Pets or plants? This is one of the most common dilemmas that many people often face when they have furry friends. Cats are habitual to munching on plants leaves, and as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to ensure their safety. While plants are one of the healthiest ways to beautify your home, it is equally crucial to know about some of these houseplants that are toxic to cats. 1. Lilies While “lily” is used as an umbrella term, there are approximately 90 species of this houseplant that have one thing in common – all types of lilies are poisonous to cats. Although the toxic agent present in lily is unknown to date, the symptoms of ingestion might include vomiting, inappetence, instant kidney failure, and death in rare cases. 2. Jade If you do not have a green thumb, then jade can be one of the most easy-to-maintain houseplants that are known for being a lucky charm as well. Also known as Chinese/Japanese rubber plants, these houseplants can be dangerous for your feline friend. On eating these houseplants that are toxic to cats, they might develop symptoms such as vomiting, depression, and a slow heart rate in rare cases.

From commercial pet food to various home-cooked meals, you can pamper your pets with a wide range of treats. Some pet parents also have the habit of feeding their pets nibbles of their snacks and food items. Before you get into this habit, it is important to know about human foods harmful to dogs and cats. Here are the human foods that are harmful to dogs and cats . You must avoid feeding your pets these foods at all cost to keep them healthy and safe. 1. Chocolate While some pet parents are eager to celebrate their pets’ birthday with various desserts, chocolates should not be one of the menu items. It is one of the most common human foods known to have adverse effects on cats and dogs’ health. Theobromine found in cocoa is the ingredient that causes digestive troubles in pets even when consumed in small quantities. As cats and dogs cannot easily metabolize this ingredient, it sometimes leads to liver failure when the pet consumes chocolates. 2. Caffeine This is an ingredient found in coffee, tea, sodas, and other beverages. There could be mild to moderate symptoms in dogs and cats upon consumption of beverages that contain caffeine.

There are several reasons why pet owners treat their cats. One of them is to encourage them to exhibit good behavior. You can easily train your cats with the help of the treats, which are available in the market. However, you need to make sure that the items you buy are healthy and safe. If you are unable to figure out whether or not the food item that you want to purchase is good, you need to go through these helpful tips before buying healthy cat treats. Reliable tips for buying healthy cat treats 1. Avoid allergens Some ingredients can cause allergies and digestive problems. Wheat and gluten-based products are some examples of allergens. Stay away from the treats that contain soy and corn. They have ingredients that can cause allergies in cats. The carbs in these ingredients can also be harmful. 2. Avoid additives Additives in treats make them taste better. But these are unhealthy ingredients for cats. If you wish to give your cats a treat without affecting their regular diet, carefully choose the ones that are free from artificial flavoring ingredients. There are others that might contain preservatives. Some of them have colorful food dyes that make them look appealing.

Like humans, dogs are also highly susceptible to food allergies, and the symptoms can be quite horrifying. Although many pet parents go an extra mile to give a healthy life to their pets, there are certain symptoms of allergies in dogs that may go unnoticed at first. Ranging from itchy skin to other dangerous consequences, the symptoms of food allergies vary from one pet to another. Here are some of the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in dogs that every dog parent should know about: 1. Excessive itching Do you find your dog itching its fur all the time, even though it doesn’t have any tick or flea issue? Well, your dog might be allergic to some food items. These symptoms tend to occur regardless of the season. The most common food triggers are milk, soy, eggs, and gluten. 2. Hives In addition to unusual itching, pet parents are often distressed because of hives in their furry pals. This is also considered one of the most common food allergies in dogs. Hives are a condition in which pale red bumps show up on the skin. The most common itchy spots are ears, paws, and rump. The symptoms of this allergy include red, scratchy bumps on your dog’s skin.

If you’re a first-time pet owner, picking healthy dog food might be difficult. So, here are some healthy dog food tips that will make it easy for you. Dogs of every breed and age need varying nutrients to maintain good health and stay energetic, and good eating habits can keep your canine healthy and happy. Read on for some suggestions to help you choose the right food for your pet: 1. Use a healthy mix of fresh ingredients Several fruits and vegetables are healthy for dogs, but it’s imperative to understand what food items to avoid before planning a meal for your canine. Create a list and talk to your vet if required. You can opt to use fresh produce like fruits and vegetables as treats or even add them in your dog’s regular meals for flavor. This trick comes in handy, especially if your doggo is a fussy eater. 2. Choose homemade versus store-bought food wisely Some pet owners might find commercial foods to be the most convenient options for their dogs. Although it’s alright to feed them these foods occasionally, you should include a healthy dose of freshly prepared home-cooked meals in their diet as well. Also, it’s advisable to read the labels of the dog foods you pick off the supermarket shelves and ensure that your pet isn’t allergic to any of the ingredients.