Symptoms of Liver Failure in Dogs

Just like we humans, the liver plays an important role in a dog's body too. Liver failure in dogs can arise due to a variety of causes. The early symptoms of liver failure in dogs are so subtle and generally mistaken as some other health disorder. This is why it is important to know about the signs and symptoms of liver failure. Now, liver takes care of all the biochemical process and helps release energy into the body. Alcohol is not the reason that can lead to canine liver failure. So, what are the causes of canine liver failure? They include viral and bacterial infections that affect other organs of the body and lodge themselves in the liver. They affect the functioning of the liver, lead to scarring and ultimately liver failure.

Liver failure in dogs most commonly occurs due to exposure to toxins. These toxins can be environmental or ingested with food and water. It has been found there are many commercial dog foods that contain a high amount of preservatives and other substances like food coloring agents that tend to become toxic for the animal in the long run. Thus, it is important to feed the dog a healthy diet and take care of the animal's need for physical exercise. Parasites finding their way to the liver, can cause cancer, bile duct obstruction, and liver disease. Liver failure tends to have a silent onset and before you know it, affects the dog's health considerably. Let us have a look at the symptoms that will help any pet owner try to seek help before it's too late.

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Failure

Liver failure will affect your dog's health to a great extent. The early symptoms of liver failure are very subtle. You will find your dog happy and normal as usual. Suddenly, out of the blue, tragedy might strike and you come to know your pet is suffering from liver failure. You should keep a mental note of the symptoms mentioned below as early detection is the key to saving your pet from all the health troubles.

Loss of appetite is one of the most important symptoms of liver failure. Your dog will suddenly begin to eat less than normal or refuse to eat altogether. This causes excessive weight loss as the dog eats less than usual. Liver failure causes the liver to produce less of bile and metabolism of food decreases considerably. Fats, carbohydrates and proteins are not metabolized properly, thus, the dog begins to lose weight.

Apart from weight loss, the dog may suffer from vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. This occurs due to development of frequent gastrointestinal upsets. The stool passed may also contain blood streaks. As the dog loses all the nutrients as well as fluids due to vomiting and diarrhea, he turns lethargic and depressed. You will find your dog will refuse to go for walks or exercise. All he/she wants to do is lie around.

The amount of bile produced reduces and thus the dog begins to pass pale gray stools. Bile consists of cholesterol, bile acids, bilirubin and globulins. It helps in recirculation of red blood cells, absorption of fats into the blood stream from the intestine, etc. Bilirubin is detoxified and sent to intestines for excretion. It is broken down further and results in passing of dark brown stool. When the amount of bile in produced is less, the stool passed tends to be paler. This indicates the presence of liver problems in dogs.

As the circulation in the liver is affected due to scarring of the liver tissues, it causes Ascites. This is a condition that occurs due to low serum proteins and increase in the pressure in the veins passing through the liver. It leads to accumulation of fluid that causes a swollen, bloated stomach. This may be a sign of liver disease in dogs.

Bleeding is another such symptom of liver failure that you may observe when the disease progresses to an advanced stage. You will observe blood in urine as well as stool and vomit. Sometimes, you will observe bleeding gums and unexplained bruises under the lips and skin. Bilirubin as explained earlier is broken down further in the intestines and then excreted. But, when the amount of bilirubin secreted is high and not processed properly, it will cause orange urine. This is because bilirubin is orange in color and when improperly processed, it causes urine to appear orange.

The most important sign of liver failure in dogs is jaundice. You will observe the skin and white of the eyes turning into a yellow tone. This occurs due to accumulation of biliary pigments in the body. The liver fails to process them and thus, the levels of these pigments rise in the body. Polydipsia or excessive thirst and polyuria or frequent urination are also symptoms of liver failure in dogs.

If you spot these symptoms in your pet, make sure you visit the veterinarian immediately. This will help ensure liver problems in dogs are brought under control with medical help. If left untreated, it can lead to early the demise of the dog. Hope the above information proves to be useful in spotting liver problems in dogs.

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Causes of Limping in Dogs

There are some key signs of a healthy, happy dog. A shiny coat, clean teeth and a good gait are to name a few. In fact, running, jumping or frolicking around is important doggie behavior. A limping dog, favoring one foot over the other, or trying to avoid walking at all, is a clear indicator that something is wrong. The causes could be transient, i.e short term or quick healing like a sprain. Or they could be a serious disorder or disease, which could affect the dog's health and even life. Injuries to a dog's legs should never be ignored, and below are some transient and severe causes of limping in dogs, to look out for.

Benign Causes of Limping

The following disorders cause short-term or temporary lameness in dogs.

Soft Tissue Trauma
Sprains, pulled muscles or strained ligaments are sudden and accidental causes of limping in dogs. Playing roughly, overexertion or jumping and falling incorrectly, can cause a ruptured ligament. A bone fracture can be caused by a car accident, where the dog is hit, or if the dog falls from a great height. Fractures can occur in the leg, elbow or hip and can be mild or severe. A few days of rest are needed in soft tissue trauma cases. But if the limping persists 48 hours after the accident, then an x-ray is needed to show the extent of damage, and then proper medication can be prescribed. Do not ignore this sort of limping, as an ignored mild fracture could lead to a chronic limping dog.

Kneecap Dislocation
This is predominant among the toy dog breeds (Chihuahuas, Pomeranians) but occurs in large and medium-sized breeds to a lesser extent. The kneecap moves from its original position, to the inner side of the knee and the leg gets locked. Most of the time, the muscles in the hind legs should relax and stretch, for the kneecap to go back to its original location. So the dog limps, to allow stretching of the muscle to occur.

Cuts or Lacerations
Cuts on the paws can be caused by stepping on sharp objects, (glass pieces) or skidding on the sidewalk. If the cut is small, wash it out with warm water and apply an ointment. Wrap a gauze bandage around the area, as a dog will lick off the ointment if uncovered. The paws must remain dry until the cut has healed. If the cut is very deep or severe, please consult a veterinarian, as sutures or antibiotics may be needed.

Embedded Objects
A dog's paws should be checked for thorns and stickers. E.g. grass sandspurs are one of the common causes of limping, especially in canines residing in southern parts of America. Insect bites, seeds, burrs, dried mud and matted fur (especially in hairy breeds) are another common cause. Be careful while removing the object, do not pull hard, as the skin between your dog's toes might get torn. Once removed, the wound rarely gets infected.

Toenail Issues
Overgrown or large toenails can cause dog limping, as the nails can break and expose skin underneath. This is a fractured nail. Very active dogs can wear down their toenails from running around on hard surfaces like cement sidewalks. The trick is to be careful when you cut your dog's nails. Do not cut them too short, for an active dog can wear them out. Do not allow toenails to grow long, as this is a health risk for both you and the dog. If the toenails are very overgrown, take your dog to a veterinarian, as a mild surgical procedure is required.

Panosteitis
Young dogs, between 5 - 14 months of age, are prone to this bone disease. It lasts between 2 - 5 months but in some cases, 18 months. Its main symptom is limping, either on the front or back leg. It is fairly common in large breeds, like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Dobermans. The cause of this disease is unknown. X-rays are used for diagnosis and mild exercise and painkillers are prescribed to help ease the pain. There is no additional treatment, as time passes, the limping eases and stops.

Interdigital Cysts
An inflammation between a dog's toes, caused by trauma, irritants, a foreign body or tick bites. It appears as a swelling or lump that could ooze pus or may need draining. Long-term antibiotics and medical attention is required to aid the healing process.

Serious Causes of Limping

The following diseases seriously affect a dog's health and their effects may be permanent. Some are genetic or breed-based and some are infections.

Lyme Disease (Borreliosis)
A tick-borne, bacterial disease, which is prevalent in both humans and dogs. Dogs in 48 states of the U.S.A have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, whose key symptom is recurrent limping in dogs, due to swollen joints.

Hip Dysplasia
Limping in dogs is a major symptom of abnormal growth or development of the hip area. With hip dysplasia, the "ball and socket" arrangement of the hip is irregular. Normally, the ball fits firmly into the socket, allowing for frictionless smooth motion. But with dysplasia, the socket is not deep enough and the ball fits loosely. This hinders the dog, while moving, sitting or standing and he compensates for the unsightly gait, by limping.

Tumors
Leg bone tumors give rise to a bone cancer disease called osteosarcomas. Its exact cause is unknown but it is commonly observed in large breed dogs, so it could be linked to rapid early growth and large weight on the bones. It is the most common type of bone cancer and an estimated 8000 dogs are diagnosed with this cancer, each year. Melanocytic Tumors and Digital Squamous Cell Carcinoma are two other tumor causes of limping in dogs.

Osteochondrosis
This is an orthopedic disease, prevalent among young, large-breed dogs, like Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers. Osteochondrosis (OC) is a genetic defect, where an extra flap or loose piece of cartilage is developed instead of bone. Due to this, bone and cartilage fragments are created in the joints and extra regions of cartilage exist. A bone is more capable of handling stress and movement than cartilage, so this sort of replacement causes "wear and tear" in dogs. Its first and common symptom is limping, in either or both legs.

A thorough physical examination of a dog is carried out first, to determine the cause of limping. Blood and urine analysis are also conducted. Because there are a variety of causes, a veterinarian will try to narrow down the area of lameness, whether it is a skeletal, nervous or metabolic problem. Treatment options vary according to the cause. Owners of large sized breeds should be careful with genetic disorders. A very active and agile dog is more prone to leg injuries and hence, check for any changes in behavior and movement traits.

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How do Dogs Get Worms

There is no doubt about the fact that dogs are among the most popular pet animals. While, adopting a pet may sound simple for you, the efforts behind taking care of the animal may not be that easy. Apart from providing the right diet, shelter and other things, you must also take care of its health problems. As far as canines are concerned, internal parasites or dog worms are found to be a common health problem. So, it is not really a bad idea for the dog owners (including the prospective ones) to gain some knowledge about this canine health problem.

Types of Dog Worms

Internal parasites are those organisms that live inside the body of the host, from whom they derive their food. In case of dogs, there are many different types of internal parasites that are called dog worms. The most common among them are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and heartworms. While heartworms are found to occupy the heart and the blood vessels, the other four infest the intestines. While these parasites can be found in dogs of all ages, roundworms and hookworms are prominently seen in puppies, whereas, the other three (heartworms, tapeworms and whipworms) are mostly seen in older canines.

Some of the dog worms, like, tapeworms are visible, some others are microscopic in nature. In small numbers, these parasites may not cause any dog worm symptoms, but, large infestation may prove detrimental for the health of the animal. Another problem that may be posed by dog worms is the risk of human infection. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms in dogs may get transmitted to people. So, preventing and treating dog worms is of utmost importance.

How do Dogs Get Worms

There are many different ways through which a dog can get infested with worms. Such dog worm transmission may take place right before the birth of the animal or after that. The following are some of the common ways of dog worm transmission.

Roundworms: One of the commonly found dog worms, roundworms look like cooked spaghetti. There are many different types of roundworms and Toxocara canis is mostly found in dogs. These worms are usually found in the intestine of the dog, but, they may travel through the blood to the liver, lungs and the brain as well. Newborn puppies are found to be infested with these parasites, during the fetal stage. In other words, an infected mother can transmit these parasites to the fetus in the uterus. The puppies may also get affected with roundworms, as they breastfeed. Ingestion of affected animal or soil contaminated with roundworm eggs is also a cause of roundworm infestation. Once the dogs get infested, they will be overeating for sometime, but, after that, they will lose interest in food. Dogs with roundworms are often found to develop a pot-bellied appearance. Other roundworm symptoms in dogs include lethargy, loose and/or bloody stools, vomiting and breathing problems.

Hookworms: Hookworms are parasites with hook-like structures, which they use for getting attached to the intestinal walls (of the host), from where they suck blood. As in case of roundworms, hookworms too can be transferred to the fetus, while inside the uterus of the infected mother. They may also get transferred to the puppy, through breastfeeding. The larvae of hookworms are capable of penetrating the skin of the host and enter the latter's body. Ingestion of larvae or eggs through contaminated water or soil is also a cause for hookworms in dogs. As these parasites suck blood, by attaching to the walls of the intestine, the dog will develop blood loss and resultant anemia, black tarry stools, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue.

Whipworms: As far as whipworms are concerned, the most common method of transmission is ingestion of contaminated food, water and soil. These parasites too attach themselves to the intestinal wall of the host, sucking blood. In small numbers, they may not cause any symptoms, but, large infestation may cause inflammation of the intestinal surfaces. The affected animal may have mucus in the stools and may also develop anemia, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea.

Tapeworms: They are parasites that require an intermediate host that acts as a vector. In case of tapeworms, such hosts include pigs, sheep and fish. Tapeworm infestation in dogs is mainly caused by ingestion of infected fleas that carry tapeworm eggs. Even ingestion of other animals that are infested with fleas or tapeworms may result in transmission of tapeworms. Symptoms of tapeworm infestation include restlessness and vomiting. The stools of the affected dog may contain white rice-like grains that are actually segments of tapeworms. Such segments may be found in and around the anal area of the animal. The animal may also start scooting, due to the irritation caused by these worms from other dogs.

Heartworms: In case of heartworms, mosquitoes are the vectors. These insects carry the larvae of heartworms and transmit the same to dogs, through bites. Once infested, heartworms multiply in numbers and settle down in the heart and the blood vessels. In large numbers, these worms can cause severe symptoms and may also result in death of the animal. The onset of the symptoms start with a cough. The animal will soon develop chest pain too. These parasites can also affect the vital organs of the dog, as they block the blood vessels.

Apart from the above mentioned methods of dog worms transmission, mutual grooming is also a cause for transmission of dog worms, especially, tapeworms. Even ingestion of the stools of other animals and ingestion of uncooked meat may result in dog worms. Prevention and treatment of dog worms is one of the vital aspect of dog care. So, regular monitoring is very much necessary to prevent and cure the condition. You may also consult the vet and opt for vaccinations in order to prevent dog worms. Timely diagnosis and treatment will prove useful in reducing the discomfort of the animal and also in preventing complications associated with dog worm infestation.

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Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

When human beings are exposed to heat for a long time, they suffer from heat exhaustion. In the same way, this problem of heat exhaustion can also occur in dogs. However, the only difference here is that canines cannot express their discomfort through words as humans can. Hence, it is important for people who have dogs as pets to know about heat exhaustion in canines so that they can take immediate action when they observe its signs and symptoms.

Causes

Heat exhaustion usually occurs when the canine is kept outdoors for a long period of time, during summer. Moreover, active dogs like to run and play around even when the temperature is extremely dry and will not stop until they are too exhausted. Dogs that are locked inside a car are also at a high risk of developing heat exhaustion as the inner temperature of a car can go beyond 130 degrees F, even with the windows rolled down. This can occur, not only on a warm day, but also on a day when the weather is mild. Whether a dog will experience heat exhaustion, also depends on which breed the dog belongs to. For example, canines who are obese and the breeds that are short nosed like Bulldogs, pugs, etc. have a high risk of developing this health problem. If heat exhaustion is not given immediate treatment, it may turn into heat stroke which can be life-threatening for your canine.

Symptoms

When you take your pet dog outdoors during summers, do not forget to observe his behavior to know whether he is showing any symptoms of heat exhaustion. The first symptom is heavy panting. As dogs do not have sweat glands like humans, when they feel too hot, they start panting to release the heat from their body. However, when a dog suffers from heat exhaustion, the panting will be vigorous or heavier than it is after it indulges in certain activities. Other signs include -

• Deep breathing or hyperventilation
• Anxiousness
• Deliriousness
• Dark red gums
• Restlessness
• Dizziness or confusion
• Thick saliva
• Inattentiveness
• Increased salvation followed by dry gums
• Weakness
• Very high temperature
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Treatment

If you observe these symptoms in your canine, the first thing you have to do is to check his body temperature. The normal temperature of a dog is usually somewhere around 101 to 103 degrees. However, if it is affected by heat exhaustion, its body temperature can shoot up beyond 104 degrees. If this is the condition, the dog should be given immediate medical attention. However, before taking the canine to a vet, there are certain important steps that you have to take in order to bring back its temperature to normal.

• If your pet dog is showing the signs of heat exhaustion, shift it too a cooler location, either in an air conditioned room or in a shaded area away from direct exposure of the sun.
• Once you have done this, pour cool water or apply ice pack on the dog to bring down his body temperature. Now, here you need to be careful, as applying ice pack on its back can damage its internal organs beyond repair. Hence, carry this procedure on the dog's belly.
• While suffering from heat exhaustion, there are chances that your dog may vomit the food that he has eaten. Under such circumstances, do not give him water to drink as he may vomit this too. Therefore, try cooling it by other methods and let it drink water only after the body temperature reaches 103 degrees.
• Once the temperature is brought back to normal and the signs of heat exhaustion in dog diminish, take your canine to the vet who will do a complete check up to see whether any long term effects have occurred.

Tips for Prevention

Although treating this problem is possible, it can cause certain long term problems like damage to the internal organs which may prove fatal to the canine. As the consequences of heat exhaustion in dog are extremely dangerous, owners need to take certain important precautions to prevent their canine from getting affected by heat exhaustion.

One of the very important ways of keeping your canine far from the risk of getting heat exhaustion, is by keeping it hydrated. Make sure that cool water is available to your pet throughout the day. Also, see to it that your canine does not indulge in vigorous activities during summers. Another important thing that you should remember is to never leave the canine in a hot car, even if the windows are open. If your dog has thick or long hair, make it a point to cut it short during summers. However, do not shave it off fully because the dog's coat protects it from sun stroke.

Following these treatments and precautions is the best way to protect your dog from dangerous after effects of heat exhaustion.

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Cleaning Dog's Ears

Cleaning a dog's ears can seem a daunting and sensitive task if you don't know how. Maybe even a little yucky for some. But we shall not be concentrating on solving that aspect here today. What we shall be doing instead, is talking about the correct method and the right way of cleaning the ears. It is a really important task because it prevents canine ear infection and diseases and is thus essential for maintaining your dog's health.

Natural Ways of Cleaning Ears

Cleaning a dog's ears is important and essential. But one has to be careful in doing it. Here are some easy ways of how to go about this process.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Cleaning the ears with hydrogen peroxide has proved to be a very effective method for success. To do this...

1. Take a little amount of hydrogen peroxide and pour it in a container to let it come down to room temperature.
2. This is necessary because hydrogen peroxide is cold and might hurt the ears.
3. Once it's warm, use a dropper and put about 3-4 drops inside the dog's ear.
4. Make sure that it does not go into the ear canal.
5. Now fold the ear over and massage well.
6. Take a cotton ball and dab the excess and dirty peroxide and then with a swab, clean the outer parts of the ear.
7. Now let the dog shake off.

Vinegar and Water
Cleaning a dog's ears with vinegar and water is another effective method of cleaning his ears. For this:

1. Make a solution of vinegar, water and peroxide in a 1:1:1 ratio in a container.
2. Now hold the dog's snout so he doesn't move. Make sure that the grip is firm yet gentle.
3. Dip a cotton in the solution and clean the inside of the ear.
4. Then using a cotton swab clean the earwax buildup from around the ear.
5. Be extremely careful and gentle when you clean the ear, such that it does not go deep into the ear canal and damage the eardrum.
6. Now take a dry cotton swab and clean off the excess solution.
7. One can also use a dish cloth or cotton cloth to clean the ears.

Alcohol
Cleaning the ears with alcohol is also a very effective way of going about it. For this:

1. Make a solution of rubbing alcohol, vinegar and water in equal proportions (about 1/3)
2. Transfer this in a dipper bottle.
3. Hold your dog's head on the side and squirt 6-8 drops inside the dog's ear.
4. Let sit for a minute.
5. Then let the dog shake it off.
6. Now take a cotton and wipe off the excess solution.
7. Then using a cotton swab, clean the outer portion of the ear.

Oils
One can use different oils like tea tree oil or olive oil for cleaning the ears as well. If your dog has ear mites, this really helps. For this:

1. Take some oil and heat it slightly so that it is lukewarm.
2. Now pour about 4-6 drops inside the dog's ear with a dipper.
3. Make sure that the dog's head is held securely on the side.
4. After the oil has been poured in the dog's ears, let it sit for about 2-3 minutes. This will help to soften the hard crusts inside the ear.
5. Now take a damp cotton swab and clean the ears till they are clear off any debris. One can also use a wet cloth for this.
6. Now take a dry cloth and wipe the ear dry.
7. Make sure that the oil does not get in the fur or you'll have to bathe your dog to get rid of it.

Mouthwash
Another method of cleaning ears is using a mouthwash.

1. Pour some mouthwash in a container and let sit so it warms up to room temperature.
2. Then pour about 2-3 drops in and let sit for a minute.
3. Then take a make up removal pad and pat it dry.
4. Next, use a little amount of rubbing alcohol and squirt on a cotton ball.
5. Now swipe it all over the ear to dry it off quickly and disinfect it further.

Other Options
Here are some other options that you can use.

• One can also make a solution using rubbing alcohol (4 ounces), glycerin (1 tbs), boric acid (2 tbs) and then following the same procedure as is mentioned in the methods above.
• Use baby wipes for cleaning the ears. Simply wipe the ears with them. This helps because they have antibacterial properties.
• One can also buy a commercial ear wash solution, which are readily available in the market.

Always be very gently when you take a cotton bud to your dog's ear 'coz it can damage their eardrums. These were some of the best methods of cleaning the dog's ears. Clean your dog's ears once a month as a part of dog care. Be very careful when you're doing it. And you'll have a happy dog, thanking you for it! All the best and take care of your pet.

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How to Take Care of Your Pet Labradoodle

To be honest, I have an insane amount of admiration for Labradors, and when I first came across the idea of crossing a lab and a poodle, I didn't think it would be that great. Well I was wrong and they are indeed a breed of all that is good in the world (corny, but true!). But, with great dogs comes great responsibility. Labradoodles can be quite bothersome to take care of, seems to be the case with most crossbreeds. Delve into the world of being owners and caretakers for the dog that's been famous since 1988.

Labradoodle Characteristics

Bear in mind that Labradoodles are still a fairly new breed and as a new breed, it will take time for them to fully develop as the perfect combination between their parent breeds. This is what makes it extremely important for a dog owner to take care of which dogs can be the best as the parent dogs.

Temperament
Although they may be a little underdeveloped, the right combination makes the near perfect dog. They can be friendly like their parents. Labradoodles can be very mature in behavior, yet being very energetic and enthusiastic. Both labs and poodles are considered as the most intelligent breed of dogs, and the same is expected from their cross. It can, however, be said that there is still no uniform behavior pattern in all Labradoodles.

Health
It is always a possibility for any new breed created to possess weaker resistances than their parents. This is more evident in offspring from two Labradoodles than from a lab and a poodle. The fact remains that they are not yet classified as a breed, which means it may be difficult to treat them for health complications. Hip problems are the more common conditions amongst them. They do, however, seem to possess the strength from both the parent breeds too. If the genetic pool is set right, they can be made super-resistant too!

Caring for Your Labradoodle

If you are serious about getting one, then you need to be serious about their health care too. There are some important things that you cannot miss out on for your dog's sake, and you need to do them regularly.

The Vet
If you have adopted the Labradoodle from a pound, you will first take him/her to the vet. It is advisable to get an adopted dog neutered or sprayed. This has both health and behavioral benefits. After that, get the whole vaccination regime done with. Whether adopted or bred selectively, you will have to go to the vet every six months.

Grooming
Their coats can be quite a bother if you don't take care of them. The dog hair needs to be cut once every year or once every 3 to 4 months. The advised length of hair is about 3" to 4". Grooming depends on the type of hair, of which there are basically two:

• Wool coats need to be trimmed once every 3 to 4 months. This is because the hair will become very bothersome if you prolong the time between two trimmings. The hair tends to knot up, leaving a harsh matted feel and inviting health problems.
• Fleece coats are less bushy and more wavy. They can be kept longer than wool coats, but you need to brush them regularly. They can be trimmed once in a year or maybe even more, depending on the dog and the straightness of the hair.

One important thing here is that, the texture, hair density and even color change as the dog gets older. So you need to keep a check on that too. Bathe the dog at regular intervals, but don't overdo it, this will remove any oils from your dog's coat, making it coarse and thinned out. Labradoodle grooming is an extensive topic by itself, you'll need additional information to help you make your doodle clean and looking great.

Food
Labradoodles can eat animal sources (namely, chicken) for proteins and fat, along with a few listed grains and plant sources for other nutrients. Like all dogs, there's a list of stuff that you need to keep away from the dog at all times, eating these things will make your dog very sick. The list includes grapes, cherries, mushrooms along with the regular anti-freeze (ethylene glycol - very dangerous) and cocoa/chocolate.

Training
All the things you need to do for a dog are included in a Labradoodles training. This includes potty training, room training, outdoor training and removing total fearfulness of strangers and other dogs. Just remember that you should remove your doodle's collar when you're home, especially when the doodle is inside its cage/box.

In the end, the Labradoodle is essentially a part of the family like all dogs and should be treated like one, with extra care for some things that other dogs don't really need. But any dog lover will realize the immense pay off for taking special care of their pets.

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Taking Care of Pet Hamsters

Hamsters, which belong to the rodent family, are one of the most popular pets found around the world. They are cute, clean and easy to take care of, which make them a favorite pet for people of all ages. They can be really entertaining companions for the keeper if proper care of their mood and diet is taken.

The only inconvenient fact about having a pet hamster is that it only lives up to 1000-1100 days, i.e., about 1-3.5 years. The time span varies slightly according to the particular species - Russian hamsters may live up to four years - but the rule of the thumb states that hamsters don't live for much more than 2.5-3 years. While this can be really heartbreaking, especially for youngsters, a few people think of it as an opportunity for children to understand the inevitability of it and learn the responsibility.

Types of Hamsters
There are mainly three types of hamsters found:

Syrian Hamsters: This type is also called black bear, golden, teddy bear, fancy hamster, etc. They are generally golden brown in color with dark-colored markings on parts like jaws, cheeks, etc., of their body. They are the largest of all the types and are very easy to tame and take care of, which make them the most commonly adopted pets. They grow about 6-8 inches in length, and their lifespan is around 2-3 years. They are strongly territorial animals and cannot tolerate the presence of other hamsters in their territory, which makes it very important to keep them alone in a cage/home. They are mainly nocturnal and are quite active from the early hours in the evening and night.

Dwarf Hamsters: They are also called Campbell's Russian Hamsters, Winter White Russian Hamsters or Roborovski Hamsters. Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamsters are the most common type people like to keep as a pet. They grow about 4-5 inches in length and have almost the same lifespan as other types of hamsters. They prove to be good mates for hamsters of the same species rather than other species (given that they are introduced to each other at a young age).

Chinese Hamsters: These types are often misinterpreted to be dwarf hamsters as they exhibit similar physical characteristics like them, but they are actually different. They grow same in length as dwarf hamsters, and have a lifespan of about 2.5 to 3 years. They are also nocturnal but are not as lazy as Syrian hamsters during the daytime. Female Chinese hamsters generally are not comfortable with the other hamsters and so should be kept alone or with the hamster they get along with easily.
Ideal Homes for a Hamster
Consider how you would feel if you were to be confined to a very small place with no room for you to even walk around it? You would surely get frustrated and would wish to get out of the place as soon as possible. The same is true with hamsters. The first and the most important thing to take into consideration is that the house for these pets should be as large as possible, with a dry and hygienic bedding. Hamsters can easily contract diseases from an unhealthy environment, so the cage must be regularly cleaned.

You should avoid choosing a wooden house for hamsters as it cannot withstand their teeth (rodents have sharp incisors that never stop growing), and you might one day end up having your pet lost. Nowadays, there are many varieties of cages/homes available in the market like simple wire cages, large cages, with bedding, wheels and tunnels, etc. While choosing one out of these, all you need to understand is how happy your pet will be in the new home. There should be plenty of space available for your pet to gambol around, there should be a small metal plate where you can keep food, a small metal bowl for water and some space for the hamster's bedding. If you are willing to allow your hamster to be its own home decorator then you can provide it with some tissue papers (chemical-less or non-scented), straw, softened wood shavings, etc. Your pet will love to make its own bedding.

If you are not planning to let the hamster free in your house, its cage must have a running wheel. Hamsters are not designed to curl up in a cozy spot and sleep off half the day; they are designed to be mobile and active. It has been speculated that not providing a hamster enough exercise heavily increases the chances of it becoming paralyzed. An underworked and overfed hamster will also become bored quite easily and may display behavioral changes.
Food for Hamsters
Hamsters can eat a variety of foods which you will never find hard to get hold of. They can eat vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers etc., fruits, such as grapes, apples etc., cereals, seeds, raisins and even worms. Nowadays, you can choose from a variety of food mixes. These food mixes are prepared using corn, sunflower seeds, cereal, alfalfa etc., which hamsters happily devour.

Whatever you feed your pet hamster, all you need to understand is that it should be fresh and you should not give a mixture of different foods. If you put everything in the food plate, chances are your pet hamster will eat only those items which it likes, cultivating the taste for them and may reject other foods in the future. You should also understand and note down the daily food habit of your pet hamster, which will help you in feeding it in the right way and also monitor any unusual activity that can help you find out if your pet hamster needs special attention.
Handling Hamsters
Hamsters' popularity as household pets owes much to their cuddly nature and their 'oh-so-cute' appeal. Although very easy to tame, they need special handling until then. Initially, you may need to use a glove to pick up an untrained hamster, since it may bite. As stated before, their teeth can burrow through wooden cages, so a bite can be excruciatingly painful. You should be careful not to stress or frighten them, as they often resort to their instinct to bite when under shock/stress or frightened. You will also have to learn how to hold your pet without making it feel uncomfortable in your hands. Once tamed, however, it will come to recognize you, and will allow you to feed and pet it.

If you are planning to set your pet hamster free inside your home even for a small amount of time, it can easily be trod on by someone or might get into some hiding hole from where you will find it very hard to retrieve it, so make sure it is only left free when you (or someone else) can keep an eye on it. Make sure that your hamster gets enough space to play and run in order to meet its daily exercise requirements, it should get enough privacy, there should be no harmful element (such as electric wires, any harmful chemical, anything that might cause cuts or scratches) within its reach and its home should be kept very hygienic.
What if Your Pet Escapes
If you suddenly find out that the door of the hamster's cage had been inadvertently left open and that the poor animal is now nowhere to be seen, all you can do is to set a tempting trap and wait. Provided it hasn't left your house, you can usually lure it back with its favorite food.

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