Color me confused

Myth?

Some consumers believe that food coloring and dyes in pet food cause allergic reactions and gastrointestinal upset in pets. 
-Purina


You know what, lets just skip the bullshit here. 
There is absolutely no need for any food colorings or dyes in pet food  NO NEED

You can try and prove that Dog A and Dog C did not have an allergic reaction to your food. 
You can blame something else for gastrointestinal upset in Cats.
You can call yourself a Fire eating Duck with Machete wings for all I care.
-I may be in a Halloween Monster type of mindset.

You could possibly be idiots if you actually believe a Dog looks at the food and thinks -
 Hmm, I really wish this was red. 
Golly, the green stuff tastes so good.
This brown food is missing something.. I know! Artificial colors!
Human, go buy me some Dog Chow at once!
Blue 2, Yellow 5, Red 40
Dog Chow

• The quality, digestibility and nutrition of the product is unaffected by the use of artificial coloring.

Sometimes things can't get worse then crap.

• Some colors are derived from natural sources, such as beet powder and turmeric.

Interesting - do you use beet powder or turmeric ?
Beet powder is red right? - You use Red 40- that is not Beet powder is it?
Turmeric can make a yellow color - You use Yellow 5 - that is not Turmeric is it?
NO so please tell me your point?

• Small amounts of dyes are used to produce the color.

How about none. 
You can create food without food colorings. You would have to use actual foods for it.

• Food allergies are most commonly caused by proteins. Food colorants are not proteins.

 Actually these are chemicals. 
So I am guessing it would be a chemical allergy?
I do not know.
Since eat dog or cat is different - different breeding, different environment - it is very hard to pin point what the allergens are. 
Goodie for you!

I love this last little notes on your page

Remember
Purina has a long history of producing high-quality, highly nutritious pet foods that are rigorously tested.
-You have been around for a long time, stating that you have a long history of producing high-quality foods needs to be backed up by people that do not benefit by that statement. 
Highly nutritious? 
You thought this was nutritious
While a pet food may contain different colors, the nutrition, quality, safety and palatability of the diet are the standards by which it is measured.
To me that means..yeah there is food coloring but don't worry... we just ignore it.

The Myth and The Meow

Myth?
Carbohydrates cause obesity and diabetes in cats.
-Purina 

It’s now believed that many cases of feline diabetes are caused by excess carbohydrates in the diet.
-ASPCA 

As obligate carnivores, some of the metabolic pathways and

enzymes present in omnivores are redundant in the cat.

Cats’ natural diet is high in animal protein and fat and low in carbohydrate

               - the only carbohydrates eaten being those semi- digested in the gut of their prey.

                                                                       Nestle Purina  

Dude, you said that. 

Replacing dietary carbohydrate with protein appears

to be an effective means of slowing the release of glucose

into the bloodstream.

You guys said that too!

Dr Clémentine Jean-Philippe, DVM, Ph.D

European Scientific Communication Manager

Nestlé PURINA PetCare

Jean-Christophe Bouthegourd, PhD

Research Scientist –

Senior Nutritionist, Nestlé PURINA PetCare Amiens Product Technology Centre

Techincally it was these guys that said it.

I see, European...Cats in North America must be different right?

This is a cute little saying I saw on a web site -
"A cat needs carbohydrates like a fish needs a bicycle"

The same site also states 

 "The best diet advocated for healthy cats is a high-quality meat-based (beef, lamb, chicken, turkey) canned food that contains not more than 3 to 5 percent carbohydrates."

-The Nest

This site talks about what is the best diet for cats - Companions Animal Hospital 

•  Many cells in a cat’s body require glucose, a form of carbohydrate, for energy

"Carbohydrates do provide quick and easy energy. However, it is not 'carbs' that maintain the health of the organs.., but glucose. Glucose can be obtained from both fat and protein through a process known as gluconeogenesis, where amino acids and fat (not fatty acids; those use a different cycle) are "converted" to glucose."

-The Many Myths of Raw Feeding
Carissa Kuehn speaks about the misconceptions in regards to a raw food diet - A pro raw food diet site.

What I have been reading is that the companies who sell pet foods containing carbohydrates  - are the ones trying to pump up the positive aspects of Carbohydrates in a Cats diet. 

The problem - it is simply not true. 

If an animal is meant to eat meat and we try to change their biological and evolutionary diet - we will cause damage. 

We have caused damage. 

Illnesses that a Cat in the wild would never face are now common.

We have taken these creatures out of the wild and now are trying to force them to comply to our theory on what they should be eating. 

Not because we think it is best for them.

No.

Because it is cheaper. 

Because the profit margin is more important than their health. 

The truth is - yes, it is possible for a cat to eat carbohydrates.

Yes these Carbohydrates can be converted into glucose.

Yes they can survive on a diet that has moderate amount of Carbohydrates. 

My point is - should they?

Is it beneficial for them?

Are we putting their needs first?

No.

Twas the night before Halloween..

Human
Sebby
Willow
Molly
Onyx

************

Twas the night before Halloween and all through the house, a bunch of cats were scurrying but alas there was no mouse.
Sure there are.

Not real mice.

No, but that would be fun. Can we have some real ones?

No! I get that it's natural for your guys to want to kill and eat mice but I sure as hell don't want to see it!

Chicken.

Fine. I am a chicken.

Bawkbawk

So tomorrow is Halloween?

Yup.

What's tonight?



Well isn't that just....creepy.

Uh...




That's cute, not scary



So basically you suck at scary, my turn.
















That's not scary, it's creepy... but not scary !










 Aww I want one.

Okay, you win .

We are so not watching that.

Can we watch something else?

Like what?

I dunno.

What is a Devils Night themed movie that is less creepy and more cool?

( sorry if the layout cuts off the video, I am still learning)

Here we go again? - Meet Minerva (Mina)

 That hurt!
You bit me you silly little Crocodile kitty!

Good!

(I am in black text and Crocodile kitty is in red)

Hey! That's not nice!

I DON'T CARE

Well you should!

Why? Who are you?

Why are you looking at me?

Why am I in here?

Don't I get a lawyer?

This is unlawful containment!

I've been cat napped!

Stop looking at me!!

I said stop! STAAAAAAWWWWP

Relax little one.

Little kitty big teeth

Yes thank you, I experienced them.

That's right I am strong and I will eat you!

You are just scared.

Don't tell me what I am, you don't know me!

I can see it in your eyes.

Ya well, stop looking at me.

How old are you? 6 maybe 7 weeks old?

I'm 500.

You are not 500.

Fine. I'm not 500.

Where are we going? 

My place.

I was fine where I was.

Oh? So you were nice and warm on a stairwell cornered between recycling boxes?

That's where I was. Not where I am from.

Well where are you from?

I'm from....um... Crap, mom told me to remember. 

Where is your mom? 

Probably looking for me.

Shes gonna be mad when I am not home for lunch!

Maybe you should have stayed where she told you to!

Now where was that?

I don't know!

I want my lawyer!

Why? Your the one that bit me.

It was self defense. You scared me!

See told you that you were scared. 

Of course I was you giant weird thing!

I'm a human.

Good for you.

I'm a cat.

I know.

You know everything don't you.

No, I don't know where your siblings are or how many. Or where your mom is.

That makes two of us.

Why aren't you eating?

What the crap is this? This isn't a mouse. Is is meat?

It can't be meat. It looks like... Well it looks like barf.

Welcome to the world of commercial cat food.

I ain't hungry.

Suit yourself.

Are you a boy or a girl?

I dunno, check.

So you can bite me again? I think I will wait till you stop looking at me like I am a monster.

Monster with a bite mark on it's finger.

Proud of yourself?

A little.

***********
I suspected the cat had never tried commercial cat food before, so I tried a can of Royal Canin Baby Cat...Yes I dislike the brand. Their baby cat wet food is easy to eat and I can put it in a syringe if needed.
I can also put some in kitties mouth - which I did.
I wrapped kitty up in a blanket - then checked to see if it was male or female.
It's a girl!

She refused to swallow the food.
I held her for a little while then placed her back in her hiding spot.
I suspect she will eat the food off the plate while I am gone.

After a few hours she finally ate the food.
Another few hours later I gave her some more - she again waited till I was gone to eat.

She needed a name.
I wanted to give her a name that had something to do with Devils Night - since I caught her today.
I searched different names - different languages and could not find something that suited her.
I then came across a name that I liked because it was also the name of one of my favorite band's CDs

Meet

Or for short









Here is the links to the rest of this story...


http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-part-2.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-part-3.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-part-4.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-part-4-or-is-it-5.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-part-6.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-epic-saga-part-7.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-that-has-turned-into-quest.html

http://ifthesecatscouldtalk.blogspot.com/2014/11/kitty-saga-relocated.html

Myth or Fact time again..

I am in Red
Purina in Black
Other information in Blue
Another 'Myth'?

Animal digest is often considered a substandard pet food ingredient. In some cases, this is because the word “digest” is mistakenly thought to describe the contents of the digestive tract.
-Purina 


What is Animal Digest then?

AAFCO Definition:

Animal Digest: Material which results from chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and un-decomposed animal tissue. The animal tissues used shall be exclusive of hair, horns, teeth, hooves and feathers, except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice and shall be suitable for animal feed.



That's awesome.
So what is this used for?
A flavour?

Wouldn't using actual meat give it a meat flavour?

You do what with it?
You spray it on kibble?

So on the pet food bag it can be listed as Animal Digest, Added Flavour, Natural Flavour, Chicken Flavour..but only if you actually know it was chicken to begin with.

Was it chicken?
Or was it road kill?
Don't know for sure?
Sure it could be all those non horrible things you listed on your site. 
But chances are higher that it would be bottom of the barrel
Which might actually be correct because it is a big barrel of slurry.
That is your unknown animal sources. From dead Zoo animals to euthanized pets.

You can be proud about using Animal Digest if you want.
I wouldn't be proud - I would be wealthy....but probably ashamed of myself.

• The word “digest” in “animal digest” refers to the digestive process used in production, not the ingredients.

True - if you think it is using the digestive tract or already digested food then you may be wrong.
I say may - because those things could be in there - the word is just not meant to signify the use of it.

In the wild, an animal gets some of its carbohydrates from the already pre digested foods inside their prey.
A cat gets this from a mouse - for example.
Digestion starts breaking apart the proteins and since Fluffy does not have the ability to pre digest something like - Corn - they use their prey to do it for them - then they eat the prey.
The mouse starts the process - The cat finishes it.

This does not need to happen with animal proteins - both dogs and cats are meant to eat these things - it is much healthier for them to get the starting item.. not the processed, paste or powder that is left after off this nonsense.

• The process starts with animal protein such as muscle and soft tissue supplied by USDA-inspected facilities.

It can, it probably doesn't in these cases.
Since both a cat and dog can digest muscle and soft tissue - there is no need for this action. Unless.. doing so allows companies to put in basically a blender - all of the left over things that are wasted money! No waste!!
Grocery store has some spoiled meat? Throw it in.
Animal control just went through a mass euthanization? - There's still room in the barrel.
City lack space for all the scooped up road kill?
Hey over here!

You guys know we can't say this is meat right?
Why not?
Well if we leave it as it is - and they find reason to test it....
Ahh yeah, they would have a hard time figuring out heads from tails with a paste.
Then we could package it and I bet you we will make more money this way. If it is in a powder it will last longer. 
We don't have to refrigerate a powder.
Think of the savings!
Is it bad for them though?
For who? Us? no!
No for the animals.
What do they care, they are already dead.
The pets! The dogs and cats that we are feeding this to?
How would I know, do I look like a vet?
No, but that is a fantastic suit.

- That is just me having a made up conversation with made up people.

• These ingredients are hydrolyzed or “digested” to break down the animal protein into peptides in a manner similar to digestion in the body.

We covered this - why not let the animals do the digesting instead of a factory?

• The resulting digest is in a liquid, but can also be made into a paste or powder. 

Why does that make me think of this

• Animal digest is extremely palatable and is an excellent source of high-quality protein.

Is that what the guy selling it told you?
You may have been bamboozled.
Though the first part is probably true. 
In a powdered or sprayed form it may provide an aroma and taste that drives animals crazy - Of course... there are a few people that could probably state their Dog finds the litter box just as tempting. 
Please explain to me how what was once meat - and is now nameless powder - can be considered 'high quality'. Who sets this standard?
If you say - According to Pet Food Institute - That means nothing. 
You and the other large companies construct PFI. It's 'Big Pet Food' - similar to 'Big Pharma'


You've heard of the golden rule, haven't you? Whoever has the gold makes the rules!

• It’s often used in small amounts to enhance the taste of dry pet foods.

I can understand using Truffles in small amounts (Fungus type food - not for pets)
Very expensive 
I can understand using Saffron in small amounts  (Spice- not for pet foods)
Rare - very expensive 
I can absolutely understand using Wasabi in small amounts (Green Fire- not for pets)
It can be very hot

Using animal digest - which you state is a high quality protein - in such small amounts just does not make sense?
If it is so good then why not use more?
Why not use it as a something more then for flavour?

• Spraying animal digest on kibble or mixing it with the food significantly increases palatability.

Could that be because your food starts off tasting like corn?
I have never tried it myself - and have no intentions of every trying it
You can not really make grains taste like meat - well you can.. 
Yes you can because you did.
Good job at hiding the evidence.. ?
Just saying..






 Simpsons Image

Another so called Myth - By-Products are poor quality ingredients

By-Products are poor quality ingredients.
Myth?
Purina would like you to believe it is. 
Okay, lets take a look.
**************
My comments will be in red
Purina in Black
Linked information in Blue

•  A by-product is any ingredient that is produced
 or left over when some other product or ingredient is made. Purina Pro Club

• An incidental or secondary product made in the manufacture or synthesis of something else. Oxford Dictionary

•  Something that is produced during the production or destruction of something else. Merriam Webster

•  Output other than the principal product(s) of an industrial process, such as sawdust or woodchips generated in processing lumber. Unlike joint-products, byproducts have low value in comparison with the principal product(s) and may be discarded or sold either in their original state, or after further processing. Business Dictionary 

*By-Products have low value in comparison with the principal product.
Of course it does - you are starting off with something like an Apple for example. 
The fruit part is used for a pie - the skin and core are the By Product. 
Except we are not talking about apples - we are talking about animal carcases.

You start off with lets say a Cow
Hi Mr Moo
  

See the Grey areas? The ones marked Waste. 
That is what is left after all the human consumable food has been removed. 
Sorry, that and all of the innards, skeleton and some organs.



By-products (for example, chicken by-products or beef by-products): clean non-rendered "parts", other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, blood, bone, fatty tissue and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. This is a cheap way for pet food companies to keep the protein levels "high" (although not high quality) while keeping food production costs low.  Pet MD

• Broths and gelatin are examples of meat by- products in human foods.

That is true, but they are not generally used in pet foods are they?
No.. That is interesting that you would mention those two items. 
Are they a staple in your pet foods?
What? No? Ah.. so they just sound better then Boiled Bones and Boiled Skin. 
One more thing, I don't think 'meat by-products' are used in many human foods. 
That is an un-named meat source. They may use Beef By-Products, or Chicken By-Products..but 'meat' well that could be anything from a cow to a cat. 

• By-products in pet foods that meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines come from clean animal parts other than meat, such as liver, kidneys and other organs.

Such as - but why would you not just call it Beef Liver? 
Cuz you can't. 
Cuz all of these items are not sold singularly to become by-products. They are mixed together right?
Beef By-Product is all the non meats parts of a cow allowed - mixed together. 
Meat By-Products are all non meat items tangled together in a big sloppy mess.  

I wish people didn't dance around calling crap something other than crap.

•  Purina purchases all by-products from USDA- inspected plants. They must meet stringent criteria for nutrient content, production and quality assurance.

Where else would you buy these things from? The back of a van?
Of course it starts off as an inspected animal-  that seems to be the norm. 
Does food unfit for human consumption still get inspected to meet stringent criteria for nutrient content, production and quality assurance?
What happens when you guys get it?
Forgive me for not feeling a warm fuzzy feeling about your company.

• Muscle meat is deficient in many nutrients, including calcium, other minerals and vitamins. Many of these missing nutrients are abundant in meat by-products or poultry by-products.

How do the other companies manage to find this missing nutrients ?

• By-products are also an excellent source of protein and amino acids.

So are Non By-Products.

• For example, poultry by-product meal contains 60% to 70% protein and can be highly digestible.

Can be? Well if you can't digest powder then you might be in trouble. 
I wonder how much is in Chicken Meal?
Does the quality of the meat matter? I think it may...

Think about a cat in the wild...it is not going to  look at a mouse and think a powdered version would be better..or even just as good.

I really wish animals could talk - then we could let them tell off the companies that are putting profit before quality. 
They can tell the companies that no meal product can ever be better then the initial raw product. 
Taking a bunch of crap and grinding it together - then rendering it only provides you with a high protein pot of powdered crap.
Just saying...

New Foster Meows Halloween Costumes - Edited

Human
Gotham
Saber
Kenya
Purrcy
Rio
Juliette
Trinity 
Night 

*************
Hey Human, hey come here.

Whats up Gotham?

We have costume ideas too!

Oh do you?

Ya, we heard you talking with Sebby.

We wanna play!

Okay.

What would you be for Halloween Gotham?

You can't guess?

Oh I think I can.

But do you know which one?

Which one?

You would be Batman right?

Wrong!

Who then? 

The Joker !?

Yes! That guy was awesome.

But it has to be this one.

You will have to tape down those ears.

Get me a Wig.

What about you Saber? Are you going to be Batman?

No way!

I'm Bane 

You may need to be less of a chicken for that. 

I'm working on it.

Kenya?

Aren't I a little old for Halloween?

You're like 3

Pretend you are going to a party. 

Okay. Does it have to be Batman related?

Yes!

No.

Awe come on!

You can be anything you like.

Umm.. 

Seriously

Why not. Shes famous for being bitchy.

Grumpy Cat it is!

Next group.

Purrcy? 

I could be Batman..or  Harry Potter or....Godzilla! 

I wanna be Godzilla! Catzilla!!

 Sounds.. Well it sounds strange so its perfect.

Holy crap it exists !

Rio?

Little Red Ridding Hood. 

Aww.

Juliette ?

Wizard Of Oz!

You mean Dorthy?

No I wanna be the guy that answers the door - with the door!

The Door Man?
Sounds.. Complicated.

It's not like we are really doing it. 

I could be a unicorn octopus if I wanted to.

True.

What no picture?
I fear it's existence.
You could at least look.
Fine

HAHAHAHA
I am totally gonna be that!

I kinda want that. 

Trinity?

Something sinister!

With powers!

What kind of powers? 

I dunno, all of them?

All of them?

Well lots anyways.

How about?

That's awesome!

I'm Angelina Jolie!

No you're Maleficent.

Angelina has Brad Pitt.

Forget the damn Disney character!

Okay so your Angelina Jolie.

 










Damn Right.

Night?

I'm Optimus Freaking Prime!

Okay!

What a crowd.

Gotham as - The Joker

Saber as - Bane

Kenya as- Grumpy cat

Rio as - Little Red Ridding hood 

Juliette as - Unicorn Octopus

Trinity as - Angelina Jolie

Night as - Optimus Prime

You forgot to put my picture up.
I know sorry Purrcy
How are they suppose to know who I am if you forget about me?
I said I was sorry!
I should go Catzilla on you!
More like Purrzilla
Oh so now your gonna make fun of me?
You forget about me then you make fun of me?
I see how it is. 
Oh Purrcy, I am just having fun.
How about I put up a special picture for you.
Anything you like.

So now your a Thundercat?
I'm Lion O  
I thought you were Catzilla?
I am both. I can be both.
Okay your both.


Purrcy as - Catzilla & Lion O











Optimus Prime 
The Joker
Bane
Grumpy Cat
Little Red Ridding Hood
Maleficent
Angelina & Brad
Door Man
Catzilla
Unicorn Octopus 
Thundercats Logo

Tango & Charlie

This is human coming to you from Pet Valu - today we have Tango and Charlie with us.

Hi guys!

Hi!
I'm a girl!

Well hello Miss.

Better.
Hello.

How are the two of you today?

Good.
Yup good.

I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about yourselves. Where you are from - basically your story.
I can do that!
Tango can I do it?

Knock yourself out.

Okay - It was a dark and stormy night.

Charlie!

Fine... It was the middle of the day and there was a slight drizzle. 

The 8 of us - including mom - lived under this lady's patio. 

It was a very nice patio, it had two levels. She had done up her back yard wonderfully... well until she added the fencing.

I am telling the story!

Then tell it, people have places to be - don't take all day.

The lady didn't want us there. We were kinda trespassing. So she tried to keep us out with all of these wire fence material all around the openings of the patio. 

It might have worked - if she waited till we were not actually under there.

Yeah, mom was pissed!
She was also a bit amused. It only took her like 12 seconds to find a hole and get in to us. 

Your Mother - That is Whiskey right?
Bestest Mother in the world!
She lives at a farm now with Corporal

Mamma don't do living with the humans on the inside. 

She never has.

If I recall, the lot of you were not fans of the humans either. 

Yeah sorry bout that - but at least we were nice about our hate.

Odd statement, yet it's true. You never tried to bite or scratch - you were masters of the hiss and growl. 

We did manage to leave a few marks - but that was accidental while we were trying to get away from you..and pretty much any human. 


Okay lets get back to the patio. 

We had to learn to be quick for many reasons. One being the floods.

Floods?

Lady tried to water us out. She would hose down the patio - thinking we would just run out.

We had special spots for that - we never actually got wet.

The spots where I could not see you I suspect. 

Maybe.

You were sneaky. 

Yup - that's why we like you.

Well thank you. I have been working on my sneaking. 

It was kinda freaky to see one of us wander out for some of those sardiens and then vanish. 
How did you do it?

I was lying on top of the patio - I would coax you out then quickly scruff you and put you into a carrier. 

You got me first.
I was fourth

What was the order of the rest?
Tango, Sierra, Zulu, Charlie, Romeo, Sergeant & Corporal 
Not gonna lie - I have no idea who I caught first out of Sergeant and Corporal.. they were almost identical. 
I live trapped your Mother  and then used her to draw out Zulu 
And me
Yup.

More of the sneaky 

I do what I gots to do. 

Tango tell the humans a bit about yourself. 

 







Okay, my favorite toys are the ones on sticks - I like watching people work. I am very nice.
Yes you are.
I like to be carried. 
Oddly.
Yes I like to be carried kinda sideways. 

You are a people watcher. 
Yes you humans fascinate me.
We try.

Charlie?
Huh? what?
Over here.. 
Sorry the lady was putting cans on the shelf. 
Tell me about yourself.























 I use to hate humans but I changed my mind.
Why?
They give me treats and cuddle me and I like treats and cuddles. 

I thought you would never stop hissing. 
I thought you would give up - you didn't.
Nope - and how your purr instead of hiss. 
I can still hiss!
True, but now you save it for when it's needed. 

What do you guys want in a family?

Attention
Loyalty 
Treats
Companionship
Food
Food
Cuddles
Yup and pets
Toys
Wand toys
They should know that I am a smart girl, I was in charge of all 7 of us kittens. 
You were the leader.
Leader, leader!
Charlie likes TV
I do, I miss it. You must have a TV. 

What about other animals?
I dunno - we can try. I have nothing against them... just have to give me time to adjust. 
Tango?
I could care less if your brought in a Giraffe, as long as you love me.

Anything else you kitties would like to add?

If we went together we would be twice as awesome!
I agree. Also, the wand toys are in the corner. 

This is Human, saying have your pet spayed or neutered
Done.
Done.
And on that note.
Meow for now. 

Killer Candy & Neon Nightmares

DON'T SHARE YOUR CANDY WITH YOUR PETS!


Just don't - they do not need it.. they probably want it, but what they do not know can hurt them.

CHOCOLATE IS TOXIC FOR DOGS & PUPPIES
The smaller the dog - the higher the risk.

Chocolate  Here is an easy rule to remember - the better for you - the worse for them.
On a scale from Least to Worst
White Chocolate
Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
Bakers Chocolate
Coca Powder

Milk Chocolate is still bad for your dog, but Dark Chocolate is worse.
Bakers Chocolate is horrible - Coca Powder seems to tip the scale to deadly toxic
White Chocolate seems to be less toxic but still not needed.
Below is a very helpful guide - You enter your dogs weight, the type of chocolate and the amount.

For instance : If my 18 lb dog ate a 1.55ounce ( I rounded up to 2ounces) Milk Chocolate Hershey Bar - The result is:

VERY MILD

Your dog may need medical attention - Monitor your dog closely.

Symptoms may include:

• GI Upset
• Vomiting
• Shaking

Symptoms of concern include

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Hyperactivity
• Fast or irregular heart rate

But

If that same dog ate  2 ounces of  Bakers Chocolate :

SEVERE

Seek Medical Advice! Your dog requires immediate medical care and could be in a life threatening state. An emergency veterinary visit is recommended immediately.

Your dog is in danger of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Tremors in muscles
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Elevated heart rate
• Hyperthermia
• Seizures
• Collapse
• Death

- The idea is not to see how much you can give your dog - Don't give them any!

But if Fido is a jerk and steals your chocolate then you can find out if you just need to prepare for many trips to the back yard, or a trip to the vet.

Chocolate Toxicity Meter

So what is actually in all of this chocolate that can hurt them?
 Methylxanthines (specifically Caffeine and Theobromine)

pdf on Chocolate Toxicity


Dogs are more likely to chow down on random foods then Cats are.
Cats do not have a sweet tooth..but they do seem to have an - I want what your having - tooth.
But ....
CHOCOLATE IS ALSO TOXIC FOR CATS & KITTENS
Smaller the cat the higher the risk.

Chocolate Toxicity in Cats 

There is absolutely NO REASON to give your pets chocolate. 




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Think that neighbour that gives out raisins kinda sucks?
Me too...though if they gave out those awesome toys I would be happy! I think I still have one somewhere.

Raisins are poison to Dogs and Cats - Grapes as well
They can result in kidney failure
How or why?
Not sure - the exact substance that causes the toxic reaction is unknown

I say it's another valid reason to think the neighbour that hands out raisins -on candy day- sucks.
****************

XYLITOL CAN BE DEADLY 
 - a natural sugar free sweetener
Can be found in many things - gum, candies, pudding, mints

Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs



It does not take much:
A 10 pound dog needs to eat just one piece of gum containing xylitol for it to ingest a potentially toxic dose.


I can not find a complete list of products which contain Xylitol
To be safe - 
NO GUM, NO CANDY, ABSOLUTELY NO SUGAR FREE PRODUCTS 
*KEEP THEM OUT OF THE KIDS HALLOWEEN BAGS*
There are also non candy products that contain Xylitol 
Nicotine Gum
Oral Hygiene Products 
Chewable Vitamins
Prescription Drugs 
Baked Goods
This is not a complete list
More Information 

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Neon Nightmares?

• Profuse drooling
• Gagging
• Retching
• Pawing at the mouth
• Redness to the eyes
• Redness to the skin
• Vomiting

 








Kitty seems to find Glow Sticks interesting. 
Though the result of biting into one of these liquid glowing magical sticks is not deadly - it is still not fun for Fluffy or Fido. 

Both Cats and Dogs can be affected negatively by getting any of the liquid on or in them

Cats just seem more amused by these things then Dogs

I do not care how cute or cool it is to see your animal glowing - It is not okay!
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Long Story Short - Try to keep your pet safe - It's the least you can do. 

Poison Paw image
California Raisins
Chocolate Kitty