Top 7 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Seeing your sweet pup sitting next to you while you're at the dinner table can make you want to share some of your food, but dogs have their own food for a reason - they aren't meant to eat people food! As much as they may give you their adorable "please feed me eyes," one of the most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy throughout its lifetime is to resist the urge to give them a bite - especially a bite of these foods:

Chocolate: Not even a little piece is okay for dogs and it should be avoided at all costs. That's because chocolate contains a substance called methylxanthines which is not only very toxic, but it will also stop a dog's metabolic process. Consuming even the smallest amount of chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and consuming a large amount can result in much, much worse, such as seizures - it can also even be fatal.

Onions: While onions may be a bit more dangerous for cats, they aren't good for dogs either. Unfortunately onions can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, and they can also result in damage to your pup's red blood cells.

Avocado: If you can't get enough of avocados, make sure you aren't sharing any with your four-legged friends. Avocados contain persin, which while it is fine for people, it can actually be poisonous to dogs when consumed in large amounts. 

Dairy products: Milk and any other dairy-based product are a no-no - these can cause dogs to experience some digestive upset since they do not have significant amounts of lactase, which is the enzyme that works to break down lactose in milk.

Nuts: Nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts are known to be filled with oils and fats, and, unfortunately for dogs, these fats can cause them to experience vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, eating nuts can also result in serious health conditions such as pancreatitis. 

Salt: Usually put salt on your pretzels, popcorn or chips? While your dog shouldn't snack on those treats anyway, they especially shouldn't if they're covered in salt. This is because consuming a lot of salt can result in excessive thirst and urination in pets, and some may even experience sodium ion poisoning. Like chocolate, salty foods can even be fatal.

Grapes: While the toxic substance that grapes contain is still not known, what is known is that they can cause kidney failure in pets. Furthermore, grapes can also cause your dog to experience vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of appetite and even dehydration. Along with grapes, you should also avoid raisins for the same reasons.

To learn more people foods that should be avoided by pets, check out this article from the ASPCA.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been caring for pets since 1976, and offers veterinary care services such as vaccines, surgical procedures, dog and cat spays and neuters, animal dentistry, microchips and more. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.

How to Keep Your Cat From Scratching Your Furniture

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

There's nothing like having your cat cuddle up with you on the couch, but we know that it can be terribly frustrating when that same cute kitty starts to scratch at that couch. However, as a cat owner, you must realize that scratching is part of their natural instinct, and in fact, they scratch for many reasons - some of these reasons include to mark their territory, to stretch, to remove the dead layer of their claws, and to flex their feet and claws.

Don't worry, though, we do have some good news for you - there are several things you can do to keep your cat from scratching your expensive furniture! Here are a few techniques to try:

Use deterrents.
A possible reason for your cat scratching your furniture is that they like the texture, so you'll need to do something to make it unappealing. For example, you can cover off-limit spots with textures that cats don't like, such as aluminum foil and double-sided sticky tape. Cats are also sensitive to smell and they usually don't like citrus or menthol scents, so you can try to use certain odors to keep them away as well.

Provide alternatives.
Since scratching is a natural behavior for cats, you'll need to present them with a place where scratching is acceptable - a scratching post is likely your best bet. These come in all different shapes, sizes and materials, and some will even have toys attached to make them even more appealing. When you notice your cat using their scratching post, remember to praise them so that they start to associate it with being a safe place to scratch.

Interrupt them in the act.
It's extremely important to remember that you should never scold your cat for scratching if you haven't caught them in the act - this will just make them confused and could lead to them developing a sense of fear towards you. Instead, you'll need to stay on top of your cat for a while and interrupt them the moment you see them start to scratch off-limits objects - for example, you can clap your hands or shake a can of coins. Once they're interrupted, you should then bring them over to an acceptable scratching spot (such as their scratching post) so that they can continue. 

Although it can be frustrating to watch your cat rip your furniture to shreds, always remember that they aren't doing it to upset you - scratching is just in their nature, which is why it's up to YOU to teach them acceptable scratching spots!

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been caring for pets since 1976, and offers veterinary care services such as vaccines, surgical procedures, dog and cat spays and neuters, animal dentistry, microchips and more. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.

Tips to Help You Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

You wouldn't go a day without brushing your teeth, so why should your dog go for a long time without any dental care? Although it can be difficult to really get in there and scrub, it's just as important to brush your dog's teeth regularly as it is to brush yours. And since proper dental hygiene is so crucial for pups everywhere, we'd like to take this opportunity to share some tips on how to make the process easier:

1. Set up a routine. It may take some time for your dog to get used to the idea of someone brushing their teeth, and that's perfectly okay. What's really important here is that you get them comfortable with it and set up a routine that they're familiar with - for example, brush their teeth every day at the same time, and make sure it's when your pup is in a relaxed state.
2. Approach your dog correctly. Use body language to help your dog feel comfortable so that they don't feel like they're being threatened or put in an upsetting position. That said, avoid towering over your dog, but rather kneel or sit right next to him/her. And remember, if your dog is showing that they're nervous, it's okay to wait a few minutes until they calm down.
3. Start slowly. You don't have to dive into everything all at once. Instead, start off slowly and get your pup used to the idea of someone touching his/her mouth. For example, spend a little while just rubbing your finger on your pup's gums and teeth and see how they react - as they start to ease up, then you can move on to using a toothbrush and some doggy toothpaste.
4. Brush in circles. Once you're ready to fully tackle brushing your dog's teeth, do so in a circular motion and make sure you're addressing both their top and bottom teeth. If you notice a little bleeding every so often, that's okay. However, if you see bleeding every time and it's heavy, you could be brushing too hard or your pup may have gum disease - this you can consult your vet about!
5. Be a source of comfort and end with a reward. Throughout the entire process of brushing your dog's teeth make sure you're speaking to him/her in a positive tone and reassure him/her of how good they're being. And after you're done, don't forget to give him/her a treat!

Remember - it will probably take some time for your dog to get comfortable with you brushing their teeth, and even though they may fuss the first couple of times, what matters most is that you're doing something positive for their health and well-being!

Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we recognize how important it is for pets to exhibit good dental hygiene, and we also know it can be difficult for pet owners to get their pet to let them in their mouth. That's why part of our veterinary care services are specifically dedicated to animal dentistry! We recommend an annual dental exam and teeth cleaning for your pet and are available to help with a number of dentistry related services such as oral surgery, dental extractions, ultrasonic scaling of the teeth, ultrasonic polishing of the teeth and more!

For more information about our animal dentistry services or to make an appointment, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023 today.

Fun Fall Activities You Can Do With Your Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Pets are a major part of the family, so it's not surprising that most pet owners look for ways to incorporate their furry friends into their every day activities. With fall officially in full swing, what plans do you have that your pet can tag along for? If you're looking for a few ideas, we've got you covered:

1. Go hiking. Your pets need exercise just as much as you do, so consider a hiking trip and bring them with you! Not only will a hike get them moving, but it'll also give them some time to enjoy the great outdoors.
2. Take them pumpkin picking. What's cuter than your pet sitting in a field filled with pumpkins? We can't think of much! So long as the pumpkin patch is pet-friendly, pack up your pet and let them help you find the perfect pumpkin for carving this year.
3. Play football. Fall is all about football, so get your pet in on the action and head outdoors for a game or two! No, they won't be able to catch the ball and toss it back to you, but we bet they'll love running around and chasing after the football when you throw it.
4. Go costume shopping. Humans aren't the only ones who can dress up for Halloween - there are plenty of pet costumes too! That said, plan a day where you shop to find the perfect Halloween costume for your four-legged friend - pet stores that are pet-friendly are the perfect place to start (maybe your pet will even hint at which costume they like best!).
5. Watch a scary movie. There's nothing like cuddling up on the couch with your pet, so plan a night where you'll stay in and hang out just you two. And while you're making yourself some popcorn, make sure you have treats ready for your pet to enjoy too.

Have another activity that you and your pet enjoy doing every fall? If so, be sure to share your thoughts with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been caring for pets since 1976. Veterinary care services include, but are not limited to, animal surgery, spays and neuters and animal dentistry. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.