Traveling is starting to become more accessible to everyday people. However, one thing that can be difficult when it comes to traveling is pets. Instead of leaving a beloved pet home or in a boarding facility, more and more people are starting to travel with their pets. That means that pet-friendly travel is becoming much more relevant and available. If you are planning on traveling with your pet, here are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Rules and regulations There are quite a few rules that you will have to follow when it comes to traveling with your pet, especially if you are planning on flying. Some airlines will only let certain breeds of dogs fly. While others just have a weight limit that you have to abide by. You will want to check what regulations your specific airline follows before purchasing a ticket. It would also be a smart idea to call the airport ahead of time because they may only have certain areas for your pet. Don’t forget to check with your hotel as well. The last thing you want to do is get so caught up in the traveling process, that you forget to book a pet-friendly hotel.

When on the lookout for a dog that is possibly suffering an allergic reaction, it is important to know what the signs and symptoms of such a reaction might be. Since dogs are unable to communicate with us verbally, it can be hard to know whether or not your dog might need gluten free dog food or some other unique solution. Food allergies in dogs can be especially difficult to diagnose if a given pup is already prone to medical issues, or spends a lot of time outside. It may be tempting to chalk up an allergic reaction to encountering something outside the home rather than to ingesting food the dog is not accustomed to. Here are the most common symptoms of food allergies in dogs: 1. Itching Taking the time necessary to engage with your pup if wanting to determine whether or not there is an allergy problem is observing their symptoms, especially when it comes things such as itching. The most common areas that will be itching on your pup include the paws, ears, backside, and stomach. If your dog is constantly gnawing on parts of their body relentlessly, then there is a good chance that they are going to be constantly itching.

Fleas and ticks can be quite a nuisance when you have pets. They are easily picked up outdoors and sometimes very hard to get rid of. Both fleas and ticks live and thrive on their hosts by consuming their blood. While a flea roams freely on their host a tick will typically bite and attach itself while drawing blood. Below are five home remedies to prevent fleas and ticks in dogs: 1. Try applying citrus juice Fleas and ticks do not like citrus. Rubbing some freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice on your dog will help deter those little pests. It may be easier to actually make a citrus spray to spray on your dog’s fur. This can be done by boiling water and cutting up lemon or orange slices and letting them soak overnight. On a side note, it is not safe to put citrus oils on your dog so be sure you are using fresh juice not oils. 2. Rose geranium oil to the rescue! Rose geranium oil, not to be confused with plain rose oil, is another natural way for flea and tick prevention. There are a few ways this can be applied to your dog. Placing a couple of drops on your dog’s collar and letting them soak in is one way.

The food fed to your dog impacts his weight, health, and overall well-being. The wrong dog food may cause problems including allergies, obesity, and lack of energy. Choosing the right dog food is one of the best things you can do for your pet. Do not assume that every dog food on the market is up-to-par with the next. Keep the following points in mind as you sort through the many dog food options and find a product that meets your pet’s needs as well as your trust and satisfaction: 1. Read the ingredients The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines regulating the claims pet food companies can make on the label. These guidelines require that the dog food contains 95% of a single-ingredient, not including water. Combo-food must make up at least 95% of the food ingredients. Foods with single-ingredients are tastier and more nutritional to the pet. 2. Consider foods with fewer ingredients The higher the ingredient is placed on the list, the more of the ingredient the pet food contains. On a poor quality dog food, you’ll likely notice the high-protein ingredients listed at the bottom of the lists. Choose a pet food that lists meats as one of the first few ingredients if you want quality food.

Dogs and humans have very different digestive systems that don’t process food in the same way. Not only does feeding your dog from the table encourage begging behavior and can even lead to obesity, some safe “human foods” can be harmful or even toxic foods for dogs—so it’s extremely important to be discerning when sharing scraps with your four-legged BFF. Despite the danger lurking in some unsuspecting culprits like grapes and garlic, there are certain foods that can actually give your dog’s diet a much needed nutrition boost. Here are a few of our favorite and safe human foods for dogs: 1. Carrots When given in moderation, carrots provide a boost of Vitamin A which is great for their immune systems as well as skin and coat health. An added benefit? Chewing on carrots can clean dogs teeth, naturally removes plaque, and is generally good for their dental health. 2. Fish Salmon and tuna are great sources of protein for dogs because they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins which help maintain dogs’ digestive systems and promote healthy blood circulation. But remember! You should always cook fish before giving it to your dog, raw fish can contain parasites which can be very harmful.