This isn’t a long post, so bear with me. Near the end I include a link to a chart from a study that helps you make a much more informed decision of when to spay your dog. My best recommendation is to read the chart.
When I was younger, I remember our puppy got spayed fairly young. That was the in the 1980s. At a third or fourth round of puppy shots I asked the vet if we should schedule Pandora’s spay. She was approximately 3- or 4-months old and I was under the impression that it was best to spay your dog sometime between 4- and 6-months of age.
The Unexpected Answer
The vet ever-so-casually says, “We spay a few months after her first heat.”
I vaguely remember her say, “Hello?” Followed by a long pause and then “Are you there?”
I was completely unprepared for that news. I had a plan and getting Pandora through her first heat was not in that plan. As far as I was concerned, we were not doing the first heat thing. We have a friend who breeds bulldogs and French bulldogs. I’ve seen the dogs when they’re in heat. A lady we met on our walk was telling me about her mixed-breed’s first heat. This was not good.
All I could muster was “I’m going to have to process that.”
The vet gave me a whole host of reasons about research and discovering it’s better for the dogs. I thanked her and hung up. I haven’t been so speechless since I got to talk to Tommy Lee from Motley Crew on the phone when I was a teen. And that was the 80’s, when Motley Crew was big.
After a few days of recovering from this news, I hit Google. It was a rough journey. There are sites that say to spay by 6 months, after the first heat (or season), and even some that say it’s best not to spay or neuter your dog at all.
Is it Best to Wait to Spay Your Dog?
Frontiersin.org published the results of a study of when to spay your dog.
The simplest answer is if you have a small pup, lapdog size, the study doesn’t show much of a difference of waiting to spay your dog. I’ve read that small dogs mature quicker, so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it or not, but something to think about.
And some larger breeds did okay with an earlier spay. But there are some breeds where it appears it’s better to wait. For Australian Cattle Dogs (Pandora’s predominant breed) it was best to wait because there is a 15% increase of joint disorders. Pandora is not full bred ACD, she also has a bit of Border Collie in her. For Border Collies, there were more benefits of waiting to spay until after her first heat. For us, it made sense to wait through her first heat.
The study encompassed 33 dogs and they have those breeds listed in more detail. If your dog is not in the list, make sure you check with your vet. Maybe, look at the possible breeds that your dog is a mix of and decide based on that.
Frontiersin.org made a handy-dandy chart to peruse when it comes to deciding whether or not to spay or neuter your dog. CLICK HERE – to go directly to the chart. In the chart, there are 35 dog breeds and for each there is a check mark for the best option for your dog. The categories are Intact, Choice (meaning it’s up to you), Beyond 6 months, Beyond 11 months, and Beyond 23 months.
I hope that chart makes it easier for you to make an informed decision. It made it much easier for us.
Coming Next Week: Tips for Dealing with a Nervous Dog
We all know not to give our dogs too much people food, even if we think the foo d we are feeding them is healthy. If you’re like me, you hit Google on a regular basis to see if a particular people food is safe for your dog. Avocado = NO. Strawberries = YES. It gets tiresome always checking.
For this post I’m including a list of safe-for-dogs food items. Most of them are quite common. However, I throw in a few that might be surprising. Or maybe I was the only one surprised – did you know dogs can eat Mango? Or Pineapple? Yeah, I didn’t know that. I assumed those wouldn’t be good for them. I also assumed avocados would be fine. NO, they’re not. Not at all. No ‘cado for the doggo.
After chatting with lots of dog parents and then researching what I learned, I’ve also discovered that some people food can even be beneficial to dogs.
I’ve created a list of people foods that are safe for dogs (in small quantities) and when appropriate I share a benefit for the dog if eating that particular food. I say “may” because for each “yes, it works” response, there’s always an equal opposite response, “no, it didn’t work for my dog.”
The list is not all-encompassing, fully extensive. Different countries have different tastes, just like different regions within countries have different tastes. I did my best to list the most common people foods.
Disclaimer
I am not a veterinarian. I’m an average, maybe slightly under-average dog owner. You know your dog better than anyone else, so trust your gut. If something sounds off about a recommendation, listen to your gut. Don’t do it until you have consulted with your Vet first.
Fruit Options of People Food for Dogs
Fruits and Vegetables are the categories that hold the safest options of people food for dogs. Not all are safe. If you don’t see it on the list, check Google, ask Siri, hit up Alexa, or contact your veterinarian’s office.
Apples – no seeds or core
Bananas – high in sugar so only give as a treat once in a while
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Mango
Oranges – no peel
Peaches – no pits, some people have reported diarrhea in their dogs
Pineapple – POSSIBLE BENEFIT: If your dog eats his or other animals’ poop (it’s called Coprophagia) some people have reported that eating pineapple makes the poop taste off-putting to the dog.
Raspberries
Strawberries – POSSIBLE BENEFIT: May whiten dog’s teeth.
Watermelon – no seeds or rind
A little hope for those whose dogs have Coprophagia:
While it can be tough to discourage dogs over one year old that have developed a poop-eating habit, most puppies will grow out of it.
This is a great category for people food options for dogs. You usually don’t have to worry about sugar content.
Beets
Broccoli – Florets, no stalks. HOWEVER: More than one place I’ve researched has mentioned there is a potential for severe gastric irritation. You may want to avoid this veggie or try a super small piece as a treat.
Brusses Sprouts – WARNING: If you have people coming over or you’re going to bed, your pooch may gas you out of the room. However, it might be a great way to get straggling guests out of your house.
Cabbage – Take note of the above gas warning.
Carrots – Cooked or raw. POSSIBLE BENEFIT: Raw carrots are great for dog’s teeth and gums. It helps remove plaque from their teeth.
Cauliflower
Celery – POSSIBLE BENEFIT: May freshen your dog’s breath. If your puppy is currently going through a Coprophagia phase (see #8 in the fruit category) you may want to give this a try.
Cucumbers – And yes, you can give your dog a pickle, but only as a rare treat because of the high sodium content.
Green Beans
Lettuce
Parsnips
Peas – regular green, snow, and sugar snap varieties are fine
Pumpkin – Cooked and mashed or cooked and diced. POTENTIAL BENEFIT: Help relieve diarrhea in dogs.
Radishes – Another gas warning
Spinach – Some listings don’t give warnings; other listings say to avoid large quantities.
Sweet Potatoes – Same preparation as Pumpkin (#13). POTENTIAL BENEFIT: Can help relieve constipation in dogs. I can verify that this has worked for Pandora. Just a tablespoon or two. Not too much or you might end up visiting #13.
Tomatoes – however make sure the tomato is ripe, never give them unripe tomatoes and try to keep them from eating the tomato plant itself.
Turnips
Zucchini
Nut Options
When it comes to nuts, there a lot of yes versus no on whether they are okay or not. If you do decide to give your dog nuts these are the ones that I’ve seen consistently rank in the “okay” category. Always make sure the nuts are out of the shell. Those darn shells can be choking hazards for dogs.
Cashews
Peanuts
Pistachios
The American Kennel Club has this to say about nuts:
Not all nuts are toxic to dogs, but almost all nuts are high in fat. This can lead to obesity and pancreatic issues in dogs. Feeding your dog salted nuts can also lead to water retention and other complications, and some nuts, like almonds, are potential choking hazards. In addition, there are certain types of nuts, such as macadamia nuts, that are very toxic to dogs.
They recommend avoiding nuts and going for safer alternatives in the fruit and vegetable categories.
Meat and Legume Options of People Food for Dogs
The biggest concerns with meat are the high fat content and the seasonings we use. If you opt to give your dog meat, trim the fat and avoid the seasonings. Pretend you’re cooking for your beloved great-grandparent who has heart issues and diabetes, give it to them lean, bland, and in small chunks.
Alligator – I had to put this in here. I only saw it on one resource. Definitely not something we see in the Pacific NW, but for some regions, this may be good to know. If you live in those regions, you probably already know it’s fine to feed the dog.
Bacon – WARNING: Only as a small chunk and once in a while. The high fat content can lead to pancreatitis in dogs (and cats – as we unfortunately learned. Stan made a full recovery and now hates us for not giving him bacon anymore – he’s very vocal about that hate).
Beef
Beans
Chicken – This is great for a training treat. Boil it and just give tiny bits. It’s a high-value reward during the training stages.
Clams – Cooked and shelled.
Eggs – Must be cooked
Lentils
Salmon – Cooked, watch them bones.
Shrimp – Cooked
Tuna – Yes, even from the can.
Venison
A Couple Other Options and Reminder
One other item safe for dogs is honey. But not raw honey. They can also eat cheese but go easy with it. Peanut Butter is good, too. However, make sure it doesn’t contain Xylitol. That’s toxic to dogs.
Again, I want to remind you to go with your gut, know your dog’s food sensitivities and consult with your vet’s office if you’re unsure. We tell people it’s safe to eat shrimp and most people can without any side effect. But for some it is a major food allergy. Always try a pea-size chunk and wait 24 hours to see if anything is okay.
The best way to see how your dog is reacting to new food is to be diligent on Doo-Duty. This is definitely not the most pleasant task of being a pet parent. However, you can see how your dog is fairing after trying something new when on doo-duty. It’s how I discovered that rawhide was not digesting well in Pandora’s system.
COMING NEXT WEEK: People Food You Should Never Feed Your Dog
At some point between 1980 and 2020, the dog treat market exploded: Chewy treats, crunchy treats, training treats, teeth cleaning and breath freshening treats, doggie calming treats. And many more treats. Who knew there were as many treat options for dogs as there are for humans?
There are no signs the trend will be slowing any time soon since many animals were adopted during the COVD-19 lockdowns. In July 2021, my local Target had a dog section of two aisles, one for accessories and toys and one for dry food, wet food, and treats. They remodeled. As of November 2021, there is a whole aisle devoted to dog treats. A whole aisle! Both sides, all dog treats.
KEEP IN MIND & DISCLAIMER
For starters, I’m not a veterinarian. Pretty sure I don’t even qualify as an experienced pet parent, yet. Pandora isn’t even two. I’m sharing what I’ve learned and how Pandora and I navigate this world of doggie goodness.
I realize that even though something is on a store shelf, it doesn’t mean it’s the perfect nutritional item. As humans, we can choose carrots or cupcakes. Clearly carrots are the healthier option, but the cupcake is meant as a treat. A once-in-a-while indulgence, not a once-every-hour snarf session. I assume the same applies for dog treats. I’m not a canine nutritionist so consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
When you give your pup a new treat, keep an eye on him and his potty output. Not all dog’s stomachs are created equal. When I was a child, we had a dog that loved rawhide and it never affected her in a bad way. However, rawhide doesn’t agree well with Pandora. While Pandora seemed fine energy-wise and personality-wise, doo-duty told a different story. Her output was white, hard, and dry. It doesn’t seem right to me that her output should be so dry. Watch your pet. Go with your gut.
One last note: Dogs don’t need treats. Do not feel your pup is neglected if you don’t give her a variety of treats. Your dog is fine. You are a good pet parent. You, and a regular feeding schedule, are enough for your dog.
If you happen to go down the Dog Treat rabbit hole, here’s what Pandora and I’ve discovered.
DOG TREATS FOR TRAINING
When you’re training your dog, one of the best resources at your disposal are treats. Since you will be using a lot of treats, especially at the beginning, you want items that are small in size and low in calories. I’ve done my best to link to all of Pandora’s favorites, but some that I buy, I cannot find internet links for, so I’ve linked to the closet representation of the treat.
DINGOS – are Pandora’s top number one training treat. This amuses me. Australian Cattle dogs are a result of mixing a herding dog with an Australian Dingo. She’s part Dingo and like’s Dingo treats. Yes, I really am amused at simple things.
WAGS SOFT CHEWS FOR HIPS AND JOINTS – I purchased these because Pandora is a frisbee fiend. That is her thing. However, I fear all the running, leaping, landing, and sliding turns will bring her joint pain later in life. Do they help? I don’t know. She doesn’t complain so it’s hard to tell.
BLUE BUFFALO BITS – We’ve tried the chicken and the beef flavors. Pandora likes them.
DOG TREATS FOR A MORE SUBSTANTIAL SNACK OPTION
These are just what they sound like, options for when you want to give your dog a good-sized treat. Maybe your dog didn’t eat breakfast and now it’s too close to dinner time or maybe she mastered an awesome trick, and you want to give a jackpot-type reward. The biggest thing to remember with these snack options is to not go overboard. These treat options have more calories.
PURINA ALPO Tbonz – These treats didn’t go stale, and we reused the container for a brain exercise type activity. When there were three treats left, we cut two rectangular holes in the container (just large enough for the treats to fall out of) and let Pandora swat and roll the container to get the last few treats.
PUP-PERONI – The best part of these treats is how easily they break into smaller bits that can be used as training treats, too.
I won’t make any guarantees about whether or not they clean the teeth well. Pandora is still young, and her teeth look fine to me, but I’m not a veterinarian, so I don’t feel comfortable touting cleaner teeth. However, they do seem to help lighten up the breath. I never tried them on the early stages of puppyhood when the puppy breath is rather stinky. But we have used a few over the past year and they have made a difference. I will admit this came on the heels of Pandora discovering the cats leave “treats” in a box (litter box). We have since moved past that phase and now I give her one every day in the hopes that they do help her teeth.
Milk Bone Brushing Chews – Yes, I clearly have a thing for Milk Bone. They hold a special place in my heart. The original Milk Bone dog treats are what we gave my childhood pup, Katy. Every Christmas we’d wrap a box of those up and Katy would use it as a pillow. On Christmas morning, she’d tear the wrapping off with as much joy as my sisters and I would tear open our gifts. Katy lived a long, healthy life. All we fed Katy was dry and wet Alpo dog food, Milk Bone treats, and rawhide sticks. And some table scraps.
Greenies – We haven’t tried this brand yet. We buy the Kirkland (Costco brand) type of the greenies. These look identical, but I can’t say for certain they are the same. Pandora loves these.
ENERGY-EXPELLING DOG TREATS
Pent-up energy relievers, boredom busting snacks, whatever you want to call them, these are the treats that take some effort to eat. Because they take some effort to chew, gnaw, or chow down, they are fabulous for the days your dog didn’t get enough exercise. We live in the Pacific Northwest and when it’s monsoon-like weather Pandora doesn’t get enough frisbee time. Not because she doesn’t like torrential rains and tree-limb-snapping winds, but because I don’t like it. Yes, we do try to play frisbee in the wind, it’s not easy.
These treats take anywhere from three minutes to twenty minutes or more for her to chew up. A 12″ bully stick usually takes Pandora about forty minutes. That’s because she’ll chew and gnaw, get up and get a drink of water and then go back in for more chewing. And we do notice more calmness in her energy level after a good gnawing treat.
CHICKEN CHEWS – Again, we get these at Costco, but I can’t find them on their website. This is a dupe for the ones we get. However, I will warn you that these can get a little messy. Nothing heinous, but still a little more crumble than most treats.
BULLY STICKS – We also get these at Costco. If you have a membership to Costco or Sam’s Club, look for dog treats there, the price for the amount of product is quite stellar. Yes, these are expensive, but they last. Also, I should warn you, they stink. Even the ones that claim to not stink, they do. The only thing that stunk worse than these was a deer hoof. Pandora loved the deer hoof, but the odor was atrocious.
BUSY BONE ULTRA STIX – These last a while and they tend to freshen Pandora’s breath.
DOG TREATS – BONES
A few other treats that we’ve given Pandora:
Marrow bones that I stuff with peanut butter and freeze for a few hours before giving to her.
Beef Knee bones
Beef ankle bones
And other bones with dried bits still stuck on them.
The above bones, with the exception of the marrow bone, can all get really messy.
We are careful with bones, I never realized how well dogs can chew bones apart. I now know. Trust me, watch your dog.
Coming Next Week
Next week I’ll be sharing human food that is safe for our dogs.
Did you know that celery can help freshen your dog’s breath? I can’t confirm this because Pandora doesn’t like celery. If your dog will eat celery, can you confirm this for me? I’d appreciate it.
