New Years is upon us and we are all making those resolutions to exercise more and eat better nutritional foods.  The goal is for us and our furry family members to be healthier, slimmer, and to prolong our active lives.  In 2011 – 2012, 1.63 million families adopted new pets.  Now over 63% of American homes have family members that are cats, dogs, fish, birds, and pocket pets.

Recently our practice had to sew up two large dogs, which got in an altercation over food.  These were both good family dogs who had lived together peacefully for several years. How was this possible?

A few boys between the ages of seven and nine years were in the yard playing and threw one of their pop tarts between the dogs. While diving for the treat the dogs began fighting over the food. The family pets ended up with multiple deep lacerations and badly scared the mother.

Did you know that common human foods and medications are toxic to your pets? Some of the most common food toxins that harm pets include: Chocolate (dark chocolate is much more toxic than milk) Grapes and Rasins Xylatol (a common non-sugar sweetener found in gums, candy, toothpaste and other foods) Onions and Garlic Avacado If your pets ingest any o...