Just like humans, pets can also have allergies to various things including food. This article on the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets explains food allergy problems faced by cats. A food allergy is a reaction to food. The immune system may perceive a particular food as a threat. The immune system would then react to this allergen by trying to fight it. Generally, this reaction occurs because of a protein in the food, which the immune system perceives a threat. The reaction of the immune system leads to various symptoms. This is essentially the immune system trying to expel the allergen from the body. It is still not clear why certain foods trigger an allergic reaction in cats. There could be diseases, inflammation, or other problems in the digestive system that cause an allergy. Also, certain breeds of cats like the Siamese are more prone to food allergies. Common Symptoms The symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets vary from one animal to another. What causes an allergy in one cat may not affect another. Commonly, a trigger to food allergies can lead to the following symptoms in cats Vomiting or diarrhea Flatulence Coughing, sneezing, and breathing difficulties Itching leads to scratching and injuries Skin becoming inflamed and red Ear problems Hair loss due to scratching Swollen paws Fur texture changing and becoming coarse Which Foods are Cats Allergic to?

Cats develop diabetes mellitus owing to an insufficient insulin response or insulin resistance, leading to high blood glucose levels. It’s a severe hormonal problem where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin required by the body. Usually, one in a couple of hundreds of cats develop this chronic condition, but the numbers are increasing of late. It’s also called feline diabetes and is commonly found in overweight and older cats. Some symptoms to watch out for are frequent urination, drinking and eating more than usual, and dramatic weight loss. Other signs of diabetes mellitus in cats are Lethargic but acting hungrier Walking lower in the hind limbs due to nerve problems caused by diabetes neuropathy Muscle wasting over the back While medications like oral medications and insulin injections are available, dietary changes make a big difference for cats with diabetes mellitus. The correct diet can effectively reverse the effects of diabetes mellitus. However, new foods should be introduced gradually to avoid digestive issues. The best well-planned diet tips for cats with diabetes mellitus are as follows: Cut down on carbs and add more protein Your veterinarian will strongly recommend a diet very low in carbohydrates, preferably as low as 10% or lesser.

You love your cat to the core, and she can melt your heart in seconds. However, that shouldn’t be your excuse for giving her treats whenever she pleases as this can affect her health and make her obese. This is why we have compiled tips for buying healthy cat treats and feeding it to your adorable kitty the proper way. Buy Domestically Sourced Treats One of the top tips for buying healthy cat treats is to ensure they are made in the country. You don’t want to have some ingredients in your cat’s treats that are imported from other countries. This is because in the past certain treats made from imported ingredients caused health issues in cats. You want to ensure the ingredients and the cat treat are made in the country. Moderate Feeding Sometimes, the treat that you give your cat might be so much appreciated that they start avoiding normal meals. This is why giving a moderate amount of treats to your cat is important. You can limit by giving treats three times a week to avoid dependence on the treat. You mustn’t let the cat treats be your way of making up for not being there. You want to be sure you are giving treats for the right reasons.

It’s always a good thing to have plants in the house, but cat owners must be aware that there are certain houseplants that are toxic and unsafe for cats. Herein, we take a look at why cats may eat these toxic houseplants and how certain plants have a toxic effect on them. Houseplants and Cats Most people love keeping plants in their homes as they make the place feel pleasant to the eye and help in improving oxygen circulation in the home. People love to keep decorative house plants inside the home, on the porch, or even in the garden. A problem arises if you also keep cats in your house. Cats are, by nature, curious and love to check things out. The chances of a cat exploring your plants are high. Contact with some houseplants can harm your cat as these plants may be toxic. Toxic Houseplants All those who keep houseplants should know that some of them are toxic for cats. These plants that look attractive and maybe harmless for humans can be dangerous for your little ball of fur. Normally, pets only chew plants that help them digest food. House cats get bored quite easily, and to while away time, they may decide to play with your houseplants.

Fleas and ticks are parasites that live on dogs and are harmful to humans who live in close proximity to their pets. These parasites can transmit dangerous infections and diseases like plague and scabies. Their bites cause persistent itching that damages the skin, leading to infection. There are several chemical remedies available, but they are harmful in the long run to both dogs and humans. Herein, we discuss the top home remedies to get rid of fleas and ticks in dogs. These remedies will be safe to use and have no side effects. Symptoms of Flea and Tick Infestation The following symptoms in dogs are due to an infestation of ticks or fleas. If the dog scratches itself frequently and its fur becomes discolored and thin in patches, it could be a sign of flea or tick infestation. While brushing the dog, if you notice specks that are red or brown in color, they may be the larvae or eggs of ticks and fleas. Biting and licking of the skin is a sure sign that the dog has ticks and fleas. This leads to reddened patches and lesions. Hair loss in patches or alopecia is a sign of infestation. Whitened gums or pale gums is a sign of anemia due to serious flea or tick attack.

Some people make their dog’s food at home. In addition to dog food, some tend to feed table scraps to their pets when they get curious. So, it is important to know the basic dos and don’ts of feeding dogs as well as adhere to healthy dog food tips to keep pets in optimum health. There are some foods that might be part of your meal that are an absolute no for your pet dog. So, in an attempt to provide the best healthy dog food tips, the following foods must be kept away from dogs at all costs. 1. Onions, Garlic, and Chives While onions are a staple ingredient in many dishes, they must never be fed to dogs. Onions cause Heinz body anemia in dogs that can at first damage or destroy their red blood cells and then their kidneys. Garlic and chives have a similar effect. Always read the labels of packaged foods before you share with your pet and do not feed them any table scraps that contain onions, garlic or chives. 2. Chocolate Chocolate is a delight for humans but highly toxic to dogs. Cocoa has a compound called theobromine that has ill effects on the nervous system, lungs, kidney, and heart of dogs.

Going back to ancient Egyptian times, way before modern technology came about bringing advanced medicine along with it, essential oils were in wide usage to treat animals as well as humans for their ailments. Essential oils are the most natural and holistic way to treat conditions in pets, especially in dogs. They’re also good substitutes for traditional medicine if your pets are being unresponsive to them. Herein, we discuss the possible dangers of and factors to consider before using essential oils for your pets. Take your pet to the vet Taking your pets to the veterinarian is critical for diagnosis. If your pet is diagnosed with a condition wherein the doctor may recommend the use of essential oils to help treat your pets, then go ahead! Do not decide for yourself that essential oils will be the best option because sometimes, a particular animal may have an allergic reaction to it that may trigger worse symptoms. So it is always best to consult a doctor before using essential oils for pets. Research each ingredient carefully If you want to try out an essential oil on your pet for the first time, research about it in great detail because as they say, knowledge is power.

If you like traveling and would like to have your furry companion accompany you, we present a guide for pet-friendly travel that can of great use you. Unlike earlier, when you had no choice but to keep your pet back home with a sitter, there are plenty of options these days. Your pet can easily travel with you today, and with the help of this guide for pet-friendly travel, you will not face any issues during the journey. Many hotels have special arrangements so that pets can enjoy their stay there as comfortably as they would at home. At the same time, you have to understand that not all hotels will provide accommodation when you are traveling with pets. So, be sure to make your bookings carefully in only pet-friendly hotels. Checklist for a guide for pet-friendly travel While there are many hotels that declare themselves as pet-friendly accommodations, the truth is that they may not have the necessary amenities to make them one. The better ones will offer amenities like toys and treats for your pets, but only a handful will ensure that your pet’s experience at the hotel is as good as it is for his owner. The very first thing to check when you make your holiday bookings is whether your pet can stay with you in the hotel, and if so, what the conditions of stay are.