When you read this article I will be outta town -- I will be in Quincy Ill., celebrating my 58th anniversary of nurses training. We still have some of us old nurses kicking around all the "do you remember?" We kept those ol' nuns jumping in their habits while they tried to break us from old habits.
WOW! I came across the following article that had some great info regarding the feeding or the do-not-feed list. A lot of it I knew, but wondered if everyone knew what you should not feed your cat or dog. I hope I am not going to plagiarize myself, but couldn't find a person who wrote it.
A cat or dog is part of the family, but that doesn't mean you can feed her the same things the human family members eat. Foods that are safe for humans can be toxic or even deadly to your pet.
Here are some of the foods to never give your furry companions, courtsey of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
First, do not feed to dogs or cats:
-- Alcohol, beer, wine and spirits: Act as a depressant on animals' nervous systems, potentially leading to breathing problems and even coma.
-- Animal bones: Beef or chicken bones can damage your pet's teeth or splinter and cause damage in her digestive tract. Stick with treat bones made specifically for dogs or cats (a woman must have written this, cause she keeps referring to she/her.)
-- Chocolate or anything with caffeine: Foods like coffee and cocoa contain methylxanthines which in high concentrations can cause heart palpitations, tremors, seizures, dehydration and death.
-- Grapes and raisins: Scientists aren't sure why, but eating these fruits can cause canine and feline kidney failure.
-- Gum, baked goods and candy: Many sweetened treats contain xylitol, which can cause liver failure.
-- Milk: adult animals don't have the lactase to digest milk, and feeding it to them can cause diarrhea
-- Onions, garlic and chives: While these foods add flavor to human meals, they can cause red blood cell damage in pets. Cats are more at risk, but eating larger quantities can make dogs sick
-- Uncooked dough: Small bits of bread are fine as treats, but dough containing yeast can rise in your pet's digestive tract and cause stomach or intestinal blockage.
Do not feed to dogs: Macadamia nuts, these Hawaiian nuts can cause fever, tremors, weakness and other unpleasant symptoms. Avacado -- contains a chemical called persin, which is harmless to humans but can be toxic to dogs.
Do not feed cats: Tuna -- not only does tuna lack the nutrients cats need, but too much can lead to mercury poisoning. Other raw fish -- an enzyme called thiaminase, common in raw fish, destroys thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, this can lead to neurological disorders.
Now, there you have it! Hope it will guide you to better healthy foods for your family pet.
I hope this next week, I will be home and we will be able to be able to forward news on the county shelter.
As Jazz would say: "Home. A place where when you get there, you know your heart has been there all along." (Gloria Gaither)
Thought for the week: Blessed are the ones God sends to show His love for us -- our friends.