bark Radio

These are the best interactive toys ever. And most dogs can’t destroy them (black Kongs are for heavy duty chewers). Get the Kong shaped like a snowman. In a container with a lid, pour a cup or more of your dog’s dry food. Cover it with water. Put the lid on and put it in the refrigerator. Wait til the food has absorbed the water (you now have moist food). In the bottom of the Kong (where the little hole is), drop something really smelly and tasty like dried liver treats. Now stuff the Kong tight with the moist food. When you get about mid-way, add some yummy surprises like a few green beans, pieces of apple, or a drizzle of honey – then finish stuffing with moist food. Now cover the big hole with peanut butter (salt free) or cream cheese and … here’s the most important part … freeze the Kong. This is awesome for teething pups – the frozen Kong feels great on their teeth and gums. More great Kong stuffing recipes are available from the Kong Company.

Please remember these are just a few of the potential food dangers to your dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous  get to a vet immediately. The ASPCA’s poison control center’s number is 888.426.4435.

• Apple, Almond, Apricot, Peach, Wild Cherries, Plum, Balsam Pear, Prunes and similar fruits: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, (stem, seeds and leaves). The seeds of most fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans.
• Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.
• Broccoli: Reported to be pretty potent gastrointestinal irritant (just like in humans).
• Cherry: Rapid breathing, shock, mouth inflammation, heart rate increase.
• Chocolate: Seizures, coma, hyperactivity, rapid heart beat, tremors, death. Bakers chocolate is the most dangerous. If you suspect your pet had ingested chocolate, please keep an eye out for ANY signs of poisoning! All dogs react differently.
• Coffee/Tea: Drinks/foods containing caffeine or sugar may cause many of the same symptoms chocolate causes.
• Cooked Bones: Don’t give your dog cooked bones because they deteriorate and splinter easily. They can cause extensive damage to internal organs and passage ways, potentially resulting in death.
• Mushrooms: Acute gastric effects, liver and kidney damage, abdominal pain, nausea, salivation, vomiting.
• Nutmeg: tremors, seizures and death.
• Tobacco: Nausea, salivation, vomiting, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• Onion: (cats are more sensitive) gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia, heinz body anemia, hemogloinria, destroys red blood cells.
• Grapes, Raisins, Prunes: As little as a single serving of grapes or raisins can kill a dog. It takes anywhere from 9 oz to 2 lbs of grapes or raisins to cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, and possible kidney failure.
• Salt: Excessive intake can cause kidney problems.
• Raw Eggs: Can contain salmonella. Dogs have a higher immunity against salmonella poisoning but are not 100% immune and have been reported to get sick from uncooked eggs.

And finally, for the facts about cocoa mulch we defer to the ASPCA.

Allergies are one of the most common problems in dogs, with food and fleas being two of the top causes. In addition, just like humans, when dogs breathe in things like pollen, they can develop itchy, irritated skin. Allergic reactions can be seasonal or year round.  Signs of allergies in dogs:

• Chewing of feet
• Discoloration of fur on feet (saliva staining)
• Hair loss
• Hot and reddened skin around face, feet, armpits and groin
• Scabby skin

If you suspect allergies, your veterinarian can run a blood test to determine what is causing your pet to itch.

When Murphy developed a rash on his tummy, my wonderful country vet recommended switching his food first – before going to the expense of allergy tests. She suggested reading labels and finding a food with no beef, corn,or wheat (most common food allergies in dogs). I switched both dogs to a new food, the rash went away, and the bonus – my dogs’ coats are gorgeous!