German Shepherds are medium to large sized dogs, which are largely used as working dogs. They were originally bred for herding sheep, but due to their intelligence and obedience they are used for a variety of other purposes. As they do a lot of hard work they need to have a proper diet. Following are some homemade food tips for a healthy future of your pet:
German Shepherds are vulnerable to many autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, allergies and skin problems. Therefore, it is essential that you give special attention towards what you feed them. Feeding them with homemade meals will definitely help in keeping them healthy. Making food at home may be a bit hectic but to keep your pet healthy and safe from diseases you can always put in that extra effort.
Fresh foods without any additives, preservatives or colors will help keep your pet free from diseases such as gastrointestinal ailments or food intolerances.
You must feed them a balanced and nutritious diet. An unbalanced diet may increase the chances of your pet falling ill. It is advisable to give your pet fresh foods as they contain most of the essential nutrients, vitamins and supplements. Always consult a vet or a veterinary nutritionist to create a perfect diet chart for your pet.
In a homemade diet, people usually give meat, poultry and fish which are rich in proteins. Muscle meat, organ meat, meaty bones are also rich in proteins and make the diet a healthy one. You can also incorporate plain yogurt, cottage cheese or eggs in it. You can either choose to feed your pet cooked food, raw diet or a mixture of both raw and cooked food. You must consult with your veterinary nutritionist or conduct in-depth research on contemporary diseases resulting from raw foods before you make the choice.
Ensure that your homemade dog food recipes includes green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants. Veggies such as carrots, cooked sweet potatoes or fruits such as berries are very healthy for German Shepherd puppies. It will be great if you boil them lightly, as this will increase the nutritional value of the veggies. Puppies also enjoy whole grains and raw vegetables as chewy snacks. Keep your pup away from toxic foods.
Many commercial pet foods contain grains such as wheat and corn, which are not good for your pet. They have short digestive tracts and cannot digest grains. Again some commercial foods were said to be contaminated. Hence, it is always better to feed your pet homemade food.
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How to prevent yourself from ENT infections
Read moreOtorhinolaryngology is the term that not many of us are aware of. But it the study of problems related to ear, nose, and throat ENT. ENT problems are common, easily diagnosed, and curable, and yet, can get serious at times if not taken care of at an early stage. Infections are common in the ear, nose, and throat among many people. It is important to understand the seriousness of ENT infections as these organs are closest to the brain and cause a lot of pain whenever there is an infection. Reporting to a doctor in minor pains can be helpful in preventing yourself from potential infection in the future.
To prevent an infection, you must know the causes of the same.
Ear infection
A ear infection is the most common type of infection in ENT infections. You need to know when you are getting an infection, if you do.
If you feel an ache or pain, if you feel you cannot hear thing as clear as you used to or if you’ve completely lost hearing, if you feel some weird pressure in your ear(s), if there is pus or something like pus in your ear that you see or feel, then there is a chance of having or getting an infection.
Allergies, cold, adenoid problems (small tissue near your tonsils), smoking, excess mucus production, and bacteria/virus in your ear are some of the common causes of a ear infection.You can prevent the infection by protecting your ears from cold by boosting your immune system, by getting allergies check with an ENT specialist on a regular basis, taking medication, and keeping your ears clean regularly.
Throat infection
Sore throat is the most common type of throat infection and can be caused by viral infection such as, common cold, infection in the voice box, mononucleosis, herpangina, influenza, mumps, etc; bacterial infections can occur from strep throat, inflammation in tonsils or epiglottis or uvula, in rare cases, STD; and irritants and injuries also cause throat infections such as, smoking, mouth allergies, and stomach problems.Prevention of a throat infection will depend on the cause, but the one type of prevention that will help all the ENT infections away is the care from the start. Keeping yourself away from habits of smoking, drinking freezing cold water, keeping yourself exposed in the cold for too long, eating healthy so your immune system can handle such infection in the initial stage, and visiting the doctor regularly are some of the prevention methods that will always help you stay away from these painful infections.
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3 foods to avoid with ADHD
Read moreADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological disease that affects many people across the globe, children as well as adults. The common symptoms include daydreaming, forgetfulness, talking too much, making careless mistakes, hyperactivity, and trouble concentrating. ADHD is manageable with treatments. But, lifestyle changes can support ongoing treatment and improve the condition further. Doctors have identified some foods to avoid with ADHD that patients should be aware of.
Candy
When dealing with ADHD, one should avoid candy because it has a very high sugar content and artificial coloring. Both elements can worsen hyperactivity. While avoiding candy will not prevent hyperactivity altogether, it will help reduce the intensity and frequency of episodes. Too much sugar, in general, can also impact energy levels and lead to other health conditions like diabetes, so it is best to limit its quantity in foods.Coffee
Coffee is also a no-go for people with ADHD. The caffeine in coffee can improve concentration levels, but it can worsen the symptoms of this health condition. It can also interfere with ongoing treatment. Besides coffee, beverages like tea and even cola are also counted among the foods to avoid with ADHD due to their caffeine content.Frozen fruits and veggies
While fresh fruits and veggies are healthy, frozen ones may have artificial additives that worsen ADHD symptoms. Artificial additives, such as food colors, can also interfere with hormones and development. Other foods with artificial additives include breakfast cereals, cookies, soft drinks, and fruit punches. So, it is advisable to read the label before buying foods off the shelf.Avoiding these foods may reduce ADHD symptoms. But, in most cases, individuals also need treatment to manage the condition. The popular options include:
CONCERTA®
It is a stimulant that works by improving how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. CONCERTA® is an extended-release treatment option. This means it is slowly released into the body throughout the day. As a result, the effect of the treatment lasts longer.DAYTRANA®
DAYTRANA® is another treatment option for ADHD that works throughout the day. It comes in the form of a patch to be applied on the skin of the hip. Common side effects include heart problems, seizures, reduced development, and allergies.Adderall®
Adderall® helps increase focus and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Its serious side effects include uncontrollable shaking, hallucinations, and increased blood pressure.In more serious cases, doctors also recommend treatments like VIIBRYD® to manage depression, sleeplessness, hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, and other ADHD symptoms and complications.