Greetings!  

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."  Bob Marley

This week's tips are for pet lovers everywhere. Just as we keep our own bodies fit and healthy with proper foods, exercise and hydration, so that we can enjoy the best that life has to offer, our pets deserve the same. Many of the foods that are healthy for us are deadly to our pets and I run into people all the time who don't realize this, so here you go!

Enjoy the humor as well, and don't forget to send me your personal faves to share in a future edition!  

Best of Health,

Kathi

Tip of the Week - Safe Treats For Our Pets 

OK, I know it's hard to resist those big eyes staring at you lovingly as you munch that guacamole dip, but please know that there are some foods that we love, which can be harmful to our dogs. Good for us, doesn't mean good for our pets. No matter how tasty that guacamole is, avocados contain a substance called persin which is harmless to humans who aren't allergic, but highly toxic to most animals, including dogs. Just a little can cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea. And, if you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.  

Onions are full of good stuff for us, but all forms (powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated) can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause "onion poisoning." Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, disinterest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.  

Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee - including beans and grounds - caffeine is found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. 

Keep those snack bowls out of Fido's reach because grapes, raisins, and nuts can cause kidney failure in dogs. My brother was letting his pup munch on grapes, thinking that if they were healthy for us... Anyway, he found out before she became ill - whew!

And chocolate - it's not an old wives tale or urban legend that chocolate is bad for pets. Chocolate contains theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate, and it can cause seizures and death in animals. Now, one M&M is not likely to cause any problems, but a whole package that your puppy jumps up onto the kitchen counter and grabs could be a disaster!

So, even though your beloved pet may be begging for some of that tasty people food, keep him safe by giving him only doggie treats.