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Don't leave packets of chewing gum where a dog can get into them or offer sugar-free treats to your dog. Some sugar-free chewing gums and candies contain a sweetener called Xylitol. [PGAA-see www.vetscite.org] It is a white crystalline substance that looks like sugar and might be purchased by the pound as a sugar substitute.
Xylitol isn't harmful to humans, but it is dangerous for dogs that ingest it. It causes a sudden drop in blood sugar, which can cause weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures. Symptoms can develop in 30 minutes, and the dog needs immediate veterinary treatment.
The Animal Poison Control Center reported that it managed 45 cases of dogs ingesting products containing Xylitol this year. Food taboos.
When you consider your pets as members of the family, it's difficult to not let them share in festivities. Extra treats can put on the pounds - we humans know that - or even be harmful to pets. Foods in the harmful category include chocolates, onions, dairy products, sugary foods, alcoholic beverages, grapes or raisins, small bones, cooked bones or undercooked meats (sorry, raw-food advocates).
Don't get in the habit of feeding pets tidbits from the table when you and your guests are dining or snacking. When you want to give your pet a treat, make sure it is appropriate for them and you have them perform for it - such as "come" or "sit." Winter maintenance.
Before you get in your car to start it, thump on the hood a couple of times to evict any cats that might have crawled next to a warm engine. Indoors is the safest place for cats during the winter or summer.
Don't leave pets alone in cars while you shop. When the engine is off, a car can become an efficient refrigerator. Clean antifreeze spills. If dogs find even a few drops of anti- freeze on the garage floor or in the driveway, they will lap it up because of its sweet taste; the ethylene glycol in it, however, is a fatal toxin. See a veterinarian immediately, or better yet, use an antifreeze made of propylene glycol that is not so dangerous.
Of course, your pets should not be allowed to roam free where they might find toxic ethylene glycol antifreeze in a neighbor's driveway.
After you take your dog for a walk in the winter, thoroughly wash his feet to remove salt used for de-icing roads and sidewalks. Road salt is irritating and can burn pads and toes.
Keep long hair between a dog's pads trimmed to prevent ice balls from forming. Some dog owners apply cooking oil to toes and pads to keep ice from building up between them. Cooking oil is used because dogs lick their pads and this oil is not harmful. Other owners opt for dog boots, but not all dogs will tolerate wearing them.
Dog coats aren't for sissies. Thin-coated dogs such as greyhounds, Doberman pinschers, whippets and boxers, short- coated toy breeds and elderly dogs benefit from a coat on cold, windy winter days.
Do not leave a dog outside unattended, and if you see it shivering, bring it in immediately. Puppies and senior dogs are most likely to be affected by the cold. Ears, tails and feet are likely to show signs of frostbite first. Skin might appear red or gray. Gradually warm injured parts and take the pet to a veterinarian.
Breeds such as Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies and Samoyeds are better equipped to deal with cold weather, but they still need to be supervised.
With the American public spending $31 billion a year to care for pets, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, it is difficult to believe that many pets live outdoors instead of in their owners' homes. Although the survey did not list the percentage of inside dogs vs. outside, those outside need special care in cold weather.
The doghouse should be insulated and large enough for a dog to stand up, turn around and lie down. It should not be so big that body heat is lost. It should face away from prevailing winds. The entry should be protected from wind by a flap that the dog can push aside when entering and exiting.
Bedding should be thick straw. Blankets are unsatisfactory because they trap moisture, making the pet cold, and cedar chips might cause respiratory problems. Change the straw frequently, because dogs bring in moisture from snow and rain.
Use a heated water dish or birdbath de-icer in water dishes. Outdoor animals eat more in cold weather. For indoor pets, however, you might want to cut back the diet because they don't get as much exercise or burn as many calories in the winter.
To reach this Plain Dealer columnist: shively@plaind.com, Phone: 216-999-4554
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