House Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs

House plants that add natural fragrance and color to the home may pose a health risk to the family pet. Before adding new greenery to your home, check the plant’s label for toxicity warnings. If your pet accidentally ingests leaves, stems or flowering portions of a house plant, contact a veterinarian promptly for assistance

Common House Plants

• Although the blooms of azaleas and rhododendrons add color to your decor, keep these potted favorites outside and away from your dog’s play areas. If a pet eats just a few leaves of these plants, it may experience heart failure, paralysis, shock, diarrhea, drooling or a coma. Other flowering plants that contain cardenolides also will poison a dog. Flowering plants to avoid include fresh-cut bouquets of lily of the valley, milkweed or decorative cuttings from burning bushes. Dogs also should avoid aloe vera, mums and daffodils.

Indoor Herbs

• Take at peek at your kitchen window sills. Those miniature pots of fresh herbs may spice up your cooking but also can make your dog sick. Growing herbs that contain N-propyl disulfide can make a dog anemic, cause cardiac arrhythmia or upset digestion, according to VetInfo. Onion-flavored plants, including chives, shallots, green onions or leeks, contain N-propyl disulfide.

Holiday House Plants

• When guests gather in your home for the holidays, avoid enhancing the decor with live plants. If a red, blushing poinsettia or bunch of mistletoe completes your winter holiday decor, put them high out of the family dog’s reach. Mistletoe can upset digestion and cause heart trouble, among other symptoms. Poinsettias produce sap that can upset stomachs and blister mouths. The Humane Society of the United States warns against displaying both of these toxic plants inside. Evergreen tree needles can cause stomach and mouth lacerations, notes Pet Education. An artificial Christmas tree, wreaths and centerpieces reduce the risk of a holiday spoiled by an emergency vet visit. Other seasonal favorites that make dogs ill include cuttings of bittersweet, holly berries or the winter-blooming amaryllis.

Six Household Products That are Not Dog Safe

Some Toxic Ingredients and Their Effects on People and Pets:

Ammonia – Used in many de-greasers for ovens, glass and stainless steel, ammonia has a very high VOC, burns mucous membranes and contributes to asthma. If it is mixed with bleach, it creates a poisonous gas which can be deadly to small pets.

Chlorine – Used in disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaners and automatic dish detergent to name a few, chlorine is also used to bleach coffee filters. It can cause everything from dizziness to vomiting to laryngeal edema. Avoid this ingredient and be careful about letting your pet swim in the pool.

Glycol Ethers – Glycol ethers are found in many cleaning products that are not pet safe including glass cleaners, carpet cleaners and spot removers. It has been linked to anemia, lung damage and kidney damage in people and pets.

Formaldehyde – The thought of a funeral home comes to mind when formaldehyde is mentioned and everyone can recognize the strong, nauseating smell. But it’s also used in products such as soaps and even some pet shampoos. It can contribute to asthma and is carcinogenic.

Some Cleaning Products That are Not Dog Safe

There are many, many cleaning products that are not safe for dogs on the market. Here are a few popular cleaners that contain some of the ingredients mentioned above as well as others:

Floor Cleaners – These include Pine Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get all of the residue off the floor, the vapors linger and are dangerous to your pet. Try a non-toxic, pet safe cleaner instead.

Bathroom Cleaners – These include Clorox Bathroom Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles. Try a product such as Ecover Bathroom Cleaner instead. Never use a continuous toilet bowl cleaner such as Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is very dangerous and the temptation to drink out of the toilet is a quirk in many of our pups.

All Purpose Cleaners – For use in the kitchen and around the house, the most common toxic all-purpose cleaners that scream “Danger!” are Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray and Formula 409.

Drain Openers – You may think that since this product is poured down the drain, it can’t be harmful to your pet. But the toxic drain openers give off dangerous fumes long after you’ve emptied them. For a non-toxic, pet safe option, try a product such as Earth Friendly Enzymes Drain Opener.

Glass Cleaner – It may seem that toxic glass cleaners are simpler products and are, therefore, safe but they are not. Instead of something like Windex, try a product such as Nature Clean Window and Glass Cleaner.

Laundry Detergent – It’s easy to assume that choosing a laundry detergent isn’t that important because the rinse cycle rinses it away. But there is residue left behind on clothes and pet blankets that can be harmful to your pet, especially those that chew on their bedding. Avoid detergents with toxic ingredients such as Tide and Cheer and try something like Down East’s Liquid Laundry Detergent.

Instead of using toxic cleaning products around the house, try one of the non-toxic and pet safe lines of cleaners. If you do decide to keep toxic cleaners, make absolutely sure they are put away. Put child safety locks on cabinet doors and put cleaners up as high as possible. Never use them when your pet is in the same room and air out the house after cleaning with them. Never leave any residue behind. But the warning signs are clear and you and your dog will be healthier and safer if you use cleaning products that are pet safe.

QUICK UPDATE ON ABBY-ROSE

Abby and her new friends

Just a quick little update on Abby-Rose, when she arrived she was a very shy and unstable little girl who would bite you rather than be your friend. Abby didn’t like to be near other dogs (she would bite) didn’t want to be brushed (she would bite) could not touch her feet (she would bite) absolutely could not cut her nails (she would bite) do you see a pattern? Well Abby has been here now four days and I am very proud to say we can touch her feet, got the back nails cut, not the front yet, she loves to be in with all the dogs, and she now likes to be brushed! We still need to work on a few things and still attempt to cut her front nails (she does not like that) we will try later today. I am very proud of little miss Abby she has come such a long way in a short time, still has some hills to climb but we will get there!

Dog Harness Vs Collars – How To Choose?

Are you having a dilemma on choosing a dog harness or a collar? Don’t get overwhelmed about deciding. There are so many different types of stylish dog collars and harnesses to choose from. This article will describe some of the ways on how to decipher on which one is right for your pet. We all love our best friend and want what’s best for them.

Let’s take a look at a Dog Harness

– A harness is designed to go over your dogs abdomen and chest area and then crossing over their back. One type is an “H” style which includes more padding for your best friend. This style helps distribute the weight evenly. The harness design is made to keep pressure off the neck and airway. It is made to protect their neck and back.

– Do you have a small dog or puppy? A dog harness is the way to go. When you have a puppy or small dog their necks and bones are fragile. With a harness you help them breath easier when on a leash.

– We all like taking our best friend for a walk or to the park. A dog harness will give you more control while walking and training him/her. Your dog can’t get out of a harness as easily as with a dog collar. While riding to the park some allow you to hook your best friend up to the seat belt. This will ease your mind by keeping them safe.

Some options for Collars for Dogs

There are many different types of collars. We will go through a couple of the most common types.

– Choker Chain Style: While using this type you can tug quickly on the chain so it tightens. Your dog will become alert and stop. This allows them to see what he is doing wrong and correct it. You should NEVER leave the chain on while unattended. And Never use if he/she has neck or throat issues.

– Quick Release collars for dogs are the most popular type. Made out of flat nylon with a plastic buckle. This allows for quick on and off of the collar. If you have a larger stronger dog it is recommended to use a standard buckle that is stronger. There are many stylish dog collars with the quick release. You have many options of colors, designs and sizes.

– When fitting the collar to your dog it is important that it fits properly. You should fit 2 finger widths between neck and collar. The collar should not slip over the ears. You don’t want it to big and have your best friend slip out of it while going for a walk.

When it comes time to choosing a dog harness or collars for dogs, see which one best fits your needs and theirs. Either way you decide make sure you put on their identification, rabies and license tags. Rather you decide on stylish dog collars or a dog harness, you want your best friend to be happy and obedient.

How to Treat Hives on a Dog

Hives in an of themselves are usually not a serious condition and you may not even know that your dog has them unless you feel its skin. However, they can be indicative of a serious allergic reaction. You may feel welts or raised spots which means that it may have hives. Hives may make your dog itch and damage the skin by constantly scratching. Following the steps below will help you alleviate the discomfort of your dog’s hives.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4473943_treat-hives-dog.html#ixzz2cdSVXeJK

Things You’ll Need

• Benadryl

• Cold water

• Oatmeal

Show (1) More

Instructions

1. How to Treat Hives on a Dog

   • Give your dog an antihistamine like Benadryl. An antihistamine will relieve your dog’s allergic reaction and reduce its need to scratch. An Antihistamine may also induce sleep in your pet, which will also calm it down and make it less aware of the itchiness.

   • Soak the dog in cold water. Cold water is great for stopping itchy skin. Fill your bathtub or baby pool to submerge your dog in. If you can’t do either, grab the hose and wash the dog down for at least 15 minutes.

   • Oatmeal is a wonderful remedy for itchy skin. Pour about a 1/2 cup of oatmeal flakes into the tub or pool to alleviate your dog’s hives.

   • If your dog’s hives are confined to one spot and it refuses to get into the bath, you can apply cold compresses. Wet a rag and put it on the skin over the hives and then apply an ice pack. You can use either a medical ice pack or a frozen bag of vegetables. Either one will help alleviate the hives.

   • Consult the vet. If your dog’s hives don’t go away after a few days or seem to get worse, contact your vet for further treatment.

RAW HIDE, THE DANGERS OF GIVING THEM TO YOUR DOG

Rawhide is sold in just about every pet store – often in many different varieties. It’s a staple in most households with pets. Yet many blogs, organizations, and veterinarians warn that rawhide could not only be dangerous, it could actually be lethal. Here’s what you need to know before you give your dog rawhide.

What is rawhide? According toPet Planet, a franchise that prides itself on being well-versed in canine health, rawhide is the tough inner layer of bull, cow, water buffalo and horse hides. It is essentially a byproduct of the meat industry.

What are the dangers of rawhide? First of all, rawhide is not considered a food item. Thus, it is not covered by any labeling, processing, or content laws, and it may contain chemical preservatives. According to Associated Content, imported rawhide chews often contain toxins including arsenic, lead, titanium oxide, formaldehyde, chromium salts, mercury, cadmium and bromine. Even with the use of these highly questionable preservatives, the FDA reports that Salmonella has been detected in some of the imported chews. In the US and Canada, refrigerated trucks provide safer transport and the hides are generally only treated with hydrogen peroxide and a water rinse.

In addition to the chemical risk, rawhide can swell up to four times its original size in your dog’s stomach and cause life-threatening blockages. And dogs can chew off and swallow large pieces of rawhide which can get stuck in their esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This almost always requires surgical removal. In the terrible light of realizing too late, many dog lovers have postedwarnings and alternatives on their websites, like The Northeastern Boxer Rescue who lost a gorgeous dog named Maxwell because of a blockage caused by a rawhide chew.

The worst tragedies are the ones that can be prevented. If you must give your dog rawhide, make sure it was made in America. Choose one of the higher end brands and make sure it compliments your dog’s proportions and habits. For safety, monitor the chewing. Throw away the small, chewed down pieces.

Alternatives to rawhide: Or better yet, consider alternatives to rawhide like beef chews or rubber toys like the Kong (a delicacy when stuffed with peanut butter) or even the ingenious Antlerz, a chew made of deer antlers. They are long lasting, rich in minerals, and will not splinter during digestion.

Chewing is a very natural behavior for dogs. It helps keep the tartar from collecting on their teeth (preventing periodontal disease and dragon breath) and gives them immense satisfaction. There’s no need to take that away.

Do, however, chewse (you must have seen that coming!) wisely.

WELCOME TO BOOT CAMP

Abby Rose

I would like to introduce little Abby Rose to rrruffhouse boot camp, Abby is a five month old Jack Russell cross that has some territory issues. Little Miss Abby likes to own her home and her owners and also bites when you try and touch her paws to either wipe dirty feet or have her nails clipped, Abby also does not seem to like other dogs and when she meets dogs she tends to show teeth  and snarl. Abby has been here for about 20 minutes and has met so far two of the dogs and has not shown teeth or snarled, good so far. Abby has found her new safe spot in front of my couch and is curled up having a little nap, also a good first sign. I think with a little help and lots of manners little Miss Abby Rose will be a wonderful dog, she is very cute, people friendly and now well on her way to being dog friendly.

How to Treat a Dog for Bee Stings

Dogs are more likely than humans to get stung by bees because they like to play with anything that moves, including bees and their hives. But dogs are just as likely to be allergic to those stings and have bad reactions. This makes it vital to learn how to treat a dog for bee stings at home and to know when it’s time to get him or her to a professional.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_2093265_treat-dog-bee-stings.html#ixzz2cdRxDF62

Instructions

1. • Remove the stinger immediately in case your dog is allergic to the poison and goes into anaphylactic shock. Using a credit card, scrape out the part of the stinger you can see or pull the whole stinger out with tweezers, but only if you can reach it. Breaking it will allow more poison into your dog’s blood stream. If you can’t reach it, leave it alone unless your dog needs veterinary attention. Then let your vet get it out.

   • Assess your dog’s physical condition. If he or she is having problems breathing, acts weak, disoriented, or is vomiting or having diarrhea, see a veterinarian immediately. If your dog seems OK, continue to keep an eye on them for at least 24 hours.

   • Clean the area of the sting with a baking soda and water paste. This will also help if the area starts to swell or gets itchy.

   • Give your dog a dose of an over the counter antihistamine to counteract minor reactions, but only after you’ve gotten approval and dosage information from your veterinarian.

   • Use a cold pack on the area for a few minutes several times a day to help with any lingering pain your dog may experience. The cold should also help with any low grade fever your dog may be carrying.

How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

I found this awesome link check it out! http://www.wisegeek.com/how-much-exercise-does-my-dog-need.htm

Although all dogs need some exercise, not all dogs require the same amount. It’s also important to remember that dog exercise comes in a variety of forms not regularly practiced by people.

 Exercise needs have very little to do with size. Instead, breed tends to count the most. For example, Jack Russell Terriers and Shelties often begin to misbehave when given too few exercise opportunities. On the other hand, a mastiff and many other large dogs may be happy with a couple of daily walks in the park or a 15 minute game of catch.

Little dogs quite frequently require more exercise than larger dogs. Many of these needs can be satisfied in an apartment or back yard. If the small dog has adequate toys, or a dog or cat companion, it can generally meet all its own activity needs. However, don’t miss walking thedog on a daily basis too; a walk proves healthy exercise for both the dog and its owner.

Mid-size breeds also vary in their need for exercise. Expect dogs that are natural hunters or herders to require more activity. Beagles, hounds, border collies, Alaskan sled dogs, and Australian shepherds are naturally going to be restless if cooped up. They need time to run around, catch things, chase things, and to walk or jog.

Many of the working dogs benefit from having another dog companion. They also will benefit from visits to dog parks. A 30 minute to one hour visit to a dog park each day frequently gives the dog as much exercise as he needs because playing with other dogs requires exertion. Also expect to walk or jog with these dogs daily.

Some dogs also require mental exercise. Dogs, like people, can get bored. Certain dogs get bored enough to engage in undesirable behaviors like destroying potted plants or eating your shoes and furniture. New toys that require some work to get reward are fantastic for dogs that need a mental challenge. Also, daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some mental needs.

Since many dogs are mixed breeds, it may be hard to know what type of exercise requirements they have. Once you get a mixed breed dog, observe its behavior. If the dog enjoys basking in the sun most of the day, it probably does not need as much exercise. Conversely, if the dog appears restless and wanders around the house or yard relentlessly, its needs may be better met by more activity. Also, older dogs tend to have fewer daily exercise needs than do younger dogs.

As with people, be wary of providing too much exercise in hot temperatures. During hot months, allow your dog to take breaks and bring along water. Also, schedule activities during the coolest parts of the day, like right before sunrise or right after sunset.

How to Get a Dog or Cat to Drink Water

You would think drinking water would just come naturally for living beings–but not necessarily. Certain humans have to be coaxed into partaking of the H2O (some would almost rather have root canal than drink eight glasses a day)–and certain dogs and cats are the same way. But being that it is sort of essential to life–here are some ways to get your pooch or kitty to drink their water

Instructions

1. • If you feel your pet isn’t drinking enough water, add warm water to your pet’s dry or canned dog food (or home diet), enough to where it’s soupy. You can also add chicken or vegetable broth to the food.

   • Some cats and dogs prefer flowing water to water that just sits stagnant in a bowl. In this case you can try letting your cat drink out of a running faucet, your dog drink from a garden hose or as you pour it out of the bottle. But of course, these methods may not always be feasible (if you don’t want to leave the faucet running constantly, you don’t have a garden hose or can’t be around pouring 24/7). In this case you may consider investing in a pet drinking fountain

• Add a couple of ice cubes to your pet’s bowl. Dogs and cats often prefer colder water, which is why they may head for the toilet bowl. Some cats and dogs also like to chase after ice cubes and end up drinking water in the process.

• Using an elevated bowl may encourage your dog to drink more water and is also more comfortable for senior dogs and dogs with arthritis or muscle/joint problems. Changing up the material, shape or size of a bowl may encourage a cat to drink more water.

• Sometimes after heavy activity, a pet may just forget to drink water. You might “refresh” their memory by holding the water bowl up to them and swishing a couple of your fingers in it to pique their interest.

• Maybe your pet simply doesn’t like the taste of tap water (it can be pretty unpleasant depending on where you live). How about filtered water? If you already drink it yourself, it would be nothing to pour some extra for your pet. And if you don’t drink filtered, it’s a relatively inexpensive investment (under $30 for a Brita or like brand and three filters–then you would just need to replace the filter every so often). Not to mention that filtered water is healthier.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4595450_dog-cat-drink-water.html#ixzz2ba12xpmG