Ask a vet.

radivari/Flickr A: It is not dangerous for dogs to eat apples. In fact, I give my dogs an apple whenever I eat one and they love it. Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. But do not be alarmed if your dog ingests a few apple seeds or even an entire apple -- your animal would need to ingest a very large amount of seeds for it to be a danger. In general, dogs can safely consume most fruit with the exception of grapes and raisins. Though the reasons are unknown, ingestion of grapes and raisins can cause renal damage in dogs. Note though that some dogs can eat all the grapes they want and see no negative effects while others get sick. Some reports have also shown ...

WhilWheaton/Flickr A: Many pet owners come to me with questions about dogs and chocolate. The topic is especially timely now, when Halloween candy is in so many homes across the US. During the holiday season in general vets see an increase in visits from owners whose dogs have ingested chocolate simply because there tends to be more of it lying around the house. The reason we see chocolate ingestion more in dog than cats is because dogs will often eat anything that smells good whereas cats are more picky. Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid of the cacao plant. Though the amount found in chocolate is safe for humans to ingest, theobromine is harmful to dogs because they metabolize ...

"Yum! Just like ice cream." Photo: southsideandy/Flickr A: One very common reason dogs chew their paws is in response to a skin problem caused by allergies. Dogs can have allergic reactions to food, environmental and seasonal factors, and through contact with certain household objects, like rugs. However, some dogs simply chew their paws out of boredom and can actually lick the same area until they've chewed off all the fur, which can cause an infection. Constant licking can also lead to a behavioral problem like obsessive-compulsive disorder. If your dog is continuously licking or chewing his paws and you see signs that saliva has discolored his fur, I would suggest having him ...

"Yum! This tastes better than my Meow Mix!" Photo: theogeo/Flickr A: Cats love playing with long thin objects, but they can easily swallow them. This is a huge problem and it's something I see pretty often working in the emergency room. Cats will chew on all sorts of items in their home, such as paper, wires, string, dental floss, needles, pennies, paper clips, and thread. These thin objects -- called linear foreign bodies -- can cause an obstruction in the cat's gastrointestinal tract, which requires immediate veterinary assistance. Vets typically do an endoscopic removal, but if the object has traveled past the cat's stomach, it may require a surgical removal. If a linear foreign ...

"Don't even think about trimming my nails!" Photo: uberzombie/Flickr A: My best advice is to bring the guinea pig to a groomer or a vet for a simple trim, especially if you're nervous about cutting your pet's nails yourself. Since guinea pigs' nails are tiny, you could easily cut one too short and cause it to bleed if you're not careful. However, if you are comfortable trimming your guinea pig's nails on your own, use a traditional nail clipper or even a Pedi Paws Nail Trimmer. Remember that guinea pigs are typically nervous creatures that may freak out if you try to cut their nails. If they sense that you're nervous (which most pet owners are in these situations) they may start to ...

"Is it just me or has the grass has gone bad?" Photo: Kettukusu/Flickr A: In a recent question to Paw Nation, a user asked me if dogs eat grass to settle their stomachs or, since her dog often throws up after eating the green stuff, if it's the grass that actually upsets their stomachs. But first let's answer the question, why do dogs and cats eat grass? Some dogs and cats inherited their taste for grass from their ancestors, others chomp it just to have something to do, and some do indeed munch on grass to settle an upset stomach or another gastrointestinal-related problem. Eating grass will often cause vomiting, sometimes because the grass itself upsets your dog's or cat's ...