8 Common Food Allergies in Dogs and Their Causes
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8 Common Food Allergies in Dogs and Their Causes

Dogs also react to certain foods and are allergic to them, just like humans. Food allergies in dogs can trigger various symptoms, from itchy skin and severe gastrointestinal problems to behavioral issues. While there is no cure for food allergies in dogs, they are typically manageable by avoiding the identified allergen. New pet parents need to have their furry children tested for allergies. This article lists the causes and types of food allergies in dogs. Causes of allergies in dogs Here are a few causes of allergies in dogs: 1. Immune system Food allergies in dogs occur when the immune system misidentifies the protein as a harmful substance, causing inflammation in the body. This leads to physical changes in the dog’s body, such as redness, swelling, and itching. 2. Genetics Although dogs can develop food allergies at any age, certain breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Collies, and English Springer Spaniels, are prone to food allergies. Genetics may also determine whether a dog is more likely to develop a food allergy. If the dog’s parents or siblings have food allergies, they are at risk, no matter what breed they are. Types of food allergies Here are a few types of food allergies to know about:
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13 Things to Include in a Pet Travel Checklist
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13 Things to Include in a Pet Travel Checklist

You remember to pack food and treats if you’re taking your dog on a trip. But what about a dog life jacket and emergency aid kit? Sure, your dog is your best companion ever and will be a wonderful travel buddy! However, you must carry everything they need for the journey. Before you leave, plan your pet’s entire trip. You can ensure everything is good by using this pet travel checklist! 1. Litter boxes or poop bags If your pet passes stool on the route, these tools will be useful. Litter boxes or poop bags help clean up the waste and keep the place clean. 2. Dog puzzles Give your dog puzzles or chew toys to keep them occupied. You don’t want them to wander away and cause trouble for others. 3. Dog medications Don’t forget to pack in motion sickness, allergy, and diarrhea treatments. You might also want to carry other additional medicines and the vet’s written prescriptions. 4. Health certificate Get a health certificate signed by the vet. This document states that your pet is well and has received its rabies vaccination. It must be issued within ten days before departure. 5. First aid kit A simple first aid kit for pets is a must.
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6 Safety Tips for Using Essential Oils Around Pets
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6 Safety Tips for Using Essential Oils Around Pets

One of the important aspects of using essential oils around pets is ensuring their safety. Pets are sensitive to essential oils like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, citrus, peppermint, and more. These oils are toxic to pets, whether applied on the skin, inhaled, or accidentally ingested in case of a spill. Incorrect use of essential oils can cause behavior changes, central nervous system issues, and respiratory problems. Here are 6 tips for using essential oils around pets. Keep essential oils in out-of-reach places Keep essential oils in closed cabinets when storing and in out-of-reach places when in use. Pet owners should not apply or feed essential oils directly to pets as they can cause severe reactions. Even when the essential oils are sealed tightly, there is a chance that pets can lick the residual oil on the bottle. Therefore, it is advisable never to leave essential oils at ground level for pets to discover easily. Avoid diffusing essential oils around pets When an essential oil is diffused, pets are more likely to inhale it. The toxic component of the oil can easily enter the pet’s body through inhalation. If diffusing essential oil is necessary, the diffuser should be used in well-ventilated areas but not for an extended period.
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4 Benefits of Pet GPS Trackers
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4 Benefits of Pet GPS Trackers

Being a pet parent can be a joyful and rewarding experience, but it does involve taking on a new set of responsibilities. One of them is ensuring pets are safe at home. For instance, dog and cat parents are often concerned about their pets running away and being stranded or lost and cannot be tracked. This is where pet trackers come in, helping pet parents always know where their pets are. 1. Track the location of pets Pet trackers are tiny GPS devices meant to be attached to the dog’s collar to track its location. They can help pet parents avoid worrying about losing their furry friends. These trackers are connected to satellites that help them determine the location of an object or person. So, one will be able to pinpoint the exact location of their pets if they run too far away from home. Another key thing to note is that GPS trackers usually have a great range and can transmit location data no matter how far the pet goes. 2. More freedom for pets With a GPS tag or collar, the animal will be able to run and play freely as the tracker transmits real-time location data to a desktop or smartphone.
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7 Symptoms of Feline Diabetes
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7 Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

Feline diabetes is not rare; however, it may get overlooked because the symptoms can be subtle. As cat parents, knowing these symptoms can be essential for the early diagnosis and successful treatment of this metabolic condition. Here are seven crucial signs to note to suspect feline diabetes in your furry friend. Keep in mind that while these symptoms can raise suspicion of the condition, a definitive diagnosis requires professional veterinary evaluation. Symptoms of feline diabetes 1. Excessive thirst (Polydipsia) An insatiable thirst is one of the main indicators of feline diabetes. Firstly, if you notice your cat constantly trying to find a source of water or drinking more than it usually does, it can indicate increased blood sugar levels. The next symptom is often polydipsia, which changes the drinking behavior of your cat. 2. Increased urination (Polyuria) Feline diabetes causes the kidneys to become overloaded as they endeavor to get rid of the excess sugar through urine. Due to this, you could notice your cat urinating more often. 3. Changes in appetite Diabetic cats may show changes in eating habits. While some may eat much more, others may find themselves uninterested in their meal without any apparent reason. These alterations in appetite, associated with other symptoms, should indicate a need to visit the vet.
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7 Tips for Buying Pet Medication Online
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7 Tips for Buying Pet Medication Online

Buying pet medications online is a cost-effective and convenient option for pet owners. However, ensuring one’s pet’s safety and the effectiveness of the medicine is most important. To do this, one needs to be cautious and diligent while navigating online pharmacies to buy pet medications. Following some basic tips like verifying medication sources, consulting a vet, etc, can help one with this. So here are 7 tips one can follow while purchasing pet medications online. 1. Consult a veterinarian The first thing one should do before purchasing pet medications online is to consult a veterinarian. It is important to get a professional assessment of the pet’s health before purchasing the medication. The guidance offered by veterinarians regarding trustworthy online pharmacies minimizes the possibility of getting conned or trapped by notorious and untrustworthy stores. 2. Choose accredited online pharmacies Choosing reputable online pharmacies is one of the effective ways to minimize the risk of encountering counterfeits or poor-quality medicines. One of the ways to ensure that the website is genuine is checking if the website has the VIPPS seal. This accreditation, provided by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), means that the pharmacy subscribes to high-quality standards. The other way is to consider pharmacies approved or recommended by the vet.
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14 Inclusions of a Pet Insurance Cover
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14 Inclusions of a Pet Insurance Cover

Owning a pet is one of the most delightful and satisfying pursuits that is fun and joyous and brings companionship and various responsibilities like caring for a furry friend. Pet insurance has become an excellent instrument for covering financial issues related to veterinary treatment. This article aims to focus on the finer details of what pet insurance covers by discussing 14 important inclusions aimed at helping pet owners make well-informed decisions regarding their pets’ health care. Inclusions of pet insurance 1. Veterinary Visits Pet insurance is usually designed to cover the costs of vet visits, including standard checkups, vaccinations, and appointments for illness or injury. 2. Accidents and Injuries If accidents or injuries happen, pet insurance can assist in shouldering some of the costs related to medical attention, such as emergency vet care, diagnostics, and treatments. 3. Illnesses Coverage is related to different diseases, from minor conditions, including ear infections, to complicated problems like diabetes or treatments for cancer. 4. Surgery Pet insurance often covers surgical procedures, be they planned interventions or surgeries that have come about through emergencies. 5. Hospitalization Pet insurance will also cover the costs involved with hospitalization, such as an overnight stay and special care. 6.
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3 Healthy DIY Dog Food Recipes to Try
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3 Healthy DIY Dog Food Recipes to Try

Feeding pet dogs homemade meals is the best thing pet owners can do. Dogs have nutritional needs, and their food should balance vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. Preparing healthy homemade dog food takes time and effort but will provide your companion with essential nutrients. A balanced diet will help boost their immune system, keeping them strong and happy. Here are a few wholesome, nutritious recipes dogs would love to eat. Healthy dog food recipes Try these nutritious food recipes for your canine friend. 1. Turkey and Veggie Mash Made with lean, ground turkey and nutrient-rich veggies, this mash will delight any dog. The addition of olive oil in the mash provides essential fats to help give shine to the dog’s coat. Ingredients: 2 pounds of ground lean turkey 2 tablespoons pureed raw turkey liver 1 cup cauliflower florets ½ cup sliced zucchini 2 coarsely chopped carrots 1 cup broccoli florets 2 tablespoons olive oil Directions: To a double boiler, add two cups water and steam the carrots till tender over the pot. Add broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and steam for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow the vegetables to cool, then finely chop them in a food processor. Next, cook the turkey and liver on medium-high heat in a large skillet until done.
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Top 10 High-Protein Dog Food Brands
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Top 10 High-Protein Dog Food Brands

Protein helps the body function properly and builds muscles. Those with active and energetic pets need to ensure that they get a meal plan high in good-quality protein. Fortunately, there is no dearth of high-protein dog food brands. Most have multiple food options chock full of protein and other essential nutrients that help ensure protein synthesis, energy, and satiety. Here are a few high-protein dog food brand products that pet parents should check out: 1. Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains High Protein : This high-protein dog food, comprising various ingredients like millet, rice, barley, sorghum, salmon, and ocean meal, is one of the best options for dogs at all life stages. It is a top pick among the grain-inclusive options and contains 17% fat, 33% protein, and an estimated 42% carbohydrate by ratio. 2. Raised Right Fresh Human-Grade Dog Food This high-protein option is best suited for adult dogs, and it mainly consists of fresh beef liver, heart, carrots, and cranberries. With 8% carbs, 61% protein, and 24% fat, it contains a single source of animal protein without hidden fillers. 3. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete High-Protein Dry Dog Food This is a grain-inclusive option with cracked pearled barley, ground white rice, chicken meal, and fat.
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5 Reasons to Adopt or Rescue a Pet
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5 Reasons to Adopt or Rescue a Pet

The best places to find pets are local animal shelters or rescues, which house animals that are lost, stray, or even abandoned. These animals need care and attention, which one can offer by adopting them. Adoption gives animals a new home and also helps shelters by making room for other animals they can rescue. So, if one is considering bringing home a pet, here are a few reasons to adopt or rescue an animal: 1. Save a life This is the most important reason to consider bringing home a rescued animal. These animals have often been mistreated or abandoned and left to fend for themselves before being brought to a shelter. By adopting such pets, one will give them a second chance at life and help them lead a happy, healthy life. 2. Fight animal cruelty When one buys a pet from a store, more often than not, these animals come from breeding facilities like puppy or kitten mills. In these facilities, animals are kept under poor conditions, often without access to medical treatment, making them experience health issues and behavioral problems. Further, mills can discard such animals, slaughter them, or put them up for auction if they are not sold through stores.
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