Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
The secret to making tender and moist cornbread rests within peanut oil and a few other basic ingredients. Make tender and moist cornbread with help from a longtime culinary professional in this free video clip.
Cat feces will never smell good, but its odor shouldn't make you run from the room. Certain foods, including cat foods, can make poop smell worse, but so can medical conditions. Troubleshoot with your vet to determine what's causing your little stinker's litter box bombs and eliminate the odors.
Felines are true carnivores, meaning they rely heavily on animal meat to thrive. The biggest nutritional requirement for cat is protein, but your furry pal also needs a small amount of fats and carbohydrates, as well as certain vitamins and minerals. Because kitty food comes in so many varieties -- kitten versus adult, indoor versus outdoor, weight control and more -- get your veterinarian involved in making the right selection for your purring comrade.
Most days Kitty eats her meals without problem, but when you notice her shunning her food bowl, it’s cause for concern. Sudden loss of appetite often indicates underlying illness, but anorexia itself can lead to a whole host of secondary problems.
Cats are the most common pet in the United States, so it's no wonder cat food is big business. It's also no surprise that not all cat foods are good for felines. Our domesticated kitties are not far removed from their wild cousins, and a healthy diet is a lot more like that on "Wild Kingdom" than on your breakfast table.
Dogs eat tree bark due to a variety of different things, including boredom. Find out why dogs eat tree bark with help from a certified dog behavioral therapist and master trainer in this free video clip.
A lot of people burn sage in their homes, for a variety of reasons. But, while the people who live there might enjoy the scent or the spiritual significance attached to the custom, your kitty's safety should be considered before striking a match and setting that smudge stick ablaze.
If Tabitha continues to take a stroll outdoors during colder months, you’ll have to change her diet a bit. She’ll probably need to eat more as temperatures plummet, although you should go to your veterinarian for advice for your specific situation. Just don’t be surprised if she’s begging you for a second helping.
Cats benefit from eating a variety of meat products. Their bodies must obtain the amino acid taurine directly from their food because they cannot produce it from the breakdown of other amino acids as dogs and humans can. Meat contains significant amounts of taurine, which regulates Kitty's heart rhythm, digestion and eyesight.
Dry cat food contains only a small percentage of crude fiber because cats are obligate carnivores who don't require fiber in their diet. The actual percentage of fiber that dry cat food contains varies. Some formulas have more fiber than others, depending on the feline life stage and body type they're designed for. Weight-loss or hairball-control formulas contain higher amounts of fiber than others, while food designed for kittens contains much less.
Your cat might enjoy a little romp in the snow, but it's not a good idea to let him out in the winter if the roads or sidewalks have been treated with deicing salt. This rock salt product can hurt your kitty's paws and skin, and in worst cases, it can kill him after he ingests it during grooming.
You've finally settled on a healthy diet for Fluffy, so the last thing you want is to compromise on her treats. If you noticed "calcium sulfate" on her treat package, you may wonder if it's safe or even necessary. Calcium sulfate is a mineral widely used in food processing.
Today, dogs eat a variety of commercial and home-prepared diets with a wide range of ingredients and quality levels. Throughout history, dog diets have changed, in both healthy and unhealthy ways. The early 1900s dog diet had different features from those of the late 1900s and later periods in history.
Before your furry companion sticks his nose in the food dish, he peculiarly paws around at the ground around the bowl. While you probably find his behavior odd, he’s just doing what’s already imbedded in his DNA. He is, after all, related to bigger wild cats, who often do the same thing.
One of the key ingredients that you'll need to get comfortable with when making hummus are dried chickpeas. Make hummus from dried chickpeas with help from an experienced executive chef in this free video clip.
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to maintain a healthy immune system and thyroid gland in your cat. Fortunately, cat foods that are labeled as complete and balanced already contain the ideal amount of selenium your cat needs. Too much or too little selenium can cause serious health problems, however, so it is important to monitor your cat's food intake to ensure she is getting a balanced diet.
In the life of a cat, sleeping seems to be interrupted only by the occasional meal or belly rub. Sleeping the majority of the day isn’t a sign of laziness, but rather a trait inherited from their ancestors. Cats doze for hours at a time to save up energy for short bursts of high activity, which are particularly concentrated in the morning and evening hours.
Read the label of most dry cat food packages and there's a good chance you will run across the ingredient corn gluten meal. But despite its prevalence in cat food, corn gluten meal is not a food cats would eat on their own. This leads many to suggest that it is not good for cats to eat.
Part of the attraction of the great outdoors for Frisky is the fun she has using her hunting skills. If she's outside, her instinct will likely kick in and she'll hunt and kill birds, mice and other rodents. However, eating the catch of the day isn't very healthy for Frisky.
More people are turning to biologically appropriate raw foods for feeding their pets. It's a controversial choice and there's little scientific evidence showing that raw diets help or hurt cats. Take time to consider the pros and cons for Tabby before making the switch.
Any cat owner knows that cats do weird things sometimes. One of cats' oddest quirks is their occasional interest in snacking on their owners' hair. The reason your cat licks or eats your hair could be a simple hello, a need to chew, or it may be a sign of a larger problem.
Tangled fur isn't just a cosmetic issue for your kitty, it's also a threat to his health. Long-haired cats tend to have a harder time keeping their coat in order, but those with short hair can develop mats too. Even fastidious felines need occasional assistance to keep their fur neat.
You know you need to get your cat vaccinated when he is a kitten, but he also will need booster shots to keep him healthy. Booster shots are additional vaccines that keep his immune system ready to defend against harmful invaders. While there are some risks involved, side effects are extremely rare.
The old adage, “you are what you eat,” may not be too far off when it comes to feline skin and coat health. When nutritional imbalance is to blame for your cat’s dull, flaky, dry skin, your veterinarian may prescribe vitamins and dietary supplements to help correct her internal imbalance.
Figuring out exactly what you should feed your cat can be more challenging than determining what to make your family for dinner. Pet stores offer aisles upon aisles of various types of cat food, varying drastically in price. Premium cat foods use top-of-the-line ingredients and tend to be healthier for your kitty than supermarket brands, offering several benefits for your beloved chum.
As you’re reading your morning paper, you look down and see Alvin chowing down on a rodent. While you’re probably repulsed at the thought, it’s basically the equivalent of you enjoying a succulent filet mignon for dinner. But, because Alvin can swallow and choke on the bones, it’s best to get the critter away from him if you can safely do so.
If you own a dog, knowledge about the safety of any plants either in your garden or inside of your home is an absolute must. Though angel's trumpets (Datura suaveolens or Brugmansia suaveolens) may look 100 percent pleasant and innocuous, the flowering plants are toxic to your furry friends.
As omnivores, dogs enjoy eating a variety of different things, from meats to veggies, but a non-food item like concrete shouldn't be one of them. This rock-hard substance is found everywhere, from roads and sidewalks to the walls of your home, so avoiding it probably isn't an option for Fido. Teach your pooch to leave this non-edible substance alone to prevent him from suffering the potentially fatal consequences of ingesting it.
While some canines are rather fussy diners, others are decidedly not. If your curious pooch has a habit of putting the strangest things into his mouth, such as wood splinters, the compulsive condition "pica" may just be the root cause. Wood splinter consumption can be extremely hazardous in doggies, so don't let the habit slide.
While hard or dry food is one readily available option for cats, it certainly isn't the only one. Senior cats in particular may experience trouble eating hard food and benefit from a diet that includes softer foods. Supplement or replace a dry food diet with other types of food.
Canned cat food is wet cat food, so yes it contains a lot of water. In fact, the majority of the content in a can is water. Most commercial canned cat foods contain 78 percent water. In contrast, dry cat foods or kibbles typically contain 5 percent to 10 percent water. The drastic difference between the moisture content in the two types of pet food is a key consideration when deciding which type to buy.
Crouched on the ground with his ears back, his tail swaying from side to side and his eyes glued to the corner, is stalking his prey. It's a roach. You’ll see him bat at it, toss it up in the air and possibly eat it. While household bugs are typically not poisonous, roaches can be dangerous nonetheless. To be on the safe side, keep your cat away from any roaches that lurk around.
When multiple cats in a household establish a social order, sometimes someone scarfs others' food at mealtime. The losers may get insufficient nutrition, the snatchers too much. If your cats' diets differ -- say, one has food allergies -- ensuring one cat's not eating another's food is crucial.
When making your cat's health a priority, consider not only the type of food you purchase but the amount and the way you feed her. Her diet affects her health many ways. It makes a difference whether you leave her meals out all day or feed on a schedule.
The rumbling noise that cats and kittens make in their throats or chests is called purring. It is commonly known as an expression of contentment. However, that is not always the case. Research has shed new light on why and how cats purr and even how it affects humans. It is more complex than a simple expression of happiness.
Although it may seem easier and more convenient to feed your household cats from a single bowl, your attempt to conserve precious time may lead to avoidable hassles. When cats share food bowls, it can trigger the headache of feline territorial conflict -- definitely not good. In short, cats should have their own food bowls.
Cats like culinary variety just like the rest of us. Famously finicky, cats may inhale a specific food choice one day and shun it the next. Feline fastidiousness occurs for many reasons. Pinpoint why yours does to ensure adequate nutrition.
Cats have individualized tastes just like humans do, with some of them preferring the crunchy texture of dry food, while others enjoy the soft texture of canned, raw or prepared food.All of these will provide your cat with adequate nutrition if planned according to the manufacturer's guidelines, so it's really up to you and your feline friend's preferences to determine which one you want to feed to him regularly.
The secret to making deliciously moist salmon rests within a few key areas of your preparation process. Make deliciously moist salmon with help from a Baltimore-based professionally-trained chef and culinary instructor in this free video clip.
Nutella is a primary ingredient in a wide variety of delicious treats. Learn how to make treats with Nutella with help from a gourmet Popsicle and treat expert in this free video clip.
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, just over 10 percent of cats in the United States host the intestinal parasite known as Giardia. The most obvious symptom of giardia is the acute diarrhea your cat develops within one to two weeks of ingesting the parasite cysts. Proper home care ensures the success of the treatment regimen and protects other animals from infection, but only a licensed veterinarian can prescribe an effective treatment medicine.
Making a genoise is one thing - making a moist genoise is something else entirely. Make a moist genoise with help from a self-taught pastry chef in this free video clip.
The secret to making a moist cheeseburger lies within a few key areas. Make a moist cheeseburger with help from a celebrity chef in this free video clip.
Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed by veterinarians to treat different types of feline bacterial infections. It should only be obtained by prescription from a veterinarian who has examined your cat. Beyond antibiotic properties, tetracycline also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Do not give your cat tetracycline or any other medications without consulting your veterinarian, who will instruct you about proper dosage and how to administer it.
The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage located in a cat's throat, just above the larynx or voice box, where it acts as a valve or gatekeeper. A cat normally breathes through its nose, but it can also breathe through its mouth if it needs to, just like a human. This means that it cannot breathe and eat at the same time, as some animals can, and must have a mechanism or process that directs air and food to the right places. The epiglottis is part of that mechanism.
Your cat may suffer from anxiety and stress for any number of reasons. A trip to the doctor, long-range travel or changes in the household can put a cat in turmoil. Often, veterinarians offer prescription medications to help calm animals that don't react well to changes in the norm. Though such sedative medications generally work well, they can be expensive and may have side effects. Many cat owners prefer to use natural sedatives, which produce less extreme sedation and have fewer side effects.
Signs of feline kidney disease include increased urination, excessive drinking, vomiting, lethargy, depression, bad breath, poor appetite, loss of coordination and weight loss. Cat breeds that are most likely to suffer kidney problems are Persians and breeds related to Persians, such as the Himalayan, or in breeds in which the Persian has been used in their breeding programs.
Sodium tetraborate decahydrate is commonly called boric acid or by the product brand name Borax. Boric acid is a pesticide used to kill fleas, cockroaches, termite, ants and silverfish. It is a mild skin irritant that's safe to use around felines. Although it is considered to be nontoxic to cats and humans, if it is ingested in large quantities it can be poisonous. If inhaled, it can damage the lungs.
According to a report by Dawn Fiedovczyk of Misericordia University, kidney disease, also known as renal failure, is one of the leading causes of death in cats. Kidneys remove waste from the cat’s system and when the rate of elimination slows due to disease, the regulation of hydration decreases, negatively impacting numerous other bodily functions including heart rate, metabolism and vision. Increasing fluid intake and rehydrating a cat with kidney problems is the first step in treating renal failure.
Making dried strawberries requires you to follow a very specific process. Learn how to make dried strawberries with help from a board certified holistic health practitioner and nutritional consultant in this free video clip.
