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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #30

Written by: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| Published on May 16, 2020

In This Issue

● Help Your Dog Live Longer
● Surprising Facts About Kibble
● Dogs & Chocolate
● Nurse Cares For Veteran’s Guide Dog
● Dogs Have A Bratty Teen Phase
● Treating Bee Stings
● Dog-Friendly Landscaping

Recent Food Recalls

3/23/20 – IcelandicPlus Fish Treats
2/14/20 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food
2/07/20 – UK Happy Hounds Frozen Raw Dog Food
1/16/20 – Black Hawk Dry Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

15 Ways To Help Your Dog Live Longer

We all want more time with our furry BFFs. Some dogs are lucky enough to have strong genes that carry them well into their twenties, but the rest depend on us to make the healthiest choices on their behalf.

The 15 strategies collected in this post are based on scientific research and the opinions of veterinary professionals, trainers, and a holistic herbalist.

Find out how a few simple changes can help your dog live a longer, happier life.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Make your own doggie potpourri by warming these ingredients on the stove: a box of apple juice, a couple cinnamon sticks, and a splash of lemon juice.

HAPPY, HEALTHY MUST HAVES

7 Surprising Things To Know About Your Dog’s Kibble

Some of the less trustworthy pet food manufacturers are experts at misdirection. They convince us their products are safe and responsibly sourced when that may be far from the truth.

We understand that not everyone can afford top-of-the-line kibble or freshly prepared home-cooked diets. That’s why we came up with a way to enhance any doggy diet with vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, and more.

Once you know the truth about commercial kibble, give your dog’s food a boost with nutrient-packed freeze-dried raw meat toppers.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

Which chemical in chocolate is toxic to dogs?

  1. Theobromine
  2. Anandamine
  3. Phenylethylamine

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

The Ugly Truth About Dogs & Chocolate

Like all dog parents, I knew that chocolate was bad for pups, but it wasn’t until my own dog had a terrifying bout of chocolate toxicity that I truly understood the danger.

I’d seen other dogs snag half a candy bar or a slice of cake and suffer nothing more serious than an upset belly. Unfortunately for my ten pound senior Shih Tzu, the handful of Hershey’s Minis she stole was enough to cause nervous system dysfunction and an irregular heartbeat.

With induced vomiting and immediate veterinary care, my dog survived, but many others are not so lucky.

Veterinarian Jennifer Coates explains how a key chemical in chocolate makes your dog sick, and how to calculate how much is too much.

IN THE NEWS

Nurse Cares For Veteran AND His Service Dog During Hospital Stay

Blind Vietnam veteran, Joe Tasby was admitted to Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas suffering from lung disease and a heart arrhythmia.

As always, his faithful service dog, Cupid stayed close by his side. But when the hospital went into lockdown, Tasby’s daughter could no longer come in and out to care for Cupid.

Seeing her patient’s distress, nurse Barbara Borbeck stepped in to ease his mind – and Cupid’s bladder!

Find out how this frontline caregiver went above and beyond for her hero patient and his devoted guide dog.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Is your dog a garbage pail pup? Place bricks in the bottom of trash receptacles so they can’t be knocked over.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

Study Reveals That Dogs Go Through A Rebellious Teenage Phase

Just when you thought you were through raising sullen, stinky teenagers, science comes along and bursts your bubble!

It turns out dogs experience the same adolescent flood of hormones when they reach a certain age. Not only does the massive influx of regulatory chemicals help them grow, it can also negatively affect their behavior.

The result is a rebellious “terrible teen” phase all parents dread.

When will YOUR pup reach this mutinous milestone? What behaviors can you expect to encounter when s/he does?

VET CORNER

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Stung By A Bee

by Dr. Kathryn Primm

Africanized killer bees have infiltrated southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, western Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and most of Florida. Now we also have “shockingly large” murder hornets to contend with.

So what should you do if your dog suffers a jab from a stinging insect like a bee, wasp, or hornet?

According to Dr. Kathryn Primm, it depends on the number of stings and whether or not your pup is particularly sensitive or allergic to bee venom.

While most stings are not life-threatening, it is important to know what to expect and how to keep your dog safe and comfortable should one occur.

TIS THE SEASON

7 Tips For Dog-Friendly Spring Planting

Okay all you phytophiles (plant lovers)! Spring is in the air and it is time to choose which flowers, groundcovers, and shrubs you will plant this year.

If you are also a canophile (dog lover (which you must be or you wouldn’t be here)) this can be a challenging task. Unfortunately some of the most beautiful vegetation is also dangerous or simply impractical for households with pups.

We interviewed Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the owner of a rescue dog named Lucky, to find out his tips for dog-friendly spring planting.

THE BEST & WORST LANDSCAPING CHOICES FOR DOG PARENTS

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

1. Theobromine. Theobromine has many of the same stimulant effects on the brain as caffeine. While small doses are fine for humans, this chemical is potentially deadly to dogs.

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