Ignorance is bliss?

MY darling Darling is getting on and back in April she developed a severe heart and lung condition and I thought we’d lose her. 

However, thanks to a quick response by my guests who were with me when she collapsed and loads of medicine and much time and loving dedication, she’s thankfully still with us.

Knowing what to feed her though has become quite a challenge.  Now that she only has two teeth, eating is harder plus she’s not that interested in food. Nevertheless with all the medication she has to take throughout the day she has to eat; but what to give her?

I’m trying everything and anything, but having mentioned the other day that Darling had taken a liking to eating tomatoes I was shocked to hear that possibly they’re not good for dogs, in the same way that chocolate is toxic to our pets, apparently some fruits and vegetables are too.  

I looked it up and as it turns out ripe tomatoes specifically can be OK, but green tomatoes or the leaves and stems contain amounts of solanine, which can lead to tomatine poisoning. I also learnt that garlic is as poisonous for them as onions.

So when it occurred to me to entice Darling to eat with grapes I consulted the internet first.  Thank heavens I did because as it turns out even one or two grapes can cause kidney failure with potentially fatal consequences. The same goes for raisins. 

I was so surprised I’d like to share a quick list of what our dogs cannot eat to hopefully avoid anyone else making a silly mistake with drastic consequences.

Things our pets shouldn’t eat include chocolate, onions, garlic, green tomatoes, wild mushrooms, avocado, lemons, limes and rhubarb for example.  Also completely avoid Macadamia nuts and anything that contains caffeine.

We should limit their intake of cheese, salt (including crisps and other salty snacks), broccoli, celery, bananas, strawberries, oranges and cherries (without the stone).

They can eat cooked or raw carrots, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre but in bit size pieces so they don’t choke.

Cooked eggs are suitable as are cooked potatoes (never raw), peas, broccoli, natural oatmeal and rice.

Cooked chicken (without bones) and turkey (as long as not cooked with onions and garlic etc) off the bone and without the skin.  Cooked beef, shrimp and salmon are also suitable and fruits like watermelon, blueberries, mango and pineapple.  Also apples, but only if you remove the seeds which contain cyanide!!

These are just a few pointers I remember so please do your own research to ensure you are fully informed because obviously in this case, ignorance is not bliss.

This column is dedicated to my daddy’s dear friend: David the Dogman: RIP.

Facebook: @marbellanow