9 Summer Treats That Can Harm Your Dog

/ Kassandra Lamb

(I posted this on my website recently since it’s related to my new release, but thought I’d share here as well.)

American_apple_pie by Larry D Moore CC BY SA 3pt0 wiki

(photo by Larry D Moore, CC-BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Common)

Summer is a fun time for the whole family, including the family dog. And outdoor barbeques and trips to the ice cream parlor are often part of that fun.

But stop and think before sharing your summer treats with your canine best friend. Many common human foods and ingredients are harmful to dogs.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Of course, an all-time favorite treat is ice cream, but please don’t share that cone with your pup and don’t let him/her lick the bowl. Here are two of the three reasons why.

1. Chocolate: A lot of pet owners know chocolate is bad for dogs, but they may not know just how harmful it can be. In very small quantities, it’s probably not a big deal, but why take the chance. In moderate quantities (and dark or baking chocolate is worse), it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, restlessness and agitation. More extreme symptoms that may lead to death are abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and seizures.

The main culprit is the chemical, methylxanthine, which is also in other caffeinated substances. So if you spill coffee grounds or beans, be sure to keep Fido away from them until you get them cleaned up.

2. Dairy: Dogs lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose, so milk and other dairy products can cause digestive problems and diarrhea. And some dogs can be allergic to dairy. Unless this is the case, small quantities of cheese and yogurt are usually tolerated okay.

Cookies and Cakes and Pies, Oh My!

3. Sugar (and substitute sweeteners): Sugar is the third reason why ice cream isn’t a great idea for dogs. It causes for them the same problems it creates for humans–obesity, tooth damage and diabetes. But substitute sweeteners are far, far worse! They often contain Xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, even death.

4. Baking powder, baking soda and yeast: These release gases when they encounter moisture and heat, which is what makes breads and cakes rise and a small clump of sticky dough morph into a tasty light cookie. But when these substances are in your dog’s moist and warm stomach… Read More

And here’s my new release…

ARSENIC AND YOUNG LACY, Book 2

book coverSweet, adorable Lacy has stolen Marcia Banks’ heart, but money is tight. Like it or not, the service dog trainer needs to complete the human phase of the training and deliver the dog to her new owner in order to get paid. But the ex-Army nurse client turns out to be a challenging trainee. On top of her existing neuroses–which go beyond the psychological damage from a sexual assault during her second tour in Afghanistan–the veteran is now being stalked.

When Marcia receives a bizarre warning to stay away from her client and Lacy is also caught in the stalker’s malicious orbit, Sheriff Will Haines steps in to investigate. Marcia finds this both endearing and annoying, especially when he expects her to stay on the sidelines. The training fee would make her solvent again, but how can she put her dogs at risk?

Maybe Marcia should be more worried about herself, since the stalker has decided to pay her off in a very different way.

JUST $1.99 DURING THE PREORDER PERIOD (RELEASE DATE IS 9/5/16)

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APPLE    NOOK     KOBO

And To Kill A Labrador is ON SALE for just 99 cents from 8/27 to 9/3/16

ToKillALabrador FINALMarcia (pronounced Mar-see-a, not Marsha) likes to think of herself as a normal person, even though she has a rather abnormal vocation. She trains service dogs for combat veterans with PTSD. And when the ex-Marine owner of her first trainee is accused of murdering his wife, she gets sucked into an even more abnormal avocation–amateur sleuth.

AMAZON US   AMAZON UK   AMAZON CA

APPLE    NOOK    KOBO

 

 

 

17 thoughts on “9 Summer Treats That Can Harm Your Dog”

  1. Thanks for sharing, Kass! Some great info, here. And your new book cover is divine! Much success with it, as well. I have to say, though, just between you and I (I won’t tell another SOUL, I promise. 😀 ) when I read your posts, and when I finally reach your books in my TBR pile, you’re going to have to forgive me. My mind can’t help but read Marcia just like my own name, pronounced Marsha. It’s an old, old name, and since I’m an old, old person, I go to the original pronunciation in my head, try as I might. Maybe if I was listening to it on audio books, I’d remember. Oh, wait. I can’t hear worth diddly! OH, well. Marcia pronounced Mar-see-a or Marcia pronounced like Patricia, I’m sure I’m going to love the books. Who could resist with these adorable covers and interesting blurbs? Looking forward to them very much.

    Oh, for the days when I could read three or four books a week! *sigh* When I finally decide I’ve told enough stories myself, that will be one thing I’ll be looking forward to doing again! 🙂

    Sharing everywhere, now! Thanks again for an interesting and informative post.

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  2. Thanks for letting me share here, Marcia. And you can pronounce my protag’s name anyway you like. I messed with her name because there is an underlying theme in the series regarding her struggle to balance a desire to be like others with a desire to be unique. (Something all of us probably struggle with to some degree or another).

    And I too am looking forward to more reading time again, when I run out of stories to tell and finally truly “retire.”

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    • 😀 You know I’m just giving you a hard time. A writer should be able to pronounce her character’s name anyway she/he wants. So even if your Marcia pronounced her name “Gabriella,” I wouldn’t say a word. Probably. (Okay, I’d give you a whole bucket load of grief, for sure!) 😀 But you get my drift. I’ve known one or two gals who did pronounce it your way, anyhow. (I think it might be common in Britain). So your heroine has grounds for her choice.

      And retire? What is this strange idea of which you speak? Must check my Funk & Wagnall’s. I’m confused. 😉

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  3. Our vet says vanilla ice cream is fine for a dog–providing the animal is not lactose-intolerant. Some pet-friendly places even host “ice-cream socials” for our canine friends! Chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, caffeinated coffee, and alcohol are taboo. Animals can become quite sick from these foods/drinks.

    Enjoyed the post; thanks for sharing. 🙂

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