What can be more thrilling than taking your pet on a fun road trip? It is all about preparation, everything from packing foods to carrying the right documents. Just keep in mind that you need to put extra effort to make sure your dog or cat is comfortable and safe in any situation. So, regardless of where you’re going on the next road trip, these tips can help you plan the most enjoyable pet-friendly adventure. Take your pet to your vet Before you embark on the long ride with your pet, take a short trip to your vet’s clinic to check if your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and preventive medication for fleas and ticks. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, it’s better to visit your vet at least 30 days before the trip. Most hotels ask for the latest certificate of your pet’s health signed by an accredited veterinarian, so make sure to carry all necessary paperwork with you. Create a dedicated space for them Creating a dedicated spot for your pet inside the car is one of the most useful tips for ensuring a pet-friendly road trip. Having space where they can move around a little makes them feel comfortable and safe.

It’s delightful to watch your cat look wide-eyed, excited, and even slightly drooly as you’re just about to give them their treat. Whether you use treats for training or to reward their good behavior, you know that giving treats is a great opportunity to connect with your cats. And just because it’s a treat, it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Several great brands offer a variety of nutritional treats for cats. Here are our top picks of store-bought cat treat brands that are healthy. FELINE GREENIES™ Dental Treats Depending on the size and breed, the digestive and nutritional requirements differ in each cat. This means some treats with certain ingredients will behave differently in different cats. But If there is one common thing that all cats need, it has to be a healthy set of teeth. Greenies’ Feline Dental Cat Treats is our choice for the best store-bought treat that is particularly healthy for your cat’s teeth. It is packed with the perfect blend of nutrients and vitamins that will give an extra boost to oral health. It also comes in many different flavors for your cat to try. iams™ proactive health hairball care chicken flavor Taking care of your cat’s digestive system is essential if you want to keep them happy and healthy for long.

Everybody is talking about the many benefits of using essential oils these days. Essential oils are good for us humans, but can be quite harmful to our pets, especially cats. We might not directly apply these oils to your cats, but many of us use essential oils with diffusers. Even the fragrance of these oils in the air can be toxic for cats. If you own a cat, here is what you must know before bringing essential oils into your home. What are essential oils? Essential oils are oils extracted from certain plants. These oils are extracted via the distillation process, or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. These oils carry a powerful fragrance, or “essence” of the plant they are extracted from. Some of these oils are obtained through chemical processes today, which we cannot even consider them true essential oils. Essential oils are used for a variety of purposes, some use it for aromatherapies, and others use it for personal care products, flavorings, and herbal remedies. Why are essential oils toxic for cats? As mentioned earlier, essential oils carry the natural fragrance of the plant they are extracted from. This fragrance is strong, and we all know that the olfactory senses of cats are very sensitive.

Fleas and ticks are blood-sucking parasites and the nemesis of every pet owner in the world. While the market is swamped with products that promise to get rid of fleas and ticks, the chemicals in these products can be dangerous for dogs and cats. They can cause skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and in the worst case, can even be fatal. Instead, you can use these natural deterrents for fleas and ticks to relieve your pets of the pests: Use natural oils You can use essential oils as sprays or add them to your favorite pet shampoo to keep fleas and ticks away. Peppermint, lavender, rose geranium, lemongrass, and cedar oil can work well, but they must be diluted before use. Neem oil is another effective natural deterrent for fleas and ticks. You must carry out a patch test before using essential oils, as pets are very sensitive to the strong fragrances. Also, never spray the oil around your pet’s face and don’t soak their coat with it—a little is enough. Add garlic to your dog’s diet Adding crushed garlic to your dog’s food is a great way to prevent flea infestations. Depending on the size of your canine friend, you can feed them half a clove to two cloves of garlic every day.

Indeed, dogs are your furry family members, and you might love to share your food with them. But the food that’s nutritious for us can be extremely dangerous, or even poisonous, for dogs. This is mainly because they have a different rate of metabolism than us humans. It is recommended that you scour the internet for an extensive list of foods that are dangerous for dogs. Herein, we have discussed commonly found in foods in homes, which are toxic to dogs. Products Containing Methylxanthine Methylxanthine is a substance found in cocoa seeds and is used to make chocolate and caffeinated products. If a dog ingests any such food, they may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, panting, muscle tremor, seizure, and even death. Dark chocolates contain high levels of this toxic substance, so they are more harmful than milk chocolates. Certain Herbs and Vegetables Ingredients like onions, garlic, and chives contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and serious damage to the red blood cells. Typically, signs of onion or garlic poisoning do not appear for several days, post-ingestion symptoms include dullness, weakness, and reddish urine. Breeds like Akitas and Shiba Inus are more sensitive to onions and garlic. Products Containing Xylitol Candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, and mouthwash contain Xylitol, a chemical compound that is used as a sweetener.

During the colder months, the best way to keep yourself warm is with a delectable drink. There are many stunning cocktails that you can prepare at home to warm up the chill in your bones. All winter cocktails listed here are easy to make and take only a few minutes to prepare. You can enjoy these with your favorite vodka, rum, or tequila, or even with candy canes as a garnish. From Hot Toddy to Penicillin, here are the most popular winter cocktails to enjoy when the temperature drops. Hot Toddy A Hot Toddy is a classic winter drink that you can have when you’re feeling chilly in the evening. For an exciting variation, you can swap apple cider for the water and caramel for the honey. Ingredients Water (or, apple cider) – ½ cup Bourbon – 1 ½ oz. Honey (or, caramel) – 1 tbsp. Lemon juice – 2 tbsp. Lemon slices Cinnamon sticks Instructions Gently boil water in a teapot or a small saucepan. Mix together bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a mug. Pour over the hot water and stir. Garnish the drink with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks. Winter Margarita Winter Margarita is similar to a traditional margarita, but it contains egg white.