It’s essential to be familiar with the typical signs and symptoms of pet toxicity if you have a pet at home. It will allow you to take the right actions in the hour of need. The symptoms of toxicity in dogs or cats vary tremendously depending on the type of toxic substance they have been exposed to. But before discussing the symptoms of pet toxicity, let’s look at some signs that you need to watch out for. Visible signs of toxicity As mentioned before, pet toxicity can manifest in a variety of ways. Overall, if you think your pet has been exposed to a toxic substance, you must look out for these visible signs: vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, blood in the stool, lethargy, loss of appetite, bruising, nosebleeds, and inability to urinate. If your pet is suffering from one or more of these problems, you must contact the vet immediately. Irregular heartbeats Beyond the more noticeable signals, there are other severe long-term problems associated with pet toxicity. One of them is irregular heartbeats. If your pet comes into contact with a toxic plant or ingests some medications, they may develop an abnormal heart rhythm and cardiac symptoms. Some plants that can be toxic to your pet include oleander, mountain laurel, jimson weed, milkweed, and kalanchoe.

If you’ve just adopted a new dog, it might be surprising to learn that just like us, they are allergic to certain foods. In fact, food allergies are common health problems in dogs. The tricky part is diagnosing them because sometimes food allergies can cause the same symptoms as environmental allergies in dogs. Identifying them is crucial to give proper treatment to the dog. Herein, we discuss the common signs that can help determine if your dog is suffering from food allergies. Itchy Skin Itchy skin, also known as allergic dermatitis, is one of the most prevalent symptoms of food allergies in dogs. It can happen in any part of the dog’s body and can make them feel irritated. Typically, itchy skin occurs in and around ears, paws, rear end, and stomach. So, if you notice your dog persistently scratching in one or more of these body parts, it may be a sign that they are allergic to foods you’re feeding them. Hives They appear as itchy red bumps on the dog’s body within 24 hours of having eaten allergic foods. They are easily visible if your dog has short hair. But if your dog has long hair, you have to thoroughly check for bumps.

Just like in humans, diet plays a crucial role in managing diabetes in cats. With the right diet, medication, and exercise, cats that are newly diagnosed with diabetes can achieve diabetic remission. Following a specific diet can help lower your cat’s weight and keep diabetes in check. Now that you understand the importance of diet, here are some feeding tips for cats with diabetes that you, as pet owners, must know. Give your cat the right food Providing your cat with the necessary nutrients is the most important feeding tip for cats with diabetes. Cats are carnivores animals and are designed to consume foods that are loaded with proteins, moderate amounts of fats, and negligible amounts of carbohydrates. The reason cats must not be given carbohydrate-rich foods is that it can cause a sudden increase in their blood sugar level, which is the exact opposite of what you want. Doctors suggest that cats must receive 50 percent or more calories from animal-based protein, 20 to 45 percent of calories from fats, and only 1 to 2 percent of calories from carbohydrates. Also, the food that you feed your cats must be rich in water, approximately 70 percent by weight. Canned food is your best option Now that you know the ideal composition of cat’s food, the only place where you can find this perfect blend of nutrients is in canned foods, also referred to as wet food.

There are specific foods that are known to cause migraines. Most people who get migraine attacks are familiar with headache-triggering foods like cheese, chocolate, and red wine. But other little-known foods can trigger a throbbing migraine headache as well. You must know that the domain of migraine-triggering foods is not fully explored yet, so some foods mentioned here can be surprising to many people. Here’s a list of such foods that migraines patients must avoid. Dried fruits Dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, and apricots contain amines, a chemical compound that dilates blood vessels and can induce a headache. Moreover, these fruits also contain sulfites, a type of preservative that can cause headaches among some migraine patients. Dried fruits contain some sulfites naturally, so consuming even fresh and organic versions can trigger a migraine in some people. Nuts Some doctors recommend migraine patients to eat nuts because they contain large amounts of magnesium, a mineral essential to prevent migraine attacks. But, in some cases, nuts such as almonds and peanuts can trigger headaches. Doctors say that the headache can be because of the tyramine content in nuts and nut butter. Making a note of the type of nuts you’ve eaten before a migraine starts, can help you identify which ones are safe for you.

Feeding your kids healthy snacks is very important for their growth, both mental and physical. But most snacks in the supermarket today are empty of calories. You can instead give your kids a variety of homemade snacks that are not only healthy, but delicious too, so they can’t get enough of them. Here we have listed the recipes of some healthy snacks that your kids, and maybe adults too, will fall in love with. Oatmeal peanut butter energy balls These are bite-size, energy-rich, grab-and-go healthy snacks for your kids. These oatmeal balls are packed with whole grain oats, both rolled oats and steel-cut oats, flaxseed, and honey. Steel-cut oats add more crunch and are full of proteins and fiber. Flax seeds provide abundant omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein, and peanut butter is full of proteins too. You can substitute peanut butter for sunflower butter if your kids are allergic to peanuts. Ingredients Rolled oats – 1 cup Steel-cut oats – 1 cup Peanut butter – 1 cup Flaxseed – 1 cup Honey or maple syrup – ¾ cup Optional ingredients – ⅔ cup chocolate chips; ½ cup shredded coconut Preparation Put all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix them well.

Arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the blood is called gout. Too much uric acid can cause fluid buildup in and around the joints, and lead to the formation of uric acid crystals. Medications combined with diet is a very effective way of managing gout. Eating certain kinds of foods and snacks can lower the production of uric acid and reduce the risk of another gout attack. Here are some safe snack options for people with gout. Refined Carbohydrates White bread, pasta, and noodles are extremely safe snack options for gout patients because they are low in purine. This compound breaks down in the body to produce uric acid. Some popular sources of refined carbohydrates include white bread, pasta, noodles, pizza dough, and white rice. However, you must be careful while eating refined carbohydrates since too much consumption can raise the risk of developing diabetes and heart conditions. Although whole-grain bread is healthier than refined carbohydrates, they must be taken only from time to time owing to the high purine content. Nuts Almonds, walnuts, pistachio, etc. are the best on-the-go snacks that are safe for people suffering from gout. They are great replacements for meats as a source of protein and do not contain high levels of purine like meats.

Living with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) can get frustrating, especially during mealtimes. You must avoid trigger foods to prevent an episode of cramps, bloating, gas, and constipation or diarrhea. Having said that, making certain dietary changes to include the right foods while leaving out the harmful ones can make a tremendous difference in reducing the frequency of IBS flare-ups. Here are some beneficial foods to eat if you have IBS: Cooked foods Unlike raw vegetables, cooked ones are easily digestible, so you can eat all cooked vegetables, except cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts as these might cause bloating and gas. Having said this, all foods do not affect everyone the same way, so you can also try including these vegetables in your diet to understand whether they aggravate any symptoms. Lean meat Lean meats are loaded with proteins and are easily digestible, and they also do not produce gas. You can opt for white meat chicken, white meat turkey, pork, and lean cut of beef (sirloin, top round, eye round, bottom round), but you should avoid fatty cuts as they contain pro-inflammatory fats and unhealthy toxins. Certain grains Some grains like gluten-free oatmeal and brown rice are beneficial foods to eat if you have IBS as they do not aggravate the symptoms of this condition.

A human body needs some amount of cholesterol to work properly. However, the build-up of too much bad or LDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. This is because LDL cholesterol, in high levels, sticks to the artery walls and develops plaque, resulting in clogged blood vessels. Following a heart-healthy diet plan specifically designed to lower the bad cholesterol level is essential to manage cholesterol. Accordingly, here are five effective dietary tips for patients with high cholesterol levels. Eat lots of soluble fiber Consuming more foods that are rich in soluble fiber is a useful dietary tip as these food items prevent the digestive tract from absorbing too much cholesterol. Foods rich in soluble fiber include whole-grains cereals such as oatmeals and oat bran, fruits like bananas, prunes, pears, apples, oranges, and legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, lima beans, and black-eyed peas. For maximum cholesterol-lowering effects, doctors recommend creating a diet plan that includes at least 5-10 grams of soluble fiber. Pick healthier fats Saturated fats and trans fats are two fat types that are known to raise cholesterol levels. The former is found in dairy products, baked goods, some meats, processed foods, and deep-fried foods. Whereas, all foods prepared with hydrogenated oils, like french fries, crackers, and stick margarine, contain trans fats.

Diabetes doubles the risk of developing heart disease. Your doctor might tell you that eating smart is probably the most efficient way of managing diabetes. You must know that no two people with diabetes respond in the same way, so there are no universal dietary tips for diabetes patients. These healthy eating tips seem to have managed blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure for many people with diabetes. So, here are the top six dietary tips for diabetes patients. Eat high fiber carbs Carbs affect your blood glucose levels immensely more than fats and proteins, so it’s important to include the right kind of carbs in your diet. Experts recommend eating high-fiber complex carbs, as they digest slowly, and prevent your body from producing excess insulin. Some healthy sources of these carbs include whole grains like brown rice, buckwheat, and whole oats, fruits, vegetables, pulses such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils. Replace red and processed meat People who cut down on carbs tend to eat more meat. But experts suggest to strictly limit the consumption of red and processed meat, like beef, lamb, sausages, bacon, and ham, since they are linked with heart conditions and cancers. You can replace red and processed meat intake with fish rich in omega-3s, eggs, unsalted nuts, chicken, and turkey.

Ulcerative colitis is an aggressive disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Along with advised medical treatments, one needs to follow a balanced diet to combat this chronic disease. You might know which foods can make the condition worse. But figuring out what to eat is just as important. The right foods will provide your body with essential nutrients without aggravating the condition. Recommended by experts, the following food items will help soothe the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Fruits Fruits such as bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melons, grapes, and oranges are easily digestible and highly nutritious. During a flare-up, these fruits can be a source of vitamins and minerals, and can also keep you hydrated. Moreover, fruits satisfy your sweet tooth, and you can consume them anytime you like. Salmon Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and it is found that eating salmon can reduce inflammation if the severity of ulcerative colitis is mild. Salmon is also a good source of protein, which is a great choice for people who are lactose intolerant, and those who want to add more protein to their diet. Turmeric Turmeric is one of the best foods to soothe ulcerative colitis flare-up. It contains curcumin, which is known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties and is often used to treat different types of ailment.