Your Dog Does NOT have Big Bones

This "weighty" issue does not seem to go away, just like with humans.  Everyone should be concerned about keeping their weight at an optimum healthy level.  Dogs are included in this as well as their humans, who are ultimately responsible for the maintenance of their companion’s good health and general good happiness, naturally.

One of the leading causes of chronic health problems in our canine pals is obesity and the veterinarians are starting to see an overwhelming number of furry clients that are suffering the ravages of poor health. 

When the dog clients are waddling into the office, huffing and puffing, limping and groaning at the thought of taking yet another step, something must be done!  Most of these grossly obese dogs don’t get exercise at all, nor are they inclined to want to play a game of chase or tag.  In fact, most of these dogs are struggling to make it around the house on a good day.

The result of large amounts of food, fat laden treats and table scraps with high amounts of sugar, fats and artificial ingredients and additives are causing our dogs to become unfit and dreadfully pudgy.  Then, they begin to demonstrate the same eating habits as their owners, developing arthritis, liver, heart and kidney problems as well as diabetes that are the same that humans get due to the same causes. 

You can develop healthy eating and exercise habits for your furry friends right from the start.  Share a bit of exercise with your dog, take him for a walk, play a game of fetch.  If mobility is limited for either of you, choose low impact exercises…dogs don’t necessarily crave snacks.  They would prefer just hanging out with you, having a good belly rub and bonding.

Read more in A Weighty Issue for Dogs.

There are Outdoor Hazards Lurking

Being what dogs are, and knowing that they have highly specialized senses, we must be careful to safeguard them from potential dangers that we may not even consider, unless we are watching carefully. 

Dogs love to investigate their world with their nose since it is able to gather far more information about what’s out there than we probably even want to imagine.  Consequently, when you are thinking about putting mulch down around the yard, think carefully about the type of material that you use.

At all costs, cocoa bean mulch should be avoided if you have companion dogs, or are even considering adding a new dog member to your family.   Though the bean pods will degrade into organic fertilizer, have a pleasant color and mouthwatering aroma, they are harmful to a dog that ingests any amount of them. 

The shells contain the residual amounts of the theobromine that is used in chocolate production.  It is this very substance that makes chocolate so toxic to dogs, along with the small but not insignificant amounts of caffeine that are present in the unprocessed beans.

Dogs that consume even minute amounts of the cocoa mulch are susceptible to suffering illness ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to seizure, irregular or accelerated heartbeat and potential death as a result of their indiscriminant eating of the mulch.

There are remedies but none are certain since it may be difficult to know just how much of the substance the animal has ingested.  Perhaps it is best not to use the mulch around the family fur persons.

Instead, you might want to learn about natural dog treats by reading Treat Your Dog to Biscuits.