Pet parents wish the best for their pets. They strive to ensure their furry friends live a quality life by grooming them, buying them toys, and letting them move around the house freely. Some even feed their pets snacks from their own plate to keep them happy. However, one must note that not every human food is safe for animals. Here are six everyday foods that can be toxic to pets. Chocolates Chocolates are a popular treat in almost every household. Many love indulging in chocolate bars and other recipes containing chocolates, such as brownies and cookies. While these are safe for humans, they are highly unsuitable for dogs and cats. Chocolates contain a compound called theobromine, which is toxic to them. Consuming even small amounts of chocolate can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, seizures, and, in severe cases, death in pets. Caffeine Like theobromine, caffeine is toxic to cats and dogs. It’s commonly found in beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas. Ingesting caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, seizures, and, in severe cases, death. Hence, one must keep caffeinated products away from pets. Avocados Although a superfood for humans, avocados are toxic to birds and cattle.

A home cooked meal is a great way to ensure that the pets are well fed with proper nutrition. Moreover, there are many pet food brands available that are a convenient option if cooking at home is not possible. However, one should always be aware of the ingredients that are safe and unsafe for the pet to consume. Here are some toxic foods that should not be part of the pet’s meal plan. Chocolate While delicious, chocolate is a toxic food for pets, which is usually a known fact for many. But it is important to know why it is not okay to feed dogs or cats chocolate and it needs a visit to the emergency room if ingested. The problem is the theobromine component in chocolate. It is found in both milk and dark chocolate, so both the varieties are a big no for pets. Moreover, the unsweetened baking chocolate is the most toxic as it contains the highest amount of theobromine. Eating this can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and other serious issues like seizures, tremors, and heart problems in pets. It can even be fatal in some cases if the right treatment is not administered quickly. Grapes An otherwise sweet and snackable fruit, grapes are toxic to most pets.

Besides helping cats stay clean, litter boxes maintain a hygienic home environment. So much so that often, when a cat urinates outside its litter box, it could indicate a health condition. So, cat parents should consult a veterinarian to rule out such issues. However, this change could also mean the cat is not comfortable using the box. In such cases, here are some litter box mistakes one may want to avoid: 1. Not considering the cat’s preferences A cat is typically uncomfortable in a litter box if it is not to its liking. While animals cannot express their tastes and preferences, a trial-and-error method can help cat parents identify what their feline friends like or detest in their litter boxes. For example, some cats may not be comfortable with specific textures, while others may steer clear of certain fragrances. These aspects should be carefully observed until one discovers exactly what their cat likes in its litter. 2. Placing the box in noisy spots Just like humans, cats prefer quiet, peaceful surroundings. Placing the litter box in a noisy environment can make the cat leave the box often. So, one should find a quiet place for the litter. This spot should be away from the kitchen as the noise emitted by cookers, blenders, and other appliances could bother cats.

Emotional support is one of the foundations of mental health and well-being. Recent studies suggest that 74% of pet owners believed their mental health improved after buying a pet. Thus, it is believed that emotional support from animals plays a therapeutic role in helping one navigate tough times. As of 2019, there are nearly 2,00,000 emotional support animals in the country. Here are the answers to some key questions on emotional support animals: What are emotional support animals? Emotional support animals are animals that provide comfort to individuals through companionship. Individuals with mental health conditions are typically able to manage their symptoms better in the company of such animals. What animals are typically classified as emotional support animals? While dogs and cats are typically classified as emotional support animals, other animals like ferrets, guinea pigs, and rabbits are also becoming popular in this category. Dogs Dogs are popularly referred to as a human’s best friends and for a good reason. Studies have shown that the company of dogs can reduce stress and anxiety and help manage depression and loneliness. Cats Many individuals find the company of cats to be soothing and comforting. Their stress-reducing effect can elevate one’s mood. A study has demonstrated that cat owners have better psychological health than individuals without pets.

Dogs are cherished members of our families, and their well-being is a top priority for all pet parents. Recognizing signs that your dog might be sick is essential for providing timely care and ensuring their health. While dogs can’t communicate their discomfort through words, they do display various physical and behavioral indicators that can alert you about their illness. Here are some common signs that your dog might be sick: Changes in Appetite Signs: A sudden loss of appetite or a significant decrease in food consumption. What to Do: Keep an eye on your dog’s eating habits, as a persistent lack of appetite could indicate underlying health issues. Consult your veterinarian if the change persists. Vomiting and Diarrhea Signs: Frequent vomiting or diarrhea, especially if the excreta contains blood or mucus. What to Do: Ensure your dog stays hydrated by providing small sips of water. Don’t give food for a few hours and then reintroduce a bland food regime. If vomiting or diarrhea continues or worsens, seek veterinary care. Lethargy Signs: A sudden or prolonged lack of energy, reluctance to move, or inability to engage in usual activities. What to Do: Pay attention to changes in your dog’s activity level.

Everyone is inclined towards consciously eating healthy and ensuring so do their pets. Most pet parents like to keep tabs on what their pet eats throughout the day, ensuring they get the necessary nutrition via their meals. With cats, choosing the right treats can be a task, as they are sensitive and choosy. However, to help you, here is a list of the best cat treats that are delicious and nutritious for your cat’s health. Wellness Kittles This brand is best known for its crunchy, grain-free cat treats made with all-natural ingredients. They make low-calorie treats that are high in palatability. Their most popular flavor among all treats is salmon, but that’s not the sole ingredient the brand relies on. Wellness Kittles also includes healthy food ingredients like peas, blueberries, flaxseed, rosemary extract, green tea extract, and cranberries. A 2-oz bag of these treats is available for approximately $2.37, and the per treat calorie is around 1.1. Blue Buffalo These are the most budget-effective cat treats that pet parents can rely on. Their Bursts treats dominate the savory seafood flavor, wherein meat makes for the first ingredient. Their treats contain no wheat, and their key ingredients include deboned salmon, tuna meal, barley, brown rice, pork fat, salmon meal, cod, and dried whey.

Pets, specifically cats, may be picky eaters, but they can gobble up your food when you are not looking. However, not all human foods are safe for your feline friend. If they eat something that is perfectly healthy for you but is harmful to them, their digestive system will malfunction. Your furry pet may end up getting sick. So, keep them away from human foods that are mentioned in this list. Chocolates Dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants for humans. But for cats, these indulgent treats are to be kept away. Never ever hand out chocolate treats to your furry one. This is because chocolates contain a high amount of methylxanthine, which can cause increased thirst, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as high body temperature. Dairy products Most cats like drinking milk. However, apart from milk, other dairy products may be harmful to them. Most cats are generally lactose intolerant. It is only when they are kittens that cats are tolerant to the lactose in their mother’s milk. Caffeine Keep your feline friend away from your daily fix of caffeine, that is, your coffee. All caffeine-based foods and beverages, including tea, coffee, and soda, can cause toxicity in cats.

It’s well known that our furry best friends absolutely love their treats! But what are some human foods that make for yummy and healthy treats for them? We’ve got some food options that you can explore that are completely safe to give to your dog. These foods can be a delightful surprise for your pet apart from their regular treats. What’s more! They are easy to make and will keep them full in between meals. Vegetables You would be surprised to know how much these puppies love a well-made veggie treat! Carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, cauliflower, and green peas make for yummy treats that are nutritious for your dog. You can steam these veggies until they are soft, add them to their regular meals, or even give them separately. Chicken This shouldn’t come as a surprise! Dogs love chicken. While boiled chicken and rice are a healthy and nutritious combination, add a few condiments to this mix to bring out the flavor of the treat. Adding half a cup of homemade chicken stock along with your pup’s favorite veggies will make this a nutritious and satiating meal. Fish Make sure you are only experimenting with salmon, as that’s the safest option for your pet.

It’s common to share your food with your cat. But, many do not know that this gesture of love and affection could actually be harmful to them. Most human foods contain elements that could be toxic to cats and cause serious medical conditions. So, you need to ensure that you do not accidentally feed your cat human foods. To help you, here are a few human foods that you should not give your cats. Chocolate Chocolates are one of the most harmful foods for cats, as they contain methylxanthines that are toxic to most animals. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and in worse cases, can even prove to be fatal to cats. Dark chocolates contain the most amount of methylxanthines, whereas white chocolate contains the least. Despite these varying proportions of harmful substances, chocolate as a whole is best left off your cat’s meal plan. Dairy and dairy products There is a huge misconception that dairy and dairy products are great for cats. But, in reality, most cats are lactose intolerant, which means consuming dairy could lead to digestive problems and make them ill. Of course, the best thing to do is avoid dairy completely, but you could also ask the vet for a lactose-free alternative.

We often cannot resist the urge to give our pet dogs a treat or two. After all, it’s hard to ignore those beady eyes below the dining table every time you have a meal. However, it is important to note that not all foods made for humans are good for your pets. Some of them are harmful and can threaten the pet’s wellbeing. Here are a few human foods to avoid for dogs. Chocolate Chocolate is one product that is found in abundance at home. Hence, it is crucial to keep it far from your dog’s reach. Chocolate can be toxic to pets and can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, and increased thirst. Coffee Coffee contains caffeine – an ingredient that can be extremely toxic to your pet. This goes for any other caffeine-based product too, which can be equally bad for your pet doggo. In fact, such foods are bad even for the human body and should not be consumed in excess. Citrus Citrus tree parts such as stems, fruit, seeds, leaves, peels, and plants contain citric acid and other essential oils that can lead to irritation. Consuming such items can also cause depression of the nervous system when eaten in excess.