5. Diet
Diets should be formulated to maintain optimum weight and avoid potential problems. Many excellent commercial diets are available which avoid potential deficiencies which can occur with home diets. Growing pups and kittens should be fed on special 'growth' diets for the first 12 months of life (longer for large dog breeds prone to bone problems). Adult dogs and cats should be fed a maintenance diet according to their level of activity, and those over 6 to 8 years of age should be on a 'senior' diet.

It is essential that chewing is encouraged for the health of gums and teeth; in dogs this can be achieved by providing raw marrowbones, Greenies or Hills Prescription t/d diet; for cats, raw chicken wings or Hills t/d. Cooked bones must never be fed as they cannot be properly digested by dogs or cats, and can cause intestinal obstructions, perforations or constipation. Animals which are reluctant to chew should be examined for the cause. Infections originating in the mouth can cause many internal problems, especially kidney disease in cats and heart valve disease.

6. Grooming
Long coated breeds need regular brushing to avoid matting and the ingestion of hair causing hairballs in cats; dogs should be clipped every 3 months and the feet regularly examined for grass seeds. Short coated breeds benefit from a Zoom Groom brush daily and an occasional bath. All pets should receive regular flea control. (see Products Flea Control)

7. Toxicities

Medications to Avoid

Dogs and cats can't metabolise many of the drugs which we routinely take for ourselves. Panadol and many aspirin containing drugs can be fatal, even in small doses. Ibuprofen and other newer pain killers can cause gastric ulceration or kidney failure. Never attempt to diagnose or treat your pet yourself - telephone for advice (clinic 9752 3555 or after-hours 9803 8122 (Animal Emergency Centre, Mt Waverley) or Hallam Animal Emergency Centre 8795 7020).

Foods to Avoid

1. Chocolate - contains a caffeine-like substance, theobromine, which causes pets to vomit, suffer diarrhoea and excessive urination, and become hyperactive. This can be followed by depression, coma, seizures and death.

2. Onions / Garlic - moderate to large amounts cause internal bleeding, which may need to be treated by blood transfusion.

3. Fatty food - moderate to excessive amounts of fatty or rancid food can lead to gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain) or pancreatitis - a very painful condition requiring hospitalization which can be fatal.

Poisonous Plants to Avoid

• Aloe Vera - causes diarrhoea and bloody urine
• Amaryllis - leads to vomiting
• Asparagus fern - can cause allergic dermatitis
• Autumn Crocus - leaves poisonous - vomiting & nervous stimulation
• Azalea (Rhododendron occidentales) - all parts poisonous, causing central nervous system depression and cardiovascular collapse.
• Bird of Paradise - fruit and seeds poisonous, causing gastrointestinal disorders and vertigo. 
• Bracken Fern - causes a potentially lethal leukemia.
• Bunchberry (Lantana) - berries poisonous.
• Cyclamen - causes vomiting, gastrointestinal problems and even death.
• Chrysanthemum - causes a rash if dogs and cats rub against it.
• Daffodil - bulbs poisonous, causing vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias and convulsions.
• Dumb Can - oral irritation can lead to suffocation.
• English Ivy (Hedera helix) - berries and plant leaves poisonous.
• Hibiscus - can cause gastrointestinal problems.
• Holly - can cause vomiting and diarrhoea or nervous system depression.
• Hydrangea - buds and leaves poisonous.
• Hyacinth - flowers, leaves and bulbs contain traces of cyanide.
• Lilies (tiger, easter, day, Japanese show lily, rum rub lily) - leaves and flowers poisonous. Lily of the Valley leads to heart failure while Easter lily causes kidney failure.
• Mistletoe - causes cardiac problems.
• Morning Glory - causes depression or hypoactivity.
• Nightshade - contains solanine which causes salivation, gastrointestinal upsets and depression.
• Oleander - all parts, including dead leaves, extremely toxic - contain a cardiac poison.
• Philodendron - contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation.
• Poinsettia - leaves and stem poisonous, causing irritation to the mouth, stomach and heart.
• Tobacco - leaves cause nervous stimulation.
• Tulip - bulbs poisonous
• Wandering jew - causes a contact rash which is extremely itchy.
• Wisteria - pods and seeds poisonous.

Poisonous Fruits and Vegetables

• Apricots - stem, bark and seeds poisonous
• Avocado - fruit poisonous, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly death.
• Eggplant - may cause vomiting.
• Fruit and Nut trees - traces of cyanide are found in the stems and leaves of apple, almond, cherry and peach.
• Mushrooms - may cause vomiting.
• Onions - large amounts can cause a lethal anaemia.
• Peaches - seed pit and leaves.
• Potatoes - may cause vomiting.
• Rhubarb - leaves poisonous and can kill dogs.
• Sweet pea - seeds and pod poisonous.
• Tomato - contains solanine which can cause salivation, gastrointestinal upsets and depression.