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6 human foods that cats can safely eat

6 human foods that cats can safely eat

Cats are picky eaters, but they may jump with glee if you share a titbit from your plate. Felines love variety in food, and you can share some of your food if it is nutritious and non-toxic. Moderation is the key when you feed human food to your cat so that it does not cause any allergies or digestive issues. Here is a list of six human foods that are safe for your cats:

Eggs
Small quantities of cooked eggs are good for cats. You can set aside a tablespoon of scrambled egg or a piece of a boiled egg while you cook some for yourself. Don’t season it, add any oil or butter, or feed raw eggs or yolks. Eggs contain a protein called Avidin that may prevent the absorption of Vitamin B. Raw eggs could contain Salmonella, a bacteria that can infect the GI tract of both cats and humans. Severe infection may lead to death in cats, while humans may need hospitalization.

Vegetables
Cats are carnivores and are partial to meat; a non-meat diet may not excite them as much. However, you can feed small portions of a few vegetables that can supply your cat’s fiber, protein, and nutrition requirements. Remember to cook the vegetables before feeding them. Pumpkin, squashes, zucchini, lettuce, green beans, broccoli, carrots, and peas are safe vegetables for your cat. Ideally, you can boil or steam them and serve them without adding seasoning. Avoid sharing portions of raw or uncooked salads from your plate.

Meat
Most cat food contains some protein as meat is crucial for their eyes, heart, and reproductive system. If you want to feed them meat you cook for yourself or your family, ensure it is cooked well. Avoid seasoned meat, or don’t feed them pieces of meat from gravies or curries. Instead of seasoning, you can add spices like basil, cilantro, dill, rosemary, or thyme, which are safe for cats. Small portions of cooked beef, chicken, duck, and turkey are safe meat for cats. Lamb and pork may be fattening, and you can give small portions after trimming the fat. Avoid giving too much organ meat like liver and kidney.

Fish
Cats are prone to allergies and dry skin. Vets generally recommend omega-3-rich fish oils that are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Fish can also help older cats that are prone to arthritis. Feeding your cats omega-3-rich fish can help them get a continuous supply of anti-inflammatory foods. The ideal fish you can feed your cats include tuna, herring, crab, and salmon. Avoid seasoning and also remove the bones. If your cat is used to canned or commercial food, they could choke on fish bones.

Oatmeal
Oats are a staple ingredient of many commercial cat food brands, and you can feed them to your cat occasionally. Presoak oats overnight, cook them well and mix them with water instead of milk. Don’t add sugar or any topping that you may have with your oatmeal. You can also add a small portion of oatmeal to their regular food. If your cat has a previous history of gastrointestinal issues, avoid oatmeal as it can interfere with their digestion.

Fruits
As a pet parent, you may know that cats cannot distinguish sweet as a taste. You can give them fruits in moderation as treats or as a part of their meal. Sliced bananas, the flesh of watermelon without the rind or seeds, small amounts of strawberries, berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, small portions of apple, small slices of mangoes, cantaloupes, and pineapples without the rind or skin are all safe for cats. Always chop the fruit into bite-size pieces to prevent choking. Fruits are ideal as treats and not as a whole meal.

Apart from human foods, here are some of the best cat-food brands that you can consider:

Royal Canin
Royal Canin offers a range of commercial wet and dry cat food and therapeutic food for specific health conditions. This brand also offers tailored nutrition, providing the exact requirement of vitamins, prebiotics, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that your cats require. Tailored nutrition is a unique concept that considers your cat’s unique health needs, breed, and lifestyle, which is available for purebred cats and kittens. The brand also has age-specific food for kittens, adult, mature and senior cats.

IAMS™
IAMS offers cat parents the choice of tailored nutrition for their cats based on their age, lifestyle, breed, and individual health issues. You can log in to the IAMS website and answer basic questions about your cat, and experts recommend the best product based on your cat’s individual and unique needs. This brand is offering to cover the cost of your next vet appointment if you buy two bags of IAMS dry food.

GREENIES™
Greenies offer Dental Treats, Pill Pockets, and Smartbites for cats in different flavors. Dental treats are available in chicken, tuna, shrimp, and salmon flavors. Pill pockets are easy to use and available in salmon and chicken flavors. You can roll your cat’s capsule in the pill pocket, hide it, and feed it to your cat without any fuss and strain for them. Smart bites are treats for your cat and are available in salmon, chicken, and tuna flavors.

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7 human foods that dogs can safely enjoy

Dogs belong to the Canis lupus familiaris species, and their digestive systems differ from humans. Since they have different digestive systems, their nutritional needs vary too. Many dog food brands are available on the market with uniquely formulated treats that should be a part of your pet's daily food plan. However, once in a while, it is safe to offer them one of these seven human foods from your plate. Carrots Carrots have several health benefits for dogs. Chewing them helps maintain their dental health by removing plaque from the teeth. Carrots are also a good source of vitamin A, which is excellent for strengthening your puppy's immune system, skin, and coat. Further, they have potassium, fiber, and other essential nutrients. Apples Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C. They are also a healthy source of fiber, which can help regulate your pet's digestive system. However, you must keep your furry friend away from rotting apples, which can lead to food poisoning and, consequently, symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. White rice Giving your dog white rice is an excellent idea if they have an upset stomach. It is easy to digest and can help bind their stool. However, like in humans, rice can lead to a rise in blood sugar levels, so dogs with diabetes should be given this food in small amounts. Fish Fish like salmon, shrimp, and tuna are great protein sources for your puppy. Salmon and tuna, in particular, are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep their immune system, coat, and skin healthy. The vitamin B in shrimp helps maintain a dog's digestive system and improves blood circulation. While these fish are safe, remember to cook them properly before serving, as raw or uncooked fish may have harmful parasites. Chicken Plain boiled chicken is an excellent option for your puppy, especially during episodes of an upset stomach. Chicken is also one of the most common ingredients in dog food as it is rich in protein, which is essential for overall health. You can feed your dog cooked chicken as is or mix it with regular food. But do not feed raw chicken as it can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Pork Cooked unseasoned pork is safe for pets in small amounts. Since pork has a high fat content, it can be challenging for some dogs to digest and cause inflammation and pancreatitis. So, it is best to offer them pork in limited quantities. Do not feed bacon or ham as their salt contents are high. Dairy products Dairy products like milk, cheese, and plain yogurt are safe if fed in small amounts. Too much dairy can lead to digestive problems, as dogs have low lactase levels, the digestive enzyme that breaks down the sugar lactose found in dairy products. Pets with lactose intolerance should avoid dairy products altogether. Signs of lactose intolerance include diarrhea or vomiting. Visit a vet if your pup shows these symptoms after enjoying any dairy product. While human foods can be fed occasionally, dogs must get their nutrition from quality dog foods. It is crucial to choose the correct option based on your pet's age, breed, and nutritional requirements. Blue Buffalo and Purina offer personalized food solutions with a collection of meat-rich, natural nutrition, limited-ingredient, and grain-free formulas. Hill's offers scientific and well-balanced recipes for dogs of all ages. NUTRO™ has various flavors, like chicken, lamb, fish, and duck, ensuring your dog enjoys every bite. Royal Canin is known for a great range of wet and dry foods for common breeds of puppies and adult dogs. They also have unique formulas for special needs like digestive support, urinary support, and oral hygiene.

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4 tips to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs

Dogs get affected with fleas or ticks due to spending time on grassy trails, lush parks, or moist areas. And these pests can cause itching and skin damage if not controlled in time. Flea and ticks leave eggs and larvae on the coat, which can be challenging to eradicate. They can also lead to Lyme disease and other debilitating conditions. Following are tips to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs: Consider the following treatment options Bravecto chew Bravecto chew is a chewable treatment option that you can administer along with your dog's food. It contains fluralaner, an active ingredient that spreads quickly through the dog's tissues and the skin. Fleas and ticks in the coat ingest minute amounts of fluralaner, which affects their central nervous system, killing them within 12 hours. One dose of Bravecto is effective for about 12 weeks. If your dog is sensitive to the treatment option and vomits within three hours of ingestion, contact your vet, as it may be less impactful in killing the ticks and fleas. Bravecto is also effective in preventing heartworms and intestinal worms. Simparica This prescription treatment option is ideal for dogs over six months and can be administered monthly. Consult your vet for the dosage; do not overdo for faster impact. Simparica contains sarolaner, which effectively controls multiple fleas and tick infestation. You must ensure that your pet consumes the dose completely for maximum impact. Though this option prevents and stays effective for four weeks, it may cause side effects in pregnant, lactating, or breeding dogs and those with neurological issues. Regular use of Simparica can also prevent heartworm disease in dogs.  Advantix Advantix is a water-resistant, spot-on topical formulation that treats multiple infestations, including fleas and ticks. It is suitable for puppies (seven weeks) and adult dogs. The contents of the package are administered in one spot for dogs less than 25 kgs and three spots for more than 25 kg. The application continues to remain effective even if your dog gets wet. Your vet may suggest the frequency of application based on the type of tick or flea infestation and the severity of the condition. Make sure you bathe and dry them before using Advantix. You can repeat the process after two weeks of application. In addition to these tips, you can also consider the following information to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs: Use a flea comb Though a good bath can remove most of the adult fleas and ticks, young ones and eggs may remain in the skin, mainly in their shoulder blades, between the back legs, and around the neck area. Flea and tick eggs may drop from their fur as they generally do not stick to the skin. Since most dogs enjoy grooming, brush your dog with a pet-friendly tooth comb or a flea comb to isolate and remove the young ones. Collect them in a soap water mixture to prevent re-infestation. Give them regular showers Once you spot a flea or a tick in your pet's coat, immediately bathe them. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to remove the fleas and ticks from their fur and skin. Use a soft towel to dry them without irritating their skin. Check with your veterinarian before choosing the right shampoo or soap. Rinse them thoroughly and ensure that you do not leave any shampoo or soap residue. Repeat the process every one to two weeks, depending on the intensity of the infestation. You can use tick or flea powder a couple of days before the bath. If you use anti-tick oil, gently massage it into their skin before a bath. Keep your house and surroundings clean New dog parents may assume bathing and brushing are adequate for managing the infestation. But ticks and fleas may remain in and around your pet's bedding and resting places. They can also crawl and station themselves between tiles, door or window hinges, under furniture, carpets, upholstery, and curtains. They can crawl back onto your dogs once the effect of the bath or the impact of the anti-tick or flea products wears off. Hence, clean the areas your dogs frequent and their mats and beddings regularly. Use sprays that are non-toxic for them and your family. Continue to clean your house until you see no signs of ticks in your home. Ticks and fleas do not limit themselves to the house; they can be found outdoors too. If you notice a flea or tick around the yard, you must start cleaning it. Ensure that your yard or lawns are not too moist, as fleas and ticks thrive in these damp areas. Remove dry leaves and trash, wood piles, excessive foliage, and tall grass as full-grown fleas and ticks may breed and lay eggs. Cedar naturally repels fleas and ticks, so you can mulch your dog's resting areas. Treat your lawn with non-toxic pesticides for any pest infestation. If your dog still suffers from the effects of ticks and fleas, it is recommended to consult a vet for effective support in treating them. Ignoring the condition may lead to further complications.

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