Tag: Pet Care

Sharing Holiday Foods With Your Dog

Posted on by odmdev
French bulldog with pumpkins and dog eating in fall

The season of giving is right around the corner — and who better to give presents to than man’s best friend?

As we inch closer to Thanksgiving, we’re reminded that one of the finest gifts you can give this holiday season is the gift of a home-cooked meal. But before you start doling out leftover holiday treats, it’s important to remember that dogs can’t safely eat everything we can. The no-gos for doggos may surprise you!

Leftover Foods You Should NOT Feed Your Dog

For various reasons, dog owners should think twice about sharing their table scraps with their pups. From a behavioral standpoint, sharing leftover food with your dog may lead to some bad habits, like whining or begging every time you sit down to eat. On the flipside, sharing with your dog can add some diversity to their diet, ensuring they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to live a healthy lifestyle.

When it comes to giving dogs leftovers, Strut the Pup recommends abiding by three principles: thought, moderation, and balance. The first principle refers to whether or not you’ve thought about the contents of the food you’re sharing — and how it’ll affect your dog.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some ingredients commonly found in holiday foods that you should not share with your dog.

Raisins, which dogs should not eat

Raisins

Stuffing with golden raisins and walnuts is a delicious addition to a Thanksgiving feast, but maybe not to your dog’s bowl. Raisins — and grapes, for that matter — are highly toxic to dogs, and no amount has been proven safe for dogs to ingest.

Onions & Garlic

Garlic and onion are two classic ingredients responsible for giving your Thanksgiving turkey rich, savory flavor. While sharing some turkey cuts with your dog is okay, do your best to remove any onion or garlic; garlic in particular is incredibly toxic to dogs, causing anemia and a whole handful of scary side effects.

A red onion, which are toxic to dogs
Assorted nuts in shape of turkey, including macadamia nuts & almonds, which are bad for dogs

Macadamia Nuts

A crunchy complement to anything from green beans to cookies, macadamia nuts are a versatile nut often found in holiday meals. Unfortunately, macadamia nuts also contain an unknown ingredient that’s toxic to dogs, as well as a large amount of fat that can lead to pancreatitis. (P.S. almonds are also not good for dogs!)

Nutmeg

One of the perfect fall spices, nutmeg does not sit well in man’s best friend’s stomach. The spice, often found in holiday baked goods, contains myristicin, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Cinnamon should also be limited, so be careful while baking!

Pile of whole nutmegs, which are toxic to dogs
Shards of dark chocolate, which is toxic to dogs

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate is harmful to dogs, but with the chocolate goodies making their way into our homes around the holidays, we just wanted to reiterate. All kinds of chocolate — even white chocolate — contain theobromine, which can overstimulate your dog’s nervous system and cause serious neurological effects.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found mostly in gum, candy, Jell-O, and certain baked goods. While it might be a sweet treat for us, xylitol can cause a drop in your dog’s blood sugar or, in more severe cases, liver failure. Double-check the contents of your holiday desserts just in case your pooch snags some off the table!

Gingerbread cookies with frosting containing xylitol, which dogs should not eat

Holiday Foods That Dogs Love

It’s not fair to just name the dangerous foods — there are lots of holiday foods that can support your dog’s health, too! When adding something special to your furry friend’s food bowl, consider the following:

Turkey

Best served plain and skinless to avoid garlic or other risky seasonings, turkey is a great source of lean protein for your pup. Don’t forget to check for bones, which can tear up a dog’s digestive system!

Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin — not to be confused with canned pumpkin pie mix, which contains sugar and spices that are bad for dogs — is a great source of fiber for your dog, and can even soothe a dog’s upset stomach. A fall favorite for you and your pooch!

Sweet Potatoes

Similar to pumpkin, cooked and mashed sweet potatoes have lots of fiber and beta carotene, an antioxidant that helps your pet fight off illnesses and infections. As cold season rears its stuffy-nosed head for both you and your pet, it’s nice to do what you can to keep all your family members healthy

Green Beans

Green beans are not only another low-calorie source of fiber, but they’re also loaded with other important vitamins and minerals, like iron, calcium, and vitamin B6. Try giving these to your dog before you cook them (or put them in a casserole) for the most benefit!

Labradoodle sits patiently in front of a holiday wreath before Christmas

Happy Howlidays from Strut the Pup!

When feeding your dog human food, just remember our three tips:

  • Thought: Think about the contents of what you’re giving them, especially the spices and seasonings you cooked with.
  • Moderation: Only share food with your dog in moderation — save it for special occasions!
  • Balance: Consider how the food you’re sharing fits into your dog’s well-balanced diet.

With this list and our tips in mind, you and your pooch are sure to have a holiday season that’s merry and bright!

Seattle Dog Walking: How to Stay Active in the Rain

Posted on by odmdev
Poodles on leash in the rain, puppy inside during winter

As most of you have figured out by now, owning a dog is a year-round gig. And while that means year-round cuddles and year-round companionship, it also means year-round dog walking — even in the rainy Seattle winter. Not exactly the cleanest part of the job.

Muddy paw prints in the house are no one’s favorite, but walking your dog is necessary. Like humans, dogs need regular exercise to stay fit and healthy. Not only are active dogs are less likely to develop diseases like diabetes and arthritis, but they also exhibit better moods and more consistent sleeping patterns. Plus, because they’ve already gotten their activity in for the day, a tired dog is less likely to misbehave while you’re away.

All things considered, it can still be tough to motivate yourself to brave the rain (and the dark) for your pup’s daily walk. Something about the overcast nature of Seattle’s winter and the inherent early sundown come autumn truly makes the day feel shorter. We get it, and that’s why Strut the Pup is here to help!

Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Dark

One of the most challenging parts of walking your pooch in the winter isn’t actually the weather — it’s how quickly the sun sets in the winter. To keep both you and your dog safe, here’s a review of our tips for walking your dog at night:

  1. Use a leash
  2. Wear bright or light-colored clothing (bonus points for something reflective)
  3. Dress your pooch in something reflective
  4. Walk in well-lit areas
  5. Bring a flashlight along, just in case

Most of these are common sense, but we feel it’s important to reiterate. Dogs have stronger sniffers than we do, which puts them at an advantage when the sun goes down — but any squirrel or stray cat could send them running, so it’s on us as the dog owners to make sure everyone’s safe.

Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Rain (or Snow!)

Walking in the dark is one thing, but walking in the dark and the rain is another challenge entirely. To keep yourself safe, your pup happy, and your house clean, here are some tips for walking smarter when the weather gets soggy:

1. Prep Your Entry Area

Prepare for your return before you leave! Your pup is inevitably going to get muddy, so the name of the game is preemptively minimizing the mess. Have towels ready in your entryway for an immediate dry-off.

2. Dress Appropriately

We’re sure you have enough rain gear by now, so just make sure to bring it along for those wintry dog walks. Some dogs can even be trained to wear their own coats and boots — if you’re lucky enough to have a dog so tolerant, it’s not a bad idea to suit them up too!

3. Take Note of Puddles

Wet dog gets dried off with towel inside, looks out window

If you’ve noticed a big puddle a-wellin’ on a certain corner, it’s best to just re-route and avoid entirely. Puddles can be all too tempting, especially for pups who love to swim.

4. Train for Thoughtful Shaking

It’s not as simple to teach as a handshake, but a full body shake is arguably more useful for your Seattle doggo to master. Training your dog to shake on command means avoiding dirty debris launching all over your living room, and that’s an idea we’re sure you can get behind.

5. Finish with a Quick Rinse

When you first get home, take a quick trip to the backyard to hose off some paws before heading inside. Your dog’s paws may still be damp, but at least they’re not muddy!

6. Opt for Inside

Finally, when it’s coming down just a little too hard outside, it’s sometimes best to opt for indoor activities. It’s possible for dogs to catch a cold too, so consider indoor options when the going gets ruff; short-range fetch, hide-and-go-seek, or a treat puzzle are all ways to engage your dog inside.

There are also indoor dog parks scattered across the city; these indoor social clubs are great for both exercise and doggie socialization.

German Shepherd plays in the snow in Seattle

Seattle Dog Walkers in Winter

If walking during the winter still seems like too much, you also have the option of hiring a dog walker. Dog walkers from the Strut the Pup are well-versed in these tips — it’s our job to keep your dog safe and healthy! With a dog walker, both you and your pup can rest easy knowing they’ve had an active, fulfilling day. Get ready for cuddles when you get home!