The responsibilities of a pet owner extend beyond giving them food, shelter, and affection. Knowing one’s dog’s nutrition requirements and avoiding potential food hazards is vital. Even an innocent piece of snack from one’s plate that is given to a pet pooch can have dire consequences. Thus, one must be educated on what foods are dangerous for dogs to find the right balance between pet nutrition, responsible care, and indulgence. 1. Avocados While avocados have become a staple in several breakfast meal plans, they are unsuitable for dogs. Avocados contain a toxin, persin, which is toxic for dogs. Persin is present in all parts of an avocado plant, so one must keep the all parts of the plant, including its leaves and bark, away from their pet dog. Consumption of persin by dogs can lead to severe indigestion and, at times, can lead to fluid accumulation. Dogs often vomit after consuming persin, and the large seed of the avocado fruit is also a potential choking hazard. 2. Baked goods and sweetened candy One must keep sweetened goods in the house outside one’s dog’s reach. Some of them contain xylitol, which is a natural sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute.

Pets might regularly encounter several substances that could be toxic to them. So, as a responsible pet parent, it is important to be aware of various hazards to ensure the pets are kept away from them. However, in case of accidental exposure, it is important to act promptly once the pet exhibits symptoms of toxicity. This way, the pet will receive the required attention and treatment. Here are five symptoms of pet toxicity to be aware of: Gastrointestinal stress Looking out for early warning signs like concurring vomiting and diarrhea is important to identify signs of toxicity early on. Vomiting is the first defense mechanism that the pet’s body will adopt to remove harmful substances from its body. Continuous and extreme bouts of vomiting can indicate that one’s pet has consumed or been exposed to toxic substances. A case of diarrhea is another indication of gastrointestinal stress. It can be caused by exposure to household items, chemicals, and sometimes even prescription treatments. Also, it is important to note that some household plants, like lilies, daffodils, etc., are toxic for pets and can lead to distress. Loss of appetite A loss of appetite can occur in pets for various psychological and physical reasons.

Bringing home a pet can be a transformative experience, as it may bring a lot of joy, companionship, and warmth to life. Here, choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue is considered to be a much better option than buying. Not only is adoption a more practical decision in terms of expenses, but it can change the fate and quality of life of an animal for the better. 1. Save a life Estimates suggest that more than 920,000 shelter animals are put down each year due to overpopulation in shelters. This can be attributed to not enough adoptions. So, adopting pets from a shelter can save their lives while also promoting the culture of adoption in society. One can visit their local animal shelters and pet rescues to bring home animals that will benefit from love and care. Adoption is often considered a second chance for animals to live the life they truly deserve. Further, one can consider donating to animal shelters to ensure the pets one cannot adopt are not deprived of care and attention due to a lack of resources. 2. Fight breeding facilities By adopting a pet from a shelter or rescuing a pet, one can steer clear of products from puppy or kitten mills.