10 Holiday Decorations Dangerous for Your Pet by petMD

'Tis the Season

 Twinkling lights, sparkly tinsel, brightly colored garland, and delicate ornaments - what's not to love about holiday decorations? The dangers they can pose for your beloved pet, that's what. While avoid may be too strong of a word, as we're not suggesting you do away with all of these decorations completely, please be mindful of the sorts of decorations you use and their placement this holiday season. 

Check out this link for top ten hazards:

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/10-holiday-decorations-dangerous-pet-185700875.html 
by petMD | petMD.com

#10 Christmas trees

#9 Imitation snow  

#8 Preservatives on your tree 

#7 Edible ornaments 

#6 Lit candles 

#5 Christmas lights 

#4 Holly berries

#3 Angel hair 

#2 Delicate or treasured ornaments 

#1 Tinsel   

The Scottie and his pumpkin

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

FDA advisories on recalled pet food and treats

2013

October 28, 2013: How to Report a Complaint about Jerky Pet Treats
October 22, 2013: FDA Releases Progress Report on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation
August 30, 2013: Nestlé Purina Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Purina ONE beyOnd Our White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk
August 26, 2013: Goldenfeast® Inc. Recalls Bird Food Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination from Parsley
August 14, 2013: P&G Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Eukanuba and Iams Due to Possible Health Risk

Cocoa mulch can pose risk for pets

As soon as the weather breaks again many homeowners and gardeners are sure to be outside getting their hands dirty. 

But veterinarians say a sweet-smelling mulch can be deadly to certain family pets.

"Cocoa mulch is a risk, especially to dogs,” said Dr. Larry Family of Aqueduct Animal Hospital.

Found in most home garden centers, cocoa mulch is known for its fine texture and the sweet smell the fresh mulch gives off.

“The weird thing is, it smells like a chocolate Pop Tart.  That's the best way I can describe it.  It really does have a chocolate scent to it,” explained Shane Compton of Hewitt's Garden Center.

But getting past the scent, Family says cocoa mulch can be dangerous if a dog starts eating it.  It contains two key ingredients found in chocolate: theobromine and caffeine.  Similar to eating chocolate, he says a dog that eats just a few ounces of cocoa mulch could starting having stomach problems and it could get worse if it eats more.

"As time goes on they might act restless, excited, it can produce tremors and seriously seizures,” Family explained.

Compton says cocoa mulch is not that popular at his store, but says it has its regular customers who every now and then wonder about the rumors they hear and the effect it has on man's best friend.

“There's always stories on the Internet, but in the 30 years we've been here we've actually never heard of any body's dog getting sick,” Compton said.

Family adds that while pet owners might not know it, the information out there on cocoa mulch is much more than just an urban legend or Internet myth if a dog gets its paws on it. 

“Puppies are very curious animals.  So they've going to be attracted to various things around the yard and it seems to be more severe in the small breeds and it depends on the amount they actually ingest,” Family said.

If you have a dog and a yard Family says the best bet is to just stay away from cocoa mulch.

If you're still looking for a sweet-smelling mulch without the potentially hazardous effects Compton recommends any type of cedar product.

April 24
By MATT McFARLAND
http://web.archive.org/web/20060507105535/http://www.wnyt.com/x7886.xml?ag=x995&sb=x183

How to Create a Garden For Dogs

From plants to water features, a dog-approved guide to the "ultimutt" backyard

Think having a beautiful backyard and a dog are diametrically opposed? Think again. We spoke with Stephen Westcott-Gratton, senior horticultural editor at Canadian Gardening, who provided tips for creating an outdoor Eden both you and your dog can enjoy. Highlights include:

Patchy Problem - How to Prevent Brown Spots on Your Lawn. From preventing AND rejuvenating burnt-out spots in your lawn to urine-resistant ground covering ideas like clover, ryegrasses, and fescues, we've got you covered.

Pick Your Plants - What's Safe For Dogs. The safest flowers are the ones that are completely edible and which you can use in your own salads and dishes (bonus!). These include violets, pansies, and roses, as well as flowers from vegetables like squash. The signet marigold is one of Westcott-Gratton’s favourite annuals. One of the most famous varieties is called “Lemon Gem” for its lemon colour and delicious lemon flavour.

Solve the Digging Dilemma - How to create a spot designed especially for your dog to dig in.

Ditch the herbicide! A study by Purdue University veterinary researchers found exposure to herbicide-treated lawns and gardens increased the risk of bladder cancer by four to seven times in Scottish Terriers. The study adds to earlier research conducted by the National Institutes of Health that found elevated rates of canine lymphoma in dogs exposed to lawn pesticides. We've got natural alternatives to help keep you pest free.

Modern Dog Magazine 

Scottie Dog for Your Easter Basket

Great addition to your Easter Basket - other dog breeds too!

Scottie Dog Chocolates

Spring Pet Care

As you hasten to clean out your garage and prep your yard, remember these activities may pose a risk to your pet. Many cleaning agents, fertilizers, pesticides, weed-killers, and even mulch can all be dangerous to dogs and cats. Last spring a friend accidentally left a container of liquid plant food out on her porch. Her cat drank some and developed kidney failure. Luckily, the cat survived, but it could've easily been much worse. Remember, our pets can't read warning labels. Look out for your little ones as you go about greening your homes.

Easter Treats and Decorations Keep Easter lilies and candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, and lilies can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration. Moreover, while bunnies, chicks and other festive animals are adorable, resist the urge to buy—these cute babies grow up fast and often require specialized care!


Let Your Garden Grow—With Care
Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients aren't meant for four-legged consumption and can be fatal if your pet ingests them.  Always store these poisonous products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. Check out  ASPCA list of garden care tips.
   

Dog beds from End Tables

These are just the cutest! Great ideas for unique dog beds from old end tables :

Lucy Designs

Scottish Terriers on parade at Tartan week

Snow Doggies

 Got so much snow here in Michigan - had to take a break from cleaning up and have a little fun!

Integrative Treatment of Cancer in Dogs

Integrative Treatment of Cancer in Dogs pdf

View more ebooks on ebookbrowse.com

Scottie Dog Birthday Cake

This is absolutely the cutest - must try - stay tuned for my version!

The Most Popular Loser At The Westminster Dog Show

 Bruno is a show dog — a Scottie who didn't make it to the podium in his breed's competition at the Westminster Dog Show. But while nearby Best in Breed winners are trimmed and tweezed and doused in relative peace and quiet with more hairspray than a model at Fashion Week, Bruno is being interviewed by TV cameras and posing for Instagrams in his tartan hat. Westminster's most popular dog is a loser.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/hillaryreinsberg/the-most-popular-loser-at-the-westminster-dog-show
http://www.brunothescotty.com/

Two Major Brands of Dog Treats Recalled

Pet owners are growing concerned over the not-so-safe ingredients that might be present in their dogs’ food. Just recently, Purina and Milo’s Kitchen, two important names in the market for pet food, have decided to recall some of their dog treats based on chicken meat coming from China.

Which dog treats recalled

Purina is pulling out Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch, while Milo’s Kitchen is giving up on Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers. All these are dog treats based on chicken meat.

The reason

Since the decision of pulling out certain dog treats from the market sounds like a radical one, there is natural concern from pet owners in regards to the reason behind all these. According to the pet food brands, the chicken treats in question, may contain minute amounts of antibiotics that come from the chicken meat used in the manufacturing process. It appears that the antibiotics are present in chicken meat because they were used as treatment for the chickens the meat comes from.
The antibiotics in question are approved in China and Europe, but they are not according to US regulations, hence the decision.

Are the treats dangerous for pets?

Since this is the question on everyone’s lips, it is important to find a clear answer for it. Both Purina and Milo’s Kitchen say that the treats are safe for pet consumption, but they decided to pull out the products from the market, because they have not been manufactured according to standards. Since antibiotics should not be present in the said dog treats, their decision comes as a result of the recent findings.

http://www.allpetnews.com/two-major-brands-of-dog-treats-recalled/

Top Ten Winter Skin & Paw Care Tips

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws.
Says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine, “During the winter, products used as de-icers on sidewalks and other areas can lead to trouble for our animal companions, potentially causing problems ranging from sore feet to internal toxicity. Pet parents should take precautions to minimize their furry friends' exposure to such agents.”
To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s paws and skin, please heed the following advice from our experts:

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in between the toes.
  
• Trim long-haired dogs to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. (Don’t neglect the hair between the toes!)
  
• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
  
• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
  
• Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat will help to retain body heat and prevent skin from getting dry.
  
• Booties help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes, causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
  
• Massaging petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. And moisturizing after a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws.
  
• Brushing your pet regularly not only gets rid of dead hair, but also stimulates blood circulation, improving the skin’s overall condition.
  
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime, sometimes causing dehydration. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help to keep her well-hydrated, and her skin less dry.
  
• Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months and never be left alone in vehicles when the mercury drops.

If you spot wounds or redness on your pet’s feet, please contact your veterinarian immediately.