5 Halloween Pet Safety Tips You Don’t Want To Miss

Keep the candy bowls out of reach! All forms of chocolate, but especially dark chocolate, as well as the artificial sweetener, xylitol, are toxic to pets. This makes almost all candy toxic to animals and therefore should not be given, even in small amounts.

If your pet does ingest candy, here’s what to look for:

• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Coordination Loss
• Dark Spots on their gums

Keep animals in a safe, secure place. Goblins, ghosts, clowns and other strange figures are not just scary to people. Pets can also become frightened and potentially act out aggressively in fear. This is every dog owner’s nightmare, so make sure to play it safe with your pets and keep them comfortable and away from the commotion.

Beware of Halloween decorations that could be a potential hazard to your pets. Pets are naturally curious and when you add new things to their environment they are likely to get themselves into trouble. Dogs and especially cats have been known to be burned by open flames, so make sure to keep them out of their reach.

 

 

 

Don’t make your pet miserable for the sake of a costume. If an animal is not comfortable with something they should not be forced to wear it. This can cause undue stress on an animal which could potentially lead to a dangerous situation. Also, make sure costumes are not too small or have the potential to choke the animal. Costumes are meant to be fun and cute, not uncomfortable or stressful.

Be sure your pet has an identification tag and is wearing it! Many pet owners think their dog or cat would never run away from home, but fear can make animals do strange things. Having an identification tag is a huge safety benefit should your pets escape. If you live in an area that will be experiencing trick or treaters, make sure to keep all windows and doors closed. Added commotion and visitors outside can cause cause them to flee the situation.

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10 Superfoods You and Your Dog Should Be Eating

Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but don’t know where to begin? Today, much of what we are led to believe is “healthy” could not be further from the truth. Clever marketing can often make it hard to see the truth behind the labels. One thing that is clear is that our bodies were not designed to thrive off of processed, man-made foods and it’s evident by the amount of diet related diseases we see today.

The good news is that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. It’s really quite simple, eat more of what gives you life. Nothing beats what fresh fruits and vegetables foods bring to the table nutritionally. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and phytochemicals which help fight disease. 


It’s easy to say that eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your overall health, but did you know that it could benefit your dog just as much? We’ve often thought of dog food and “people food” as being mutually exclusive, but what if they’re really not? Giving your dog some fresh variety in their diet can actually have the same benefits as you would receive, such as: 

• Weight loss

• Reduced the risk of Cancer/Fights Cancer

• Reduced risk of Diabetes

• Reduced blood pressure

• Reduced risk of heart attack

• Aids in digestion

• Improves eyesight

• Reduces bone loss

• Improves memory

• Improves skin and hair

• Allergy relief

• Balanced body alkalinity

  
  
  

  
  Whether you’re looking to make a complete diet change or just make a few adjustments, here are a few foods you don’t want to miss — and your pets shouldn’t either.  Here are 10 foods to start with: 

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which helps promote healthy muscle growth and vision. They are also a great source of potassium, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin b6 and fiber.  They can aid in weight loss, lower blood pressure and improve skin and hair!

Carrots

Carrots, like sweet potatoes, are also rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, which helps your skin. Because they’re low in fat and high in fiber they are also great for weight loss. Bonus: They also will naturally clean your dog’s teeth!

Broccoli
Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family which includes cauliflower, kale, cabbage, collard greens, brussel sprouts and a few others. Broccoli is considered a superfood because it is full of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin C, Calcium and even protein! Eating higher amounts of cruciferous vegetables has also been known to fight or reduce the risk of cancer.

Apples
Apples are loaded with antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber and vitamins. They help with digestion and are great for weight loss as they are not too high in calories. They can help protect against asthma, cancer, diabetes, bone loss and more. (Avoid feeding the core or seeds to dogs)


Kale
Did you know that per calorie, kale has more iron than beef does? This is one of the many reasons kale is at the top of many superfood lists. It’s also packed with antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium. Because it’s filled with fiber and sulphur it’s great for detoxifying!

Cauliflower
Cauliflower has been known to kill cancer cells, promote heart health and act as an anti-inflammatory. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals essential to a healthy diet such as vitamin C, vitamin K, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and more.On top of all that, it’s also a source of protein!

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are usually only thought about in the fall, but did you know that pumpkins are loaded with goodness for you and your dog? Pumpkins are packed with alpha and beta carotenoids which improves vision and can reverse skin damage. It’s also a great source of vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Fiber and Potassium. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of protein, high in omega 3, and magnesium!


Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. They promote heart health, lower cholesterol and they also help to kill cancer cells. Not to mention, they’re delicious!

Bananas
Bananas can be used to combat depression because they contain both tryptophan and vitamin B6 which work together to produce serotonin – the brain neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy. Eating bananas can also help with muscle cramps, blood stabilization, and white blood cell production.


Strawberries
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, making them an excellent immune system booster. Vitamin C has also been known to help prevent and fight cancer. As an added bonus, they can even fight inflammation and improve digestion!

Adding fruits and vegetables to your diets should be easy. You can feed them to your dog as a treat or you can incorporate it into your current feeding routine.

Whether you feed them raw or cooked is a personal preference, but the less altered from it’s original state to more nutritional benefits you’ll receive from it. If it’s for your pets, do not use oils or seasonings and always make sure to feed in bite size portions to avoid choking. As with all diet changes, start out slow to figure out what works best for you or your pets. Be patient and have fun with it. You and your dog both will see the benefits if you provide the consistency.

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5 Tips To Avoid Bed Bugs While Travelling

Bed bugs are small, brown insects that feed on the blood of people and animals. They are often found in clothing, bedding or furniture, and can easily travel long distances through multiple hosts. Once they’ve arrived, bed bugs can quickly contaminate multiple rooms and dwellings. Hotels have a lot of people going in and out and no matter how clean or nice, they all can be exposed to bed bugs.


There are a few tips that you can follow to keep yourself from becoming a victim of bed bugs:

1.) Keep natural repellent handy
There are natural repellents available that you can spray both on yourself and on your personal belongings to help keep the bed bugs away. Some repellents such as Cedar oil will even kill bed bugs on contact.

2.) When you first arrive, put your suitcase in the bathroom
As soon as you set your suitcase on the ground bed bugs are able to crawl into it. The bathroom is the least likely place for bedbugs because it’s the most often cl
eaned and doesn’t provide them much security. Before you’ve done a room check, this is the safest place to put your bag.


3.) Check the beds
The name itself implies that beds are likely a hiding spot for bed bugs. First, pull back the sheets and check the corners of the beds for any signs of bugs. This could be feces, dead bugs or musty smells, etc. If you can, use a flashlight or you can use your cellphone to check the darker or harder to see spaces. Headboards can also be a popular hiding place, especially if they are like most hotels and are secured to the wall. Be sure to check the covers, sheets and pillows for bugs, musty smells or any dark or rust colored stains. (Tip: checking for signs of bedbugs does not stop after day 1. Be sure to pay attention to the sheets when you wake up. If you see dark or blood colored spots that appear to be fresh then you’ve likely been bitten by bedbugs.) 


4.) Check the furniture
Furniture such as chairs, couches and even dressers can be a prime hiding spot for bed bugs. It’s good practice to avoid using luggage racks and putting clothes or personal items in hotel dressers. Bed bugs are often transmitted through clothing and suitcases, therefore these areas can be especially risky.

 

5.) Don’t leave clothes on the floor and put dirty clothes in a sealed bag
Bed bugs are attracted to clothing, especially after they have your scent on them. It’s always good practice to keep dirty clothes in a sealed bag so bed bugs can’t sneak inside.

 

What to do if your room has bed bugs
If you see bed bugs or signs of them you should immediately alert the hotel and ask for a different room. Make sure the new room is at least several rooms away. If bed bugs are in one room they are likely in the surrounding rooms as well. Be sure to spray your clothes, bedding and yourself with a safe bed bug killer. Bed bugs can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime, so it’s critical to stop the issue as early as possible.

 

 

Think you brought bed bugs home?
Don’t panic. Although this can seem very scary, there are ways to treat your home that are both safe and more affordable than chemical treatments. Click here to see a home treatment kit. For on the go protection, check out these travel packs.

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