Alternative Dog/Cat Treats

          I often talk to my clients about what treats they can give their furry friend. Over the counter treats often hide a massive amount of calories. So what else can you give them that won’t hurt them? I am so happy you asked!! Cats have fewer options because they are generally pickier than dogs. However, whatever I place in either the dog and/or cat section can be given to both species if they will eat it.

Picture from: https://phz8.petinsurance.com/pet-health/pet-food-and-recipes/
canned-pumpkin-for-dogs-and-cats

Dog Alternative Treats

• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Peas – refrigerated or frozen
• Cucumbers
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• Frozen peanut butter
• Frozen fat-free cream cheese

Picture from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/
494621971553385463/

Cat Alternative Treats

• Tuna – canned or pouched (without flavoring)
• Salmon or other cooked fish
• Small amounts of cheese (this also hides a lot of calories)

Foods to Avoid

• Avocado
• Chocolate/Coffee
• Citrus
• Grapes/Raisins
• Macadamia nuts or nuts in general
• A large amount of milk/dairy (a small amount is fine)
• Onions, Garlic, and Chives or foods cooked with these
• Raw or undercooked meat and bones
• Raw eggs
• Salty foods
• Anything containing the sweetener Xylitol (gum, some peanut butter, suckers, toothpaste, etc.)

If you would like to know why you should not feed the above foods, check out my Holiday Horrors blog!

As always, please comment with any questions you have. I look forward to chatting with you!!

HOLIDAY HORRORS

Picutre from: https://www.beautyglitch.com/quiz-christmas-animal-spirit-animal/

Tis the Season, but with it brings a lot of potential dangers to your pet. Below is a list of safety tips for your pets this holiday season:

• Be careful of feeding your animal those extra scraps. Generally, our Christmas food can be high in fat. Fatty foods for pets has a high rate or causing a disease called Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis causes lethargy, inappetence, vomiting, and diarrhea. It often requires supportive care +/- hospitalization. Go ahead and give them some plain green beans or carrots instead.
• A lot of our holiday casseroles contain onions and/or garlic. Remember that these foods are toxic to our furry friends. Make sure you are not giving them any of those delicious scraps with these extra seasonings.
• Do not feed your pet the extra bones from the meat dishes this year. Those bones can break and then cause serious GI (vomiting/diarrhea) issues. In some cases, emergency surgery is needed.
• Many of those delicious desserts you eat contain chocolate. Remember that chocolate is toxic to your pet. 
• All that gift wrapping can get tiring, but remember to put away any ribbons and/or strings. Cats love playing and eating them, which can lead to intestinal foreign bodies.
• Here is a list of foods to make your pet avoid during the holiday season (and always) and why.

Alcohol

You can start noticing clinical signs 30-60 minutes after ingestion. You would notice nausea, vomiting, increased drinking/urination, dehydration, lethargy, abnormal gait, and disorientation. 

Picture from: http://liquordigest.blogspot.com/2011/05/hey-can-i-share-drink-with-my-dog.html

Avocado

Avocado toxicosis is rare in dogs and cats. Avocados contain persin, which is more of a problem in cows, horses, birds, goats, and fish. Clinical signs of Avacodo toxicosis is vomiting, diarrhea and can cause heart problems that lead to death. Again, this is very rare for our domestic small animals, but still a good idea to stay away from just in case

Picture from: https://simplyfordogs.com/dogs-avocado-toxicity/avocado-toxicity-dogs-fact-fiction/

Chocolate, Coffe, and Caffeine

This is a real threat to our four-legged friends. You generally start noticing clinical signs 1-2 hours after ingestion. You will notice restlessness, hyperactivity, vomiting, abnormal activity, abnormal gait, or diarrhea. It can lead to seizures or sudden death as well. 

Picture from: https://thebeggarsbakery.net/tag/chocolate/

Citrus

This is more for cats. Be careful with the stems, peels, seeds and fruits, which contain citrus oils. You may notice vomiting, diarrhea, depression or sensitivity to light. Luckily, most cats don’t find citrus appealing.

Picture from: https://thebeggarsbakery.net/tag/chocolate/

Grapes and Raisins

Depending on the dog, 1 raisin may kill them or 100 may do nothing. Even if your dog eats one, they should be seen right away because once you see clinical signs it is often too late to salvage your dog’s kidneys. Clinical signs include vomiting, inappetance, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, increased drinking/urination or decreased/no urination.

Picture from: https://topdogtips.com/can-dogs-eat-grapes/

Macadamia nuts

This is another dog toxicity. Clinical signs are weakness, depression, vomiting, abnormal gait, joint/muscle pain, and swelling of the joints.

Picture from: https://topdogtips.com/can-dogs-eat-macadamia-nuts/

Milk and Dairy

This is more to help decrease the amount you have to clean up after the holidays. Dairy can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Picture from: http://afspetshop.com/5-foods-you-should-never-feed-your-cat/ 

Nuts

Most nuts contain a high amount of fat, which can cause pancreatitis. The clinical signs are inappetence, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.  

Onions, Garlic, and Chives

Cats are more at risk than dogs in this category, but it is still a risk for both. These vegetables and herbs can cause damage to red blood cells. You may notice lethargy and pale gums, but other clinical signs are very vague. This is usually a diagnosis that must be made by blood exams.

Picture from: https://www.doghealth.com/toxic-items/foods-toxic-to-dogs-slideshow

Raw, Undercooked meat, Eggs and Bones

There are several bacteria that your dog and cats’ guts cannot tolerate anymore, which can lead to severe intestinal disease. An infection may require a significant surgery or hospitalization. There is always a risk that bones can cause chocking or splinter and cause damage somewhere along your animal’s gastrointestinal tract.

Picture from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_10048525_fresh-raw-pork-bone-against-white-background.html 

Salty foods

Clinical signs to watch for are vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, increased body temperature, seizures and can lead to death. Make sure your pet avoids those high salty snacks.

Picture from:https://madmikesamerica.com/2015/02/chip-bags-kill-keep-them-away-from-pets-during-super-bowl-parties/ 

Xylitol

Look for this ingredient in gum, candy, baked goods, and toothpaste. This will lead to liver damage and dangerously low amounts of glucose in the blood. Signs to watch for are vomiting, lethargy, abnormal gait that progresses to seizure activity. If noted, place syrup on your animal’s gums and rush them to the nearest hospital.

Picture from: http://www.dentalsreview.com/xylitol-poisoning-in-dogs/

Yeast dough

The dough will start “cooking” in your pet’s stomach. This leads to bloat and can be an emergency situation. You will notice nausea, inappetence, retching, and lethargy. The yeast will also produce ethanol (see alcohol toxicity). 

Picture from: https://lytlevet.com/toxic-foods-for-pets/

If your pet eats/drinks any of these, then bring/call your pet to us or the nearest open Veterinarian.

• Brentwood Animal Hospital: 314-962-2900; 2907 S. Brentwood Blvd (M-Th 8 am - 8 pm; F 8 am - 5 pm and Sat 8 am - 2 pm)
• The St. Louis Animal Emergency Clinic: 314-822-7600; 9937 Big Bend Rd. 
• Veterinary Specialty Services: 636-227-9400; 1021 Howard George Dr. 

·         

Food Recommendations and Should I Buy The Fancy Stuff??

                A friend of mine recently asked me if the fancy dog food really worth the hype and cost. I am so happy he brought this to my attention as it is something I regularly talk about in my examinations. This is not a straightforward answer for every pet. I will explain my recommendations for choosing a food and hopefully this can help you in your quest. Remember not to hesitate to contact me with questions this leaves you.

MY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN RECOMMENDING A FOOD:

Consideration 1: Is the food AAFCO certified?

                AAFCO stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. The program’s goals are simple – they want to protect the consumer, make the health of animals and humans a priority, and keep the food industry at an equal advantage point for all companies involved. The AAFCO provides guidelines for the nutritional input into a food. This is based on evidence-based medicine. Although the laws and standards are not enforced, I feel more comfortable with foods trying to meet their recommendations. These are the only brands of food I generally recommend. It is important to make sure they have been food trial tested, not just formulated to meet the AAFCO recommendations.

The brands I most commonly recommend are Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan or Purina One and Hill’s Science Diet.

Consideration 2: Age of the Pet.

                The age of your pet determines my food recommendation as well. If your pet is < 12 months old, then I recommend a puppy/kitten diet. You can also feed an all life stage diet, but I prefer puppy/kitten foods. As a general rule of thumb, if your pet is 1 year – 7 years of age, I will recommend an Adult diet and/or all-life stage diet. If your pet is > 7 years of age, then it is time for a senior diet. These age limits change based on the size of your dog.

Consideration 3: Size of your pet.

                This is really only for the canine patients. Is your dog a Great Dane, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler or another type of large breed dog? If so, make sure they are on a large breed specific diet from puppyhood since they are designed to help with bone development. Better yet, Royal Canin has breed specific diets. They use research to find the best ingredients for purebred animals.

Consideration 4: Does your pet have a medical condition?

                There are several health conditions that benefit from a prescription diet. These diets are generally more expensive but often needed in certain cases. If your Veterinarian recommends one of these diets, then it is likely your pet will benefit from feeding them a more expensive food. 99% of the veterinarians I know will not put your pet on a diet without medical evidence of needing a change.

These four considerations are what drive my recommendations.

SO SHOULD I BUY THE FANCY FOOD?

Some foods you likely see as a higher standard are the “raw food” and “grain-free” diets. As you can see, I do not take any of these labels into my consideration. You may ask why?

Why not raw food?

                I agree that most of my patients that come in on a raw food diet have a shiny hair coat and I have been told by several that it has dramatically decreased the amount of stool they produce. However, these benefits do not outweigh the risks in my professional opinion. Dog and cats have the same risk of a serious bacterial infection when feeding this type of diet. I have seen and heard of many cases where a dog and/or cat has lost several inches of their bowel tracts and/or died from a severe infection due to a raw diet. I have also seen it affect their food handler’s health as well. You have a high risk of being infected with Salmonella, etc. when feeding a raw diet to your pet.

                If you want to make an at-home diet for your dog rather than purchase manufactured food, then I recommend using the BalanceIt website: www.balanceit.com    

Why not grain-free?

                The main argument I hear for this is that dogs and cats are not programmed to eat this type of food….look at the wolves and tigers. My opinion is that Grain-free diets are not necessary. Dogs and cats, like humans, have developed the necessary processes to be able to digest grains without complication. Grain-free is an advertising strategy that has caught on. Since there is a large number of people purchasing Grain-free diets, most pet food companies are making these diets to accommodate the need. These diets are generally more expensive and there is no health benefit when comparing grain-free vs. grain diets unless there is a medical issue with your cat or dog.

                In many cases, it has actually been noted that “Grain-free” foods are false advertising and have a grain as one of their main ingredients. Food allergies are not common in animals and if your pet has a food allergy it is more likely to be allergic to the protein sources – chicken, beef, lamb, etc. I have noticed when questioning my clients about their food choices that most grain free diets seem to avoid these protein sources. They use salmon, venison, rabbit or other novel proteins most of the time. This is usually the reason owners notice a change in their animal.

Conclusion

                Although the “premium” dog foods are not always bad for your dog, always consult your veterinarian about his or her medical opinion about the food. You are often paying a larger amount for a food that does not give your pet any additional nutritious value and may be giving them a less complete food than other options.

                You should always base your choice of food off of these questions:

1.       Is it complete and balanced?

2.       Does it meet the age requirement for your pet?

3.       Does it meet the breed-specific needs of your pet?

4.       Does your pet have a medical condition that needs a specialized diet?

I hope this information helps you in the search for the perfect pet food. As I always mention, do not hesitate to contact me with your questions, concerns and/or comments.

References:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/evr_dg_why-grain-free-dog-food-may-not-be-the-best-choice

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/nutrition-feeding/grain-free-dog-food

http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1181&context=honors

http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/grain-free-diets-big-on-marketing-small-on-truth/

Both pictures from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi6mfPjoefXAhWHdSYKHUgKA-IQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcanin.com%2F&psig=AOvVaw03E9dhogPO5KGuKj9le8Dd&ust=1512164462012641

                

Help – My Dog Has More Energy Than I Do

            I see this scenario very frequently. A family buys a dog and forgets to think about the energy requirements of that said pet or their life changes and becomes busier, meaning they have less time to spend with them. What should you do in this case? My recommendations are below…I hope they help you!

1. Are you confident with training? You can train your dog to run beside you on a bike, skateboard and/or roller blades. This way you can go for a 3-5 mile “jog” with your dog in half the time. This is also great for your health.

2. Dog daycare works miracles for energetic canines. You can drop them off 1-5 times a week on your way to work and pick them up on your way home. You will have one tired dog for the next 1-2 days.

3. Hire a dog walker. There are several options for dog walkers nowadays. This way your dog can go on a nice relaxing walk/jog while you are hard at work.

4. Engage your dog’s brain while you are away. There are several puzzle toys now available that will make your dog think and/or work for treats or reward. You can start simple with the basic Kong toy and build up from there.

4. Do you have a hunting dog? You can teach them how to “hunt” at home. First make it simple – teach them to sit and stay before they are allowed their favorite toy. Then hide that toy under a blanket in front of them. Continue slowly making the hiding spots harder. This makes them use their nose and their instincts which equals a happy dog that is doing their job. 😀

Picture from: http://www.mydogaffair.com/10-fascinating-facts-about-boxers-dogs/3/

As always, let me know your thoughts and questions. 

Dr. Alicia Rueschhoff

How to Protect Your Pet from Those Chilly Days

This is a question that pops up regularly once the warm days start becoming colder. A lot of dogs can tolerate the change in temperature and do not need help from us fur-less ones. However, there are some breeds that seem to have a tougher time in the cold. These include smaller breeds and shorter haired breeds.

The best rule of thumb is if the temperature is to a point that you can’t handle, then your dog/cat probably can’t either. They shouldn’t be left outside without adequate shelter and heat support on those days.

If they are going out for a small amount of time, to use the restroom or a short walk, then they likely do not need to be bundled up. However, read your dog. If he/she is shivering, lifting his/her paws off the ground for periods of time then they are likely uncomfortable. In these situations, I recommend putting on a coat and booties for your pet. The booties also help keep their paws protected against the corrosive salt that is all over the ground.

The bottom line is, if you are too cold then so is your pet J

Picture from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin
/163959242661644308/

picture from: https://twitter.com/leprasorium/status
/805008689082068992

Please respond with questions and/or concerns you have. I would love to chat!

Cheers, 

Dr. Alicia 

Breed of The Month - Pixie Bob

Pixie Bob

Picture from: http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/pixiebob#finding

The breed of this month is the Pixie-Bob. These adorable cats originated in the United States and would be a perfect companion for any owner - novice, experienced, alone or a family. They are generally very healthy with little genetic problems, but do need regular grooming. You can expect them to shed a lot and often, so regular brushing is recommended. They are active, playful cats with at least 10-15 minutes of activity a day, but they can also stay alone at home for 4-8 hours at a time. They are not very vocal and are great with people of all ages. The average weight for males is between 11-14 pounds and females is between 9-11 pounds.

In conclusion, a Pixie-Bob cat would be a great fit for a single home or a family home with children +/- other pets. Just make sure you are okay cleaning up hair :)

SOLAR ECLIPSE

Picture from: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/next-solar-eclipse-uk-7488838

With the Solar Eclipse looming around, I thought I would inform everyone of my recommendations for your pet. I honestly do not think our companion animals will be affected much since due to the short duration of the eclipse. However, no one knows for sure what will happen. My recommendations are as follows:

1. The best option is to keep your animal indoors with windows covered. This way there is no possibility for exposure of their eyes to the dangerous rays of the sun. 

Picture from: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-
Pet-Indoor-Outdoor-Crates/dp/B001HSNXGC

2. If you must bring your pet with you, then have a crate that can be covered during the eclipse. I promise they won't mind missing it. 




3. If neither option 1 or 2 is possible, then keep your dog focused on something else during the eclipse, so they don't look up at the sun (though this is a rare possibility). Feed them a lunch, give them a peanut butter or cream cheese filled kong or a bone to chew on. 

Picture from: http://noten-animals.com/kong-toys-for-dogs/

If you have further questions, please let me know as I will be happy to help. You can either comment or send me an e-mail: dr.rueschhoff@gmail.com

I hope everyone enjoys the Eclipse, but don't forger to take safety precautions yourself. 

Mutts Are Best

Mutts Are Best!!!

You might be asking yourself why I think mutts are the best dogs, aren't pure bred animals supposed to be the top breeds? A lot of people are misinformed when it comes to this topic. I have listed my top 5 reasons I love mutts below: 

1. Mutts are the cheapest to adopt. Most mutts (other than the mixed "designer" mutts, such as the Goldendoodle) can be easily found at a local shelter or rescue group. These dogs are not thousands of dollars to purchase. There will be a fee to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue, but those proceeds go to help other dogs in need - to pay for their vaccines, medications and surgeries that are needed - not into someone's pocket for profit. 

2. Adopting a mutt = giving a dog in need a home. Most people do not seek out mutts and therefore, there are tons that have no homes. They were likely found on the streets or surrendered from an owner that can no longer care for them. You may even be saving one from a puppy mill. In my experience, these dogs are forever grateful and very faithful to their owners. 

3. Mutts are much healthier than pure-bred dogs or the "designer" breeds. This is because of the simple law of genetics (there is not really a law, I just find it fun to say). Pure-bred dogs are inbred. This means that siblings are chosen to reproduce, causing significant health problems. It is just like marrying your cousin and/or brother and having kids. You could give me a name of a purebred dog, and I am certain I will find a disease linked with that breed. This ranges from allergies, heart conditions, bone abnormalities, breathing issues, cancer and more. Mutts are a mix of genetics, just like most of the human gene pool. Mutts are a mixture of all different kinds of breeds, meaning that these recessive traits common in pure-bred dogs are masked by dominant genes and much less common to cause issues. 

4. Buying a pure-bred dog can mean you are buying from and supporting puppy mills. In my experience, I would say most pure-bred dogs bought from a puppy store actually come from a puppy mill. If a breeder will not let you see their breeding facility with the parents and puppy you want to purchase there, do not trust them! I have seen far too many people get conned this way. Buying a mutt guarantees that you are not supporting the Puppy Mills and getting ripped off. You may be purchasing a dog that came from a puppy mill, but you are rescuing that dog, which is very different. 

5. Mutts are unique. Every mutt looks different, which is opposite from pure-bred dogs. This is a personal preference. I like having something that no one else dose, which is another reason I continually find mutts to adopt :) 

These are my top 5 reasons why I love mutts. Please comment with your questions or any concerns you have regarding this issue. I cannot wait to talk to you :)