The Pet Supplies Blog - Pets, Dogs, Cats, Pet Supply Reviews, Equine, Rabbits, Aquariums

Some foods which are edible for humans, and even dogs, can pose hazards for cats because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to cats:

Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Baby food Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats. Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Canned tuna (for human consumption) Large amounts can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.

Citrus oil extracts Can cause vomiting.

Dog food If accidental ingestion, will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.

Fat trimmings Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Milk and other dairy products Some adult cats and dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for cats.

Moldy or spoiled food, garbage Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw fish Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Salt If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Yeast dough Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Labels: Cat Food Dangers

We wish all of our members, readers and beloved pets a wonderful Christmas and an equally wonderful New Year!


A special coupon for all of our readers on Nylabone Treats: Buy $75 worth of Nylabone treats, toys, Cat treats, dog bones etc.. and get $5.00 at checkout. Valid until Feb. 14 (Valentines Day). Use coupon code: michbiz

Featured Nylabone:

Nylabone Prime Choice prime rib flavored chews are unique with a fun 'real meat' shape. These low fat, veterinarian approved chews are wildly delicious with a great meaty flavor that dogs love. They are edible and highly digestable with no added sugar, salt, plastic or preservatives and help to keep teeth clean.

Nylabone Edible Breath Bone Chews
Keep your dog's breath smelling fresh and clean with Nylabone Edibles Breath Bones. They're fortified with natural chlorophyll and eucalyptus oil to freshen your dog's breath as he chews. Plus, the chewing action helps to clean teeth and gums to further freshen things up. These chews contain no plastic and no added salt or sugar.


---------------A Christmas Memory:

Growing up we had a dog named Peppi. He loved Christmas! We could not put any presents under the tree for him because he would sniff them, pull them out from under the tree and open them by biting and ripping them with his paws and teeth.

He would be just as excited as us to get up on Christmas morning to open presents. We would lay one on the floor for him and let him rip it open...very funny sight to see!!

Merry Christmas!

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Labels: Merry Christmas from Petazon, Nylabone Coupons

Labels: Odor Care Treat-Ums for Rabbits

Neotropical Migratory Songbirds - say what?

Birds that breed in North America and spend the winter south of the U.S. border are known as "neotropical migrants." Neotropical means the tropics of the "New World."

Orioles are just one of more than 300 kinds of neotropical migrants.

Finish what we have started. Many orioles don't leave the U.S. in the fall at all do to the change in migration patterns that were formed by us humans feeding birds. During this century, the migration patterns of many species have changed and Orioles are part of that change. Orioles are an example of a species that has expanded its winter range.

If a flock of Orioles does migrate all the way south, it takes approx. 2-3 weeks to migrate down and over the Gulf of Mexico. During that time - they need extra energy and food to ensure that they make the grueling trip across the Gulf safely.

On average, an oriole probably travels about 150 miles each night, flying at about 20 miles per hour. Each morning they stop and eat ALOT. They feed on insects, flower nectar, and fruits. At backyard feeders, they eat sugar water, mealworms, and bits of fruit.

Listed below are the Petazon top 5 Oriole Feeders for 2007 - Happy Feeding!

Deluxe Oriole Feeder with Perch Activated Bee Guard EXCLUSIVE perch-activated bee guard feeding stations featured on this oriole feeder allow orioles and
hummingbirds to feed without bees. Rugged 36-ounce plastic hexagonal bottle. NO
DRIP feeding base.

Aspects Oriole Feeder 16 oz The Aspects Oriole Feeder features 4 ports and holds 16
ounces of nectar. It is both bee and ant resistant and has a built-in ant cup in
the bowl. The cover is bright orange to attract orioles.

Opus 24 oz. Oriole Feeder Opus 24 oz. Oriole Feeder featuring a patented
reversing funnel that makes filling clean and easy. It has a no drip design and
patented bee guards.

Oriole Feeder by Perky Pets Rugged, 36-ounce plastic hexagonal feeding bottle NO
DRIP feeding base with orange slice decor to attract Orioles

Artline Orange Oriole Feeder NEW! The Artline Orange Oriole Feeder. Shaped like a Florida Orange! Three feeding stations and three removable perches. 40-oz feeder
- 10.5 inch diameter x 8 inch High

Have a Wild Bird Enthusiast or an Oriole Lover - Great Christmas Gifts at Rachel's Robin.

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Labels: Oriole Feeders, Oriole Neotropical Migration

The 2007 Petazon Dog Treat of the Year is Here!

These spice cake treats by Ginger Ridge have been voted as the favorite dog treat of the year by our staff!

Perfect for special holidays like Christmas or just special dogs, these treats are a sophisticated choice! Each cake is topped with bright sprinkles and is made from Brewer's Yeast and a sophisticated array of spices.

Brewers Yeast is known as nature’s wonder food, a name that it certainly deserves. It is an excellent source of all the major B vitamins (except B12). It also contains other vitamins, sixteen amino acids and fourteen or more minerals. Many dog owner's swear by the benefits of Brewer's yeast when given regularily to thier dogs.

Brewers yeast contains many different vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

The major vitamins in Brewer's Yeast (and Ginger Ridge Spice Dog Treats):

Vitamin B1 (thiamin) – releases energy from carbohydrate in the diet, and is important for the heart and nervous system.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – releases energy from carbohydrate in the diet, and maintains healthy skin, eyes and digestive tract.

Vitamin B3(Niacin)– releases energy from carbohydrate, and helps to maintain healthy skin, digestive tract and nervous system.

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Ginger Ridge Dog Biscuits
Delicious, natural biscuits
Formulated for all dogs - from puppies to seniors
Oven baked using only the finest natural ingredients
The easy-to-crunch biscuit texture.

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Labels: Brewers Yeast Dog Treats, Ginger Ridge Dog Treats

"The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has issued a warning to pet owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugar-free products, can cause serious problems for companion canines.

Dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Signs can develop quite rapidly, sometimes less than half an hour after ingestion.

It was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol resulted in problems—but new data is beginning to disprove this. “We seem to be learning new information with each case we manage,” says APCC veterinary toxicologist Dr. Eric Dunayer. “We also have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener.”

APCC experts urge pet owners to keep candy, gum and other foods containing xylitol out of their animals’ reach. If you suspect that your pet has ingested products sweetened with xylitol—or any other potentially dangerous substance—call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance."

Interested in keeping your dog contained to a certain area in your home during the holidays?

Labels: Instant Pet Barrier System, Xylitol Poisonous to Pets

Unique Dog lover gifts - No barking around here - the Petazon selection of unique and practical dog lover gifts. Enjoy!!

1. Mirror Finish Stainless Steel Pet Dish There is no doubt that stainless steel provides the longest lasting pet dish available on the market. These pet bowls are rust resistant and have a magnificent mirror finish. Multiple sizes - for every pet owner on your list.


2. Outward Hound Life Jackets
   The Safe and Secure Life Jacket, from Outward Hound Pet Travel Gear, is a high performance dog floatation device and is the perfect gift for any dog owner. It provides floatation and ultimate buoyancy with bright orange color for easy visibility.


3. Goop Wizard Kennel & Crate Cleaner
   Goop Wizard 32 oz. Kennel & Crate Cleaner is a powerful one step cleaner, disinfectant and deodorizer. Goop Wizard contains a broad spectrum anit-microbial agent. Effective against Canine Distemper Virus. Keep it clean! Dog owners love this.


4. Extra Zone (INNOTEK)
   Designed by professionals to instantly keep your dog away from problem areas in your home-no training necessary. For someone that already knows how well the Pet Barrier System works for keeping thier dog away from certain areas of thier home -- like the kitchen counter or trash cans. Every dog owner needs an extra zone!


5. Basic Contain N Train System for Dogs
   Whether you prefer to confine your dog to your entire property of up to five acres, the front or back yard only, or keep him away from your pool or garden, this pet fencing system is customizable to your specifications.


6. Stay! Mat - The Wireless Crate
   Allows your pet to go where you go! The Stay! Mat provides an effective, safe and comfortable environment that allows you to interact with your pet without cage wires or plastic walls.


7. Simple Solution Pee Post Pheromone-Treated Yard Stake
   Simple Solution Pee Post™ Pheromone-Treated Yard Stake is a training device that teaches your pet to urinate in a specific area of your yard. This is a practical and funny gift


8. Tough Dog Bed
   The top is made of a soft durable micro suede for you pets comfort. Waterproof heavy duty 600 denier nylon on the sides and bottom makes this bed incredibly tough. Removable machine washable cover. Got a dog lover with a big and aggressive dog? This is the perfect gift.


9. Heated Pet Mat
   Farm Innovators Heated Pet Mats: Constructed of durable and weather resistant high impact ABS plastic. Designed to automatically heat to your pet's body temperature range to keep them warm during the cold season. The perfect gift for someone that has an older dog.


10. Vittles Vault Stackable Pet Food Container
    'Why use a trash can or a flimsy plastic container to store your pet food?' Storing dry pet food has never been easier! Ha! This is for the dog lover that loves organization, as well!

Labels: Dog Lover Christmas Gifts

Labels: Homeopath Pet

A new university study shows dogs, cats likely died from a combination of two contaminants per the associated press, this morning. I felt it crucial that we share this with our readers.

Much of this information is summarized from the Associated Press. --> More Pet Related Publications

More than 300 dogs and cats may have died this year as a result of eating contaminated pet food, a survey recently revealed.

The results of the Michigan State University study released last Thursday (November 29, 2007) showed that the cause of death may have been related to melamine and cyanuric acid, two food contaminants that are relatively harmless but which turned deadly when they were combined by pet food manufacturers.

"When combined, they form crystals which can block the kidneys," said Wilson Rumbeiha, an associate professor in Michigan State's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. "Unfortunately, these crystals don't dissolve easily. They go away slowly, if at all, so there is the potential for chronic toxicity."

Michigan State University based its findings on data collected from veterinarians, veterinary technicians and pathologists from April 5 through June 6. The survey was commissioned by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

Rumbeiha found that 347 cases met the criteria for what he called "pet food-induced nephrotoxicity." The cases involved 235 cats and 112 dogs.

There were no accurate counts that I know of previous to this study regarding how many pets had died from eating contaminated food, although estimates had run from a few dozen to several thousand.

The Michigan State University study found that more cats and smaller dogs got sick than larger dogs, and that the most cases of animals sickened by the contaminated food occurred in Texas, Illinois and Michigan.

Only about a quarter of the affected animals had a pre-existing condition that made them more susceptible, such as kidney or cardiovascular disease. This means that 3/4 of the pets were completely healthy as far as thier owners knew.

The contamination occurred when two vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China and used in pet foods sold in North America. Once the pets started dying, companies recalled thousands of varieties of pet food and treats sold under more than 100 brands.

Chinese authorities detained managers from companies linked to the contaminated pet food, and the country vowed to crack down on offenders.

Labels: Pet Food Recalls