Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine. Humans can metabolize theobromine quite quickly, whereas dogs process it more slowly.

This allows the chemical to build up to harmful levels, leading to vomiting and diarrhea in small doses, and more severe symptoms such as tremors, abnormal heart rate, seizures, hyperactivity, and even death in large doses.

Are all types of chocolate toxic for dogs?
The severity of chocolate toxicity varies greatly depending on the type of chocolate ingested. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the darker and less sweet the chocolate is, the more toxic it can be.

Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate pose the greatest risk of toxicity, as they contain the highest concentration of theobromine. If your dog ingests dark chocolate or baker’s chocolate, the symptoms can be extremely severe.

Milk chocolate contains lower volumes of theobromine, so symptoms tend to be milder; typically vomiting and diarrhea will occur. White chocolate carries the lowest risk, but it can still be harmful for your dog due to the sugar content.

What quantity of chocolate is toxic for dogs?
Dogs should never be fed any quantity of chocolate for any reason. However, the severity of the symptoms will depend on the size of the dog and the quantity of chocolate consumed.

The larger the dog, the more chocolate they can consume before suffering severe effects. Smaller dogs have a higher risk of chocolate toxicity, even when consuming just a few pieces of chocolate – especially dark chocolate.

A crumb of chocolate typically won’t trigger severe symptoms, especially for larger breeds. However, the dog may still experience an upset stomach and digestive issues.

Other hazards of chocolate for dogs
Additionally, it is important to be aware that some chocolate contains toxins such as macadamia nuts, raisins, espresso beans, or xylitol. If the dog has gotten into a box or bag of candy, they may also ingest wrappers which can cause obstructions.

Another serious risk associated with chocolate ingestion is pancreatitis. Pancreatitis results after eating an abnormally high-fat meal that the pancreas has to work harder to digest, which then leads to inflammation, pain, and potentially severe metabolic disease. Key signs of pancreatitis are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog gets into that Valentine or Halloween chocolate stash you’ve been saving! Another good resource is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline – 888-426-4435.

Before you go out and buy your dog the fluffiest down coat on the market, consider a few of these tips for keeping your pup cozy and comfortable all winter long.

Size
The bigger the dog, the more muscle mass they have – and therefore the more heat their body can produce. For this reason, large healthy dogs typically don’t require a jacket in normal winter conditions.

Small dogs tend to benefit from extra insulation during the winter, as they have a harder time retaining body heat. Medium or large dogs who have lost muscle mass due to age or illness may also need sweaters to help them retain the heat they do produce.

Breed
Size is not the only factor that can determine whether or not your dog needs a coat for winter. Certain breeds are more prone to becoming uncomfortable during cold weather due to their body shape or activity level.

For example, breeds with thin body types such as Greyhounds and Whippets usually benefit from sweaters during winter. Likewise, breeds with short legs – like Corgis and Basset Hounds – may need outerwear to protect their bodies from the cold snowy ground.

If your dog’s breed comes from a warmer climate or does not tend to be very active outdoors, they may need a sweater as well. This is why you see many Great Danes wearing sweaters during the winter!

Fur/Hair Type
Dog breeds with thick, heavy, long coats (such as Alaskan Malamute, Golden Retriever, or Great Pyrenees) typically do not need sweaters or coats during the winter. Their fur is usually enough to keep them warm and cozy.

On the other hand, short-haired dogs have less natural insulation from the outside environment, and can quickly become too cold in winter conditions. A jacket (and booties) can keep your short-haired pup more comfortable on walks.

Other Factors
Your dog’s general health can also determine whether or not they need a winter sweater. Dogs who are elderly or sick are generally more sensitive to extreme temperatures, and may require more insulation. If your pup suffers from arthritis or other joint conditions, a coat can help make them more comfortable.

The amount of time you spend outside and the activity level of your dog will also make a difference. For instance, a dog who is playing and racing around at full speed will stay warmer than a dog going on a leisurely walk.

In general, even if your dog doesn’t need a coat to stay warm, it almost never hurts. A light coat can help even the fluffiest breeds stay dry and clean while playing in the snow on their outdoor adventure.

Signs of Hypothermia in Dogs
If you are playing outside with your dog and notice any of the following warning signs of hypothermia, bring them inside right away. Dry them off with a towel and help them warm up with a blanket.

• Strong shivering and trembling
• Feet, ears and skin cold to the touch
• Rapid breathing or labored breathing
• Lethargy

We also recommend calling your vet to make sure your dog is not suffering from severe symptoms, and to determine whether expert treatment is needed.

You want to choose a pet food that will be healthy and nutritious for your furry family member, but you also want something they’ll enjoy. Reading pet food labels and choosing the right food for your pet is certainly one of the trickiest challenges for pet owners!

Reading Pet Food Labels: The Basics
Step one is to make sure the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approves the food as a complete and balanced nutritional diet. AAFCO is an organization that sets the nutritional standards for pet foods sold in the US.

Once you know the pet food is approved by the AAFCO, you can start thinking about whether or not it may be the right food for your pet. If your pet is still growing, make sure to find a food that is labeled for either all life stages, or specifically for puppies or kittens.

Puppy or kitten food contains much higher levels of certain nutrients than foods for adult maintenance. For dogs, you should also look for size-specific foods. A fast-growing, large breed dog needs different nutrients than a small dog.

Remember the Difference Between Ingredients and Nutrients
Nutrients are food components that support life and are metabolically useful, while ingredients are the vehicles that provide nutrients. For example, chicken is an ingredient that provides nutrients such as protein, fatty acids, and vitamins.

Also remember that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, which is why meat is usually listed first. The high water content in meat (chicken, beef, lamb) makes these ingredients weigh more than grains, meals, and vitamins.

What Are the Best and Worst Pet Food Ingredients?
Science tells us that dogs and cats are carnivores by nature, and would consume protein-rich foods such as muscle and organ tissue in the wild. Unfortunately, the vast majority of modern pet foods are grain-based rather than meat-based.

That’s not to say that all grains are bad! Peas, potatoes, beans, oats, and barley can be healthful sources of energy in limited amounts. Likewise, vegetables can provide fiber, minerals and micronutrients.

On the other hand, steer clear of ingredients like ground yellow corn and corn meal. These are cheap filler grains with limited nutritional values. You should also avoid pet foods with artificial coloring and flavoring, which provide no value except making cheap foods look and taste better.

The most nutritious pet foods will list proteins like chicken, beef, eggs and fish as the first ingredients. Note that animal by-products are NOT a quality source of protein; this may include feet, beaks and undeveloped eggs.

How to Use Dry Matter Basis to Compare Pet Foods
One way to ensure that your pet is getting the right nutrients from their food is by checking the Guaranteed Analysis. This is a panel that shows the percentage of protein, fat, fiber and moisture in your pet’s food. These numbers are regulated and guaranteed.

Keep in mind that wet and dry food percentages will be different, so comparing them can seem tricky. However, you can convert wet food to dry matter in order to compare foods.

Let’s say you’re comparing two pet foods: one is a wet canned food that contains 10% protein and the other is a dry food that contains 25% protein. At first glance, it seems that the dry kibble is a much more nutritious choice…but what does the Dry Matter Basis tell us?

In this scenario, the wet food contains 75% moisture and the dry food contains 10% moisture. So we need to remove ALL moisture from both foods in order to accurately compare them.

To find the dry matter content of each food, subtract the moisture percentage (75% for the wet food and 10% for the dry food) from 100%. This gives us a dry matter percentage of 25% and 90%, respectively.

Dry Matter Protein Content = (Protein Percentage / Dry Matter Percentage) x 100

For these two foods, here’s the dry matter protein content:

• Wet food = (10/25) x 100 = 40%
• Dry food = (25/90) x 100 = 27.77%

As you can see, the wet canned food actually has a higher protein content than the dry food! This formula also applies to any other nutrient, not just protein. So if your vet has recommended a low fat or high fiber diet, you can use this formula to compare pet foods.

If you’re still unsure about how to read pet food labels and whether you’re feeding your pet the right food, ask your veterinarian. They can recommend high-quality, nutritious pet foods that they feed their own pets!

Often referred to as low level laser therapy (LLLT), or less accurately as “cold” laser therapy, these lasers are different from surgical lasers. Whereas high-power surgical lasers are used to cut or destroy tissue using a very concentrated beam, low level laser therapy is used to relieve pain and enhance cell function.

How does low level laser therapy work?
Low level lasers penetrate tissues on a cellular level, triggering a reaction that stimulates cell regeneration and boosts the cell’s energy. Increased energy means faster tissue repair and cell growth, leading to desirable results such as pain relief, decreased swelling, and faster healing of wounds and injuries.

Essentially, laser therapy initiates the body’s own healing process. This means that the anti-inflammatory response can continue even after the treatment is over – up to 24 hours after the procedure.

Pets and their owners usually find laser therapy to be an easy, simple and effective treatment. There is no need to sedate your dog or cat before laser therapy, as most pets find the process to be relaxing. Additionally, the area being treated does not need to be shaved or trimmed.

What are the benefits of laser therapy?
Low level laser therapy is a non-invasive, quick and essentially painless treatment for a wide variety of conditions. Even chronic patients can experience improvement after just a few treatments.

Lasers can be used to treat acute conditions such as

• Soft tissue injury
• Surgery recovery
• Wounds
• Bone fractures
• Muscular-skeletal abnormalities

Laser therapy may also be used to treat chronic conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Chronic ear infections and skin infections
• Tendon and ligament conditions
• Some neurological issues

The frequency and duration of treatments will depend on the condition being treated, but most treatments take less than 15 minutes. Additionally, most patients can decrease or stop laser treatments over time and still achieve the same results as their body begins to heal itself.

Pet owners may notice signs that their dog or cat is feeling better after laser therapy, such as regaining some mobility, going up the stairs more easily, or acting more playful at home.

If your pet is suffering from an injury or chronic pain, it may be worth incorporating low level laser therapy into their treatment plan. Schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss the possibility of laser therapy for your pet.

Unfortunately, some pet owners are not concerned about their dog or cat being overweight. Some families even find heavy pets to be cute, funny or charming – for instance, chubby dogs and cats are seen as having “character” or “personality.”

But any veterinarian will tell you that being overweight is a serious health concern for pets. Animals are loveable at any size and weight, but carrying too much body fat can be very detrimental to their lifespan and quality of life.

What are the health risks for overweight pets?
Excess weight may put stress on your pet’s joints, ligaments and bones, which can lead to an increased risk for joint disease, chronic pain and limited mobility.

Overweight pets may have difficulty breathing (especially flat-faced or brachycephalic breeds), heat intolerance, hygiene issues, skin problems, and increased surgical and anesthetic risk. High body fat may also lead to diabetes and heart disease.

Any of these conditions can result in a shorter lifespan and a poorer quality of life for your pet. For further discussion of the effects of excess weight on your pet, visit the Veterinary Partner website and search “Obesity.”

The Body Condition Score can determine if your pet is overweight.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed a method for measuring dogs’ and cats’ body composition known as the Body Condition Score (BCS).

The Body Condition Score can be measured on either a 5-point scale or a 9-point scale. If using the 5-point scale, the goal BCS for most pets is between 2.5 to 3. If using the 9-point scale, aim for a BCS of 4 to 5.

Disease risk associations with higher BCS in adult animals appear to increase above 3.5 of 5, or above 6 of 9. If your pet falls within this range, they likely need to lose body fat.

Note that a healthy BCS may appear “too thin” to some pet owners, so it’s important to consult with your veterinarian and bring your dog or cat in for a full evaluation.

How to evaluate your pet’s Body Condition Score at home:
First, review the AAHA diagram for the Body Condition Score system. Then, evaluate your pet based on the characteristics outlined in the diagram.

Below are a few traits that pets within a healthy weight range have in common:

• When viewing your pet from above, they have an hourglass shape with a tapered waist after the ribs. They should NOT have an egg shape.
• When viewing your pet from the side, you should see an abdominal tuck behind the last ribs. You should NOT see a rounding or distension of the abdomen.
• Ribs are palpable with a minimal or slight fat covering. When lightly running your hands along the rib cage, you can feel the ribs, but not see them. If you have to push your fingers in to find the ribs, you are pushing through excess fat.
• Fat pads over the hips, but not a heavy amount of fat cover.

Conversely, you do not want your pet to be underweight. You do not want to see individual ribs, protruding hip bones or prominent spine.

Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s Body Condition Score and offer guidance on weight loss or maintenance.

We want your pets to be as healthy as possible and a long, happy, active life with you. Contact your vet today if you have questions about your pet’s weight or Body Condition Score!

1. Ensure your pet’s shelter is warm and cozy
When the temperatures drop, it’s important to keep your pets inside the house with you. If you would be too cold spending all day outside, it’s too cold for your pets as well. This is especially true if your pet is not yet fully grown, or is sick.

If your dog house has been specifically outfitted for winter, it may be sufficient for keeping your pet warm. This means it should be big enough to be comfortable, but small enough to retain heat. The floor should be raised and covered with cedar shavings or straw, and the door should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

But again, we highly recommend keeping your pets indoors. If it’s more comfortable for you inside, it’s more comfortable for your pet inside too.

2. Bundle up!
Small pets and short-haired pets will appreciate an extra layer this winter, even for short walks. If they do not like walking in the snow, try booties! Fur can only go so far in keeping your pet warm.

Additionally, be sure to keep them dry, which will help with their heat retention. There are lightweight jackets perfect for your fluffy dog to keep him dry while he plays in the snow.

3. Keep an eye out for common winter hazards
Antifreeze is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Unfortunately, it has a very sweet taste they’re highly attracted to. Keep antifreeze stored in a safe place, away from children and pets. Clean any spills immediately!

Likewise, rock salt is great at keeping us from slipping on ice, but it’s very bad for dogs. Be sure to wipe down your pet’s paws after each walk to avoid them licking it off themselves later. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.

4. Protect your pet’s feet
Booties can minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous antifreeze, and chemical ice-melting agents. Booties can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes, which may cause irritation.

Alternatively, massaging petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before going outside can help to protect against salt and chemical agents. Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws.

After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove any ice, salt or chemicals. Check for cracks in the paw pads, redness between the toes, or other signs of irritation. Moisturizing after a good toweling off can help to heal chapped paws.

5. Stay vigilant about fleas and ticks
As the temperatures drop, many pet owners believe that using flea control is no longer necessary, as the fleas will die off in the cold weather. But this is a common misconception!

A warm heated home provides the ideal environment for fleas to breed, which means flea control is a year-round commitment. Pets should be treated each and every month – even in the heart of winter – to ensure they remain protected from fleas and ticks 365 days a year.

By following these helpful tips, you can ensure your pet stays cozy, healthy and happy all winter long. In the meantime, contact us if you have ANY questions at all about keeping your pet safe this winter.

This is how every great story begins…until your dog ends up sick!
As tempting as it may be to include your pet in your Thanksgiving festivities, feeding them human foods from the table is usually a very bad idea. Dogs and cats have sensitive stomachs that can easily become irritated and upset from common Thanksgiving foods.

In the worst scenarios, these foods can actually be toxic – even deadly – for your pets. Below, we’ve covered everything pet owners need to know about Thanksgiving foods and their pets.

Thanksgiving foods that are toxic to dogs and cats include:

• Chocolate – contains theobromine, which causes seizures and even death.
• Grapes or Raisins – can cause kidney failure
• Onions and Garlic – can destroy blood cells leading to anemia.
• Milk and Dairy Products – can cause diarrhea and digestive issues
• Alcohol – can cause comas, death and intoxication
• Xylitol (candy/gum, sweetener) can cause liver failure, hypoglycemia and death
• Avocado – contains a chemical called persin, which in large amounts can make your dog very sick
• Mushrooms – can cause shock or death
• Caffeine – can cause vomiting, diarrhea and is toxic to the nervous system and heart.
• Walnuts and Macadamias – can cause nervous system and muscle damage
• Cooked bones – can cause stomach lacerations resulting in surgery

Additionally, many Thanksgiving foods (such as turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and casseroles) are very heavy on the spices, oils and butters, which can seriously upset your pet’s stomach.

If your dog or cat consumes any of these foods, they may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you could be looking at a veterinary bill in the hundreds or thousands. Believe us, this is a situation you and your pet will both be thankful to avoid!

How to keep your pet safe and healthy on Thanksgiving
The best way to protect your pet from these toxic Thanksgiving foods is by limiting their access to the cooking and dining areas. Consider creating a quiet, safe space where your pet can chill out and relax in the midst of all the chaos. This is especially important if your pet is able to access kitchen countertops while you are cooking or serving food.

Be sure to instruct all guests to avoid feeding your pet scraps from the table during dinner. We know it’s difficult to say no to those puppy dog eyes, but it’s truly in your pet’s best interest.

You can always include your pet in the Thanksgiving festivities by giving them a special treat or toy designed specifically for cats or dogs. This will ensure that your furry family member is safe, happy and healthy throughout the holiday.

If your pet ingests any of these toxic foods on Thanksgiving day, contact your veterinarian immediately. Depending on the ingredient and quantity they consumed, this may be an emergency situation where time is of the essence!

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the National Pet Poison Helpline at 800-214-6680 (note, there is a fee for their services).