Pet parents wish the best for their pets. They strive to ensure their furry friends live a quality life by grooming them, buying them toys, and letting them move around the house freely. Some even feed their pets snacks from their own plate to keep them happy. However, one must note that not every human food is safe for animals. Here are six everyday foods that can be toxic to pets. Chocolates Chocolates are a popular treat in almost every household. Many love indulging in chocolate bars and other recipes containing chocolates, such as brownies and cookies. While these are safe for humans, they are highly unsuitable for dogs and cats. Chocolates contain a compound called theobromine, which is toxic to them. Consuming even small amounts of chocolate can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, seizures, and, in severe cases, death in pets. Caffeine Like theobromine, caffeine is toxic to cats and dogs. It’s commonly found in beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas. Ingesting caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, seizures, and, in severe cases, death. Hence, one must keep caffeinated products away from pets. Avocados Although a superfood for humans, avocados are toxic to birds and cattle.

Like us humans, dogs experience pain and weakness in their joints as they age. Conditions like arthritis become increasingly common and harrowing if pet owners do not address the issue immediately. Therefore, individuals must give dogs the care they need to improve their quality of life. One does not have to make frequent vet visits to achieve this goal. Several remedies can help manage a dog’s joint pain at home. Hydrotherapy Pool-based exercises and physical movement are great for reducing the pain dogs experience when they have conditions like arthritis. Low-impact routines help strengthen a dog’s joints, keep the muscles around the joints toned and fit, and enhance a dog’s mobility. Underwater exercises are also helpful as they improve muscle mass and joint structure without stressing the joints too much. These exercises also reduce the impact of injuries and pain. When using hydrotherapy, one must ensure their pets are safe. Dog owners must also check the temperature of the water. Cold water tends to make a dog’s joints and muscles stiffen up, so it must be avoided as much as possible. Massages Exercising is a good way to reduce the joint pain dogs experience as they age. However, pets need to warm up their muscles and loosen any stiffness in their joints before exercising.

Urinary tract infections can be highly distressing for cats, although they do not develop them as often as dogs. Older cats are often vulnerable to several urinary tract issues that tend to have certain common symptoms. In such cases, it is a good idea to identify the signs early to consult a veterinarian for timely treatment and control such symptoms. Here are some common warning signs of UTI in cats and their management options Signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections Difficulty urinating If a cat cannot pass urine properly or visibly struggles while urinating, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. The presence of bladder stones or bladder inflammation could cause this difficulty. Blood in urine Urine may be discolored among cats with UTI. Furthermore, sometimes, one may notice a trace of blood in their urine, which is a common sign of UTI, especially among female cats. Avoiding the litter box If cats frequently urinate outside their litter boxes, it may – although not necessarily – indicate that they have a urinary tract infection. So, if a cat urinates outside the litter box often and shows other signs of a UTI, one should consult a vet immediately.