Dogs and chewing - sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? Dogs have a knack for finding the worst things to chew on, be it your favorite shoes or a piece of important paperwork. It can seem like they're just out to cause trouble but believe it or not, chewing should be encouraged when it's done in a constructive manner. 

“How could chewing possibly be good?” you might wonder. It's simple—chewing is in a dog's genes. Chewing is a natural way that dogs explore their world, whether they are a puppy or a senior. 

Sometimes dogs chew out of boredom or anxiety, or because of sore teeth or gums. Your dog's chewing behaviors can increase when he doesn't get enough stimulation and exercise. Or she can just be seeking your attention...is your dog trying to get a little more of your time?

Inappropriate chewing - that is, chewing on things that he shouldn't be chewing on -- is a problem that most dog owners confront at some stage of their dog's life.

Not only are chewing problems annoying to you, they can be dangerous for your pet. Chewing on the wrong items - electrical wires, poisonous materials, or objects that can splinter - can have disastrous consequences. 

On the other hand, chewing on the right objects can enhance your dog's health and well-being. The physical act of chewing helps relieve anxiety and boredom, and helps your dog feel secure and content.

How do you get your dog to chew on appropriate items?

1.           First, clear your dog's environment of things you don't want him to chew on. That means picking up shoes, toys, and other objects you don't want destroyed or that can harm your pet if chewed. Just because they've never done it before doesn't always mean that they won't ever start chewing. Keep in mind that your pet doesn't chew to spite you, he's just doing what instinct tells him to.


2.           Always provide your dogs with tasty, safe chew toys. As you leave for work in the morning, leave him a toy stuffed with treats to help reinforce the idea of appropriate chewing.


3.           When you catch your dog chewing something he shouldn't, firmly tell him "No!". Quickly replace the inappropriate item with a tasty chew toy. Lavish praise as he starts chewing the toy. Reprimanding your dog for inappropriate chewing MUST always be immediate and ONLY when he's caught in the act-never after the chewing is already done, like when you find the remains of your favorite shoes upon returning home. This reinforcement doesn't need to be severe! A raised voice is enough to send the message that this chewing is not OK.

So how can appropriate chew toys help your pet?

1.           If the toy is designed for promoting dental hygiene, it can help support dental health by helping to scrape away plaque, tartar buildup, and help maintain healthy gums. The right ingredients can even help doggy breath.


2.           A good chew toy can provide stimulating activity by challenging your dog's mind and keeping him entertained. This is especially important for older dogs that may typically be less active.


3.           A safe, well-designed chew toy can help satisfy your dog's innate urge to chew and help avoid destructive chewing behavior from both puppies and adult dogs.

Consult your veterinarian or contact Dr. Norette Underwood at catdoc56@pcsii.com for appropriate chew toys.

Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate.

Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. Signs are restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.

Toxic Amounts

White Chocolate. Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 45 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe toxicity occurs when 90 ounces per pound of body weight in ingested. This means that a 20-pound dog would need to ingest at least 55 pounds of white chocolate to cause nervous system signs, which is next to impossible. Be aware that a much smaller amount of white chocolate may result in gastrointestinal problems.


Milk Chocolate. Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when two ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. This means that a little less than one pound of milk chocolate can be toxic to the nervous system of a 20-pound dog.


Semi-Sweet Chocolate. Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 1/3 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when one ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. This means that as little as six ounces of semi-sweet chocolate can be toxic to the nervous system of a 20-pound dog.

Baking Chocolate. Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when

0.3 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. Two small one-ounce squares of baking chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog. This type of chocolate has the highest concentration of caffeine and theobromine and very little needs to be ingested before signs of illness become apparent.

Generally, within a few hours of ingesting a toxic amount of chocolate, signs of hyperactivity, tremors, panting and excessive urination are seen. Prompt veterinary care is recommended.



One uncommon but potential source of chocolate is in certain mulches. Cacoa bean mulch is made from the hulls of cacoa beans and when fresh has a rich, chocolate aroma. Ingestion of large amounts of fresh mulch can result in chocolate toxicity. To keep your pet safe, keep him away from the mulch until the chocolate aroma has gone. A thorough watering or heavy rainfull often reduces the potential toxicity. 

Diagnosis 

Diagnosing chocolate ingestion is generally based on the owner's witnessing or suspecting ingestion and on physical exam findings. Pets that have ingested toxic levels of chocolate are generally hyperactive, panting, have increased blood pressure and increased heart rates. Dehydration may also occur if there has been significant vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment 

Treatment depends on the severity of the clinical signs and may include continuous intravenous fluid therapy, medications to help control vomiting and sedatives to counteract the stimulant effects of chocolate. 

Occasionally medication to reduce heart rate and high blood pressure is indicated.

Most pets treated for chocolate toxicity recover and return to normal within 24-48 hours of treatment.

Home Care and Prevention

Remove your dog from the source of chocolate and call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed a toxic amount.

When's the last time you took a good look at your dog's feet.  A dog's feet are very important! They not only help your dog run and jump but they also require special care of their own to stay in the best shape. If you don't know about your dog's feet in general, I'd recommend talking with your veterinarian about proper foot care for your dog.

Humans take care of their nails, but dogs need nail care too. If they're allowed to grow too long your dog's nails can cause pain and injury as well as damage furniture and carpet. Proper nail care is important and nails must be trimmed on a regular basis (usually once every two to four weeks).

 Dogs paw pads require attention also. Make sure the paws are smooth and have no cracks or cuts.  Excessive licking can make them soft and discolor the fur on the foot.



Sometimes, an animal's toenail can rip or can be cut too short and result in damaged blood vessels. This is really scary stuff but it's a lot easier if you are prepared beforehand. A styptic pencil or cornstarch can help with bleeding.

Happy feet are the foundation for a happy dog. Make sure your dog can run, play, and love as much as possible--taking small measures to keep your dog's feet in good shape will help him stay happy for the long run.

Yes all dogs have webbed feet.

If you have questions about proper foot care contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood at catdoc56@pcsii.com

If your cat is so finicky when it comes to cat food, why does he graze on grass or nibble on your plants whenever he is in the back yard or patio?

Cats are primarily carnivores, which means they prefer to eat only meat. However, many cats are fond of vegetables and other plant material, and will occasionally sample a plot of grass outdoors. Cats that don't get outdoors might nibble on your houseplants. This, of course, is not a good thing; in fact, it can be dangerous if the plants are toxic.

One explanation for kitty nibbling grass is from their hunting days (cats evolved from the wild cat, a long line of hunters) they normally ate the entire animal when they caught it. Many of their "kills" were herbivores (plant eaters), and cats ended up eating a lot of grass and plants that were in the stomachs and intestines of these animals.

Uses

Some people believe that cats eat grass for the raw nutrition their diets lack. They instinctively chew and eat grass to obtain the vitamins, minerals and live enzymes provided by fresh, raw whole foods. The ideal diet of fresh meat, grains and vegetables they once enjoyed in the wild has been replaced by one that often lacks these nutrients.

Others believe that eating grass plays a medicinal role in that it helps to relieve digestive problems. When cats are diarrhea, it is not uncommon to see them grazing away on the lawn. However, while eating some grass may help your cat's digestion, too much can make matters worse. Blades of grass often have edges that are irritating to the stomach and your cat will vomit a few minutes after eating.

How To Grow It

If your cat enjoys his greens, try growing some yourself. You should be able to find "cat grass" seeds, a combination of wheat, oats and rye, at your pet store. Plant the seeds according to directions and wait until the grass has grown about 2 inches. Then place the container where your cat will find it and praise him if he takes a nibble. Your cat should soon learn which is the acceptable salad bar.

If you have questions about grass eating contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood at catdoc56@pcsii.com