Have you ever wondered how it must be for your dog to eat the same food day in and day out? When we are so fond of homecooked food and always try out recipes at home, why not do the same for our dogs. Homemade dog foods can give your pooch the ultimate nutrition that they need. So, here are a few DIY dog food recipes that are healthy and easy to prepare at home. Vegetable and meat bonanza This is one of the most mouthwatering DIY dog food recipes and to prepare this, you need brown rice, olive oil, ground turkey, chopped baby spinach, shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, and some frozen peas. Cook the rice in a large saucepan and set aside when done. Now, take a pan and heat olive oil. Add the ground turkey and wait for it to cook. Finally, stir in some of the chopped and shredded vegetables along with the brown rice and spinach and cook for 3-5 minutes. Let it cool completely before serving it to your pet. Ground turkey with pumpkin and coconut This is another of those DIY dog food recipes that provide your dog with wholesome nutrition. To prepare this, you need ground turkey (or any protein), uncooked millet, olive oil, carrots, zucchini, squash, and calcium powder, coconut flakes or coconut oil, and homemade pumpkin puree.

Many foods that are safe for you can be dangerous for your pets, so resist the temptation to feed your furry friend all that you eat. Here’s a list of common foods that can be toxic for pets and should be kept away from their food bowls. Knowing this can help save the life of your precious ball of fur: Chocolate-based foods:  Who does not love chocolates? Surely we all do, but that doesn’t make them any less harmful to our pets. Chocolates are majorly made of cocoa, one of the common foods that can be toxic for pets. The side-effects of consuming cocoa-based foods for pets include a range of symptoms like lethargy and digestive issues, and it can even prove fatal. Keep your pets away from chocolates, cakes, pastries, and other foods made from cocoa. Xylitol-based foods:  Xylitol is a kind of natural plant-based alcohol, and the sweet-tasting, natural flavor is used in a lot of sugar-free foods. Xylitol is safe for humans, but it isn’t the same for pets. Xylitol is especially dangerous for dogs, as it can release insulin in the blood and cause a drastic reduction in blood sugar levels that can lead to coma and even cause death.

Essential oils are so loved and used in different forms by humans. However, there is a lot of discussion around whether essential oils are equally safe for pets, especially cats and dogs. In fact, some essential oils have a toxic effect on the animals, and even those that are considered to be safe should be used with a lot of precautions. So, the following are some safety tips for using essential oils around pets. Pick only a few essential oils Before coming to the safety tips and precautions, it is important for you to understand that only a few essential oils are considered safe for dogs and cats. On the other hand, a few essential oils are toxic and harmful for pets, no matter how and when you use them. For instance, avoid wintergreen, thyme, and clove oil if you have pets at home. Emphasize on the quality of the oil Quality is the key when it comes to essential oils. After you have ensured that you are avoiding the toxic oils, you have to make sure that the oil you are buying is a pure, therapeutic-grade oil that is free from any additives, artificial ingredients, and synthetics. Also, remember that the best quality essential oils are grown without exposure to toxins and pesticides.

When you relax on your sofa munching some snacks from a bowl, your kitty comes sitting next to you, waiting to be pampered and also fed what you are enjoying. Now, this brings us to the question of whether human foods are safe for cats. Of course, not all of them are safe, but you will be surprised to know that your cat will be perfectly fine with most foods that you eat. So, here is a list of some human foods that are safe for cats that you can consider. Fish Cats love fish, and so do humans. Of course, fish is among the top human foods that are safe for cats. Definitely, you don’t want your kitty to eat from the aquarium so, bring him/her fishes like the tuna and mackerel. Not will your cat enjoy the taste of these fishes but will also develop healthy eyesight, joints, and brain, deriving the nutrition from them. Meat Cats are natural carnivores, and hence, meats are perfectly safe for them. Poultry, beef, and all other types of meats are among the  human foods that are safe for cats . However, to ensure proper digestion of your cat, cooked poultry is the best choice.

Are you an avid plant enthusiast who has always dreamt of filling their home with gorgeous flora? Are you also a cat parent? If yes, then you may have to stop for a minute before buying just any type of plant. Not all plants are safe to have when you own a cat. Some of the plants , when ingested, or even smelt, can be really toxic for your loved pet. Here is a list of poisonous plants for cats that you should know about. Daffodils:  Daffodils are beautiful flowering plants that add color and beauty to your garden. However, they are a part of the list of poisonous plants for cats. All parts of the plant contain a toxic chemical called lycorine. Consumption of lycorine can cause a variety of issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, and extremely low blood pressures in felines. Some cats also go into cardiac arrests by consuming an excess of the plant. Aloe vera:  Though not extremely toxic, aloe vera does cause certain unwanted side effects in cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and concentrated urine. Some cats are also known to experience lethargy and depression post the consumption of aloe leaves or its gel. Tulips:  Tulips belong to the Liliaceae family, and the whole plant is considered dangerous and poisonous to cats.

Traveling with your pets is like traveling with an infant. You will need to be well prepared to handle emergency situations and take care of your pet throughout the journey. However, the perks of spending quality time with your furry friend are worth the efforts you put in. Here is a useful pet travel checklist you should keep while packing for your trip. Crates or kennels:  Irrespective of whether you are driving or taking a flight, crates and kennels have to be on the top of your pet travel checklist. Pets feel safe inside their kennels and crates, which are familiar spaces. In flights, the use of such crates is compulsory. Even during car drives, it is risky having your pet move from the back to the front, distracting the driver. Keeping them in contained spaces is a safe choice. Safety harnesses, collars, and leashes:  Even if you are not in the habit of putting your dog or cat on a leash at home, when you go out to stay in hotels, leashes and collars are compulsory. Some hotels may have a strict leashing policy. Even otherwise, it is safe to keep your pets close to you. Food and water:

Food allergies can affect human beings and pets alike. Unfortunately for the latter, they have a harder time expressing distress, and the diagnosis depends on how fast the pet parents realize that something is wrong. To ensure they receive timely treatment, as a pet parent, there are a few common symptoms of food allergies in dogs that you should know about. These signs will tell you when to contact the vet. Chronic ear itching and inflammation:  Dogs can be used to a certain type of food all their life and suddenly get allergic to it. One of the most common symptoms of food allergies in dogs is itchy and inflamed ears. Do you take your dog regularly to the vet to treat ear infections? Does your dog keep itching its ear obsessively? The problem could be a food item they are allergic to. Non-stop scratching of the body:  For some dogs, only the ears itch because of a food allergy. For others, the whole body itches to an extreme extent. Some dogs with severe food allergic reactions seem to go mad, biting, scratching, and licking themselves all over the body, and this is one of the sure signs of a food allergy you should attend to.

Fleas and ticks are bloodsucking parasites that leech the dog of nutrients, and leave them tired and lethargic all day long. These parasites are very difficult to beat on your own, but luckily, there are several products that protect dogs from fleas and ticks in the market. Choose from one of these to keep your dog’s skin healthy and parasite-free. Vet’s Best home spray for ticks and fleas:  This plant-based formula is one of the most popular products that protect dogs from fleas and ticks. It is made using peppermint oil and eugenol and is certified as natural. The spray can kill fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae effectively. You can spray the product on the coat of the dog and also on their bedding and pillows. You can apply it every four hours as an effective remedy. Natural Chemistry De Flea shampoo:  This product is specially created for killing stubborn fleas, ticks, and lice and can be used on dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Unlike other shampoos in the market, this does not use harsh pyrethrin-based pesticides. This product can kill pests upon direct contact and does not cause harm to you or the pet. Tropiclean natural shampoo:  The Tropiclean shampoo is one of the most natural products that protect dogs from fleas and ticks.

You would do anything for your furry friends, and you don’t stop from getting the best products for them, from cat food, cat treats, online veterinarians, pet insurance, pet medications, and Fresh Step litter. While you can buy them everything they need and more, are you well-educated on how to tell if your cat is sick? Here’s 6 telltale signs kitty isn’t feeling well that you can keep watch for: 1. Check their litter box If your cat’s litter box is full of diarrhea or has nothing in it, due to constipation, both are reasons to take your cat to the vet as they are indicators of disease. Small, dry stool is also a concern as it may indicate kidney disease. If you notice there is more urine than usual, it may be a sign that your cat is unable to conserve water properly and could be another sign of kidney or liver problems. Less urine may indicate kidney or bladder issues. If you notice any significant or consistent changes in your cat’s litter, you should take them to get checked out. 2. Eating and drinking habits change Sick cats will often change their eating and drinking habits by either increasing or decreasing the amount they eat and drink—any change is reason for concern.

Possessing an expressive nature, dogs utilize a variety of tactics to communicate their sentiments, thoughts, and desires. With Emotional Support Animals (ESA) online certification, pet owners can learn to discern these signals and meet their emotional support dogs’ needs effectively. When pet parents understand what their four-legged companions are trying to express, it helps in addressing their emotions, from hunger pangs to the need for a playful session, stress, or even annoyance. Essentially, being a good ‘babysitter for pets’ involves decoding these canine signals. Below, we delve into the fascinating world of canine communication: 1. Barking and Growling Barks and growls serve different purposes in a dog’s language, such as alerting you when they desire outdoor time or expressing surprise. The tone of their barks often reveals their mood, health state, and excitement level. Dogs may bark or growl to catch your attention, mark their territory, or express a need. 2. Gnawing When dogs chew items like furniture or rugs, they might be venting stress or boredom. However, when this behavior seems directed towards communication, it may signal frustration or discomfort, especially when personal belongings are destroyed. Some dogs chew objects to claim them, while others resort to this due to poor bladder control.