Cats, Dogs And Human Food - How Can Our Food Harm Our Pets?

We're all guilty of it - giving in to those big begging eyes pleading at us for a scrap from the table during dinner. Fido knows just how to get you to concede, and most of us justify that a little won't hurt, or we don't even think of the potential danger at all. But the truth is that human food can be harmful to your pet, and in some cases, can be fatal. It's important to know how certain foods can be unsafe so that you can avoid them for the sake of your animal.

Here is how a few of some of the most common "human foods" become harmful for pets:

Chocolate and other foods containing caffeine

Caffeine is one of the greatest culprits because it contains an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which in turn can cause a heart attack or other heart and nervous system problems in animals.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic are potentially harmful due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in cats and dogs. Of the two, onions are the most toxic, as consumption of simply one serving by your pet could result in anemia.

Milk

Milk can harm your pet due to the fact that many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. The consumption of milk and milk products by a lactose intolerant pet creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Bones

Bones, although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, are potentially very dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter and get stuck in the intestines, causing damage or fatality. In most splinter cases, the bones must be removed surgically.

Other Foods

Other human foods to avoid when feeding your pet are: macadamia nuts, potato peelings and green-looking potatoes, rhubarb leaves, moldy/spoiled foods, alcohol, yeast dough, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, and raisins or grapes.

Some human foods potentially cause only mild digestive upsets, while others can be fatal. Regardless of the level of danger, the best choice for your pet is to keep him from any potentially harmful foods in order to ensure his health and safety.

During the holiday season, veterinary clinics have noticed a rising in the number of pets that they treat for food-related illnesses. The increase in pet illness is due to the fact that animals are partaking in human foods during mealtime. Although not well known by the public, the consumption of human food to pets is potentially harmful to animals, and in some instances, can be fatal.

The rise in food-related illnesses by pets is a clear indication that the dangers of human food consumption by animals are not understood by the masses.

So, the next time your pet looks up at you with those pleading eyes, show him you care by doing what is truly best for him and feeding him only products meant for pet consumption. In the end, both you and your pet will be glad that you did.

dog's eyes

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 No night vision goggles needed! Did you know that dogs’ eyes contain a special membrane, called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see  in the dark.
Source: Healthy Pet

all I want to do...

Allergies in pets

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by Giva Solana

Spring is right around the corner, and for many of us that means allergy season is here. That is also true for our four legged friends. Many animals have developed more and more allergies, due to environmental changes and challenges.

Your pet may be sneezing, have a runny nose and eyes, and scratch excessively. All of these are symptoms of allergies.

There are some really good homeopathic remedies on the market, that can provide great relief for your little friend. I am a firm believer in Nature and Herbs, and they are really helpful!
People medications, such as Benadryl and Claritin will only provide temporary relief, and have some severe side effects. If you choose any of those human meds for your pet, please make sure to ask your vet FIRST. Sometimes human medications are poisonous for animals!!! 

A visit to the vet is necessary in many cases. With allergy testing the dermatologist may be able to pin point the cause of your pet's allergy, and make a medication specifically for your pet's needs. However, most of the time, it is more or less a miss and hit situation. Please do not make any diet changes or treat your pet with any medications, before you consult with your vet or without veterinarian guidance. That might make it more difficult to isolate the causes of the allergy.
In many cases, the allergy is caused by foods, just like in humans.

However, in today's world, mostly our environment is to blame! Cleaning products, chemicals, room deodorizers, dyes, pesticides, and other household items may cause a hypersensitive skin reaction in your pet called "allergic contact dermatitis". In this case your pet most likely scratches a lot, and lesions may occur on it's body mostly in areas with minimal hair growth like paws, abdomen, muzzles etc.
The affected areas are usually red and you can see small bumps or blisters. Do not treat those yourself, please consult a vet!

Obviously it is necessary to remove or restrict your pet's exposure to the irritant, as soon as possible.

You can give your pet a bath with a very mild soap and water, or a hypoallergenic shampoo regularly to relief the itch and burning sensation, that your pet may suffer.

Sometimes it is as easy as making sure that the food bowl is really clean, washed with hot water and dish soap, before you feed. Glass and stainless steel bowls are preferable.
If you walk your pet, try to avoid grassy areas, because they are often sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.

Most of all be kind to your pet! It is no fun for them either, and to ask them to "stop scratching" is not going to help!

Inner Peace

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I love this:
Peace starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share peace with neighboring communities, and so on. When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.
-- 14th Dalai Lama

HAHA, too funny! But seriously, achieving inner peace is a step-by-step process; and it takes some practice.
But I believe world peace can only truly be achieved through each and every human's INNER PEACE.
So. the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear; an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves, then gradually expanded to include our families, our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.
As I said, it takes practice and patience, but it can be done!....and we need to do it!! It is a new year -----perfect time to start a new practice.

Interesting cat facts: 

by Giva Solana

Did you know that....

1.  cats can hear 5-7 times better than humans?

2. most cats have no eyelashes?

3. cats developed their meows to communicate with humans? 

4. cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees?

5. cats have 5 toes (or sometimes 6) on their front paws, but only 4 on their back paws?

Short essay on the importance of pets

I recently found this great article! It really "nails" how important it is to have these lovely, sweet souls in our lives! Enjoy reading..... :)

by Prasad Nanda

Pets are not human but display a lot of human qualities like strong personalities, emotions, preferences, etc. While pets are mere domesticated animals for those who do not possess them, for those few who do they are not just dogs, cats, or birds; they are family.

Despite the odds favouring owners outliving their pets, pet owners are inclined to keep on getting themselves new pets when the old ones pass away. If one has been the receiver of unconditional love and affection from a pet and has enjoyed a pets undemanding companionship then one is addicted for life.

Pets work wonders for your body, soul, and mind. They stimulate your sense of well-being. They give you love, they give you laughter, but above all they give you happiness. They don’t care about your looks, your financial status, your social standing, your creed, your race, your age, your state of health. They see you for who you are; minus the trappings of your daily existence. It is probably this quality of unconditional acceptance that sets pets apart from humans.

Anyone who has loved and owned a pet knows that a pet can be a source of enormous comfort in times of disappointment or grief.

Image Source: petrecognition.com

The instances for sorrow and heartache tend to build up as one grows older: the loss of a life partner, the loss of a friend, the loss of an ex- colleague, the loss of lifestyle, the loss of familiar surroundings, the loss of physical abilities, the lack of the opportunity to do meaningful work, and most importantly the loss of importance.

Looking after a pet often involves activities, like walking the pet, grooming the pet, playing with the pets. All these activities help to keep its owner active. Pets provide many seniors a reason to get out of bed and carry on with their lives.

Pet ownership provides several physiological, social and psychological benefits. For senior citizens, whose human support systems have been seriously compromised, pets along with companionship provide affection and understanding as well. Looking after a pet makes seniors feel wanted and needed. This consciousness of being useful fills them with a feeling of self esteem.

Pets counter gloominess and loneliness and often serve as a social conduit to other people. They help satisfy the need to touch and be touched by other living beings. Many old people who have lost their spouses have been known to experience lesser depression in the presence of a pet.

Medical research has proved that pets increase the longevity of those who have had heart attacks. In many cases their presence has been known to reduce blood pressure as well.

Children who have pets have better immune systems and are less likely to take days off from school. While pets cannot be considered as human replacements, there is no doubt of their ability to alleviate feelings of isolation that humans of all ages are prey to.

Pets are the silent custodians of children’s secrets and private thoughts.

Pets are not a cure, and not a substitute. They are a recommendation for happiness, fun, friendship, love, activity and better health.