Author: World Arabia

Key points

• Cats of all breeds get hairballs, and this condition generally isn’t dangerous. It is caused by grooming, as cats can catch hairs on their papillae (tiny hook-like structures on the tongue). If a large amount of hair is stuck in the stomach, it forces a cat to vomit.
• Hairballs happen more often in long-haired breeds and older cats. They can also be caused by overgrooming, which can be a result of stress or allergic reaction.
• You can help minimize the number of hairballs by grooming your cat and using moist wipes after the procedure, adding oils and fiber to the pet’s diet, and keeping it hydrated. Laxatives can also be a good solution. 
• If your cat constantly struggles with hairballs, consult your vet about switching the pet to specialized food. 
• If you notice your cat trying to throw up for a prolonged period of time without producing any hairballs, feeling tired, and experiencing loss of appetite, it is a sign that a large amount of hair is stuck in the pet’s stomach. Consult the vet immediately, as these symptoms are very dangerous to your pet.

Hairballs, or, in medical terms, trichobezoars, form as a result of your cat grooming itself. Most of the time, hair quickly passes through the digestive system, but if the pet ingests a large amount of it, it can form a hairball and cause your pet to throw it up. Hairballs are not only unpleasant for pet owners, but they may also be dangerous for your cat since they may cause intestinal blockages. 

Key points

• While ear infections are a common disease in cats, if not treated properly, they can result in severe consequences such as loss of hearing or balance;
• Ear mites are responsible for more than half of all ear infection cases, making outdoor cats especially prone to the condition;
• Call a vet right away if your cat starts scratching its ears, shaking its head, or tilting it in a display of discomfort. These might be the signs of an ear infection;
• Ear miticides, olive oil, yellow dock root, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar are among the most popular and effective home remedies for cat ear infections.

Ear infections are among the most underestimated diseases in cats. The purulent inflammation in the cat’s ear can occur spontaneously, become chronic, or recur after a short improvement. Increased head scratching and shaking are among the first signs of the onset of an ear infection in cats. Different symptoms indicate inflammation in different areas of the cat’s ear. Ear infections should be treated as early as possible to improve the cat’s well-being and prevent permanent damage to the cat’s hearing and sense of balance. Fortunately, there are numerous natural remedies for cat ear infections.

Key points:

• Flaxseed is incredibly high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, nutrients, and fiber;
• The primary benefits of flaxseed for dogs include healthy skin and shiny coat, robust immune system, and healthy digestion;
• Generally, flaxseed is not toxic to dogs. However, you should avoid giving your dog raw unprocessed flaxseed and flax plants since they might cause toxicity or poisoning;

Both humans and dogs need a complete and balanced diet to feel good and healthy. Therefore, foods rich in vitamins, enzymes, and minerals should regularly appear on your pet’s menu. One way to make your dog’s diet more nutritious is to incorporate flaxseed in it. Flaxseed is considered to be a superfood both for humans and dogs. This natural and organic source of fiber can give a powerful boost to the overall health of your furry friend.

Key points

• Fear of noises, strangers, vet visits, and separation anxiety are among the most common canine phobias;
• A dog expresses fear through its body language. Common signs of distress include a lowered tail, enlarged pupils, crouched posture, or pulled back ears;
• To help your dog overcome its fear, try to use your behavior to communicate that there is no danger. Do not comfort your pet during stressful situations, as it will only reinforce the fear. You can also try putting the pet through basic obedience training and consulting your vet;

Canine anxiety is a complex issue, whether it presents as panic attacks about unknown objects, fear of fireworks, or separation anxiety due to traumatic experiences. Dog owners quickly start to feel helpless and overwhelmed when their dog shows signs of severe fear such as tremors, heavy panting, or strong avoidance behavior. However, there are some effective strategies that you can use to calm your dog down. 

Key points

• Although catnip is usually used in cats, vets often use catnip to treat some medical conditions in dogs;
• While catnip typically has a euphoric effect on felines, it acts as a sedative for canines;
• Magnesium, flavonoids, tannins, vitamins C and E contained in catnip can have a strong positive influence on canine health.
• Anise is another spice that is considered to be the dog equivalent of catnip;

Key points

• Although grain-free pet food is very trendy nowadays, it is not scientifically justified;
• Canines are more likely to be allergic to protein-rich foods such as beef, dairy products, and chicken than to grains;
• Dogs are not obligate carnivores, meaning they do not require a meat-only diet and can easily tolerate carbohydrates;
• The FDA has recently published a Grain-Free Diet Alert, where the agency links the consumption of grain-free foods with the development of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart).

Grain-free diets are becoming more and more trendy both for humans and dogs. This is caused by numerous rumors about the harm of grains for dogs. Plus, the trend is reinforced by clever marketing. For example, the “grain-free” stamp has become a quality criterion, even though there’s no scientific basis for it. Grain-free pet food owes much of its popularity to the increasing number of instances of canine allergies, as well as the hype around raw food diets for pets.

Grain is often associated with intolerance and allergies. However, grain is not as bad as many pet food companies would like you to believe and it’s not only used as a filler in cheap feed. For example, wheat gluten, which is mainly made up of protein, is 99 percent digestible and has an amino acid content similar to meat. Also, properly prepared corn is rich in highly digestible carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and fiber. Therefore, it is widely used in foods for dogs with medical conditions that require decreased fat or protein consumption.

Key points:

• Unless your cat is suffering from a severe medical condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, there is no need to feed it grain-free foods;
• Generally, cats are not allergic to products that contain grains and can easily digest carbohydrates contained in them;
• Grains are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids essential for your cat’s nutrition;

Nowadays, it is so easy to get lost and confused while choosing food for your cat from tons of available options. The pet food market overwhelms customers with a wide selection of trendy foods: vegan, vegetarian, raw, sustainable, organic, freeze-dried, gluten-free, grain-free, and many other options. Some pet owners strive to feed their cats human-grade food, as they often want their cat food of choice to be as pure as possible. Therefore, grain-free food for cats is sometimes considered to be the best option. But what does the term “grain-free” mean, and is it actually bad to feed your cat grains? Let’s figure this out!

Key points

• Generally, as cats age, they become less active, start spending more time at home, and experience changes in their metabolism.
• As a result, you need to revise the diet of your aging cat;
• Vets recommended feeding elderly cats with easily digestible food made of high-quality ingredients;
• If your old cat refuses to eat, the animal might be in pain or suffer from a severe disease.

Once a cat reaches the age of eleven, it is considered to be a senior. As the cat gets on in years, its dietary needs change. Some reasons for this are purely practical; for instance, a toothless senior cat can’t do much with dry food. In addition, there are physiological changes in the cat’s metabolism, resulting in the pet’s need for certain nutrients shifts. Elderly cats can also develop new dietary preferences. So there are a few things to consider if you want to help your elderly cat live its best life.

Key points

• Many dogs experience sudden bursts of energy called zoomies. 
• While zoomies can seem fun and harmless at first, you need to take steps to help your dog be calmer and more composed if they occur too frequently.
• Since a lack of exercise often causes zoomies, taking your dog on long walks is the best way to help it get rid of excess energy. 

We all adore it when our doggies jump around us, all excited and happy. But what if they get overly excited and start acting abnormally by chewing on furniture, breaking things in your home, or loudly and aggressively barking at everybody? When things get out of control, it’s essential to know how to calm down your dog quickly and effectively. TIn this article, we will give you some tips on dealing with an overexcited puppy or dog. 

Key points

• Dogs can become underweight for various reasons, including excessive exercise, parasite infestations, various health issues, and poor-quality food. 
• It’s essential to bring your underweight dog to a vet for a thorough examination and health assessment. The professional will develop a diet and exercise plan that will help your dog fatten up. 
• When trying to help your dog gain weight, it’s crucial to increase the number of meals the pet eats every day, choose nutrient-dense, high-quality pet food, provide the pet with plenty of exercise for building muscle, and make it comfortable in your home both physically and psychologically.

Being too thin is not a common issue for dogs, and it’s rather hard to find good information about canine malnutrition. If you have ever wondered if your dog looks too skinny, how many calories your pet needs to eat, and how you can help the pet gain weight, this article is for you!