Whether you are attempting to train your cat or you just can’t say no to that face, giving your cat a treat every so often is a normal part of pet ownership. However, if you want to give your cats human foods, as opposed to specially-made cat treats, it is important to understand which foods will be safe and healthy for your cat to consume, and which will be harmful and should be avoided:  Safe foods: 1. Skinless boneless chicken Pieces of chicken breast are a great source of lean protein, are low in sodium and fat, and contain selenium, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. However, it is important to be cautious with these treats. Chicken breast is good for cats in small amounts, but should not be a common meal replacement. Skin, oil, and seasoning can upset your cat’s stomach, chicken bones are a choking hazard, and raw chicken can contain salmonella and e. coli. It is therefore best to only give your cat plain, boiled chicken. Don’t worry if that doesn’t sound like much of a treat—your cat will still love it! 2. Fish Like chicken, fish is a great way to get some extra meat and lean protein into your carnivore’s diet, but it should not be a common meal replacement.

Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals that can use a variety of behaviors to communicate with humans and other creatures. A dog’s ability to understand its environment and those around it is one of the reasons why they make such great companion animals. They use verbal and physical cues to express their needs, feelings, and emotions. Whether your dog is a family pet or a service dog that has an emotional support animal (ESA) online certification, it’s important to understand their communication. The following are common behaviors dogs use to communicate: 1. Growling and barking One of the most common ways dogs communicate is through barking or growling. Barking alerts people or other animals of potential danger, shows excitement and indicates they want something. Growling can be used to express fear or aggression, but can be a way for dogs to explore their environment and stay safe. 2. Chewing personal items Have you ever come home to find your favorite shoes chewed up or a beloved book in tatters? It may be your dog is trying to communicate his displeasure with something. Maybe it’s because they are bored, suffering from separation anxiety, not giving your pooch enough love and attention, or even playing favorites with another pet in the house.

If you are looking to keep fleas and other pests away from your pets then you aren’t alone. Any animal that goes outside is susceptible to a flea infestation or tick bites. For flea control you can always purchase products such as Sentry flea shampoo or Frontline spray, but products like these can get expensive. Here are the 5 best at home remedies for flea and other pest control: 1. Coconut oil Coconut oil is made up of lauric acid, a type of fatty acid that can coat a fleas exoskeleton and  make them become oily. The oil on the exoskeleton quickly suffocates the flea so all that is left to do is rinse your animal and pick any remaining flea bodies out of your animals coat with a flea comb. All you have to do is put some coconut oil on your palm and lightly work it into your dog’s skin. However, you should do this outside as fleas may leap off your pets coat to escape the coconut oil. 2. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a natural pest deterrent and small pests and parasites like fleas and ticks are naturally adverse to it. So while it may not kill fleas, it can definitely deter them since they hate the taste and smell of it.

Your cat is an important member of the family. However, unlike your husband or teenager, your beloved feline isn’t able to verbalize when they are feeling unwell, especially if your cat develops a chronic condition and shows subtle symptoms over time. Cats, as a survival instinct, also tend to hide their illness (as this protects them from predators in the wild). However, certain symptoms that last over time—such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and mobility issues—can indicate an existing health issue and even an emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention enough to prompt an in person or online vet appointment, or a reason to contact your pet insurance provider for more information: 1. Litterbox changes Changes in urination is a common sign that your cat may have an underlying health issue—including a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a problem with their kidney function. Look for and monitor your pet for any changes in urinary frequency and quantity, blood in urine, or urination outside of the litter box (did you recently change litters, try Clorox Fresh Step litter). An emergency arises when cats strain to pee but no urine is released. If this occurs, please bring your cat to a vet immediately.