Dangerous foods for your dog
Chocolate – Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and can even cause death. Darker chocolate is the most dangerous while white chocolate the least; however make sure your pet avoids chocolate at all costs.
Alcohol – Any food or drink containing alcohol can cause severe problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, trouble breathing, tremors, coma and even death.
Grapes & Raisins – There is an unknown toxin to cats and dogs contained in these which can cause kidney failure, and even increase health problems in pets who already have health concerns.
Yeast dough – This can cause excessive gas build up in the digestive system causing discomfort, pain and even obstruction.
Undercooked/raw meat and eggs – These can include Salmonella and E.Coli, as well as the enzyme avidin which can cause skin and coat problems.
Milk – Pets cannot break down the lactose in milk properly, causing an upset stomach.
Bones – Animals can choke on any bone or food containing bones, as well as sustaining injury from splinters in bones.
Caffeine – Caffeine includes the same harmful substances as chocolate, which can cause major health problems in animals.
Onions, Garlic & Chives – These can cause gastrointestinal irritation which can lead to red blood cell damage. Cats are more susceptible than dogs.
Avocado – The substance Persin present in all parts of avocado are dangerous especially to dogs. Birds and rodents are also sensitive to avocado.
Macadamia Nuts – Dogs can experience weakness, depression, tremors, vomiting and hypothermia.
Xylitol – Found in some chewing gum, diet foods, etc, can lead to potentially fatal hypoglycaemia. Symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting, loss of coordination, and health problems can include fatal acute liver disease and blood clotting disorders in dogs.
If you suspect that your pet has consumed any of these products, contact your vet quoting the possible quantity consumed.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Top tips every dog owner should know
- If, during a thunderstorm, your dog becomes scared and agitated, play a CD of storm sounds very quietly, and then slowly increase the volume over time.
- Don’t worry if your dog eats grass – grass tastes delicious to them and aids natural digestion.
- Make sure your pup always smells his best by using a canine toothbrush and paste and cleaning daily.
- Don’t give your dog just any bone – it can cause diarrhoea, constipation or get lodged in the body. Give your dog a man made, doggy friendly bone which will be more satisfying.
- Dogs with short or light coloured coats, as well as any bare patches of fur or delicate skin are, just as humans, at risk of sunburn. In the hot temperatures, use non-toxic suncream, keep them out of the sun between 11am-3pm, and even put little pet t-shirts on them for extra protection.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Family pet horrifically attacked whilst being walked
A family’s pet dog was savagely attacked in a park last week whilst going out for a walk.
Two bull terriers severely injured the cross-breed beagle Charlie in Cross Flatts Park in Beeston, Leeds.
Charlie had to be treated for ten puncture wounds after the two bull terriers attacked him. Owner Adrian McDonald said: ‘They came from nowhere. I managed to fend off one. I lifted Charlie up but the other dog grabbed onto his rear end and was hanging on. I had to lower him down to stop him being more injured, but then the other dog attacked as I was trying to pull him away.’
Mr McDonald also added: “This man then came running over shouting and balling, but eventually he did get the dogs under control. Other people were shouting at him “You have been told before to get them on a lead’”.
Mr McDonald explained how he had to carry little Charlie home streaming with blood, much to the horror of people in the park, with a passer by mentioning that the same thing had happened the previous week.
Charlie was rushed to the vets, then to be transferred to Bradford surgery. Mr McDonald said: ‘I want the public to know that Cross Flatts park is not a safe place to walk their pets when these dogs are allowed to roam free.’
Charlie is now doing well and is back with his owners in Leeds.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Dog has expensive taste and gobbles up $10K earrings
Honey Bun the loveable pooch lives in Georgia, USA with his owners in a jewellery store, and is loved by all the customers as he roams freely round the shop.
However, when a pair of one-carat diamond earrings worth a whopping £10,000 went missing, the owners suspected no thief and looked no further than Honey Bun.
The pampered pooch had mistaken the earrings for doggy treats and eaten both earrings. Owner Chuck Roberts had left the earrings on a chair along with some pens and some doggy treats.
Mr Roberts took Honey Bun straight to the vet for X-rays where the earrings could be seen. ‘I haven’t scolded him to this day and I won’t,’ Mr Roberts stated. ‘It’s my fault for leaving the chair there.’
Mr Roberts said he and his wife will be keeping a closer eye on Honey Bun, especially around the precious gems.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Meet the pug who loves to parachute
Tandem skydiving pug Otis has recently braved his 64th tandem skydive with his owner Will Da Silva.
When skydiving, Otis sits calmly in his owners lap while the plane climbs to 3,000 ft before they leap out the plane together. He was seen to enjoy his first parachuting experience many years ago in Acampo, Los Angeles.
Ten year old Otis has also been made ‘doggles’ to protect his eyes while he is flying through the air, and has now become a bit of a celebrity within the skydiving community.
Owner Will said: ‘He seems to love it. He’s totally aware of what’s happening when he free falls and just like a first-time jumper he gets all excited about it and gets nervous at the door.’
Otis often falls asleep on the plane journey up as he seems so relaxed and not slightly concerned. Owner Will claims it isn’t cruel and Otis is well aware of what is happening.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Pug puppy stolen in Leeds
Dillan the Pug, only 18 weeks old, was stolen from her house in Leeds in the middle of the night while her owners were asleep upstairs.
The little puppy was taken from her home on Ebor Place in Hyde Park, as well as a laptop being stolen. Owner Katie Hanes said that she came downstairs and saw that the front door had been tampered with and the cage door was open. ‘My heart just sank. We are all so gutted and we’re trying to find her desperately. She is a very friendly puppy and is sorely missed.’
Sergeant Sue Disley of Hyde Park Neighbourhood Policing Team said: ‘Pedigree dogs in particular can be targeted due to their value and we would encourage owners to get them micro-chipped and take extra security measures wherever possible.’
Anyone with information or witnesses are encouraged to get in touch with the North West Leeds Police.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Keeping our furry friends cool in summer – top tips
Everyone knows it can be very dangerous if your dog overheats in the top temperatures this summer. Make sure you keep your precious pooch cool and calm with these few simple tips.
Just the same as young children, make sure you keep your dog in the shade and avoid walking between the hottest hours of 11am – 3pm. Keep the walking short if necessary at these times and perhaps play indoors instead.
Also, avoid walking your dog on surfaces that can get hot as their paw pads can get sore.
Do not leave your dog in the car, even with the windows open and in the shade. Cars get extremely hot so either leave them at home or take them out of the car with you.
Conservatories can also get very warm quickly so make sure your dog has access to the main part of the house if allowed in the conservatory, and don’t leave your pet unattended in there.
Make sure there is plenty of water available – dogs pant regularly so it can be difficult to tell when the become thirsty. Take a dog water bottle out with you on warm days.
A paddling pool in the garden for your dog will offer the perfect opportunity for your pooch to cool down. However, make sure it’s not an inflatable one to avoid punctures.
If your garden has little shade, create a shaded area for your pet to retreat to when they get too warm. Make sure shade is also available wherever you take your pet away from home.
Making ice lollies for your dog is a great idea to help them cool off. Freeze water and food together in a plastic cup, removing the cup before use.
Trimming your dog's fur is one of the simplest and best ways to help your furry friend keep cool. Regular grooming also removes excess fur and keeps their coats in tip top condition.
Barbeques are always popular in the warm weather, but make sure that you don’t give your pet meat with bones in (even the bigger bones) and ensure 
that you do not leave a hot barbeque unattended.
Remember that puppies tend to burn off a lot more energy than their older friends, so extra water around the home for the little ones is essential.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk,alternatively, call 0800 181886.
Should dogs be allowed on caravan sites?
The Caravan Times website has launched an online debate over a year ago and you can still say your bit up to 26th Aug 2011. The online poll asks visitors to this website various questions on whether campers and caravanners think that dogs should or should not be allowed on campsites. They have already received a variety of responses and will be conducting a prize draw soon where you can win a handy book about walks for dog owners, the new RAC guide titled ‘ Walking the dog: Motorway walks for drivers and dogs’.
I personally think that dogs should be allowed on campsites as long as they are well behaved and kept on a lead at all times. It is the owner’s responsibility of course to clean up after their pet and to make sure that they are well behaved but it is a shame that not all campsites will allow our canine friends to participate in our camping activity as many outdoors people in fact own a dog.
If you have just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder then make sure you register your puppy for the 12 weeks FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk, alternatively, call 0800 181886.