The Momma Loves Gringo

The ten most popular posts this year:

1. Healthy for humans, deadly for dogs - We’re so happy that this is number one. We hope that it has prevented many accidental poisonings. A worthwhile read because some of the foods are surprising…and commonly within reach of many dogs.
2. 13 cribbage boards from the momma’s collection
3. CPAP, CPAP run - about sleep apnea
4. My top three dog toys - the most fun ever!
5. The Audiocity of it All! - a list of free audio applications for the Mac
6. NBC Heroes/USA The 4400 - the comments relayed both good and bad news
7. My 11 favorite activities…doggie style - you wouldn’t believe the search terms that led to this post!
8. Tapetum Lucidum - eye shine
9. Feelin’ Groovy - me in agility class…you may as well bypass this if you watched the video in number 7 above.
10. The momma’s 13 favorite computer games

Tags: 4400, agility, Apple, audio, audiocity, cats, chocolate, computer, CPAP, cribbage, dogs, eyes, free, games, grapes, hazard, headache, Heroes, itunes, list, mac, music, nap, NBC, new episodes, ophthalmology, play, poison, polysomnography, sleep apnea, sleep disorder, snoring, sorbitol, squirrel, tapetum, television, toys, trivia, USA, veterinarian, xylitol

Mmmm! I love rawhide! Mind you, the momma is a veterinarian so she is very careful with what she feeds me. You would be surprised to learn about several foodsthat are harmless to humans but can kill dogs (and even cats…here kitty kitty…want a raisin?). I’ll list them here and hopefully prevent a tragedy:

• Chocolate- everyone probably knows this by now….baking chocolate, cocoa powder and dark chocolate are the most toxic. There is a chemical in chocolate (theobromine) that causes arrhythmias (sometimes fatal) in dogs. Do not forget about cocoa mulch in flower beds! Also dangerous for dogs!
• Coffee/tea - caffiene can also cause arrhythmias in dogs. I know about this one first hand! I opened a new bag of Starbucks coffee and when the momma saw me eating it, she quickly mixed up some hydrogen peroxide and milk. After I drank it, I hurled all sorts of coffee grounds in the yard. If she had not caught me in the act, I probably would have ended up in intensive care (or worse).
• Grapes/raisins - not many people (or dogs) know about this. In fact, I know a few dogs who claim to have eaten grapes! However, no one knows why some dogs are susceptible to grape/raisin toxicity and even as few as 7 raisins can kill a dog! Very scary!
• Macadamia nuts - Yup! These are toxic, too! This includes roasted, raw and even macadamia nut butter. This usually results in motor weakness and paralysis.
• Onions/garlic - these can cause severe anemia if eaten in large quantities within a short period of time OR in small quantities consistently over a long period. Even human baby food may contain concentrated onion powder!
• Xylitol (not sorbitol) - is often used in sugar-free candy as artificial sweeteners (also may be in toothpaste). It can cause the blood sugar to suddenly drop to dangerously low levels resulting in neurologic symptoms such as seizures. This can occur in less than an hour after ingestion. More recently it has been found that xylitol also can cause acute liver failure and blood clotting abnormalities in dogs.
• Mushrooms - many kinds are toxic to dogs. Do NOT let us have any!
• Tomatoes - these are toxic to cats. Even a cherry tomato can make them very sick. Also, the tomato plant is toxic….and you know how cats love to nibble on leaves!
• Nutmeg is poisonous to dogs and even to humans in large quantities.

Also toxic: raw potatoes, avocados, walnuts, apple seeds, cherry, peach, plum and apricot pits, and pear pips.

Bottom line, NO TABLE SCRAPS and do NOT leave any food (or food waste) sitting out!

Usually I do not think first and will eat whatever smells interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tags: chocolate, dogs, grapes, hazard, poison, sorbitol, toxin, veterinarian, xylitol