Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa: Holiday Eats For Dogs

This is the time of year where everyone has something to celebrate. Whether you are young or old, Christian or Jewish, African American or Caucasian, traditions are a big part of December. And a big part of traditions is food. There are several iconic dishes that belong to each holiday. Even in all the kerfuffle of holiday dinner, there is still a spot for pets in the celebratory meal. However, there are traditional foods that you should avoid giving your dog. Here are some guidelines as to what you could and shouldn’t let your dog eat. Listed are dishes from each holiday.

KWANZAA:

Peanut Soup:

• Onions: You know that chocolate could be toxic to your dog, but did you know that onions can be just as deadly? Onions can wreak havoc on your dog’s red blood cells. After ingesting onions, those cells begin to clump and can’t carry oxygen. While this reaction does not happen exceedingly well, it is a good idea to avoid onions.
• Peanuts: Peanut butter, when salt and sugar free, are fine in small doses. However, actual peanuts, even when raw, can be toxic, like other nuts such as walnuts and macadamia nuts.

Fried Okra

• Okra: While it is not recommended to feed your dog okra, it is safe for him to eat. Some dog owners say that okra can help with digestive issues, but again, it should not be an every-day treat.
• Jalapeño Peppers: Jalapeños, along with some other peppers, disrupt a dog’s digestive system. Bell peppers are usually fine, but hotter peppers, like jalapeños, could be dangerous.

CHRISTMAS:

Meat:

• Turkey: For the most part, turkey is fine. Just make sure not to feed your dog any turkey skin or fat. Also, ensure that the meat hasn’t come into contact with onions or garlic, as both can cause deadly problems.
• Ham: Unlike turkey, ham is loaded with fat and has a high sodium level. Too much fat can be deadly for dogs; their digestive system is very different from humans. A small amount should be fine for most dogs, but in excess, it is too much for dogs’ bodies to handle.

Ginger: 

• Gingerbread: It’s mainly a people food, but a small nibble of a cookie won’t do your dog any harm. Just be sure to check for nutmeg in the ingredients, which can be harmful. 
• Ginger by itself: It’s actually beneficial in small quantities: it helps your dog’s immune system, helps with digestion, and can lower dogs’ cholesterol levels. Just remember to consult with your dog’s veterinarian before medicating your dog with ginger. 

HANUKKAH:

Potato Pancakes

• Latkes: This traditional dish features fried potatoes, which are fine in small amounts as with most other “people food”. However, certain recipes call for chopped onions or shallots, both of which are dangerous for dogs to eat. Make sure not to give your dog any onions. 
• Applesauce: When served in small portions, mainly because the amount of natural sugar is high, applesauce makes a great treat. Also, applesauce is rich in vitamin A. However, sometimes dogs experience diarrhea or vomiting after ingesting it.

Desserts:

• Kugel: On principle, dogs shouldn’t eat much cheese. Milk and cheese are tough on dog’s digestive system. Even with that aside, the ingredients of this dish such as sugar, sour cream, sour cream, and butter, make this dish unhealthy for dogs.
• Gelt: Chocolate? Big problem. Feeding any chocolate to your dog is dangerous. Chocolate is made from cocoa, which contains caffeine and another chemical called theobromine, which is the actual danger. Theobromine is also toxic to cats, but since they are such picky eaters cats rarely eat chocolate.

Remember: Even if your dog eats it, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for him.  

Anytime you're feeding table scraps to your dog, make sure it is in conjunction with his regular diet and make sure it isn't in excess. Dogs can suffer from a condition called pancreatitis when given too much fatty food. Pancreatitis is serious and is often fatal if not diagnosed quickly, and there are often very subtle signs, so it is important to avoid too much fat in the diet.

http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/West-African-Peanut-Soup

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/onions_the_secret_killer

http://www.dogster.com/answers/question/are_you_supposed_to_give_dogs_peanuts-1701

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-feeding-tips/dogs-milk-dairy-products/

http://www.dogster.com/dog-food/cooked-bones-for-dogs

http://www.examiner.com/article/dog-superfoods-the-long-awaited-conclusion-kale-and-human-awareness

http://www.sarahsdogs.com/qa/can-dogs-have-ham/

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http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/dogs-and-chocolate-get-the-facts

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Rescue Animals Versus Pet Store Animals

Millions of families welcome a four-legged addition to their household every Christmas. Taking in an animal is a big deal. If a new pet is on your Christmas list, you know that there are many places that the wish could become a reality. But what you may not know is that you have to be careful where you look. While some places may have an attractive facade and a friendly ambiance, there are too many that do not treat the animals they keep humanely. And most of those places are pet stores. Here are some compelling reasons to adopt a rescue animal.

Price:

You don’t “adopt” a pet from a pet store. You buy one. Pet store puppies can be priced at over two thousand dollars. On the other hand, shelter and rescue dogs can be adopted for drastically less. In the Trumbull County Dog Pound in Ohio, for example, adoption fees in 2009 were less than twenty dollars. That’s less than one percent of the cost at a pet store.

Breed:

While it is true that many dogs in pet stores are pure-bred and/or pedigreed and the dogs in shelters have more mixed breeds or mutts, it is likely that those pure-bred, pedigreed dogs have been bred in a puppy mill. The fact that they are bred the way that they are can also result in genetic diseases and other problems. Even though the dogs won’t be pure-bred, your best bet is to find a local shelter. If a pure-bred dog is important to you, do some research and find a reputable breeder.

Puppy Mills:

What exactly is a puppy mill? It’s a huge breeding operation that has no concern for the animals; the owner just wants to make money. The females produce litter after litter by force until they can’t have any more puppies, at which point they are euthanized. The puppies are taken from their mothers after only five weeks and raised in horrendous conditions. Most of the puppies born in these places have been in cages their entire lives and have never been petted or played with. By adopting a shelter dog, you ensure that your money is being used to help shut down these terrible, inhumane practices.

Euthanasia:

4,000,000-5,000,000 animals are put down each year in the U.S.  This statistic includes perfectly healthy animals that were euthanized for reasons other than accepted scenarios such as terminal illness or fatal injuries: reasons like age, size, color or handicap. Many shelters have a no-kill policy: they do not use euthanasia on any pet under their care. Supporting shelters instead of pet stores brings down the number of animal deaths.

Health:

Another downside to buying a pet store puppy is that, due to the amount of trauma puppy mill dogs are put through, they don’t make good pets. They are, in fact, much more likely to suffer from genetic illnesses and other diseases that come from such poor living conditions, not to mention the possibility of anxiety or aggression. 

Exceptions:

Not all pet stores get their animals from puppy mills or other inhumane companies. If there is a small, family-run local store, they may find their dogs from local breeders, breeders who do not support puppy mills. So before you buy a pet from the pet store, remember to do your homework, or, even better, make the choice to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue house. Adding a four-legged friend to your home is rewarding for both you and your new pet. Just remember that rescue dogs need a home, too.

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Are There "Extras" In Your Dog's Food?

It is an accepted fact that freshly made organic foods, whether for humans or dogs, are healthier than store-bought. But not everyone knows why. There are plenty of chemicals and artificial ingredients in processed dog foods that can be extremely dangerous to dogs, such as pesticides, herbicides, artificial colors, and chemical preservatives. Each ingredient has its dangers to dogs and humans alike. 

Antibiotics, Herbicides and Pesticides:

All of these have been linked to chronic diseases. The chemicals can build up in dogs' bodies and can be exceedingly harmful. All three contain carcinogens, chemicals that can cause cancer. They can also affect the endocrine systems. The endocrine system is responsible for secreting hormones throughout the body.

Animal By-Products:

Animal by-products found in store-bought dog food include feathers, hair, leather, and fecal waste. They are what’s left of an animal after the edible meat has been removed. The by-products are stored for a full day before they are distributed, and parts of animals that are condemned for human consumption are often used for making pet foods.

Artificial Colors:

While the effects of artificial colors haven’t been fully tested, they are believed to increase sensitivity to viruses and could cause cancer. Several dyes are commonly used in dog food: blue 1, blue 2, red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6. Blue 1 is derived from coal tar, while blue 2 is made from heating indigo paste. The Dog Food Project has concluded that artificial colors are useless, since dogs don’t care about the color of their food.

Chemical Preservatives:

Synthetic preservatives could be toxic to dogs. There is a distinct difference between natural and synthetic preservatives. Natural preservatives are made from anti-oxidants, such as vitamin C or E.  The natural preservatives are generally considered safe. Most synthetic preservatives contain possible carcinogens. Synthetic preservatives can have many harmful effects on dogs, including but not limited to:

• Hair Loss
• Liver Damage
• Dehydration
• Obesity

“Filler” Foods:

“Filler” carbohydrates, like sugar and corn syrup, can lead to obesity in dogs. When dogs consume these carbs, they take the place of wholesome food. If there are fillers in your dog’s food, they will not get the nutrients that they need. 

Without all of these chemicals and additives, organic dog food has a definite advantage over commercial dog food. The removal of things like animal by-products and artificial colors can work wonders. The absence carcinogens, synthetic colors, and preservatives makes for a healthier dog. So watch out for these ingredients in your dog’s food. 

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