Wag Reflex

What to Do When Your Dog Eats Chocolate

With the Halloween baskets full of goodies this time of year, I wanted to address the potential for chocolate toxicity. While everyone knows chocolate is a no-no for dogs, not everyone manages to prevent them from eating it--especially when large piles lay in accessible areas: kid’s rooms, kitchen tables, Mom’s purse…

Theobromine is the chemical in chocolate that is part of why chocolate a bad food for them to eat. It is found in higher amounts in darker chocolate, such as baking chocolate and lesser amounts in milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate (most chocolate chips) fall in the middle range.

If your dog eats chocolate, collect the following information before calling your vet:
- How much does your dog weigh?
- How much chocolate or candy did he eat?
- What kind of chocolate or candy was it? (Most bags have the serving size in ounces. Not all candy is pure chocolate, so the type of candy is important to know.)
- How much time has passed since your dog ate it?
- Have you seen any vomiting or evidence of vomiting?

Your vet will help calculate the amount of chocolate consumed per pound of pet and will help you decide if a visit to the hospital is warranted. Some vets may instruct you to induce vomiting at home first using a specific amount of hydrogen peroxide.

Theobromine isn’t the only trouble in chocolate. The fat and caffeine can cause problems so keep a close eye on your pet and be sure to contact your vet if you see any changes in behavior, anxiety, trembling, vomiting or diarrhea.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information

I Has Frydaze: Dishwasher Safe?

Every Friday we feature our favorite LOLpets of the week.

see more puppies

--Spanno

Halloween Dog Costume Round-Up

Get ready to see plenty of dino dogs and princess pups running around tomorrow tonight with all the regular kids. Here are some of our favorite costumed dogs from around net that we haven't featured yet.

 

And be sure to check out the "Wizars of Oz", which is just out-of-control cute.

--Spanno

The Economy and Your Pet--Three Big Cost-Savers

Most Americans are really watching there budgets these days. For most of us, our pets and their expenses are part of our budgets. With this in mind, here are three tips on how to keep your pets affordable.

Get Pet Insurance
We've talked about before on this blog, and its still true. In the event of an emergency pet insurance will help reduce the need for you to decide between your pets' life and your family budget. Insurance plans vary greatly so do your homework. I have noticed that pet insurance plans are really important for all ages of pets as each age milestone tends to have unexpected costs come up. Young dogs tend to get into mischief ingesting something they shouldn't or injuring themselves, while middle age dogs often get orthopedic injuries or social injuries (cuts from dog fights). Older dogs will show age related health declines or cancer. So regardless of your pets' age consider health insurance for those unexpected trips to the veterinarian.

Assess Your Pet's Food
The most consistent pet expense most of us have each month is usually food. Everyone has strong opinions on what pets should eat, however, regardless of brand or flavor you've chosen, there are things to consider in keeping your pet food costs reasonable.

First, determine if you are feeding them something that's reasonable as it pertains to price and quality. You need to strike a balance. Foods range from generic to ultra super premium deluxe (manufacturers love adjectives). In general, you get what you pay for--to an extent. I've never been a fan of the extremes as generics tend to scare me and the super mega fancy brands have little to support that they are really as elite as they would like us to believe. Most of the classic major brands make a well balance quality food at a reasonable price. When you go to the extremes you will pay the price now or in the long run.

Second, find out if you are feeding the proper amount of food for you pet. Most people actually over feed, making their pets fat and sometimes obese. The excess food is a waste of money and detrimental to your pets' health. To really find out what volume to feed your pet, ask your veterinarian to calculate how much your pet needs to eat per day to achieve the ideal body condition. The potential reduction in the food fed over a life time will easily pay for your office visit, save you money in the long run and improve your pets health. 

Bake Your Own Treats
Yup, you spoil your four-legged children and part of your pet budget is being spent on treats. What you probably don't realize is that many pet treats are very simple and contain ingredient you probably have on you shelf right now! Why not bake your own treats? There are tons of simple yet tasty recipes for treats out there, you're internet savvy, go find them. Make a few small batches and see what your pets think. If they're a hit consider giving a few samples out to friends as gifts. Who knows, people may even start offering you money for your 'homemade' dog treats. To keep your new baking adventure safe, here is a list ingredients to avoid from ASPCA poison control: Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information   

ShinyCat's Unfortunate Packaging

I'll assume it's actually tuna, but I'm a little suspect. Afterall, the cat is shiny and immobile. I don't have a cat, but does anyone really add garnish to their cat's food? There's just so much wrong with this...

As seen on FAIL Blog. Photo from ZooPlue.ie.

--Spanno

My Favorite Things: Dexas Collapsible Travel Bowls

If you like to get out with your dog, you may find, like me, that after you have collected all the things you need for the trip, you need another backpack. And while some good dogs carry packs without a problem, mine don’t. So when a client walked in with a Frisbee-like rubber thing attached to her dog’s leash, I was excited to find out that it was a water bowl. And it is collapsible! It accordions flat to ½ inch -nice and small. So small, you can take more than one along! I’m sure you can also put food in it.

The brand she had was from Dexas and their online product information says it can go in the dishwasher. Of course, they also offer other collapsible things, like a stand for the food bowls. The bowls, or travel cups as they call them, come in a variety of sizes and colors.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips for You and Your Pet

Halloween is just around the corner and many people do not realize the haunting dangers around the home during the Halloween season. Here are some tips to keep you and your pet safe for a spooktacular Halloween!

1. It’s hard not to want to share your treats with your pet after an evening of trick or treating, but always remember that chocolate is a threat to the health and lives of dogs. Never feed your dog chocolate. If you want to treat your pet this season, there are plenty of recipes for pet friendly treats, and can easily be decorated or shaped as spooky bats, jolly jack-o-lanterns or wild witches!

2. After trick or treating with your kids, make sure to keep all treats out of Fido’s reach. Wrappers and small toys are harmful, sometimes fatal, if swallowed. Always make sure to keep treats and small toys out of reach.

3. Try using a glow stick or flameless candle in your Jack-o-lantern or better yet, paint a face on. Dogs have wild tails and curious snouts and can knock over a Jack-o-lantern causing a fire in the home. If you do use a candle, be sure to keep it out of reach of your dog, on a table or outside stand that is heavy enough to withhold a wild tail!

4. Be cautious with costumes on your pet. Make sure it is loose fitting so it doesn’t disrupt your pet’s normal movement and behavior or interfere with its breathing. Costumes look great and can be used if they fit appropriately; but often dogs are not as receptive to a costume causing irritability and stress. You can always decorate a leash and collar with festive Halloween colors and decorations

5. NEVER leave your pet outside while you are off trick or treating with your family. Halloween sometimes brings out mis-behaving kids and young adults who may be cruel to your dog while he is on a leash waiting for his favorite ghosts and goblins to come home. The constant coming and going of people at your door may also cause stress and anxiety possibly resulting in bites. Always keep your dog inside, away from the door with a comfort item to keep him or her calm while you are away.

6. Are you having a Monster Ball or Haunted House at your home this year? It is best to keep your pet in an enclosed area like your bed room, or home office where they will not be bothered. Too many people may make your pet irritable. Also, keeping cats and dogs in an enclosed area where guests will not be helps to prevent your beloved pet from escaping through the front door as it is opened and closed for guests and trick or treaters.

7. Are you taking your dog trick or treating with you? Make sure to have a reflector vest or harness and leash to avoid any accidents on the road as well as make other friendly ghosts, goblins, and witches aware of your Fido treat seeker. And don’t forget to take along Bags on Board to pick up after your dog on the road!

We hope you have found these tips helpful and have a happy and safe Halloween!

--Beth Tori
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Beth Tori is the FAQ guru at Simple Solution pet care products and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

InDognito: A Book of Canines in Costume

Moira McLaughlin of Dog Art Today alterted me to a new book called, InDognito: A Book of Canines in Costume by photographer Karen Ngo. Just in time for Halloween, it features adorable portraits of pups in costume.

--Spanno

Safety Issues with Dog Costume Neckties

As Halloween approaches, we have a parade or people coming into our hospital to buy the cute Halloween outfits we carry. We sell the standard bumblebee, hotdog in bun, dinosaur and ballerina costumes. People are also coming in with their pets already in their Halloween outfits, successfully getting extended use of their cute and creative investments. My favorite so far was a recently coiffed, young Westie who arrived shiny white and trim wearing a clip-on blue shirt collar complete with collar buttons and stays and a polka-dot tie! Very simple but completely adorable. He was dressed up just like his dad, though I was wrong to assume it was for the holiday--he has an orange tie with black bats for that special day.

I looked up this creation and apparently they are common, just not in my neck of the woods. As a vet, I see the catastrophe in all things cute so if you decide to don your dog with a necktie, make sure they wear it only under adult supervision. It shouldn't be long enough for them to trip over or catch in the car door or window. Some of the brands offer quick release attachments so if another dog gets hold of it or it catches in something, it doesn’t cause tracheal damage or strangulation.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information

Readers' Pets: Scout the Doberman Pinscher

Introduction: Scout has been a member of our home for almost two months now. She is from a line of show dogs but Scout does not have the right disposition for showing.

Home: Kansas (an hour outside Kansas City)

Age: Scout is 5 months old

Breed: Doberman Pinscher

Personality: Scout is stubborn and always wants to play with just about anything or anyone. She gets in trouble frequently because she just wants to play with the cats and the cats want no part of that.

Likes: Playing with a welding glove (sometimes dogs like the simplest toys). She likes going for walks. Scout also loves going for a ride in the car/truck.

Dislikes: Scout hates to see us leave the house without taking her. And although she is an angel while in her crate, she goes bonkers if we block her off in the laundry room by herself.

Favorite Toy: Her favorite toy at the moment is a big tennis ball she sort of plays fetch with. She really liked a Kong Wubba we got for her but she destroyed it in just a few play sessions. We will get her another one someday.

Favorite Food: Tomatoes and peaches.

Trivia: I usually mix fruit or vegetables up in Scout's food and she will always pick out the fruit/veggies to eat before eating the dry kibble. We have decided that our dog is a health nut.

--Spanno
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If you'd like your pet featured on Wag Reflex, email us (wagreflex@amazon.com) with the bolded topics and a 500-pixel-wide JPEG of your pet.