Certain foods and ingredients may be used in many dishes, but they may not be safe for our furry little friends. If you have a dog, it is very important to be aware of foods that may be toxic or cause mild to severe allergic reactions. Hence, vets highly recommend keeping the following foods away from your dog’s bowl, as they may be potential allergens. Let’s take a look at them. Garlic and chives While garlic causes nothing more than bad breath to humans, it is harmful to our furry little friends. Dogs are sensitive to garlic, as it makes their blood cells more likely to break, thereby increasing the risk of anemia. It has been especially observed that Japanese breeds like Shiba-Inu and Akita are more sensitive to garlic than other dog breeds. Black pepper Black pepper is typically harmful to dogs. While small quantities may not cause a reaction, some breeds may have severe reactions. Hence, vets recommend avoiding this ingredient in a dog’s daily food. Common side effects of black pepper ingestion may include respiratory issues, burning reactions, and hemorrhoids. Onion powder Like garlic, onion powder is also toxic for dogs. In fact, any form of onion may cause health complications.

Being a pet parent brings its own joy and challenges. While you are privy to your dog’s moods and habits with a certain fondness, you are also responsible for cleaning them up after parasites enter your home riding on their backs. Getting rid of ticks and fleas then becomes the ultimate goal for various reasons. This article talks about some common human foods that help get rid of fleas and ticks. Lemon spray One of the easiest and mess-free ways of getting rid of ticks and fleas that enter your home is to treat them with a lemon spray. All you need to do is boil water with sliced lemon. Let the water sit overnight and cool down. Spray it on pet bedding, toys, home furnishings, and carpets. Note that you are supposed to dampen these things and not saturate them with the solution. Rosemary mix Rosemary is another effective human food that is effective in eliminating dog fleas. This herb acts as a natural flea repellent and can come in handy to prevent future infestations. All you need to do is finely grind rosemary along with rue, fennel, wormwood, and peppermint. Then, sprinkle the powder in small amounts around the house or onto your pet.

If you’re frustrated with how your cat uses its litter box, you’re not alone. Most cat owners admit that their furry friends develop issues with their litter boxes, which can be anything from not using the box altogether to defecating or urinating inside and outside the box. Health and behavioral issues could be attributed to this. Thankfully, there are a few tried and tested methods that can help solve your furry companion’s litter box problems. Consult the vet Before you try anything else, it’s best to take your cat to the vet. Sometimes, health issues can prevent your cat from using the litter box properly. These issues may include painful urination, constipation, diarrhea, injured paws, arthritis, dementia, diabetes, or kidney problems. The vet may inquire about your cat’s litter box problem in detail and recommend a urinalysis, stool check, or a blood test. Place the box in an appropriate location Like humans, cats need privacy when they do their business. If the litter box is currently located in a high-traffic area, move it to a quiet place where there’s the least disturbance. However, make sure that the new place isn’t too far or isolated, like in the basement. Also, avoid keeping the box close to their bed or food bowl.

One may have to deal with cat waste if they have a domesticated feline friend at home. Many pet owners prefer using cat litter as they are easy to clean the excreted waste. All pet cats are litter trained, meaning they will only pee or poop inside the cat litter placed in the house. As a pet parent, one must ensure that the litter box is cleaned at least twice daily to keep it germ-free. But are there any dangers to having cat litter? Let’s find out. While having a cat litter box at home may not expose humans to fatal dangers, cleaning the litter box may lead to health issues if one is not careful with this sanitation process. There are different types of litter. Therefore, one must know how to manage them as they can adversely affect human health in the long run. Clumping litter Clumping litter contains bentonite, a substance that allows the liquid to clump together. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is best if humans do not inhale or ingest this substance. Some of these clumping cat litters also contain silica, which has carcinogenic effects leading to an increased risk of lung cancer.

One of the main concerns for new pet parents is toilet training their feline friends. Cats are smart species; they understand the tricks within a few weeks. However, teaching them the correct techniques from day one is essential as it will gradually mold the cat’s behavior toward using the toilet bowl or litter boxes. The transition can be challenging, so we have listed seven simple steps to help with the process. Decide and prepare a designated bathroom Choose a bathroom that is easily accessible to your pet. And place the litterbox close to the toilet. The idea is to get your cat to “go” in the litter box and train it to use the toilet bowl gradually. The cat will get familiar with the new spot eventually.  Move the litter box closer to the toilet bowl Move the litter box an inch closer to the toilet bowl. It will also be convenient for the pet parent to clean the box when they want to. Get rid of a layer of litter to a point where there’s a thin layer left in the box.  Raise the height of the litter box Stack a pile of newspapers, old magazines, or cardboards under the litter box, and gradually raise the height, so that the cat can easily jump onto the box.

People with pets in their house have one thing common to worry about – tick or lice infestation. Particularly during summers when the chances of flea and tick infestations increase. Your backyard can turn dangerous for your pets. But the solution for this is simple. You can protect your pets by growing any of the below-listed plants. These act as effective flea and tick repellants. They can repel fleas and ticks due to their scent. Lavender The plant belongs to the mint family and is quite useful in fending off bloodsucking parasites like ticks and mites from your backyard. Planting lavender in your backyard or home garden will keep your pets and your house protected from any pest infestation. Eucalyptus Among its many uses, this herb is also effective in warding off pests and ticks from your house. Pet owners can also make a tick-repellant spray by using rosemary oil and water in equal parts. This spray is perfectly safe and can be used on your pet’s fur. Wormwood It’s a wild plant that grows almost everywhere. Wormwood’s smell and  the chemicals it produces are known to repel ticks. It is also known for its signature bitter taste that animals hate.

If you cannot cook home meals for your dog, you can choose from foods like Kibble or dry, canned, semi-cooked, and raw food. Talk to your vet to understand the best type for your pet based on their breed, age, size, weight, and activity levels. Start by feeding them smaller portions and check for allergies before making them permanent. Refer to our list of 10 best Black Friday food deals for your furry friend. Purina beyond beef, potato & green bean recipe ground entrée grain-free canned dog food, case of 12 The main ingredients are beef, potato, and green bean, all ground and enhanced with prebiotics, fiber, essential minerals, and nutrients. It contains no fillers or poultry by-products and is free of synthetic additives. Black Friday deal: 31% off Blue Buffalo Basics limited ingredient grain-free dog Food – large dog This pack is best suited for large dogs that need extra food portions. The package contains chicken, lamb, and salmon. It also has apples, tomatoes, blueberries, and pumpkins that are highly antioxidative to build immunity. Black Friday Deal: Up to 30% off American Journey salmon and sweet potato recipe grain-free dry dog food It is a combination of salmon, fruits, and vegetables that gives your dog protein, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in one shot.

Sharing food with your cat doesn’t always have to be dangerous! Even though it is advisable to keep your pets away from some human food like onions, garlic, sugar, chocolate, dairy, caffeinated products, raw dough, nuts, salt, xylitol, grapes, and raisins, it is safe to treat your pets to some human food every once in a while. Here are 7 human foods that are safe for your kittens to consume. 7 human foods you can share with your cats Fish Canned or cooked fish like salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, and crab are good for your cats as it helps their eyes stay sharp and helps them with arthritis, kidney disease, and heart disorders. Fatty fish contains nutrients like omega-3 that can help with your cat’s heart health. However, it is best to avoid giving them raw fish as it can be dangerous for your cat’s health. Whole grains Cooked whole grains are easily digestible for cats and are popularly found in most dry cat foods. Grains like oats are a good source of protein, iron, and fiber, and they’re easy to make as well. Many cats like eating corn, and a coarse cornmeal called polenta as well. Other grains that you can give your cats include brown rice, barley, wheat berries, millet, and couscous.