5 Hidden Toxins That Cause Costly Vet Visits

From All of Us at Cause For Paws This Thanksgiving…

We’re so grateful for you, for the dogs we get to help, and for our sponsors who allow us to keep doing what we love!

When you email us, share a dog’s story, or pass a rescue link to a friend, you help a dog get noticed - and being noticed is often the very thing that saves their life.

Because of you, dogs who once felt forgotten are now warm, safe, and loved.

They’re sitting by a family’s table instead of behind shelter bars. They’re finally home.

We do the research, but you are the reason families step forward. Your support keeps this mission alive and gives us the strength to keep fighting for every dog still waiting.

Thank you for being part of the Cause For Paws family. We’re grateful for you today and always.

Rescue Dog Rescues Dying Baby

Duke was an overlooked dog stuck in a shelter in Connecticut, passed up by family after family. Until one day, a couple stopped, saw something gentle in his eyes, and took him home. They gave him safety, routine, and the kind of love every dog yearns for.

For years, Duke was calm, obedient, and gentle. Then one night, everything changed.

Duke leapt onto his owners’ bed, shaking and panicked, acting in a way they had never seen.

He wouldn’t stop until they followed him to the nursery. There, they found their nine-week-old baby girl silent and not breathing.

Because of Duke the paramedics reached her in time to save her life. The rescue dog everyone else passed up, became the guardian who saved a baby. Our dogs see more than we know - this thanksgiving give yours a little extra love and show them how much you they truly mean to you.

5 Hidden Toxins That Cause Costly Vet Visits

Most dog parents know chocolate is bad. Grapes too.

But there’s hidden toxins in your home that send thousands of dogs to the vet every year? 

The scary truth is: 

Many of the highest vet bills are caused by things most of us never think twice about using. 

Here are some of the most common offenders hiding in plain sight:

• Carpet and floor cleaners - trigger skin irritation, paw burns, and long-term liver stress in dogs.

• Spray disinfectants – can lead to neurological stress.

• Bleach, Lysol, Pine-Sol, toilet bowl cleaners - all linked to respiratory and neurological damage in dogs.

• Candles - contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones and cause allergies or skin problems.

But here’s the part most people never connect:

• Toxins don’t just cause temporary issues. They build up inside your pup and directly stress the brain.

• Exposure to chemicals increases inflammation, anxiety, and even accelerates cognitive decline in dogs.

That's why so many dogs struggle with memory loss, anxiety, pacing, or forgetting common commands.

Helping your dog live longer isn’t about one thing. It’s about daily care, good nutrition, and a toxin-free, loving environment that keeps them happy and healthy for many memorable years.

🐾 Paw Profiles: 3 New Pups Ready for a Home!

North Carolina rescues are filled with dogs who haven’t given up on hope. These sweet pups came from one of the most dedicated no-kill groups in the state, where patient hands have helped them feel safe again. They trust, play, and wag… Now they need a family to give them the home they’ve been dreaming of.

Aurora!

Aurora is a big, fluffy burst of personality wrapped in Great Pyrenees charm. Born around June 2024 and already 53 pounds of happy energy, she loves people, loves playtime, and loves being part of the action.

She’s smart, silly, and absolutely thrives with attention. She has lived with other dogs in foster care but would shine brightest as the center of your world - your one-and-only pup.

She’s fully vetted, microchipped, spayed, and current on flea/tick and heartworm prevention. Aurora really wants to be the newest member of your family :)

June!

June is a one-of-a-kind little mix - part hound, part lab, and if the rumors are true, part chihuahua thanks to her proud (and tiny) dad. Born in March 2025, she watched her sisters get adopted first, and now she’s ready for her moment. June starts out a bit shy, but once she trusts you, she gives her whole heart without holding back.

She adores other dogs, and two of her sisters are living happily with cats, so she may do well with them too. June is sweet, gentle, and waiting for a family who will help her confidence bloom.

Mixed Breed, Female-Spayed, Shots Current, Microchipped, On Flea/Tick and Heartworm Prevention

Missy!

Missy is an adorable 8-month-old German Shepherd mix with about 30 pounds of wiggle, curiosity, and sunshine. She’s smart, eager, and full of young-dog energy, so she’ll thrive with someone who loves playtime, training, and getting outside for adventures.

She’s already crate trained, sweet as can be, and gets along great with other dogs. Missy has all her vetting done and is ready to start her life with a family who’ll help her grow into the amazing dog she’s meant to be. 🐶

Take a look at the Ruff Love Rescure website to find your perfect match!

👋 We hope this week’s North Carolina edition of Cause For Paws brought a smile and reminded you how much our dogs give us every day. Give your pup an extra hug this Thanksgiving, and stay tuned for more heartwarming stories next week from all of us at Cause For Paws.