MoCo Cafe: 6/10/07

I love my PETS! They bring so much joy and happiness to my life that I couldn't imagine not having them around. My puppy Gonzo makes sure I get out of the house every day for walks and my cat Maya keeps me in check and makes sure I remember who's boss, especially at feeding time. They love routine and hate shoes. Recently I came across an article in Good Housekeeping about common household items that can be dangerous to your pets. A few of them I was aware of but others surprised me. In love of pets everywhere, I thought I would share them along with a few Etsy finds for those special, super pampered pets. I hope everyone is having a great summer so far. Enjoy.

Items That Can Harm Your Pets -

These are excerpts from Good Housekeeping magazine, June 2007 edition, written by Hallie Levine Sklar. To access the complete article go to www.goodhousekeeping.com.

1. Lilies - Yes, the beautiful flowers can be lethal to your cats. Ingesting even small amounts can cause kidney damage.

2. Onions and Garlic - They contain disulfides, sulfer compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation to pets and harm their red blood cells. Also consider foods that have been cooked with lots of garlic and onion like meatballs and chopped liver.

3. Grapes and Raisins - This one was a shocker to me since I used to feed my beagle Tootie grapes all the time! But beware, they can cause severe gastrointestinal problems and even kidney failure.

4. Macadamia Nuts - The nuts contain an unknown toxin that will make them very sick.

5. Pine Oil Based Cleaners - They contain phenol and can cause severe liver damage to your cats. Even in tiny amounts like licking their wet paws.

6. Sugar Substitutes - The one to look out for is called Xylitol and it is used in sugar free candy, gum, toothpastes and baked goods. It can cause low blood sugar and liver damage and it doesn't take much. The article quotes a study that says a 22 lb. dog that ingests even just a gram of xylitol should be treated by a vet.

If you'd like to learn more please visit Goood Housekeeping or seek out the book, "Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know", by Karen Halligan, D.M.V., Director of Veterinary Services at the ASPCA of Los Angeles, CA.

Featured Artists -

"Cat Ties", by Natorious - $5