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Which plants are poisonous to cats

Feb 29, 2024 | Cats, General

Rote Kurzhaar-Katze in hochgewachsener Kräuterwiese

It is important to know what plants are poisonous to cats in order to provide them with a cosy and safe home. In our article, we have listed in detail which plants in the home can be dangerous for house pets and which are harmless. You can download these lists at the end of the article.

 

There are many plants that are safe for kitties and some that are a real joy for cats. You might think that Mother Nature has arranged it so that animals automatically recognise which plants are poisonous for cats and which are not. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is safer not to rely on your pet knowing what is good or bad for them. Only put up cat-safe greenery decorations. Outdoor cats are better at recognising plant dangers, but here too, safety first!

 

These are toxic plants for cats:

There are a large number of poisonous houseplants. To keep our kitten safe, it is worth going through all the plants and sorting out those that are poisonous to our tiger. You can give them to your parents or friends the next time you visit, provided they don’t have any four-legged friends. There are different opinions about orchids. As there is an incredible variety of orchids, they have not yet been reliably analysed. We do not recommend orchids as houseplants in a cat household.

poisonous plants

Download - List of poisonous Plants

Which cut flowers are poisonous for my cat?

In principle, all cut flowers, unless they come from your own garden, are not good for our velvet paws. Cut flowers are usually heavily sprayed with pesticides and, even if they are not dangerous themselves, they are secondarily poisonous for the house cat. The most dangerous cut flower is the lily. Everything about it is poisonous, even the pollen. Tulips can cause stomach and intestinal irritation and trigger stomach cramps. The daffodil (yellow narcissus) is a popular herald of spring. Like the snowdrop, this cut flower also triggers convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia and colic in our cats. Make absolutely sure that your house cat cannot drink water from the vases. This is also poisonous in most cases.

 

How do I recognise whether my cat has been poisoned?

If these typical symptoms occur in your pet, it is very important to react quickly and consult a vet immediately. In the worst case, poisoning with plants can be fatal.

 

The symptoms of plant poisoning are

  • Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
  • Breathing problems
  • Cramps and colic
  • signs of paralysis
  • Difficulties in coordination
  • extreme salivation
  • increasing weakness

 

Which plants are suitable for my pet tiger?

There are a variety of suitable and non-toxic plants for cats for the garden, balcony and indoor areas. Please look out for toxic fertilisers and ask whether the plants have been treated with chemicals when you buy them.

Suitable plants

Download - List of suitable plants for cats

 

Healthy nibbling fun for cats

The easiest way is to buy ready-grown cat grass from a pet shop or DIY store. Please make sure that it has not been fertilised or treated with pesticides. You can also simply buy wheat, barley and/or oat seed from an organic market. In a sheltered, bright and warm place, you can let the seeds sprout with a little soil and water. This way you have grown a healthy snack for your cat yourself.

A great overview of suitable and unsuitable plants can be found at www.botanikus.de

A very warm welcome

A very warm welcome

by | Feb 17, 2024 | , , , ,

Felt cat caves with latex cushionsI am delighted that you have found our blog here. In future, everything here will revolve around dogs, cats and the people that go with them. We will be discussing all topics relating to our 4-legged friends. I'm looking forward to...

Which plants are poisonous to dogs

Feb 28, 2024 | Dogs, General

puppy with lily of the valley - pet.interiors

Puppies explore their environment with their mouths and are particularly prone to chewing a plant that is poisonous to them.

Many dog owners are not aware of how many plants in our immediate vicinity are poisonous to dogs. A large number of plants in our living space, in the garden and in the wild pose a medium to high risk of poisoning for our pets. The health risk can be very high, especially for puppies who explore their environment with their mouths and teeth. With our article we will inform you about plants that are poisonous to dogs, the most common symptoms of poisoning and emergency measures in the event of plant poisoning.

 

How can dogs ingest poisonous plants?

  • the dog chews up a poisonous plant (flowers, stem and/or root) and absorbs the poison through the oral mucosa
  • the dog swallows poisonous plant parts
  • the dog has skin contact with the plant poison, e.g. the contact poison of the meadow hogweed, aconite
  • the dog inhales poisonous pollen, which is rare

 

Information for puppy owners

When a puppy moves in, all plants must be scrutinised. Due to their curiosity and tendency to explore new things with their mouths, all houseplants within reach of the young dog must be checked for their safety. Please do not take any risks and remove all plants that are poisonous to dogs from your living area.

You can find out how to stop your puppy from chewing on objects here.

 

Plants poisonous to dogs

We have compiled a list of plants that are poisonous to dogs. The list includes house and garden plants that are poisonous to your four-legged friend. We cannot guarantee that the list is complete. In particular, new varieties are constantly coming onto the market that may be poisonous to your pet. If you are unsure whether a plant is poisonous to dogs or not, it is better to remove it and not take any risks.

Download list of poisonous plants

Download - List of poisonous plants for dogs

 

A note on mushrooms

The effect of mushrooms on dogs has not yet been sufficiently researched and is therefore generally not permitted for dogs. What is considered digestible for humans is not necessarily true for dogs. This is shown by the example of chocolate. The active ingredient theobromine contained in chocolate can cause severe poisoning in dogs. As a precaution, remove all mushrooms from your garden.

 

The dog has poisoned itself

If you see your dog chewing on a poisonous plant, take it away immediately. Offer him a better alternative, a treat, sausage or, if necessary, a steak to swap the “prey”. Telephone your vet immediately to discuss whether you can take emergency measures, such as giving him charcoal tablets. Take the remaining plant parts with you to the vet. They will help you to identify the poison and the countermeasures to be taken immediately.

 

Symptoms of plant poisoning

  • Apathy shortness of breath
  • Severe and/or bloody diarrhoea
  • Blood in the urine
  • vomiting with or without blood
  • profuse salivation
  • cramps
  • tremors
  • coordination problems, staggering, falling down
  • Pale or blue discoloured oral mucosa
  • Palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia, increased heart rate
  • Shock symptoms
  • Fainting

 

Transport to the veterinarian

Contact the vet first. Make sure that the practice is open. If your dog is able to walk itself, you should leave it alone. If the effects of the toxins weaken the dog’s circulation and cause the body temperature to drop, keep the animal warm with a blanket. If your dog has convulsions, you must transport it in such a way that it cannot injure itself. If you have no means of transport to the vet and the dog is in danger of dying, call the fire brigade (emergency number 112) and ask for help.

 

Important information for the vet

The vet needs to know which poisonous plant your dog has ingested. Bring a sample of the poisonous plant with you, if available. It is also important to know when the plant was ingested. What symptoms and behavioural abnormalities does your dog show and how much of the poisonous plant did your dog ingest?

 

Switzerland, Zurich: Tox Info Suiss
Poison control centre: +41 44 25 15 151
Telephone: +41 44 25 16 666
E-mail: Info [AT] toxi [DOT] ch
Web: toxinfo.ch

Dog biscuits with pumpkin

Feb 27, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes

There is a smell of autumn in the air, which also makes our dogs crave seasonal treats. This recipe for dog biscuits with pumpkin gets our favorites in the culinary mood for autumn. And let’s look forward to the Christmas baking season.

This recipe can also be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

Recipe-for-dog-biscuits-with-pumpkin

Dogs are always particularly happy about dog biscuits with chia and apple because they are healthy and taste delicious.

Ingredients for the pumpkin dog biscuits:

 

200 g wholemeal spelled flour
I prefer to use spelled flour for my dog biscuits. I always have this in the house and it consists mostly of carbohydrates in the form of starch. In addition to its high protein content, it also contains a lot of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and the trace elements iron and phosphorus. Spelled is also quite robust and is grown with almost no pesticides and insecticides.

200g pumpkin
For my pumpkin dog biscuits I use a Hokaido. It is rich in nutrients and fiber, contains large amounts of vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Pumpkin is a good ingredient for dog biscuits and, raw or steamed, is a healthy snack for in between meals. Under certain circumstances, pumpkin may contain cucurbitacins. These are poisonous to dogs. These bitter substances occur in ornamental gourds and home-grown pumpkins. You can easily test whether pumpkin vegetables contain the bitter substance cucurbitacin: try a small piece of pumpkin. If it is unusually bitter, it is unsuitable for human and animal consumption. Humans react to cucurbitacins with vomiting and diarrhea, as do dogs. It is therefore advisable to decorate decorative pumpkins out of the reach of dogs. If your dog has bitten into an ornamental pumpkin, please consult a veterinarian immediately if the four-legged friend reacts abnormally.

2 organic eggs
Eggs are rich in vitamins, trace elements and unsaturated fatty acids and provide the dog with important nutrients. The high proportion of essential fat and amino acids can support the fur nose’s metabolism, and eggs are also rich in protein and fat. Amino acids stimulate cell formation and can support the animal’s metabolism. The fatty acids ensure a healthy shine in the fur and the cholesterol and lecithin contained in the yolk are required for cell formation. If the eggs are boiled or, as in this case, baked, there is no risk of transmitting salmonella.

1/2 teaspoon turmeric
The oriental spice gives our treats that certain something. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic and pain-relieving effects in humans and animals. Turmeric is a true miracle cure.

 

 

Preparation:

  1. Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, cut it into small pieces, remove the seeds and steam it in a little water until soft.
  2. Knead with the flour, eggs and turmeric to form a malleable dough.
  3. Roll out the dough and cut out small cookies. Or
    Cut off small slices and spread them on a baking tray.
  4. Bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes

Important:
Be sure to store the dog biscuits with pumpkin in an air-permeable container or bag so that they do not get moldy!

 

Dog biscuit recipe

Download recipe

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Dog biscuits with apple and chia

Feb 27, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes

When you make homemade cookies for your dog, you always know exactly what is in them. You can respond very well to your pet’s needs, for example allergies, and pay attention to organic quality. Today I came up with a fruity, fresh recipe for a treat. The dog biscuits with apple and chia will delight your four-legged friend and with these healthy ingredients, your four-legged friend will also get a good portion of omega 3 fatty acids.

Dogs are always particularly happy about dog biscuits with chia and apple because they are healthy and taste delicious.

Ingredients for the dog biscuits with apple and chia:

  • 50 g fine oat flakes
    The three main food sources for dogs are protein in plant and animal form, fat and carbohydrates. Oat flakes contain vegetable protein, a high number of unsaturated fatty acids and lots of fiber and carbohydrates. Oatmeal is an excellent source for your four-legged friend, especially when energy is needed quickly. In addition to vitamins and minerals, oatmeal also contains mucilage that has a calming effect on the intestinal wall. The fine flakes are easier to digest than the coarse flakes and should also soak for some time before eating.
  • 200 g of cottage cheese
    Cottage cheese is a high-quality source of protein with high levels of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium. It is easy to digest and the muscles are continuously supplied with all essential amino acids. Also with serotonin, which is responsible for well-being. The lactic acid bacteria contained nourish and regenerate the dog’s intestinal flora. It has been scientifically proven that cottage cheese neutralizes tooth decay bacteria.
  • 2 organic eggs
    Like humans, dogs benefit from the healthy nutrients in eggs. It contains enough essential fats and amino acids for a good metabolism. They are also rich in many vitamins and good proteins. The fatty acids ensure a great shine in the fur of your four-legged friend. The cholesterol and lecithin contained in the yolk support cell formation. Since the eggs in our biscuit are sufficiently heated, no salmonella is transmitted.
  • 50g chia
    Chia seeds are not only healthy for humans, but also for our four-legged friends. The dog biscuits with apple and chia contain antioxidants, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the four-legged friend’s immune system and metabolism. It is important that the chia seeds soak for at least two hours before processing.
  • 2 apples
    “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” also applies to dogs. The apple is a healthy and nutrient-rich addition to the daily food ration. The secondary plant substances, vitamins and pectin it contains have a positive effect on health.

 

Preparation of the dog biscuits with apple and chia:

  1. Remove the core of the apples and then grate them finely. I leave the bowls on, but everyone can do it however they want.
  2. Then knead all the ingredients into a dough.
    Wait at least 2 hours until the chia has swollen properly.
  3. Then use a teaspoon to scoop out small piles and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
  4. Bake at 175°C for approx. 20 minutes

Important: The dog biscuits with chia and apple must dry particularly well. Be sure to store it in an air-permeable container or bag.

Use these few healthy ingredients to bake your dog’s favorite cookies.

Receipt dog biscuit

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Dog driving licence – The licence to go for a walk?

Feb 27, 2024 | Dogs, General

The owner shows that he has his dog under control at all times.

Dogs are rarely naturally aggressive. If cases of aggression occur, it is usually due to incorrect posture, violent upbringing or a misinterpretation of behavior.

Whenever a biting accident is reported in the press, calls for a dog license become louder. What is forgotten is that dogs are very rarely naturally aggressive. In many cases the reason is due to incorrect attitude and violent, aggressive upbringing. A misinterpretation of the four-legged friend’s behavior can also be the cause. What does a dog license do and what should you pay attention to?

 

What exactly is the dog license?

With a dog license, the dog owner acquires a certificate. An exam with a theoretical and practical part must be taken. The theoretical part consists of questions about species-appropriate husbandry, legal regulations and the appropriate handling of a dog. In the practical test, the dog and owner must pass typical everyday situations. For example, lying quietly under the table in the cafe even though the waiter or other guests come to the table. The dog should also be able to tolerate unusual movement patterns (e.g. children on scooters) when walking without a leash.

 

 

Where can the test be taken?

Associations such as the International Professional Association of Dog Trainers (IBH), the Association for the German Dog Industry (VDH) or the BHV (Professional Association of Dog Trainers and Behavior Consultants) take the dog driving license test. The costs are around €100.

 

Proof of expertise is mandatory in Lower Saxony.

Since July 2013, proof of expertise has been mandatory in Lower Saxony for anyone who buys a new dog. This proof is colloquially known as a dog license. However, not all authorities recognize all certificates of expertise. It is therefore advisable to seek advice from the relevant authorities.

 

 

What regulations apply in the other federal states?

There are no uniform rules across Germany, only requirements for binding proof for all dog owners. In Bavaria you only need a permit to keep so-called fighting dogs. Which dogs fall under this term can be found in the fighting dog regulations. In Berlin, stricter rules apply to all dogs if you want to let them off the leash.

 

What are the advantages of a dog license?

On the one hand, you gain an understanding of how well you have your dog under control. On the other hand, having a driving license offers financial incentives: There are municipalities that offer an exemption from dog tax after receiving a dog driving license. In other communities, the dog tax is at least reduced upon presentation of the dog license.

 

 

What does the dog owner have to master during the test?

The requirements vary slightly from state to state. The examinations of the various associations are also different. Approximately 35 – 40 questions must be answered on the topics of training, fear, aggression, upbringing, reproduction, health, attitude, communication, care, race and relevant law. To pass, the owner must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.

 

What does the owner have to be able to do practically?

The dog driving license test is about the animal’s suitability for everyday use. Numerous situations are played out. The owner of the animal must have the dog under control so that it does not jump up on passers-by. He must also have his dog under control so that he can let him walk in public without a leash.

 

 

Stress in cats – recognising and avoiding

Feb 27, 2024 | Cats, General

Katze faucht stressbedingt

Stressed cats are not happy animals. How can stress be recognized and avoided?

Stress in cats: How can it be recognized and avoided?

Cats are sensitive souls and creatures of habit. Changes in their environment, strange people and animals are just three triggers that can cause stress in cats. Every animal reacts differently to stress, including your pet. One seeks silence and withdraws. The other rebels and shows his stress through uncleanliness. Watch your cat closely. Only if you know your animal well can you immediately analyze the stress symptoms and provide the necessary relaxation.

 

 

How do I recognize stress in cats?

Like us humans, every cat reacts differently to stress. However, there are signs that occur quite frequently.

 

  • Increased cleaning
  • conspicuous withdrawal
  • loss of appetite
  • unusual aggressiveness
  • constant restlessness
  • sudden uncleanliness
  • pronounced meowing

 

What can cause stress in cats?

Unfortunately, hunger, thirst and lack of attention are not the only worries a cat has. Anyone who knows anything about cats knows that the main trigger for stress in cats is change. Cats are creatures of habit and love a regular daily routine. A change in the type of food, a new roommate with two or even four legs, even the food bowl in a different place stresses our cats. The loss of a loved one often leaves its mark. Moving and/or renovation work can be particularly stressful. Loud music or television with cinematic sound can stress cats that are sensitive to noise.

 

 

What helps to reduce stress in cats.

  • Once you have identified the cause of stress, it is important to eliminate it. If this is not possible, e.g. because a newborn has moved in, the following will help:
    Always give your cat access to its usual feeding place. Do not change any food during this time.
  • Nothing should change in the litter tray either, neither the location nor the cat litter. Make sure that the litter tray is always clean so that the animal continues to feel comfortable.
  • If a move is planned, it helps if familiar objects such as the cat’s sleeping area or scratching post are already in their new place. Move the old things first. Only when the cat has acclimatised should you think about buying a new cat bed. It also helps if your velvet paw can slowly get used to its new home.
  • Are frequent visits from strangers a stress trigger for your cat? Then give your cat the opportunity to withdraw. Your cat also needs time to get to know the “intruder”. The animal should never be pressurised, but should always decide for itself whether it wants to make contact or not.

 

This is how you can help your cat relax.

Our velvet paws live and love three-dimensional spaces. Cats love to be in higher altitudes. A cat tree, shelves and cupboards are often used. From there you can observe their habitat from a safe distance.

Give your cat enough space so that she can retreat. A quiet place that cannot be seen or a quiet cave where she can hide are very suitable for this.

Engage with your loved one at least twice a day. Cats that move around a lot and have enough to do are more relaxed. Give your cat lots of attention and play with her extensively so that he feels safe during this stressful time.

 

A very warm welcome

A very warm welcome

by | Feb 17, 2024 | , , , ,

Felt cat caves with latex cushionsI am delighted that you have found our blog here. In future, everything here will revolve around dogs, cats and the people that go with them. We will be discussing all topics relating to our 4-legged friends. I'm looking forward to...