Some common foods can be poisonous to dogs and puppies, sometimes in very
small amounts. It should not be assumed that human food is safe for your dog.
The food items listed below should not be given to dogs and should be stored
safely out of their reach. Care should also be taken when preparing and serving
these foods to be sure your dog is not tempted to ‘hoover’ up after you.
Grapes/Raisins
Chocolate
Onions
Macadamia Nuts
See below for details other foods which should also be avoided

Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin which can cause kidney failure in
dogs. Please be aware that raisins are more concentrated than grapes, hence
more toxic.
The toxic dose has not yet been determined. Eating just a handful of raisins and
grapes has been shown to cause kidney failure, whereas in other cases large
quantities have been consumed without ill effect. It is recommended that the
feeding of grapes and raisins is avoided completely.

Chocolate (and Caffeine)
Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine and caffeine stimulate the heart
and nervous system. Dogs (and cats) are more sensitive than humans to the
effects of these substances. In dogs these substances can cause seizures, coma
and death occurring from heart failure.
Plain and dark chocolate contains more theobromine and therefore is more
dangerous than milk chocolate if your dog ingests it. Theobromine stays in the
dogs system for a long time, meaning that chocolate poisoning can occur if small
amounts of chocolate are fed repeatedly.
Please remember that cocoa powder, baking chocolate and other foods contain
theobromine. It has also been reported that Cocoa husk mulch (sold in garden
centres) is highly toxic.
Dog chocolate has had the theobromine removed.

Onions
Onions contain a substance, thiosulphate, which can cause the destruction of red
blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and potentially life-threatening anemia.
Thiosulphate levels are not affected by cooking or processing. Raw or cooked
onions, onion powder and shallots can all cause toxicity.
Occasional exposure to small amounts is usually not a problem, but continuous
exposure to even very small amounts can be a serious threat.
Garlic and garlic powder can have the same effect but would require much larger doses to be classed as toxic.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts (raw and roasted) can cause dogs to develop a tremor of the
skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. The exact
substance that triggers the reaction is unknown as is the toxic dose although it is
thought to be very small. This is currently known as toxin only to dogs.

Some other foods which should be avoided

Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums (seeds/stone):The fruits themselves are not considered toxic; however the seeds/stones do contain a type of cyanide compound which can poison your dog if enough of them are eaten.
Alcohol: Dogs are susceptible to alcohol poisoning. If enough alcohol is
ingested, it can cause death.
Animal fat, fried and fatty foods: Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.
Avocados: The fruit, leaves, stem and pit are all toxic. The toxic substance is
called Persin (a fatty acid derivative). Ingestion of the Avocado plant can cause
difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation around the heart, vomiting, diarrhea,
generalised congestion, and heart failure. Currently the amount of avocado fruit
or other parts of the plant, needed to poison your dog is unknown.
Broccoli: If fed in very large quantities (i.e. over 10% of the dog’s diet) Broccoli
can be toxic causing intestinal irritation.
Coffee Grounds/Beans and Tea (Caffeine): Coffee grounds/beans and tea
contains caffeine. The symptoms of coffee poisoning are similar to the
symptoms of chocolate poisoning.
Hops: Can cause malignant hyperthermia in dogs, usually with fatal results.
Certain breeds, such as Greyhounds, seem more sensitive to hop toxicity, but
hops should be kept away from all dogs. Even small amounts of hops can trigger
a potentially deadly reaction.
Nutmeg: High levels of nutmeg can result in seizures, tremors, central nervous
system problems, and even death.
Rhubarb Leaves: Large amounts of raw or cooked rhubarb leaves can cause
convulsions, coma and in extreme cases, death.
Salt: Excessive salt intake may cause kidney problems. Salt should never be
given to a pet to induce vomiting; increased sodium content in the blood causes
the brain cells to swell (cerebral edema).
Tomatos: Contain atropine, which can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and heart
arrhythmias. The highest concentration of atropine is found in the leaves and stems of tomato plants.

Article by MGB Training.

Heatstroke can be fatal. Do everything you can to prevent it.
Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs with short snouts, fatter or heavily muscled dogs and long-haired breeds, as well as very old or very young dogs. Dogs with certain diseases are more prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on certain medication.

If dogs are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. There are some signs to look for:

• heavy panting
• profuse salivation
• a rapid pulse
• very red gums/tongue
• lethargy
• lack of coordination
• reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances.

Heatstroke - first aid

If your dog shows any symptoms of heatstroke, move him/her to a shaded, cool area and ring your vet for advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.

Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature gradually lowered:

• Immediately douse your dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock – you could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, or use a spray filled with cool water and place your dog in the breeze of a fan.
• Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
• Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle – never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.

Once you have cooled your dog down you should take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery.

• Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.

  

• Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined!
• If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.
• Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent small amounts.
• Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it unbearably hot.
• Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated breeds a haircut at the start of the summer, and later in the season, if necessary.
• Dogs need exercise - even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.
• Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreen.

I have been contacted by a researcher from a new BBC3 programme on people who LOVE their dogs.

They are looking for people who adore their dogs, people who maybe take them everywhere, buy them loads of outfits and take them to the groomers and spend more money on their dogs than they do on themselves.

If you are one of those people or you know someone who is and would be interested,  email us at info@dog-clothing.co.uk with a few lines on why you think you would be perfect for the show, your name, telephone number and email address and we will forward your details on.

Please note that this is information we are passing on to you, Charlie & Ben are not involved in this show and are not responsible for any dealings or outcome between you and the above company.

Below is a copy of their flyer:

Do you have an unusual routine, a quirky ritual or an outrageous habit?

Or do you know someone who has?

We’re a nation of eccentrics and we’ve all got odd habits, funny little quirks and now it’s time to celebrate them and discover that you’re not alone!

·         Do you have a weird and wonderful habit that you just can’t give up?

·         Does your partner despair at your strange behaviour and particular way of doing things?

·         Perhaps you’re super organised, and colour code your wardrobe or alphabetise your fridge?

·         Do you have a habit your friends think is a bit gross, perhaps you secretly chew your toe nails?

·         Do you have an unusual bedtime ritual or a unique approach to getting ready in the morning?

Remarkable Television (an Endemol company) are making a new show for BBC3 that will celebrate the nation’s habits, rituals and routines - everyone has them, so let’s be proud!

   Applicants must be over the age of 16

Remarkable will use any information provided by you for the purpose of selecting contributors for the programme. We will keep your data securely for the purposes of the programme and will only share information with the BBC and any independent contractors involved in the programme. We will not pass it on to any third parties who are not directly involved in the production, without your consent.

Fortunately, we didn’t get into any scrapes, but there were two dogs that weren’t so lucky, one a Shar Pei and the other a Lurcher who had both spent a few moments having a sniff around and chasing the ball with me and Lester and seemed very friendly indeed. Both were victims of a rogue Labrador who was in a pack of other Labradors. Dad made sure we were safe and out of the way when they passed so we avoided any confrontation, as the Lab’s owner also seemed more than willing to join in the confrontation as well, lashing out at the Lurcher who was only pretecting itself after being attacked by the Lab.  It was suprising to see that after 2 confrontations the dog was still allowed to roam freely and in fact there was no evidence of any dog leads at all.

Then it was off home for a towel down and a good brush and then a long relaxing afternoon in front of the fire.

Let your dog lead the way!

I have a wonderful time with my family and we get up to allsorts of mischief and have a really cool time. You can read more about me on the ‘About Me’ page!

TTFN