Anytime you see your dog exhibiting behavior that is outside their normal activity you should be concerned. Quite a while back we posted that I had become sick and was going off to be by myself in another room of the house - this was the clue to my Momma that I wasn't feeling well. Normally, I follow Momma around and even get upset and paw at a door and cry if I am not let into a room she is in. I insist to be in her presence and will not let up until I am with her.
We recently went to local Mexican restaurant and the waitress began to share stories about her wonderful little maltese. She asked my Momma if she was going to give me some of her leftover steak, and Momma said no. Reason being she said is because there are all sorts of seasonings on it and that is the meat's fat. The woman laughed and she said that she gives the fat off meat to her dog all the time. And then the conversation began about pancreatitis and how fatty food can cause this, especially meat fat. She also said her dog once ate a lot of chocolate and nothing happened. After talking further she admitted that yes, her dog had gotten sick off some of these foods, but she thought it was just a one time thing and her dog would be Ok. She did notice her dog going off by itself or becoming listless. We explained about foods that could be toxic to dogs listed by WebMD and ASPCA and why they are bad for a dog, especially a 5lb dog like a maltese. She certainly was lucky her dog had not become any sicker than it had when she took it to the vet. We're not talking about commercial dog foods or what to feed one's dog, we're talking about items that are especially toxic to dogs that people may not know are.
To all - I say, don't just assume your dog can eat something because they 'like' it. Always check up on it. I'd like to start a movement with all shelters that they provide anyone who adopts a pet a 'do not feed' list with the top ten foods not to feed (and why) and along with that, things to watch out for (antifreeze, unsupervised rawhide chewing, salt on snow, etc.). I often wonder why these places do not give out a simple list. I have met so many people that feed their dogs avocadoes or grapes or fat pieces off meats. If people only knew how dangerous they can be, especially more so if a dog is small, they may avoid it and take action and let family and friends know too.
Here is a list with some details I posted in our socialization group. You are welcome to Take it. Print it. Share it.
Link: http://www.meetup.com/SouthSuburbanChihuahua/messages/boards/thread/8562032#33784217
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| No, I am not hiding because I am sick, I am just trying to take a nap. ZZzzzz |
