Pets

Does being around cats, dogs, mice, rats or rabbits make your eyes water and your nose tickle? Here's how to tell if you are truly allergic to your pet and what you can do about it. ...

Not every dog is suited to apartment living, but millions of dogs around the world do so. If you are an apartment dweller thinking about adding a dog to your family, it takes some thinking and planning to make sure your pet is a good fit for your lifestyle and home. ...

Is there harm in sharing a little bit of your leftovers with your dog? What about feeding them from the table? The fact is that some foods that humans eat are perfectly fine for dogs, while others can be dangerous.  ...

Many common, easy-to-care-for houseplants are not safe for pets. Curious dogs and cats may sneak a nibble and develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or other serious issues that need medical attention. If you must have plants where your pets will be, then there are some pet-friendly houseplants that are less likely to make your pet extremely sick. ...

More than 55% of adults older than 50 have pets in their homes. If you have an older relative who might benefit from the companionship of a pet, there are certain things to keep in mind to truly add to their quality of life. ...

Like humans, our furry friends also need a well-balanced diet. They should be fed food rich in nutrients that will keep them strong and healthy.

Us fur parents need to give our dogs a diet that follows the three fundamental principles of proper dog nutrition: moderation, variety, and balance.

Moderation is all about feeding the right amount of food to dogs to ensure that they maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives.

Our dogs need a variety of nutrients to ensure that they get all the nutritional benefits without having to resort to vitamin and mineral supplements. How they will get these nutrients depends on your choice of dog food – fresh and refrigerated (you can get the full scoop on Freshpet), raw, canned, or homemade.

Balance, on the other hand, is focused on getting the correct proportions or amounts of the nutrient requirements. This is what it means to provide your dog with a well-balanced diet.

The Six Nutrient Requirements for Dogs

There are six nutrient requirements for dogs; each one is essential if you want to achieve optimum health for your furry friend.

• Dogs need 13 vitamins for overall good health and well-being. This includes Vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, and B2.
• The right amount of minerals is essential for the proper functioning of dogs’ biological systems.
• Water is essential in ensuring that dogs can continue performing major functions.
• Dogs need fats in their diet for improved energy and healthy cells, for EFAs (essential fatty acids) that keep their coat quality and skin healthy, and for preventing inflammation.
• Dogs need the right amount of protein for the proper growth of their ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. With enough protein, dogs will have strong, shiny, and healthy hair and fur.
• Carbohydrates keep dogs active and energized, generate body heat, and convert to glucose.

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Dogs aim to please, so your canine companion might not let you know when they are in pain or distress. But if you wait until a health problem gets bad before you contact a veterinarian, it can become more difficult and expensive to address some issues.  ...

Did you know that an unsterilized female cat is capable of giving birth to 100 kittens in her life? On a societal level, spaying and neutering is the right thing to do. There are just too many cats, dogs, puppies, kittens, and other kinds of animals in shelters already. Sterilizing your pet ensures that they won’t reproduce and add to the millions of animals that are euthanized each year. ...