Category: Health

Just like humans, animals require a balanced diet to maintain their health and vitality. Dog food and pet food are formulated to meet these specific nutritional requirements.

As devoted pet owners, we strive to provide the best care and nutrition for our furry companions. One crucial aspect of pet care is selecting the right food for our dogs and other pets. The market offers a wide range of options, including specialized dog food and pet food products, designed to cater to the unique nutritional needs of our beloved animals.

Nutritional Requirements: Just like humans, animals require a balanced diet to maintain their health and vitality. Dog food and pet food are formulated to meet these specific nutritional requirements. They are designed to provide the essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, that contribute to the overall well-being of our pets. These specialized diets are created based on extensive research and understanding of animal nutrition.

Types of Dog Food and Pet Food: Dog food and pet food come in various forms, such as dry kibble, wet canned food, and raw or dehydrated options. Each type has its benefits and considerations. Dry kibble is convenient and often cost-effective, offering a longer shelf life. Wet canned food, on the other hand, can be more palatable for pets and provide additional moisture content. Raw or dehydrated diets aim to mimic a natural diet, but they require careful handling and may have specific storage requirements.

Choosing the Right Dog Food and Pet Food: Selecting the right dog food or pet food for your furry friend can be overwhelming due to the plethora of options available. However, several key factors can guide your decision-making process. Firstly, consider your pet’s age, breed, size, and activity level. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs have different nutritional needs, and specific formulas cater to these life stages. Similarly, certain breeds may require specialized diets due to their unique characteristics or susceptibility to certain health issues.

Additionally, if your pet has any existing health conditions or allergies, it is vital to choose a dog food or pet food that addresses those specific concerns. Many brands offer specialized formulas for pets with sensitivities or medical conditions. Consulting with your veterinarian can provide valuable insights into the ideal diet for your pet based on their individual needs.

Reading the Labels: To make an informed decision about dog food and pet food, it is essential to read and understand the labels. Look for products that list high-quality protein sources, such as real meat, as the primary ingredient. Avoid foods that contain excessive fillers, artificial additives, or preservatives. Ideally, the label should provide a clear breakdown of the nutrient content, including protein, fat, fibre, and moisture levels.

Monitoring and Adjusting: Once you have chosen a suitable dog food or pet food, it is important to monitor your pet’s response to the diet. Observe their energy levels, coat condition, digestion, and overall health. If you notice any adverse reactions or concerns, consult your veterinarian. Sometimes, minor adjustments or a switch to a different brand may be necessary to ensure optimal nutrition and well-being for your pet.

Conclusion: Providing our pets with high-quality dog food and pet food is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. These specialized diets are formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of dogs and other pets, promoting their overall health and longevity. By considering factors such as age, breed, health conditions, and reading labels carefully, we can make informed choices and ensure that our beloved companions receive the best nutrition possible. Remember, a well-nourished pet is a happy and healthy pet!

Tips for taking care of your dog’s paws to keep them healthy and prevent any potential health issues

The paws of our canine companions play a crucial role in their overall health and well-being. Whether they’re running, walking, or playing their paws endure a lot of wear and tear. As responsible pet owners, it is essential to provide proper care and attention to our dogs’ paws to keep them healthy and prevent any potential issues. Here are some essential tips for taking care of your dog’s paws.

1. Regular Inspection: It is crucial to examine your dog’s paws regularly, especially after outdoor activities. Look for any signs of cuts, scratches, blisters, swelling, or foreign objects stuck between the paw pads. Early detection can help prevent infections or other complications.
2. Nail Trimming: Keeping your dog’s nails at an appropriate length is important for paw health. Overgrown nails can lead to discomfort and affect their gait. Use a quality nail trimmer designed for dogs and be cautious not to cut the quick (the pink part inside the nail). If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with nail trimming, consult a professional groomer or veterinarian for assistance.
3. Paw Pad Moisturizing: Dog paw pads can become dry and cracked, especially in dry or cold weather. To prevent this, apply a dog-specific paw balm or petroleum jelly to keep the pads moisturized. Be sure to use products specifically formulated for dogs, as some human products can be harmful to them.
4. Paw Pad Protection: Extreme weather conditions can be tough on your dog’s paws. During hot summer months, avoid walking on scorching pavement that can burn their pads. In winter, protect their paws from ice, salt, and chemical deicers by using dog booties or applying a protective wax or balm. Wiping their paws with a damp cloth after outdoor walks can also help remove any potential irritants.
5. Regular Paw Cleaning: Keeping your dog’s paws clean is essential for their overall hygiene. Use a mild, dog-friendly cleanser or simply warm water to clean their paws after outdoor activities. Pay close attention to the areas between the paw pads to remove any debris or dirt. Thoroughly dry their paws afterward, as moist paws can lead to fungal or bacterial infections.
6. Avoiding Harmful Substances: Dogs can be sensitive to certain chemicals or substances, so it’s crucial to be mindful of what they come into contact with. Avoid walking them on surfaces treated with pesticides, herbicides, or other potentially harmful chemicals. Additionally, keep them away from cleaning products, fertilizers, and other toxic substances.
7. Regular Exercise: Regular exercise helps maintain your dog’s overall health, including their paws. Engaging in physical activities helps strengthen their paw muscles and ligaments. However, avoid excessive exercise on hard surfaces, as it can lead to strain or injuries. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate exercise routine for your dog’s breed, age, and health condition.
8. Professional Grooming: Regular visits to a professional groomer can contribute to maintaining healthy paws. Groomers can trim excess hair around the paws, which can minimize the accumulation of dirt and debris. They can also offer additional paw care services such as paw pad moisturizing and nail trimming.
9. Proper Nutrition: A balanced diet plays a significant role in overall paw health. Ensure your dog’s diet includes essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and paws. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your dog’s specific needs.
10. Veterinary Check-ups: Lastly, regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for monitoring your dog’s overall health, including their paws. Veterinarians can identify any potential issues and provide appropriate treatment or preventive measures.

It is very hot these days and many dog owners are not sure as to how much water their furry friends should drink. In fact many loving dog owners are often confused as to how to keep their beloved pet hydrated.

Dog owners need to understand that the body of a dog consists of over 70% water, more or less like the body of a human and, therefore, dog should drink water in an equal part of its diet. As a thumb rule a dog should drink between 0.6 and 1 ounces of water for every pound of body weight.

However, you don’t have to waste your time and calculate the necessary amount. If your dog is healthy and has a bowl filled with water at its discretion, it will drink the correct amount, depending on its needs.

Some days it might drink more and some days it might drink less. Regardless of its behaviour, it is recommended to pay attention if your dog drinks water or not.

If you notice your dog drinking a lot of water, then you should start worrying unless it is a really hot summer day or it only eats dry food. This is because dogs that only eat dry food usually drink more water in order to ensure their daily needs. A dog that eats wet food will drink less water in comparison with a dog that is on a dry food diet, because a part of its hydration needs are met by the food itself.

However, without these reasons if the dog is drinking excessive water it might be sick.

Water is very necessary for a dog to dissolve the substances and transport them throughout the body of the body of a dog.

Water contributes directly to the chemical reactions that are vital for a pooch’s digestive system and circulatory system to work properly. In addition, water helps a dog’s body to filter waste and regulates its temperature through evaporation.

Lack of water can lead to kidney or heart failure in a dog. Most of the time it is difficult to explain to the dog how important it is to drink water, but the owners have to understand the importance of water. Even a dog’s instinct helps in making it consume an optimum amount of water for its body to stay hydrated.

So if you notice a dog not drinking water, you should schedule a visit to the vet.

Increasing awareness of prevention and control in communities, including education and Information on responsible pet ownership can help in eradication of rabies, says Dr Laxmikant Gode

Rabies, a vaccine-preventable viral disease, has almost become synonymous with death as medication is not available in many parts of our country. Thus, dog bite is always taken as a most dreaded disease. However, it is also true that some people don’t take dog bite that seriously and treat it as any other wound. In remote areas, it is treated with local herbs by quacks and trantriks leading to death of the person bitten by a rabid animal.

The urban areas have comparatively more knowledge and people with dog bite go to a doctor for treatment and post-bite vaccination. We all know that an increasing number of families are adopting dog as a family member. They are even taking due care about vaccination, at least in towns and cities. That’s very encouraging and a healthy sign of pet-parent relationship. Villages and small towns, however, are still ignorant about it.

But it is also noticed that few pet parents feel that vaccinating their pet against rabies is sufficient to prevent rabies vaccine for dogs. They feel that if their vaccinated pet bites a dog, a person or any other animal, there is no need for the post-bite vaccination. This is a misconception and needs to be removed. Yes, the chances of getting dog bite with rabies from the vaccinated pet bite is well reduced, but we have to keep few things in mind. If the vaccinated pet roams outside his home and mixes up with local stray dogs, there are chances that he gets bitten by a rabid dog and the bite goes unnoticed. Depending upon the immunity level of the vaccinated pet, rabies may or may not develop. In that case, the victim of the vaccinated pet dog bite should refer to a physician and get treatment as advised by him.

Most of the dog getting vaccines are quite effective in producing optimum antibodies/ immunity in a vaccinated pet. However, cold chain maintenance during transportation and storage affects the quality of the rabies treatment for dogs and pet rabies vaccine immunity production, particularly in remote places. In most parts of India, electricity failure is still a problem. In such cases, the vaccinated dog bite cases should be consulted with the physician and treatment and vaccination should be taken as per his advice. Behavior’s of the vaccinated dog is the key element Not only vaccinating the pet is important, but also due precaution after dog bite should be undertaken to avoid further complications.

Eradication of rabies in India is not that easy as it seems. The increasing number of stray dog Population still poses a grave threat. Present infrastructure to ensure effective execution of the Strategies of prevention and eradication of rabies is still a challenge. Therefore, every pet parent should come forward and take the initiative to contribute to eradication of rabies, more than just vaccination dogs the pet by educating the community.

Eradication of rabies is only possible by involvement and contribution by all strata of society coupled with effective implementation of strategies.

Dr Laxmikant Gode,
Head – Sales and Marketing, Livestock Business Unit,
Zenex Animal Health India pvt Ltd.

Keeping a senior dog healthy and happy can be easy if you maintain good diet and keep their mind stimulated

Teaching your old pooch some new tricks is good when it comes to keeping your old dog healthy and happy in their sunset years. Canines live an average life of around 12 years, although many are likely to live for much longer. And it goes without saying, the onus is on pet parents to keep the fur baby happy and healthy.

It is essential to remember a dog’s life cycle moves much faster than a human’s, so while you may still feel happy going for long walks or playing rough, they might have moved past this active phase. After research of 2,000 dog owners, commissioned by Forth glade natural dog food, it was found 43 percent believe you can’t teach new tricks to an old canine. Another finding indicated nearly a third (31 percent) continue treating a senior dog exactly the same way as they would a frisky pup – 37 percent feel unsure if they should even change their dog’s diet as it grows old.

However, a majority (93 percent) recognise the importance of keeping an old dog mentally active, to keep their brain stimulated. Experts say, “It’s absolutely possible to teach veteran dog new tricks, to keep it mentally stimulated later in life, and reduce cognitive decline. We know that half the time spent on mental activity is just as stimulating for your dog as double the time on physical activity, and so this is a really easy way to keep their life enriched and happy as they grow old.”

The study also says more than half the dog owners (51 percent) cited that they had stopped all behavioural exercise by the time their dog would be considered senior which is usually eight – 10 years old. Nearly 89 percent pet parents really value the time they spend with their pooches.

They have chosen playing games (65 percent), taking their dog for a walk (55 percent) and offering favourite food to their pups (53 percent) as the best ways to spend ‘quality time’ with their fur babies. According to another poll data, a quarter of dog owners believe elderly dogs should be walked for 30 minutes a day on average.

Experts add, “As a dog ages, it’s important to keep them moving but one should be sure to keep it within them capability. Stiff joints can create the problem of mobility. At this point, consulting a vet should be the top priority since right medication and therapy can keep the senior dogs mobile with little problem. But the most important part to care of a senior dog is good diet. “A good diet is essential to keep a senior dog healthy. A nutritous diet not only helps them keep their body healthy but their mind also remains happy if the dog is feeling well,” advise experts.

Caroline Wilkinson, a renowned animal behaviorist and dog trainer suggests some do’s and dont’s for caring for an elderly dog:

Do: Keep your eyes open for any changes in your dog both physically and mentally. Keep a close watch on anything that is different from the general norm.

Don’t: Put your own lifestyle before your canine companion, ensuring their walks are suitable for their age and try and avoid major changes to their routines.

Do: Keep their brain active by playing with them in simple exercises, which can have both physical and mental enhancement.

Don’t: Don’t write off an older dog and feel they don’t want to be active, there is a general thought that once an old dog gets a problem, we can’t do anything with them anymore.

Do: Make a list for your furry friend, think of the things they really love doing with you, like going for a walk and help them tick it off in a way that suits their needs. However, expecting them to run miles together, having them struggle on wooden and tiled flooring and “replacing” them a bit too early are big no-nos for your senior canine companion.

Few things are more delightful than a litter of new-born puppies and kittens, but the prospect of caring for all of these brands new little lives can be daunting. Check out this nutritional and health management guide by Dr T. A. Shafi, Dr A. K. Wankar, Dr A. M. Syed and Dr P. M. Mane to raise a healthy, happy litter.

The neonatal period of new-born pups and kittens is the first two weeks after birth during which they are completely dependent upon their mother’s care as they are born immaturely (responsible for high pre-weaning mortality of 40%) Furthermore, the initial 36 hours are physiologically stressful for pups or kittens due to the process of birth and exposure and adjustment to a new environment. Therefore, efforts for providing quiet, warm queening areas, minimising stress and disturbance from human visitors to the litter should be warranted during this critical time period. Deworming is important to raise a healthy pet as puppies and kittens are most of the time born with intestinal parasites or can pick them up from the surrounding environment. Kittens or puppies are born with an immature immune system, thus are prone to infections as kittens receive only 25% of their maternally derived antibodies through the placenta and puppies only 5% to 10%. Both are mainly dependent on the mother’s colostrum for passive transfer of maternal antibodies that are maximally absorbed by GIT within eight hours of birth and diminished absorption occurs after 24 hours. The maternal antibodies last for about 16 to 20 weeks of age; therefore, the neonate needs to build its own immunity to fight infections and must be vaccinated against common diseases of concern.

Feeding of newborn pups and kittens

Like other mammals, female dogs and cats produce colostrum during the first few days that provides nutrition, bioactive factors and passive immunity (antibodies) that protects them from diseases up to 16 weeks of age when their immune system becomes fully functional. Due to transfer of a smaller quantity of passive immunity in utero (10% to 20%) during pregnancy, there is need for immediate nursing within 24 hours after birth for colostrum that is a good source of antibodies, bioactive factors and maintains circulatory volume in newborns. Dog milk is higher in energy than cat milk due to its higher fat and slightly higher protein content, however in both the species the total energy content of the milk decreases gradually from colostrum to the milk produced during midlactation and thereafter energy content increases until weaning. Despite low gastric acid production in puppies and kittens until three weeks of age, they are efficient in digestion of milk proteins, however due to not fully developed renal function they are sensitive to excessive or poor-quality protein intake. At birth, the gastrointestinal tract of puppies and kittens is sterile and as they start taking milk from day one, microbial colonisation begins that continues to evolve when solid food is introduced at the age of 3 to 4 weeks.

Introduction of solid food

At the age of three to four weeks supplemental food should be introduced either in the form of specific commercial foods or a thick gruel made by mixing a small amount of warm water with the mother’s food. Homemade weaning formula must be avoided unless its exact nutrient composition is known as they are high in nutrient value and are not nutritionally balanced or complete. The semisolid food should be provided in a shallow dish several times per day every two-three hours and the bowl should be removed after 20 to 30 minutes. Initially, the pups and kittens will fill their belly with dam’s milk and will consume a small quantity of semisolid gruel, however at five weeks of age they will be consuming mainly semisolid food. Between 21 and 35 days after birth deciduous teeth erupt and puppies and kittens are able to chew and consume dry food at five to six weeks of age at which nutritional weaning is complete. Some bitches continue to allow their young ones to nurse for eight weeks of age or longer possibly due to psychological and emotional benefits of suckling, therefore complete weaning (behavioural weaning) for puppies and kittens is done at seven to eight weeks of age.

Raising of orphaned or rejected pups and kittens

Orphaned or rejected pups and kittens need special supplements for their survival provided with pet nursers (nursing bottle) or sometimes if puppy or kitten is having a problem taking the bottle, a veterinarian may be called for feeding with a stomach tube. Milk formulation should be warmed mildly, especially placing the bottle in a cup of warm water. Feeding should be done while lying on the stomach as other positions may lead to choke followed by gently patting on their back to help burp up any air swallowed during feeding. There are a large number of commercial milk replacers for puppies and kittens and also homemade milk replacer can also be prepared and administered taking proper hygienic precautions while making and storing such preparations. The quantity of formulation that will last for 24 to 48 hours should be prepared and stored in a glass container and unused preparation kept in a refrigerator. Homemade milk replacers can be prepared as per the formulation given in the table below;

Homemademilkreplacer forpuppies	a)- Cow’s or goat’s milk b)- Water c)- Egg yolks d)- Vegetable oil e)- Calcium carbonate	120 ml 120 ml 2 to 4 1 to 2 tsp 1000 mg
Homemademilkreplacer forkittens	a)- Condensed milk b)- Water c)- Plain yogurt(not low fat) d)- Egg yolks	90 ml 90 ml 120 ml  3 large or 4 small

Potty training of pups and kittens

For the first three weeks of life, puppies and kittens need stimulation to urinate and defecate using a warm, wet cotton ball to gently wipe the urinary and anal openings. Although neonates may not defecate every time stimulated, elimination is quickly stimulated and daily passes a couple of moderately yellowish stools. Training a cat is easier and faster than a dog as cats has a natural instinct to bury their waste. Inside the house the pets need crate training and if pets are alone at home, they need to be kept inside the crate that will act as a safe place or den for them and should be removed out if its crate as soon as possible or give them a potty break in the middle of the day so that they will develop a good habit and will not see it as punishment or develop a ill behaviour. Sometimes they may be scolded for negative behaviour so that they connect the punishment to the accident that will help in potty training. If still they are not behaving properly, help from a professional dog trainer can be sought for proper training or examination by a veterinarian may be carried out to rule out any underlying problem.

Deworming of pups

Deworming is important to raise a healthy pet as puppies and kittens are most of the time born with intestinal parasites or can pick them up from the surrounding environment. Common types of worms seen in dogs and cats include hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. There is also risk of transmission of these intestinal parasites to humans and therefore proper deworming protocol may be followed to protect pets and self from infestation. Puppies and kittens need to be dewormed every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, followed by once a month until 6 months of age and thereafter once in every three months.

Kittens or puppies are born with an immature immune system, thus are prone to infections as kittens receive only 25% of their maternally derived antibodies through the placenta and puppies only 5% to 10%. Both are mainly dependent on the mother’s colostrum for passive transfer of maternal antibodies that are maximally absorbed by GIT within eight hours of birth and diminished absorption occurs after 24 hours. If the neonate is orphaned or has not ingested colostrum, antibodies can be provided by administration of serum or plasma collected from different vaccinated adults of the same species orally or subcutaneously (kittens < 24 hours old @ 15 ml orally as three boluses, at birth, 12 hours 24 hours and for older kittens single bolus subcutaneously and puppies @ 22 ml/kg given at once in large pups or split into boluses as described for kittens). The maternal antibodies last for about 16 to 20 weeks of age, therefore the neonate needs to build its own immunity to fight infections and must be vaccinated against common diseases of concern. Dogs must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Kennel Cough, Canine Parvovirus, Rabies and Leptospirosis while as cats against Feline Leukemia, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Calicivirus Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Rabies. Ideally dogs and cats are vaccinated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, with booster vaccination doses given annually.

References

Hoskins JD: Nutrition and nutritional problems. In Hoskins JD (ed): Veterinary paediatrics: dogs and cats from birth to six months, ed 3, St. Louis, 2001, Saunders/Elsevier.

Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olsen PNS: The neonate: from birth to weaning. In Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olsen PNS (eds): Canine and feline theriogenology, St Louis, 2001, Saunders/Elsevier.

Peterson ME, Care of the Orphaned Puppy and Kitten, in Small Animal Paediatrics: The first 12 months of life, 1st edition, ed, Michael E Peterson. 2011, Elsevier/Saunders, China.

Authors: Dr. T. A. Shafi1*, Dr. A. K. Wankar2, Dr. A. M. Syed3 and Dr. P. M. Mane3

1Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Physiology, 3Hospital Registrar, Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Parbhani-431 402 (MS)

*Corresponding Author: Dr Tawheed Ahmad Shafi

Phone Number: +91-9682329989

E-mail: tawheed78@gmail.com

Milk is not toxic to your furry friends, but it’s high in calcium and protein, so it shouldn’t be a part of your dog’s diet as it can upset their stomach and cause longterm health problems, advice Dr Ashwani Kumar Singh & Dr Kumar Manglam Yadav

Dairy products can have great benefits for humans. They’re rich in vitamin D and calcium, which can help keep your teeth and bones nice and strong. It has chock-full of benefits for humans, but, when it comes to our four-legged friends, is there a similar answer to the question: Can our beloved pooches have milk, too? After all, our furry friends drink their mother’s milk, but when it comes to dairy substitutes, it is a big no! Milk is not toxic to your furry friends, meaning your four- legged friend can have a lick. Most dogs love dairy products, meaning that milk and other milk-based products remain popular additions to canine diets. But it’s not recommended that they drink it regularly, and the reasons might surprise you. You might want to skip giving your dog a sip.

Is Milk Safe for My Little Putzi?

Does your four-legged furry friend give you those hard-to resist eyes while you are indulging in a glass of milk? But as you take another sip, you might wonder “Can my furry friend drink milk?” Milk contains a sugar called lactose that requires an enzyme for proper digestion known as lactase. A new born puppy that’s nursing produces a lot of lactases, which is an enzyme that allows it to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. That’s why puppies can drink their mother’s milk easily with no side-effects, like an upset stomach. As puppies become weaned, and are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk, they will produce less lactase in their digestion system, and, in fact, that’s why they become lactose. The lactose in milk is blamed for diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, flatulence, and other symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Is Milk Safe for My Adult Furry?

Canine companions love dairy products. They even go mad for them. Milk is a safe treat in small quantities. A few tablespoons of milk on an occasional basis can be a nice reward for your furry friend. But, you should probably hold off on offering your pooch an entire bowl in one sitting. Though drinking milk is not toxic to your furry friend, it may produce a lot of significant problems. Many dogs are lactose intolerant to some degree, which means they have a difficult time digesting dairy product. Your furry friend can’t tell you when they’re unwell, so it’s important to keep an eye on their behaviour to recognize the signs of unwell. You may check for the following signs for tracing the health of your pooches:

• Loose stools
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhoea
• Flatulence
• Cramping
• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite

Sometimes, lactose intolerance is confused with a dairy allergy in pets. It refers to the inability to tolerate the proteins in milk and can be far more serious. Dogs with dairy allergies may display signs such as: Red, inflamed skin Itchiness and scratching

• Hives
• Facial swelling
• Difficulty breathing
• Licking their paws
• Hair loss

Because of the high fat content of most dairy products, especially whole milk, consumption can lead to pancreatitis for your dog, which is a highly serious condition. How About Ice-creams? Your K9 companion loves frozen dairy treats like you, but frozen dairy treats may not love him back. Ice-cream made with cow’s milk is likely to be high in lactose, also sweetened with sugar, high in fat, and artificially flavoured, which may be toxic to your furry friends. Always check the ingredients; some contain xylitol, maltodextrin, polydextrose, sorbitol, which is seriously toxic to your furry friends. You could prepare a healthier alternative like freezing plain yogurt in ice cube trays. You may also add fresh fruit, peanut butter, or other sugar-free flavourings before freezing along with wooden sticks for holding the treats for your fur balls. While the occasional lick of your ice-cream cone or lap from your mug should not be a big deal unless your dog is allergic, you should avoid allowing your pet to indulge in large amounts of milk and other dairy products. If your dog gets its paws on a large helping of milk, monitor for signs of abdominal distress. Gastric upset will generally occur within about 12 hours after your furry friend consumes milk but can last for much longer, so prepare for frequent trips outside so your poor pup can relieve himself. If you notice these signs of lactose intolerance, or a change in behaviour possibly caused by dairy’s adverse effects, call your vet right away.