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Finding Food Intolerances in Cats

November 1, 2017 by Ashley 4 Comments

This post was made possible by iConnect and Petcurean. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

food intolerances

Finding food intolerances in cats isn’t easy to do because it’svery rare for cats to have food intolerances or allergies. One of our cats has had skin and fur issues for a few years now and the vets always just say it’s stress related itching and hair loss. We have always felt that this wasn’t the case, but we didn’t know what could be causing these issues with our cat.

It’s finally gotten to the point that our cat just seems miserable a lot of the time and I needed to do something about it and did some research. That is how I learned how cats can have food intolerances and that they so rare that many people don’t consider it as an option when treating and caring for cats. I just knew this meant we needed to change up our cat’s diet and see if it makes a difference in his life. That is why I was excited when PetCurean said that they wanted to work with me and provide my cat with a bag of their Go! Fit and Free Grain Free Cat food.

food intolerances

Going Grain Free

Making the decision to go Grain Free wasn’t an easy decision, but with the advice from a specialist we decided this was the best route to go with our problem cat. We now have been feeding our cats this food for two weeks and I can say that my cat is not obsessively licking and scratching his back like he had been doing. The scab that he had on his back from his “hot spot” is already healing and looking better than ever.

I really think we have found a solution for our cat. I am willing to pay a premium price for his food if it means that he is healthier and no longer suffering like he has been. If you think that your cat might be suffering like mine was then Irecommend you trying this cat food with your cats as well.

One other thing I have noticed with our cats is that they are both a lot more regular in the litter box. Neither cat ever struggles to poop and we have not had any issues with throwing up food or hair balls since switching foods. I believe that our cats are feeling ten times better.

food intolerances

Transitioning Your Cats Food

Transitioning your cat off of their old food and onto their new food is a very important step that you will not want to skip. I was thankful for PetCurean’s transitioning tips because I wouldn’t have known the best way to do it to ensure that my cat was healthy and not struggling physically to digest the new food. Transitioning helped my cats stomachs to adjust to their new food without them getting diarrhea or any other stomach issues.

Find the Perfect Food for Your Cats

If you aren’t sure that this food is the perfect food for your cats do you research because PetCurean has a wide variety of different dry and wet food for both cats and dogs.  I bet that you will be able to find the perfect food to find your pets needs without having to try very hard.  One thing that I love about their brand is that they are very transparent.  You will be able to find the information you are looking for without trouble on their website and if for some reason you cannot they offer really good customer service so don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their foods or your pets needs.

Do you think your cats suffer from food intolerances?

If they do then you might want to head over to www.petcurean.com/pawsome where you can find a $5 off coupon and save money on your future purchase by using my coupon code: PS104ZW997

Now for the best part!  I am hosting a giveaway where ONE person will win either a 6lb bag dog kibble or a 4lb bag cat kibble.  Winner’s choice!

Petcurean Giveaway

Filed Under: Featured, Giveaway, Pets Tagged With: Food intolerance, Petfood, Pets

America Loves Pets: Most Popular Pets in Indiana and Illinois

July 18, 2017 by Ashley Leave a Comment

Many Americans, myself included, love their pets and talk about them constantly both online and offline.  That is why I was fascinated by this interactive map of America Loves Pets: The Most Popular Pets By State. It tracks our most talked about animal friends from state to state. Since I see myself as a dual citizen of both Indiana and Illinois, I took the time to look up the most popular pets on social media in both states (even though I currently reside in Indiana).

America Loves Pets!

America Loves Pets

Popular Dogs and Cats in Indiana & Illinois

America Loves Pets: bulldogI will admit that I was a little shocked by what I saw in regards to both dogs and cats for both states.  According to this map Bulldogs at 13.8% of all dogs and Persian cats at 22.8% of all cats are the most talked about on social media in Indiana.  This surprises me because when I think about all of the friends and family that I have in both states, none of them really focus on either of these breeds.  I was also a bit surprised since most of my family and friends are pet owners and no one that I know owns either breed.  In our family we own two short-haired cats (I have only owned short-haired cats) and we own a lab/corgi mix dog as well as a lab/Pyrenees mix dog.  Neither of our cats or dogs come close to the most talked about breeds in the state.

What are the popular breeds in your state?

Popular Small Animals and Reptiles in Indiana & Illinois

America Loves Pets: Ferrets

When it comes to the small animals in these states I am anything, but surprised.  I have seen an affinity to ferrets by many people in the Midwest and have often wondered if it was a regional thing or not. Well according to the interactive map it seems like the answer is a resounding yes! with scores as high as 38% the Ferret is definitely one of the most talked about small pets on social media in the Midwestern states.  I personally love their fun nature and find them to be one of the most interactive small animals that you can have as a pet which might also be a reason for their popularity.  I personally have only owned one small animal in my life and that was a hamster.  I would never own another because mine was mean and he didn’t live very long.  If I get my son a small animal pet I would want it to be a ferret so that he can create a connection with his pet and enjoy plenty of play time!

Do you agree with the most popular small animals for your state?

Popular Reptiles in Indiana & Illinois

America Loves Pets: SnakesWhile I love snakes I was actually a little surprised that they were so much more popular than lizards in both Indiana and Illinois.  I know more people who have pet lizards than they have pet snakes.  I love both equally and one day would love to have both a pet snake and a lizard in my home.  If there was more of a prevalence of finding snakes in the wild I could see why they would be talked about so much more on social media, but this is not the case.  That would go the same way if our states had a high number of lizards in them, but really you don’t find a lot of reptiles in the Midwest.  The most that I have seen and really talked about as far as wild animals goes is frogs, toads, and the occasional gardener snake.  Do you see a correlation with the popular reptile for your state and what reptiles are natural to your area?

Are snakes the most talked about reptile in your state?

Other Popular Animals in Indiana & Illinois

America Loves Pets: BirdsBirds are the other most popular animals talked about on social media in Indiana & Illinois.  I also noticed that almost every other state has birds listed as the other animal that is talked about most.  This isn’t too surprising to me seeing as birds are seen everywhere and most people have pretty strong feelings about birds(though they aren’t always positive feelings).

For instance, I love birds from a distance, but could never have one as a pet because it’s chirping and talking drive me nuts.  I do find them majestic and love going to aviaries to look at all the birds. How do you feel about birds?

What animals do you talk about most on social media?

Share how much America loves pets on social media using the hashtag #AmericaLovesPets!

Filed Under: Featured, Pets

Preventing Heatstroke With Your Pets This Summer

July 2, 2017 by Ashley Leave a Comment

Heatstroke is common in dogs just like it is with young children.  My mantra has to always recommend that people treat their pets like they would treat their children.  I have always said this because I feel it lifts pets up from a lowly platform where many people don’t consider the ramifications of what could happen to their pet because “it’s just a pet” and not a member of the family.

Summer is coming and that means so is the heat (even if it has been unseasonably cool here in the Chicago area) and we need to think about ways to prevent our precious little friends from being affected from the high temperatures.

1. Never leave your pet in your car unattended.

K9 Rescue says that even on a pleasant 75°F day, it will take only 10 minutes to reach 100°F inside the car.

2. If your pets spend most of their time outdoors, make sure they have adequate shelter, not just from the sun but also from the heat.

Set up pools, sprinklers, and shady areas with plenty of water.

3. Avoid high-intensity exercise, as pets can overheat, especially if they are a Brachycephalic (smushy-faced) breed such as pugs or French bulldogs.

Real-life example: Lizzie, a French bulldog, needed emergency care for her heatstroke and came home with a vet bill totaling a little over $2,100.

4. Avoid hot cement to keep your pet’s paws safe.

If the pavement is too hot for your bare hands, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. (This is something many parents consider when allowing children on pavement so why not apply it to their pups as well?)

5. Know the signs of heatstroke.

Get to the vet immediately if you see the following symptoms:

  • Elevated body temperature (103º to 106ºF)
  • Excessive panting, drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Collapse
  • Seizures

Filed Under: Featured, Pets Tagged With: Pets, Summer

Memorial Day: What Can Dogs Eat?

May 26, 2017 by Ashley Leave a Comment

We all love a good holiday and a fun family celebration, but I know that sometimes we forget about our pups.  Many families throw big BBQ’s and don’t consider some of the risks that come with having our pets around during the celebration.  That is why I put together this little list of Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to food that your pups can eat.

Foods that are safe for dogs:

  • Burgers: Hamburger meat makes a great high-value treat if it’s plain. Burgers that are too greasy or cooked with garlic, onions, spices and seasonings are a no-go: your dog can get sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Hot Dogs: If the hot dog’s ingredients are strictly high-quality meats, you’re safe. Toss the buns – they are empty calories.
  • Seafood: Seafood like salmon is usually safe for dogs if it’s cleared of minuscule bones and isn’t cooked in garlic or onions. If it comes in a shell, remove it (clams, oysters, lobsters, etc.).

Foods that will make your dog ill:

  • Pasta salad, potato salad, potato chips: Avoid these foods. While potatoes are common ingredients in dog food, potato and pasta salads are often made with no-no’s like garlic and onions, and potato chips are coated in salt, which isn’t good for dogs.
  • Beer: Dogs just can’t process it.
  • Desserts and ice cream: Canines can be lactose-intolerant, and ice cream is full of sugar. While naturally occurring sugars aren’t bad, the added sugars in pies and cakes can lead to health problems. Same with sugar-free desserts – most artificial sweeteners may cause diarrhea, and sugar substitute xylitol is poisonous to pups!

Please be safe this year! I would hate to hear horror stories about what happens when dogs get food that they shouldn’t have during such an important holiday in this country.  Instead I would love it if you would share a story about your Memorial Day Celebration or a fun picture of your pup.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: dog, dogs, Memorial Day, Pets

Top 5 Tips For New Pet Parents

December 13, 2016 by Ashley 2 Comments

It is that time of year when people are thinking about what to gift their children and in many homes a new pet becomes the big present for the season!  I will admit that in a few years a new pup will be the special Christmas gift that my son will be getting.  I can only hope that he will be as excited about getting a pup as I will be gifting him one that he will be able to help care for.  In the meantime I wanted to share some awesome tips for new pet parents.  These were thoughtfully written by the team who created this awesome little tracking device for pets: Whistle.

Whistle’s Tips for New Pet Parents

  1. Dog-proof your house before you bring your new four-legged family member home. Sixty-six percent of dog owners interviewed by Whistle said they were surprised by something their dog ate. Top casualties included: Walls, underwear, dead things and poop (the top answer). Seal food in plastic containers and put them up high – above the fridge, on the shelf, in the laundry room – anywhere the pooch will definitely not be able to reach. Make sure you have a designated place that’s too high for your pup to reach for your guests to put jackets and purses – remember even the little dogs can jump a few feet high.
new-pet-parents
Images for Whistle

“My dog ate three $100 bills that we had to fish out later, tape to a piece of paper, send to Dept. of Treasury to get refunded $300.” – Anonymous Dog Owner

 

  1. Pay attention to anything new you use on your dog.  New shampoo, flea medicine, or even a new collar can cause unexpected reactions. If you notice any skin rashes, swelling or anything out of the ordinary, you’ll know what the likely culprit could be. The more you know about your pet’s usual habits and products, the easier it will be for your vet to understand the problem. Talking to other dog owners can give you peace of mind and give you context for what’s “normal.” It’s also important to find a veterinarian that you like and feel comfortable calling on a regular basis to ask any questions that arise.

 

“I thought dogs were just a product of evolution, that they didn’t need that much. But he (the dog) caught a parasite from something, and then proceeded to swell up because it turns out he was allergic to the antibiotics that they gave him for the parasite! Now I carry Benadryl for my dog, my dog who has allergies…” – Golden Retriever Owner

 

  1. Be proactive about housetraining. You have to make sure that you’re taking your pup out frequently enough to minimize the chance of an accident in the house. Once a dog starts peeing in the house, it’s harder to break them of the habit. If your dog is sniffing or walking around the house instead of relaxing, it probably means it’s time to take him out for a walk. Make it clear where you want your dog to relieve himself, and always reinforce the same spot to avoid confusion. A regular walk schedule with times that work for both you and your pup is helpful for some dog owners.
new-pet-parents
Images for Whistle

“Buster had all of his accidents when I didn’t take him out after playing. I learned that if he had an accident in the house, it was usually my fault.” – Golden Retriever Owner

 

  1. Note your dog’s triggers early on. Pay attention to the things that draw his attention away from you more than usual. The more you know about your dog’s triggers, the more prepared you’ll be to prevent or react to them. Make sure your dog has his Whistle on, so if he runs after a trigger and can’t find his way back, you’ll know where to look for him.

 

“Molli had an unhealthy obsession with lizards. If she saw one, she took off and there was no stopping her. She really couldn’t see or hear anything else while she was on a lizard pursuit.” – Pomchi Owner

 

  1.  Make sure you lock doors and gates.  Always secure the perimeter in a way that your dog won’t be able to push or pull down on, preferably with a key. Check-in with neighbors to ask if your pup has been up to anything while you’re away. Dogs are capable of finding creative hiding places, turning into professional escape artists and figuring out how to open and close a whole array of doors, cupboards and fences (see Tip 1). A ‘nanny cam’ is a good way to see what your pup does when he’s home alone. Your Whistle GPS Tracker is going to come in handy anytime your dog transforms into his escape artist alter ego.

 

“My dog was always a Houdini… escape artist. One day I got a call from the neighbor asking me, ‘Why is your dog on the roof?’ My dog bit through a screen, crawled out a window and onto the roof.” – Anonymous Dog Owner

Filed Under: Featured, Pets Tagged With: dog, Golden Retriever, Service dog

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