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.

Walking a dog through grassy areas during summer can attract fleas and ticks. Once these latch on to a dog’s coat, it can be difficult to ward them off. If they aren’t effectively removed, then they can cause infections and diseases that can be extremely irritable. Few flea and tick treatments protect dogs from this nuisance. These come in the form of oral treatments, sprays, powders, and shampoos. Here are five effective products that the market has to offer to protect your dogs from pests: Frontline Plus for Dogs Frontline Plus’s products are the best to rid your dog of fleas and ticks. This brand is especially suitable for large breeds. It offers various products to protect your big dog from fleas, chewing lice, and ticks. It is also easy to apply; you can simply follow the instructions on the product. Frontline Plus grants 30 days of protection, so you can be at ease for sometime before you have to reapply the treatment. Be it summer or winter, this product has your dog covered. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Home Spray Treatments that come in the form of sprays are just as effective. The Flea and Tick Home Spray by Vet’s Best has natural oils and plant-based components that do not stain when used.

If you have a cat or know someone who does, it is essential to know what kind of food is beneficial for them and what isn’t. No matter how cute faces they make while you’re eating dinner, it’s best not to feed anything to them until you’re a hundred percent sure that it’s non-hazardous. Here’s a list of human food items that’s alright to feed your cat. Meat Cats are meat-lovers and carnivores by nature. Most of the commercial cat food available in the market contains meat, an excellent source of protein for them. So feeding them tiny bits of cooked meats like beef, turkey, or chicken from your lunch plate is entirely alright. Ensure the meat does not contain any tiny bones, as they might get stuck in their delicate necks. Salmon Cats love fish, and most vets recommend feeding them fish-based cat foods. They are a good source of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel is excellent for their eyesight and joints too. However, do not feed your feline straight from the can; they might lick it too aggressively and cut their tongues. It’s best to feed them cooked pieces that have no bones.

Can you resist not treating your pets with food when they sit next to you at the dinner table? Well, it is difficult, to say the least. Not all human foods benefit our pets. It is important to remember that our pets digest and assimilate food differently than us. Meaning, what we consider nutritious might be one of the common foods that can be toxic for them. Mentioned below are some foods that should be kept away from pets. Avocados Who doesn’t love avocados? Considering its nutritional value, the creamy green fruit is loved by all, and we should all be grateful for its existence. But sadly, a certain compound in this fruit makes it toxic for our furry friends. In fact, if eaten by dogs, the fruit can cause digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, making them one of the common foods that can be toxic for pets. Macadamia nuts Like avocados, macadamia nuts, too, belong to the elite class of its category. These nuts also make it to the list of common foods that can be toxic for pets. On ingestion, they can result in increased temperature, muscle spasms, weakness of the hind limbs, and vomiting. Additionally, they pose a choking hazard for our pets, so it is best to keep them at a safe distance.

Did you know your fur baby can be your great travel companion as well? While hiring a sitter or getting a friend to watch your pet can be helpful, but wouldn’t it be great to take you furry one with you? If you are thinking of taking your pet along with you on your next trip, here’s a pet travel checklist that will be handy. Your basic pet travel checklist must include Water and food Pack your pet’s kibble and wet food. Make sure to add some snacks and treats too. Poop bags A must-have when you are traveling with your pet. Avoid looking for a pet store en route or at your destination. Leash, tag, etc For safety, keep you pet on a leash and collar when traveling. Make sure that your pet has an updated tag with your name and phone number. Crate and bed Train your pet to be comfortable inside a crate. With a bed inside, your pet will have something familiar around. Ensure that the crate is big enough for them to stand and move. Vaccine documentation Visit the vet to keep your pet updated with all the vaccines. Keep the paperwork handy for crossing international borders, checking in hotels, and emergencies.

Who can resist the charm of a well-maintained garden or indoor plants that make for the perfect setting every evening. Plants add a great vibe to both indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately, pet parents might not be able to fill their living space to the brim with flora, because not all are suited to their four-legged babies. For instance, there are quite a few plants that are toxic to cats, and inhaling their pollen, chewing on the leaves, or the flowers can lead to dangerous effects. In this article, we’re listing out plants that are poisonous for cats and the symptoms of a reaction the cat parent must watch out for. Lilies We all love lilies but if you’re a cat parent, it’s best to steer clear of this plant. It’s not just the flower that’s toxic but its leaves, pollens, and in fact even the water from the vase is equally toxic for your cat. Chewing on lily petals or licking pollen can lead to damaged kidneys in your cats and ingestion of some types can even cause a poisonous reaction that can end up in death. While all species of lilies are toxic for felines, there are those that pose serious danger, which include Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies.