What You Must Remember Before You Treat Your Pooch

What pet does not absolutely love getting a treat or two every now and then. Dog owners also love awarding their dog’s treats especially for good behaviour. If you have a dog, then you have a sound idea of what your dog enjoys to nibble on. There are so many treats out there these days and they all come in all different forms, shapes, sizes, and colours. For every highly regarded dog treat, there are those available to you that are not so good. Such treats are dangerous for pets as they can be lodged in your pets throat or intestines. This can cause choking or an even worse scenario. If you love treating your dog, then you will want to make yourself aware of those treats that can be potentially life-threatening. Even with treats that are not usually harmful, you need to supervise your dog when he or she nibbles.

Let us see what to be aware of.......

Rawhide Chews: What dog does not love munching on these chewy treats? Rawhides are excellent because they clean your dog’s teeth and keep your dog busy. However, rawhides are harmful as well. Some rawhides that come from outside of America may actually be preserved with arsenic-based chemicals that will surely be swallowed by your dog when he or she chews.Because of such a hazard , make certain that any rawhide treat you buy is processed in the America where this preservative is forbidden. If you cannot tell where a treat came from do not purchase it! In addition, you must still watch your dog when he or she is snacking on rawhides to help prevent choking. Ensure you purchase rawhides that are the ideal size for your dog too. A small dog needs the small sizes of rawhide treats.

Greenies: Most dogs really enjoy such treats. They are advertised as a treats that aid in cleaning your pooch's teeth. However, you need to be know that “greenies” can actually cause choking. This is because dogs gobble these up so quickly causing large chunks to lodge in the throat. Young puppies should never have this treat and dogs that are prone to “scarfing” food. If your dog eats these treats, be aware of potential bloody stools, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. If you see any of the above symptoms after your dog has had this treat, seek immediate medical attention.

Bones: It seems to be every canines right to gnaw on a real bone every once in a while. Dogs absolutely love bones of every type. However, some bones can be harmful. Both chicken and turkey bones are especially life-threatening because they are brittle. When your dog chews on them, they can easily splinter and result in choking. A few pork and beef bones can also pose the same hazard. Vets agree that the single safest bone you can treat your dog to is a shinbone. If you must give your dog a bone, ensure you watch your pet and if it shows signs of bleeding, then you should immediately call your vet for advice.

Chocolate: Chocolate is a terrible treat for dogs to eat. Of course, sometimes pets get into sweets and cake without your prior knowledge. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, so you need to be aware of your dog eating chocolate nibbles in secret, especially during the holidays. Chocolate contains theobromine which acts in canines about the same way caffeine acts in humans. A tiny amount will make the dog hyperactive, but a huge dose will be fatal. If your pet has munched on chocolate, you must look for shallow breathing, vomiting and irregular heartbeat. As a result, a visit to the emergency vet will be necessary.

This is not to say that you shouldn't give your dog a casual treat. That is one of the best elements of owning a dog. You do need to supervise your dog and make sure that your canine is safe when snacking. Always pay attention to what kind of treat you give your pet just in case of a recall.