PetSugar

Saving Pennies Is Poisonous!

PetSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:30:55 -0700

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a pet that wants to eat everything including the kitchen sink?! While I'm careful to keep my purse out of his reach ('cause of gum), what if he sniffs his nosy nose into my wallet and comes up with a penny?

If you think this poses no extra risk than other inedible objects, you'd be wrong! Although the coins originally contained 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc until 1982, after that the proportion changed.

Find out what pennies are now made of - and the danger it causes - when you read more.

After 1982, coins became copper-plated zinc, 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper. Zinc causes kidney failure and damage to red blood cells and a pet (be it dog, cat or even bird) that eats just one cent can become very ill or die, if it's not removed promptly!

Dog Days of Summer: Treating Minor Burns

PetSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:15 -0700

Don't leave your grills (or pets) unsupervised at any outdoor parties! Have some extra sticks and balls to distract him from hovering around the BBQ and your yums. If your speedy pup grabs something piping hot, or gets too close to the grill, you should have a plan, and supplies, to treat paw burns.

If your dog is walking as if in pain, incessantly licking his paws, or you spot any cracking or blistering on the pads, he could have a minor burn. (Remember the dangers of sidewalks and hot sand, too.)

If he suffers a burn such as this, apply a cool, wet compress to sooth. Clean the wound then cover with a pet-safe burn ointment or spray – yet another use for aloe – and wrap with gauze. I especially like this first aid kit ($18) because it includes an antiseptic, liquid bandage spray, sterile eyewash, non-stick pad, and gauze roll for all those emergencies.

Danger: Clean Up Baking Soda (or Baking Powder) Immediately

PetSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:25 -0800

When hinting at a handy, DIY cleanup alternative, I stressed that North was nowhere near the baking soda sprinkled out and that it was cleaned up before he got a sneak sniff.

To understand why these substances are dangerous, I've gotta get a little scientific here so bear with me. Baking soda is another name for sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder, on the other hand, combines that sodium bicarbonate with an acid such as cream of tartar, sodium aluminum sulphate or calcium acid phosphate. Both function as leavening agents in baked goods; they create a gas which causes doughs to rise.

If you're not yet getting a mental image of the dangers, if your dog eats a large amount of these powders, it creates mayhem in the tummy with an electrolyte imbalance which can result in muscle spasms or even congestive heart failure. To be safe, keep both the containers of baking soda and baking powder out of pups' reach (although baked in small amounts into treats is less dangerous), and immediately clean up if spilled near a nosy nose.

Source: Flickr User JOE M500

To the Rescue: Can Adult Dogs Eat Puppy Formula?

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:55:24 -0800

Can they? Yes. Should they? Probably not. Although not that different ingredient-wise than adult formulas, puppy-specific kibble usually has more fat and protein.

The meat sources are likely listed first (ie, in higher proportion) for a growing body, which obviously makes it more appealing to an adult dog. The high protein and caloric content can make adult dogs overweight super quickly, so there's a reason the packaging says to only feed to the lil ones for a limited time - that meal for an extended period of time is damaging and dangerous to health.

In fact, some breeders of large dogs (especially those prone to weight issues or bloat) recommend not feeding these puppy formulas more than a few months due to the high content of all those things mentioned above. Did you feed your pets puppy food or move straight into adult bits for the babes?

Source: Flickr User estoril

To the Rescue: Posing (Safely) With Dangerous Props

PetSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:00:34 -0700

There's nothing like a cute pooch plus a silly prop to equal an adoro photo shoot - North poses next to a delicious (for humans) It's-It! If you're not familiar with this San Francisco treat, it's coated in chocolate . . . and that means poison. Since he's such a good model, he's also posed with a wine bottle, a lit birthday candle, and many other things around our house.

I've shared suggestions for snapping a pet, but check out a few tips for adding something iffy at photo time:

Never put him in danger. If you're positioning a pooch near something risky (fire, alcohol, sharp objects, etc.), never let your pet get too close.

Get the rest when you read more.

Think smartly and safely. If posing a pet next to a glass bottle, no matter the contents, only do this with animals with consistent "sit-stay" skills. You don't want a wagging tail or batting paw to break the glass.
Remove the item immediately. Don't leave the room or take your eyes off the pet with sharp bottlecaps, poisonous food/liquids, or other dangers present - it only takes a second for fast pups to inhale it. After you're done, put the things far from your furry friends once again.

Fight Six Summertime Dangers

PetSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:30:32 -0700

Such a lovely season doesn't come without dangers! From scorching sidewalks to balmy sunlight, plenty of perils lurk right in your neighborhood. Keep dogs safe and healthy this Summer and know the risks of and remedies for the following six hazards.

Poison patrol: Mushrooms	Poison patrol: Cocoa mulch	Poison patrol: Trash
How-to: Remove a tick	How-to: Soothe paw burns	How-to: Treat heat stroke

A Piece O'Pumpkin Advice For Jack-O'-Lantern Snacks

PetSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:51 -0700

Since pumpkin is high on my list of healthy foods for a chubby or rumbly puppy tummy no matter the season, I feel the need to address those carved creations, if that's your kind of thing.

Not only can an open flame pose a danger, the unlit pumpkin is not pet-safe! While the fresh stuff is fine for furry friends, don't leave the jack-o'-lantern within paws' reach - after being carved and exposed to air, the vegetable grows bacteria and mold, which is very dangerous to doggies. Save the gourds for the garbage come Nov. 1 and pick up some canned pumpkin instead!

Source: Flickr User thegordons

6 Places For Pet-Proofing and Protection

PetSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:05:39 -0700

When it comes to dangerous items in your home, an accident is just something you haven't prevented yet. For furry families with nosy noses, check out six places you can make these pet-proofing and protection steps.

Pet-Proofing Your Laundry	Pet-Proofing Your Bathroom	Pet-Proofing Your Kitchen Area
Protect the Pumpkins	Protect the Toilet Paper	Protect the Electrical Cords

I Need Your Help . . . Dealing With Aggressive Dogs on Walks

PetSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Nothing turns a walk time from rad to bad quicker than a foul-tempered pooch. I'd hazard a guess that very few, very lucky pet owners have never encountered an aggressive dog while out and about - even an attempted lunge is scary stuff - and what if it continues on way too far? Community member Beaner explains:

We've been going in the woods off-leash ever since we had our dog and, last weekend, the same dog went after him for the third time. I told the owner he should leash his dog since he's aggressive, and his response was, "Well I think dogs should just work it out themselves." When I saw him again, and I yelled to scare the other dog off, then leashed mine and walked the other way home. Is there anything I can do?

Get more of the story and offer your own advice when you read more.

Here's where the story gets more ridiculous as the offending owner asked Beaner if her dog was neutered - he is - but, when she asked back, he said "pretty much" even though she could see evidence to the contrary. Umm, horrible. Now, it's definitely a good idea to remove any dog from a dangerous situation but, unfortunately, there are some people that just won't do the right thing and ruin the fun for everyone else. Other than contacting the local animal care and control facility to see if there are any policies regarding aggressive dogs, I'm at a loss about what she can do - any tips?

(If you have problems of your own, don't forget to submit any questions to the Pet Peeves group - and we'll help work them out!)

Dog Days of Summer: Sidewalk Dangers

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:00:27 -0700

In addition to releasing heat with those dangly tongues, doggies also sweat through the pads of their feet. Now imagine what that would be like if they were trying to get rid of their own excess heat . . . onto already scalding sidewalks. Hot pavement can burn puppy paw pads – and since animals are much closer to the ground, they heat up quicker than we do and can be in special danger.When walking your pup in scorching climates, try to stick to shady sides and save longer strolls for when the sun is low, like morning and evening. If you're not sure how sizzling the street or sand is, test it out on your bare foot or hand – if it feels too hot for you, it's probably also too hot for your pet!

Source