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8 Nutritious Human Foods Safe for Pet Cats

8 Nutritious Human Foods Safe for Pet Cats

Ensuring that a pet cat gets the best nutrition is imperative so that it can live a healthy lifestyle. And most people often resort to feeding their feline friend table scraps or home-cooked meals to save time putting together a pet-specific meal. However, feeding pets the wrong types of foods can lead to multiple health problems. Therefore, here are eight safe food items to consider adding to your pet’s next meal.

Salmon
Fish like salmon are highly nutritious, not just for humans but also for pets. The seafood is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and proteins essential for your pet. Salmon also nourishes cats with necessary vitamins and minerals, including niacin, selenium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and B12. You can serve the fish as a tasty treat or mix it with other regular meals. However, ensure that the salmon is cooked and not served raw. You should also consider removing the tail, bones, and head of the fish as they might lead to choking hazards.

Spinach
Spinach is one of the healthiest food sources for pets, including cats. The leafy green is abundant in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, and K. The food also contains other minerals like iron and calcium that are equally important to improve their health. Add the food to their regular meals or serve it as a treat. However, if your cat has had calcium oxalate bladder stones, you must avoid feeding them spinach.

Eggs
Most of us love eating a couple of eggs prepared in a different style for breakfast each day. Luckily, this food option is also suitable for your pet cat. Eggs are full of healthy proteins and B vitamins that are vital for pet nourishment. Before serving the food to your feline pal, ensure the eggs are cooked and not served raw. The latter may carry food-borne illnesses that can affect your pet’s health.

Chicken
Chicken also gets the green light as it is a food safe for cats. The meat source is rich in proteins essential to help the body maintain a strong heart, improve vision, and promote a healthy reproductive system. Remember to cook the chicken thoroughly before serving it to your pet cat. Furthermore, removing the meat’s skin may also help reduce the harmful fat exposure in their digestive system.

Bananas
Getting cats to eat fruits might be tedious since they are obligate carnivores. However, turning these foods into interesting treats may help your cat munch on bananas immediately. Slice it up into tiny pieces, freeze it, and serve a few to your cat occasionally. Excessive amounts of the nutrients present in the fruit may have adverse effects on your pet’s health. But rest assured, feeding them banana treats will ensure their system is nourished with potassium and soluble fibers.

Oatmeal
Adding oatmeal to your pet’s meal plan can improve their energy and vitamin B intake. The food is a common ingredient added to several cat food products. And if you want the obligate carnivore to take a liking to oatmeal, you must introduce tiny amounts in their daily meals. Eventually, you can increase the amount and see whether they are interested in the food.

Watermelon
Fruits like watermelon are nutrient-dense options for human consumption and for cats. The food has healthy amounts of vitamins A, B1, B5, and C that promote better health. Your pet cat will receive other watermelon nutrients, including magnesium and potassium. You can make eating watermelon fun by slicing and freezing it before laying it out as a treat for your feline friend to munch. But ensure you remove the seeds, as consuming them may lead to choking.

Strawberries
Strawberries are as healthy as they are delicious. Feeding the berry to your pet can enrich them with healthy fibers, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Other berries like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries are also healthy for cats. Remember to cut these into bite-sized pieces before serving them to your pet. Moreover, serve the pieces after they are frozen to make them more delicious.

Packaged cat food options
You may not always have the time to cook a full-blown healthy meal for your pet. Here’s where buying wet packaged food for your cat can prove handy. There are several options available in the market when you go looking. But if you’re confused about which brand to purchase from, here are the most popular options today.

Tiny Tiger Pate Beef
This beef-based product from Tiny Tiger is a suitable wet food option for pets. The recipe includes high-quality animal protein to nourish your cat with essential amino acids to maintain lean and active muscles. A 3-oz can, a case of 24 of the Tiny Tiger Pate Beef Recipe grain, is available on Chewy’s website for about $19.

Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Salmon
You can buy a 12 case of 12.5-oz cans of Complete Health Turkey, and the Salmon formula from Wellness is available on Chew’s website for about $55. The product is a 100% grain-free recipe for adult cats. It is also made with antioxidant-rich cranberries, vitamins, omega fatty acids, and balanced minerals to support your pet’s health.

Purina Cat Chow Naturals Original Dry Cat Food
This is one of your pet cat’s best dry cat food options. The formula includes ingredients like real chicken, salmon, and whole grains, delivering 25 essential vitamins and minerals to support a cat’s overall health. You can purchase an 18-lb bag for about $24.

ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
A 12-lb bag of this delicious dry cat food for cats is available for about $70 on Petco’s website. The formula includes key ingredients like chicken, turkey, and wild-caught fish that support healthy digestion, skin, and coat health and benefit your pet’s overall heart health.

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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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Everything to know about dog grooming programs

Taking good care of a dog may seem like the easiest thing to do in the world, but one needs to be diligent and consistent with their grooming efforts. Fortunately, dog grooming can be learned and is a viable and well-paying profession. Undergoing training for professional dog grooming can help people learn everything about always keeping dogs healthy and happy. Here are some key details about professional dog grooming programs: What is dog grooming training programs? Dog grooming courses are learning programs in which professional trainers teach learners everything about taking good care of a dog. For instance, the training involves sessions on brushing, bathing, and drying dogs. Apart from that, one also learns how to trim or clip dog hair and nails with clean and sanitized brushes and blades. Learners are taught to clean a dog's ears and other body parts and check for signs of illness. Other things, such as which natural products and daily techniques to use to keep a dog's skin healthy, are also covered in these programs. Some dog breeds need to be given baths once every 4 to 6 weeks. Certain dogs need to have their hair cut once every 8 to 12 weeks. Knowing these intervals for all kinds of dogs is one of the many things taught in dog grooming programs. Professional groomers also know how to brush or comb out mats before a dog takes a bath, making it easy to lather the dog using shampoo. More importantly, professional groomers need to be good communicators. A critical aspect of their job is to communicate with their clients to know how they want their dog to be groomed, how they want the nails and ears of their dog to be clipped and cleaned respectively, how they want their dog styled for special occasions, and several other points. After one goes through such a program, they have the requisite knowledge of how to clean and pamper a dog in the best ways possible. How long does a training program last? Typically, dog grooming programs last for about 10 weeks. The process of becoming a professional dog groomer is simple. One needs to enroll in a state-approved grooming school to pursue this educational course. Grooming programs can be conducted either online or on-site. After going through the program, one must build experience by working for a few years. As always, practical experience perfects the skills and temperament of dog groomers. To begin with, learners can approach accomplished dog groomers and assist them with their work. After attaining years-worth of grooming experience, one can earn a certification with the National Dog Groomers Association of America. To get this certification, groomers need to take a written exam and demonstrate their practical grooming skills to a panel of certified evaluators. Another certification body to get professional grooming honors is the International Professional Groomers, Inc. Professional certification is a major hurdle. One needs extensive expertise and the right amount of delicacy while handling dogs. Getting a certification can set groomers up to build their clientele in a few years. Which dog grooming schools are the best? Here are some renowned dog grooming schools for learners to discover and hone their skills: North Shore Community College This institute provides to-be groomers with invaluable knowledge and practical experience. North Shore Community College's grooming course has about 80 programs to teach students everything about the dog grooming profession from scratch. This college offers students the much-vaunted Animal Care Specialist Certification program that involves learning skills like dog walking, dog training, kennel management, dog rescue and sheltering, and other core grooming aspects. Merryfield School of Pet Grooming This institute provides a super-extensive, 600-hour training program as a part of day and evening programs. Through this program, students pick up skills and enhance aspects such as speed, accuracy, and confidence while performing grooming tasks, thanks to a 100-hour externship availability. The contents of MSPG's course are prepared in adherence to the National Dog Groomers Association of America's standards. Cornerstone Dog Grooming Academy This academy ensures that its students learn about every aspect of pet grooming. The Cornerstone Dog Grooming Academy has a low student-to-teacher ratio. So, learners get a personalized experience throughout the course to help them with the nitty-gritty of dog grooming. Apart from these, there are several other renowned dog grooming schools, such as Rio Gran Grooming School, Paragon School of Pet Grooming, Texas AllBreed Grooming School, and Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy.

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