Cats are fussy eaters, and that’s why brands make sure that their foods meet feline standards. But some foods that we humans consume also happen to be safe for cats and can be fed to them in moderation. These foods take minimal time to prepare, and it is better to serve something wholesomely made in your kitchen rather than relying solely on packaged cat food. Here are a few choices to consider:

Eggs
Eggs pack nutrients that are beneficial for humans as well as safe to feed cats. In fact, eggs are a staple food ingredient found in different types of cat food, both wet and dry recipes. But ensure that you don’t feed them raw eggs as this increases the risk of salmonella. Lightly seasoned boiled or scrambled eggs are fine as long as given in moderate amounts.

Vegetables and fruits
Quite an assortment of vegetables and fruits that we eat are safe for cats. Cooked spinach is a popular nutritious option to consider as the veggie is rich in iron, calcium, vitamins A, C, and E. Pumpkin is an excellent choice low in calories and high in fiber. Cats can also safely munch on some banana slices, apples, blueberries, strawberries, pears, watermelon, and some cantaloupe.

White meat
Chicken and turkey are excellent human foods that are safe for cats. In fact, both these types of meat are lean sources of rich protein and are featured among the main ingredients found in commercially processed cat food. Serve only cooked portions of chicken and turkey after they are thoroughly cleaned. Remember to serve such meat in small amounts as your pets make take some time to get used to a new source of protein. A few slices of bacon and ham can be given on occasion.

Salmon
Cats love fish. Period! And there’s no fish as nutritious and fatty as salmon. Salmon comes fully loaded with essential proteins and healthy omega 3 fatty acids that are necessary for boosting immunity and digestion. But again, ensure that the fish is properly cooked sufficiently baked, broiled, or even grilled and preferably without any seasoning. Never serve raw fish to kittens.

Whole grains
Cats are carnivores at their primal level, so many suggest that feeding them grains should be done sparingly. It is better to serve your pets small quantities of grains and give them time to get used to the foods without affecting their digestion. For example, the occasional piece of wheat bread is fine. Cats can also enjoy some oatmeal but avoid adding too much milk and sugar. Millet is a common grain ingredient found in cat foods so you can serve a small portion of cooked millets from time to time. Brown rice is a better alternative than plain rice as it is rich in fiber that is absolutely essential for digestion.

As a dog owner, one of the biggest concerns to tackle is fleas and tick infestation. These parasites feed off the pets’ blood, causing excessive scratching and irritation. There is a variety of flea and tick repellents in the market. However, it is necessary to be aware of natural remedies. The following article lists some of the most effective treatments to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs at home:

Clinical options
Before discussing natural remedies to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs, it is also important to be aware of clinical treatment options. 

• Simparica®
  This is one such option that prevents flea and tick infestation in dogs. The FDA-approved oral treatment option can be given once a month which remains effective for up to 35 days.
• Other treatment options
  Other options include Bravecto® and K9 Advantix®, where the latter is a topical treatment used on a monthly basis, and the former is an oral treatment option used once in three months. Bravecto® can also be used for getting rid of heartworm.

Foods to eat
Experts say that fleas and ticks are likely to attack weak and unhealthy animals. If your dog is given healthy and nutritious foods, fleas and tick infestation won’t be a problem. Make sure your dog’s meal comprises of fresh whole foods and unprocessed proteins. Nutrients such as B vitamins, probiotics, sulfur, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for their health. These nutrients can be acquired from foods like meats, organ meats, fatty fish, flaxseed, poultry, eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, and more.

Natural home remedies

• Essential oils
  The topical application of essential oils is one of the best natural remedies for treating fleas and tick infestation in dogs. It’s best to use essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, cedar oil, or eucalyptus oil. Spray this diluted mixture directly over your dog’s coat, avoiding their face. It is also important to avoid soaking their coat with essential oils— just spray once at any given spot.
• Flea comb
  If your dog is already infested with fleas and ticks, use this traditional method to remove the insects from your dog’s coat. The flea comb features closely spaced teeth. When you run it through your dog’s coat, it effectively removes fleas, ticks, and their eggs stuck on the skin and coat of the dog.

Cats are smart animals who are typically mindful of what they eat. But sometimes, seeds or pollen of a toxic plant get stuck in their fur or on their paws, and cats may ingest toxic substances while grooming themselves. To avoid this and keep your cat safe, all pet parents should take some time to learn the names of plants that are toxic to their health. Some of these plants are mentioned below.

Peace lily (spathiphyllum)
All its parts, including the leaves, roots, petals, and pollen, should be kept away from cats. If cats ingest peace lilies, they could get acute kidney failure. Other symptoms of poisoning would include vomiting, irritation of the mouth and GI tract, excessive drooling, and in rare cases, difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Sago palm (cycas revoluta)
Sago palm contains a toxic substance called cycasin, which, when consumed, may result in liver damage in cats. It could also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and black, tarry-looking stool. It could also lead to bruising, excessive thirst, lethargy, and in rare cases, death.

Eucalyptus (myrtaceae)
Eucalyptus can cause complications like drooling, vomiting, decreased appetite, and diarrhea in cats. The toxicity level of this plant is low, and the symptoms often disappear within 24 hours. But higher concentrations can cause serious problems.

Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia may be known by its various other names, including dumb cane or tropic snow. It is a part of a genus of tropical flowering plants in the Araceae family. Dieffenbachia contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause a burning sensation in the mouth if consumed by cats. It can also lead to excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Kalanchoe
All parts of this plant are toxic to cats, as it contains bufadienolides. This can cause gastrointestinal issues like drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If cats eat this plant, they can experience heart arrhythmias and seizures.

Oleander
This outdoor shrub contains cardiac glycoside toxins that are harmful to the heart muscle. Oleander can also cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and heart abnormalities, so it is essential to keep your cats away from this plant.

Jade plants (crassula)
Jade plants, also known as money plants or dollar plants, are easy to grow as they require little maintenance and are believed to bring luck and fortune. But not for your cat. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, depression, and incoordination.

If you have pet cats at home and occasionally feed them from your plate, you must know which foods are safe for them. Cats can be greedy eaters, and irrespective of the cute faces they make at the dinner table, it’s best not to give them anything besides cat food until you’re a hundred percent sure. To help you, we’ve listed a few human foods that are safe for cats to eat.

Salmon
Cats love fish, and vets recommend feeding them fish-based cat foods. Most options are rich in omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish, in particular, like tuna, salmon, or mackerel, is excellent for their eyesight and joints. However, don’t feed your feline straight from the can; they might lick it too aggressively and cut their tongues. It’s best to provide them with cooked pieces that have no bones.

Whole grains
Grains are power-packed with nutrients and are healthy for both humans and cats. Oats, mainly, have lots of protein, but not many cats like it. Some cats prefer coarse food made from brown rice and cornmeal. If you’re not feeding your cat meat or fish, whole grains can be a good substitute. You can cook smaller grains like millet, couscous, or wheat berries at home.

Boiled eggs
Boiled eggs are an excellent source of vitamin B and protein and are healthy for your cat. But ensure the eggs are cooked well to avoid bacteria like salmonella or E. coli from entering your feline’s system. Moreover, some cats can be allergic to eggs, so proceed with caution.

Fresh veggies and fruits
While not all cats are vegetable and fruit lovers since they cannot taste the sweet flavors, some do nibble on fresh fruits and veggies. Cucumber, cantaloupe, steamed broccoli or asparagus, baked carrots, and green beans have the proper nutrients and minerals.

Apart from the above, you can buy healthy pet treats from stores. Cat food brands like Royal Canin have amazing sales on their assorted range on websites like Chewy, PetSmart, and Petco. Other brands known for high-quality cat food include Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Purina, and Merrick Backcountry. Further, consider the following if you’re looking for specific benefits:

IAMS weight control cat food
The specially formulated weight control cat food from IAMS contains L-carnitine. L-carnitine helps burn calories and maintain a healthy metabolism if supported by physical activity.

GREENIES healthy pet treats
Available in two flavors, SMARTBITES™ is a healthy cat treat option from GREENIES. Each treat provides your cat with the nourishment it deserves.

Friskies Indoor cat food
Friskies’ Indoor cat food line promotes nutrition in indoor cats. They also have foods to boost the immune system.

Holistapet calming cat treats
Holistapet offers a range of healthy cat treats that have a calming effect on your pet and even promote urinary health.

If your cat has kidney disease, it is advisable to feed them products keeping the disease and nutrition in mind. Thankfully, several brands make such foods. Some of the best foods for cats with kidney disease include Hill’s Prescription K/D Kidney Care, Royal Canin Renal Support, Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet™ K+M Support, and Darwin’s Natural Intelligent Design™ KS Kidney Support. All these foods are low in phosphorus, a mineral that could worsen kidney disease. 

Dogs tend to chew and nibble on anything and everything they come across. But this habit can be rather dangerous when it comes to plants. Certain plants contain toxic elements and can lead to severe symptoms and make your pet pooch ill. Dogs do not know which plants can be toxic to them, and therefore, it is safe to just remove or avoid having such plants in your household. Read on to find out more.

Aloe vera
Aloe is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, it can work wonders for your skin and makes for a great indoor plant. But, what many do not know is that aloe vera can be toxic to dogs. This is because of the saponins in the succulents. Consuming even small amounts of the aloe vera plant and gel can cause severe poisoning in dogs. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even cause general central nervous system depression.

Sago palm
Another popular houseplant that is toxic to dogs is the sago palm. Commonly known as cardboard palm or coontie palm, this plant contains the toxic element cycasin. Consuming even small amounts of any part of this plant can lead to poisoning and cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even liver failure. Note that while the leaves and bark also contain poison, the seeds and nuts are the most toxic part of this plant.

Tulips
Tulips are commonly found in many homes, thanks to their colorful flowers and pretty esthetic. But, if you do have pet pooches at home, you may want to skip out on having these plants. Dogs are likely to chew the long leaves of this plant and this could lead to digestive troubles. Not to mention, if your dog does somehow end up eating the bulbs of this plant, they could experience severe poisoning. This is because bulbs of the tulip plant contain high concentrations of toxins known as Tulipalin A and B. Consuming these can lead to vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and even hypersalivation.

Oleander
Oleanders are usually kept at homes for their esthetic appeal. These plants have beautiful and colorful flowers that make for a great addition to the backyard garden. But, every part of this plant contains cardiac glycosides, which are toxic to dogs. Even if consumed in small amounts, this can lead to drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and depression.

Ensuring that you steer clear of toxic plants is essential to the health of your dog. But, dogs are also prone to infections and diseases from bugs such as ticks and fleas, which can lead to diseases such as heartworm, tick fever, and much more. Moreover, ticks can latch onto humans and spread the disease. To avoid this, it is important to try treatments such as Advantix® and Simparica Trio. Advantix® is a monthly spot-on treatment that helps get rid of fleas, ticks, sandflies, mosquitoes, and other such bugs. It can be used for puppies over the age of 7 weeks and adult dogs. Simparica Trio, on the other hand, is a monthly chewable that provides protection and prevents heartworms, fleas, roundworms, and hookworms in dogs.

Fleas and ticks are probably the most annoying things you have to deal with as a pet parent. You might have tried it all, and everything must have worked fine. But the moment you grow lenient, they are back. Ticks do not go away permanently, so you have to be vigilant round the clock. One way to deal with these parasites is to grow plants that repel ticks in outdoor and indoor gardens.

Sage
Many use sage leaves to enhance the taste of food. Interestingly, the plant is also great at repelling ticks and protecting your pets. So, consider growing sage indoors to prevent infestations.

Lemongrass
As the name suggests, this plant smells like lemon. While the fragrance may be appealing to you, it repels parasites. Many prefer growing this plant to repel ticks as it requires little maintenance.

Lavender
While this plant is known for its calming properties, insects would beg to disagree. Lavender is an effective repellent against moths, mosquitoes, and ever-annoying ticks. Its color, as well as its scent, are unappealing to the blood-feeding parasites.

Garlic
Ticks find the scent of garlic abhorrent. So, if you are looking up for plants that repel ticks from your household, grow this one in your outdoor and indoor garden.

Rosemary
This herb has a long list of benefits, and repelling parasites is one worth mentioning. Brushing the leaves of the rosemary plant releases fragrance and oil, which protects against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and other pests.

Your pet may need treatment in case of a severe tick or flea infestation. Here are a few options:

Simparica Trio
These are available as chewables to be used once a month. The effect of a single chewable can last for weeks, protecting against fleas, ticks, and heartworms.

FRONTLINE Plus
It is a topical solution to be applied to the pet’s skin. A single application protects against flea and tick infestations for around 30 days.

NexGard
NexGard is a beef-flavored bite-sized chewable treatment to eliminate ticks and fleas. The effect lasts for 30 days.

Trifexis
Trifexis is an oral treatment for ticks, fleas, and heartworm disease.

K9 Advantix II
It is another topical solution to prevent ticks and fleas that can be applied to the pet’s coat.

Advantage II
Advantage II is a safe option for dogs between three to ten pounds and starts working in about 12 hours of application.

With Black Friday comes amazing deals on a variety of goods, right from appliances to furniture and home décor to dog foods. Even popular brands, such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science, Iams, and Blue Buffalo, offer hefty discounts during this time. Whether your dog loves dry food or wet food, you will find plenty of nutritious and delicious options at hard-to-miss prices. Check out the best Black Friday dog food deals given below.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

This dog food, originally priced at $67.99, is offered by Chewy at a discount of 10%. Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is specially designed for adult dogs. Your pet dog will love to eat this healthy meal made with protein-rich deboned chicken and other natural ingredients.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Science offers a variety of dog foods to nourish your furry friend who is prone to having an upset tummy. This dry dog food contains nourishing prebiotic fiber and real chicken and is gentle on the stomach. At Chewy, you can get this dog food for $77.99 and save 4%.

Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Original Dry Dog Food

Get a 14% discount on Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Original Dry Dog Food when you buy from Chewy. This dog food is a great way to support the nutritional needs of your growing pup. The dry dog food contains 22 key nutrients to help your puppy grow into a healthy dog.

Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

At PetSmart, buy Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food size 35 lb priced at $87.99 for $84.99. This adult dry dog food contains a balance of high proteins and fiber to support your dog’s active lifestyle. The kibble is also ideal for large jaws and is sure to please your big dog.

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Dry Dog Food

This adult dry dog food from Purina, priced at $19.99, is available for $18.28 at Petsmart. This super premium pet food has real salmon as its main ingredient. The hard kibble combined with tender shredded pieces gives it a taste and texture dogs love.

Pedigree Complete Nutrition Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Pedigree is one of the dog food brands known for offering complete and balanced food for dogs. This dry dog food contains roasted chicken, rice, and vegetables to give adult dogs all the energy and nourishment they need. At PetSmart, you can get this dry food priced at $29.99 for $27.99.

Merrick Healthy Grains Adult Dry Dog Food

PetSmart is offering Merrick Healthy Grains Adult Dry Food for $22.98 instead of the original price, $23.99. This natural dog food with chicken, brown rice, and ancient grains provides a balanced diet for your pet dog. It helps build and maintain muscle tissue and also supports healthy digestion.

Wellness Core RawRev Kibble and Adult Dry Dog Food

This natural grain-free kibble is savory food dogs love to eat. Satisfy your dog’s craving for raw animal protein with Wellness Core RawRev Kibble and Adult Dry Dog Food, available at $20.99 after a discount at PetSmart. It is made with a high concentration of protein from fresh meat ingredients and is grain-free, ideal for dogs with food sensitivities.

Purina Beneful Chopped Blends Variety Pack Wet Dog Food

Save 8% on your purchase of Purina’s Variety Pack Wet Dog Food from Chewy. They are convenient to serve dog food tubs that come in a variety of flavors for your dog to savor. Each of the recipes is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals for your dog’s well-being.

Cesar Poultry Variety Pack with real Chicken, Turkey & Duck Dog Food Trays

Buy this wet dog food from Chewy at $27.96 and save 7% on your purchase. Cesar Dog Food trays are ideal for both large and small dogs and have mouth-watering flavors, so even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy them. These food trays also make mealtimes easy, saving you from all the hassle of preparing food for your dog.

With so many deals and more being offered, especially for Black Friday, you can easily upgrade your dog’s diet. Stock up on your furry friend’s food while saving some money for your holiday shopping.