How to Prevent Your Dog from Going Into the Kitty Litter Box
If you have both dogs and cats, you might struggle with your dogs going into the kitty litter boxes. Why on earth would they do this? It’s gross! There is actually a reason for why your dog might be going into the litter box:
It’s actually “normal” dog behavior. Cat poop, to them, smells like cat food, which is why they don’t think there is anything wrong - it’s just candy to them. But dogs eating cat poop and litter can actually be quite harmful.
It can carry harmful bacteria, which can make your fur baby sick.
It can carry a parasite that causes humans to get sick (toxoplasmosis) if your dog licks your face.
Cat litter can also be harmful to your dog if they eat enough of it to cause intestinal blockage.
Here are some things you can do:
Scoop the litter box every day (twice a day if you can). Realistically, you probably won’t be able to scoop the box every single time after your cat uses it, but it does decrease the number of opportunities for your dog to go in there.
Get a self-cleaning litter box that cleans/scoops after every use. The potential problem with using one of these is that not every cat likes it
Train you dog (but rule out any medical conditions first. Schedule a vet visit to make sure they’re not lacking any nutrients). Work with a trainer to train your dog not to go into the litter box.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise so they’re not going in there out of boredom, stress, or anxiety.
Training your dog to not go into the litter box is easier said than done. I struggled with this a lot with Mochi (Zucchi was a fast learner). No matter what I did, she just wouldn’t leave the litter box alone. I tried everything listed above. Nothing worked. It even got as far as her not going in there when I was around, but as soon as I stepped out, she decided to sneak in there. Little trouble maker!
I couldn’t find any elevated litter boxes, so I eventually found a system that worked. It’s simple and effective: I elevated the litter boxes by placing them on cabinets and have it set up as “stalls” (see the picture in this post). I’ve never had a problem since! Some people might be worried that it will look odd/weird to other people ding it this way. Every time I have people over, they actually think it looks great! Definitely a solution I would recommend!
References:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-does-my-dog-eat-cat-poop/
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/coprophagia-in-dogs-dogs-eating-poo
How to Introduce New Food Safely to Your Pet
We, as pet owners, try to make sure our fur babies get the best quality food so they will live a long happy life without health issues. Part of that process might be trying new foods. Maybe you want to switch them to a different brand because you’ve had problems with an old brand. Maybe you need to switch them to a different brand of food because they need prescription food due to health issues. No matter the reason, it’s important that we transition them gradually to their new diet so it doesn’t cause stomach upset. Switching to a new food too quickly can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.
It’s recommended the transition lasts about 5-7 days. Here is a general guide you can follow to decrease the likelihood of your friend developing stomach issues when you change foods:
Day 1-2: 25% new diet, 75% old diet
Day 3-4: 50% new diet, 50% old diet
Day 5-6: 75% new diet, 25% old diet
Day 7: 100% new diet
It’s important to note that all pets are different. Some pets take longer to transition to a new food and others might transition a little faster. Pay close attention to your pet and monitor them to make sure you’re not transitioning too quickly. If your pet gets sick, make sure you reach out to your vet!
References:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/
https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/05-pet-health-resources/nutritionalresources/petparent/aaha-tips-and-timelines.pdf
Human Foods That are Toxic to Dogs!
How many of us have shared a treat or two with our fur babies? Maybe a slice of banana? Maybe some left overs from tonight’s dinner? We want to share some foods that are actually toxic to pets, some of which may be surprising to you!
Chocolate and Caffeine
Chocolate might be a sweet treat for humans, and most of us enjoy our coffee in the morning, but for dogs, both are toxic (due to their methynxanthine content)! The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to our furry friends.
Vets are mostly concerned with bakers chocolate (e.g., chocolate chips) but if you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate of any kind, it’s better to be safe than sorry and bring them to the vet immediately.
Signs of chocolate toxicity include:
vomiting and diarrhea
panting
hyperactivity
abnormal heart rhythm
excessive thirst and urination
tremors
seizures
in worst case, death
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are healthy nuts for humans, but for dogs, it can cause major issues.
Signs and behaviors to look for include:
weakness
incoordination
tremors
vomiting
hypothermia
Other nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis in some pets so it’s better to avoid all nuts!
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes contain tartaric acid and dogs are not able to process tartaric acid. Consuming grapes could potentially lead to kidney damage!
Onion and Garlic
You might have shared a piece of steak or chicken with your dogs, which in itself is fine, BUT avoid any seasoning like salt, onion, and garlic. Onion and garlic can cause stomach irritation and red blood cell damage in dogs, which could lead to anemia.
Avocado
The main concern related to avocado and dogs is the persin content, which could potentially be poisonous to dogs. The amount of persin that’s been shown to be fatal is unknown, nut we do know that large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and potentially a heart attack. It’s better to stay away from giving your fur baby avocado!
Cherries
With summer being around the corner, fruits like cherries tend to be our go-to on a hot summer day! But don’t share your treat with your dog! Cherries contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. It can interfere with their ability to get enough oxygen, dialated pupils, difficulty breating, and red gums1
Tomatoes
There is nothing better than a salad with fresh tomatoes for humans! Even though the tomato itself is generally safe for dogs, the green parts of the tomato plant contain a toxic substance called solanine, so it’s better to avoid tomatoes all together and not take any chances!
Raw meats
Pet owners are often looking for non-canned non-processed foods and its’ easy to fall into the trap of giving your dog raw proteins such as chicken, steak, and fish. The problem is that these raw meats can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. If you want to give your these types of proteins, make sure you cook it first (and remember no seasoning!)
This is not an exhaustive list, but just highlights some of the more common foods. Please check out. the references for additional information!
References:
https://images.akc.org/pdf/public_education/dangerous_products.pdf
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/good-dog-bad-food-foods-people-are-bad-your-dog