Dogs love to take everything in their mouths, from objects such as food and toys. Often this habit can lead to the improper consumption of some foods such as catnip. That’s why many tutors wonder if the consumption of catnip by the dog can bring harm to the dog’s health? To answer this question, let’s talk about foods that should not be consumed by dogs.
Dog ate catnip
If your dog ate catnip and you don’t know what to do, our tip is just relax. Catnip is not toxic to dogs, so it does not harm the animal’s health. In addition, this herb contains vitamins C and E, tannin, and magnesium, which can be beneficial to dogs. However, before providing this type of food to dogs, a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted.
Some dogs may have allergies only to catnip with vomiting and diarrhea. In these cases, veterinarians should be consulted to avoid dehydration and even the worsening of the dog’s health that can result in the animal’s death.
Catnip is not considered a dog food and therefore should be avoided. Even though it is not considered toxic for dogs, this herb can have calming effects for some dogs, so catnip should only be used if there is an indication of the veterinarian.
What is catnip?
Catnip is an herb that became known as catnip due to the euphoria reaction presented by cats when smelling this herb. Catnip contains an oil called nepetalactone that stimulates receptors that result in cats feeling euphoric and happy.
Catnip not only affects domestic cats but also wild cats. However, there is a small percentage of cats that have no response to the smell of catnip.
Currently the catnip is used alone or associated with specific toys for cats. Tutors love to see how much fun the animal has with toys and how much this type of grass encourages these animals to play.
Types of snacks that dogs can eat
Snacks are extra food for the dog’s diet. They shouldn’t be offered very often, but they can be used to treat the dog. Snacks can be used in dog training as positive reinforcement. But what Snacks can be given to a dog?
There are several commercial snacks made by industries to be supplied to dogs. They are snacks with high palatability and that are not so bad for the dogs health.
However, the excess of these snacks associated with the animal’s diet and lack of exercise practices can make the dog gain a lot of weight.
If the dog feeds on the natural diet, there are some natural snacks that can be indicated by a veterinary nutritionist. Natural diets are an excellent option for dogs that do not eat industrialized foods, or dogs that already have some disease.
Natural treats are prescribed to vary the animal’s diet, in accordance with the dog’s food balance, avoiding calorie extrapolation and weight gain.
Foods to Avoid in Dogs
Some foods are harmful to the dog’s health such as:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
The list of foods that should not be consumed by dogs is huge, so before providing any food to the dog, you should research safe sources if this food is not toxic leading to diseases in dogs.
The ideal is that dogs do not feed on human food, without a veterinarian indication. Commercial food or natural food indicated by a veterinary nutritionist for dogs, are already balanced and it is not necessary to add other foods.
Conclusion
Many tutors are in doubt which foods can be toxic to dogs. With this post it was possible to talk about the consumption of catnip by these animals in addition to talking about the foods that may or may not be offered to dogs. A complete diet for a dog must contain balanced nutrients and therefore a veterinary nutritionist must be consulted in order to avoid future health problems in dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog ate catnip
What happens to a dog that eats weed?
The dog can become intoxicated and thus present complications that, if not monitored and treated, can lead to death.
Main symptoms of weed ingestion by dogs:
- Dilated pupils;
- Tremors;
- Too much drooling;
- Loss of motor coordination or involuntary movements;
- Diarrhea;
- Vomiting;
- Lethargy;
- Seizures.
What to do if the dog eats Chocolate cookies?
Take the animal to the vet so that it can be observed, and the appropriate medications are taken to avoid major reactions. If you can, take the cookie wrapper to show the vet.
What foods are toxic to dogs?
The most toxic foods for dogs and should not be fed to animals are:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
References
Carciofi, A. C., Takakura, F. S., De‐Oliveira, L. D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J. T., Brunetto, M. A., & Prada, F. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post‐prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92(3), 326-336.
Truett, A. A., Borne, A. T., Monteiro, M. P., & West, D. B. (1998). Composition of dietary fat affects blood pressure and insulin responses to dietary obesity in the dog. Obesity research, 6(2), 137-146.
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