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Top Warning Signs Your Pet is Being Abused

To most, pets are family, but heartbreakingly, not everyone treats them as such. Unfortunately, animal abuse or neglect are all too common these days, which means more and more pets are at risk of harm.

The best way to prevent animal abuse is proper observation and prevention. By understanding what constitutes abuse, knowing the tell-tale signs, and finding the right resources to help you track and report this abuse, you can help an animal before it’s too late.

Defining Abuse

The first thing to know about animal cruelty is that it isn't limited to just physical abuse. It can be both physical and mental, which doesn't always make it easy to spot. And when you take into consideration that it often happens behind closed doors, it's even harder to understand the full impact abuse may have on a pet.

So what is animal abuse? Abuse comes in all forms, so it's essential to understand exactly what constitutes abuse before reporting:

What to Watch For

Sometimes abuse is apparent, and other times it isn’t always clear whether an animal is being harmed. However, there are some key signs to look for in a pet if you think they are being abused:

How and Where to Report Abuse

The best places to report animal abuse are to your local animal control agency or police. Once you file a report, that agency is required to investigate, which is why it’s essential to document the abuse you’ve seen. In cases where there are not enough resources to conduct a full investigation, or there is no animal control agency, you can also contact the Humane Society for advice and assistance.

Even if you see the signs of abuse and have a decent understanding of the circumstances around it, reporting it is not as simple as calling 9-1-1. If you suspect abuse, you need to document what you see to prove a pattern of behaviour. By providing evidence, it will make it easier for the pet to be removed from the abusive environment once investigated.

Published on PetSitter.com

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83 Healthy & Harmful Foods For Dogs You Need to Remember

For many of us, the love we have for our dogs is as deep as the love we have for the people in our lives. They become an integral part of our families from the moment we bring them home, and we often treat them like a young child. However, as with any other family members, we need to look out for their best interests. Sometimes, this means not giving them what they want.

Now, you may say "I never give in to my dog!" and this might be true. And if you’re a pet sitter, you may have been given strict guidelines on what your new canine companion can and can not eat. But sometimes it's unavoidable! Dogs often end up eating something we don't want them to, despite our best efforts. And on top of that, there may be times where that puppy dog pout causes you to give in, and quite literally throw your dog (a potentially unhealthy) bone.

It’s important to remember that as much as we love to treat dogs like humans when it comes to food, there are differences between what humans and canines can digest. Whether you're giving your dog the leftovers off your plate, offering them a special treat, or prying food out of their mouths from the trash can at the park, both dog owner and pet sitter alike should know the basics about giving human food to dogs.

Learning what foods your dog can and can't eat will go a long way in helping ensure your furry friends keep the pep in their step, and never run into any health issues down the road.

So, What

Can

Dogs Eat?

Many human foods are perfectly safe for your dog to consume. These can be given as treats, used as alternatives to their regular meals, or offered straight from your plate if you feel so obliged!

Meat

Salmon

Chicken

Pork

Turkey

Beef

Tuna

Fruit

Blueberries

Pineapple

Watermelon

Blackberries

Apples

Mango

Bananas

Strawberries

Oranges

Pumpkin

Pears

Raspberries

Veggies

Carrots

Corn

Green peas

Broccoli

Pickles

Sweet potatoes

Mushrooms

Potatoes

Celery

Green beans

Cucumber

Other

Peanut butter

Eggs

Popcorn

Bread

Oatmeal

Rice

Quinoa

Yogurt

But More Importantly, What

Can’t

Dogs Eat?

Though the list of canine-approved foods is quite extensive, there are also some things that your dog shouldn’t eat. According to the ASPCA, these foods are dangerous for many reasons. Among these reasons include being a choking hazard, causing significant digestion issues, or being outright poisonous for your fuzzy friend.

See below for a full list of dangerous foods for your dog:

Meat

Poultry bones

Fish bones

Bacon

Pepperoni

Fruit

Grapes

Lemons

Limes

Citrus fruit stems, leaves, and peels

Pomegranate

Grapefruit

Veggies

Onions

Avocados

Garlic

Chives

Mint

Other

Chocolate

Raisins

Tofu

Macadamia nuts

Cinnamon

Raw eggs

Almonds

Caffeine

Xylitol (an ingredient found in sugar substitutes)

Alcohol

Pecans

Nutmeg

Raw yeast dough

What Foods Should You Limit For Your Dog?

There are also foods your dog can eat that may require close monitoring to ensure no issues arise. The following list of foods are ones that are usually safe for dogs but are better given in small quantities. Otherwise, they could have some serious side effects that both dogs and owners would rather avoid.

Meat

Bologna

Shrimp

Fruit

Cherries

Coconut

Kiwi

Veggies

Tomatoes

Kale

Spinach

Other

Salt

Cheese

Cashews

Cottage cheese

Honey

Marshmallows

Milk

Chickpeas

Peanuts

Ice Cream

Conclusion

Dogs deserve the best. Whether they’re a part of your family or a furry friend you’re taking care of through a pet sitting service like PetSitter.com, what you feed them matters. When it comes to giving them human food, make sure you always know what’s safe, before it’s too late. If you ever find yourself in a situation where your dog has eaten something you didn’t give them, knowing what category it falls under can help ensure you know how to respond.

Got anything to add to the list? Does your dog have a favourite food? Let us know in the comments!

Please keep in mind that the foods listed in this article do not represent a complete list of all safe or unsafe foods for dogs. If you’re ever unsure about what food to give your dog or think your dog may have eaten something that could harm them, please contact your vet immediately or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435* for more information.

*a fee may apply for the use of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline.