Food allergies cause varying symptoms in dogs. They may cause ear infections, skin health issues, or gastrointestinal trouble, and severe cases can even affect mood. Some pet owners treat their dogs symptomatically without realizing that food is the cause of the problem. Allergies are different from intolerance, as they are immune responses on exposure to an allergen, and following a few simple dietary tips come in handy for managing food allergies in dogs. Consult a vet It’s advisable to visit a vet before concluding that your dog has a food allergy. Misdiagnosing the problem may deprive your dog of proper and timely treatment. Identify the trigger food The easiest and most obvious way to identify a food allergen is to eliminate common foods from your dog’s diet. Even snacks or gelatin capsules that contain vitamins could trigger an allergy. You can switch to a completely different protein source and see if it makes a difference. Then, you can switch the carbohydrate source. When testing a dog’s allergy on an elimination diet, avoid feeding your pet any snacks or food scraps, and sensitize all members of the family to this, as treating your dog will defeat the point of the exercise.

Are you a dog owner looking for high-protein foods for your pet? There are several high-protein dog food brands you can choose from, but all protein foods are not made equally, and all of them are not suitable for your pet. The best-quality protein foods provide your pet with all the essential nutrients for growth, development, and their optimal health. Here are the top high-protein dog food brands and their bestseller products: Blue Buffalo Wilderness This high-protein dog food brand’s Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food and Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food are perfect for your pooch. These meals contain deboned salmon and are rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and complex carbs from vegetables and fruits to provide your pet with balanced nutrition. The salmon is necessary for building and maintaining lean muscles, while healthy carbs like peas and sweet potatoes provide fuel for energy. The fish offers omega-3 fatty acids that can support a healthy coat and skin, and the red meat is free of artificial flavors or preservatives. AvoDerm Original Chicken Meal And Brown Rice This premium food is guaranteed to give your pup an excellent blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.

You adore your furry companions and may want to share everything with them, but did you know that feeding them human food can be harmful to their health? As a pet owner, you must be aware of human foods to avoid feeding your pet. Even if they’re beneficial for you, some foods may not have the same effect on your pet, so keep these foods away from them: Avocados This fruit is very nutritious, but it is harmful to horses, rabbits, donkeys, birds, goats, and sheep. It is known to cause cardiovascular damage, and it can also lead to death in birds in some cases. Rabbits, donkeys, and ruminants may experience swollen head and neck as a result of avocado consumption. Alcoholic beverages Any kind of alcohol or foods with alcoholic content are among the people foods to avoid feeding your pet, as they trigger nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. They also damage the central nervous system and cause breathing trouble and blood acidity, resulting in a coma and subsequent death. Get in touch with your vet right away if your pet has accidentally ingested alcohol. Coffee/chocolate These contain methylxanthines that are present in cacao seeds, which are derived from the plant used for making coffee beans.

If you’re a concerned cat parent, you should monitor what you feed your kitty. This should reflect even while choosing treats for your feline. Some things should not be part of healthy cat foods and treats, while there are some healthy ingredients to look for in cat treats. When choosing healthy treats, you can be sure that these have the perfect blend of vitamins and nutrients to maintain your cat’s health. Ensure that you look beyond the brand names or the packaging and read the label for the following things: Freeze-dried meat Cat treats prepared with freeze-dried and dehydrated venison liver, turkey liver, and wild-caught salmon are excellent for your kitty. Since cats enjoy the taste or flavor of raw fish and meat, these foods are the top choice for cat treats as they have all the essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Raw meat Raw meat contains EFA or arachidonic acid, which is required for energy production and fat mobilization. Cats are “true carnivores” because they rely on nutrients offered by fats and proteins. This EFA is available in raw meat, so you can buy raw, dehydrated, and freeze-dried liver treats in chicken, beef, and lamb flavors. Natural ingredients Domestically-sourced and natural meats like free-range, beef, venison, and lamb are healthy ingredients to look for in jerky cat treats.

Our body needs cholesterol to build vitamins, hormones, and cells, but excess cholesterol can cause several ailments. Cholesterol is naturally produced by the liver, but it is also present in animal-sourced proteins like dairy, poultry, and meat. Excess intake of such fatty foods can elevate blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. That said, studies have shown that a healthy and well-balanced diet, combined with cholesterol lowering medications like repatha, praluent, and lipitor, can help lower cholesterol levels. Here are a few cholesterol-lowering foods to include in your diet if you’re struggling with high cholesterol: Certain vegetable oils Certain vegetable oils like sunflower oil and canola oil are better options for preparing your meals, as they help lower cholesterol levels. Legumes Legumes like beans, lentils, pulses, and peas are great cholesterol-lowering foods that help prevent heart problems or manage any existing heart health issues. This is because legumes contain a good quantity of minerals, proteins, and fiber. Nuts Eating nuts like almonds and peanuts regularly in recommended amounts can lower the Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol levels and boost the High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol levels. Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for managing healthy cholesterol levels.

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects the colon and the rectum, and the symptoms like inflammation and ulcers on the digestive tract develop over time. While the condition cannot be cured, the symptoms can be managed by proper treatment. The innermost lining of the colon is affected by this disease. Although a beneficial diet plan will vary from one patient to another, there are certain basic eating tips for people with ulcerative colitis. Eat small meals Ulcerative colitis patients should eat four to six small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. This aids easy digestion and alleviates the symptoms and the associated discomfort. Preferable cooking technique Preferable cooking techniques for people with this disease are boiling, grilling, or steaming instead of frying. It’s best to avoid deep-fried foods as they can aggravate the symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids In people with this disease, the body needs to be properly hydrated throughout the day. So, one should drink plenty of water and other fluids like fresh fruit juices, soups, and broth. Eat more fruits Fruits like bananas, oranges, and strawberries are beneficial additions to the diet for ulcerative colitis patients. These fruits do not cause gas and boost overall health due to the presence of several necessary vitamins and antioxidants.

The consumption of certain foods can worsen the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or any other issues of the lungs. Some of these foods are loaded with essential nutrients but are unsuitable for people with respiratory conditions, while some others are downright bad for overall health and can also trigger or worsen any existing breathing issues. Cured meats Foods like hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats contain high doses of nitrates, and these preservatives interfere with lung function and trigger breathing problems. Heavy consumption of these meats increases the risk of worsening COPD symptoms significantly. The high salt content and fluid retention can damage the lung tissues and elevate one’s risk of developing chronic breathing issues. Cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables generally make for good dietary choices and provide several health benefits, but vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale, and arugula have high doses of fiber that promote indigestion and bloating due to the high volumes of gas generated. These symptoms cause difficulty breathing and worsen COPD and other respiratory symptoms. Alcohol It’s probably one of the worst things that worsens breathing issues in COPD patients. Sulfated red wine, cocktails loaded with high calories, and beer can cause inflammation of the lungs, and gassy and carbonated beverages can also cause bloating, tightening of the chest, and severe discomfort.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that causes blisters, irritation, and rashes on the skin. The disease is quite common among children younger than 2 years of age, but it also affects older children and adults. It leads to dry and scaly skin, itching, flushes on the skin, and sores. The symptoms and their intensity may differ from one individual to another. Here are some foods to eat to help manage eczema: Fatty fish Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are suitable choices for food for people with eczema, as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties, which help treat the symptoms. The daily meals can be cooked in fish oil too. Additionally, one can approach a doctor and take omega-3 supplements. Quercetin Foods containing quercetin are another good choice for eczema patients, as they have antioxidant and antihistamine properties. Dietary sources of quercetin can reduce the inflammation caused by this skin condition to a large extent, so one should include fruits like cherries and apples and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale in their regular diet. Probiotics Foods that contain probiotics are also good for eczema patients as they boost gut health and assist in reducing allergic reactions or flare-ups associated with the disease.

Proper nutrition is extremely important to maintain mental health and well-being, which is often neglected. Food might be the last thing on the mind of an individual experiencing depression, but certain foods help manage the condition. Eating the right foods in the right quantities can help deal with depressive symptoms like negative thinking on aspects of living and thinking, which steers one toward pessimism. The following are a few foods to help manage depression. Omega-3 fatty acids The regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids is good for people with depression, as these healthy fats help improve brain functioning. Several studies have proved that omega-3 fats can boost mental health and well-being, and one should include foods like fatty fish, nuts, and dark green leafy vegetables to meet the body’s requirements for this nutrient. Flaxseed oil and canola oil are good options to cook the food in, as they also contain omega-3 fatty acids. Protein-rich food Protein-packed foods are good food choices to manage depression. This is because of the presence of an amino acid called tryptophan, which improves mood. Some beneficial protein-rich foods are beans, peas, milk, poultry, yogurt, and soy products. One can include these foods in their meals or snacks to combat depression and boost mental as well as physical health.

COPD refers to a respiratory condition that causes irreversible lung damage. The condition is progressive by nature and cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed by identifying and avoiding the food triggers for COPD and incorporating a few lifestyle changes. Dietary changes are known to alleviate the symptoms, and exercising can help patients breathe better. Here are a few trigger foods to avoid for COPD patients as part of the dietary tips: Fried foods This is, perhaps, the worst food group for people with COPD, as greasy food is difficult to digest and fats take longer to break down, causing bloating. This makes it harder to breathe as the diaphragm hurts due to excess gas produced during digestion. It is also high in calories and causes abdominal fat storage, exerting pressure on the diaphragm. Foods like fresh fries, fried chicken and fish, and jalapeno poppers are among the top food triggers for COPD. Carbonated drinks These are aerated with carbon dioxide, loaded with sugar and empty calories, and cause unwanted weight gain. They also contain artificial preservatives, flavors, and coloring that are harmful to people with COPD. Even sparkling wine or sodas are carbonated beverages that cause dehydration, so it’s best to drink water when thirsty.