Author: Blessing Otoro

Blessing Otoro is a certified canine nutritionist with over 4 years of experience in helping dogs live healthy through well-planned diets. Blessing started her journey from the lovely companionship she shared with Sophie, her gorgeous pup and the desire to know the science behind her nutritional needs.

Yes, dogs can enjoy elk antlers as chews only as recommended by most veterinarians. However, your job as a parent is to supervise them while they are chewing it, especially if they have dental issues or are too enthusiastic.  Are Elk Antlers Safe for Dogs? Technically it goes both ways, they can be safe when you supervise how they chew it. But in cases, where they chew without supervision, there are certain risks you need to watch out for: Can Dogs Chew Elk Antlers Safely? In this section, I’ll break it into two parts. Firstly, I’ll show you the risks…

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C’mon, that stuff is poison to your dogs. Do you want to know what my advice is? Dogs and cold cuts shouldn’t be in the same sentence. That’s a big no from me.  Why Cold Cuts Are Bad for My Dogs There are a billion reasons I can think of but I won’t bore you with all of them. So, let’s just discuss a few: Are there any additional risks of eating cold cuts for dogs? If those reasons I gave are not scary enough, perhaps this might turn the tide. Because of the fat and casings in cold cuts,…

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To put it simply, onion rings and any other food containing onions are not safe for dogs to consume, so no they cannot eat onion rings. I know you’re curious because this snack is popular for its crispy texture and delicious taste. Ohh, when you remember how you dipped it in a batter or breading and its beautiful golden brown color after you deep fried it, the crunch on the outside and softer texture on the inside, this contrasting combo that makes you vow you must enjoy it at least 3 times a week. Trust me, I know how it…

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I cringed when I saw this question somewhere because if there’s any food your dogs should never have, it’s blue cheese. That’s because eating blue cheese can pose serious risks to your pets due to the presence of toxic substances and potential adverse reactions. Why is Blue Cheese Bad for Dogs? There are so many reasons I won’t recommend feeding your dogs blue cheese and these are some of them: Fungus: The blue mold (Penicillium roqueforti) used in making blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton produces a mycotoxin called roquefortine C. This mycotoxin can be toxic to dogs and…

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The answer is a big no. As delicious as the rolls are, they can be really harmful to your pup. For one, it contains ingredients that cause life-threatening health issues. Are Cinnamon Rolls Toxic To Dogs? Yes, I already established that they are harmful to your pup especially if you let them indulge too much in it. You may begin to notice symptoms like irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea Risks of feeding cinnamon rolls to a dog Let’s take a look at the risks of allowing your pup to eat too much of this treat:  Sugar: The rolls are loaded with…

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The tasty crunchiness of these treats makes us want our furry buddies to share in the experience. Sadly, you will need to keep them far away from chips. Here’s the gist; chips are high in fat and contain harmful ingredients that are not healthy for your pup’s well-being.  It’s one of those foods that stares right at you and says “Hey I’m harmless” but trust me, you’d avoid a lot of Vet visits when you don’t fall for it.  How Junk Food Can Harm Your Dog Remember what I said about chips looking harmless? Oh, the deceit! These treats are…

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No, I’d strongly not recommend cake for your pup. Cake contains harmful ingredients that are not safe. Why You Should Not Feed Your Dog “Human” Cake Okay, we all know that cakes are made for human consumption and our bodies are very different from theirs, so what may seem safe for us is life-threatening for them. Here’s a look at some of the dangerous ingredients you need to be aware of: Chocolate and Caffeine: These meals contain methylxanthines which are toxic to pups. Chocolate, in particular, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and even death in…

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Ordinarily, I would just say yes and leave it at that, but with dogs, there’s always a catch. So let me rephrase – yes, your dogs can eat scallops as you prepare them the right way and feed them moderately.  Are Scallops Safe for My Dogs? Well, scallops are a safe and nutritious treat for your dogs as long as you stick to the rulebook. I mean, think about what they give your pets – lean protein and minerals like omega-3 fatty acids as well as selenium. This translates to various health benefits for your pooch. There’s a but though…

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The short answer will be yes, but I’ll do better and go into the details. The butternut squash meal is safe for your dogs as long as you prepare it correctly and serve it in moderation. Potential Health Benefits of Butternut Squash for Dogs Butternut squash is quite the treat for your dogs because of the numerous benefits that come with feeding on it such as:Aids Digestion: Butternut squash is rich in dietary fiber which regulates your pet’s bowel movements and makes digestion easier. Boosts Immune System: Butternut squash is also rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well…

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Well, I’ll say eggplants won’t hurt as long as you feed them to your dogs in moderation. However, I recommend preparing it properly for your pets.  What You Need to Know About the Nutritional Value of Eggplant While eggplant is generally safe for your dogs to consume when you practice moderation, it doesn’t really offer any nutritional value for them. Eggplants are low-calorie veggies that are rich in fiber and contain some vitamins and minerals, but it doesn’t provide them in the amounts that your pets require.  Is eggplant toxic to dogs? There’s a common misconception that eggplant is toxic to…

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If you were already whipping up some tasty chicken hearts for your pup before checking this out, no worries, I won’t tell you to stop what you’re doing. That’s because chicken hearts will make a nice meal for your dog, there are some strings attached though. Let’s read on! Why Should My Dogs Eat Chicken Heart A lot of reasons actually, but since we don’t have all the time in the world, we’ll just touch on a few: What are the dangers of chicken hearts for my dogs? Choking While chicken hearts are delicious and highly nutritious, they can become…

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I can think of a lot of things that will be good breakfast options for your pets. Let’s take a look at some of them: Commercial Dog Food This is a specially formulated dry or wet dog food. What makes it an appealing breakfast option is the complete nutrition it gives your pets. You just have to follow the feeding guidelines on the package to ensure they get the right amount of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals they need to start the day. Homemade Dog Food This is a great alternative to commercial dog food and with your vet’s guiding…

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