Dogs, left to their own devices, will chow down on just about anything edible, whether it is good for them or not. Nuts, while seemingly healthy, can be potentially problematic for your pup. But it depends on the type of nut and the quantity. When we think something is tasty, we naturally want to give our best buddy the same thing.

There are some nuts that are fine for your pet and some that should be off limits. To give you an understanding, Shiloh Veterinary Hospital is here to answer the questions of, “Can my dog eat nuts and seeds?”

A Good Nut

Peanut butter is a popular choice for Kongs and fillable chews for our dogs. They pack a lot of calories, but they are generally a good option for giving your pet enrichment and something yummy to eat. But not all nuts are equal when it comes to pet safety. 

Here are some pet safe nuts your doggo can enjoy in moderation.

• Peanuts – Roasted or raw peanuts are a good source of protein, but make sure they aren’t salted or have any other seasoning on them if your pet is about to munch.
• Hazelnuts – These nuts can be fine for larger dogs who are not allergic to them, but small dogs are more likely to have a choking incident with them. Use caution, or opt for raw hazelnut butter (without sweetener or chocolate).
• Cashews – Cashews are fine for dogs in small quantities, or as a dollop of cashew butter that is unsweetened.

A word of caution: many of these nuts are made into spreads, such as peanut or cashew butter. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in dog poisoning due to the sugar substitute, Xylitol, being added to the ingredients. Do not use sugar-free products for your furry friend. 

Nuts that Are No-Nos

There are nuts that cause a range of symptoms if ingested by your dog. These include:

• Almonds – These popular nuts cannot be digested by your dog and can cause gastrointestinal upset and blockages in the intestinal tract.
• Macadamias – High in fat, the macadamia, while not toxic, can create pancreatitis, if eaten in moderate to large doses. Pancreatitis is a dangerous condition when the pancreas becomes inflamed.
• Pecans – This nut contains the toxin juglone and causes gastrointestinal problems in dogs.
• Walnuts – These nuts are considered one of the more toxic because they contain tremorgenic mycotoxins. In higher amounts, they can cause seizure.
• Pistachios – Like macadamia, they have a high fat content which causes gastric upset. Dogs who regularly eat pistachios can also develop pancreatitis.

The Lowdown on Whether Your Dog Can Eat Nuts

Ultimately, any nut can cause stomach issues with a Fido who eats one too many. Nuts, while considered a healthy snack, can be fattening and add pounds to your pooch. Only allow your pet to eat a few if you want to treat them with some nuts.

Would you like more information on what nuts your pup can eat, or would like to schedule an appointment? Please contact our friendly team. There is no such thing as a nutty question when it comes to keeping your pet safe and healthy. 

The post In the Know About Nuts: Can My Dog Eat Nuts? appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

Unless your pet is either trained incredible well or completely disinterested in table foods, you’ve probably battled over incessant begging for samples. Sure, they’re unlikely to ask for a taste of Brussels sprouts or tofu, but if there’s meat, cheese, and bread being passed around, all bets are off. 

As a result of all this begging and giving-in, many pets eat pizza. But should they? In other words, where does this beloved Italian-American treat fall on the pet-risk-o-meter?

A Simplified Approach

Taking responsibility for your pet’s health and safety is a big deal. No pet owner wants to consciously endanger their pet, but when they “treat” them to certain table foods, these good intentions can prove dicey.

That’s a “No”, Then?

Pets are drawn to pizza because, let’s face it, it’s amazing. They’ll steal it, sneak it, and beg for more until the box is taken to the trash can. Behaviorally, once they develop a taste for pizza they’ll always want a bite or two whenever it’s in the house. Enjoyed on a regular basis, pizza doesn’t bring high nutritional value to pets and can make them sick.

Unsafe Pizza Ingredients

The ingredients that comprise the dough, sauce and various potential toppings can cause serious issues to an animal’s delicately balanced system. Sure, a veggie slice may seem like a good idea, but pizza inherently has a lot of sodium and certain spices, such as garlic, that should be off-limits to pets. 

Similarly, toppings like onions (which are poisonous to pets) or fatty meats, such as sausage or pepperoni, can lead to a painful bout of pancreatitis. It is also well-known that lifelong exposure to processed meat can lead to heart disease, cancer, and obesity in both people and animals.

The Lookout

Whether your pet sneaks a piece of pizza or was offered a bite, please watch out for the following red flags:

• Lethargy or weakness
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Pain in the abdominal region
• Jaundice
• Depression
• Red-tinged urine

Please do not wait to seek help when you see the above listed symptoms. Contact us at Shiloh Mobile Veterinary Hospital for immediate support. 

Other Worrisome Effects

Cheese is another common culprit when pets eat pizza. Because they are generally considered lactose intolerant, pets really shouldn’t be exposed to the greasy goodness. Be prepared for some terrible gas, bloating, diarrhea, and overall GI discomfort. Like the effects of fatty meat, cheese can also lead to a flare up of pancreatitis.

Likewise, tomato sauce is salty and can contain dangerous herbs. Pizza dough may seem harmless, but it can also be salty and is full of carbohydrates that pets just don’t need. If they are treated to items like this over time, they can quickly gain unnecessary weight.

No Pets Eat Pizza

If you feel a bit guilty for indulging in pizza, but not sharing it, opt to give your pet a tasty treat of their own. Blueberries, bananas, canned pumpkin or a peanut butter Kong go a long way toward distracting your pet and keeping them satisfied, too.

As partners in your pet’s health journey, we are always happy to assist you in our mobile veterinary hospital. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

The post They Know We Love It, But Can Pets Eat Pizza?  appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

The holidays are upon us, and this fact has many of us jumping for joy. The turkey, stuffing, casseroles and desserts are enough, but add in all the other holiday indulgences and it’s easy to see why so many of us overdo it, and pay for it later. 

For our pets, though, such overindulgence in fatty and rich holiday foods can spell disaster. Every holiday season, pets are seen like clockwork in the animal emergency clinic for pancreatitis, a painful and life threatening condition often caused by the consumption of such foods. 

Avoid a pet emergency this holiday season by learning about pancreatitis in pets and holiday food safety. 

Food Safety

Many of our delicious and traditional holiday foods are toxic to pets, and accidental pet poisonings are unfortunately common during the holiday season. Keep the following food items away from your pet. 

• Chocolate
• Xylitol
• Yeasted raw bread dough
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol
• Chives, onions, and garlic
• Grapes and raisins
• Raw poultry or meat
• Sage and other herbs

Sometimes our pets’ love of eating can also get them into trouble when they ingest something that causes an intestinal obstruction. Corn cobs, bones, aluminum foil, turkey string, and wrappers are common items ingested by pets that can result in an emergency surgery to remove. Remove temptation by clearing leftovers right away, keeping garbage bins tightly lidded and behind closed doors, and by resisting the urge to share fatty or rich foods with your pet. 

Pancreatitis Basics

You may regret overindulging in pumpkin pie or casseroles, but for pets, eating even a bite or two of fatty or rich foods can be truly dangerous. Pets don’t digest rich foods well, and the result can be gastrointestinal upset and a potentially life threatening condition called pancreatitis.

If your pet is exhibiting any of the following signs of pancreatitis, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Hunched position
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Difficulty breathing

Holiday Food Safety For Pets

Thanksgiving may pose some risks for our pets, but that doesn’t mean our pets can’t join us in some of the holiday fun. They can even enjoy a few extras this time of year, without the added salt, sugar or fat. 

If you’d like to treat your pet and still practice holiday food safety for pets, try steamed green beans instead of green bean casserole, plain cooked sweet potato instead of candied yams, and a scoop of plain pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie. 

And, remember that not all treats are food! Indulge your pet in play and exercise instead, which is a great way to relieve stress, burn extra calories, and is great for bonding with your pet. Treat your pet to a neighborhood walk, or a game of ball or laser pointer tag when the big meal is over. You can also show your pet how thankful you are for them with lots of snuggles and affection. 

If you have any questions about holiday food safety for pets or pancreatitis, please don’t hesitate to call us. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your pets from Shiloh Veterinary Hospital. 

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