Pets in Spain

It feels good to treat your pet to human food every once in a while. Those puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist as they watch you eat and try to convince you that they are starving! It makes you want to give them a taste of everything you eat. But beware: Giving in to those eyes and giving dogs human foods can actually harm them.

In 2007, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center received more than 130,000 calls. Most cases of animal poisoning were caused by common human foods and household items.

Many foods we enjoy can be dangerous to animals. It’s best to stick to your pet food and a diet recommended by your vet. Here are a few of the most toxic foods that can harm your pet:

Bad news foods:

Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.

Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal’s liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.

Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat’s heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.

Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal’s blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.

Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal’s central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.

Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.

Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal’s red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.

Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans.

And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent’s medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal’s pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.

Good news foods:

There are a few things that you CAN give to your furry pal. However, you should always consult a veterinarian before introducing a new food item to your pet.

Although these foods are normally harmless, some animals have sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. So even these healthy treats should be avoided if they cause gastrointestinal upset for your pet. Keep in mind that these and other “extras” should not make up more than 5 to 10 percent of the pet’s daily caloric intake.

Lean meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High-fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful condition for dogs. In addition, most companion animals do not need extra fat in their diets. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.

Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.

TOP 15 signs that measure your pet’s health

Pets are like people; as they age, it is noticeable, and they need
more care as they grow older and older. As your precious pet ages, you
will need to be aware of and look for signs of aging, as well as being
increasingly familiar with possible danger areas and/or diseases that
older pets are susceptible to.

Some classic signs of aging in dogs are similar to those of humans.
They tend to lose hair, it tends to turn gray or white around their
muzzle, and it loses its luster and shine. Their eyes can become
somewhat glassy and can turn a bluish milky-gray color instead of the
sparkling black or brown they had when they were younger. Their muscles
also tend to weaken, and they are not as active and agile as they used
to be. They tend to walk more slowly and sleep more often. Their
temperament sometimes may become more relaxed and docile. Some older
pets are also susceptible to joint problems such as arthritis.

As your beloved pet ages, be sure to keep an eye out for warning
signs of greater issues. If you spot anything suspicious, take your pet
to their veterinarian immediately. Here is a short list of some common
warning signs in elderly pets:

- Poor dental health; loss of teeth, bleeding or irritated gums, exceptionally bad breath,
and difficulty chewing food
- Excessive panting or labored breathing while walking or jogging
- Lameness or noticeably weakened limbs; difficulty walking
- Frequent vomiting
- Fluctuation of weight by 10% (either loss or gain)
- Change in housebreaking habits, such as excessive urination
- Significant change in appetite (increase or decrease)
- Unusual lumps or masses noticeably felt or seen on or under the skin
- Significant change in energy level (either lethargy or hyperactivity)
- Dizziness, loss of balance or unusual head tilting that favors one side
- Significant increase in water intake
- Coughing
- Vision loss, excessive drying of the eyes, filmy eyes
- Loss of hearing

For elderly dogs, the most common issues are heart disease,
hyperthyroidism, arthritis, kidney disease and severe dental issues. It
is in your dog´s best interest to keep your eyes and ears open for
significant changes in your pet´s behavior and physique. You should
take your elderly pet to the veterinary clinic for routine check-ups
about every six months.

As you precious dog ages, continue to keep a critical eye on them
and make them as comfortable as possible. This may mean purchasing
items such as a comfortable doggie bed, a ramp up to the bed or a ramp
for getting in and out of the car easily. This will take the strain off
their joints and will help you from lifting them into the car for their
routine veterinary appointments.

As your best friend ages, remember the various warning signs of
serious illness and disease. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if you
should have any questions pertaining to your pet´s health or
behavior. Keep your dog comfortable, and enjoy just having your pet
around!