Don't give your dogs beer! It's NOT funny & it's NOT good- for them!

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/blogpost/1600001/
Can Dogs Have Beer?
Posted: Jul 16, 2007
Question:
Is beer bad for dogs? Even if it is small amounts?
A: Any alcohol is toxic to dogs.
I would not recommend giving your dog any alcohol. Like people, their liver can only tolerate so many toxins. Dogs and other animals get drunk just like we do. The biggest risk is central nervous system and respiratory depression and aspiration. Hypothermia, hypoglycemia, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances can also occur.
Most dogs will vomit with any alcohol consumption. However, the vomiting can become severe and cause serious dehydration and may require hospitalization. Any dog that has consumed alcohol and is having trouble walking or is vomiting should be hospitalized.
~Dr. Page Wages
Oberlin Animal Hospital

http://factoidz.com/foods-which-are-harmful-or-unhealthy -for-dogs-to-eat
Alcoholic Beverages is an absolute no no. You would think this is common sense. There are people that think it is okay to give their dogs beer, especially larger dogs. Size does not matter, it is still harmful. Dogs can become intoxicated causing injury to themselves; they can go into a coma or die. There is hops in beer which is another ingredient a dog should not ingest. Hops can be very dangerous to your dog’s health. It can cause excessive panting, an elevated temperature and heart rate. This can cause your dog to have seizures and possibly die.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_health
Alcoholic beverages pose much the same temptation and hazard to dogs as to humans. A drunk dog displays behavior analogous to that of an intoxicated person. However, beer presents another problem. Hops, a plant used in making beer, can cause malignant hyperthermia in dogs, usually with fatal results. Certain breeds, such as Greyhounds, seem particularly sensitive to hop toxicity, but hops should be kept away from all dogs. Even small amounts of hops can trigger a potentially deadly reaction, even if the hops are "spent" after use in brewing.

A Look at 2009

I'm bummed that I didn't have a chance to write a blog on my birthday! Things have been a little crazy around here though. I'll start by taking a look at 2009.

I was at my home for a full year on 5/1! Can you believe it? I have a furever home ........

I had a vet appointment on 5/8. I had to get my DHLPP booster, as well as my 3 yr Rabies booster. I weighed 61.5 lbs!

I met a few new doggies. I met Cruise and Sammy. They're Greg and Traci's 2 dogs. I get alone with Cruise pretty good. Sammy puts up with me, but she just wants to always remind me that she's in charge. They're both shepherd crosses and around 5 years old.

I met another dog named Molly. She's Brian and Becky's dog. She's a cocker spaniel, springer spaniel, and something else cross. She's more hyper than I am! We're about the same age - I think that she's a little younger.

I got to spend a few hours with a couple of purebred springer spaniels. They were really pretty dogs and we got along well. The male liked me more than the female, but the female was nicer to me than what Sammy typically is.

Of course I never learned my lesson about horses hooves, and I got stepped on a couple more times! I cried out, but mom didn't give me any attention. I eventually walked it off. I wasn't hurt bad or anything ..... mom says that I need to learn to respect horses more.

Mom switched me from Blue Buffalo Large Breed to Wellness large breed. Blue Buffalo is a good brand of kibble that Tractor Supply carries. She found out that Agway carried Wellness and she said that she'd rather help out the smaller store than the bigger store.

Mom taught me how to swim. It took her a while. I was so afraid to go out to where my paws no longer touched bottom. She did a couple of different things to get me to swim. First, we were up to Greg's and Cruise was swimming. I wouldn't go in, so mom took off her socks and boots and got in the pond with me. She held me in place until I calmed down. Then she would let me go, and bring me back out, and we'd do it all over again. The other thing she did was up at Cassandra's. She had the retractable leash on me, and she would walk around the edge of the dock while I swam around it. That got me to swim on my own - even if it wasn't far it was still all on my own! Now I can swim across the entire pond all on my own! But ..... I only swim when someone throws something for me to get! Mom says that it must be the lab in me. :-)

Mom also taught me to "sit pretty", "speak", to bark when there is a knock at the door, "around", "heel", "crawl", "shake", and "stand up". I never really learned not to get excited when I see someone! Mom sure does hope that I calm down with age.

Mom tried to allow me out of my cage when I was home alone. She put up the gate and shut me in the kitchen/dinning room area. I was doing really good .... until I started taking papers off of the fridge and I'd chew them up. I also started to get on the counter. I never took food off of the counter, but I did take off a couple of hand towels (I must add that I didn't chew them) - I took off an over mit and chewed that up - and I also took a few papers off and chewed them up. The last straw was when mom put a koozie that dad left on the counter in a drawer. It was sticking out about an inch when she shut the drawer. She didn't think anything of it, so left to get gas for the lawn mower. Mom was only gone for about 10 minutes, and when she got back home I had taken the koozie out of the drawer - without opening it - and chewed it into pieces. That's when mom said enough is enough and pulled my cage back out. So, I had to go back in jail when no one is home to watch me! Even though I was in the cage I managed to pull a curtain in the cage and chew it up. I had also chewed the tag off of the dog bed that was next to my cage. Now there's nothing around me to chew up, except for my 2 blankets that are in the cage to me to lay on. If I chew them up I won't have anything to lay on! Mom said that she's not going to try me out of the cage for a very long time .....

One day mom took me for a walk in through Greg's woods. We went all the way up to Kelly's field. When we got to the field, mom took me off my leash because I'm usually a good girl and don't run away - if I do get out of sight, usually all mom has to do is call me and I come running right back. But this time I got bit by the hyper bug and took off running. Mom called and called. I never came. She called dad, and dad and Daryl called and called. I was no where to be seen. Mom finally went home, and when she came out of the woods to the back yard she heard a familar dog bark at her. It was me! I didn't know it was mom at first, so I barked at her. Then she called me and I ran to her with my tail between my legs because I knew I did wrong and I was afraid when I got home & no one was there. She was happy that I was home and safe, but she was upset that I ran away and didn't come when called. So mom no longer lets me run off leash. If we're up at the barn she always keeps an eye on me, and calls me if she can't see me. It's not really any fun, but at least I'm safe.

Mom makes sure more than ever that I'm safe now. In November 2 doggies were shot and killed in the woods where we walk! One was a chocolate lab (Luke), and the other was a small white curly dog - possibly a poodle or a poodle cross (Ben). We've seen them on walks a couple of times. They'd bark - but they never ever once came after us. Their owner would let them run loose a lot, even if she wasn't there to watch them. One day she came home from the hospital to find Luke shot, and Ben was no where to be seen. She took Luke to the hospital but he didn't make it. Ben never ever came home - he was probably killed right away. Everyone pretty much knows who shot them, but sadly nothing can be done because he was allowed to hunt on the land. In PA, if you have permission to hunt land you, by law, can shoot any dog that chases anything you're hunting - even if the dogs belong to the owner of the land you're on. You're also allowed to shoot any dog that comes on your property - one shot, one kill. It's not right that this man didn't even let the owner know to keep her dogs tied up and if she didn't what would happen .... I'm sure if she had known he'd shoot and kill her babies she wouldn't have let them run loose any more. PA laws are cruel against animals. Ben and Luke didn't know what would happen, it's not their fault .... yet they are the ones who were punished. The man who shot them is a very evil man for doing what he did, and he took the cowards way out. If he were a real man, a real human being, he would have said something to the owner of the dogs/property as well as the cops first.

I now have a sister! Her name is Bailey Rose. She is about a year older than me and is a liver and white spaniel (springer or brittany) and pit bull cross. Mom and dad and me drove 2 hours to meet her and bring her home. We get along so well and have so much fun together. Mom says that Bailey is way too patient with me and needs to get after me more ..... I don't know what she's talking about! ;-)

Mom bought me a new collar set! She actually bought me 2 of them. My first one was Lupine's Camo Chic. Mom decided that she didn't like that as much as Lupine's Good Heavens. So she's selling the Camo Chic set on EBay and my Good Heavens set should be in soon! When it comes in mom will have to take a picture of me - especially since she has a new digital camera!

All in all 2009 wasn't a bad year. I had some ups and some downs. Mom hopes that 2010 will be MUCH better and that I won't get in as much trouble!

plans, fruits, & vegetables toxic to dogs & their symptoms

Amaryllis: vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper salivation, anorexia, tremors

Autumn Crocus: oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression

Creeping Charlie: sweating, drooling

Daffodil, Narcissus: severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, shivering, hypotension, dermatitis, muscular tremors and cardiac arrhythmias

Hyacinth: intense vomiting, diarrhea, occasionally with blood, depression and tremors

Gladiolas, Iris: vomiting occasionally with blood, depression, diarrhea, occasionally with blood, hyper salivation, abdominal pain

Lily of the Valley: ataxia, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, death

Tulip: intense vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hyper salivation, in appetence

Australian Nut: depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate. Only reported in dogs at this time.

Asparagus Fern, Emerald Feather (aka Emerald Fern), Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern: allergic dermatitis with
repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.)

Cyclamen: vomiting, gastrointestinal inflammation, and death.

Hydrangea: vomiting, depression, anorexia, diarrhea, bufodienalides are cardio toxic

Christmas Rose: abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, convulsions, delirium

Foxglove: cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, delirium

Marijuana: prolonged CNS depression, respiratory depression, weakness, ataxia, sedation, sometimes hyper excitation

Morning Glory: seeds may cause hallucination, may cause diarrhea

Nightshade, Tomato Plant: hyper salivation, inaptness, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate

Glory Lily: oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, kidney and liver damage, bone marrow suppression

Day Lily, Orange Day Lily, Asian Lily (liliaceae), Easter Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Red Lily, Rubrum Lily, Stargazer Lily, Tiger Lily, Wood Lily: vomiting, inaptness, lethargy, kidney failure, (Cats are only species known to be affected.)

Heavenly Bamboo shrub: cyanosis, pale mucous membranes, slow heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory congestion, seizures, semi-coma, respiratory failure, death

Holly shrub: intense vomiting and diarrhea, depression, also same symptoms as Jerusalem Cherry (see below)
Jerusalem Cherry shrub: gastrointestinal disturbances, possible ulceration of the gastrointestinal system, seizures, depression, respiratory depression, and shock

Mistletoe "American" shrub: gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea bradycardia, erratic behavior, hallucinogenic in humans

Oleander shrub: vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac abnormalities, decreased body temperature, death
Precatory Bean shrub: beans are very toxic, especially if broken or chewed. Can see severe vomiting and diarrhea, increased body temperature, lack of coordination, inaptness and death

Cycads, Sago Palm Shrubs: vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death
Tree Philodendron

Yucca: vomiting, depression, diarrhea, drooling, seizures

Aloe (Aloe Vera): vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color

Avocado: vomiting, diarrhea, death, inflammation of mammary glands, cardiac failure, respiratory distress, generalized congestion, fluid accumulation around the heart

Buddhist Pine: severe vomiting and diarrhea

Chinaberry Tree: Berries are most toxic. Can see slow heart rate, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, weakness, seizures, and shock

Japanese Yew (aka Yew): sudden death from acute cardiac failure, early signs muscular tremors, dyspnea, and seizures in dogs

Macadamia Nut:
Queensland Nut: depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate. Only reported in dogs at this time.

Branching Ivy: allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea)

European Bittersweet: drooling, in appetence, severe gastric upset, drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate

English Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Hahn's self branching English Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy: (The foliage is more toxic than the berries.) gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, polydipsia, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, and lack of coordination

American Bittersweet: weakness, convulsions, gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea)
Andromeda Japonica, Azalea, Rhododendron: vomiting, diarrhea, hyper salivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death

Bird of Paradise: gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting, lack of coordination is possible. Deaths in rabbits have been reported

Buckeye: severe gastroenteritis, depression or hyper excitability, dilated pupils, coma

Castor Bean: (beans are very toxic): oral irritation burning of the mouth and throat, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions

Clematis: vomiting, diarrhea, oral ulcers, ataxia or vesicant action


Corn Plant (aka Cornstalk Plant), Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron, Florida Beauty, Gold Dust Dracaena, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Ribbon Plant, Red-Margined Dracaena, Striped Dracaena, Warneckei Dracaena: In cats: dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, increased heart rate. In cats and dogs: vomiting depression, in appetence, drooling, lack of coordination and weakness.

Caladium hortulanum, Calla lily, Ceriman (aka Cutleaf Phiodendron, Charming Diffenbachia, Chinese Evergreen, Cordatum, Devil' Ivy, Dub Crane, Elephant Ears, Fruit Salad Plant, Flamingo Plant, Golden Deiffenbachia, Golden Pothos, Green Gold Nephthysis, Heartleaf Philodendron, Horsehead, Marble Queen, Mauna Loa Peace Lily, Nephthyti, Peace Lity, Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Lacy Tree, Mexican Breadfruit, Mother-in-Law, Panda, Philodendron Pertusum, Red Emerald, Red Princess, Saddle Lef Philodendron, Poinsettia, Satin Pothos, Scheffiera Tree, Spotted Dumb Cane, Swiss Cheese Plant, Taro Vine, Tropic Snow Dumbcane, Variable, (Dumb Cane) Dieffenbachia, Veriegated Philodendron: oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing

Yellow Jasmine: Convulsions, death

Sweetheart Ivy: gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, polydipsia, dilated pupils, muscular weakness and lack of coordination

Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow: Depression, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, convulsions, increase urinations, lack of coordination, hyperthermia
Should your pet eat a substantial part of a toxic plant, rush to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Time can cause a lot of damage. If you can, take the plant or part of it with you for identification.



Known Food Toxins To Dogs
Fruits, Vegetables, Food

Apple, Almond, Apricot, Peach, Wild Cherries, Plum, Balsam Pear, Prunes and similar fruit: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, (Stem, Seeds and Leaves) The seeds of most fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans.

Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart

Broccoli: reported to be pretty potent gastrointestinal irritant

Cherry: rapid breathing, shock, mouth inflammation, heart rate increase

Chocolate: seizures, coma, hyperactivity, rapid heart beat, tremors, death. Bakers chocolate is the most dangerous. A dog can consume milk chocolate and appear to be fine because it is not as concentrated but is still very dangerous.
• 1 oz per lb of body weight for (2 oz per kg) of body weight for bakers chocolate
• 1 oz per 3 lbs of body weight (1 oz per 1.5 kg body weight) for semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 oz per 9lbs of body weight (1 oz per 4 kg) for bakers chocolate
• Please keep in mind that these are only guidelines, and if you suspect your pet had ingested chocolate, please keep an eye out for ANY signs of poisoning! Every dog reacts differently to quantity.
Coffee/Tea: Drinks/Foods: containing caffeine or sugar may cause many of the same symptoms chocolate causes

Cooked Bones: uncooked bones should be safe but if they are cooked you should refrain because they deteriorate and easily splinter. Can cause extensive damage to internal organs and passage ways, may times resulting in death.

Mushrooms: acute gastric effects, liver and kidney damage, abdominal pain, nausea, salivation, vomiting

Nutmeg: tremors, seizures and death

Tobacco: nausea, salivation, vomiting, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)

Onion: (cats are more sensitive), gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia, heinz body anemia, hemogloinria, destroys red blood cells

Grapes, Raisins, Prunes: kidney failure, as little as a single serving of grapes or raisins can kill a dog. It takes anywhere from 9 oz to 2 lbs of grapes and raisins (between .041 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight), to cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, and possible kidney failure

Salt: excessive intake can cause kidney problems

Raw Eggs- many people feed raw eggs to their dogs but keep in mind that they can contain salmonella. Dogs do have a higher immunity against salmonella poisoning but are not immune and have been reported to get it from uncooked eggs.



This is a full compiled list of plants I've found information that they are known to be toxic. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots, tubers, spouts, green shells) might be poisonous, this list rules out the whole plant. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach. If a small amount is consumed keep an eye for any changes that become abnormal.

Immediately consult a professional at even the slightest change in your pets behavior or health. Time is of great importance in guaranteeing your pets health in poison cases. Should your pet eat a substantial part of a poisonous plant, rush to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you can, take the plant with you for identification


Adam and Eve
African Blood Lily
African blue Lily
African evergreen
African hemp
African milk bush
Agapanthus
Alfalfa (cats)
Almond
Aloe Vera
Alocasia
Amaryllis
American Bittersweet
American elder
American Mistletoe
American Rubber Plant
Ampelopsis
Andromeda Japonica
Angel's Trumpet
Anthurium
Apple (seeds stem leaves)
Apple Leaf Croton
Apple-of-Peru
Apricot (Pits of)
Aralia
Arnica root
Arrowgrass
Arrowhead vine
Asian Lily (liliaceae)
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus
Atamasco Lily
Austrailian umbrella tree
Autumn scilla
Autumn Skullcap
Autumn Crocus
Australian Nut
Avacado (fruit and pit)
Azalea
Baby rubber plant
Baby's Breath
Balsam Pear
Baneberry
Baptisia
Basket Flower
Barley
Bayonet
Bean Boad
Bearsfoot hellebore
Beargrass
Beech
Belladonna
Benjamin tree
Bird of Paradise
Bitter Gourd
Bittersweet
Black cherry
Black-eyed Susan
Black henbane
Black jetbead
Black Locust
Black nightshade
Blackberry lily
Bleeding Heart
Blood lily
Bloodroot
Bluebonnet
Blue cohosh
Blue devil
Blue squill
Bluebead-lily
Blueweed
Bouncing-bet
Box
Box-thorn
Boxwood
Branching Ivy
Broccoli
Buckeyes
Buckeye bottlebrush
Buckeye California
Buckthorn
Buckwheat
Buddist Pine
Buffalo nut
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Butterfly weed
Cactus, Candelabra
Caladium (hortulanum)
Calla Lily
Caper spruge
Cardinal flower
Cardinal flower blue
Cardinal-spear
Carnation
Carolina allspice
Carolina cherry laurel
Carolina Jessamine
Cassava
Castor Bean
Castor oil plant
Celandine
Century plant
Ceriman
Cestrum
Chalice vine
Charming Dieffenbachia
Chenile plant
Cherokee-bean
Cherry (pits, seeds & wilting leaves)
Cherry, most wild varieties
Cherry, ground
Cherry, Laurel
Chigger plant
China tree
Chinaberry tree
Chincherinchee
Chinese Bellflower
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Lanturn
Chinese Scholoar tree
Chinese yam
Chlorine Lepidella
Christmas flower
Christmas Rose
Churee
Chrysanthemum
Cineria
Cinnamon vine
Clematis
Climbing nightshade
Climbing Onion
Clintonia
Clivia
Clove pinks
Coastal Leucothe
Cockle
Cocoa bean (chocolate) Coffee senna
Coffeeweed
Coleus
Common ivy
Common Poppy
Common Spiderwort
Coontie
Coral Bean
Coralberry
Cordatum
Coriaria
Corn Cockle
Cornflower
Corn Plant
Cornstalk Plant
Corsican Hellebore
Cow-itch
Crab’s Eyes
Creeping Cucumber
Creeping Spurge
Crinum lily
Crocus
Crocus Autumn
Crotolaria
Croton
Crowfoot
Crown-of-thorns
Corydalis
Crocus, Autumn
Crown of Thorns
Cuban lily
Cuckoo-pint
Cuban Laurel
Curly Dock
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen
Cypress Spurge
Daffodil
Dahlia
Daphne
Datura
Day Lily
Dead Man’s Hand
Deadly Galernia
Deadly Nightshade
Death Angel
Death Camas
Devil's Ivy
Delphinium
Decentrea
Destroying Angel
Devil’s ivy
Devil’s Trumpet
Devil’s walkingstick
Devil’s backbone
Devil’s Snuff Box
Dieffenbachia
Disporum
Dock
Dog hobble
Dog bane
Dolichos bean
Doll’s-eyes
Donkeytail
Downy thorn-apple
Dracaena Palm
Dragon Bones
Dragon Tree
Drooping Leucothe
Dumb Cane
Dutchman’s breeches
Dwarf Poinciana
Earthball
Earthstart Scleroderma
Easter Lily *
Eastern redcedar
Eggplant
Elaine
Elderberry Elephant Ear Elephant Ears
Emerald Feather
English Bean
English Holly
English Ivy
English Laurel
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
Euphorbium
European Bittersweet vine
Everlasting Pea
Evergreen
Eyebane
Fairy Lily
Fall Poison
False cactus
False hellebore
False indigo
False Jessamine
False Poinciana
Faya bean
February Daphne
Ferns
Fern Bracken
Fetterbush
Fiddle-leaf fig
Finger tree
Fire Cherry
Firecracker plant
Fishtail Plam
Flax
Flamingo Plant/flower
Florida Arrowroot
Florida Beauty
Florida Leucothoe
Florist’s Calla
Flowering Spurge
Fly Agaric
Four O'Clock
Foxglove
French Hydrangea
Fruit Salad Plant
Garden Calla
Carden chrysanthemum
Garland flower Dahne
Gemmed Amanita
Geranium
German Ivy
Giant Dumb Cane
Ginger Lily
Glacier Ivy
Gladiolas
Goat’s Rue
Glory Lily
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Chain /tree
Golden Club
Golden Glow
Golden hurricane Lily
Golden Pothos
Golden Seal
Golden spider lily
Good Luck Pland
Gopher Purge
Grapes and vine
Green dragon
Green Gill
Green=Spored Parasol
Grevilles “Robyn Gordon”
Ground cherry
Gum
Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy
Hashish
Heartland Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heart’s a bustin’
Heavenly Bamboo
Heliotrope
Hellebore
Hemlock, Poison
Hemlock, Water
Hemp
Henbane
Hercules’ club
Holly/american
Hops
Honeysuckle
Horsebeans
Horsebrush
Horse Chestnuts
Horsehead Philodendron
Horse nettle
Horse radish
Hot Pepper
Houseleek
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian Hemp
Indian Pink
Indian Poke
Indian Rubber Plant
Indian Tobacco
Inkberry
Iris
Iris Ivy
Irish Potato
Italian arum
Ivy Algerian
Ivy Bush
Ivy Canary
Jack in the Pulpit
Jackolanter (mushroom)
Jamestown weed
Janet Craig Dracaena
Japanese andromeda
Japanese Aucumba
Japanese Boxwood
Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese Pagoda tree
Japanese Poinsettia Japanese Show Lily *
Japanese Skimmia
Japanese Yew Tree
Jasmine
Jasmine confederate
Java Beans
Jequirity
Jessamine
Jerusalem Cherry
Jetberry bush
Jewled Deathcap
Jimson Weed
Johnson grass
Jonquil
Jungle Trumpets
Juniper Common
Kaffir Lily
Kalanchoe
Kentucky coffee tree
Lablab
Lady slipper orchid
Lacy Tree Philodendron
Lace Fern
Lambkill
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel / cherry
Leadwort
Leatherwood
Lemon scented gum
Lemon yellow Lepiota
Lenten rose
Leopard’s bane
Ligustrum
Lilac daphne
Lily
Lily of the Incas
Lily Spider
Lily turf
Lily of the Valley /bush
Lima Bean
Live forever
Lobelia
Locoweed
Loquat
Lords and Ladies
Lucky clover
Lupine
Macadamia Nut (Tree) Madagascar Dragon Tree
Madagascar Periwinkle
Madeira Ivy
Magic Lily
Maidenhair tree
Maleberry
Mandarin
Mandevilla
Mandrake
Manioc
Man y Warts
Marble Queen
Marigold
Marijuana
Marsh marigold
Marvel of Peru
Matrimony vine
Mayapple
Meadow Garlic
Meadow Saffron
Medicinal Aloe
Mescal Bean
Mescal Buttons
Mescal
Metel
Mexican Breadfruit
Mexican Pricklepoppy
Mexican Tea
Milfoil
Milkbush
Milkweed
Milkweed common
Miniature Croton
Mistletoe (“American”)
Mitsu-ba
Mole plant
Mock Orange
Monkshood
Moonseed
Moonweed
Morning Glory
Mother-in Law's Tongue
Morning Glory
Moses in the cradle
Mother in Law’s tounge
Mountain Andromeda
Mountain Fetterbush
Mountain Hydrengia
Mountain Laurel
Mountain snuff
Mountain tobacco
Mushrooms
Mum
Naked Brimcap
Naked ladies
Nandina
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephytis
Night blooming Jessamine
Nightshade
Nutmeg
Oak
Oak leaf Hydrangea
Ohio Buckeye
Oleander
Onion
Opium Poppy
Oriental Lily *
Ornithogalum
Orpine
Oyster plant
Painted buckeye
Painted nettle
Panda
Partridge pea
Pasque flower
Paw Paw
Peace Lily
Peach (pits and wilting leaves)
Pear
Peegee Hydrangea
Periwinkle
Pencil tree
Pencil Cactus
Peony
Pepper chili
Pepper face
Pepper vine
Pernettya
Persian violet
Peruvian Lily
Peyote
Philodendron Pertusum
Pickaback plant
Pigeonberry
Piggyback plant
Pigskin Poison Puffball
Pimpernel
Pin Cherry
Pinapple
Pinkroot
Plum
Plumbago
Plumosa Fern
Poinciana
Poinsettia (low toxicity)
Poison fool’s parsley
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Paxillus
Poison Sumac
Poke
Pokeberry
Pokeweed
Popcorn tree
Poppy
Pot
Potato
Pothos
Powder puff lily
Precatory Bean
Prickly pear Cactus
Prickly poppy
Pride of Barbados
Primrose
Privet, Common
Prunes
Purple queen tradescantia
Purple seasbane
Queen Anne’s lace
Queensland Nut (tree)
Rabbit ears cactus
Rain Lily
Rainbow Pinks
Rattlebox
Rattleweed
Red Buckeye
Red Cole
Red Emerald
Red Lily
Red Princess
Red-Margined Dracaena
Red Mulberry
Red Sage
Red Sorrel
Red spider lily
Red Squill
Red berried elder
Red hot cattail
Redbird Flower
Resurrection lily
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Plant
Rock poppy
Rosary pea
Rosemary Bog
Rosemary Pea
Roseroot
Rubber euphorbia
Rubber Plant
Rubrum Lily
Rue
Saddle Leaf Philodendron
Sago Palm
Sassafrass
Sassy Jack
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Scootberry
Scotch Broom
Sea daffodil
Sea Onion
Sedum
Senecio
Shamrock
Sheep Laurel
Sheep Sorrel
Shell flower
Shell Ginger
Shoofly Plant
Shurb verbena
Shrubby yew Podocarpus
Siberian squill
Sicklepod
Silky oak
Silver Pothos
Skunk Cabbage
Slipper flower
Small leaved rubberplant
Snakeplant
Snakeberry
Sneezeweed
Snow on the mountain
Snowberry
Snowdrops
Snow on the Mountain
Soapberry
Soapwort
Solomons seal
Sorrel
Sowbread
Spathe flower
Spider Lily
Spinach
Spindel tree
Split leave Philodendron
Spotted cowbane
Spotted Dumb Cane
Spotted Laurel
Spotted water hemlock
Spring meadow saffron
Spurge laurel
Spurge nettle
Spurge
Squaw weed
Squirrel corn
Staggerweed
Star of Bethlehem
Star leaf
Stargazer Lily
Stinging nettle
Stinking cedar
Stinking hellebore
Stinkweed
Stonecrop
Strawberry bush
Strawberry tomato
String of Pearls
Striped Dracaena
Sulfur Tuft
Summer Pheasant’s ee
Supplejack
Swamp Laurel
Sweet bubby bush
Sweet cherry
Sweet pea
Sweetheart Ivy
Sweet shrub
Swiss Cheese plant
Tailflower
Tansy
Tansy Mustard
Tapioca
Taro Vine
Tea
Thimbleweed
Thorn-apple
Thorn apple
Tiger Lily
Toadstools
Tobacco
Tomato Plant (fruit, stem and leaves)
Torreya
Tree tobacco
Tree Philodendron
Trifoliate orange
Trillium
Tropic Snow (Dumb Cane)
Dieffenbachia
Trumpet creeper
Trumpet flower
Tuberen squill
Tuberous Begonia
Tulip
Tung nut
Tung Oil tree
Tung Tree
Turkey corn
Twisted Stalk
Two leaved Squill
Variable Dieffenbachia
Varigrated Philodendron
Vetchlings
Vinca
Viper’s bugloss
Virginia Creeper
Virgin’s bower
Wahoo
Wake robin
Warneckei Dracaena
Water arum
Water Hemlock
Water lettuce
Water dragon
Watermelon Plant
Wax Begonia
Waxberry
Weeping Fig
White cohosh
White Mulberry
White potato
White Snakeroot
Wicky
Wicopy
Widow’s tears
Wild Call
Wild Calla
Wild Carrot
Wild Cherry
Wild Garlic
Wild Indigo
Wild Parsnip
Wild Tomatoe
Windflower
Windsor bean
Winter Daphne
Wisteria
Wolfberry
Wolfsbane
Wonder flower
Wood Lily
Woodnettle
Woolly Croton
Wormseed
Wormwood
Yarrow
Yaupon Holly
Yellow allamanda
Yellow Buckeye
Yellow Dock
Yellow Jessamine
Yellow Patches
Yellow Pleasted Parasol
Yellow Wart
YesterdayTodayTomorrow
Yew
Zephyr Lily
Zulu potato
Yews –
Japanese Yew
English Yew
Western Yew
American Yew

How good is your dog food?

How to grade your dog's food

Start with a grade of 100 points
1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points
2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source subtract 5 points
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer's rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
8) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "fish" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F

Following are some foods that have already been scored (alphabetical order then ordered by score):

ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic / Score 119 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken / Score 114 A+
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy / Score 94 A
Eagle Pack Natural / Score 94 A
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult / Score 83 C
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Flint River Ranch / Score 92 B (non-specific fat source)
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 A
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Iams Large Breed / Score 83 C
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Kirkland Signature Puppy Chicken, Rice and Vegetable / Score 108 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato / Score 114 A+
Nature's Select Chicken & Rice Puppy Growth Premium / Score 96 A
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Chicken, Rice, & Oatmeal / Score 85 C (non-specific fat source)
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural choice Lamb and Rice / Score 85 C
Ol Roy / Score 9 F
Pedigree Complete Nutrition / Score 42 F
Pedigree Adult Complete / Score 14 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Pro Plan All Breed / Score 68 F
Pro Plan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Benful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Dachshund 28 Formula / Score 97 A
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance / Score 45 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Solid Gold Bison / Score 123 A+
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison / Score 136 A+
Wellness Just for Puppy / Score 117 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A


NUMERICAL ORDER (BY SCORE):

Grade A
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison / Score 136 A+
Solid Gold Bison / Score 123 A+
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic / Score 119 A+
Wellness Just for Puppy / Score 117 A+
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken / Score 114 A+
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato / Score 114 A+
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Kirkland Signature Puppy Chicken, Rice and Vegetable / Score 108 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Royal Canin Dachshund 28 Formula / Score 97 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A
Nature's Select Chicken & Rice Puppy Growth Premium / Score 96 A
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy / Score 94 A
Eagle Pack Natural / Score 94 A
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 A
Grade B
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Flint River Ranch / Score 92 B (non-specific fat source)
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Grades C and D
Nutro Chicken, Rice, & Oatmeal / Score 85 C (non-specific fat source)
Nutro Natural choice Lamb and Rice / Score 85 C
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult / Score 83 C
Iams Large Breed / Score 83 C
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Grade F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Pro Plan All Breed / Score 68 F
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance / Score 45 F
Pedigree Complete Nutrition / Score 42 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Purina Benful / Score 17 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Pedigree Adult Complete / Score 14 F
Ol Roy / Score 9 F


About the Author of this Food Grading Method:

My name is Sarah Irick and I am a Great Dane owner and rescue volunteer. I am a Civil/Industrial Engineer, not a veterinarian or animal nutritionist by education or employment. I do not work for a pet food manufacturer nor am I affiliated with one. I am just an individual who is concerned about what I feed my dogs and wants to help others decide what to feed their own. I cannot remember the exact date I designed this system, though I know it's been more than a year (probably 2-3 years ago). I was concerned with the way people sometimes throw out names of "good" dog foods that maybe aren't so good, and others take their words for it. Foods that maybe used to be good before their ingredients were changed for the worse or before better options became available are still being touted by some as being super-premium and I disagree. Since many pet owners do not have the time or inclination to do as many hours of research into pet (specifically dog) nutrition as I and many of you have, I wanted an *easier* way for them to compare labels. Unfortunately it is still a bit cumbersome (sometimes 2 people calculate the same food and get different scores even) but it's better than nothing in my opinion.

Is it exact science? No. I don't claim for it to be. In fact I’ve had to make a couple of changes over time (which the above don't reflect) for new circumstances I’ve run across, such as the food that contained NO MEAT (not a special diet just one that was so cheap it didn't contain any meat at all) and needs a steep penalty in my opinion, but still scored a decent grade on the original. Another example is the newer kibbles that contain no grain but, in my opinion, if it still has sufficient fiber and carbs then it deserves extra credit that wasn't previously reflected. Also I’ve gotten comments and opinions that I take seriously and incorporate if it seems appropriate.

I don't have a permanent site host for this although seeing how hugely popular it is and how widely spread without accreditation it has become perhaps I should do so. It isn't that I care so much about credit but many people will ask the questions that your posters have about my affiliations and biases, etc.

I don't officially support any one food; anywhere that I personally posted grades on specific foods it was to give an idea of where these foods fell so people didn't always have to do the math. If you want to e-mail me with questions or comments, you can at fredirick@hotmail.com . This is my "spam" address, so put "Dog Food Grading" in the subject line or I'll probably delete it mistakenly. ~ Sarah Irick

A look at 2008

Today is my birthday! I'm 1 year old. It's a good time to take a look back at 2008:

First, and most important, I was adopted from Bradford County Humane Society on May 1st and came home to what is my furever home. Boy was I happy to get out of there! Not that's it's a bad place, because it's not. The people there were very nice and took good care of me. But there are so many dogs and cats that they have to take care of, that there wasn't really any one on one time. And let me tell you what, a couch is a lot more comfy than a concrete floor!

5/5/08 was my first vet visit with Laurel Hill. I got my lepto and rabies shot, and I weighed 35.50 lbs. Mom also got a free tube of Advantage for me. She decided to put me on K9 Advantix after that. 5/23/08 was my second vet visit. I had to get a DHLPP booster, and I also got a heartworm test. The test came back negative, so I was started on Interceptor. I weighed 38.70 lbs. My third, and final, vet visit for 2008 was on 7/15. I had to spend the night because I got fixed. I don't even think I was broken! If anything, they broke me then put me back together .... without a part! I weighed 50.40 lbs.

Mom gave me my first ever bath. At first I was afraid, but then mom taught me that bath time is actually enjoyable and fun. I like it when she rubs the shampoo in - it feels so good. And mom lets me play with the towel a little bit after drying off. That makes bath time fun! I've had a few baths. First to get the shelter smell out of me, then to make sure that I didn't have any fleas or ticks, then to get the vet smell out of me, and of course after all the times I decided to roll in poop that I found in the woods!

Mom and I had some ups and downs together. I went through my puppy stage. I killed my dog bed 3 times, until mom couldn't fix it any more. Now I have blankets. I lightly chewed a couple of wooden things that I wasn't suppose to. And I also killed some magazines, 3 ring binders, notebooks, newspapers, wrapping paper, and other paper products. Because of this, I went from being allowed out of my crate when no one was home, to having to be crated when I was home alone. Even though I have a tub full of toys and chews, I still chewed things I shouldn't have. I can't help it that I got upset every time mom would leave me home alone. I got use to going to the barn with her every day, and when cold winter came I had to stay home more. Mom learned patience and I learned that I can't be spoiled all the time, nor get everything I want when I want it.

At first mom wasn't going to allow me on the couch. But then I started begging. I'd stand in front of the couch with my head laying on it, and I'd just stand there. Mom gave in, bought a couch cover, and I now have my own couch. I'm not allowed on mom and dad's couch - only my own. And if by chance someone else is on the couch, I can't just hop up when I feel like it. If no one is on it I can get on, but if there is someone sitting on it I can't unless they say I can. I don't mind, I'm just happy that I have a couch to get on!

I met a lot of friends. There's Einstein & Zoe, the Slocum's 2 dogs that I get to see at the barn. Molly & Georgia, the Barrett's 2 dogs - they're friends with mom & dad. And I also met a boston terrier ... I think this name was Stevie. I only spent one day with him (at the Slocum's one party), so I can't remember what his name was for sure. He was about 10 years older than me, blind, and tried to make me his girlfriend! Not only did I go to the Slocum's party, but I also went to a few that the Barrett's had. I met a lot of people. It was a great time for me to not only get use to children of all ages, but for mom to teach me a few manners as well. Like how I'm not allowed to take food from kids hands when I want to and I can't jump on picnic tables!

Mom tends to bring me up to the barn where she works on an almost daily basis. I have a lot of fun going up there. She also brought me up to another barn where she took care of horses while the owner was on vacation and I got to see chickens for the first time ever. I do really good with the horses. I use to be afraid of them, but then I got comfortable with them. A little too comfortable! I had my paw stepped on by a horse. Luckily nothing got broke. It was just a little bloody. I stayed away from their hooves for a little bit .....but did I learn my lesson????

Mom likes to play musical kibble with me. At first she didn't know what to put me on. So I was on purina one and iams. Then mom decided to put me on nutro natural large breed. I was on the puppy formula, but now that I'm a year old I'm getting the adult formula. I have a feeling that it may switch again though .......

Mom taught me a few things. She taught me to "come here", "sit", "lay down", "stay", "off", "wait", "OK", "no", "load up" and she also tried to teach me to not get so excited whenever I saw someone or another dog to play with .... but it didn't really work! I also know not to run through open doors. I have to wait until the people are through the door, then I'm allowed through when they tell me OK. Mom even taught me to go potty on a hill in the back yard. This is an on-going lesson. She makes sure I run up to the hill every time I go potty. If I don't she will walk me up there or clap her hands and kind of herd me up there. This way not only is all my potty on the hill, but mom knows where it is when she goes to clean it up. I'm not allowed in the kitchen when mom &/or dad are cooking, and I have to go lay down away from them when their eating. I also know that if I'm begging for food from someone to walk away when they tell me no .... but I always look back to make sure they mean it!

I guess that sums it up for 2008! I can't really think of anything else.