Q: Baxter, my 5-year-old retriever combine, broke a tooth whereas gnawing on a bone. The veterinarian extracted the fractured tooth and remarked that Baxter’s enamel was badly worn, most likely from chewing on tennis balls. Are you able to counsel some protected chew toys?
A: The nylon fuzz on tennis balls damages enamel two methods: it’s abrasive, even when clear, and it picks up grime that acts like sandpaper on tooth.
For that purpose, I gave our golden retriever ball-hound, Sam, clean racquetball balls, however he chewed them to bits and swallowed the items.
Fortuitously, he threw them up, so I didn’t should surgically take away them. However that was the top of his racquetball enjoyable—and a lesson for us all.
You discovered an costly lesson about inflexible chew toys: Something tougher than tooth breaks tooth. The listing consists of pure and nylon bones, antlers, cow hooves, dried pig ears, laborious plastic chew toys and even ice cubes.
Protected chew toys have some “give.” Most canine can safely chew agency, rubber toys, which can be found in quite a lot of shapes. Kong black toys are good for energy chewers, but when Baxter destroys one, you’ll have to ask your veterinarian to order the practically indestructible Kong blue toys.
Make the toy extra enjoyable by hiding a deal with, some peanut butter or frozen canned pet food inside. As well as, supply Baxter a twisted rope toy and a few dental chews.
Additionally, improve Baxter’s bodily exercise to tire him out earlier than he settles down together with his chew toys.
Q: My pal has a liquid potpourri pot that scents her dwelling with a welcoming perfume. I need to get one too, however I’m involved about my cat’s security. Please advise.
A: Your concern is warranted. Cats are extra delicate than most species to the important oils present in reed diffusers, electrical diffusers and simmer pots that maintain liquid potpourri.
Most such merchandise comprise not simply important oils but additionally cationic detergents which might be corrosive, notably to the gums and tongue.
In case your cat had been to analyze your liquid potpourri by placing a paw within the pot after which licking her paw whereas grooming, poisonous indicators could be evident inside 4 to 12 hours. They embrace burns and ulcers within the mouth, drooling, gagging, vomiting, lack of urge for food, coughing, respiratory difficulties, hiding, lethargy and fever.
Important oils can be utilized safely round pets if precautions are taken:
- Enable pets the choice of leaving the room since they’re very delicate to odor.
- Don’t use your diffuser or liquid potpourri pot in an enclosed area or for longer than half-hour at a time.
- Place the diffuser so it doesn’t spray oil on pets or their bedding or dishes.
- Use diluted important oils, that are much less poisonous than concentrates.
- Stay within the room when your potpourri pot is in use, particularly whether it is warmed by a candle. Put your pot away if you’re not utilizing it.
