Paw Prints

Question: Is it safe to give my Pug, Tally, pan drippings and scraps? I pour some in her kibble during dinner so she can stop begging at the table. 

Answer: Pan drippings from roasts and other such meals, while delicious, can be dangerous for little Tally to eat. These leftover sauces are usually filled with oils, spices and grease and can give Tally an upset stomach, diarrhea or even a prolonged stay at the hospital. 

Opt for healthier options such as Chicken, Turkey or Beef broth making sure they are all low sodium. You can also shred some boneless and skinless chicken or turkey breast into Tally’s food to give her a holiday treat! 

Question: As the weather gets colder, my shorthaired dog, a dachshund, gets itchy. She will itch sometimes for minutes, and when I go to look and see what is wrong, there is only irritation caused by itching her self. I used lotion and it seemed to help a little bit. What do you recommend? 

Answer: Easy things to rule out are fleas. Despite the weather getting colder, fleas are still a pesky nuisance and can reside in the home throughout the winter. Keeping your pooch on flea preventatives all year long is an easy way to eliminate the doubt. This time of year we also start revving up our heaters, which can dry out skin (yours and your pup’s). Moisturizing is key and can be done with humidifiers in the home, skin products like topical fatty acid ointments, shampoos and mousses and oral fish oil capsules. These can help keep the skin barrier intact and the skin itch free and hydrated. Sensitivity to blanket materials such as wool and fleece can also contribute to the irritations some of our pets experience this time of year, along with all the dust mites already present in the environment. If the itch persists or your dachshund is very uncomfortable, a visit to your vet may be warranted.

Please send your questions to Dr. Marina Shepelev at OwegoPawPrints@gmail.com.

Dr. Marina Shepelev is an associate veterinarian practicing medicine at Owego Veterinary Hospital. She welcomes weekly questions concerning your furry friends.