Author: World Arabia

Key Points

• Sweet potatoes are generally safe for dogs to eat as long as they are given in moderation.
• According to a recent FDA warning, dog foods that contain a significant amount of sweet potatoes can increase the risk of pets developing canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Sweet potatoes are also high in sugary starches, which can pose health risks for your pet. 
• At the same time, this vegetable is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, making it a healthy treat or food supplement for your pet.
• If you want to give your dog sweet potatoes, make sure to boil, mash, or bake them first. Never give raw, commercially processed, or fried potatoes to dogs.

Many dog owners love sharing their food with their pets, and dogs love eating bits and pieces of their owners’ meals. But while most of us are well aware that some products such as chocolate, onions, garlic, etc., are extremely dangerous to dogs, the situation may not be so simple and clear-cut with other human foods. This article will explain everything you need to know about the benefits and dangers of giving sweet potatoes to your dog. 

Key points

• A dog may begin chasing, licking, and chewing its tail because it is bored, stressed, or anxious, because it’s suffering from a parasite infestation, issues with its anal glands, tailbone trauma, and other conditions. 
• If your pet’s tail biting behavior has become excessive, it’s best to consult a vet to get an accurate diagnosis. 
• You might need to use topical or oral medicine to address the issue, change your pet’s food to address its allergies, adjust its behavior, and provide the pet with plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent it from biting its tail in the future.

As a dog owner, you can probably name countless hilarious things that your pet does. And one of those probably has to do with the dog chasing its tail. However, sometimes it might seem like it’s no longer just a fun trick or game your pet is playing. If you notice that your dog is chasing or biting its tail excessively, it’s essential to carefully observe your dog to determine the reason for this behavior. Once you know what’s causing the issue, you will be able to choose the right treatment that will prevent your pet from biting its tail. 

Key points

• Generally, spider bites are not dangerous for dogs. However, if a poisonous spider bites your pet, it can result in significant health issues for your pet;
• Spiders that can produce a significant amount of venom are black widow, brown widow, brown recluse spiders, and tarantulas;
• If your dog experiences drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gum color, or cramping after a spider has bitten it, call the veterinarian immediately;
• If a non-poisonous spider has bitten your pet, you can use effective home remedies to treat the injury. Some of the most effective remedies include salt or baking soda mixture, turmeric powder, and potato poultice.

Just like humans, dogs can be bitten by different types of insects, including spiders. Dogs are susceptible to spider bites on body parts that are not completely covered by hair. Do you suspect your pet has been bitten by a spider? If so, don’t panic – life-threatening spider bites are very rare.

Key points

• Border Collies can be either rough-coated (meaning they have medium-length hair) or smooth coated with short fur on all parts of the body. Both types are double-coated.
• Border Collies are classified as a moderate shedding breed and have very basic grooming needs. Owners need to brush them two or three times per week and bathe them once every three months or so. Trimming the dogs’ nails is important too.
• Shaving Border Collies is not recommended, as it can disrupt their body temperature regulation and expose the dog to sunburns and insect bites.
• A healthy diet and anti-shed shampoos can help to keep the shedding under control.

Collies are known for being intelligent, friendly, energetic, and extremely loyal. They are one of the most popular dog breeds due to their ability to make excellent life companions. So if you recently became a Collie owner, you may wonder whether your dog will shed a lot, how to look after its coat and what the pet’s grooming routine should look like. Collies indeed have some specific grooming needs, but they are generally not hard to look after. But although these dogs are low maintenance, there are a few things you need to know to help your dog look its best and stay healthy.

Key points

• Eye discharge occurs naturally in all dogs and helps their eyes to stay clean. Normal eye discharge should be clear, and its amount shouldn’t be excessive.
• Allergies and irritation are the most common causes of excessive eye discharge in dogs. Other causes include viruses, eye infections, cherry eye, or blocked tear ducts.
• To prevent excessive eye discharge in dogs, try to keep irritants (such as dust) from getting into your dog’s eyes.
• To get rid of the dog’s eye discharge at home, clean its eyes regularly, watch the pet’s diet, enrich it with fresh products, and use some herbs such as astaxanthin and marigold. 

Just like humans, dogs can sometimes wake up with eye discharge, which is completely natural. In most cases, the discharge is healthy, and simple home remedies can help you get rid of it. Still, sometimes, excessive eye discharge can signify that your pet is suffering from potentially dangerous conditions. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about canine eye discharge and give you a list of effective home remedies that can be used to treat the pet.

Key points

• Hematemesis is a condition when an animal vomits with blood. It can be extremely dangerous, therefore, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
• A cat may experience bloody vomiting due to dental diseases, injuries, parasites, poisoning, or genetic predisposition to certain health issues.
• Hematemesis treatment will typically address the underlying issue of the pet’s condition and provide additional supportive care. The treatment is based directly on the cause of bloody vomiting.

Vomiting hairballs is completely natural for cats. Having blood in the vomit, on the other hand, is not. It can indicate a number of dangerous health conditions, so if you see blood in your cat’s vomit, you need to book an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, you can read this article to find out key things you should know about bloody vomiting in cats. 

Key points: 

• The symptoms of cat scabs include dry patches, rash, and irritation. The condition is not dangerous in most cases, but it’s important to keep an eye on feline scabs anyway.
• Cat scabs can be caused by allergies, parasites, acne, pemphigus, and skin cancer.
• There are different types of feline scabs, including stress scabs, chin scabs, non-seasonal scabs, and scabs near the head and ears.
• If you want to treat cat scabs at home, try using dry oatmeal shampoo, coconut oil, or flea powders, adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your cat’s diet, and giving it Epsom salts baths.

Cats are known to scratch themselves occasionally, but noticing scabs on the cat can be alarming to any pet owner. Scabs can vary in size, type, and location on the body. To treat scabs properly, it’s essential to know what caused them and what symptoms your pet is experiencing. You should also always check with your vet if your cat develops a new skin condition. Usually, the scabs are not dangerous and can be easily treated at home, but it’s important to consult a vet anyway, especially if your cat is an indoor-only pet.

Key points

• Lentils belong to the legume family, and they are an excellent protein source, especially in vegetarian diets. They are safe for dogs, but only when given in limited amounts.
• Lentils can benefit dogs by helping them with diabetes, providing energy, preventing diseases, ensuring regular stool, and facilitating muscle growth.
• If you want to add lentils to your dog’s diet, cook them thoroughly without adding any seasonings. Introduce them gradually and observe your pet’s reaction.
• Possible side effects your dog may experience after eating lentils include diarrhea, gas, and upset stomach.

Lentils are very popular among people because of their amazing nutritional properties. Members of the legume family, lentils come in different colors. They provide a great opportunity to enrich your pet’s diet with proteins, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. In addition, lentils are not expensive, and they take little time to cook. Studies have proved that lentils may lower cholesterol levels, help with weight loss, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure. That’s why many pet owners wonder whether they can share lentils with their beloved pets. 

Key points

• Spinach is a very complicated product, but in general, it’s not dangerous for dogs. 
• Adding spinach to your dog’s diet can provide many benefits. For instance, it can improve the pet’s eye health, provide a lot of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, improve your pup’s digestion and prevent different types of cancer.
• Spinach is not recommended for dogs with kidney problems, as it contains a lot of oxalic acid, which can worsen the condition and cause kidney stones. Spinach has high sodium levels too, and it may be hard to digest for puppies.
• If you decide to give your dog spinach, steam the leaves instead of boiling them to keep their nutritional value high. It’s best to purchase only organic spinach for your dog. You should also consult with your vet before introducing spinach to your dog, even as a snack.

Pet owners can’t help sharing their meals with their dogs. Despite the fact that dogs are naturally carnivorous, their meat-based diets should be enriched with vegetables. While spinach is generally safe for canines, it’s probably the most controversial product for dogs, and there are some aspects of this leafy green you should be aware of.

Key points

• Peas are safe for dogs, but only in a fresh, thawed, or frozen state. They are a great source of protein, vitamins A, B, and K, and many minerals.
• Don’t give peas to dogs that suffer from kidney problems, as this can worsen their condition.
• Avoid giving your pet canned peas as they may contain additional seasonings, such as garlic and onions, which are incredibly harmful to all dogs.

Enriching your dog’s diet with fruits and vegetables is necessary for keeping your canine healthy. However, dogs don’t need a lot of vegetables in their diet to thrive, as they’re carnivorous in the wild. And it’s your responsibility to know what products are healthy for your pet and which ones are toxic. Luckily, peas don’t pose any danger to dogs, and in fact, they are commonly used in commercial dog food. As for now, the FDA is looking for a link between consuming peas and developing heart disease.