Tag / Health

Christmas and dogs, safe and dangerous toxic foods, treats and plants / chocolate, mistletoe, poinsettia, mince pies / Photo of Cooper, sable cocker spaniel puppy with santa clause by Natalia Ashton, perfect cocker spaniel (C)
by Natalia

Your dog friendly Christmas check list

With the holiday season stepping on our “misle-” toes, don’t forget that your beloved pups need extra attention, too. And I don’t mean getting them presents and having fun unwrapping them together. As a self-proclaimed bore, I am talking about “health and safety” rules to keep your lovely curious spaniels happy and well this Christmas…

Put poinsettias out of your dogs reach (or better still, get a faux plant) The chemical compounds called diterpenoid euphorbol esters found in the plant can cause digestive upsets and skin irritation.

Same goes for the mistletoe. The berries contain polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins known to be toxic to dogs. The signs of poisoning include digestive issues, low blood pressure, lack of coordination and seizures. Large quantities can be fatal.

Holly contains saponins, methylxanthines and cyanogens that can cause drooling, digestive upsets. Sharp leaves can also cause physical injuries of the mouth and throat.

No Christmas goes without a tree. Be aware of the needles that can get stuck in pups paws. Also watch out for glass baubles (broken glass), vintage decorations (old paints were toxic to pets sometimes), and tinsel (can cause digestive blockages and injury if swallowed).

Christmas dinner is best to be left for humans. The meats and roasted vegetables can often be high in fat increasing risk of pancreatitis and digestive upsets. Most dinners will be made with garlic, onion, leeks or all of them increasing risk of poisoning & haemolytic anaemia.

Mince pies, Christmas puddings and cakes are made with raisins, sultanas, currants & alcohol, all extremely toxic to dogs.

Chocolate contains theobromine that can cause anything from digestive upsets to seizures. Some sweets are also made with xylitol that can cause liver failure and death due to fast drop in blood sugar.

Candles and room fragrances made with paraffin, cheap waxes & artificial fragrances may affect breathing, cause irritation and allergies. Be safe and use organic soy or beeswax based candies for short periods of time.

Happy holidays!

Photo source: Cooper with a Santa Clause photographed by me

 

Dried cassia, toxicity of cassia plant food additive for dogs, cassia in dog food / Image by Fathima Shanas from Pixabay / first published on perfectcockerspaniel blog
by Natalia

Check your dog’s food for this ingredient

I couldn’t help noticing another ingredient that is added to more and more dog foods. It is called CASSIA and in simple terms, it’s a cheap alternative to cinnamon. In dog food cassia works as a gelling agent and preservative. It’s more likely to be a part of wet food but can be added to kibble also.

Nutritionally, dogs do not need cinnamon or cassia in their diet. While cinnamon can be beneficial for certain conditions when used in very small quantities and short period of time, cassia may cause or worsen liver disease, increase risk of allergies, skin inflammation and irritate digestive tract.

It can become toxic if used for a long period even if the amount it minute. It is approved in EU & a few other countries but as far as dog food research goes, the studies are still going and latest outcome specifies that only purified cassia can be used and in certain amounts (just over 1% of total food) . Considering that not enough research has been done and possibility of side-effects however minor, do check labels of your dog food just to be on a safe side. Cassia can be listed as cassia gum or E427 or E499.

Photo source: image by Fathima Shanas from Pixabay

Halloween dogs / what treats and halloween foods can be dangerous for dogs / cocker spaniel advice / perfect cocker spaniel blog / (C) Image by nancy sticke from Pixabay
by Natalia

Tricky Halloween treats

Halloween should be fun for everyone including our beloved pups. Keep them happy by making sure they don’t intentionally or accidentally treat themselves to…

… chocolate because it contain theobromine that is toxic to dogs.
… any candy & sweets that contain xylitol – it’s extremely dangerous to dogs & tiny amount can be lethal
… any hard candy & wrappers – they can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed
… carved pumpkins because they may be mouldy and, as a result, contain mycotoxins.
… pumpkins with tea lights inside them may burn dogs’ noses.
… glow sticks that dogs may see as fun chews contain a bitter liquid – it won’t pose real danger to your pooch but will cause drooling & vomiting

Have a safe & happy Halloween!

Photo source: image by nancy sticke from Pixabay