Category: Pets

Dogs have a different body from humans, so it’s only logical that they can’t eat everything that we do. Only certain foods, such as lean meat and a few fruits and vegetables, are considered safe for dogs. Other human foods can be extremely toxic for them. In this article, we’ve listed the most dangerous foods for dogs and why you must avoid giving them these at all costs.

Avocado
Avocados are one of the few fruits that can cause trouble to dogs. The fruit contains persin, a toxin that is harmless for humans. However, the fungicidal toxin can cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. A higher concentration of the compound can also lead to choking. If you grow avocados at home, it is best to keep your fur child away from the plant. It can be fatal if the avocado seed gets stuck in the intestines or stomach.

Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts or foods containing these nuts are extremely toxic to dogs. In fact, a handful of macadamia nuts can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs. Look for symptoms like wheezing, vomiting, muscle shakes, and high temperature. If your pet ingests chocolate with macadamia nuts, the symptoms can be worse.

Xylitol
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol used in candies, baked goods, and other sweets. While it poses no threat to humans, xylitol is extremely poisonous to dogs. If consumed, it can lead to liver failure, low blood sugar, and seizures. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. It is prudent to check food labels for any traces of xylitol to avoid accidents.

Chocolate
Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine contain methylxanthines and theobromine that are extremely dangerous to a dog’s health. When consumed, they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, abnormal heart rhythm, wheezing, excessive thirst and urination, tremors, seizures, and in extreme cases, death. It is essential to note that dark chocolate is even more toxic than milk chocolate.

Onions and garlic
Both these foods are known to trigger gastrointestinal problems. They contain disulfides and sulfoxides (thiosulphate), both of which can lead to anemia and damage red blood cells. Ingesting onion, garlic, and chives can cause weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems. Garlic, which was once thought of as an excellent home remedy to get rid of fleas, is actually ineffective and is not recommended by Pet Poison Helpline.

Grapes and raisins
Eating either of these foods can lead to kidney failure in dogs. The exact substance causing this hasn’t yet been nailed down, although there is sufficient evidence to suggest that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Vomiting, lethargy, and depression are a few common symptoms to look out for.

Rhubarb and tomato leaves
These contain oxalates, which can trigger excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, tremors, and bloody urine.

If you are a pet parent, understanding your pet’s medical and physical requirements is essential. You have to take care of their health and safety. But, if you’re new to parenting pets, we’ve got your back. This article shares signs and symptoms of toxicity in pets that need immediate attention.

Diarrhea, vomiting and reduced appetite
These symptoms indicate gastrointestinal poisoning. Ingestion of chocolates, alcohol, garbage, lead paint or application of flea and tick products on their body can cause this condition. Your pets may also show these signs of toxicity if they have consumed English ivy, English holly, and other toxic plants. Make sure you keep these plants away from your pets. Also, avoid toxic plants like lilies, sago palm, oleander, and cyclamen.

Seizures, accidental urination or defecation
These signs are usually accompanied by growling, frozen limbs or loss of balance. These symptoms are directly associated with kidney failure, liver disease, brain tumor, trauma or ingestion of toxins. Household products that can potentially cause these symptoms in dogs include aspirin, insect repellents, gasoline, furniture polish, dishwasher detergent, insecticides and any other chemical cleaners. Pets may also be at risk of ingesting toads, spiders, and other insects that are commonly found in gardens.

Fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, increased thirst
Rodents can pass on leptospirosis in pets, which include symptoms listed above. Having an open garden can pose a risk as there are high chances of rodents and mice coming in direct contact with pets. Having said that, leptospirosis can also occur in pets with indirect contact like ingesting rat urine, saliva, or defecation.

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, or lethargy
Accidental intake of human medication like anti-depressants or ADHD medications by dogs or cats can lead to fatal symptoms like increased body temperature, elevated heart rate, and breathing issues.

Bleeding from the gut and stomach ulceration
When pets intake anti-inflammatory or pain-killers like aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, pets can suffer from the listed symptoms along with vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from the gut. These symptoms are also common when they intake Vitamin D supplements. When these symptoms of pet toxicity are neglected, they may lead to long-term issues like stomach ulceration and kidney failure.

Disorientation or lack of coordination
If you or any of your family members have diabetes, keep your medicines away from your pet’s reach. Ingestion of these medicines can cause your pet’s blood sugar levels to significantly drop. The medicines can also affect the central nervous system, leading to seizures and lack of coordination.
It is safe to say that all human medicines if ingested by pets, can have significant consequences. In fact, an overdose of their own meds prescribed by vets can also be fatal for them.

Essential oils are therapeutic, but you may need to rethink their usage if you have pets. Animals are highly sensitive to the strong fragrances of these natural oils, so they may not react the same way that humans do. You must follow utmost caution and keep a few safety tips in mind when using essential oils around pets. Here are eight tips to enjoy the healing benefits of essential oils without harming your pets.

Do not use it directly on pets
The most important safety tip for using essential oils around pets is to speak to your vet before doing so. Additionally, you should never apply concentrated essential oils directly on your pet’s coat as it can cause them discomfort. It can also lead to rashes, skin irritation, and even burns. Along with this, ensure that your pet does not swallow it.

Use oils that are safe around animals
Several essential oils can cause health complications for your pet, so ensure that you pick a pet-friendly oil. A few natural oils you can safely use around pets are frankincense, peppermint, and lavender. On the other hand, basil, clove, and eucalyptus oils are strict no-nos.

Use only high-quality oils
Use quality essential oils that are free from any added chemicals. Certain additives could be toxic to pets, so ensure that you use therapeutic-grade or organic oils only.

Keep diffusers out of reach of pets
Keep bottles containing essential oils as well as the diffusers away from your pet’s reach. Droplets from the diffuser may fall on your pet, or they may playfully grab a bottle, exposing them to undiluted essential oils. This can prove harmful to your pet.

Be alert
Always be alert of your pets around essential oils and diffusers. If you notice that your pet is acting differently or is showing any signs like weakness, vomiting, or panting, rush them to a vet. These symptoms could result from exposure to essential oils.

Have a spare room
Do not confine your pet in a room with a diffuser. Your pet’s nose is more sensitive to the strong fragrance than yours. One of the effective safety tips for using essential oils around pets is to keep the doors and windows open if they want to move away from the smell. Allow your pet access to another room, preferably away from the diffuser.

Adequate ventilation
Always ensure that the room containing the diffuser has an adequate supply of air. Else, the smell may irritate your pets and even trigger serious problems like low heart rate, tremors, and difficulty breathing.

Always dilute essential oils
Concentrated essential oils can leak from the bottle or diffuser and can lead to adverse reactions if ingested by your pet. A crucial safety tip for using essential oils on or around pets is to dilute them with a carrier oil. Even oils considered beneficial for pets are not safe if undiluted.

If you have pets in your house, it is common to worry about a tick or lice infestation as summer approaches. If you have a garden in your backyard, it is common for such parasites to live there. While that may be the case, there are certain plants that you can grow in your backyard, which will help repel these ticks and lice from your house. Here are some such plants that you can bring home.

Lavender
Almost everybody loves the smell of lavender from time to time. The lavender plant belongs to the mint family and is quite useful in fending off unwanted pests, ticks, and mites from your backyard. Planting a lavender plant in your home garden will keep your animals and your house protected from any infestation. Other plants that fall under this category may include pennyroyal and mint. These herbs are also relatively easy to grow, so if you want to get started in gardening, these may be great to start from.

Rosemary
You might already know of this herb since it is quite commonly used in cooking. While the smell of this herb may take some time to get used to, it is quite effective in warding off pests and ticks from your house. The best part about planting this herb in your backyard is that you can get the extra benefit of getting free, hand-plucked herbs for your cooking adventures.

Wormwood
Wormwood is a type of wild plant that grows almost everywhere. It is mainly found in the United States and has a signature bitter taste that animals hate. This is a great plant to have in your backyard because it repels ticks and lice and protects your house from mice and other rodents.

Garlic
The most significant and conspicuous aspect of garlic is that it has a very prominent smell to it. Planting some garlic in your backyard is hugely beneficial since it will ward off any insects and pests and also allow you to have free garlic for a long time. However, remember that garlic plants will probably make your entire backyard smell like garlic, so you should probably skip this one if you are sensitive to that.

Sage
While sage is notoriously said to be good for warding off dark energies from your house, you might not know that it can also repel irritating pests and insects from your house. It has a powerful scent and is known for its natural cleaning properties. It can also be used as a herb while cooking certain dishes.

Chrysanthemums
This is a plant you won’t regret planting in your garden. Who knew that a plant with such beautiful flowers could be used to repel insects away from your house? You can abundantly plant these in your backyards and balconies since they are relatively easy to grow and look gorgeous because of their vibrant color.

Allergies are as common in dogs as they are in humans. They’re incredibly frustrating both for the owner and the pet, causing a lot of sleepless nights. Food allergies are among the more common types of allergies found in dogs, with around 10 percent of them allergic to a particular ingredient in certain foods. These trigger symptoms such as itchy skin, hot spots, and hair loss.

Avoiding the dog’s contact with such foods is the only way to deal with the problem. Here’s a list of common foods allergens that can cause unwanted problems in dogs.

Wheat
Being allergic to wheat is not surprising. Dogs initially lived in the wild and their diet mostly consisted of meat and plants, and that was enough to sustain them. So in that sense, wheat is somewhat new to dogs and a lot of their bodies might not be able to withstand it. If your dog is allergic to wheat, he/she might suffer from skin irritation or digestive issues. Behavioral changes are also possible and can help catch a wheat allergy.

Soy
Soy is another ingredient that isn’t broken down as easily in a dog’s digestive system. This triggers an immune response as such substances are seen as antigens. Symptoms like itching and stomach problems are then triggered and these intensify over time. Repeated intake of soy even after such problems can lead to larger and more serious issues, such as reproductive and growth problems, thyroid, and liver disease. Thankfully, an elimination diet is enough to treat a soy allergy, with symptoms disappearing after just 14 days.

Dairy
This allergy is somewhat difficult to track as many dogs suffer from lactose intolerance, which is a digestive reaction that causes diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. The key difference between the two conditions is that a food allergy might cause other problems like skin irritation. Lactose intolerance, meanwhile, is entirely about the digestive system. Once you know that your dog is allergic to dairy, change his/her diet. If the problem persists, you must consult a veterinarian.

Lamb
A lot of dogs find it difficult to digest the protein in lamb. This triggers their body to produce antibodies against it, making them allergic to the food. Avoiding their contact with lamb is the only way to treat the problem.

Beef
Beef allergies are common among dogs. The protein in it is too dense for the dog’s stomach, causing digestive problems. Their immune system prepares a response to tackle the protein henceforth, which leads to skin reactions that are mostly centered around the face, groin, toes, and under the front legs. But removing beef entirely from the dog’s diet isn’t right either. So try and maintain a balance, using beef on a rotational basis. If the symptoms don’t subsideeven then, talk to a veterinarian.

Pet parents tend to shower their cats with treats as a way of showing them affection. But, this can be problematic in the long run. While the tiny store-bought snacks taste delicious, they are not the best option for your feline given the preservatives and additives they contain. Instead, you can try making some delicious, easy-to-prepare snacks at home such as the ones below.

Tuna and parsley treats
Tuna is good for your cat’s coat and skin and using it as a treat ingredient will give your cat the nutrition it needs. Combine tuna with flour, egg whites, and also parsley to make your homemade snack extra delicious.

Beef crumble
Beef is a fantastic source of protein for your cat. It can improve their eyesight and make their heart stronger. For this scrumptious crumble, all you need are three main ingredients: fresh beef mince, eggs, and catnip.

Chicken and cranberry delights
Pet owners can add cranberries to treats to reduce the risk of UTI in cats. Your pet may take some time to love the fruit, but this is a tried and tested addition to the list of 10 homemade snacks cats will love. Make them by combining oats, cranberries, chicken, olive oil, egg, and catnip.

Cornmeal biscuits
If your cat loves corn, try making tasty cornmeal biscuits for them. Add fish to make it more nutritious. Corn is a great source of fatty acids, which will keep your cat’s coat shiny and they may also enjoy the layers of textures in this snack.

Spinach and chicken treats
The many vitamins present in spinach make it a great addition to treats. It is also a good source of calcium and magnesium that will boost your cat’s health. Combine spinach with chicken to add in a nice dose of proteins too.

Fish and coconut bites
This lovely combination is also one of the 10 homemade snacks cats are sure to love. Mix sweet potatoes, egg, coconut flour, coconut oil, and canned fish to make the dough. Roll them into bite size pieces before you pop them in the oven!

Rabbit nuggets
If your cat is fond of rabbit meat, give this snack a whirl. Mix finely ground rabbit thighs and liver with a regular treat mix. Make small portions in the shape of nuggets and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tuna softies
Prepare this no-bake snack within minutes. Add tuna to finely-cut steamed asparagus or carrots and use your palms to roll the mixture into tiny balls. Leave them out until they turn solid and then serve them to your cat.

Sardine and flaxseed hearts
This snack is a powerhouse of omega fatty acids. Plus, it’s super delicious. So why not whip it up quickly for your cat? Use a mix of sardines, flax seed, parsley, egg, and coconut oil. Pick a heart-shaped stencil to get the job done quickly instead of trying to shape them by hand.

Salmon munchies
Most cats delight in having salmon, so this snack is likely to be a winner among our feline friends. All you have to do is make bite-sized pieces of a salmon, egg, and flour mixture. Place these on a sheet and bake them in the oven until they turn golden.