Fruit can make a great healthy treat for your dog. Fruit should always be fed in moderation and cut down into bite sized pieces to avoid choking, always consult with your vet before giving new foods to your dog.
Apples - deseeded and without the core
Bananas - are safe but contain a lot of sugar
Blueberries
Cranberries
Cucumber
Mango - remove stone and skin
Orange - remove peel and seeds
Peaches - remove stone
Pears - remove seeds
Pineapple - remove skin and crown
Strawberries - high in sugar
Watermelon - remove rind and seed
There are some fruits that contain toxins that are unsuitable for your dog.
Avocado - contains persin that can cause stomach upseet in dogs
Cherries - stones contain cyanide which is toxic
Grapes - toxic to dogs
Grapefruit/lemon/lime - are all very acidic which can cause stomach upset
Tomatoes - although when fully ripe they are safe green unripe parts or leaves and stem are toxic
There are four dog breeds currently on the UK governments banned breed list.
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasilerio
It is illeagal to sell, abandon, give away or breed from a banned dog.
If you are suspected of owning a banned breed, this is based mainly on how your dog looks, the police or council can take away and keep your dog. This can happen even if your dog is not dangerous and there have been no complaints. The police may need a warrant to take your dog.
It is your responsibility to prove your dog is not a banned breed. If successful your dog will be returned to you, if not your dog could be destroyed and you could be convicted.
If your dog is deemed by the court not to be of danger to the public it my be put on an IED.(Index of Exempted Dogs. There is a list of conditions that must be met for you to keep the dog.
For more detailed information visit Controlling Your Dog in Public at gov.uk.
Christmas is an exciting time for the whole family including the four-legged members here are a few tips for a vet free Christmas.
Chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs. Keep any treats in a place they can't reach and don't put edible decorations on the tree as your dog could get to them and eat them.
Don't give your dog turkey or chicken bones they can splinter and cause injury.
Christmas pudding, cake and mince pies can contain raisins which are toxic to dogs, so are grapes, keep your dog on their usual food to help prevent stomach upsets.
Alcohol and caffeine can be poisonous to dogs.
Some nuts are toxic to dogs and others can cause intestinal problems.
Keep to your dogs normal routine and make sure they still get plenty of exercise to stop them getting bored.
Make sure your dog has a safe place if they want to get away from visitors and remind people to keep doors shut to prevent your dog from getting out.
Some popular christmas plants and decorations are toxic to dogs so keep poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, etc. out of reach.
Your dog could ingest real or fake pine needles or get them stuck in paws so pick up any that fall.
If you're planning on taking your dog with you on a trip to the beach this year don't forget to check beach restrictions before you go. You can face a fine if you allow your dog where they are restricted. Some beaches don't allow dogs all year round, some have restrictions from May to September and some restrict access by defined hours. You can usually check on the local councils website for the area you are travelling to for information on where dogs are allowed, what hours and whether or not you need to keep your dog on lead.
The Beach Guide has some useful information on dog friendly beaches and restrictions and any beaches where dogs are banned.
Don't forget to take plenty of poo bags so you can clean up after your dog.
As of 6th April 2016 it will be compulsory for all dogs, over the age of 8 weeks, in England, Scotland and Wales to be microchipped. Northern Ireland introduced this legislation in 2012. It will also be required for you and your dogs information to be stored on an authorised database, you will also be responsible for keeping this information up to date. If the dog transfers keepers you will also need to update the information unless done so by the previous keeper, you will also need to notify the database when the dog dies.
What information will be kept on the database:
Full name and address of the keeper
If applicable if the keeper is the breeder
If keeper is the breeder and is licensed by the local authority
Breeders licence number and name of local authority
original name or identification number of the dog
Contact telephone number of keeper (if any)
Name of dog given by keeper
Sex of dog
Colour of dog
Breed of dog or cross breed if applicable
Date of birth of dog, as accurate as the keeper can be
Unique microchip number
Working dogs that have had their tail docked by a veterinarian under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, have a time limit of up to 12 weeks to be microchipped. Does not apply to Scotland as tail docking has been banned since 2006.
An exception to microchipping applies if a veterinarian certifies that a dogs health would be adversely affected if they were to be microchipped.
What happens if I don't microchip my dog ?
If it comes to the attention of authorities that a dog isn't chipped then the keeper will be served with a notice requiring them to get their dog microchipped within 21 days. If the keeper does not get the dog microchipped then they may face criminal prosecution and a fine of £500. A similar fine may be imposed if the dogs details are not kept up to date. If a dog is not microchipped then the dog can also be seized and microchipped at the owners expense.
Who can microchip a dog ?
A veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
A student veterinary surgeon or nurse under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
A person who has satisfactorily assessed on a training course approved by the secretary of state or
A person who before the date the regulations come into force has received training, including practical experience, of implanting chips
There are free microchipping events going on around the country you can check out the Dogs Trust scheme here. Alternatively you can go to your local vets where they may have offers or it can be around £20 - £30 for microchipping.
