A flea infestation can be extremely frustrating. Fleas are difficult to get rid of and their bites can cause allergies. Additionally, using chemicals to get rid of fleas may cause problems for humans and pets. As a result, most switch to natural remedies, as they are safe and effective. Herbal spray Pest control services use chemical sprays to kill fleas that can be risky for humans and pets. You can instead prepare a herbal spray that is safe and effective. Some lemon juice can be boiled to create a spray solution. Moreover, witch hazel can be added to the spray to increase its effectiveness. This spray should be used all over your home since fleas can hide in corners, especially in your pet’s bedding. This spray smells nice and doesn’t have any side effects. Citronella oil Citronella oil can be mixed with tea tree and lemongrass oil to create a solution. Citronella is known to destroy fleas. This solution can be used to clean the entire house with the help of a mop. If this is done frequently, it can help get rid of fleas completely. Diatomaceous earth Diatoms are a type of algae. The microscopic remains of the algae are called diatomaceous earth. While one is a commercial-grade alga, the other food grade. If you want to use it at home to get rid of fleas, you should use the food-grade one to avoid side effects. The powder should be sprinkled in all areas where fleas could be hiding. The powder kills fleas and their eggs as well. Dish soap In a plate, add dish soap and place a candle in the center. Leave this in the room that is infested with fleas. The fleas would get attracted to the candle and fall into the soapy solution and die.

Common dog allergies and their treatments You will find that dogs suffer from different kinds of allergies, like food allergies, skin allergies and even allergies from environmental allergens. What is more challenging when it comes to dog allergy is that symptoms are of various types, and they often overlap. Herein, we discuss the various allergies that dogs suffer from and the appropriate natural treatment options. Types of dog allergies Dog allergies can be of various types, prime among them are Skin allergy It is a common type of dog allergy wherein the allergen is a flea bite or food substance. Insect bite allergy can be an exaggerated response to stings or bites of specific insects such as spiders, ticks, fleas, deer flies, blackflies, horseflies, ants, bees, mosquitoes, wasps, and bees. Flea saliva is unarguably the most common allergen that triggers flea allergy dermatitis. Inhalant allergy The main inhalant allergens include tree pollen, grass pollen, molds, house dust mites, mildew, and weed pollens. Symptoms may include bronchitis in dogs but it usually manifests as itchy skin, the condition is known as inhalant allergic dermatitis. While symptoms can be controlled, a permanent cure is not possible. You can conduct skin tests to identify the allergens and try to protect your pet from getting exposed. But since most allergens are environmental, the allergy is likely to come back. Bathing your dog with hypoallergenic shampoo may soothe the itchy and inflamed skin. Bathing will also rinse out allergens on its coat. Food allergy This can occur as a reaction to any protein or carb in their food, more often in response to dairy foods, wheat gluten, beef, chicken eggs, lamb, chicken, and soy. This type of allergy will not respond well to medical treatment or corticosteroids. You must identify the responsible allergen and eliminate it.

All you need to know about food allergies in dogs If you observe your dog constantly itching or shaking their head vigorously as if to dislodge something, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, it is not easy to confirm a food allergy, but a visit to the vet can help rule out any other causes of your dog’s behavior. While most of the cases of dog allergies are a direct result of an adverse reaction to an ingredient, a latent allergy can be triggered by environmental factors too. Keep in mind that food allergies are different from food intolerance. What is a food allergy in dogs? These happen when your pet’s immune system overreacts to the proteins present in the food. You may think that meat alone supplies proteins to your dog, but there are many grains and vegetables which are equally good sources of proteins. Any of these proteins are capable of causing a food allergy. What are the signs of a food allergy? The most common signs of food allergies in dogs are a gastrointestinal disorder, itching, chronic diarrhea, ear inflammation, and licking their feet. What are the most common allergens found in dog food which can trigger a reaction? Beef: When you have been feeding one type of food for years to your dog, it can cause intolerance to it or an allergic reaction to its ingredients. Beef is perhaps the most common component of any kind of pet food and thus, also the most common allergen. Dairy products : Dogs may have problems digesting lactose and this is usually intolerance and not so much an allergy per se. It can result in diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. Wheat: Dogs are more likely to develop an allergy to meat rather than whole grains. But, there are always exceptions to this and wheat may be a trigger too.

Here are the top 6 food allergies in cats and dogs Food allergies are exceedingly common among cats and dogs. However, more often than not, the symptoms of a food allergy can go unnoticed by the pet’s parents. If you notice your pet is scratching incessantly or is frequently suffering from problems related to the digestive system, there is a high likelihood that your feline or canine companion is experiencing food allergy. This type of allergy occurs when the immune system of the cat or dog reacts negatively to a particular ingredient in the food. Pet parents should always be on the lookout for food allergy signs and symptoms. In case of a suspicion of a food allergy, a visit to the vet is highly recommended. The vet will then conduct a series of tests including physical examination and blood work. Once done, the vet will conduct an elimination diet trial to determine the food allergen responsible for the troubling symptoms. The elimination diet trial may last for weeks to determine the food allergen that is causing the reactions in the immune system and leading to the development of food allergy. Once the source of the food allergy has been diagnosed, you may have to make required modifications in your pet’s diet and buy cat or dog food that does not have the food allergen. Symptoms of food allergies in cats and dogs You should seek expert advice as soon as you notice the listed symptoms in your pet. Gastrointestinal signs like flatulence, vomiting, or diarrhea Dermatological signs like hair loss and skin redness, itchiness, inflammation, and rashes Chronic ear or foot problems Weight loss Respiratory system issues like coughing, wheezing, sneezing Behavioral problems like scratching and biting fur, restlessness, and frequent shaking Here’s a list of the most commonly reported food allergies in cats and dogs that can cause the aforementioned signs and symptoms in your pet.

Allergies can be concerning, and even possibly life threatening for your dog. It could even drastically lessen the quality of life of your dog. So, it is important for you to be aware of the possible allergies that your dog could suffer from. This article talks about the most common allergies that could affect your dog: Flea allergy dermatitis: A pretty common allergy amongst dogs, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) occurs when the saliva in the flea bites cause an allergic reaction. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, FAD is the commonest dermatological disease in domestic dogs in the country. FAD is rampant during warm weather, such as the summer months. The reactions occur when the fleas bite, injecting saliva into the host, which contains compounds similar to amino acids, polypeptides, enzymes, and histamine. FAD can affect the entire body. One of the most natural remedies for FAD is medicated shampoo baths and a flea medication collar to prevent them from coming back. Seasonal allergies: Dogs can also suffer from seasonal allergies as well, the signs of which include sneezing, red, puffy eyes, loss of hair, itching, and irritated skin with hives and rashes. Usually, there is no natural treatment for seasonal allergies. The dog needs to be taken to the vet who will prescribe antihistamines and OTC medications, such as benadryl, for your pet pooch. Human food allergies: Human food allergies are quite common in dogs, with almost 10% of all dog allergy cases being food-related. Allergies occur when the dog’s body wrongly identifies a certain food as harmful, and produces antibodies that lead to a variety of potentially dangerous symptoms. Symptoms could be anything from nausea, vomiting, and itching to gastrointestinal issues, ear inflammation, and diarrhea. Dogs can be allergic to various foods including dairy, soy, wheat, fish, chicken, beef, pork, and more.

Is your pet pooch scratching and itching itself? Does it have a poor coat quality and does it suffer from frequent ear infections? What you’re feeding your beloved dog could be adding to its distress if you don’t know what he or she is allergic to. Today, food allergies are a rising common concern among dog owners, with more and more dogs seeming to suffer from them. Here’s all you need to know about dog food allergies: Common triggers Sometimes, allergies are a genetic problem, and when they are triggered, it is because the dog is exposed to the allergen in some or the other way. Some of the common allergens include fish, rabbit, pork, soy, lamb, chicken, egg, wheat, dairy, and beef. Usually, dogs are allergic to more than one of the above. Allergies are caused due to multiple factors, including genetic predisposition, environment, whatever the immune system is exposed to when the dog is a puppy. Dog breeds and allergies There are certain breeds that are more prone to food allergies. However, it also differs from country to country, or even different regions in the same country. According to research, breeds that are more commonly affected are Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, German Shepherds, and Retrievers. Diagnosing food allergies The only method to diagnose food allergies in dogs accurately is via an elimination challenge and diet. The dog needs to be taken off of all the food it was eating and needs to be put on a diet it has never had before. Once the dog’s health improves, begin reintroducing the old foods which could have caused the allergies earlier. If the dog suffers from a reaction, then you will know that it has a food allergy. Other specific testing methods include testing a discharge sample from the ears or skin testing. Treating dogs with food allergies Changing food habits via the elimination diet is one way to get rid of a dog’s food allergies.

Pets are sensitive to different allergies. Two types of allergies are common in pets – environment allergy and food allergy. Food allergies in pets are least common but it prevails in almost 10% of US households. The reasons for the allergies include- low immunity, bowel syndrome, genetic issues, allergen contents, among others. Symptoms of top food allergies in cats and dogs include licking of paws, chronic itching, diarrhea, bad gut, puking bile, rashes on the body, chronic gas, bad breath, blood in gums, and bumps all over the body. The root cause for food allergies to occur in pets is the unhealthy diet. How to test for food allergy? There is no proper test that holds perfect for your four-legged friends. There are blood and saliva tests but as of 2019, there are not enough studies to back it up. The best way is to test certain food items on your pets. If one of the foods is allergic it will reflect massively on their body. You can wait for three to four days based on the condition. If it the condition persists, you need to consult the vet immediately. Some pets are born with epi, liver malfunction, kidney issues, and heart problems which make the pet owners switch to a better diet that is good for their health and at the same time not allergic. This happens when a sudden switch of protein has happened. Reasons for the occurrence of food allergies in dogs and cats Unable to digest a certain protein Having a bad immunity due to which the body looks at protein as a harmful substance Ingredients like corn, soy, legumes being present in dry food Having processed foods every day due to which there’s loss of immunity Not having the protein based on body mass Pet owners not helping animals to strengthen their gut Associated food that causes food allergies in dogs and cats Chicken, beef, dairy, fish, and eggs Exposure to stale food Presence of plant-based like peas, legumes, and potato Gluten allergies like wheat, oats, and certain types of grains Kibble that is high in coloring and red meat Solutions to top food allergies in cats and dogs It is advised to contact a nutritionist for finding out top allergies in your dogs and cats.

Being a pet owner comes with a few responsibilities, especially if your dog or cat begins to have fleas. Flea infestation can be a constant worrisome issue to deal with. Fleas are parasites that suck on the blood of the host (dog or cat). As a result, the infestation can be a problem in one’s home, causing bite marks, which could eventually lead to sore wounds, allergies, and diseases. If one notices the infestation of fleas in their house or on their property, they must learn how to get rid of them. Luckily, there are a bunch of home-based remedies that can help you deal with fleas.  Some of the remedies to help get rid of fleas: This home-based remedy is great as it creates a trap for fleas with dish soap and water. All you would need to do is fill a bowl or dish with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Then, place this mixture in the room with the most flea infestation. This mixture acts as a glue and traps the fleas as it has high viscosity. Repeat this method a few times with a fresh solution every night. It is best to use this home remedy at night as fleas are nocturnal and are most active at nighttime. This remedy works more effectively if one keeps a candle near the mixture, as insects get attracted to light.  If you continue to struggle with the infestation of fleas, you should also consider vacuuming your house regularly. This is a great way to help you get rid of fleas from furniture, carpets, and your pet’s bedding. You can boost this process by sprinkling baking soda around the affected areas before you vacuum the place. One should sprinkle baking soda on furniture and carpets as well. This then needs to be rubbed into the fabric with a hard brush.

Be it cats or dogs, pet owners love to treat their pets with treats. If you are a cat owner, you would love to treat your cats for various reasons to showcase your love and appreciation to them. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of health problems of your feline friend, which include a shortened lifespan, obesity, and other conditions. Overeating can also cause harmful effects on the cat’s health. Here are some tips on using food for showing love towards your feline pet without spoiling or harming them: Mix foods If your cat is refusing to eat something new (read: healthy), but still enjoys its old food, then try to mix the two foods for a few days. This will trick it into eating the new healthy food by masking it with the old food that it already likes. This is a good way to transition cats on to a new diet every time you make changes to their diet. Use chicken broth Chicken broth for cats is like tomato ketchup for humans – it makes everything taste better. If your cat is being particularly persnickety about its food, you could add some low-sodium chicken broth in its food for lending it some zing. Hopefully, that will prod your pet cat to eat the new food you put out in their bowl. Cut the scraps In some cases, your cat’s reluctance to eat its food, old or new, could be your fault, especially if it is used to being fed table scraps from your dinner table. In such cases, its palate is likely to prefer food with a little more flavor than what you’re putting out for it. So, you need to stop feeding your cat leftovers from the table. Cut back on the treats Your cat might not be eating its new food because it thinks that it’ll just get its fill of treats across the day.