Category: Pets

We know how hard it can be not to share your meals with your pup when they look at you right in the eye while eating. You might as well give them a few bites of things on your plate, so they don’t feel offended or you don’t feel guilty for not treating them. Right?

However, as a puppy parent, you need to know that calorie-rich food we delight in feasting on can be one of the poorest food choices for your pupper. It may not take more than a few servings to upset your furry baby’s little tummy and health (sometimes, even one generous serving would do them much harm), which is why you need to be cautious about what you feed them.

Even when your pet has the support of pet insurance, it is no good reason to allow your pet to nibble on the table scraps. You must be extra careful during special occasions as your paw friend may get busy with the food leftovers while you attend to the guests. Cheap dog insurance policies can cover much of your puppy’s diagnosis and treatment costs during accidents and pet health emergencies.

Consider purchasing a pet insurance policy to lower your medical financial burden in demanding times. Meanwhile, learn about some common health risks associated with feeding your pup leftover food crumbs on the dining table.

What are the common health risks related to puppy eating table scraps?

1.Gastrointestinal issues

Not every puppy is blessed with a tummy that can digest human food. If your pet had digestion issues previously because of indulging in human food, ensure you don’t provide them anything apart from pet food thereafter.

New food items in your pet’s diet can disrupt the normal functioning of your puppy’s gastrointestinal tract. Some of the most common symptoms indicating the same are –

• Stomach upset
• Stomach ache
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• General body weakness

If you notice one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, rush to the vet immediately. Your pet may need expert assistance to find some relief.

2.Food poisoning

Even while you feed your pupper a few bites of your dessert, you never know what ingredients in it can be toxic to your furry baby. Grapes, macadamia nuts, raisins, caffeine, chocolate, and xylitol (sugar substitute) can threaten your four paws’ health.

Also, onions and garlic-loaded foods are a strict NO-NO for your furry companion. Consumption of prohibited food items can raise renal risks and fatality.

3.Foreign object ingestion

Ingesting foreign objects can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract, thereby not allowing free passage of food. Such things must be removed asap, so your puppy stays safe and healthy. For instance, your dog may have swallowed a portion of corn cob, a tiny plastic toy, bones, a piece of rope, etc., that needs to be removed from your puppy’s system.

Take your fur baby to the vet for diagnosis (physical scanning, x-rays, ultrasound, etc.) and treatment (induce vomiting, surgery, fluid therapy, etc.)

4.Stuck bone splinters

Turkey/chicken/steak/pork bones may get stuck anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, starting from the mouth, down to the stomach, and through to the intestines. It can cause much pain, especially when large bone pieces or bone fragments get caught in your puppy’s digestive tract.

Even when you wish to fix your pet’s problem, it is best you leave the task to your vet. Pet insurance covers your puppy for non-routine vet visits, prescriptions, diagnosis, and treatment during pet health emergencies, and more depending on the level of cover. Cheap dog insurance can cover much of your fur baby’s medical care in times of accidents and illnesses.

Like humans, cats can get sick from seasonal viruses and illnesses they can catch from their feline friends.

And like humans, having a strong immune system is also vital in keeping your cat healthy and protected from various types of ailments.

If your cat’s immune system is weak, she will be more prone to getting infected by nasty bacteria and viruses, thus getting sick easily.

Boosting Your Cat’s Immunity

Strengthening your furry friend’s immune system is crucial to helping her combat various germs and diseases and stay healthy and happy.

Below are seven tips you can follow to bolster your cat’s immune system:

Ensure your cat has a healthy diet.

Like humans, animals also depend greatly on the food they eat to boost their immune system and keep it strong and healthy.

Because of this, you need to give your cat the right food.

Look for wet or dry cat food rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help regulate your cat’s immune responses and directly attack infections and cancers.

Examples of these nutrients include supplemental arginine, vitamins A, C, and E, protein, selenium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Aside from boosting your cat’s immune system, these nutrients can also give your pet sufficient energy and strengthen the other functions and parts of her body.

Keep in mind that not all cat foods are equal. Some products contain potentially unhealthy ingredients, such as fillers, by-products, and chemical preservatives.

If you keep feeding your pet low-quality food that contains these ingredients, you could be depriving her of the key nutrients she needs. This can weaken her immune system and make her more vulnerable to various illnesses.

Give your pet supplements.

If your cat is on the elderly side, consider giving her supplements.

Supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids, l-arginine, and yeast-derived nucleotides can boost the immunity of your cat.

The right supplement can also improve your pet’s overall health.

One particular supplement you should put on the top of your list is probiotics. When you give your cat probiotics, you introduce beneficial bacteria into her gut, which will promote balance, good digestion, and better health, all of which can help bolster her immunity.

Regardless of the age of your kitty, if you want to give her any supplement, ask your veterinarian first to be sure you get the right product that will improve and support your cat’s immune system and overall well-being.

Avoid stressing your cat.

Stress can weaken a person or animal’s immune system. It can wear down the body’s defences, making it more vulnerable to inflammation and, ultimately, infections and illnesses.

To minimise your cat’s stress, follow these tips:

• Feed your pet nutritious food she likes.
• Give her access to clean, fresh water.
• Ensure your pet has a clean, cosy cat bed.
• Keep her litter boxes clean.
• Provide your cat with a good-quality scratching post.

Lastly, studies also show that cats find classical music relaxing, so play this type of music frequently in your home or whenever you are with your furry friend.

Include play and exercise in your kitty’s daily routine.

When a cat exercises daily, she becomes stronger and can maintain good health and weight. Kitties that get regular workouts can also blow off steam and reduce stress.

Also, exercising can keep your kitty mentally stimulated.

Because of this, make it a habit to play and get your cat moving. Buy interactive toys, such as wand toys, to get your pet on her feet, running, and being frisky.

Get automatic cat toys so that you keep your pet busy when you aren’t available or don’t have the time to play with her.

However, make sure you switch toys regularly so that your pet doesn’t get bored playing.

Help your cat maintain a healthy weight.

When your cat is overweight, her organs, joints, and immune system get weaker. As such, you need to help your pet maintain a healthy weight.

Feeding your cat good-quality Dubai pet food is a good start for helping her maintain a good weight.

Also, ask your veterinarian how many calories your cat should get daily for her body type and situation. Next, determine how many calories are in your pet food and figure out the amount you have to feed her every day.

You can then divide this daily food allotment into two or three meals for the day.

Be wary of giving your pet too many treats. This is because any snack you give her counts against her daily calorie intake.

Because of this, minimise the treats you give your pet. Also, make sure you choose healthy ones.

If you are feeding your cat kibbles, you can give them out as treats as snacks or rewards.

Minimise your cat’s exposure to chemicals.

Frequent exposure to chemicals can make your cat’s immune system and body weak.

For this reason, limit your pet’s exposure to different types of chemicals. These include poor-quality flea and tick treatments.

Some of these treatments contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to both pets and humans. As such, try to look for a product that has fewer of these ingredients and more organic ones.

Also, use these products according to the manufacturer’s directions and avoid overusing them.

You can also ask your veterinarian for safe flea and tick treatments they recommend.

Additionally, try to limit your cat’s exposure to toxins inside and outside your home. These include chemical cleaning products, insecticides, polluted indoor air, volatile organic compounds or VOCs from carpets and paint, and fertilisers.

Minimise your use of these indoor cleaning products or choose safer, organic items.

If you can’t avoid using them, bring your cat outdoors when cleaning or disinfecting your home. Also, check that your air conditioner is always in good condition to ensure it is emitting clean, healthy air.

Limit your cat’s use of antibiotics and steroids.

Although your kitty may need these medications in certain situations, avoid giving your pet these treatments frequently.

Giving your cat antibiotics and steroids frequently can do more harm than good to your pet. Their immune system may be compromised and they may develop resistance to these medications in the long run.

With these in mind, always consult your veterinarian when giving antibiotics and steroids to your cat. Avoid treating your pet on your own.

Also, give your pet only the prescribed amounts of these medications within the recommended period.

Following these tips can help your cat build a strong immune system, which can keep them from getting sick easily, and give them a happier, healthier, longer life.

You may be a dog person, but if you try to adopt cats, you’ll find yourself falling in love with them in no time. For one, they are low maintenance, and another is that they can adapt well to apartments and small homes.
Cats are very loyal, and you’ll find them wanting to cuddle with you at all hours. Some can even accompany you to an afternoon walk for exercise, and they are pretty friendly with their owners. Sometimes, they can show their sassy sides, but these are usually endearing to the owners.
Fortunately, if you require a charming, wonderful, interesting, clever, and amazing feline, there’s a breed that you may like. The Maine Coon cat breed meets all the criteria mentioned, and they can be your best friends for life. Some shelters have these breeds in their care, and you may want to consider adopting one. Here are things to know before you adopt a Maine Coon.

These Breeds are Very Loyal

Early on in their lives, these kitties decide that they will have a favorite person to follow around. When they choose you, know that they will be a hundred percent dedicated to you, and you’ll find them following you from one room to another. They can be distraught if they don’t see you or when you leave them at long stretches a day. They prefer to cuddle and spend time with you above others.
It can be cool to feel that a pet feline is exceptionally devoted to you. They are just a step or two behind you, and they may even accompany you when you’re gardening outside. They will sleep at the foot of your bed, and they will hurry and come running at you when they hear you calling them. This obsession may be present with other cats, but the Maine Coon only shows this to a single devoted person of his choosing.

They are Extremely Cute

All cats have an intrinsic cuteness in them, but there’s something different about Maine Coons that many owners find irresistible. They have pointy chins, square jaws, tufted ears, and golden eyes that make them extra cute. You can learn more about the characteristics of this breed on this page here.
These long-haired breeds have pantaloons and manes that add a more aesthetic appeal to their appearance. Pantaloons were believed to have evolved because they helped the felines stay warm when they sat on the snow. Overall, they are a darling to look at, and their fur is very soft.

These Felines Love Water

Maine Coons are known for their furs that are water-repellent and thick. Know that they are kind of obsessed with water, so it’s best if you live in nearby lakes and parks. Many of them may come sprinting when they hear the faucets turning on. Expect them to stick their cute paws into continuous streams of water, and they may even decide to dunk their heads underneath.
Some owners may discover that their cats would suddenly jump out of a tub, but this is not often the case. Expect delayed reactions when the water hasn’t penetrated the fur of your kitties yet. It can be hilarious and can provide hours of fun for the family. You can find some of them paddling into the water from videos online, and they look so at ease in them.

These Cats are Chirpy

You can find these breeds to do a repertoire of noises. They can trill, purr, chirp, and make some meowing conversations when they are in the mood. They will also let you know if they want something from you.
Some of the chirps may be meant for the birds that they see outside the window. They can make strange noises that sound like chatter. Others open their kitty mouths and start staccato chirps. Researchers are still uncertain why they do this, but many owners feel that they copy the birds’ sounds to attract prey. Whatever the reason is, know that it can be funny when your pet does it.
This may mean that your pet is delighted to see you after a long day when it comes to trills. They will come to your side and greet you with a hello. When you say something back in human language, you may even receive a meow reply from them. Even if they can’t form words, you can still become engaged when a cat starts a “conversation” with you, and they have a friendly body language. Get more info about their body language in this link: https://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/cat-body-language.

They are Gentle Giants

Know that the Maine Coon breed is huge. They are hard to ignore, and they are easy to spot. The owners usually receive typical comments about what a big cat they have. These felines have longer bodies that form a sort of rectangular shape. They can weigh about 12 pounds, and they are usually at the bigger end of the kitty spectrum. They may even weigh a whopping 20 pounds or more. For more information visit this site: f95zone
Their appearance is similar to that of a miniature lynx, and they are big house cats that are comfortable in small spaces. They are massive with big, tufted ears and square jaws, so make sure to handle them. You can take them on walks while under supervision, so they won’t become obese. They can be easily trained, and you just have to harness them when you go for a walk around the block. They are gentle creatures, and you’ll definitely love them.