Thursday, August 25, 2016

Choking Hazards

Pugs because of their short stature and short noses have a higher rate of choking than most breeds.  Some of the choking hazards are the stuffing in the stuffed toys, squeakers from their toys, loose change (coins), batteries and bones whether they are cooked, rawhides or toy bones, just to name a few items.  As pugs are chewing and tearing the stuffing out of the stuffed toys they can swallow the stuffing which will get lodge in their stomach.  The stuffing could also get lodge in their digestive system (i.e. intestines) when the stuffing gets caught into the digestive system of the pug it will start to metabolize and unable to move causing intestinal gases to start releasing into your pug.  This will make your pug very ill and could kill them if goes untreated.   If your pug goes two or more days without eating there is something wrong you need to get your pug checked out immediately.  The squeaker in a dog’s toy is also a choking hazard.  The pug may be chewing on the toy and the squeaker could fall out or be chewed out whether by accident or intentionally, however a pug may swallow the squeaker.  If a pug swallows the squeaker it could get caught in their throat causing them to choke which could lead to death.  The best thing is to keep an eye on your pug while they are playing with their toys.   

Edible bones, Nylabone bones, and Kongs are good for your pug to help clean their teeth, keep them chewing the bones and not the furniture, and a treat for your pug.  Again, you need to be careful and watch your pug while they are chewing these bones especially when they are starting to get smaller because as the bones get smaller or older the bone begin to fall apart or get to small therefore a pug will attempt to swallow them.  Pending the size of the piece it could get caught in their throats or even lacerate their throats, which potential if very harmful or worse.  It is suggested that when your Pug is getting to the end of a bone or if a bone is looking its age to be on the safe side throw the bone away. Better to be safe than sorry.   Another bone is a cooked bone such as turkey bones which are prone to splinter which could hurt when swallowed or lacerate a throat which could cause internal bleeding.  Non-cooked bones do not fair better but do tend to be stiffer compared the cooked bones.  Finally, rawhide bones are not digestible, held together by toxic glues or rubber bands, and could piece off in large chunks.  These bones are not good for pugs because it will be hard for them to swallow, the toxicity, and potential of swallowing rubber bands. 

Coins or batteries are a very dangerous hazard because within a few hours your pug could die.  Coins contain zinc which when consumed by the pug the zinc will start to be absorbed by the red blood cells.  When the zinc is absorbed by the red blood cells the cells will start to rupture in your pug.  This causes anemia and your pug will become lethargic.  If the coins or batteries are not removed as soon as possible your pug will be at risk of passing away.  By time you realize your pug is lethargic most likely they will be in need of an emergency blood transfusion in order to for them to be strong enough to survive a surgery.  Even after surgery a blood transfusion may be needed.  So to be on the safe side make sure coins and batteries are put away, purses and wallets are secures and put away as well as where your pug is at, what they are in to and what they are doing. 

Remember pugs are like children will put anything in their mouths.  Please watch and be careful of your pug. 





#chokinghazards #hazards #swallowing #bones #pugschokinghazards #pugswallowinghazards #pugbones #pug #pugs #blogpaws 

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Plato Pet Treats… A Healthy Natural Pet Treat

For those who know Pia Pia, knows she is very particular about her what she eats whether it is her food or her treats especially now that she can only digest certain foods.  We had to change all of her food as well as her treats to all natural so they are easily digestible for her.  Luckily for us, Plato Pet Treats is one of her favorite treats that we can keep consistent with her new diet. 

Plato Pet Treats only manufactures and makes treats, no dog food or can food just pet treats.  The company is not out to conquer the pet food world but to supply nutritional treats to our dogs, which is important to us and especially our dogs.  Their treats are made of turkey, duck and salmon with cranberry, pumpkin, sweet potato or vegetables.  However, what makes these treats better is the percentage of the turkey, duck and salmon – 90% - YES, 90%.  What is not in these treats is corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, grain, GMO, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavors.   If you don’t believe the 90% open a bag of the treats, especially the salmon, you will be able to smell the difference in Plato Pet Treats to other pet treats on the market.  Each of the pet treats serve a purpose, for instance, turkey and cranberry, pumpkin or sweet potato helps with maintaining a healthy digestion.  The natural chicken, duck or salmon with vegetables have probiotics which also maintains good digestion.  The natural duck has iron to assist with maintaining healthy red blood cells.  The salmon with Omega 3 & 6, Antioxidants E & C assists with allergies, skin problems, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease and more.  

Plato Pet Treats are also the manufacturers of Thinkers, which I can personally vouch for.  As my pug was being trained as a service dog we wanted a special treat to reward her when she completed a task, we chose Thinkers, she remembers about 50 different tasks to perform in her service dog duties (by law a service dog only needs to know 10 tasks to pass).   Thinkers contain DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) which is essential for the development of the brain and the nervous system.  DHA is also a major building block for their vision.  DHA primarily comes from the milk of the mother; however, it is still needed well after the dog has been weaned.

Plato Pet Treats also supplies organic treats.  Their organic chicken has 90% organic chicken within the treats.  There are no by-products or meal products just certified organic chicken.  Now to be considered organic it starts from the source which in this case is chicken.  The chicken grown for these treats need to be feed a specific diet to be considered organic, no growth hormones, no antibiotics just 100% organic feed.  Even the fields need to be cleared for over a year of all pesticides and non-organic material and inspected to be cleared by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Organic Standards Board to be considered an organic farm for fruit, vegetables and livestock.  Plato Pet Treats are inspected yearly by the USDA and Oregon Tilth, which is a company that certifies farms for being organic.  They have stringent guidelines and rules for Plato or any farm to be considered organic.  Speaking with Aaron Merrell, co-founder, co-owner and Operational Manager is proud of what his company has been able to obtain since being founded in 2006.  As he was telling me the different stages and inspections his company goes through to be considered organic I can tell he was happy and seen it as a compliment and not a pain to have to go through all that.  He is a pet owner himself which drove him to create Plato Pet Treats to have a healthy pet treat which is not only tastes good but also is healthy for his pets. 

Plato Pet Treats also manufactures salmon oil which we all know have several health benefits just to name a few: preventing cancer, to assist with our dog’s coat, skin, assist with mobility issues such as arthritis, kidney functions, heart issues, skin allergies and more. The oil is from Alaskan salmon and can be added to your dog’s current food.  In January of 2015, Plato came out with Small Bites, which are still nutritious and healthy they are just smaller for our dogs and for training purposes.  These specific treats have 75% chicken, duck or salmon but still mo artificial preservatives, flavors or GMOs.  They received my pug’s approval.  

Another positive speaking of Plato Pet Treats is Plato Wags Back.  When you purchase a bag of Plato Pet Treats a portion of that purchase goes to Plato Wags Back.  Plato Wags Back provides financial support to organizations for canine welfare, assists with lessen useless euthanasia, assists organizations to help pair wounded veterans with a canine companion at no cost to the veteran, and provides other assistance to charitable organizations for canine welfare. 

Plato Pet Treats are available through most pet stores.  If you are unable to find them in your area please go to http://www.platopettreats.com/store-locator/ .   


#Dog, #Dogs, @Plato Pet Treats, #Dog and Treats, #Nutritional Dog Treats

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Getting rid of Toxicants in your Pug






Toxicants are everywhere in our water, foods, and even in the air we breathe.  The medicines we take after a certain time and a certain amount build up in our body.  Some of us decide it is time to detox and unload those toxins from our bodies.  What about your Pug?  They breathe the same air laden with smoke and pollution.  Pugs also soak up toxins in their paws from the pesticides and fertilizers that are laid in the grass that they walk in.  Pollens also get stuck within their fur therefore your Pug constantly is breathing them in.  Over vaccinating and subjecting your Pug to prescription medicine such as antihistamines and antibiotics is also a toxicant.  Even monthly heartworm preventative medications, only give the necessary prescribed amount so not overdose and add to the toxins.  Feeding a balanced, nutritious diet to your Pug is necessary whether you choose a raw, homemade or commercial diet.   

So now the question is how to detoxify your Pug?  Exercise, the physical movement promotes movement and elimination of waste from their body through their urine and feces.  Physical movements also will help with blood circulation which assists the toxins to move more efficiently through the liver and kidneys.  Physical movement is a natural way for the body to rid itself of toxins and stimulate healthy functioning of your Pug’s organs such as their heart, liver, kidneys, and immune systems.  Other natural avenues to assist with detoxification are milk thistle and dandelion which assist with liver function and cleansing the blood.  However, milk thistle has the added benefit of assisting with the regeneration of liver cells.  For kidney support cranberry and corn silk will help.  To assist with the removal of toxins from their lymphatic system such as the tissues of the body, red clover is a good option.   Of course, Echinacea and garlic is a good support for the immune system. 


Before administering of any of these herbs it is best to consult your veterinarian.  It is always good to keep your Pug physically active but remember to keep in mind the time of year so not to over hear your Pug.   Here is to a happy, healthy Pug!! 

#detox #pug #pugs #pugworld #pugnation #veteranservicedog #servicedog #detoxyourpug #detoxpug

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