Pet Health

Grapes (as well as raisins) are poisonous for all types of dog breeds. The number of grapes that will cause toxicity can vary from one dog to another. For example, large breeds may not get affected by eating a few grapes. On the other hand, a single grape can be fatal for a small dog. Why are Grapes Poisonous to Dogs? The substance that makes grapes toxic for dogs is NOT within the fruit. Actually, there is fungal growth on the grapes and the toxins it produces are poisonous to dogs . These mycotoxins eliminate the tubular cells of the kidneys. This can cause serious medical implications like kidney failure, urinary issues, and even death. Although this is the most likely explanation for grape-related toxicity , there are some other theories as well. Some people believe that pesticides could be responsible while grape poisoning was associated with idiopathic renal failure in historical cases.   What Dosage of Grapes is Harmful to Dogs? The toxicity in grapes is dependent...

While it is true that dogs sniff before eating, they are not the most careful eaters in the world. Don’t be surprised if your dog ends up eating a pencil. However, it is necessary to discourage your dog from eating such things as they can cause problems in his/her body, which may turn out to be fatal. My Dog Ate a Wood Pencil If your dog ate the wooden part of a pencil , it can be a tricky thing to handle. In such scenarios, it is usually a good idea to induce vomiting. However, it can be a little complicated in this case. If the pencil is chewed up, jagged wooden edges can cause damage to the inside of your dog’s throat. Consequently, it is generally a good idea to let the pencil pass through towards– the intestine. This is because the problems in the intestinal tract can be resolved easily. Besides, if the pencil is chewed up good, its splinters should not cause any issues. The pencil can cause vomiting and diarrhea as your dog’s body tries to eject the foreign object. Sometimes...

Dog's name and age:  Sonny, 2 years Nicknames:  Sonny Bunny About Sonny:  Sonny is an incredibly loving dog and he will forever have the heart of a puppy. When work and chores are finished, he's always ready to take a nap on your lap. He hums and gives of a content happy noise when shifting around in a comfy position and Sonny favors sleeping on his back when in bed. Before Sonny we adopted his older sister Roxie, she is six-year-old dog that generally low-energy and full of sass. When we brought Sonny into our family her attitude changed and now she can be found making leaps and bounds after her brother. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2RGTwIy

A dog who won’t eat is incredibly stressful – especially if they are a big part of your family. In this case, fussy dog food recipes can really help. Many dogs will eat simple home cooked meals when they won’t eat anything else. NOTE: If your dog is off their food for a while and you can’t coax her to eat, make sure you contact your veterinarian. This can be dangerous over time. Dog Food For the Pickiest Eater (5 Recipes for Different Situations) Most dogs will eat almost anything you put in front of them, but some dogs are extremely picky eaters. Today I’ll give you 5 recipes that you can try depending on your situation. Homemade Wet Dog Food Recipe This recipe is extremely easy on dog’s stomachs and tempts most picky eaters. If your dog is extremely selective about their food , you can omit the rosemary and use white rice instead of brown. Ingredients 6 cups water 1 pound ground turkey 2 cups brown rice 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 (16 ounce) package frozen brocc...

I absolutely love inexpensive hacks for caring for my dogs and when you use cornstarch for dog grooming you can save a lot of money. There are three ways to use cornstarch to groom dogs: Using cornstarch for matted fur Using cornstarch as dry shampoo for dogs Using cornstarch for whiter hair on dogs You can buy cornstarch at any grocery store. It’s the same thing that many people use to thicken soups and gravies. Advantages to using cornstarch for grooming dogs: It’s non toxic for dogs Cornstarch absorbs dirt and oils, leaving your dogs shiny, clean and fluffy Removes knots from dogs hair Can use 2 or 3 times a month Very inexpensive Using Cornstarch for Matted Fur This is an easy process. You simply sprinkle the cornstarch on the matt and work it into the fur. Then you use a slicker brush to loosen the matt and comb through it with a wide tooth grooming comb. Here’s a video showing you how to use cornstarch to get out even nasty matts : This method really work...

There are often patterns in the dogs we choose Picture a lean, healthy dog that reminds you of a Golden Retriever but has a black coat. It is full of vigor and bounciness with very shiny fur. Add one or more random white splotches on the chest, feet or tip of the tail. Imagine that this dog is playful, athletic and that it has warm amber eyes. That picture in your head is a dog I’m sure to be drawn to. What can I say? I don’t know why this type is so appealing to me, but again and again dogs like this pull me in, even though I love all sorts of dogs. It’s not unusual for people to be drawn to a certain look, type of behavior or a combination of both, in a way that goes beyond just favoring a particular breed. I used to work with a trainer who couldn’t resist a foxy dog. Pomeranians, American Eskimos, Finnish Spitzes, Keeshounds and Shiba Inus were among her favorites. A furry-faced dog with prick ears, a pointy muzzle and a thick coat got to her every time. Tags:...

While ear infections are pesky conditions that affect many species, dogs are especially at risk for ear infections because of the shape of their ear canals. Dr. Lori Teller, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that diagnosis and treatment should always be handled by a veterinarian, but dog owners should still be informed on the nature of this condition to keep their furry friend in tip-top shape. “There are multiple causes of ear infections (otitis externa), including allergies (most common), ear mites, a foreign body (this can include polyps or neoplasia), excess hair in the ear canal, anatomic changes in the ear canal, excess moisture in the ear canal, injury, immune-mediated diseases, endocrine disease, and excessive cleaning,” Teller said. “Any of these causes allow for bacteria and/or yeast to overgrow in the ear, leading to the infection.” Tags:  blog health care wellness h...

Male cats often get a bad rap for being tough Toms who are wild and want little in the way of cuddling. Cat lovers disagree. Boy cats are just as lovey as their lady counterparts. Old Man Harrow proves this every minute of every day. And rather than being a crabby old man, he’s a sweet Gramps of a cat with much love for the stray kittens of Alley Cat Rescue . Harrow once had a home, but after his human passed away, the grey tabby was turned out on the streets. There, the sweet boy had to deal with the grief of losing his person all alone. He grew ill and thin. When discovered by Alley Cat Rescue, he was, as staff puts it, “in a shocking state.” In this photo, we see Harrow happy and healthy, much recovered from severe illness. @grand_paw_harrow/ Instagram When he joined Alley Cat, “he had the worst URI, was in starvation mode, anemia and one of the worst cases of diarrhea. His fur was completely matted and he only had four teeth. One was completely rotten.” Harrow had a long roa...

People really can do the worst things. And sometimes the people who commit atrocities get what they deserve. At least in part. A convicted animal abuser is spending a year behind bars after he killed one kitten and injured another. An arrest warrant was issued for Andrew Gibbs of Fort Wayne, IN, after it was suspected he killed his roommate’s kitten and injured the other. Garan Galbreath reported being unable to find his two cats, 2-month-old April and 4-month-old Mei, upon returning home from work one day. He’d left Gibbs in the residence they shared and the 27-year-old had been drunk when Garan left for work. He feared things weren’t right with these two circumstances. After a search of the residence, Garan found Gibbs passed out and Mei was in the doorway to his room. Just lying there, the little cat’s mouth was bloody. When questioned why the cat was injured, Gibbs said he knew nothing about it. April was still nowhere to be found. Police investigated the scene and discovere...

Kittens are usually expert cuddle buddies, but a sick ginger baby had to learn the snuggle arts after his rough beginnings on the Los Angeles streets. Little Finn was found alone on the streets at only 6 weeks old. When taken in at Best Friends Animal Society , staff discovered the baby to be suffering from a respiratory infection and a severe one at that. He was in need of care, and while standoffish, the tiny tabby boy didn’t want to be left alone. Now surrounded with love and safety, Finn wanted to be a lovey kitty, but he had no idea how. @_hellokirorescue/ Instagram Best Friends knew Finn would benefit from time in foster care where he could grow healthy and learn how to snuggle and play. Aly of Hello Kiro Rescue volunteered to take the orange tabby kitten. The foster mom and her two cats have helped over 30 kitties find forever homes and she knew her tabby, Zephyr, would be just the man to help little Finn come around to hugs and kisses. Z, as he’s known for short, is her ...