Pet Grooming Orange County

Can My Pet Eat That?

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Can My Pet Eat That?

Many of the foods that are considered good for people can be extremely dangerous for pets. While you might be tempted to offer table scraps to your pet, you should always avoid the following foods:

Alcoholic beverages

Apple seeds

Apricot pits

Avocados

Cherry pits

Candy (particularly chocolate and any candy containing Xylitol)

Coffee

Garlic

Grapes

Chewing gum

Hops

Macadamia nuts

Moldy food

Mushroom plants

Mustard seeds

Onions and onion powder

Peach pits

Potato leaves and stems

Raisins

Rhubarb leaves

Salt

Tea

Tomato leaves and stems

Walnuts

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Yeast dough

In addition, raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. While feeding your pet raw bones might seem like a natural and healthy thing to do, however domestic pets can choke on bones or sustain serious injuries from bone splinters that become lodged in the digestive tract.

Many plants, household chemicals and prescription drugs are also toxic to pets. You should always keep these items out of reach of your pet.

Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list. Any decision to feed your pet food that is not intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian.

If your pet has consumed something that you believe to be poisonous, you will need to act fast. Remove your pet from the area and check to make sure that they are breathing and acting normally. Never induce vomiting or give any home remedies without first speaking to your veterinarian or the Pet Poison helpline. The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-213-6680.

Remember that the prognosis for your pet is always better when the toxicity is reported immediately, so never wait to see if your pet becomes ill before calling for help. It is always safer and less expensive to call for help immediately.

We hope this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming as well as mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!

 

Why a Dog Might Bite

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Why a Dog Might Bite

Just like humans, even the best behaved dog has both good days and bad days. In fact, over the course of a single day a dog can go from feeling totally relaxed and easy-going to tense and cranky. Dog bites occur for a number of different reasons including:

  • The dog is protecting a possession, its owner, its property or its puppies
  • Something has frightened or provoked the dog
  • The dog is old and does not have as much patience as it used to
  • The dog is injured or sick
  • Someone has startled or harmed the dog
  • The dog never learned bite inhibition
  • Herding breeds tend to nip when attempting to “herd” their family

In order to prevent dog bites you must first learn how to spot the warning signs that a dog is about to bite. These warning signs are always present before a dog bites, however they can be extremely subtle. Sometimes the dog exhibits these warning signs for months or years before the dog finally loses its tolerance and bites, surprising everyone around it. Warning signs that a dog might bite include:

  • Ears pinned back
  • Fur along the dog’s back standing up
  • Whites of eyes showing
  • Yawning
  • Freezing in response to touch
  • Direct intense eye contact from the dog

Preventing dog bites begins at home. If you do not intend to breed your dog, spaying and neutering can decrease the likelihood of bites. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise can help to expend any excess energy that could otherwise be directed towards nervous energy. Playing with your dog helps to prevent bites by reinforcing your bond. However, rough games should always be avoided in order to prevent any dominance issues. Socialization is extremely important but your dog should never be allowed to roam free where they can pose a danger to other people and pets. If you have children, take the time necessary to teach them how to properly act around dogs, what warning signs to watch for and how to respond if a dog attacks.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!