Ask Dr. Paola – Vegetables, Eye Protection & Paw Chewing (October 13, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may preserve your furry pal completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Loves Uncooked Carrots!

“Ought to canines eat carrots? My canine Donald LOVES to eat uncooked carrots, like bones. He eats common pet food and meat, and so forth, however his favourite deal with is carrots. I simply surprise whether it is OK?“– Eli

Hello Eli.

Carrots generally is a fantastic and protected deal with for many canines when supplied carefully. They’re low in energy, present fiber that helps wholesome digestion, and are wealthy in beta carotene, which the physique converts into vitamin A to assist preserve wholesome imaginative and prescient and pores and skin. Many canines love the crunchy texture, and chewing on raw carrots can provide some mild cleansing of the tooth, although that is by no means an alternative choice to proper dental care.

The primary issues are portion dimension and your canine’s total well being. Too many carrots could result in digestive upset, similar to gentle stools or fuel, and canines with circumstances like diabetes or persistent gastrointestinal illness might have stricter limits. All the time modify the dimensions of the carrot items to your canine, providing massive sections to huge canines and smaller slices to little ones to scale back choking dangers. So long as Donald continues consuming his complete diet, carrots make a protected, healthful snack which you could be ok with sharing with him.

Finest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Pet Wants Eye Safety from the Solar!

“We’ve a 6-week-old dachshund pet, Onyx, who has a blown pupil that must be protected when going out within the solar. Our vet recommends beginning with doggles with a block from the solar. Sadly, we will’t discover something sufficiently small to start out that coaching. Any solutions? We’re determined so he can go outdoors as quickly as he has his photographs.“ – Victoria

Hello Victoria,

Defending Onyx’s delicate eye at such a younger age is essential, and your veterinarian is correct that shielding him from direct sunlight will assist stop discomfort and additional injury. Business goggles designed for canines, similar to RexSpecs, are sometimes really helpful by veterinary ophthalmologists as a result of they block dangerous UV mild. Nonetheless, for a six-week-old dachshund puppy, even the smallest sizes could not match securely but, which makes coaching and gradual acclimation essentially the most sensible first step. Consider it like instructing a baby to put on glasses; the method works finest when began gently and paired with optimistic experiences.

Within the meantime, limiting out of doors publicity to shaded areas and preserving walks quick throughout brilliant daylight can scale back the pressure on his eyes till he’s massive sufficient to put on a correct pair. You may start introducing the concept of headgear indoors utilizing optimistic reinforcement, first with gentle cloth straps or a loosely fitted band, so he learns to affiliate the feeling with rewards. As soon as he grows a bit, transitioning to protective goggles will likely be smoother and safer. Should you proceed to battle discovering an applicable match, your veterinarian might also counsel a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist who can information you on customized choices or extra protecting methods. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

All of My Canine Lick & Chew Their Paws Uncooked! I Want Assist!

“I’ve 8 canines: 1 60lb Labrador and seven little canines of assorted breeds. 😊All of them lick and chew their paws ridiculously. I’ve tried quite a few issues, together with spraying our yard! Proper now, it’s slowing down, and they don’t chew them uncooked.

I began them on a small quantity of Salmon oil, and it appears to be serving to. Additionally, I took them off all rooster merchandise; I believe they’re higher on beef. I perceive this can be a shot at midnight, however I really feel dangerous. 4 of the canines are 9 and over, and 4 are 6 and underneath. Thanks on your ideas upfront!!! ”  – Judi

Pricey Judi,

You’re doing an exquisite job of paying shut consideration to your canines and making considerate modifications based mostly on how they reply. Paw chewing is a quite common concern, and it usually has a couple of contributing issue. Environmental allergy symptoms, meals intolerances, parasites, and even secondary yeast and bacterial infections can all trigger irritation that results in this kind of habits. What you describe, the place issues enhance with salmon oil and dietary modifications, does match with what we all know in regards to the function of vitamin in supporting pores and skin and coat well being. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can assist scale back irritation, and a few canines certainly do higher when frequent proteins similar to rooster are eradicated.

Since you’ve gotten a number of canines exhibiting the identical indicators, environmental triggers are additionally price contemplating. Grasses, pollens, and even cleansing merchandise used on flooring can contribute to itchy paws. Wiping their toes after time outdoor can assist decrease contact irritants. As a result of chronic paw chewing can result in secondary infections, it’s at all times finest to have every canine evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out underlying causes. From there, an individualized plan which will embrace allergy testing, prescription diets, or focused medicines could be developed. Within the meantime, persevering with with the salmon oil and monitoring their response to dietary changes is a wise step.

Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

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