Author: World Arabia

Key points

• Generally, coughs can be described as either wet or dry. There might be different triggers for different cough types;
• A foreign object stuck in a pet’s throat is one of the most typical causes of coughing in dogs. While in some cases, your dog will be able to clear its throat just by coughing and gagging, in other scenarios, surgical intervention may be needed;
• Other common reasons cough in dogs include pulmonary issues, tracheal collapse, kennel cough infection, and the flu;
• Even though canine cough is often dismissed as something unimportant by pet owners, if your pooch keeps coughing and gagging over a long period of time, you should see a vet;

As a caring pet owner, you probably get worried again and again when you hear that horrible coughing sound coming from your dog at night. In most cases, it is just a regular part of your pet’s everyday life, as it might often cough simply to clear its throat when something is obstructing its airway. However, if your dog doesn’t stop coughing or cough is accompanied by blood, it might signal that the pup is sick.

Key points

• Spirulina is a species of cyanobacteria found in lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. 
• It is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. 
• It’s safe to feed spirulina to your dog as long as you purchase a high-quality supplement. 

Today, more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of wholesome, nutritious, plant-based food. Meat-free and plant-based diets are so popular nowadays that many pet owners are trying to introduce more fruits and veggies into their pets’ diets. Many commercial pet food brands have caught onto the trend and started adding plant-based ingredients to their products or even replacing meat protein in their pet food with protein sourced from grains, lentils, and even insects. Many dog owners also love to add all kinds of superfoods and supplements to their pets’ diets in an attempt to improve their health and make their food even more nutritious. One of these supplements is spirulina. 

Key points

• Canine alopecia is a condition where a dog loses an abnormal amount of hair partially or completely. This condition doesn’t depend on the breed, size, age, or gender of the animal, but some breeds are genetically more predisposed to it;
• The most common causes of hair loss in dogs are allergies, improper function of the endocrine system, and infection;
• The symptoms of alopecia include thinning hair, red and inflamed skin, and constant itching;
• There is no way to eliminate dog hair loss, but you can help the pet shed it healthily by feeding the pet quality food or adding apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and different oils to its diet.

Dog owners put up with cleaning their pets’ hair all the time, which sometimes can be frustrating. Dog hair is responsible for regulating the pet’s body temperature and protecting its body from UV radiation. Shedding is natural for dogs, but it can be difficult to know when to start worrying about your dog’s hair loss since some breeds shed more than others. Conditions such as allergies, hormonal disbalance, and primary hair follicle disorders can cause hair loss. In this article, we’ll take a close look at canine hair loss and discuss what natural remedies you can use to alleviate this unpleasant and messy condition.

Key points

• Onions are very dangerous for dogs because they contain N-propyl disulfide or thiosulfate, which causes a shortage of red blood cells and can lead to anemia and hemolytic anemia. 
• If your dog is experiencing lethargy, red urine, pale or bluish gums, elevated heart rate, loss of appetite, vomiting, and panting, it may indicate that the pet has onion poisoning.
• Garlic, leeks, shallots, scallions, and chives are dangerous to your dog as they contain the same toxic substances as regular onions. Onion and garlic powders can be even more harmful than fresh onions.
• If you saw your dog eat onions or suspect that the pet may have ingested some, take it to the vet as soon as possible. The doctor will run some blood tests and urinalysis to determine how severe the issue is.
• Usually, onion poisoning in dogs is not fatal, but it can cause serious conditions such as anemia, Heinz Body Anemia, and allergies. 

Onions are one of the products you need to keep as far away as possible from your dog. Unfortunately, the fact that they are so widely used in human foods makes them even more dangerous. Ingesting even a little bit of onion can be life-threatening for your dog. 

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.