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Important Information for Pet Owners on
Pet Health and Nutrition
Welcome to the Pet Health and Nutrition page! Dog health and cat health are very important. We strive to keep your (and our) pets happy AND healthy, so we came up with what we hope is some very useful information for you. Here you will find, in order, the three Ann Arbor 24-hour emergency vet clinics, poison control, local shelter information, tips on preventing dog bites. Next is a section on pet supplements, followed by a section with helpful tips on pet nutrition, and what pets should and shouldn't eat. Then there is information on de-skunking, hot spots, and what to be concerned about in regards to dogs eating chocolate (it may be toxic!). And finally a list of common household plants that are hazardous to your pets health.
We hope you find this information useful!
24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinics:
Ann Arbor Animal Hospital 734-662-4474
2151 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor
Blue Pearl 734-971-8774
4126 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor
Emergency Veterinary Hospital 734-369-6446
5245 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor
Poison/Pesticide Information:
Poison Control (Human) 1-800-764-7661
1-800-222-1222
Poison Control (Animal) 1-900-443-3000 ($2.95 per minute)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control 1-888-426-4435
Pesticide Control 1-800-858-7378
Area Shelter Information:
Humane Society of Huron Valley 734-662-5582 (Shelter – open noon to 6pm)
734-662-4365 (Spay/Neuter Clinic)
Michigan Humane Society 313-721-4195
Pet Supplements
The animals you love deserve supplements you trust.
The NASC Quality Seal identifies products from companies that are committed to quality, vigilance, and continuous improvement to promote the well-being of companion animals and horses. The Quality Seal program is central to the NASC’s efforts to help elevate and standardize the animal health supplement industry. To obtain permission to display the Quality Seal on their products and marketing materials, NASC member companies must successfully pass an independent facility audit every two years, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with the following criteria:
- Have a quality control manual in place that provides written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production process control, which helps ensure the company is providing a consistent and quality product.
- Have an adverse event reporting/complaint system in place to monitor and evaluate products in real time.
- Comply with stringent labeling guidelines for all products and all forms of labeling.
- Include on product labels any specific warnings and caution statements for particular ingredients that are recommended by the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) and the NASC Scientific Advisory Committee.
- Submit to random product testing by an independent lab to ensure ingredients meet label claim.
Products with the NASC Quality Seal are sold by veterinarians, pet specialty stores, farm and tack stores, supermarkets, big-box stores, and online retailers.
Click here to see a list of audited NASC member companies.
The NASC Quality Seal
Pet Nutrition
Pet nutrition (primarily dog nutrition and cat nutrition) is very important for the well being of your pets. The right food will help your pets live a longer, healthier life. To that end it is very important to be able to understand pet food, and pet food labels. To understand whether chicken meal is good or bad (it's good!), or chicken by-product meal (bad!). And what the labels actually mean. The following (from the Fall 2012 issue of Professional Pet Sitter) is a great article on pet food labels:
Adobe Acrobat document [186.5 KB]
If you are looking for nutritional information for a specific brand or product of dog food, be sure to check out the Dog Food Advisor! It is a great resource for dog food reviews and ratings, dog food recalls, and other nutrition information.
Ever wonder if the table scraps you feed your dog are harmful? Are grapes okay to give dogs (No!), how about carrots (Yes!)? The following lists should help you make an informed decision, to help keep your pets happy AND healthy!
Dog-approved People Foods:
1. Peanut butter.A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.
2. Cooked chicken. Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food.
3. Cheese. A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.
4. Baby carrots. Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.
5. Yogurt. High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.
6. Salmon. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.
7. Pumpkin. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.
8. Eggs. Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.
9. Green Beans. Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.
10. Apple Slices. Help to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards.
11. Oatmeal. A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives.
12. Sweet Potatoes. Sources of dietary fiber, sweet potatoes contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are great sliced and dehydrated as a chewy treat for your dog.
These are just a few of the human foods that you can toss your dog’s way. Remember to try them in small amounts. If your dog experiences any sort of reaction, immediately consult a veterinarian. Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it’s safe.
Harmful foods that may be toxic to your pets:
Avocados
Chocolate
Coffee
Onions & onion powder
Garlic
Grapes
Raisins
Macadamia Nuts
Alcoholic Beverages
Moldy/spoiled foods
Salt
Fatty foods
Gum, candies, or other foods
Sweetened with xylitol
Tea Leaves
Raw yeast dough
Discover what vegetables dogs can eat for a healthy treat.
Vegetables For Dogs.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [123.9 KB]
De-Skunking:
1 bottle of Peroxide, ¼ cup of Baking Soda, 1 Tbsp. Dish Detergent.
Mix to shampoo consistency and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse.
Hot Spots:
Dr. Oz Fast Remedy for Pet Itch:
Dr. Oz recommends applying apple cider vinegar to the irritated area. If the skin is raw or has an open wound, Dr. Oz recommends diluting the apple cider vinegar in water, 50/50, put in a spray bottle and spray the area. If the skin is simply irritated, use a cotton ball to apply apple cider vinegar to the area. He expalined that apple cider vinegar will make the itch go away and allow the fur to grow back.
Vetericyn: a great wound healing product, available at www.vetericyn.com.
Vetericyn makes these claims in their advertising:
- Immediate-acting wound and infection treatment
- Does not harm healthy tissue, does not sting and is safe as water
- Use on horses, dogs, cats and exotic animals (anything with skin)
You can use Vetericyn to treat:
- Hot spots
- Rain rot
- Cinch fungus
- Pigeon fever symptoms (aka dry land distemper)
- Ear and eye infections
- Scratches
- Skin fungus
- Cuts, punctures and abrasions
- Burns
- Post-surgical sites
- Ring worm
It kills bacteria, fungi, staph and even MRSA; steroid, antibiotic and antiseptic free.
Chocolate Toxicity Doses in Dogs:
Milk Chocolate:
Mild toxicity: 2-3 oz. per 10 lbs. of body weight
Severe toxicity: >5 oz. per 10 lbs. of body weight
Semi-Sweet & Dark (includes chocolate chips):
Mild toxicity: ½ oz. per 10 lbs. of body weight
Severe toxicity: 1 oz. per 10 lbs. of body weight
Unsweetened Baking Chocolate:
VERY TOXIC! ½ oz. can cause severe reactions!
Signs of chocolate toxicity:
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Diarrhea
• Ataxia
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Weakness
• Coma
• Cyanosis
• Arrhythmia
• Restlessness
• Hyper active
• Increased respirations
Pet Hazards Around the House
Contact Us:
"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant."- Anonymous
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