I must say a huge thank you to commenters who pointed out that chokecherries can be poisonous to dogs after I wrote about Shyla gorging on them. I'd erroneously assumed that chokecherries are fine for dogs because bears and coyotes both eat them. Dogs are in the same family as those animals, which led to my false sense of security.
Here's an example of a bear scat at this time of year. It is composed almost entirely of chokecherry pits. And it's the biggest black bear scat that I've ever seen! That's my foot next to it.
After your comments alerted me to the danger of chokecherries to dogs, I searched the internet, turning up site after site that said that they could be fatal. I don't know how Shyla dodged that catastrophe despite having poop that looked almost like that bear's. But she did, and I am so grateful for it. Thanks to all of you, we are not allowing her to eat chokecherries anymore. That is a challenge, since the bushes are all over our land but we're managing to do it.
Over the past week, autumn has arrived, and Shyla is here to enjoy it. She loves the cooler weather. She dashes through the aspen groves in a picturesque way that causes me to pull out my camera.
Hari Om
ReplyDeletePhew! Run, Shyla, Run!!! YAM xx
It's a good thing to be on the blogs and get lifesaving information like you did. I'm so happy Shyla is fine and enjoying a glorious fall day in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteI am glad she is safe and had no side effects, and I am wondering is she eats the scat will that be toxic also. good thing someone told you...
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes that certain dogs can tolerate foods that other dogs don't. Before we knew better (many years ago), we used to feed our dogs grapes all the time. They loved them, we had no idea, and we never had an issue. We were lucky too!
ReplyDeleteWe are so relieved that she didn't get sick. You look gorgeous running through the aspen groves, Shyla!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know that about chokecherries either. Lucky for Shyla, and that's beautiful photo of her as well.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I had no idea either but then I have never heard of a chockcherry either.
ReplyDeleteObvious it is a 'laxative' too.
Hugs Cecilia
We are thankful too. We do love Shyla!!!
ReplyDeleteDang, that is really scary and we're sure glad Shyla is okay!
ReplyDeleteWe're glad Shyla didn't have any adverse effects from eating those berries. She sure looks happy romping through those golden leaves.
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard, with all the wild life around you, to make sure the pups don't get into anything they shouldn't
ReplyDeleteAm I the only person to look at the enormous pile of bear scat and think "thank goodness I don't have to pick that up"!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about chokecherries being poisonous to dogs, but we don't have them here in the UK, so I guess Bertie's safe.
Cheers, Gail.
Whoa...I did not know that chokecherries were toxic to dogs but it makes sense since cherry and peach pits both contain a sugar-cyanide compound called amygdalin. So glad Shyla dodged a bullet!
ReplyDelete