Ilisa Cohen
Slideshow originally posted on Petside.com, August 2011
Is It Okay If My Dog…?
Not sure if your pet care practices are best for your pup? We asked the experts to answer
some common questions.
…eats edamame?
“If you take the unsalted beans out of the shell, edamame is okay for a dog to eat,” says
Leah Jackson, DVM, a veterinarian at Park East Animal Hospital in New York City. Just
keep in mind, as with any small food item that could be a choking hazard, you should
monitor your dog to make sure he chews completely before swallowing. The dangerous
people foods you should really keep away from your dog include: chocolate, grapes,
raisins, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts. If your dog gobbles up any of these, call your
vet immediately.
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…licks the lotion off my legs or face?
This depends on the type of lotion you use. “Most over-the-counter lotions are safe in
small quantities,” says Dr. Jackson. So, if you’ve already rubbed it into your skin when
your dog licks you, he probably won’t be affected. But beware of lotions with estrogen or
other hormones, or zinc (which is an ingredient in sunscreen and calamine lotions) since
they can be toxic for dogs.
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…stops wagging tail when he sees other dogs?
This can mean that your dog is becoming more fearful in social situations or it can simply
mean he doesn’t like the dog he’s meeting, according to Dr. Jackson. Just like people,
dogs have different personalities and mesh with certain acquaintances better than others.
If you feel that your dog has more general anxiety or fear than just a dislike for a
particular dog, you might want to consult a vet or trainer to figure out the cause and how
to make your dog more comfy in social settings.
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…has tear stains?
Check with your vet to find out the cause of the tear stains. While these are usually
completely harmless and just due to an overflow of tears, in some instances they can also
be cause by eye disease. “In addition, there’s evidence that some tear staining might be
diet-related,” says Edward Moser, adjunct assistant professor of nutrition at the
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. So talk to your vet about the
possibility of switching up your dog’s diet to prevent staining.
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…doesn’t wear a coat in the snow?
This depends on the dog. If your pup has a full, fur coat, she should be fine in snowy
weather, according to Dr. Jackson. If she’s a small breed, like a Chihuahua, with a short,
thin coat, she may need a layer of clothing to keep her warm. Regardless of how heavy
her natural coat is, if you see her shivering or hunching over while outside in cold
weather, she definitely needs some protection from the elements.
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…skips a month of his flea/tick or heartworm medication?
It’s best for your dog to take his monthly medication if there is any risk of exposure.
“Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are present when the temperature is about 50 degrees
Fahrenheit,” says Dr. Jackson. “And intestinal worms can be contracted in any weather.”
So, flea and tick meds should be given during warmer weather and heartworm meds are
recommended year-round.
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..sleeps in bed with me at night?
Once you get your dog in this habit, it’s a tough one to break. So just make sure you
don’t mind your pet (or his hair) in your bed indefinitely. Also be sure your pet is big
enough to nix the possibility of accidentally being crushed or smothered during your
sleep, says Dr. Jackson.
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…doesn't have pet insurance?
“Every pet insurance company has pros and cons,” says Avenelle Turner, DVM,
veterinary oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Group in Los Angeles, CA. “Many people
mistakenly think it’s like people insurance and you’re continually covered, but veterinary
insurance isn’t run the same way.” Some companies won’t renew your policy after initial
treatments for a chronic illness and some make it tough to get reimbursed for a claim.
Others deny coverage for conditions that are typical of your animal’s breed, regardless of
whether your individual pet has a pre-existing condition or not. “My best advice would
be to review policies with each company and ask specific questions,” says Dr. Turner.
“For some people, insurance is very helpful and for others it’s not.” An alternate option:
if you take the same amount of money you’d be paying for insurance and put it in a bank
account, you might be in the same place financially by the time your pet needs any pricey
medical procedures.
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…licks sand at the beach or snow in the winter?
Snow isn’t harmful for your dog if you’re sure it’s clean, like untouched flurries in your
backyard. Most snow, however, is contaminated with dirt, urine, feces, garbage and other
toxins, so it’s best to steer clear of it.
Sand at the beach is a bigger danger. “Ingested sand can cause impaction of the bowel,
which can lead to obstruction and potentially require surgery,” says Dr. Jackson. So do
your best to prevent your dog from showing his love for the shore with licks.
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…humps everything in sight?
Unless it harms your dog’s genitals, humping is not unhealthy and—surprisingly—is not
always a sexual act. “Humping can be a way of expressing excitement, dominance or just
a behavior left over from before the dog was neutered,” says Dr. Jackson. If it’s excessive
or undesirable, talk to your vet about behavior modification techniques.
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…eats same food everyday?
As long as the food is nutritionally complete, it’s perfectly healthy to eat the same food
all the time. “The development of high-quality commercial dog foods that are
nutritionally balanced has made variety unnecessary,” according to Dr. Jackson.
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…grazes during the day instead of having set mealtimes?
“All day grazing is fine for small dogs who munch every now and then,” Says Lauren
Brickman, DVM, Petside.com’s vet in residence. “In fact, it may be best for small breeds
who can develop low blood sugar if they don’t eat for long periods of time.” Grazing is
not okay for bigger dogs or overweight pets who are unable to regulate themselves and
could eat too much. For training purposes, it’s often easier to place food down at
mealtimes for 15 minutes and then discard whatever isn’t eaten in that time. This teaches
your pet to eat on a schedule.
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…stays home alone during my work day?
In an ideal world, most dogs would love to run and play all day. But if you can’t be with
your dog, generally, it is fine for him to stay home alone if he’s healthy. Just keep in
mind that very young toy breed puppies must eat frequently or they can develop low
blood sugar, so ample amounts of food should be left for them, says Dr. Brickman. Also
be aware that an unattended pet can swallow just about anything and wind up in big
trouble, so if your dog is young or mischievous, it’s best to crate her or confine her to a
safe area of the house. Finally, dogs are active creatures and need lots of exercise. If you
must leave them home for long periods during the day, be sure they get playtime in the
morning and evening, and look into a dog walker or ask a neighbor or friend to help get
your dog out and about while you’re gone.
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…is trying new foods at an old age?
Sure. “Any animal can adjust to reasonable and healthy changes at any point in its life,”
says Dr. Jackson. Just check with your vet about how to introduce a change since some
animals might require a more gradual transition than others for various reasons.
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…steals my cat's food?
Cats are carnivores, which means they require high amounts of protein in their diets.
Dogs (like people) are omnivores, so they need a balanced mix of protein, carbs and other
vitamins and minerals. Protein and fat taste yummy to dogs so, given the choice, they
might head towards Fluffy’s food bowl. But it’s best to keep the cat food out of your
dog’s reach since the high amount of protein could upset his stomach, cause a nutritional
imbalance or even cause illnesses like pancreatitis.
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