HELOISE Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs

Dear Heloise: I think it's important to advise your readers that grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs. There was an article in a dog magazine that told of one little dachshund dying after eating only four or five grapes! The article states that most dogs can handle a few grapes or raisins, but given the risk, why not eliminate grapes and raisins from your dog's diet altogether?
Also, log on to the ASPCA Web site's article on dog poisonings resulting from ingesting grapes or raisins (www.aspca.org-/site/DocServer/ grapes.pdf?docID189). Thanks for passing along this information. Lilli Binder, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Lilli, this could be a lifesaving hint, and I'm happy to pass this information along. My dog Savvi used to love grapes, although we only gave her one or two every so often. Thank goodness she didn't get sick. Heloise
Dear Readers: Louise Crouse Lobao has two "grandsons" -- Diesel, a 4-month-old black Lab, and Tigger, a 3-month-old tiger cat. The photo she sent was not posed, she says. It shows the cat cradled between Diesel's front legs. They look like the best of friends.
Visit my Web site, www.Hel-oise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see these cute little pets. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My cairn terrier, Wiggles, developed a skin rash. When I took her to the veterinarian, he took some tests and couldn't readily identify what was causing the skin problem.
I did some research and found that dog food or anything containing corn products can cause allergies in some terriers. I mentioned this to my vet and thought it might be something your readers might want to know as well.
After feeding her a type of dog food free of corn products, her skin cleared, and she is doing great. Judy Hill Moorhead, San Antonio
Dear Readers: A funny thing happened with my dog Cabbie. I decided to throw out her old collar when I put a new one on. I usually keep old ones as backups, but this one was in pretty bad shape. Well, soon after, I noticed Cabbie lying on the floor, and right next to her was the old collar.
I guess she couldn't part with it -- it's probably something like a security blanket. Rather than throwing it away again, I put it on her stuffed mini-schnauzer toy. She seems much happier knowing it is still around. Heloise
Keep your pet confined when traveling in a car. Dogs sitting unrestrained, especially in the front seat, can be severely hurt or even die if an accident occurs.
We all know how dangerous it is to keep a child in the front seat because of air bags deploying. It is just as dangerous for your pets. Keep them in the back seat in a pet carrier that is also restrained with the car seat belt. Heloise
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate