Ask Jasmine

Have a doggie question?  Jasmine knows her stuff.  Ask Jasmine by filling out the form at the bottom of the page, and she'll wow you with her canine correspondence.

The Latest from Jasmine:

Grass Eating

It can be dangerous though to eat grass that has been sprayed with chemicals so that might be why they want you to quit! And sometimes, eating things other than our doggie food can be a problem.  If your human is wanting to know more about our grass eating habits they can read more about it here.

Wag, wag…

Jasmine

Sharing Food with Humans

Dear Jasmine,

I can’t seem to understand whyI can’t eat what my mommy and daddy eat for dinner? I always try to have some of their food but they won’t let me. I would let them have some of my food if they wanted!!

Jasmine, please explain why mommy and daddy won’t share their food with me.

Sincerely yours,
always hungry dog

Dear Always Hungry Dog,

I used to have this same problem, and still at times; I wish it was the other way! After doing my doggy research I have come to understand that our stomachs are much different than our mommy’s and daddy’s. As it turns out we are unable to digest certain things that our humans eat. This explains a lot why we get so sick when we do end up getting some of their food. Some human food can cause major issues –serious illness or even death. For instance eating grapes or onions can be really bad.

Also, if we eat too much of their food over a period of time it can cause us what our humans call diabetes; this disease is very bad for us and also our humans. Humans have more of a variety of foods they eat everyday but they also have to be careful what they eat too so these same symptoms don’t occur for them. Unfortunately, Always Hungry Dog, there is no way around this!!! Be thankful for the food you have in your bowl; you may need to stop being envious because it will probably not change.
I hope this helps Always Hungry Dog.

Jasmine
 

When Mommy & Daddy are Gone

Dear Jasmine,
When mommy and daddy leave I don’t feel comfortable doing my “business” for anyone else. I get scared that they won’t come back so my scared puppy self uses the bathroom inside. I get in a lot of trouble but I am just a scared puppy. What should i do?  Is this normal?

Sincerely,
Very Scared Pup

Dear Very Scared Pup,

I hate hearing that you are afraid your humans won’t come back. I used to have this problem also which makes me believe it is normal. It took me a long time to realize that my humans will always come back and love me. I have also learned that when they are gone, my going potty outside makes a much more pleasant welcoming when they come home. Mommy and daddy always talk about their “busy lives” which I guess is why they need to leave. I say “busy life, shmisy life” stay home and play frisbee!!!!!!

Happy Waggin’-

Jasmine
 

Cats

I live with a cat; any advise on getting along?  She just stares at me all the time and it is a little scary.  It makes me want to bark and chase her away. -

Tag Along

Hi Tag Along (I love your name),

I am about to deal with a cat myself.  My mom and dad are moving and next door is a cat that roams around and really seems to like our new house.  In my house now, I just lay at the door and pounce on the door and bark when I see a cat–you know to tell it to “scat!”  But when we visited the new house and we were outside (there’s lots and lots of grass there) and I saw my new neighbor.  There was no door between us though.  I started to jump and bark but she kinda looked at me funny and I thought she might actually come after me, so I just froze and stared at her.  She was able to stare longer than me so I finally gave up and turned around and found something to sniff.

I think I am going to just try to ignore her.  She looks at me like she thinks she is smarter or something; like I am a “dumb dog.”  Little does she know how brilliant I am… that is another story.

So just try to ignore her and find better things to do–sniff, scratch, sleep, chew.  There is also this funny article that someone can read to you about cats and dogs if you want to.

Good Luck!

Jasmine

Puppy’s Chow

Hi Jasmine,
I have a new puppy and my mommy wants me to feed him, but mommy gets this dog food stuff that smells gross. I want to feed my puppy my food, especially stuff I don’t really want to finish. What do you think about me doing that?
Drew

Hey Drew -
Your mom is probably getting some food that is especially for growing pups. This is a good thing, and helps pups grow healthy and strong. You gotta remember two things, first we’re dogs, so smell and looks really don’t matter in food. Secondly, we grow up very fast. In one of your years, your pup will grow 7 years, so the food has to be super nutritious and all that. So, I don’t think it is good for you to give your pup any of your food, especially when you really don’t want it. And what’s up with that, you are growing too, so you should eat the food your mom gives you as well. It’s probably some veggies that you don’t like. Now give me some good ole’ salmon skin, fresh off the grill, that’s “Good Eats.”

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