Cats have a mind of their own. You know it. We know it. They know it. They do what feels right to them but at the same time, most pet parents are aware that this freedom may well be dangerous. One of the biggest responsibilities of a pet owner, whether it is a cat or a dog, is to always be alert of what they are eating, like feeding them vet recommended salmon cat food, Friskies Indoor Delights and hairball treats. There are a lot of plants and food items that are particularly poisonous to cats. To ensure you don’t let them come in the vicinity of those flora, here are some plants that are poisonous to your feline companions: Mistletoe Think twice before choosing your Christmas decorations this year! If a cat ends up eating or getting exposed to a mistletoe plant, it could lead to serious symptoms like lowering of heart rate and temperature, difficulty in breathing, seizures, or even death. Hydrangea The plant of a hydrangea contains toxins called cyanogenic glycosides in the leaves and flowers, which is similar to cyanide and attacks the respiratory mechanism, which could further lead to a lack of oxygen and even death.

Most of us prefer the holistic approach of treatment, and essential oils are an effective way to do that. But did you know that many veterinarians recommend it for pets too? Organic essential oils are extracted from the bark, flowers, stems, and even roots of plants and are packed with the goodness of those plants. Pet-friendly essential oils can relieve anxiety and skin infections, but you must choose the right natural oils to make the most of their therapeutic benefits. Chamomile oil – Matricaria chamomilla/Chamaemelum nobile German or Roman chamomile oil is known for its soothing and calming effects during emotional distress and nervousness and induces quality sleep in pets. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, takes care of skin health, and soothes an upset stomach. Lavender oil – Lavandula angustifolia Most of us have lavender oil readily available at home, and many pet owners also use this therapeutic oil on their furry friends. It’s known to manage anxiety and stress among pets, and many groomers often use lavender oil to calm nervous pets. And that’s not all! It helps keep fleas and ticks at bay and also soothes irritable skin. Frankincense oil – Boswellia carterii This oil has made it to the history of therapies for humans and has proven its benefits for pets too.

Dog owners might like to take their fur buddies on vacations. But not all hotels are pet-friendly. While you might be welcomed everywhere, your dog might be stopped at the door. This is definitely not a great way to begin a trip. It’s best to check for hotels that allow dogs and make their stay comfortable too. Don’t worry; we’ve made the job easy for you. Here are five pet-friendly hotels in America that welcome your dogs with open doors. Dog Bark Park Inn B&B If you like off-beat bread and breakfast inns and you have a dog, give this one a go. It’s so pet-friendly, it even looks like a dog! Yes, you read it right. This one-unit inn is shaped like a giant beagle. If you think of it, it’s like staying in a big doghouse. It has books, games, and puzzles that are dog-themed. It’s located in rural Cottonwood, Idaho, so your dog can enjoy the view of mountains. Also, with a green expanse all around, there’s plenty of space to play fetch! Kimpton Hotels This chain of hotels really cares about pets. They not only invite pets of all sizes and breeds but also have rooms that are super pet-friendly.

Fleas and ticks are the worst fears of every pet parent. Not only are they dangerous for your four-legged friend, but also can pose a serious health risk to you as well. There are products in the market that can help you protect your pet from pesky fleas and ticks. However, resort to them only on a vet’s recommendation as they can be harsh on your pet. Instead, try some of these preventive natural remedies for fleas and ticks. Rosemary Flea sprays include chemicals that can have side effects on your pets. Instead, boil 2 cups of rosemary in water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and add a gallon of warm water and wait until the water is lukewarm and comfortable for your pet. Pour it over your pet and let it dry naturally. Shampoo Shampoos specifically made to get rid of fleas and ticks are effective and an affordable solution for your pets. However, they still contain chemicals and are not 100% organic and natural. Also, bathing your pet is not easy, especially if they are averse to water. However, if you insist on using shampoo, you can opt for DIY shampoos. There are numerous pet shampoo recipes on the internet and you can choose the one that is most effective for your pet and as per the ingredients you have.

Ever found your cat purring around your legs begging for scraps when you’re sitting at the dinner table? You may feed it a tiny piece of cheese, but it could be harmful to the wellbeing of your feline. In fact, any food not specifically designed for cats can put their digestive system in a whirl. Here is a list of foods a cat should not be fed. Garlic and Onions Onions, garlic, shallots, chives, or other foods that contain thiosulphate should not be fed to cats. They can cause serious health problems that can even prove fatal. Eating a large quantity of garlic or given a handful each day can deplete a cat’s red blood cell count, resulting in anemia. Dairy You may have come across pictures of cats drinking milk from a saucer. However, a cat’s body is not equipped to digest any kind of dairy, including milk, cheese, cream, and eggs. Most cats are lactose intolerant, which means feeding them any kind of dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Chocolate You may find chocolate delicious, but this cocoa-based product contains two ingredients highly toxic for cats: theobromine and caffeine. Both milk and dark chocolate are potentially dangerous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased body temperatures, rapid breathing or heart rate, and seizures.

Just as we humans suffer from allergies, our pets also go through the same ordeal. At such times, they can’t tell us what’s bothering them, and we feel completely helpless. The food allergy signs that you must look out for in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, inflamed skin, ear problems, flatulence, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. In some breeds, the growth of puppies may also be affected due to food allergies. Let’s find out what causes food allergy in our four-legged friends. Food intolerance Different breeds may suffer from different food allergies or intolerance, and their causes may vary too. And in many cases, dogs develop food allergies months or years after they’re exposed to allergic foods. The common ingredient that dogs are allergic to is protein. So protein from beef, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, and rabbit can pose a problem for your pooch. Grains Dog food is usually packed with grains, and so are some flavored medications. Most dogs show immediate symptoms from grain allergy, while some develop the allergy over years of ingestion. The grains found in dog food include wheat, soy, barley, rye, corn, millet, quinoa, and many more. There are grain-free dog foods easily available for your pets.

We love bestowing our cats with treats when they’re good. It’s a known habit among cat parents. However, sometimes we are guilty of giving them unhealthy treats. The artificially sweetened ones can be bad for your cat’s health. As an alternative, why not try making healthy treats at home? This will also let you track your cat’s diet as you know what you’re feeding it. Check out these healthy DIY cat treats that are fun and delicious. Tuna bites These DIY tuna bites are easy to make and are super tasty. Your cat will love them. Take a food processor and combine canned tuna, coconut flour, egg, olive oil, and dried catnip. Add only a little water to get a smooth, but not runny consistency. Then, take bits of dough and pinch them into croutons. Bake these for 15 minutes. Let it cool down and voila! Your healthy cat treats are ready. Also, if you want thicker dough, substitute coconut flour with wheat flour. Sardine cookies These cookies are healthy and will make your cat purr for more. To prepare these, take around seven ounces of sardines and mash them up. Mix in milk and wheat germ. After it turns into a dough, roll it out and use a tiny fish-shaped cookie cutter to make the treats.

A dog is truly man’s best friend. And when it comes to food, we just love it when we can share our food with our little doggos. But it can be tricky sometimes to figure out what food is okay for them and what isn’t. There are some foods that can have some toxic side effects on their bodies, and some may even be fatal to them. We have made a list of human foods that are completely safe for dogs so for you to come back to whenever in doubt. Peanut Butter That’s right! This delicious treat is completely safe for your dogs so you can both enjoy it with delight. It contains a good amount of vitamins, which are very good for the health of dogs but please make sure that you pick a variety which is completely sugar-free with no sodium, low fat, and has absolutely no Xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs. Apples An apple a day apparently keeps a doctor away from dogs too! Apples are a good source of fiber for dogs and can help in maintaining dental hygiene and clean breath. Apples dipped in peanut butter is a combination that we highly suggest trying as a treat for your furry friend.

Savings is a beneficial financial resource that offers much-needed assistance on a rainy day. Regardless of your age, be it your 20s or your 60s, it’s essential to have a savings account that will have your back during a financial crisis or an emergency. Only after you start building a foundation will you learn techniques to maximize and optimally use your savings. To help you secure your future here are some tips for optimizing a savings account. Keep aside money for yourself first When your paycheck is credited, pay yourself first. Dedicate an amount to your savings account every month before you make any other expenditure. To ensure that you do not miss, You can set an automated transfer from your salary account to your savings account at the start of every month. This is far better than waiting until the end of the month after you’ve spent most of your salary. The more you add to a savings account without using it, the more interest you will earn. Emergency fund Access to immediate cash in addition to a savings account can come handy in an emergency situation. No matter how distant or unexpected an emergency may seem, having immediate access to cash on a rainy-day will be very useful, especially in a time-sensitive matter.

Credit scores are deciding factors for approval of utility services or mortgages. They also influence the amount of interest you pay on an approved loan, so achieving and maintaining a good credit score is a must. It’s not as difficult as you think. With a few steps in the right direction, you can ace credit management. So, if you’re struggling with a bad credit score, here are some tips to improve it: Make small payments regularly Pay the bills regularly in the form of micropayments. This can improve bad credit scores as it keeps the credit card balance down. Making multiple payments in a month works on a credit factor known as credit utilization. The lower the credit you utilize, the better your credit score. Also, issuers report your balance to credit bureaus every month, so paying your bills regularly cuts down the risk of a big balance being reported. Increase your credit limit Credit limit is the usage limit set by the creditor on your card. If it’s difficult for you to keep up with this set credit limit, increase it. To do so, you must have a good payment history. Creditors also consider your earning potential while determining your credit limit.