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Flickr/turtlemom4bacon A: Ibuprofen is not labeled for animal use and should not be given to your dog or cat. Many people think it's safe to give an animal any medication that they take themselves, but this is not the case. Even if an animal is in pain, giving human pain medication to your pet can actually do more harm than good. I've met many pet owners who have given their dogs Ibuprofen to relieve the pain of arthritis. However, large dosages of this pain reliever can be toxic to dogs. It's very important to always discuss any concerns about your pet's health with your veterinarian instead of giving your pet drugs yourself. Administering drugs yourself, though probably ...

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 ...

"It's raining cats and dogs... and I don't like it!" Photo: eschultz/Flickr A: Many dogs are extremely fearful of storms, but no one really knows why. Some dogs can even sense the weather before humans do. My dog Shayna always freaks out right before it's about to thunder or lightening. To help your pet remain calm, start by making sure that anything your dog can chew, rip, bite or tear is out of reach. I've seen some animals tear furniture -- and sometimes entire rooms -- apart when their owners have left them alone during a storm. Many owners place their dogs on anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Never give your dog human medication, like Xanax, for example. If ...

"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 ...