Is a little chocolate a danger to my dog?
I’VE heard that giving dark chocolate to dogs is dangerous. My Chihuahua loves the smell though; is a little bit of milk or white chocolate OK? CHOCOLATE contains theobromine, a substance that’s toxic to cats and dogs. The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine level and more serious the risk of poisoning. Although white chocolate has extremely low levels of theobromine, it can still be harmful; pets eating white and milk chocolate are still at risk of serious pancreatitis due to the high levels of fat and sugars in human chocolate. You can buy pet-safe ‘chocolate’, for an occasional treat. But dogs don’t have the same passion for chocolate we do. It’s better to reward them with playtime, an indulgent walk, or quality time spent with you. And if you think your pet has eaten any amount of human chocolate, you should contact your vet for advice immediately, even if they don’t seem unwell.
MY dog loves playing and exploring in the garden, sometimes for hours on end. I worry he may get dehydrated, but how do I know? YOUR dog should be fine to play without getting dehydrated, as healthy dogs will self-regulate by drinking when they are thirsty. Make sure he has constant access to fresh water and shade in the garden so he can have a drink whenever he needs. That said, he might be at risk of overheating in warm weather. This can quickly lead to heatstroke, which can be deadly. If your dog is excessively panting or seems like they’re starting to flag, call a halt on playtime by calling him inside to rest in a cool place.
MY cat, Rocket, has developed a limp recently, but there are no marks on his leg at all. He’s otherwise happy and gets about. What could be the cause?
YOU should take Rocket to see your vet to determine what’s causing this, as the limp will most likely be due to pain somewhere in his leg. There are so many different possible causes of limping, such as an injury. One of the most common causes of lameness in an outdoor cat is a bite from another cat. Often you might not spot the tiny puncture marks from the other cat’s teeth, but due to bacteria present in a cat’s mouth, these bites can often
develop into a painful abscess. Older cats also develop arthritis and this can cause limping.
OUR cat has a scratch pole but he keeps going for the wallpaper. Can you suggest anything? SCRATCHING is normal for cats. It helps them communicate and keeps their claws in good condition. If he’s going for your wallpaper, it’s because he likes that surface and shape. Instead of a scratching pole, try a flat, wide, upright cardboard or carpet scratcher. A pheromone product can encourage your cat to use the new scratcher. Discourage them from ripping wallpaper by temporarily applying double-sided sticky tape on the floor, so your cat would have to step on it to scratch the wall.
They hate the texture on their paws.