The DogCast Radio blog

The RSPCA receives thousands of calls a year about poisonings.

The RSPCA is warning about the hazards to pets from an ingredient called Xylitol often found in sweet treats and some makes of peanut butter.

Xylitol is a low calorie sweetener and it is used as an alternative to sugar. It is also known as E967 and can be commonly used in baking.

Some brands of peanut butter do not use this ingredient so the RSPCA are warning dog owners to check the label before giving their pet a taste of this treat.

Xylitol is also regularly found in chewing gum including sugar free gum and nicotine gums.

In 2017 the RSPCA received 1,152 calls about potentially poisoned animals and a further 95 calls asking for advice around poisons. This compares to 1,225 calls about poisoned animals in 2016 and 110 calls asking for advice.

RSPCA Behaviour and Welfare expert Alice Potter said: “Sometimes owners may be harming their pets without realising.

“You might think saving a bite of cake for your dog is harmless but actually you could be feeding them something toxic.
“What is ok for you to eat may not be ok for your dog or cat. Some of the more common foods like onions or chocolate many pet owners are aware of but we are receiving too many calls about poisonings so we need to raise awareness about the dangers of this artificial sweetener.

“It really is a secret poison - many people just aren’t aware of the dangers.

“Always check the ingredients of anything you feed your pet and if you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have then you should ring your vet straight away.”

This Peanut Butter Day try baking your dog a tasty treat by following this recipe for dog biscuits, always ensure you use safe ingredients. (See video above)

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Poor Billy has spent over half his life in rescue. Billy is a very special boy because, not only has he been waiting for almost FOUR YEARS to find his paw-fect home, he is also blind.

The seven-year-old Kelpie was rescued by the RSPCA in February 2014 with a number of other dogs.

“Billy was being kept in a small cage stacked up with many other dogs in a warehouse, living a very sad and lonely life - and missing out on the love and attention he craved,” Tony Shaw, deputy manager at RSPCA South Godstone, said.

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Four puppies were abandoned in Guildford in freezing temperatures and winter storms
The RSPCA is appealing for information after four collie cross puppies were found abandoned in a ditch in Guildford.

The puppies were spotted by a dog walker on the common in Littlefield Close in Fairlands. Sadly, one of the puppies had died in the ditch and the two others were spotted running around Fairlands Common.

It is thought the third puppy died from exposure due to the extremely cold and wet conditions.

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According to some, Blue Monday (15 January), is the most depressing day of the year - but Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Brands Hatch has some very good news to cheer everyone up.

Dolly, who spent an incredible 440 days at the world-famous rescue centre in Kent, sang her Battersea swansong and finally found herself a home to call her own.

The American Bulldog, now three years old, arrived at Battersea Brands Hatch in October 2016 after her previous owner moved house and was unable to take Dolly with her.

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Today, 15 January, is Blue Monday – also known as the most depressing day of the year. To help brighten up your spirits, here are some of the homeless residents from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home who could make a real positive difference to your life.

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Incident happened at 6.30am yesterday morning in Pallion, in a street in Sunderland, Tyne And Wear.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dog was seen being hit with a chain lead in a Sunderland street yesterday morning (Wednesday 3 January).

The dog - a female German shepherd-husky cross called ‘Delilah’ - slipped her lead during the incident at around 6.30am on Percival Street, Pallion and ran into a nearby garden.

The dog’s attacker ran away. She in now in RSPCA care.

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Every year the advice is given out not to buy dogs as Christmas presents.

Many times a year, the advice is given out not to buy dogs online.

Poor Ronnie is living proof that that advice is given out for a reason. Because Ronnie was bought online as a Christmas present - and on the 2nd of January he found himself a resident of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and in need of a new home.

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The skinny and freezing puppy found abandoned inside bag for life
A 10-week-old puppy is lucky to be alive after she was dumped in a bag and left in a wood in freezing conditions in Stockton-on-Tees.

Thankfully, two members of the public discovered the puppy in a Sports Direct Bag for Life in the woods near Lowfields Avenue in Ingleby Barwick at about 12.30pm on December 28 (Thursday).

The small dog is virtually bald, covered in scabs, very thin and was freezing cold and hungry when she was found.

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RSPCA need help finding Oliver Twist’s owner.

A starving dog, just hours from death, has been rescued from a bleak pit on Christmas Eve.

Eagle-eyed dock workers in Goole called the RSPCA when they spotted the scruffy terrier trapped down a 4ft pit under a road bridge.

RSPCa Animal Collection Officer Helen Martindale discovered the terrified terrier cowering at the bottom of the steep trench with no food or water.

She coaxed the dog, she’s nicknamed Oliver Twist, out with some cat biscuits before lifting him out of the pit.

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Dogs Trust offers advice for owners to minimise suffering for four-legged-friends.

An estimated four million dogs are likely to be showing signs of fear or anxiety this New Year’s Eve, according to Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.

To help make fireworks less stressful for our dogs on New Year’s Eve and beyond, the charity is offering some immediate tips and long-term advice to dog owners available on their website.

1. Walk your dog before dark
2. Make sure your house and garden are secure

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