don't feed the dog

Of course I don't mean actually don't feed a dog.

There are some things that dogs should only ever have as occasional treats and there are some things that dogs should never have.  The sort of thing that falls into my category of "occasional treats" includes most human food and the Pedigree Jumbone / Dentastix / tripe sticks, etc, sort of canine consumables.  By "occasional"  I mean no more than once a week.  Yes, I'm strict, I know.  And when they do get a Dentastix or Jumbone (both of which they love), they only get half of one each.  And that's plenty.

As a result of this my dogs are not fat.  In fact, they are lean and healthy, even if they do hate me.  Perhaps hate is a strong word.  Perhaps they just resent living here instead of somewhere with a softer touch for an owner where they might get leftover roast lunch on Sundays, bull's pizzle every morning and a ham sandwich now & again.  No such luck in this house!

Usko, age 3.5 months, enjoying a very safe chew - a nylon bone with an edible fake marrow inside that dogs love to eat. 














Amongst my list of things that dogs should never have are:

Chocolate - you know that human chocolate is toxic to dogs, right?  Dark chocolate or baking chocolate is the worst.  Don't let them have it and don't leave it where they can get it.  There is a doggie version of chocolate that is safe, but my poor maligned dogs don't even get that.  Not because it's poisonous, because it's not, but just because of the horrid ingredients.  I'd rather give them a juicy raw bone.

Citrus fruit - Lemons, limes, orange, grapefruit and their juice are all very bad for dogs as their stomach cannot deal with the citric acid.

Grapes & raisins - Both highly poisonous for dogs and, worst case scenario, can cause kidney damage.

Alcohol - Don't think it's funny or cute to let your dog drink beer.  Hops can cause seizures and any kind of alcohol can even kill a dog.

Seeds & pits from various fruits - like apricots, cherries, apples, peaches.

Nuts - dogs can choke on nuts; macadamia and walnuts can both cause awful illness.

Photo:  Joanne Ross

Tarkka enjoying every Lapphund's favorite treat - a snowball!