DOG TOYS Dog toys can be dangerous if they're too soft for your dog's strength, too small for your dog's mouth, if they break into pieces that are too brittle and sharp, or are made of long indigestible string or rope. "Booda Bones" - the knotted rope toys - are made of cotton/polyester strings that can be swallowed and become lodged in a dog's stomach. "Greenies" - promoted as natural, digestible and good for dogs' teeth - can become lodged in a dog's esophagus. "Nylabones" - approved by vets - have killed dogs when pieces have broken off and become lodged in intestines. RELATED SITES Owners: Dog treats killed our pets Chew Toys Unsafe for Dogs? Back To Top

RAWHIDES, COW HOOVES, AND PIGS' EARS Rawhides, cow hooves, and pigs' ears can also be dangerous for several reasons: 1. If they are swallowed whole or in large chunks, rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus, and, once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. 2. In some countries, an arsenic-based preservative is used in the processing of rawhide toys. If you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. 3. The FDA says that there is a risk of Salmonella accociated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. Cow hooves are even more dangerous than rawhides. They are hard enough that a dog can actually break a tooth on one. They can also be chewed up into sharp fragments that can cause a partial intestinal obstruction. Partial obstructions are often difficult to diagnose until the point at which the fragment is ready to perforate the wall of the bowel from pressure against the sharp edges. If perforation has occured, the infection that ensues from leakage of intestinal contents can be fatal. RELATED SITES A Word From Seismo and Taco - Rawhide Chew Warning Back To Top

COUNTERFEIT FLEA AND TICK PRODUCTS According to federal authorities, the majority of the two most popular brands of flea and tick pet treatments - Frontline and Advantage - found in pet stores are dangerous, counterfeit products. An ongoing federal investigation has revealed that these products, although legitimately manufactured overseas, have been repackaged with American labels and contain higher amounts of active pesticide and incorrect pet weight ranges. It is impossible to tell if the dosage for a 10 lbs cat is correct or really for a 100 lbs dog. These illegal products also pose potential risks related to units of measure that are unfamiliar to U.S. consumers, lack of child-resistant packaging, lack of precautionary statements, and the potential for the pesticide itself to be other than what is indicated on the carton. So far, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued stop-sale orders to 56 retailers in seven states for selling variations of Advantage and Frontline that were intended for foreign markets. The two manufacturers sell their U.S. products through veterinarians ONLY. Pet stores are NOT a reliable place to buy them! According to Bayer, the company that makes Advantage, nearly 90 percent of the Advantage and Frontline products on retail shelves are counterfeit. Related Sites Counterfeit Pesticide Products for Dogs and Cats Back To Top

REPTILE "HOT ROCKS" "Hot rocks" (or "rock heaters") can be found in the reptile section of most pet stores. They are made of clay, cement or hard plastic molded around an electric heating coil. As the electric coil heats up, so does the surrounding mold. Hot rocks are infamous for causing severe thermal burns on all species of reptiles. Arboreal species, such as iguanas, are the most delicate and commonly burned - due in large part to the fact that, in nature, they use their backs to absorb heat from the sun, not their bellies. Most hot rock burns occur when hot rocks are used as the sole source of heat (something even the manufacturers reccommend against). The instinct to stay warm is greater than the pain messages sent by the animal's damaged nerves. Hot rocks have also caused numerous house fires - usually because people cover them up with socks or pillowcases, causing the heat to become encapsulated. If you have seen a pet store giving misinformation or telling people they can utilize a hot rock as the only heat source, let the manufacturer know about it - be sure to include the store's name and phone number.  RELATED SITES http://www.anapsid.org/hotrock.html http://www.reptilecare.com/NoHotRocks.htm Back To Top

CEDAR AND PINE BEDDING Cedar and pine shavings are commonly available pet bedding products - but are they harmful to the very animals for which they are intended? The strong smell of cedar and pine bedding is from natural volatile chemicals in the wood called phenols. These phenols, and other acids found in cedar bedding, are very harmful to health of animals, affecting the respiratory tract and liver. In rodents, constant exposure to phenols has also been shown to greatly reduce drug effectiveness. Besides the health implications, cedar and pine shavings harbor more bacteria than other typeS of litter. RELATED SITES The Toxicity of Pine and Cedar Shavings by Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun Use of Cedar as a Substrate for Reptiles and Other Pets by Melissa Kaplan Back To Top

TURTLE BOWLS Water turtles aren't as easy to care for as some might expect. They need plenty of space to swim and bask, warm temperatures, special UVB lighting, and clean, filtered water. Turtle bowls (flat plastic kidney shaped bowls, usually with a plastic palm tree in the middle) provide for none of these requirements. They are, in fact, referred to as "Death Bowls" by serious turtle hobbyists. Experts claim that when these bowls were popular the mortality rate for pet turtles was close to 100% within a year of purchase. RELATED SITES Starting Out with Semi-Aquatic Turtles David T. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D What Are Death Bowls? By the World Chelonian Trust Back To Top

SANDPAPER BIRD PERCHES Sandpaper perches and cage bottoms are commonly sold with cage kits and used to "maintain trim toenails and beaks". First-time bird owners often believe this product is necessary, since it comes with the package. However, sandpaper is not good for avian feet. Perches and cagebottoms covered in sandpaper have been known to cause sores, ulcers, and orthopedic problems. If chewed and swallowed, the material can also damage the digestion tract. Better solutions include trimming toenails with a pair of fingernail clippers (after being instructed by an avian veterinarian) and providing hard substances like tree branches and wood toys to help maintain a trim beak. RELATED SITES Selecting a Perch for Your Bird All About Perches FAQ Back To Top

PET BIRD SEED Seed diets are nutritionally inadequate for parrots. Seed diets are high in fat and low in the vitamins, minerals, and protein that birds need to stay healthy. While birds can survive temporarily on seed diets, in time chronic malnutrition will compromise their immune systems, and they will get sick. Pelleted diets are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of pet birds, containing the right balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. There are a number of different pellets available at your local pet store or veterinary clinic. It is best to avoid pellets that are brightly colored, and opt for the pellets that do not contain food coloring. Ask your veterinarian which type of pellets is best for your bird. RELATED SITES Parrot Diets & The ‘Idiot Factor’ by Sally Blanchard Parrot Nutrition 101 Back To Top