Does My Dog Recognize Himself in a Mirror?

Many people are puzzled by the fact that dogs seem to ignore images of themselves reflected in a mirror. Young puppies encountering mirrors for the first time may treat the image as if it is another dog. They may bark at it, or give a little bow and an invitation to play as if they are encountering a real dog and engaging in a social interaction. However, after a short while they lose interest. Afterwards then often seem to treat their reflections as if they were of no consequence at all. 

When we humans look into a mirror we immediately recognize that the image that we are gazing at is our own. It seems so natural that we tend not to think about it is something special, however psychologists treat this as a major mental feat because it requires self-awareness, which is one of the most sophisticated aspects of consciousness. In effect we must be able to mentally step outside of ourselves and consider ourselves as separate entities from the rest of the world.

Can Dogs see Colors?

The question if dogs are colorblind, specifically red-green colorblind or if dogs only see shades of gray is raised among dog owners quite often. Even on the internet the question concerning dog vision is discussed controversial. But there is a simple answer to that question which I would like to share with you supported by some scientific resources.

Actually there are two distinct questions which I would like to ask, answer and set in relation hereafter: 

• Can dogs see colors? — Answer: Yes 
• Are dogs colorblind? — Answer: Yes 

Let me explain this two answers to you a bit more in detail.

Dogs can see colors

Dogs not only see in shades of gray but also can see distinct colors contrary to what most people belief. About one hundred years ago some scientific tests were made to find out more about the color vision of dogs. But these tests weren’t that scientific as they thought and the researchers concluded only that color vision doesn’t play a part in the daily life of a dog.

Can Dogs See Color? And How Do We Know?

Thursdays are always the worst day for little dogs to play fetch at my local park. That’s because mowing is Fridays and on Thursdays the grass is often over one-tennis ball tall. It was on one such Thursday after having to search for my dog’s ball for the third time, that I exclaimed, “It sure would be useful if, instead of being green, this tennis ball were blue and yellow. Then, Jonesy could more easily find it himself.” Well, a passing pet owner quickly corrected me. “That wouldn’t help. Dogs are color blind.”

For a second I thought, Duh, that’s right. Dogs don’t see color the way we do. But then I remembered that they can distinguish blue from yellow. That’s because while dogs can’t see all of the colors we can, they can perceive some differences.

While humans have three types of photoreceptors in their eyes that transmit signals about color to the brain, dogs have two types of photoreceptors. We know that these photoreceptors work to transmit information allowing dogs to perceive differences in color because dogs have told us so. Well, sort of.

Can Dogs See Colors?

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions about dog's vision is whether dogs see colors. The simple answer-namely that dogs are colorblind-has been misinterpreted by people as meaning that dogs see no color, but only shades of gray. This is wrong. Dogs do see colors, but the colors that they see are neither as rich nor as many as those seen by humans.

The eyes of both people and dogs contain special light catching cells called cones that respond to color. Dogs have fewer cones than humans which suggests that their color vision won't be as rich or intense as ours. However, the trick to seeing color is not just having cones, but having several different types of cones, each tuned to different wavelengths of light. Human beings have three different kinds of cones and the combined activity of these gives humans their full range of color vision.

Dog Separation Anxiety From Leaving Dog Alone

Dogs are very social animals, and they would like nothing more than to be by your side 24/7. But we know (even if they don’t) that dog food doesn’t buy itself, and that may entail you having to leave them home alone while you go off to bring home the bacon (and the dog treats).

We might imagine our dogs gleefully doing the Tom Cruise Risky Business slide when we shut the door behind us in the morning, but the more likely scenario is that the dog is experiencing some level of separation anxiety. This separation anxiety might manifest itself as anything from nuisance barking or whining (unpleasant for the neighbors) to stinky surprises left for you when you return home (unpleasant for you). If your dog is one to chew his feelings, you may also find some prized possessions or furniture vandalized during your absence.

Tips for Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

Once upon a time, in the perhaps somewhat legendary past, dogs spent their days outdoors, working at their masters’ sides. Cue the theme from “Lassie.”

Tips for Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

These days, most of our dogs spend their people’s workdays at home alone. Often they’re bored and lonely. Fortunately, we can help that time pass easily -- without spending a lot of money.

Make ’Em Tired

The best thing you can do for your home-alone dog is supply some good, hard, first-thing-in-the-morning exercise. You saw that coming, right? How much exercise -- and what kind -- depends on your dog’s age, fitness, body type, and state of health, and also on the weather. Is your dog old, arthritic, and short-nosed, or is she an adolescent Border Collie mix? Is it 90 degrees out, 15, or 55? Check with your vet if you have questions about your dog’s exercise tolerance. The result you’re looking for is that your dog gets home and flops down on his bed to snooze. For most dogs, off-leash running, trotting, and sniffing are ideal, because they supply not only varied physical exercise, but mental stimulation as well.

Are Pickles Healthy for Dogs?

Pickles are often suggested as a remedy for dehydrated dogs. Dog owners should be cautious about administering pickles and pickle juice to their dehydrated pets.

Considerations

Dehydration results from not drinking enough water. Hot weather is a common cause of dehydration, but a dog can become dehydrated in any climate.

Identification

A dehydrated dog will seem tired and depressed. One way to test for dehydration is to gently pinch and release the skin between a dog's shoulder-blades. A dehydrated dog's skin won't snap back smoothly when released, but it will remain bunched for a moment and settle slowly.

Dogs Love eat Cucumbers

Dogs really do love cucumbers; they are nuts about them. And let me tell you, I know a German shepherd who absolutely loves cucumbers. This dog is crazy about this elongated fruit.

The German shepherd belongs to my parents, and I'm the one who introduced him to the juicy, refreshing fruit. The dog will eat a whole cucumber in just a few minutes. This fruit is certainly very safe for dogs to consume; Our dog has never suffered any adverse effects from all the many cucumbers he has devoured.

This plant food is largely water, and the skin is loaded with phytonutrients (plant nutrients). It also has antioxidants. Just because it's not a protein food doesn't mean a dog shouldn't eat a cucumber. This fruit, which is 90 percent or more water, contains no compounds that are toxic to canines.

Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

Can dogs eat tomatoes? A very good question indeed and the answer is yes they can; but because of their curious nature, dogs will and can eat anything they can find. My own dog ate a glass decorative swan (without incurring even a minor cut). Just because they can certainly doesn’t mean that they should eat tomatoes as a part of their dog food diet.

As humans, we are aware of the health benefits of tomatoes and the importance of having it as a part of a well balanced diet. Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene – known to lower the risk of degenerative disease and some types of cancer. Tomatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin A and C. But it seems that a dog’s digestive, urinary and nervous system does not need nor react to the benefit of tomatoes as humans. In fact, it can have a very negative effect. Some would say that tomato sauce would kill any toxins by the heat of cooking; but just like some humans, tomato sauce contains a lot of acid for sensitive stomach.

For a dog to safely eat tomatoes; they should be ripe and not consumed in large quantities. An occasional cherry tomato will cause no harm if your dog enjoys it, and of course is not allergic to that particular fruit. Large amounts of healthy red ripe, non toxic tomatoes can cause a rapid heart rate and/or tremors in your dog.

Leaves and stems of the plant and unripe tomatoes contain atropine alkaloids and atropine. Tomatine alkaloid is very poisonous to your canine friend. Most of us can tolerate the mild toxic effects of this sort, but tomato toxicity can result in a coma or worse; death of your beloved pet. Symptoms of tomato toxicity can include: vomiting; excessive drooling; constipation or diarrhea; central nervous systems shut down; muscle weakness; dilated pupils: breathing difficulty. This ingested toxicity is not properly absorbed by the dogs intestines and at the very least causes stomach upset and intestinal distress.

There are too many variables and risks on the table regarding feeding this particular fruit to my “best friend”. It is highly suggested to keep your curious canines away from your vegetable garden with a gate or keep your vegetable patch away from an area that your dog has access to.

As responsible dog owners and lover of dogs, let us revisit the question “Can dogs eat tomatoes”? The proper and more responsible answer would be “NO”.

Can Dog eat Broccoli ?

Broccoli is one of those healthy superfoods for us humans, but how about out best friends? Even though it’s packed with nutrients and vitamins, a dog’s digestive system is different than ours, so simple vegetables like broccoli will not be broken down the same way. In this case, it’s not whether it’s dangerous to give your dog broccoli, but whether they need to eat it at all.

As much as we depend on them for their company, dogs equally rely on us to take good care of them as if we would a clingy child. Dogs have specific needs that they cannot provide themselves or to each other and this is where we come in. One of the most important fundamentals of keeping your dog healthy is providing them with a well-balanced diet. Although dogs can often be seen rummaging through garbage bins for food if they get the chance, believe it or not, dogs can’t eat everything.

There are certain foods that have been shown to be lethal for dogs if consumed in large amounts, one of those foods being broccoli. You might be a little confused as to whether or not your dog can munch on this green vegetable, as some healthier choices of dog food actually contain small amounts of it in their recipes, but we’ve got the low down on this matter.

Can My Dog Eat Broccoli? Answer: In Moderation, But Not Necessary

In general, broccoli isn’t poisonous. It’s actually a great source of fiber for your pet dog, not to mention the perfect snack your dog can chew on to naturally clean your their teeth. The only issue you’ll ever have with broccoli is the amount that’s devoured by your dog. Broccoli contains the ingredient isothiocynate, which is known to cause major gastrointestinal issues in dogs if eaten in large amounts.

How Much Broccoli Is Too Much?

The amount of broccoli that your dog can consume without experiencing any negative side effects specifically depends on the size of your dog. One piece of broccoli to a Labrador might be fine, but could be potentially deadly to a pint-sized dog such as a Chihuahua. It has been determined that your dog can have some broccoli as long as it accounts for less than 5% of their daily food intake. Any more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet can cause serious stomach problems and can be fatal if it makes up more than 25%.

Why Should I Continue To Feed My Dog Broccoli?

Dogs are just as prone to sickness and disease as we are, and in order to prevent illness from even occurring nourishment from different kinds of foods is a must. Broccoli is high in antioxidants, which are known to fight cancer-causing cells. Chlorophyll is a pigment that can be found in green leafy vegetables and is proven to protect our bodies against exposure to carcinogens. Another important nutrient it has is bioflavonoids. This is a specific vitamin known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and anti-cancerous properties therefore lessening the chances of you and even your dog from developing any related health ailments. Lastly, it is a great source of fiber and if taken occasionally, can regulate your dog’s bowel movements.

How Can I Incorporate It Into My Dog’s Diet?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with directly feeding your dogs with some broccoli as long as it’s in small proportions. Instead of adding a few stems to their bowl to chew on, you might want to try your hand at homemade dog food. Below is a simple recipe that incorporates a little of it into your dog’s diet.

Ingredients:

- 1 pound lean meat (chicken or turkey)

- 2 cups brown rice

- 1 cup carrots

- ½ cup of chicken stock

- ¼ pound broccoli

Instructions:

- After steaming the vegetables, you want to add all of it including the cooked rice into a food processor.

- Mix in the chicken stock.

- Add bite-size pieces of which ever lean meat you decide to use.

- Let it cool.

- Serve.

This is a fairly easy recipe that makes use of broccoli. Your dog will be sure to love it. Again, giving it to your dog is acceptable just as long as it’s in moderation.