Do or Don’t: Table Scraps For Fido?

Ah, the holidays. It’s that time of year when friends and family gather around the table to enjoy good food and good company. It can also be a time when your pooch gets to indulge in a few extra table scraps. No one loves holiday food more than Fido. But is it okay to share what’s on your plate with your canine companion? And is there such thing as too much or just enough? Here are a few tips on how to share a tidbit here and there without endangering your pooch’s health.

‘Tis the season for overindulgence.

From Thanksgiving to New Year's, the holidays mean lots of foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Often what doesn’t get finished at the table goes into Fido’s bowl. It’s important to remember that when you give your dog a treat from your plate, you’re adding to his caloric intake. Trouble is, Fido doesn’t need a lot of extra calories. According to the ASPCA, overweight pets are at a higher risk of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain. By giving Fido that piece of pie or serving of stuffing, you’re doing more than showing him your love—you could be hurting his health.

Aim for a balanced diet.

Keep in mind that if you feed your pooch a complete, balanced commercial diet, adding anything that isn’t complete and balanced can throw his nutrition out of whack. So, as a general rule, you shouldn’t feed Fido table scraps. If you’re set on giving your dog treats or people food outside his normal diet, be sure that his treats make up less than 10% of his total caloric intake each day. Remember a little goes a long way.

Make no bones about it.

Many families eat turkey, ham and roast beef during the holidays. If your family does, you may be tempted to give Fido a bone or two to gnaw on. In almost every case, the bones are too small, sharp, and brittle for your dog to chew on safely. Sharp bones can cause intestinal issues, which can turn a fun holiday treat into an expensive trip to the vet. A raw bone is the best.  When it gets to be too small discard it...all bones are under your supervision for this reason.  Susana Labradors likes to feed bones in crates.  It gives them something to do, takes the stress off of being in the crate, and prevents other canine friends from food stealing, and sniggering over a bone.

Limit daily treats.

Guests and kids love giving the family pet or your yellow Labrador puppy a treat. The trick is to supply the right kind of treats, so that they can feel like they’re giving your dog love and you can avoid looking like the bad guy. You can provide your guests with healthy dog bones or cookies of which you would prefer them to have.  This makes you look like a good guy, while providing your fox red or black Labrador puppy something you actually want them to have.  Or, when it’s not a great time for a treat, you can also suggest that Fido would love a game like fetch instead.

Find the right foods.

Maybe sweet potato casserole and pecan pie aren’t great choices for your pooch. But what about a bit of lean turkey? Or some cooked peas or other vegetables? Dogs love baby carrots, celery and even bits of vegetables you wouldn’t think they’d like. There are also some foods that can be toxic for Fido, including anything containing chocolate or macadamia nuts. So it’s important to be careful. Be sure anything you or your guests feed your beloved Susana  Labrador is healthy, low calorie, low sodium and low fat so he can enjoy many years of long life with you.

Skip these treats.

• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Grapes or Raisins
• Uncooked Meat or Eggs
• Bones
• Onions, Garlic or Chives
• Milk
• Salt

10 Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays

When celebrating the winter festivities, don't forget to keep holiday pet dangers in mind. It may require some changes to your normal decorating or dining routine, but these tips we at Susana Labradors found can help you create a pet-safe holiday that is safe for your Labrador retriever puppy wheatear you have a fox red Labrador puppies or a yellow Labrador puppy from us, no matter what gender or color let's keep them safe and also have fun for the whole family.

1.     Practice fire safety. Nothing looks nicer than a Thanksgiving table aglow with candles. But be sure to never leave any fire unattended particularly when you have pets in the house. Not only can curious whiskers get burned, if a candle is knocked over by a wagging tail, it can lead to a serious fire.

2.     Hoard the people food. Although it’s tempting to give your pets a taste or two from your Thanksgiving plate, too much human food can be bad for your pet’s health. For more about what people food to share and not to share over the holidays,

3.     Hide the breakables. Holiday feasts can mean bringing out treasured items like Great Aunt Mae’s fine china or your finest stemware. Just remember that your beloved pets don’t know the value of these items, and they could get broken. So if you have favorite, breakable decorations or table settings, be sure to keep them out of reach.

4.     Watch out for toxic plants. Many holiday plants, including mistletoe, holly, poinsettia, and even that beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece of lilies can be toxic to pets. If you must decorate with these holiday pet dangers, keep them well away from curious paws and mouths.

5.     A toast to everyone’s health. When you raise that glass of holiday bubbly, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where Fluffy or Fido can’t sneak a taste. Alcohol and pets simply don’t mix. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill, go into a coma or worse.

6.     How sweet it isn’t. Although many people like to leave out chocolates for visitors throughout the holidays, it’s important to remember that these sweets are major pet dangers. Chocolate is tasty for you, but it’s toxic for Fluffy and Fido.

7.     Keep the lights high. Many people enjoy decorating with strings of lights during the holidays, but do so with caution. Twinkling lights make a shiny toy, but they’re not safe to play with or chew on. Keep your celebrations shock-free by hanging lights up high.

8.     Don’t decorate with food. Strings of cranberries and popcorn can be a beautiful way to liven up your household, and a fun project to do with your kids, but they’re holiday hazards for pets. Even if the food on the string isn’t toxic for Fido or Fluffy, they may end up eating the string—and that can cause serious health problems.

9.     Steer clear of tinsel town. Tinsel is more than just a glittery decoration. If your pets eat it, it can cause intestinal problems that require a trip to the veterinarian.

Wrap it up. If you like to display your holiday presents, watch out for ribbons, bells, and other small toys that can present a choking hazard for your pet. If there are any dangerous-looking gifts, it may be a good idea to hide them safely in a closet until it’s time to open them—or open them right away. After all, no one can accuse you of being rude if you’re doing it to have a pet-safe holiday.

Taking your Adult Dog to the Veterinarian

Taking your mature adult dog to the veterinarian

A trip to see the veterinarian can be a stressful experience for your dog. There are lots of sights, smells, sounds, people and animals that may be new and unfamiliar. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you and your dog have a comfortable and productive visit:

·         Take your dog for a walk prior to your visit. This will make your dog calmer and more docile while also making an accident less likely.

·         Use a carrier. This is a good option if your dog is small enough because it prevents biting, scratching and attempts at running away. It will also protect your dog from other pets at the veterinary clinic.

·         Take control in the waiting room. Keep your dog relaxed by giving lots of physical attention and talking softly.

·         Aid in the exam room. Vets and vet technicians are very experienced at holding nervous and frightened animals, but your familiar face and smell will comfort your dog while in the exam room.

·         Plan for extra time. If you would like extra time to talk to your vet about your dog, be sure to schedule it when you make your appointment or try to avoid peak hours. Veterinary clinics are usually busiest in the early morning or the early evening.

·         Visit frequently. Regular check-ups will help your dog get used to the experience of going to the vet, and help the vet become more familiar with your dog.

·         We at Susana Labradors try and pray we don’t have to visit the vet’s office often with our Labrador puppies or Labrador young adults, but when we do, we found these tips helpful.

Pet-Safe Household Cleaning Products: How to Clean When You Have Pets

A number of common household cleaning products are toxic to pets or, at the very least, can irritate their skin and respiratory system. Luckily, most pet stores and online pet retailers are savvy about carrying pet-safe cleaning products. Keeping pet-safe cleaning products on hand is great for those quick clean ups, but there are also some very common household items that are effective and great for pet-safe cleaning. Here are some of the best that we at Susana Labradors like to use around our Labrador retriever puppies. Enjoy!:

1. Alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol is a great disinfectant and nontoxic once it dries. Dilute alcohol to remove dirt and stains from surfaces like countertops or the floor. A full concentration of rubbing alcohol may hurt your pet when not dry, so as a rule of thumb, dilute ¼ cup rubbing alcohol with 1 gallon hot water.

2. Baking soda: This inexpensive product is a great substitute for scouring cleansers. Use it to scrub the tub, sink, and even the kitchen floors. As an added bonus, it deodorizes as it cleans. Sprinkle it into your carpets to remove pet odors; it’s even safe to use on upholstery! It can also replace your toxic metal polishes or be used to scrub out the litter box.

3. Borax: This product is found in the laundry aisle. Use as directed with your usual laundry detergent to get your clothes and pet bedding really clean in the washing machine. It can also be used to scrub the tub and tiles in your bathroom, and even kills fleas! Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral made of very sharp granules. Sprinkle some into your carpet, rub it in with a broom and then just vacuum it up.

4. Drain cleaner: Commercial drain cleaners are incredibly toxic. For a natural alternative, pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar down the drain, and then cover it with a dinner plate. After half an hour, run hot water to see if the clog has dispersed. If not, try again, and then use a plunger. If that still doesn’t work, use a commercial drain cleaner or call a plumber. Do not, under any circumstances, try the natural method after using a commercial cleaner. The resulting fumes can be toxic.

5. Cornstarch: Cornstarch does a great job of cleaning rugs, windows, and even polishing some metals.

　

6. Mineral oil: Replace your toxic wood polish with mineral oil. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice for a fresh smell. Mineral oil is flammable, so keep it away from open flames.

7. Potpourri: Some store-bought potpourris contain chemicals that are harmful to pets, as do all scented candles and air-freshener sprays and plug-ins. Instead, put cinnamon sticks and cloves or cinnamon tea (don’t forget to add water!) on the stove over low heat for about half an hour. Only do this while you’re home – don’t forget and leave the house with the stove on.

8. Salt: Use coarse salt as a scouring powder.

9. Steam: There are quite a few handheld steam cleaners on the market today, and since they use only heat and water to clean and disinfect, the result is completely pet-safe.

10. Steel wool: Plain steel wool and a little elbow grease will clean food that's stuck on pots and pans.

11. Vinegar: A vinegar/water solution is great for cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, and windows. It will also clean rust stains.

Pet’s Lost and Found in Real Life

“Have you ever lost and found your pet? Where was the little guy hiding out?”

We asked our PetRescuers Facebook community from the more popular microchip manufactures and here is what they said.,. Stories of families reunited with their beloved pets poured in from coast to coast of families reunited with their beloved pets. Some reunions came after years apart and hundreds of miles of separation. Here are just a few of the uplifting stories we’ve received:

Six Years Later

“On Memorial Day weekend in 2005, some fireworks scared our little dog Stinky away from where we were staying. We did everything we could think of to find her—called local shelters, hung posters—but nothing worked. Over the next six years, I never gave up hope. Then in May, 2011, I got a call from animal control. Unbelievably, they’d found Stinky and contacted us through HomeAgain. Never give up!” -- Amy

A Real Scare on Halloween

“Right before Halloween 2010, we lost our beloved cat Squeaky. Our children made lost posters and searched the neighborhood with no luck. After seven months lost, the local shelter found her and tracked her to us through her microchip. I’m a true believer in the microchip now.” --

Stolen—and Recovered

“Over two years ago, the unthinkable happened—my Chihuahua, Pinto, was stolen. I cried day and night, and eventually gave up hope of finding her. Then one day I got a call from the chip company and she had been found over 100 miles away! Getting Pinto back was the best day of my life.” -- Marrissa

One Mile Away and Completely Lost

“One night during a horrible snow storm, our 10-year-old German Shepherd got lost. He was gone for over a week. My husband put flyers in all the neighbors’ mailboxes. It ends up, our dog was only a mile away, but he couldn’t find his way home in all the snow. If it wasn’t for my husband and having the implant I don’t know how I would have found him.” –Robbii M. (Facebook PetRescuer)

Looking for Mom

“While I was stationed in Iraq, I called home and found out my dog had run away over a week before. Some kids found her seven miles from home and took her to the Emergency Room. The ER scanned her microchip and got her home safe. I think she was looking for her Mama, poor girl.” –Toni D. (Facebook PetRescuer)

Susana Labradors real life stories as told by 2 of my puppy clients

After getting a yellow Labrador puppies from Susana Labradors, I had Bucky outside while the phone rang.  I should have let it go to the machine, but instead I ran inside leaving Bucky out front to do his business.  When I returned a minute later, Bucky was gone.  So of course I combed the neighborhood looking for my tiny 8 week old puppy to no avail.  An hour later, the phone rang and to my surprise, a woman going to work spotted my puppy, took her in her car with her as she made her way to work which was 60 miles from my house.  She pooped into a local vet and admitted “I found this puppy, and if it doesn’t belong to anyone, I want to keep him” Well, luckily we had Susana Labradors chip him, and once scanned I was notified to pick up my puppy.  Thank goodness for the chip..or some woman would be walking my precious Bucky.

While I loved my white Labrador puppy that I got from Susana Labs, she was a crafty one.  She figured out how to get out of my back gate while I was away.  3 months later after I contacted Susana Labradors and bought a second puppy assuming Sadie was gone forever…the phone rang…I guess crafty Sadie figured out how to escape her new owners place too.  She is back in my arms thanks to the recovery chip, and by the way, Sasha and Sadie are the best of friends!

Almost Half of You Have Lost Pets

Every year, as many as 10 million pets are reported lost. It can happen to anyone. In our recent Facebook poll, 49% of our PetRescuer community told us they’d lost a pet once, and 15% said they’d lost a pet more than once.

Why do pets run away? Animals are highly curious by nature, so exploring and chasing objects is instinctual. They are hard-wired with a desire to find out what lies beyond their territory. Often, their sense of smell can get them into all kinds of trouble—whether they smell food or other animals. Just the scent of another dog or cat can lure your pet away. The good news is spaying and neutering can reduce this likelihood by as much as 90%.

If your pet gets lost, stay calm and start looking immediately in your area. In many cases, your pet won't have gotten far by the time you realize they're missing. The majority of our Facebook responders said they'd found their pets inside their own homes—in a drawer, the pantry, the garage or under furniture.

Most dogs are recovered within a two-mile radius of their home. They normally wouldn't run in a straight line for an extended distance, no matter how strong or fast they are. Small dogs may be able to go half a mile at most. Friendly pets typically find people or other pets to play with—so look for them in public parks or neighbors’ yards. If your pet is shy, you may find them hiding under bushes and parked cars.

Most importantly, if Fido or Fluffy get lost, don’t give up hope. When pets have been microchippped and your contact info is kept up-to-date, there’s always a way to track him or her back to you; As these lost pet stories prove—even over several years and from hundreds of miles away.

Rescuing a Lost Pet

We all know losing our own pets would be heartbreaking. But what if you see a stray dog or cat that you suspect is lost? Most strays have a home—usually a good, loving home—but somehow got away. Many animal lovers have a hard time passing a pet that seems alone without at least wondering where he or she belongs. If you’re one of those people, here are a few tips to help get Rover or Fluffy back home:

1. Determine that the pet is really lost. Is he or she walking down the street with purpose? Does the pet look street savvy? If you’re in a rural area, the animal may just be headed home.
2. Look for signs he’s not a stray. True strays may look confused and scared and be dirty, thin, or haggard. Lost pets, on the other hand, will probably look well fed and groomed, and have a friendlier disposition.
3. Get the pet’s attention. In order not to startle him, make a soft clucking noise with your tongue or call him gently to you. Does he have a collar with ID tags? If so, you’ve got a great shot at finding the owners right away. If not, he may have been microchipped, so take him to your local shelter or vet so that they can scan him. You don’t have to relinquish the pet to the shelter—you’re just trying to find his or her owners.
4. Offer treats. Some lost pets may come to you and then shy away when you reach for them. It’s helpful to have treats or food with you. Toss the food gently to one side of the animal, not directly at him.
5. Never corner a fearful animal. Be careful if a dog bears his teeth, growls, or snaps at you, or if a cat arches and hisses. It’s a good idea to leave aggressive pets alone and call animal control.
6. Find a leash or crate. If the animal doesn’t have a collar, you can use a belt or tie as a makeshift collar and leash so that you can control him. In many instances, the best way of capturing a stray cat is with a humane baited crate, which you can get at a feed store or hardware store.
7. Protect your passenger. Often, a pet will come if you open your car door and call him or her. If you can get a lost dog or cat into your car, crate him. If you don’t have a crate, try to secure him in the backseat. You don’t want a fearful animal jumping into your lap as you drive.
8. Proceed with caution. If you take a pet home, remember that you don’t know this animal and that he may be unpredictable. Don’t corner him, leave him alone with children, or try to take food or treats away from him.
9. Get the word out. If the animal doesn’t have ID or a microchip, post brightly colored FOUND DOG or FOUND CAT posters at busy intersections in the neighborhood where the pet was found. Don’t include too much information about the animal just in case a scammer contacts you.
10. Next steps. If you’ve managed to catch a friendly dog or cat, make every attempt to find his owner. Call local shelters, get the animal scanned for a microchip, and check local classifieds for lost pet ads. Remember, there is a possibility that the dog or cat was dumped and now you’re his owner. Perhaps you’ll want to keep Rover or Fluffy if every attempt to find his owners has failed.

This article was written by someone else other than us at Susana Labradors.  However, I thought it was worth the read.  You know, from time to time we may see a lost Labrador wandering around the street.  The last one I saw was a yellow Labrador adult male dog.  We managed to get him to come towards us, and immediately collared him and put an appropriate sized dog chain around our mail box, so he couldn’t wander.  This gave him a little room to get up and turn around but it secured him . We gave him food and water and sat with him for a while.  As darkness approached, we left him to sit there on a blanket by our mailbox.  Sure enough, his rightful owners came driving by looking for him and claimed him.  They left me a Thank you note in the mailbox, with their name and address.

About a week later I was crossing the street and saw a few cop cars and a civilian car pulled over next to the busy street where we live off of.  Apparently this same dog got out and this time was unfortunately, hit by a car.  Out of curiosity, I made my way through the crowd and recognized the dog.  I alerted the officer, that I knew where the owners lived.  I ran home and grabbed their business card they had left me and my work for the day was done.

I don’t know the outcome of this poor dog that kept breaking out of their gate, if he lived or died.  But without dog collars for Identification, or a microchip implant, it is a big mystery as to how to get these dogs home.  Luckily for him I was there.  The odd thing is that I rarely get opportunity to leave my ranch, as I am kept so busy raising and training our Labrador’s here.  I just happened to be out on foot that day and it was as if I was supposed to be there right at that time for the livelihood of this poor dog.  Otherwise, no one would have known where this dog lived and the owners may not have checked the veterinarian’s offices.

Before we let one of our precious yellow Labrador puppies go to a new owner, I always ask “how will my puppy be living”?  Just to make sure that they have proper gating and fencing.  Most people who buy our Labrador puppy’s will love them and care for them, but it is a constant caring as they grow and change and develop personality’s.  Some dogs can be jumpers or diggers left alone to their own accord and tragedies can happen with a dog that is bored. 

So keep an eye on your dog, be sure it is safe for him if you leave your property.  We suggest a commercial kennel or run that is puppy/dog safe for him to live in while you are away. 

Helping Your Dog Cope with Loud Thunder and Fireworks

Fear of loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks, is a common phobia in dogs. It’s usually displayed by hiding, whining, barking, pawing or even urination. Trying to help your dog cope with loud noises is important because the anxiety usually gets progressively more pronounced with age. A dog suffering from a fear of thunderstorms may begin to display anxious behavior before the thunder begins. Rain on the roof of the house, bright flashes of light or even the drop in air pressure before a storm may be enough to trigger anxiety. It is important not to punish your dog for being anxious, but equally important not to cuddle too much.

·         Punishing your dog will just create more fear and anxiety because thunder will then be associated with both fear and punishment

·         Cuddling or comforting your dog too much isn’t a good idea because it teaches your dog that anxious behavior is appropriate

Instead, first provide your dog with a safe place to seek refuge. Dog crates, under a bed or under a chair are common hiding places for a dog. Your dog chooses these places because she feels protected and the noise of thunder or fireworks is muffled. If your dog has not already picked out a place, provide one. Try leaving a few treats or a real beef bone in a safe place to encourage your dog to go there.

Try desensitizing your dog to loud noises so the sound becomes normal. This is usually done by playing recorded thunder at a low volume and in short intervals while you monitor your dog’s behavior. Try to distract your dog while the noise is present by playing fetch or engaging in some sort of enjoyable activity. If your dog is too frightened to participate, you need to turn down the intensity of your thunder stimulus and try again later. This process is long and requires patience, but in the end your dog will be much more comfortable during a storm.

For help with further treating your dog’s anxiety, seek advice from your veterinarian.

Angel, our beloved yellow Labrador, our first lab who is about age 14 now is so afraid of the fireworks that I just put her in my bedroom and close the door and make it really nice and dark for her.  It is a cool spot and we have a doggie bed in there, which she can lay on.  I check on her constantly throughout the night on the 4^th of July.

Sometimes, I will put a scarred dog inside the house and put her safely in a crate. Cover it with a big beach towel. Put a soft radio on next to the crate.  A bone inside helps. 

If your dog is not secure inside, the noise outside is so intense, that the dogs can hurt themselves trying to get away from the intense sound.

We have seen it over the years..many accidents happen and dogs can break out, get loose in the street and be lost or injured.

If you have a scarred dog, it is best to stay home on those evenings, or have someone come in..perhaps consider the crate idea.

Rescue Remedy is a natural soothing remedy made up of flowers and herbs, and the dogs don’t mind the taste.  I give this often as it takes the edge off.

This can be purchased here at Susana Labradors, or at a health food store.  This is what we do for our yellow Labrador puppys in training or raising at our ranch.  It is natural, and seems to help quite a bit.

Maybe for extreme cases or a mature dog, seeing the vet with your concerns may be the best measure.  He may be able to get you some doggie downers to help with the stress of  holiday fireworks.