Top Ten Foods You Should NEVER Feed to a Dog

1. Raw Fish

Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites, usually fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish, and the larvae hatch in your dog's digestive tract, attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. Symptoms can take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine diseases, such as distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian, leading to an improper or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your dog fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters that could be hiding inside.

2. Chocolate

To dogs, chocolate acts as a stimulant, making your dog's heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things further, it also acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent urination, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you even suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an animal hospital immediately.

3. Bread Dough

Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow the dough without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog's stomach, his body heat will cause the dough to rise inside his stomach. This rising action can cause bloating or vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action creates alcohol as a by-product, and your dog may experience the symptoms listed in the previous paragraph.

4. Alcoholic Beverages

Dogs' physiologies are not equipped to handle alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible to alcohol poisoning, and even small amounts can lead to digestive problems or even death.

5. Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins create havoc with your dog's kidneys and digestive system. What's worse is that the amount of grapes needed to cause problems can vary greatly among individual dogs. Symptoms include frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

6. Macadamia Nuts

While the exact chemical compound is still unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis.

7. Caffeinated Beverages

Similar to the effects of chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant and can negatively impact your dog's heart rate, causing seizures or heart attacks.

8. Onions

Onions cause the breakdown of a dog's red blood cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed oxygen. If you're in the habit of feeding your dog table scraps, make sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects can be cumulative over a period of time. Symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to loss of appetite, fever, or exhaustion.

9. Avocadoes

Avocadoes are toxic to many animals. The offensive chemical damages heart, lung, and other essential tissues. Be aware since guacamole's main ingredient is avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog's reach.

10. Pitted Fruits (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots)

The pits of these fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which can be fatal to smaller dogs. Also, if the pit is swallowed whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal tract, where the blockage will have to be surgically removed.

8 Cat Food, Snack, & Meal

Cat Food #1 : CHEESE PLEASE

1/2 cup grated cheese
2 tbl plain yogurt or sour cream
A little oatmeal
2 tbl margarine or low-fat spread
Serves one

Mash all of the ingredients together, adding them in the order indicated above, and serve cold. No cooking is required for this dish. Some cats will not take to this dish as it is not meat based: others will love it.





Cat Food #2 : CHICKENS AND PASTA STEW

2 packages ground chicken (Or turkey)
2-3 small carrots, cooked
2-3 cups macaroni (Cooked)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Garlic

Boil the macaroni until tender. Cook up the chicken in a frying pan. Mix everything together in food processor. Add the oil and the garlic. Mix well.



Cat Food #3 : BEEF AND VEGGIE BROTH

1/2 cup raw trimmed beef
A few tablespoons of beef broth (Preferably not the canned or cubed variety)
2 tablespoons cooked oatmeal
1 tablespoon dried barley grass powder (Find at a pet food store)
1 cooked minced veggie (Your cat's favorite - Carrots are often a favorite)

Cook raw trimmed beef in just enough broth to cover, over medium to low heat. When beef is cooked thru shred with fork and mix with the broth in which it was cooked. Add the minced veggie and the barley grass powder. Stir well. Last add the oatmeal to achieve the consistency that your cat likes. This is a good cat food recipe for indoor pets






Cat Food #4 : CHICKEN AND SARDINES

1 can sardines in olive oil
1/4 cup whole grain bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp brewer's yeast
2 cooked chicken drumsticks, bones removed

Drain the sardines, reserving the olive oil, and mash. Mix in the bread crumbs, egg and yeast to an even, gooey consistency. Coat the chicken drumsticks evenly in the mixture. Heat the reserved olive oil in a frying pan then add the coated drumsticks and fry, turning frequently, until brown. Remove from the heat, and cool before serving.




Cat Food #5 : CHICKEN SOUP

Combine 1 chicken liver, 1 giblet, 1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
Cover and simmer until the giblet is tender.
Chop all the meat for dogs removing bones and mix with kibble; for cats, grind the meat in the blender.





Cat Food #6 : BETTER THAN GRASS SALAD

1 small carrot peeled and grated
1/4 cup peeled and grated zucchini
1/2 cup chopped alfalfa sprouts
1 tsp. finely chopped parsley
1/8 cup chicken stock
1/4 tsp dried or fresh catnip

Combine veggies in a medium bowl. Add chicken stock and toss. Sprinkle with catnip and serve at room temperature.
Store left overs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.





Cat Food #7 : CRISPY TROUT DINNER

1 egg yolk
1 small trout fillet
3 tbl oatmeal
1 tbl vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Beat the egg, dip the fish in it, and then coat it with oatmeal. Put the oil in a small baking pan and lay the fillet in it, turning it over once or twice. Bake for 15 minutes, turn over and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove the fish to a dish, allow to cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Serving suggestion: if it looks a little dry, add a dash of cream.





Cat Food #8 : CHICKEN CHEESEBURGER

2 oz finely ground beef
2 oz finely ground chicken
1 tbl canned thick chicken soup
2 oz whole grain bread crumbs or oatmeal
1 baby carrot, cooked until soft
1 egg
1/2 cup grated cheese

Mash the meat and chicken with the soup then add the bread crumbs or oatmeal, mushy carrot and egg. Make into two small burgers and broil (leaving much rarer than you would for yourself). Sprinkle with grated cheese and broil again until the cheese is melted. Allow to cool until warm to the touch, and serve.

Dog Supplies Buying Guide

Dog Supplies Buying Guide

Just like a baby who needs utmost attention and care, the best supplies for your dog needs some major consideration, too. Here's how you can ensure that your pet gets the best toys, food, and other necessities.

1. Dog Food and Treats

Your dog's needs should be the emphasis when considering what food or treat to buy him. The proper balance of vitamins and minerals should be given, particularly to growing puppies. Sporting and working dog breeds need to eat something that will sustain their hyperactive lifestyle. Dogs that are not getting any younger need low-calorie food to avoid weight gain. Do not scrimp on the budget here no matter how compelling it might be. A healthy dog is reflected by the food he eats.

2. Dog Leashes and Collars

The size and weight of the dog should be taken into account in choosing the right dog collar. The collar's material needs attention too. Nylon is good for water-loving dogs since it is more durable and light. For a tougher look, leather dog collars are a lot better since they are more durable and can even be accessorized with spikes.

Dog leashes come in cloth, nylon, retractable, and leather styles.

3. Dog Toys

The safety of your dog should be the top priority in looking for a dog toy. What fun could be derived from a toy if it will endanger your pet's life, right? A dog toy should be large enough so that it can't be swallowed by your pet. However, it should be small enough for your dog to be able to grip it well.

The durability of the toys will need major consideration too, especially for dogs that are serious chewers. Light chewers can settle for vinyl and latex dog toys.

4. Training Guides for Your Dog

Dog whistles, dog harnesses and bitter-tasting sprays compose the wide array of dog-training guides that will keep a dog from chewing. If the chewing problem is a lot more serious, you may want to use a dog bark collar or an electric fence. It is advised that you remain consistent and humane when training your dog.

There are many dog training books available that can be helpful when training your dog.

5. Dog Health Items

Tick and flea infestation control medications are available to ensure that your dog's health is secured against these pests. Brands like Advantix, Advantage and Frontline are some of the popular flea and tick drugs in the market.

Your dog's dental health should never be taken for granted either. Dog toothbrushes and dog toothpastes, and even dog toys are now made available to support the dental health of your pet.

Following these guidelines will definitely help you have a healthy dog and healthy pet!