True or False

True

Up until recently, marijuana intoxication has seldom been fatal. Second hand smoke can be a potential issue on your pets depending on level of exposure. Deaths are more commonly noted after ingestion of foods containing highly concentrated marijuana such as medical-grade THC.  Fatalities were very rare until the development of medical-grade products. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Marijuana Intoxication in Dogs and Cats”

True

There are numerous reasons not to let your pets snack in the compost bin. However, the decomposing and decaying organic matter has the potential to grow the mold Penicillium crustosum which produces a tremor causing toxin called Penitrem A. It is referred to as a “tremorgenic mycotoxin” and is toxic to both dogs and cats, as well as people and wildlife. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Summer Toxins to Avoid with Your Pet”

True

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stand united in their position (based on very robust data) that feeding raw food to cats and dogs is potentially dangerous to both the cat/dog and to you. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Avoiding Raw Food in Cats” or “Dogs and Raw Food Diets”

True

Mild to moderate exposure to nicotine can occur when dogs or cats nibble on a nicotine patch, chew on nicotine gum, consume a cigarette or eat a small amount of loose tobacco left lying around the house. Unless they eat an entire pack of cigarettes, a whole bag of tobacco, a box of patches or pack of gum, the nicotine consumption is relatively low, though not completely harmless. E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine that is similarly absorbed through the digestive system of pets, but can enter the body by other means as well. Liquid nicotine can be absorbed through the mucous membranes and skin of pets. These trans-mucosal routes of absorption bypass the liver so more nicotine reaches the bloodstream faster. That means the risk of nicotine poisoning is greater with e-cigarettes. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “E-Cigarettes and Pet Safety”

 True

There is a large number of infections that can be passed between species, however, simple hygiene and common sense will drastically reduce if not eliminate the risk of zoonotic spread of disease. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs”

 True

Despite the huge variety in coat color, the two basic pigments that determine the color of canines are eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red).  All different variations in color are created by these two pigments, which are both forms of melanin. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Genetics Basics – Coat Color Genetics in Dogs”

False

There have been many theories as to why dogs do this, but very little research. However, in one study conducted at UC Davis University, researchers found that grass eating was common since 68% of dogs ate grass on a daily or weekly basis. Only 8% of dogs frequently showed signs of illness before eating grass and only 22% of dogs regularly vomited afterwards. In the grass eating dog population they found that it was the younger dogs who ate grass most frequently and they were less likely to appear sick before or to vomit afterwards. The research did find, however, that if a dog showed signs of illness before eating grass it was more likely to vomit afterwards.

True

It is best to avoid giving any vegetable from the onion or garlic family. They cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and destruction of red blood cells which, depending on quantity consumed, leads to severe anemia. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “Onion, Garlic, Chive, and Leek Toxicity in Dogs.”

True

Some people are misled into thinking that this ingredient contains, fur, feathers and beaks, which is simply not the case. Meat by products are predominantly organ meats, which provide valuable nutrients.

False

Most infections, viruses, and even bacteria are species-specific, which is why you don’t need to worry about sharing a common cold. A human cold can only affect humans. It cannot be transmitted to animals.