There is a variety of canned wet and dry dog foods available in the supermarket. They feature several ingredients and come in different flavor combinations so that your pets can enjoy them. However, nothing beats a fresh home-cooked meal to give your dogs on a daily basis. Following are simple DIY dog food recipes that you can explore and make at home for your loyal buddy. These recipes feature proteins, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients for their growth and immunity. Stew made with beef and sweet potatoes Beef is a great source of protein, and sweet potatoes are rich in healthy carbohydrates; both these foods are safe for dogs. You will only need diced beef and sweet potatoes for the base, and the stock can be made with some flour, water, beef drippings (residue left after baking), and just a spoon of vegetable oil. For some extra crunch, add a couple of diced carrots to the mix to balance out the texture and flavors. A healthy bowlful of this simple homemade stew is loaded with vitamin D, iron, calcium, and potassium to improve overall immunity and promote bone health. Try DIY dog food recipes with different ingredients to make stews, a great alternative to wet canned food.

It is a common misconception among pet-owners that since essential oils are derived from plant-based sources, they may be safe for animals. However, it is important to know that not all such essential oils are good for your furry companions. Even if you aren’t necessarily using these oils topically on your pets, even diffusing them in the same room as your pets are could be very toxic for them. Here are some important safety tips to remember when using essential oils in a house with animals: Start with using trace amounts for new oils When exposing any new chemical, material, or food to your pets, it is a good idea to start by exposing them to smaller amounts of those things. This way, if at all, your pet is allergic to that particular material, you will know it immediately, and their life won’t be endangered because of exposure to a higher concentration of these allergens. This is especially recommended in the case of essential oils. Whether you are applying these to your pets as a form of aromatherapy or if you are adding them to diffusers and humidifiers, start by using smaller quantities of such oils. Know the major toxicity groups for your breed of pets Each animal breed is allergic to certain kinds of external substances and essential oils.

Allergy is a common condition wherein the immune system reacts adversely to a seemingly harmless foreign substance. Allergies are widely reported among human beings but can affect animals as well. Dogs are especially susceptible to developing allergies, which cause severe discomfort. Flea allergy dermatitis, seasonal allergies, and environmental allergies are some common types of allergies diagnosed in dogs. In this article, we’ll look at food allergies, which account for about 10% of all allergy cases in dogs, and their symptoms. What is a food allergy? An uncommon reaction to a particular ingredient in food is called a food allergy. An allergy is different from food sensitivity or intolerance, which stems from digestive problems. In the case of a food allergy, the immune system is at fault, as it wrongly recognizes a particular substance or compound in the food as potentially harmful to the body. It then produces antibodies to nullify the presence of these compounds, which results in a range of external symptoms that vary in severity from one dog to another. What are the common symptoms of food allergies in dogs? The trademark symptoms of food allergies in dogs include: Itching As in the case of human beings, dogs scratch themselves repeatedly when suffering from a food allergy.