Poison.

When it comes to doggy diets it can sometimes feel like you are trying to navigate a minefield. What can you feed us and what can you not? Hopefully we can clear up some myths and help you make some good decisions for your fur babies.

Lets start by saying yes there are many different things that can be dangerous to your precious pets but there are also many things that they can eat as well. Check out this great image to help you determine which common household foods you can and can't feed your dogs.

Its also important to know which poisons are most likely ingested by your pooches. This is not a complete list of all poisons to your pets:

1. Ibuprofen

Yes one of the most common pain killers for hoomans is an actual killer to dogs. Don’t be tempted to give your dog one if you think they are in pain.

2) Chocolate

We all know that us dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate. The reason behind this is actually the cocoa content in the chocolate. The more cocoa in the chocolate the less is needed to harm your dog. Your dog only needs to consume 14g of milk chocolate and 3.5g of dark chocolate to be in trouble so don't be tempted to share that lovely chocolatey desert with your pooch.

3) Xylitol

You can find this substance in many sugar free products, including chewing gum. Be very careful when feeding your dogs anything sugar free as it may contain this product. It may be slightly healthier for you hoomans but to us doggies it can be a real killer.

4) Paracetamol

Another pain killer that can kill your fur babies. This is an important one to remember as some people believe giving paracetamol to dogs is ok in small doses! If your doggie is in pain please take it to the vets for proper animal medication.

5) Rat Poison

This is a pretty obvious one! If it kills rats it can kill us doggies too. Keep them out of our reach and always keep the poison information in case we do accidentally get some as the vet will need this information for treatment.

6) Metaldehyde

This sounds awfully scientific but its not. This substance can be found in slug pellets. Keep a close eye on us around these if you do choose to put them down.

7) Grapes and raisins

I will cover this one again. We are all taught not to feed doggies chocolate but very few people are aware of the dangers of grapes and raisins. I even knew a doggy that was fed grapes daily as their owner thought he loved them! We might like the sweet taste but they are seriously bad for our bodies.

8) Lilies

Yes thats right those lovely flowers you hoomans keep on your windowsill or mantel are seriously dangerous to us dogs and cats! If you do choose to have these in your house or garden please keep an eye on your fur babies so they don’t eat them.

9) White spirits

This one should be a no brainer really but definitely important to mention during the summer season as many of us are using this lovely weather to justify a nice BBQ with our friends and family and you don't want your fluffy friends drinking that BBQ lighter fluid.

10) Ethylene Glycol (Anti-freeze)

This is something everyone should take note of, especially cat owners! Anti-freeze can have a sweet taste to our pets and so frequently licked up. Its should also be noted that this can be licked off paws so definitely something you should be aware of.

So what signs should you be looking for:

• Loss of appetite: this will all depend on your dog of course. I love my food so as soon as I hesitate at din dins time my owners are concerned. This may be different if your dog nibbles their food.

• Drooling

• Vomiting: especially if their is blood in the vomit as this could be a sign of internal bleeding

• Diarrhoea: again if blood is present it could be a sign of internal bleeding

• Rash/irritation: common if the poison has entered through the skin

• Lethargy: this again you should be able to tell based on your dogs usual activity levels.

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Laboured breathing

• Sensitivity to light

• Onset of organ failure: this is a sign that the toxin has damaged the vital organs

• Loss of consciousness

• Non-responsive behaviour: your dog may not be unconscious but may not be responding to the environment around them

• Coma

• Death

Unfortunately there is not much you can do as a pet owner other than be well educated and prepared in case your cat/dog does ingest something dangerous to them. Do not induce vomiting, this can cause more problems. Keep a look out for all the signs above and get your fur baby to the vets immediately!

Hope this is helpful to all you lovely owners out there and keep an eye on our blog over the summer as we will be posting some great healthy snacks you can make and your pooches can have, all tried and tested by yours truly!

Scruffy pup X