vet approved - Barky.com.au

May 17, 2024

Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Reviewed Health Risks & Safety Guide

Click to Skip Ahead

What Is in Mustard?
Can Cats Eat Mustard?
Do Cats Like Mustard?
What Should I Do If My Cat Eats Mustard?

Cats aren’t shy about sneaking a bite of unattended food, and whether it’s a hot dog, burger, or turkey sandwich, there’s a good chance they had a bit of mustard in the mix. Mustard is too common a condiment for a cat to miss if they frequently partake in human fare. But while it’s likely not an issue if they grab the occasional tiny taste, mustard is not an ingredient cats should eat.

What’s the problem with mustard, and what happens when your cat takes an accidental bite? Find out as we explore if cats can eat mustard and the issues of overindulgence.

What Is in Mustard?

Distilled vinegar and mustard seed are the primary components of most types of mustard. Additional ingredients include salt and various spices, such as:

Paprika
Turmeric
Garlic powder
Onion powder

Some of these can be toxic to cats, and therefore mustard should not be fed to cats. Many varieties may also incorporate flavor enhancers like sugar, honey, citric acid, and tartaric acid. Dijon mustard adds white wine to replace some of the vinegar content, giving it a unique taste. The essential difference between any mustard style is the type of mustard seed they use. Spicy brown mustard, for instance, uses more pungent and hotter brown mustard seeds for added kick.

mustard on a saucer plate — Image Credit: fuji01, Pixabay

Can Cats Eat Mustard?

Even putting the toxic ingredients aside, the condiment can cause mild to severe gastroenteritis. The inflammation of the stomach and intestines isn’t uncommon with new foods, and mustard is far from a cat’s typical diet. You may notice some irritation even if your cat hasn’t eaten much. Signs of gastrointestinal upset from eating mustard may include:

Vomiting and diarrhea
Tenderness around the stomach
Decreased activity
Reduced appetite

Monitoring your pet for a few hours after they accidentally ingest mustard is vital in ensuring they don’t have a life-threatening reaction. Contact your vet if your cat exhibits signs of severe pain or food poisoning.

Do Cats Like Mustard?

Fortunately, a cat vegging out on mustard-covered foods isn’t terribly likely. Mustard’s spiciness and flavor aren’t particularly appealing to obligate carnivores looking primarily for meat. The powerful aroma advertises its heat, so your cat may not even dare to try mustard when given the chance.

tabby cat licking its lips — Image Credit: Pexels, Pixabay

What Should I Do If My Cat Eats Mustard?

Monitor your cat for behavioral changes or GI upset for several hours after eating mustard. When your cat vomits or has soft stools or diarrhea, keep fresh water available and encourage them to drink to avoid dehydration. If they don’t show improvement after a few hours, follow up with your vet.

Final Thoughts

Mustard is far from the worst thing your cat could ingest, and at the same time, it’s not healthy, can cause gastrointestinal issues, and may contain toxic ingredients. Don’t sweat your cat eating a small amount of it, but don’t encourage its consumption. Your cat won’t appreciate the flavor, nor will you enjoy the potential mess and vet visit that follows, making it well worth your time to keep your cat away from the mustard in general.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Aleks shutter, Shutterstock

The post Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Reviewed Health Risks & Safety Guide appeared first on Pet Keen.

May 17, 2024

Can Dogs Eat Cicadas? Vet-Reviewed Health Concerns

The post Can Dogs Eat Cicadas? Vet-Reviewed Health Concerns by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

If cicadas have started their emergence in your area, you may be concerned about more than just their high-pitched sound. These flying insects can be irresistible to some dogs, and as a pet parent, you may wonder if ingesting one of these can be harmful to your pooch.

Thankfully, cicadas are not toxic, so they shouldn’t cause many issues for your curious pooch. However, you certainly shouldn’t encourage the behavior, as they may cause digestive upset in large numbers or in dogs with sensitive digestion.

Can Cicadas Be Harmful to Dogs?

Since cicadas don’t sting or bite, and are not toxic, it is relatively safe for your dog to munch on a few here and there. It is natural behavior for our curious doggos to eat the occasional insect whilst out and about. On the flip side, while it’s true that these flying insects won’t sting or bite your pooch, eating too many can cause gastrointestinal upset and so they should not be encouraged to eat them.

Eating one or two cicadas (depending on your dog’s size) shouldn’t cause problems, but due to the crunchy, indigestible exoskeleton, eating too many can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, gastrointestinal upset can result in dehydration and the need for veterinary treatment.

Cicadas are typically too numerous to make pesticides effective, leading to their uncommon use. Although the possibility of your pet eating cicadas treated with pesticides is unlikely, it’s still something to keep in mind.

While it would be rare, it is possible that a dog may have an allergic reaction to eating cicadas. If you notice any swelling of the face, legs, or tongue, take your pooch to a vet straight away. Allergies can also show up as hives-lumpy, itchy skin, excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have any concerns for your pet’s health contact your veterinary clinic for advice.

Cicada insect on persons hand — Image Credit: Jeffrey Hamilton, Unsplash

How Often Do Cicadas Emerge?

Typically, cicadas appear every 2–5 years, depending on the species, but their cycles can vary. However, what are known as periodical cicadas only appear every 13–17 years, and when they do emerge, there can be millions of them per square acre. The cicada cycle can last for up to 6 weeks, after which they’ll be gone again for up to 17 years while they are in the nymph phase. That said, cicadas can come a bit earlier or later than predicted.

The spring of 2024 was a massive time for cicadas, with two broods, the Great Southern Brood and the Northern Illinois Brood, predicted to emerge at the same time. Luckily, this combined emergence only happens around every 221 years! This affected primarily the Midwest and Southeastern states with an overlap of the two broods in Illinois. During an occurrence like this, it’s important to keep an eye on your pooch to make sure they aren’t gobbling up too many of these crunchy winged insects.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe

curly coated retriever puppy posing outdoors in summer — Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

Of course, keeping your dog away from cicadas is easier said than done, especially if you’re in an area where a lot of them are set to emerge. While mild stomach upset is the most likely outcome, it can potentially be more serious for smaller dogs who eat too many. Although unlikely, the hard exoskeletons could even cause a gastro-intestinal blockage.

If your dog has munched on cicadas and you notice signs like listlessness, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to the vet.

Since these insects tend to hatch in mature trees, try keeping your dog away from the areas surrounding these trees.

Offering your dog other outlets for their hunting and munching instincts may help to reduce the number of cicadas they are interested in catching. Playing with tug toys, flirt poles, and a good old fashioned game of fetch a few times a day will help keep them busy. To keep their minds occupied try puzzles, slow feeders or snuffle mats.

Keep your dog on a leash during the walks so you can guide them away from these interesting insects. It may even be necessary for some persistent pooches to wear a muzzle when out and about to stop them from catching and eating too many cicadas.

Conclusion

Cicadas are not toxic and won’t cause any serious harm to dogs if one or two are ingested. However, eating too many can cause gastrointestinal upset, so it’s best to keep your pooch away from them where possible.

If your dog has ingested a large number of these bugs, keep an eye on them for signs of discomfort, and if you notice any drooling, vomiting, or listlessness, a visit to a vet may be in order.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Ashlee Marie, Unsplash

May 4, 2024

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Crackers? Vet-Approved Facts

The post Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Crackers? Vet-Approved Facts by Rachael Gerkensmeyer appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Click to Skip Ahead

Peanut Butter Overview
Risks
Homemade Peanut Butter Treats

Dogs love food and they don’t seem to be too discerning when it comes to what they chow down on. Most owners have wondered at some point if their dog has eaten something that they shouldn’t have. So what is acceptable, and what is not acceptable for a dog to eat? Just because humans can safely consume a food, it doesn’t mean that their furry counterparts can. For example, humans can eat chocolate, which is toxic to dogs.

There is little question about it, dogs love peanut butter! So, is peanut butter good for dogs? Can dogs eat peanut butter crackers? What about the other ingredients in peanut butter crackers?

The bottom line is that yes, certain peanut butter crackers can be offered to your pup as an occasional snack or treat. However, there are a few caveats and considerations to make note of, and we have laid everything out for you here.

Feeding Peanut Butter Crackers to Your Dog

Deciding whether to feed peanut butter crackers to your dog depends on the ingredients in the crackers. If the peanut butter crackers are made specifically for dogs, it should be fine to offer them as occasional snacks and treats, as they are formulated to be safe for dogs to eat.

However, if these are human peanut butter crackers, you’ll need to carefully read the ingredients list to ensure that there is nothing toxic for dogs. Overall, though, it’s best to simply avoid giving your pup any peanut butter crackers, or other treats that are produced for human consumption.

If your dog does consume one of your peanut butter crackers, check the ingredients immediately. If the crackers are free of xylitol, then your pup will most likely be absolutely fine. Just keep an eye out for any gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea. Unless your dog has eaten several crackers, they are unlikely to have any serious side effects. If your dog eats a whole package of peanut butter crackers meant for humans, call your vet for expert insight.

What is in Peanut Butter?

peanut butter on wooden table — Image Credit: inewsfoto, Shutterstock

The main ingredient of peanut butter crackers is peanut butter, which, as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol (see risks of feeding peanut butter, below) is not toxic to dogs. Peanut butter can even provide nutrients that lend to a healthy mind and body, such as vitamins B and E. However, many brands of peanut butter also contain added sugar, salt and certain fats that, while not toxic, are not good in large amounts. This is especially true if your dog suffers from certain health conditions such as kidney disease or pancreatitis. It is always best to check the ingredients with your veterinarian to ensure it is acceptable for your pet.

Some of the beneficial components of peanut butter are listed below:

Nutrient	Amount per 100 Grams	Nutrient Benefits
Protein	22.5 g	Builds and repairs muscles, tissues, and ligaments
Calcium	49mg	Promotes optimal skeletal health
Iron	1.73 mg	Prevents anemia and promotes oxygen transport

Sources

Source: USDA

Giving your pup a small amount of peanut butter as an occasional treat is absolutely fine, and your pup will undoubtedly lick their lips and thank you for their tasty treat! It is important, however, to always check the ingredients of the peanut butter you buy and look for all-natural, unsalted peanut butter that lists peanuts as its only ingredient.

Risks of Feeding Peanut Butter to Your Dog

As mentioned above, there are a few downsides to consider when it comes to giving peanut butter to your dog as a snack or a treat. One is whether the peanut butter has been sweetened and if so, what sweetener has been used. Natural peanut butter contains no extra sweeteners. Some peanut butter brands add real sugar or honey. Others contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. Even in small doses, xylitol can induce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure in canines. This is why we recommend that you carefully read the ingredients list before offering peanut butter to your pup.

Also, peanut butter contains a large amount of healthy mono-unsaturated fat as well as peanut or palm oils, so can contribute to weight gain and problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mobility issues.

Female vet examining sick and sad Rhodesian ridgeback dog — Image Credit; Zontica, Shutterstock

What to Do if Your Dog Has Accidentally Eaten Something Containing Xylitol

If you have accidentally fed your dog peanut butter that you later realize contains xylitol, it is vital that you visit your veterinarian as an emergency. Aggressive treatment from a veterinarian is essential to reduce the effects of toxicity, and the sooner you can get your dog to the vet, the better chance your pooch will recover.

Homemade Peanut Butter Treats to Consider

If you want to avoid all the confusion but don’t want to deprive your pup of the taste and texture of peanut butter, you can make your own peanut butter at home by simply grinding peanuts in a food processor. Make sure that the peanuts you use are from a reputable source and fit for human consumption. This is to avoid any risk of the Aspergillus fungus that can be found on peanuts grown in the wild.

Once you’ve made your peanut butter, here are a few homemade options to consider. You can easily put these together in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Peanut Butter Smoothie — Blend 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, ice, and a few slices of banana to create a delicious summer treat for your canine companion.
Peanut Butter Cookies — Mix peanut butter with dried oats, water, and two eggs. Then, drop a tablespoon or so at a time on a baking sheet, and bake the “droppings” until they become golden brown.
Peanut Butter As-Is — Simply pop natural peanut butter into your dog’s treat toy and let your pup lick away freely. To keep your pup entertained for longer, you can freeze the toy so that the peanut butter is firm and harder to get to.

woman giving old dog a treat — Image Credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock

Final Thoughts

Peanut butter crackers made especially for dogs are safe in moderation. There are a number of beneficial ingredients in peanut butter, so it certainly doesn’t have to be struck off the list, but it should be given as a treat and not an everyday staple. Making your own peanut butter treats avoids the confusion of the additives in commercial peanut butters, and is just as tasty. However, if you are using commercially available peanut butter, make sure you check the ingredients to avoid extra salt, sugar and sweetener (especially xylitol!)

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Andriana Syvanych, Shutterstock