Perfectly Pumpkin Paw-psicles

Perfectly Pumpkin Paw-psicles

Pumpkin isn’t just for fall — find out why these pumpkin popsicles are the perfect dog treat this summer.

Summer heat might have you pausing at the mention of pumpkin, but pumpkin is a healthy and delicious treat for your pup all year long.

Packed with vitamins A and C, pumpkin is a low-fat snack that can help your dog feel fuller and assist with digestion. For this cool delight, we’ve put pumpkin with yogurt for a probiotic– and calcium-packed pairing that will have your dog feeling good inside and out.

For a perfect touch, we found these adorable, silicone popsicle molds on Amazon! But you can use anything from a popsicle mold to an ice cube tray or paper cup to make these treats in the perfect size for your pup.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup plain, puréed pumpkin
• 1½ cups plain, unsweetened yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Popsicle molds

Directions:

1. Mix together pumpkin, yogurt and honey.
2. Place into popsicle molds, and add sticks if desired (make sure to supervise if sticks are involved). You can also use dog bones or treats, which make fun, edible sticks.
3. Freeze until solid (about 6 hours).
4. If your popsicles get stuck, dip mold into warm water to loosen.

As with any treat, have fun with these! Add in your dog’s favorite fruit or veggies (sometimes I sprinkle them with frozen peas), or even swirl in peanut butter! You can add more or less pumpkin depending on how it affects your dog’s tummy.

Make sure to choose ingredients without sugar or sugar substitutes (like xylitol) which can be dangerous for your pet.

Source: Dogster 

Dog Coughing After Eating? Here’s What’s Going On

Dog Coughing After Eating? Here’s What’s Going On

Is your dog coughing after eating? The reasons range from eating too fast to serious health concerns. Here's how to know the difference.

Most dogs eat so fast they easily would be top dog in the July Fourth Coney Island hot dog eating competition. That’s enough to make anyone cough. But coughing sometimes happens even when dogs eat slowly. So is your dog coughing after eating? There can be several reasons — some benign, some worrisome.

A dog coughing after eating could be eating too fast

A dog coughing after eating or drinking is common. Not surprisingly, the cause usually is eating or drinking too quickly.

“Some dogs will drink or eat large amounts at once and then regurgitate,” says Laurie Bergman, VMD, a veterinarian with NorthStar VETS in Robbinsville, New Jersey. “This isn’t usually a concern unless it’s happening very frequently.”

Speed-eating and food-guarding can be instinctive holdovers from the dog’s wild canid ancestors, who often were ravenous after a hunt and needed to eat quickly to protect their food from other predators. Even in a home environment where dogs are handed meals at regular times, the phrase “wolf down food” can be apt.

And other factors could be at play. “Enthusiastic eating might be competitive eating behaviors that developed as puppies or related to other dogs in the household,” says Jillian Marie Haines, DVM, an assistant professor at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Washington.

“The bigger concern is if we see this behavior as indicative of a dog who is anxious,” says Dr. Bergman. “If that is the reason why the dog is gulping down food, then there is a quality-of-life issue.”

Dr. Haines agrees. “Causes of eating or drinking too fast may include general anxiety disorders or resource-guarding behaviors,” says Dr. Haines. “These behaviors could therefore imply an underlying behavioral issue and could also be associated with aggressive behaviors.”

A behaviorist can help. “The dog can be re-trained to eat at a normal pace,” says Leticia Fanucchi, DVM, PhD, a behaviorist and clinical instructor at Washington State’s veterinary college. She notes that not all dogs who eat fast are anxious but advises to be aware of your dog’s eating habits. “Some behavior disorders can cause medical conditions,” Dr. Fanucchi says.

Indeed, if a dog gulps food, not only is he chewing improperly, he’s likely also swallowing large amounts of air (known as aerophagia). This can suck food into the lungs, which can cause coughing and lead to bacterial infection and pneumonia. Additionally, digestive problems, hiccups and burping can result.

“It can also cause flatulence, which can be unpleasant to those sharing the household,” Dr. Haines says.

Or a dog coughing after eating could signal a serious health issue

In some cases, the culprit could be an underlying health issue. “Medical reasons should be ruled out, especially if the dog is really gagging, losing weight or it’s more than an occasional cough,” says Dr. Bergman, an American College of Veterinary Behaviorists diplomate. “These can include neurological problems affecting the ability to swallow, anatomical problems and upper-respiratory infections.”

The most common medical reasons involve the esophagus, trachea and larynx. Diseases of the esophagus can slow the movement of food and water to the stomach or cause it to stay within the esophagus or be regurgitated. Tracheal collapse can cause coughing depending on the severity and location. And a malfunctioning larynx might not close as it should to protect the airways during eating and drinking, Dr. Haines says. Obstruction, throat irritation, allergies and heart disease also can cause coughing.

How to determine when a dog coughing after eating is a cause for concern

Every dog is different, and not all dogs eat quickly or cough after consumption. Still, it’s best to keep an eye on your dog while he eats and drinks. If coughing becomes frequent or comes on suddenly, visit your veterinarian.

“Depending on the cause, if a medical condition is found, treatment may include surgery, medications or lifestyle changes,” Dr. Haines says. “I have certainly seen dogs with a chronic cough that responded rapidly to medical treatment, and their cough completely resolved within a couple weeks.”

Dog coughing after eating because he eats too fast? Check out these simple solutions

There are ways to slow down a chow hound and a dog coughing after eating or drinking.

“The first step is to make sure that the dog isn’t feeling threatened during a meal,” Dr. Bergman says. “A good starting point is to feed the dog alone. Keep others (dogs, sometimes all other pets, sometimes people, as well) out of the area when the dog eats. For some dogs, this means going as far as feeding in a room by themselves with the door closed.”

Dr. Haines also suggests raising dishes off the floor. “Some medical issues, such as esophageal disease, may improve with offering food or water from an elevated bowl,” she says.

Bowls designed to spread out food or scatter it around obstacles discourage devouring, as do puzzle toys that slowly dispense kibble in response to something the dog does, such as rolling the toy or pushing a button. Stuffing wet food in a hollow toy and freezing it also makes the meal last longer.

“These have the added advantage of being enrichment for the dog,” Dr. Bergman says. “Feeding in ways that make the dogs work, we’re not just slowing down how they eat, but we’re giving them some mental and physical exercise.”

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What dogs are most susceptible to coughing after eating?

Any dog can experience coughing (or making honking, wheezing or gagging sounds) during or after eating or drinking. However, that behavior can be a sign of conditions or diseases to which some dogs are more prone.

1. Puppies: prone to obstruction, throat irritation, bacterial and viral infections, digestive issues
2. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs: prone to gastrointestinal disease, esophageal inflammation,respiratory problems, aerophagia (swallowing large amounts of air)
3. Older or overweight small/toy dogs: prone to tracheal collapse
4. Older large dogs: prone to laryngeal paralysis, particularly Labrador Retrievers, but also Siberian Huskies, Dalmatians and Bouvier des Flandres
5. Large and giant dogs: prone to bloat

Source: Dogster 

Your Dog Ate a Sock. Is It Dangerous? What to Do Next

Your Dog Ate a Sock. Is It Dangerous? What to Do Next

If your dog ate a sock, here's what happens to that sock and when you need to see the vet. Plus, not sure if your dog swallowed a sock? Here are some of the signs.

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

Whether your dog ate a sock or some other item he has no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, if your dog ate a sock, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Not sure if your dog ate a sock, or swallowed something else? Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you’re lucky enough to know that your dog ate a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, if a dog ate a sock, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock … Or Another Object?  

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Source: Dogster 

Homemade Pet Diets: What You Should Know

Homemade Pet Diets: What You Should Know

I often hear from pet owners who want to start preparing homemade food for their pets. Their motivations vary; in some cases, they have been spooked by news stories about pet food recalls and want more control over the ingredients in their pets' food. Other times, they are concerned because their animal won’t eat the special diet prescribed for a medical condition, and they want to know if there’s something tastier they can make themselves.

People have been feeding dogs table scraps (or sometimes the best from their own larders) for centuries. Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, was known to feed his Greyhound, Eos, a diet that included regular servings of pâté de foie gras. Talk about rich!

We know much more now than we did a century ago about the dietary needs of our pets. There’s a multitude of commercial pet diets that are complete and balanced for different life stages or made to help treat certain health conditions, such as kidney disease, urinary stones or food allergies, to name just a few, as well as foods that contain organic ingredients.

Nonetheless, you may be thinking about feeding a homemade diet. I’ve always said that if you can make food for a human infant, you can make food for a dog or cat. That said, pets, especially cats, do have specific nutritional requirements — it’s not just a matter of mixing up some hamburger meat, rice and veggies and plopping the blend into your pet's bowl. I talked to my friend and colleague, Dr. Tony Buffington, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, about the pros and cons of a homemade diet and some common-sense guidelines if that’s what you want to feed.

Is a Homemade Diet Right for Your Pet?

A homemade diet can be suitable for a healthy adult dog, but it’s riskier for a puppy. Growing pups are still developing bone and muscle, and nutritional excesses of certain minerals can cause serious orthopedic problems. Until your veterinarian tells you it’s time to transition your dog off puppy food, stick to a commercial food formulated for puppy growth or for all life stages.

A homemade diet can also be riskier for a pet with a health problem, especially if diet is an integral part of management or treatment. Sometimes, however, those animals turn up their noses at commercially available veterinary foods. If that happens, especially if the animal is very old or very sick, Dr. Buffington says that having him eat anything is better than nothing.

Before you start your pet on a homemade diet, start with a trip to the veterinarian to rule out any hidden health issues. Your pet should have a thorough exam, a blood panel and possibly other diagnostic tests to make sure he’s in sparkling good health. Once you make the switch to homemade food, the physical exam and test results can serve as a baseline against which you and your veterinarian can judge how well your pet is doing on the diet. 

While you're in the office, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about why you want to feed a homemade diet. She may be able to draw on her experience with other clients — or even her own pets — to advise you about the best way to proceed.

What Should You Feed?

Your veterinarian may not be able to formulate a complete and balanced diet for you, but she can refer you to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a service like Balance IT, either of which can help to construct a custom homemade diet for your pet that takes into account factors such as size, age, gender and body condition (underweight, overweight or just right), as well as the ingredients you want to use. In addition to providing appropriate recipes, a nutrition service may sell vitamin and mineral supplements that help ensure the recipe provides complete nutrition.

Depending on which route you take, you may pay a fee to the nutritionist or service for formulating one or more recipes, or the recipes may be free, but there may be a charge for supplements. Don't balk at the bills: Pet food companies build the costs of their research into the price of the food, but whether you buy prepared food or make it yourself, you are paying for the expertise to ensure that your pet eats right.

A nutritionist or service will help you formulate a balanced diet for your pet. The biggest mistake people make is feeding only a single ingredient, such as chicken breast, because “that’s all he’ll eat.” That’s not a balanced diet. But be cautious about mixing it up too much: When you cook for yourself, you probably enjoy experimenting with your recipes and adding new ingredients, but doing so with your pet’s food can unbalance the recipe and cause problems for your pet. Instead of tweaking individual recipes, gather an assortment of recipes based on different ingredients, so you can rotate your pet's menu and offer him a variety of appropriate, healthy choices. 

Another mistake pet owners make is trying to force pets to conform to their own philosophical beliefs. It’s fine for you to be a vegetarian or vegan, but for your cat, it’s a recipe for disaster. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must have meat in their diets to survive and thrive. 

How Much Is Enough?

When you look at a bag or can of pet food, there’s usually a recommended daily amount based on a pet’s weight. But these standard serving sizes don't work for every pet. Each animal is different, even if they are the same breed, size or age. Your individual pet may need more or less than the recommended amount of food, and sometimes you have to fiddle with how much you give before you find that “just right” amount. The same is true with homemade diets.

“The starting point is going to be plus or minus as much as 50 percent for any individual animal,” Dr. Buffington says. “If the calculated amount per day is 400 calories, for example, you can have animals who might eatonly 200calories a day or animals that are really active, who eat 600 calories a day. No one can tell that without feeding the animal and looking at his body condition.”

When it comes to body condition, you should be able to feel (but not see) your pet’s ribs and backbone as you’re petting him, he should have a visible waist when viewed from above, and the abdomen should tuck up behind his rib cage and in front of his hind legs when viewed from the side.

To make sure your pet is thriving on your home cooking, repeat the exam and diagnostic tests in six months to see if he is doing the same, better or worse. “It’s just a little bit of insurance that if something is going wrong, you can pick it up as quickly as possible,” Dr. Buffington says. “If everything is still normal, that’s another level of confidence that everything is going well.”

Source: VetStreet

BY DR. MARTY BECKER DVM | OCTOBER 12, 2015