House pets such as cats and dogs have a heightened sense of smell and they cannot handle fragrances as well as humans do. This is why you will have to be extremely careful when you choose essential oils for your pets. Having said that, the right essential oil can calm your pet, increase its appetite, make it sleep better, and also help to manage pain effectively. Here are some factors to consider before using essential oils for pets. Check the usage of the oil You might be surprised but there are different kinds of the same essential oil available in the market based on their usage. Cheaper oils are sometimes used for making candles and perfumes while the highest quality of oil can be consumed. One of the first factors to consider before using essential oils for pets is to stay away from cheaper variants as these most probably have additives that may not be safe for use. Know if the essential oil is safe for your pet There are detailed lists of essential oils that are safe and those that are harmful to pets available online. One of the crucial factors to consider before using essential oils for pets is whether they can be used safely on animals.

Ticks and fleas are bothersome parasites that find their way on to your dog’s skin. They live by feeding on the blood of your pet and grow big and healthy as your dog struggles with itchiness, pain, and discomfort. Many pet owners look for natural ways to get rid of fleas and ticks and if you are looking for the same, you are in the right place. Here are some awesome home remedies to get rid of fleas and ticks in dogs by using essential oils that are easily available. Make a lavender tick collar Lavender oil has a very strong scent and this works wonders in repelling fleas and ticks. The easiest way to use this is to make a tick collar out of the oil. Take a few drops of lavender oil and mix with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil base. Now apply this oil on the cotton collar of your dog. Wait for the oil to get soaked into the collar. Put the collar on your dog. The smell of lavender will last for days and this home remedy to get rid of fleas and ticks in dogs will also make your pet smell pleasant. Use a lemongrass oil spray Another one of the easy home remedies to get rid of fleas and ticks in dogs is to make a spray solution using lemongrass oil.

Just like how humans are allergic to a number of foods and medications, pets too can develop and suffer from food allergies. Sometimes, the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets are difficult to notice and understand. This makes pet owners anxious. Also, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding food allergies in pets. So, it is necessary that as a pet owner, you get the facts right and know when to contact a veterinarian. Identifying the symptoms of food allergies Pets vary widely in terms of how they develop an allergic reaction. That is why, oftentimes, pet owners are unable to detect the presence of the allergy until it is too late, and the dog or cat has already fallen ill. The symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets do not always have to be related to a gastrointestinal or digestive tract infection, though it can happen at times. Rather, the most common symptoms show up in the form of itchy skin and ears, redness of the skin and ear infections. If such symptoms occur, consult your vet because your pet might be suffering from an allergic reaction. Figuring out the source of the allergies When your pet has food allergies, the vet usually performs a dietary assessment to find out what needs to be eliminated from the pet’s diet.

Dogs, once diagnosed as diabetic, remain diabetic for the rest of their lives. Their feeding and dietary patterns need to undergo a major change to keep their glucose levels in check. Usually, they will require insulin shots for as long as they live. Healthy dog food tips suggest that foods that are high in protein or meat-based foods, with moderate fat and carbohydrates, are good for diabetic dogs. Most diabetic dogs have Type 1 diabetes, which means that their condition is caused by an abnormal autoimmune response that destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for manufacturing insulin. This is usually not caused by a poor diet or being they are overweight. Planning a dietary chart for diabetic dogs can be tricky since many food items affect their blood sugar levels. This includes the amount of food they have eaten, exercise, stress, hormonal fluctuation, and other factors. Consulting your vet regularly along with healthy dog food tips is essential to plan a diet chart for a diabetic dog. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines state that the type of food given to a diabetic dog is less important than the consistency of the diet. As long as the food is a complete and balanced high-quality diet, the dog, who has diabetes, should remain healthy. Walking your dog is also important and if you start to notice that they are tired or sluggish, it is time to stop.

Dog parents know how good it makes us feel to give our beloved pets a lick or taste of the foods we’re eating. Even though we buy them the best pet foods available for meals and snacks, many of us still give our canines human food as treats to motivate and reward them. However, many pet parents unknowingly feed our pets potentially toxic foods that can harm and/or kill them in the process. Read on to explore the most harmful human foods for dogs: 1. Alcoholic Beverages Never give your pets any type of alcoholic beverage. There are currently a lot of sweet alcoholic drinks. Although they may taste good to your dog these drinks can intoxicate and even lead to liver failure in dogs. Symptoms of pet toxicity include: Confusion Lack of balance and coordination Depression Breathing problems Cardiac arrest 2. Avocados More and more dogs are being poisoned by a toxin found in avocados known as persin, which resides in the fruit bark, seed, and leaves of the avocado. When ingested it causes dogs to vomit and develop horrible diarrhea. 3. Chocolate Probably the most common form of dog poisoning comes via chocolate. Chocolate is infused in every major holiday and thus is constantly in our homes.