Some advocates of homemade pet foods insist that raw meat should form the basis of dog and cat diets. These pet owners believe strongly that a raw meat diet comes closest to the diet that the ancestors of our pets ate in the wild and that such a diet is, therefore, more "natural'' than conventional, commercially prepared foods.

Assessing the risk
All of the nutritional caveats about homemade pet diets using cooked ingredients apply to those made from raw meat. But the use of raw meat poses the additional risk of contamination with bacteria and parasites. A study reported in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 53 percent of the commercial, raw meat dog food samples tested were contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, intestinal tract infections. In addition to the risk of infection to pets, the owners who handle these foods on a daily basis may be placing themselves and their families at risk of cross-contamination by tainted meats.

Veterinarians say to be careful
The risks of raw meat diets have led the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association to take a strong position against raw meat diets. Their Position Statement is unequivocal: "To date, no scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of these diets have been published. There are now multiple peer-reviewed studies documenting potential risks from bacterial pathogens present in raw meats for both pets fed these diets and for in-contact humans.''

Dissenting voices
Nevertheless, in spite of the disapproval of the veterinary establishment, a significant and growing number of pet owners are resorting to raw meat diets without apparent harm to their pets. In addition, some veterinarians -- while advising caution -- maintain that the dangers of such diets have been overstated.

The bottom line: Play it safe
If you are considering the raw meat option, do your research first. Make sure that you understand the risks and make the switch only if you are confident that the benefits justify the change. Finally, always check with your veterinarian before making a significant change to your pet's diet.

    Gastritis in dogs is inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach.  Vomiting is the most common cause of gastritis.  Vomiting, in turn, is commonly caused by dogs and cats  eating things that upset the digestive tract, such as sticks, leaves, bones, or greasy foods.  Vomiting can also be caused by infection, intestinal worms, cancer, or diseases in other organs such as the kidney or liver. 
    The character of the vomit can provide a hint as to the cause.  For example, sticks, bones or worms may be seen in the vomit.  Red blood indicates bleeding in the mouth, throat, or stomach, while a “coffee-ground” appearance suggests digested blood from the small intestine.  Your pet’s behavior can also provide clues.  Vomiting associated with a tense, painful abdomen, can be a sign of an intestinal obstruction, which is a serious situation that needs immediate veterinary attention.

Treatment
    In mild to moderate cases of vomiting, medications are often given to calm the digestive tract or the “vomiting center” in the brain.  Your veterinarian may ask you to withhold food from your pet for a time, or to feed multiple small meals of a bland diet.  In more serious cases, intravenous fluids may be needed to correct dehydration, and any underlying problems must also be treated.  Intestinal obstructions require emergency surgery to remove the blockage.

Leaving a pill bottle opened on a low counter top, packing your medication in a plastic baggie or accidentally dropping a pill on the floor could harm your dog more than you realize. Dr. Justine Lee, associate director of veterinary services at the Pet Poison Hotline, says 50 percent of the approximately 150,000 annual calls the hotline gets are about pets swallowing human medications. Recently, the hotline came out with a review of the call data, which revealed the top 10 offenders.

10. Cholesterol Drugs
Called “statins,” these popular drugs treat a problem that dogs typically don’t have. The good news is that serious effects in dogs only occur from chronic ingestion.
9. Thyroid Drugs
Hypothyroidism can be common in dogs, and the dose required tends to be 10 times stronger than for a person, says Lee. For this reason, accidental ingestions are usually not a problem, unless a dog eats an extremely large amount.
8. Beta-blockers
Used to treat high blood pressure in people, beta-blockers can have serious effects in dogs, lowering their blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels.
7. ACE Inhibitors
Another group of blood pressure medications, ACE inhibitors can cause problems similar to beta-blockers, but with less severe effects. Still, heart medications should never be within a dog’s reach, says Lee.
6. Birth Control Pills
“The containers are colorful, plastic and may make a rattling noise,” says Lee. “Dogs seem to find them irresistible.” Thankfully, most canines aren’t affected by accidental ingestion, but non-spayed female dogs are at risk of side effects. High doses can also lead to serious bone marrow problems.
5. Benzodiazepines and Sleep Aids
They’re designed to reduce anxiety or improve sleep, but many dogs instead become agitated rather than sedated. Lee says such medications are commonly left on a bedside table. “Putting them there helps people remember to take them,” says Lee. “But curious animals often get to them first.”
4. ADHD Medication
Even minimal ingestion of these drugs can be deadly to dogs. Tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems can result.
3. Antidepressants
It’s true that antidepressants are prescribed to pets, but Lee says the veterinary versions have a different makeup. The human version can actually lead to agitation in dogs.
2. Acetaminophen
This over-the-counter pain medication can be devastating to pets. And ingestion often isn’t accidental. “Pet owners think because it’s over the counter that it’s safe,” Lee says. Acetaminophen ingestion by dogs, however, can lead to liver failure or, in large doses, red blood cell damage.
1. NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are another pain medication. Just one or two pills can lead to serious stomach or kidney ulcers, or kidney failure. “The only pain pill we ever recommend is aspirin,” says Lee. “People think aspirin is the same as Tylenol or Advil, but it’s not.”

Prevention

• Keep human and dog drugs in different locations. It’s easy to grab the wrong bottle if they’re next to each other on the shelf.

• If you carry drugs in your bag or purse, place it someplace high when you’re home.

• If you use a seven-day pill container, store it out of reach. Dogs often think it’s a toy.

• Don’t assume children’s medicine is safe. Species’ differences are significant enough that medications safe for children can still harm dogs.

• When you travel, be vigilant about safely packing your pills.

    Cat hairballs are created because cats typically groom themselves every day and, in the process, ingest a certain amount of hair.  Hair is not digestible and can accumulate into a small lump called a hairball, also known by the medical term trichobezoar.  This condition is especially a problem in long-haired cats.
    Hairballs can irritate the stomach, causing cats to vomit.  The vomit may or may not contain the hairball.  Hairballs can also pass into the intestines, where they can harden and lead to constipation or even intestinal obstruction.
    A diagnosis of hairballs is usually based on history and clinical signs.  Your veterinarian may recommend an x-ray if your cat is showing signs of constipation or obstruction.
    Initial treatment includes laxatives that help lubricate the hairball so that it can pass more easily.  These are usually sold as tubes of paste that most cats find very tasty.  Your vet will advise you on how much of the paste to give to your cat.  In severe cases with signs of intestinal obstruction, surgery may be needed to remove the hairball.
    Prevention involves periodic use of paste laxatives.  There are also commercial diets that are specially formulated to minimize this problem.  Brushing your cat regularly to remove loose hair also helps to minimize formation of hairballs.