The pet food in your cart is not going to be healthy just because the packaging claims it is. Instead of relying on what the advertisements tell you is good for your pet, you should research and understand what is actually beneficial for them. If you want to keep your canine healthy and happy, select the best dog food at your disposal. Here are four factors to consider the next time you’re shopping for dog food. Be mindful of their age The most important factor to consider while choosing the best dog food is your pet’s health. You should pick food age-appropriate food for your pooch, both in quality and quantity. Experts say that puppies need food packed with protein and vital minerals, while an adult dog’s diet should depend on their daily activities. Older dogs should be served low-calorie food that’s rich in fiber, protein, and fatty acids. Meet their nutritional needs Meeting your pet’s nutritional requirements is essential to keep them healthy. One of the things to keep in mind while looking for the best dog food is the type, quality, and amount of nutrients it contains. Professionals say selecting foods with all essential macro and micronutrients is the right way to go.

Pests can invade a dog’s furry coat and create quite havoc. Some dogs are extremely sensitive to these crawly bugs and can develop skin reactions. That said, several products are available in the market to tackle this problem, and flea tablets are one of them. These fast-acting pills control ticks, worms, and other pests, so pet owners won’t have to worry about infestations. Here are a few trusted flea pills for dogs that will actively protect your pet’s fur coat. Capstar Flea Tablets Capstar is a well-known brand for effective flea-prevention and treatment products. Their flea pills for dogs and puppies can prevent allergy dermatitis, which often occurs due to a flea infestation. Their tablets can start killing these pests within half an hour of ingestion, and they are safe enough for daily single-dose consumption. While no prescription is needed to purchase these, remember to get approval from your vet as they will know if the medicine will agree with your canine. Trifexis Chewable Tablets These strong monthly chewable flea pills for dogs are a good fix for fleas, and they also help keep heartworm disease at bay. They have a blend of pest-fighting agents like milbemycin oxime and spinosad that fight parasites and curb infestation.

Heartworm, a type of parasite, is transmitted through mosquitoes. The parasites directly go to the pulmonary artery and heart of a dog. The symptoms are often severe and require urgent medical care and hospitalization. Most dogs need months of care and rest to get back to normal after treatments. This is why dog parents need to take preventative measures against heartworm infection. Here are some of the commonly used heartworm prevention medicines for dogs: Simparica Trio® This is one of the most popular heartworm preventive medicines for dogs. Simparica Trio is used for the prevention of multiple infections. Along with preventing heartworms, this medication can be used to treat stomach worms, hookworms, and roundworms. This is a chewable tablet. The preventive treatment with Simparica Trio usually begins with pups as young as eight weeks old. Heartgard Plus Heartgard Plus, one of the top choices for heartworm prevention in dogs, is an oral medication. Its popularity is because of the flavor that it comes in–beef. This medication has two major ingredients: ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate. Both of these are effective in the treatment and prevention of various common infections that affect dogs. These include heartworm, hookworm, roundworms, among others. Tri-Heart® Plus This heartworm prevention medicine for dogs is often a generic alternative to most other medications, including Simparica Trio.

Dogs love smelling things. They want to put their snout on anything that comes across their path, be it garbage on the sidewalk or blossoming flowers in a park or garden. While some things are downright disgusting, other items can be toxic to your dog’s health. Certain plants can cause diarrhea and other serious issues like liver damage. Hence, it’s important to keep your dog away from the plants mentioned below. Sago palms These popular indoor ornamental palms are found in warmer climates. Every part of this plant is toxic to your dog. If consumed, it can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, and seizures. Aloe vera Aloe vera is another common household plant grown mainly because of its many beneficial properties. However, its gooey gel contains some components that are toxic for dogs. It can cause lethargy, stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. Elephant’s ear Elephant’s ear is a beautiful plant commonly found in warm climates. This plant can be harmful to dogs as it contains glass-like insoluble oxalate crystals, which can result in severe irritation, swelling in the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. Azaleas All parts of the azalea plant, including the flower, leaves, seeds, and honey made from its nectar, are toxic to dogs.

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.

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.

Flea and tick infestations are a common problem for dogs. Fleas and ticks can cause a lot of discomfort in the form of itching and lead to several health issues in dogs. So, those with pets should regularly examine the coats or fur of dogs to check for pests. Upon detecting an infestation, one can seek treatment and at-home remedies for getting rid of fleas and ticks. Here are a few tips to consider: 1. Give dogs regular baths One of the most effective ways to prevent and manage tick infestations in dogs is by ensuring proper pet hygiene, which includes giving them regular baths. Upon finding fleas and ticks at home or on the dog’s coat, one can use an anti-flea or anti-tick shampoo when bathing their pet. These shampoos kill the little pests while cleaning the dogs’ coats. Along with controlling infestations, regular baths also contribute to pets’ overall health and well-being. 2. Examine pet coats after outdoor visits Dog owners should regularly examine their pet’s coats, especially after outdoor visits. Fleas and ticks can be sneaky pets that choose specific spots on the dog’s coat that help them stay undetected. Key spots to examine include the area under the dog’s collar, behind its ears, under the front legs and elbows, between the toes, and the base of its tail.

Dogs have a digestive system that is much different from that of humans. That is why what is delectable and nutritious for humans may not be suitable for canines. There are human foods that are deemed unsafe for dogs to consume, with some of them even being fatal. Therefore, pet owners must be cautious while feeding some foods to their canines. Here are some common human foods to avoid feeding your pet pooch: Mushrooms Mushrooms are a delicious and nutritious food, but they can be harmful to dogs due to the presence of certain fatal elements. Not all mushrooms contain these harmful elements, but identifying the “bad” mushrooms from the good ones can be tricky, even for experienced botanists. So, to ensure your dog’s safety, it’s best to avoid adding mushrooms to their daily meals. Chocolate It’s important to remember that chocolate can be harmful to dogs as it contains high doses of caffeine and theobromine. These elements are complex for dogs to digest and metabolize and can cause various issues such as diarrhea, dehydration, stomach pain, and vomiting. Dark chocolate is especially dangerous for dogs, and they should not be given any kind of chocolate as a treat. Repeated exposure to chocolate can lead to serious health complications such as internal bleeding, heart attacks, muscle tremors, and seizures, which can ultimately result in fatality.