Bradenton Dog

Mary Lou Davidson

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Happy National Poison Prevention Week!

As pet parents honor this week by assessing animal toxins in their homes, the ASPCA wants to remind folks to take care when planning (or planting) their springtime gardens, too. Whether you’re blessed with balmy weather already or are patiently awaiting the first day of spring , please be mindful of the season’s toxic obstacles for our furry friends.

Last year, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center fielded tens of thousands of calls related to pets who accidentally ingested or came in contact with garden-related products, including insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants. Don’t let your furry beloved become a victim of your green thumb—read our expert tips below.

* When designing and planting your green space, keep in mind that many popular outdoor plants—including sago palm, rhododendron and azalea—are toxic to cats and dogs, and may cause liver failure or heart problems.
* When walking your dog, take care to keep Fido off the grass and away from toxic lawn and garden products. Cocoa mulch—a byproduct of chocolate—is especially problematic because it attracts dogs with its sweet smell and can cause them gastrointestinal distress or more serious neurological problems if consumed in large quantities.
* Always store pesticides in inaccessible areas. The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide, and most forms of rat poisons.
* Unattended garden tools may seem like no big deal, but rakes, tillers, hoes and trowels can be hazardous to pets and cause trauma to paws, noses or other parts of a curious pet’s body. Please leave all unused tools in a safe area, not haphazardly scattered on the ground.

For a complete list of tips, check out the ASPCA’s online guide to Pet-Safe Gardening. Now, get thee to a nursery and have a safe spring season!

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Understanding Dog Food

Dr. Frances Backer

Dr. Frances Baker chats with our Rover Report to help demstify dog food.   The bottom line is that each dog’s needs are unique.  Listen in to see how you can determine what is best for your dog.  Want to know more about Dr. B? Click here. To listen to our chat about dog foods, prepared or raw – just click on the little arrow to play.

 

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White House Dogs – The First Pooches

Statistics show that one of three American households have dogs but if your house is The White House, that ratio increases dramatically. More than half of our presidents have enjoyed the companionship of a dog. George Washington turns out not only was a founding father but a breeder of hunting dogs. He bred his own black and tan dogs with the French Fox Hound to create a new breed: The American Foxhound.

George Washington and his American Foxhound

Abe Lincoln adored his dog Fido. A Labrador-hound mix, Fido was ratttled by commotion and loud noises. Lincoln feared the pup would not cotton to life in Washington, DC. He found a family in Springfield to care for his dog and Lincoln helped by picking up the tab for Fido’s care. Ironically, just days after the president was shot, a drunken man killed Fido. Details are murky.

Our 33rd president, Harry S. Truman coined the famous phrase, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” I’d like to say that Truman’s long life could be attributed to his love of dogs, but at least two of his pups were re-homed, presumably because they were “inconvenient”.

In addition to dogs, goats, ponies, raccoon and birds at one time have called the White House Home.

Many thanks to the Smithsonian Institute and the National Archives for these digital images.

Our 33rd president, Harry S. Truman coined the famous phrase, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Perhaps we can attribute his long live to his love of dogs.

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How to keep your Dog mentally fit: Feeding those little gray cells

By:  Dr. Anne Chauvet

Hand in hand with the amazing advancements available today in veterinary medicine are aging-related disorders that can affect our dogs’ brains.  Just like us, they can experience symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease.  As a veterinary neurologist , I routinely see clinical signs that can include sleeping a lot more, not recognizing people, getting stuck in corners or even forgetting familiar routines.  A video of a basic neurological exam shows how I check for mentation and other problems.

Just like us, we don’t have to sit around and wait for old age to take over our pets’ brains.  In fact, sitting around is part of the problem.  Exercise is one great way to ensure our dogs’ brains (and ours) get the oxygen that they hunger for through the increased blood flow that exercise stimulates.  Walking is the best all-round exercise for healthy dogs.  Your vet will tell you how much is right for your pet’s condition.

Literally, what we eat feeds our brains, so a high-quality pet food with the proper amount of protein, minerals and salt is very important.  Our pets’ nutritional requirements are complex, and a balanced diet designed for their needs is fundamental to brain and overall health.  Because brains can absorb glucose (metabolized sugar) directly from the blood stream, low blood sugar can slow down the mental processes.  For your pets this means it is better to cut the amount of food in half and feed twice a day rather than all at once.

Nutritional supplements also can help feed those little gray cells. Fish, such as wild salmon, is absolutely swimming with healthy Omega 3 fatty acids.  Antioxidants like ginko biloba help improve cognitive function, and acai berry is a great way to energize those cells.  In addition, antioxidants help sweep away damaging free radicals.

While our pets can’t stretch their mental muscles by working the New York Times crossword, you can help them in the use-it-don’t-lose-it category.  You absolutely can teach old dogs new tricks, and it’s one great way to get those brain cells firing.  Also, vary your walking routine.  Take a different route or walk in a new place to keep your dog stimulated with new sights, smells, sounds and situations.  I bet you’ll both enjoy a change of pace as will your brains—canine and human.

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Veggie Bones Recipe

There are lots of dog treat recipes out there that include fillers like cornmeal.  Some of our dogs are becoming allergic to corn because commercial dog foods use corn as their primary ingredient!

Bake your own healthy, homemade dog goodies and skip the corn.

Veggie Bones

Ingredients:

2 3/4 C. Flour
2 Tablespoon Bran
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
3 Tsp. Minced Fresh Parsley (good for doggie breath)
1/4 C. Shredded Carrots
1/4 C. Shredded Cheese (your choice–mozzarella, cheddar)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp. Flaxseed (optional)
1/2 C. Water

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Mix together parsley, carrots, cheese and oil. Combine the dry ingredients separately from the veggie mixture. Slowly add 1/2 c. water and mix well. Dough should be moist but not wet. Knead for a minute.

Roll out dough to 1/4″ thickness. Using cookie cutters of your choice, cut out shapes and place on baking sheet.

Bake 20-30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened slightly. They will continue to harden as they cool. Store in an airtight container once throughly cooled.

Makes 2 to 3 dozen

Your dog will love being baked for!  Not up for baking?  Stop by PolkaDog Bakery for all natural dog treats
in the South End:

256 Shawmut Avenue
South End, Boston 02118
Ph: 617.338.5155

Store Hours
M-F: 10AM to 7:30PM
Saturday: 10AM to 7PM
Sunday: 11AM to 6PM

Or in Jamaica Plain

42 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
map this location
Ph: 617.522.1931

Store Hours
M-F: 11AM to 7:30PM
Sa: 10AM to 7PM
Su: 11AM to 6PM