Human Food Is For Humans, Not Pets!

Image from: cokelatrawkz.blogspot.com

Every pet owner has given their pet some scraps from the dinner table at least once in their life.  Those eyes that just seem to glisten and grow big and round with fake tears can be so hard to ignore.  Believe me, I know.  But have any of you thought of what harmful effects your pet may endure from eating human food?

Chocolate

Whether you're a pet owner or not, most people know some of the common foods that are dangerous for pets to consume such as chocolate.  But why is chocolate so bad? Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, contains theobromine (a bitter alkaloid that is found in cacao seeds) that irregularly increases a pet's heart beat and may cause death.  Chocolate is especially dangerous if consumed in large quantities.

Grapes

Another dangerous food for your pet (specifically dog) to consume are grapes or raisins.  The ingestion of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.  Although dogs might find it fun to roll grapes around the house and bite them to squeeze the juices out, it is imperative that dog owners keep grapes out of the reach of their pet.

Human Medication

Medicine is not considered food, but it is also another substance that can harm animals.  Many pet owners give their pets over the counter medication thinking that it will have the same effect on their pet as they do on themselves.  "The most common cause of pet poisoning is animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans" 'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet.  In my experience, the worst case I have seen of an animal ingesting human medication was a cat that was given Percocet by it's owner and ended up dying at the hospital.  Remember to never give your pet any type of medication unless instructed by a veterinarian to ensure your pet's safety.

Some Good Foods For Your Pet

On the other hand, there are some foods that you can feed your pet without harming their health.  Vegetables, plain bread, rice or pasta, and some types of fruit are all good options for feeding your pet instead of other harmful foods.  Sometimes it can be hard to wean your pet off of human food if they have been eating it on a regular basis. My oldest dog, Buddy, is allergic to an unknown human food because since he eats so many foods, its hard to identify which one is causing him to have an allergic reaction.  Sometimes he will go days without eating if I refrain from giving him any scraps, but eventually, he will sneak off and eat his bowl of dog food.

It's heartbreaking to lose a pet over something that could have been prevented.  But if you start now, you can help your pet in having a long and healthy life.  For more information about foods that can be harmful and harmless to your pet, read this article 'People Foods" That Can Kill Your Pet by Sloan Barnett as wells as What Foods are Toxic For Dogs and People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.

Works Cited:

Barnett, Sloan. 'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. 9 May 2008. 29 January 2013 <http://www.today.com/id/2454454/site/todayshow/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/t/people-foods-can-kill-your-pet/#.UQhBdNPjm98>.

The Importance of Vet Care

Image from: petwellbeing

Most pet owners in society love their pets dearly and hopefully no pet owner wants to lose their little loved ones to something that could have been prevented.  Veterinarians are here for a reason: to ensure that your pet is healthy.  Some pet owners refrain from taking their animals to vet because of the expense.  I can tell you right now that if you love your pets, you will pay whatever the cost for their safety.  Now I understand with the economy and other various legitimate reasons that sometimes vet care does not fit your budget.  Most veterinary hospitals and care facilities will allow pet owners to have their pet be examined by a veterinarian and have them pay the costs when they can be financially stable.  So what other reason could there be to not seek medical attention for your pet?

Just as human babies go to the doctor every couple months for a check-up or shots, puppies and kittens do too!  At this age, puppies and kittens are very susceptible to parasites and viruses because their immune system is not fully developed.  As a matter of fact, when Tommy was a puppy he had worms.  The most common sign of worms in these baby animals is a swollen, enlarged belly.  Worms can be very dangerous because since they are parasites, they feed off the insides of puppies and kittens.  Anti-parasitic medications can be used to rid the young pet of worms and other parasites.  Giving regular routine vaccines and check-ups will help ensure that your baby animal is healthy and strong and should be continued as your pet ages.

For adult dogs and cats, it is recommended that your pet receives an annual wellness examination to make sure your pet does not have any health problems or risk of disease.  As pets progress in age, they become more at risk for diseases like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and many more.  And just like older people, older pets grow weak and tired as the years go by.  Increased veterinary care should be given to senior pets to help them stay on a healthy track.  For more detailed information on senior pet care, take a look at this AVMA Fact Sheet.  

Besides the times where your pet is healthy and should see the vet for annual exams, there are times when your pet gets sick and needs to be seen by the vet as well.  Unfortunately, it is more difficult to figure out what is exactly wrong with your pet because they do not have the ability to speak.  So it is the duty of a pet owner to make sure their pet is given proper medical attention and treatment.  Happy pets are healthy pets and every animal deserves to be happy just as much as they make their owners happy. If any of you would like more detailed information on the importance of vet care, read this article from the Purina Pet Health Library.  

Works Cited:

American Veterinary Medical Association. Senior Pet Care (FAQ). February 2009. 23 January 2013 <http://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Caring-for-an-Older-Pet-FAQs.aspx>.

Purina Care. Pet Health Articles. 23 January 2013 <http://www.pethealthlibrary.purinacare.com/articles/the-importance-of-taking-your-pet-to-the-veterinarian/>.

All Creatures & Critters Welcome!

Hey there! My name is Surika.  When I found out that I was expected to write and maintain a blog for this semester in english class, I honestly just wanted to drop the class.  But after a while, I started to think about it and I decided that I should give it a try.  My biggest problem was figuring out what on earth I was going to write about all semester.  Then it hit me: animals!

Since I could remember, my life-long dream is to become a veterinarian.  I've loved animals since I first laid eyes on one and my passion for them has grown along with myself.  As matter of fact, I own five pets and believe me I've had so many that the count would be well over 10!  I currently own 3 parrots (Perry- Maximilian Pionus, Penny- Hahn's Macaw, and Merry- Yellow Collared Macaw) and 2 dogs (Buddy- Shih Tzu and Tommy- Lhasa Apso).

One might think that my house probably smells and looks like a zoo, but really, it doesn't because I keep my animals healthy and well taken care of.  This is the purpose of my blog besides the fact that its required for my english class; to inform present and future pet owners about the health and wellbeing of domesticated animals.

As a pet owner and veterinary assistant, I know how hard it can be taking care of an animal no matter the size or type.  But it doesn't give anyone the excuse to mistreat an animal or inhibit an animal from receiving proper and routine veterinary care.  Also, many pet owners are unaware of some of the simple things they do that can harmfully affect their pet's health and wellbeing such as feeding their animal human food or bathing their animal with human toiletries.

My blog will consist of helpful tips and information for present and future pet owners.  I will post issues concerning the health and wellbeing of several types domesticated animals depending on the issue and provide useful information that pet owners can use with their animals.

I hope that you all will enjoy reading my blog and I look forward to writing for you this semester! (: