As a cat parent, there’s a lot you may do, such as making sure their nutritional needs are met, getting them groomed, and making regular healthcare appointments at the vet. Doing so ensures that your feline friends stay in the best of health. However, occasionally, one may notice their cat isn’t well. This may occur because of factors including environmental conditions and age. But here are six signs that may require the intervention of an expert: Changes in appetite Though changes in appetite could be normal in cats, they should not be overlooked. If your cat stops eating food entirely or is only munching on tiny bits of food, that could indicate the onset of severe problems known as fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis. On the contrary, overeating may be a sign of hyperthyroidism, especially in older cats. Furthermore, even if a health complication doesn’t cause it, one must consult with a vet to prevent overheating and the gain of pounds. Sudden lethargy If your cat is always lethargic, that could be a cause for concern. Felines that lie around for too long, have low energy levels, or sleep excessively might indicate that something is wrong with their health. Increased thirst Drinking lots of water occasionally due to conditions like higher temperatures is normal.

As a pet parent, haven’t you wondered how easy it would be if your pets could simply communicate their needs with you? One of the best ways to understand your dog’s needs is to look for signs that may tell you how they feel. Pets tend to communicate feeling poorly by showing unpleasant symptoms or behavior. Thus, if you suspect your dog might be sick, look out for these particular signs. Vomiting Often one of the first symptoms of your dog’s sickness, vomiting, can point towards digestive issues and more. The vomiting can be caused by sudden meal changes, viral or bacterial infections, indigestion from eating any unknown object, motion sickness if they are traveling in a car, or even parvovirus in puppies. A detailed diagnosis will reveal if the illness is mild or severe, but it needs a veterinarian’s immediate attention if other unusual symptoms follow. Check their urine Signs like straining to urinate, changes in the urine volume, or blood in the urine are signs that you need to look out for to know if your dog is sick. This is especially important for senior dogs as these issues may arise with age. Bloody urine may point to illnesses like bladder stones, urinary tract infections, blood issues, or even cancer in some cases.

Pets are often curious and like to sniff around what their human parents are eating. As a result, one may get tempted to feed their pets from their own plate. However, this is a bad and dangerous habit. Individuals must remember that not all human foods are safe for pets. Some can harm them by causing severe health complications. Here are a few toxic foods to avoid feeding one’s pets. Garlic Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives belong to the family of vegetables called allium, which is highly toxic to cats and dogs. Feeding these may cause the pet’s red blood cells to rupture and lead to poisoning. Furthermore, garlic and onion can lead to gastrointestinal problems, such as excessive drooling, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Some pets may also experience symptoms like pale gums, lethargy, weakness, sudden collapse, and increased respiratory and heart rate. Chocolate People are often tempted to treat their furry companions with chocolate. However, even a small amount can harm them. Chocolate contains theobromine and methylxanthines, elements that are toxic to pets. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, panting, hyperactivity, excessive urination and thirst, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and tremors. Raisins Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause extreme toxicity, particularly in dogs.

The effects of aging are inevitable and pervasive across all species, including dogs. One of the common conditions many pups develop with age is arthritis. Because of this, they lose cartilage and develop thicker bones, causing stiffness, pain, swelling, and a decreased range of motion. In addition to formal medical intervention, pet parents can also integrate other forms of therapy to ease their dogs’s lives. Some of these popular home remedies include the following: 1. Exercising Low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming can do wonders for strengthening the joints. It may also help improve the dog’s activity levels. Try to take the pets on frequent short walks to keep their joints moving. With time, slowly increase the duration of this activity to keep them happy, engaged, and healthy. 2. Getting massages and stretching Massaging and stretching can be relaxing for dogs, too. Speak to a veterinarian to learn more about safely practicing these techniques at home. A massage could be part of a great warm-up routine for older pets, while stretching may help them improve their muscle flexibility around affected areas. In more severe cases, pet parents may need to manually manipulate the joints to promote blood flow and reduce stiffness.

Flea and ticks are common parasites that carry different types of diseases. These pests thrive in soft and warm environments, and the pet’s fur is a perfect home for them. If left unchecked, they can cause severe complications. But there are simple ways to control and prevent this problem. Here are some effective preventive treatments, plants that repel parasites, changes in daily foods, and DIY remedies to manage the infestation: Effective treatments Simparica TRIO oral chews are suitable for dogs eight weeks and older, weighing at least 2.8 lbs. The tablet should be given once a month. K9 Advantix II, on the other hand, is another popular monthly flea protection treatment that is effective within the first 12 hours of consumption. K9 Advantix is suitable for dogs seven weeks or older, weighing at least 4.4 lbs. Bravetco® is a more long-lasting alternative as one tablet can prevent flea and tick infestations for 12 weeks. Bravetco® is available in five dosing options, depending on the size and weight of the dog. Some heartworm prescriptions like Advantage Multi® topical solution and Trifexis® oral chews also help counter flea and tick infections. Immunity boosting meals and foods Consult with a vet to better understand what dogs should eat daily to develop more resilience and fight flea and tick infestations.

While some cats would spend an absurd amount of time in their litter boxes, the others tend to avoid it. While the former might do little more than pique your interest, the latter could mean soiled carpets, furniture, and linens on the regular. Cats not using their litter box could be a problem, and to know how to solve it, understand these few common reasons why cats start avoiding the litter box like the plague. Change of location It is possible that your cat does not like the area its litter box has been placed in. Or, they prefer a few other places to take care of its business. In this case, try to check if placing the cat litter box in an area of your cat’s preference can help solve the problem. If your cat hunts down a new place to go, you will have to make the new place unlikeable for them. You can employ tools like lights, motion sensors, double-sided tape, and other such tactics to repel your cat. Litter issues One of the possible reasons why a cat starts to avoid their litter box and hunts for other places to eliminate may be contained in its litter box.

Most pets enjoy playing and relaxing in the backyard. Sadly, time spent outdoors comes at a cost known as infestations of ticks and fleas. These parasites can also affect human beings and cause health problems, such as Lyme disease. Fortunately, you can grow certain plants in your backyard that are effective at keeping ticks away. Some of these additions to the backyard can also enhance the beauty of the garden. Rosemary The fragrant herb contains a naturally occurring compound called terpinolene that makes rosemary a natural tick repellent. The plant can also keep mites, flies, and aphids away. Pennyroyal Apart from beautifying your garden, Pennyroyals have a pungent odor that ticks and fleas detest. As a result, they will steer clear of the backyard. Wormwood Wormwood, also used as an ornamental plant, has a bitter taste which is known to repel disease-causing parasites. Rue Rue has a beautiful blue-green leaf structure and produces compounds hated by ticks. The plant’s leaves also serve as a strong disinfectant that can deter fleas when rubbed on a dog’s fur. Lavender The oil of lavender disturbs the olfactory sensors and makes it difficult for the blood-sucking parasite to find hosts. Citronella grass Citronella grass gives other plants a significant amount of cover in the backyard.

Many cat parents don’t like cleaning the litter box every single day. And that’s usually the main reason they’d want to start with toilet training from day one itself. But properly inculcating the habit of using the bathroom in felines may not be easy. Although cats are intelligent creatures, they need time to learn new practices and modify old ones. So, be patient, buy the right tools, and try incorporating these tips. Choose the right time You may have several excellent methods to toilet train your cat, but they might not work if the timing isn’t apt. Do you have guests at home, or you’re busy with work? Now isn’t the ideal time. The best time to teach your cat is when disturbance at home is the least, and having sufficient time to train them is vital. Give them their bathroom If possible, designate one bathroom for your furry family member in your home. Ask all your other family members and guests to keep the lid up and seat down at all times. Also, keep the bathroom door only slightly open when your cat is doing their business, as they, too, prefer privacy. Keep the litter box in the bathroom To help your cat transition from the litter box to the bathroom, move their litter box right next to the toilet.

When eating at the table, you might notice a pair of puppy eyes earnestly staring at you, waiting their turn to have the same food you are having. As dogs have a different digestive system from humans, some foods are unsafe for them, but some are safe to eat as well. So the next time you see those curious eyes staring back at you, feed them your food and also love. Human foods that are safe for dogs There are many everyday food items you can feed your dogs, but don’t forget that every breed isn’t the same. So any food that is given to them should be in moderation, ensuring they remain healthy and happy. Here are some of the human foods that are safe for dogs and puppies: Carrots Carrots are not only a good source of nutrients for humans but dogs as well. These veggies provide canines with vitamin A, which is incredibly good for their immune system, coat, and skin. Giving them pieces of carrot as a snack also makes sure they chew and remove the pieces of plaque from their teeth. Peanut butter Peanut butter is one of the tastiest treats for your puppies and dogs.

Choosing a healthy cat food brand might seem easy. But go to the store, and you will realize the practical reality is far different. There are way too many options, and finding the healthier ones is not easy, especially because you have to keep your cat’s nutritional needs in mind. And let’s not forget that pet food is often a costly purchase. So, Black Friday is the right time to stock up on pet supplies. Purina The preferred products by Purina for cats include Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Adult Dry Cat Food, Purina Pro Plan LiveClear with Probiotics Allergen Reducing Adult Dry Cat Food, and Purina Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food tins. These are made from various protein sources. During Black Friday, you might be able to save as much as 40%. Whiskas The brand advertises its food to be made of real chicken and fish, making it an obvious choice for cat parents who want healthy food for their pets. The packaging is said to lock in the flavor and keep the food from spoiling after being opened. It is one of the top choices to look for during the sale season and score a win with Black Friday deals.