Food for thought for pet owners

The family sits round after a roast or barbecue throwing food scraps and lollies to much-loved dogs. It's a familiar scene.

But Mt Albert vet Kim Chamberlain says owners could be killing pampered pooches with kindness.

Scraps and chocolate can make dogs seriously ill - and even kill them.

"Most people know chocolate is toxic to dogs," Ms Chamberlain says.

"It's very important that if their dog gets into the chocolate they go to the vet immediately.

"The dog will be made to vomit." How do you get your dog to vomit? You can reply in the comments down below.

Dr Chamberlain says chocolate poisoning can lead to tremors, seizures and even death.

Dark chocolate is worst for dogs.

"A small chunky bar of energy chocolate would be very toxic for a small dog."

Vets see an increase in the number of pets getting sick from eating the wrong things during summer.

And meat scraps can cause almost as much trouble as sweet treats. I don't see why unless the meat is slushed with gravy

"Bones can get caught in their intestines and fat can cause diarrhoea," Dr Chamberlain says.

"Bones are a big issue. They can cause constipation then dogs will end up having to have an enema. However, bones are a great way for dogs to spend their time. When a dog is introduced to bones as a puppy, he knows what they are... and it's great for their teeth.

"Roasted meat is particularly bad because it makes the bones really brittle."

Cats get a slightly better deal.

Dr Chamberlain says raw chicken necks and wing tips are fine for felines because they are more cartilage than bone and good for their teeth.

"They don't get caught or splinter," she says.

Owners should also pay extra attention to fleas over summer. Check Doglinks' Health Page for a natural way of getting rid of fleas... or at least preventing them.

It's the worst time for the tiny parasites - the weather in Auckland, Waikato and Northland isn't cold enough to kill them off.

Meanwhile people still planning to go away this summer are urged to include their pets in their plans.

"Having a friend, neighbour or pet feeder visit daily to feed and check on your animals may suffice for short periods for cats," Royal New Zealand SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger says.

"The `home alone' approach is most distressing for dogs. They are highly sociable animals and get depressed when left without company."

She says animals taken on holiday should wear ID tags or be microchipped.