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SMN, Flickr You want to keep your feline healthy and frisky and you know that good nutrition is essential. But what makes a healthy cat food? What type of cat food is best for your pet? And do you need to know anything special about storing it? Our friends WebMD Healthy Pets found out what we need to know. 1. What is cat food made of? In general, cat food consists of water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. But how close your cat's diet comes to that of its feral cousins depends on what formula the cat food manufacturer uses. Proteins are the basic building blocks for cells, tissues, and organs. They can be either animal-based or plant-based, and either type may show ...

What a good dog! She's so well-trained, making eye contact and giving a high five on cue! Well done, friend! She's also really hungry and would very much appreciate it if you could save the high fives for later, as the dish of food sitting in front of her is incredibly tantalizing. But, look, she doesn't want to be rude. She will politely wait until you give her the OK -- and until then, the torturous high fives will have to do. But, pleeeaaase, she really doesn't want to wait any longer, so if you would just ... Yes! Food! Thank you! Food! Nourishment! Delicious! High fives all around! ...

Br3nda, Flickr One day your cat is minding her own business, sleeping peacefully atop the laundry basket or terrorizing the dog. The next, it's scratching like mad. Fleas are an obvious suspect, but not the only one. Food allergy is "quite common in cats," Christine Bellezza, a veterinarian and the co-director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University, tells Paw Nation. Itching is the number-one symptom of food allergies, especially around the face, paws and ears, according to PetPlace.com. Other signs include ear infections, hair loss, and small bumps on the skin. Less commonly, food allergies can also upset a cat's stomach, causing diarrhea or vomiting, says Bellezza. A food ...

TheGiantVermin, Flickr Your dog is scratching like crazy, or sick to his stomach. Could his food be the culprit? Food allergies aren't extremely common in dogs, but they aren't uncommon either. Food allergies affect dogs in two primary ways, says Korinn Saker, a clinical nutritionist at the North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine who specializes in canine allergies. "We either see skin issues, or GI [gastrointestinal] issues," she says. If your dog is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea on a regular basis, or is itching constantly and licking or biting at his skin or fur, allergies may be to blame. (Your vet can help you rule out other ailments, like parasites or infections, that ...

Ah, Italian food. Fresh pasta, sweet basil, fine cheeses and apparently... cat stew. That last horrific item has landed an Italian cooking-show host in his own pot of boiling hot water. Beppe Bigazzi, a well-known food writer, was fired from the cooking show "La Prova del Cuoco" after telling viewers that stewed cat is a "succulent dish," the Times of London reports. "I've eaten it myself and it's a lot better than many other animals. Better than chicken, rabbit or pigeon," the 77-year-old Bigazzi told viewers. The show's presenter Elisa Isoardi, who mentioned her own cat Othello in protest, looked awkwardly horrified as Bigazzi explained that cat meat should be soaked in spring water ...

West Paw Design There are several benefits to natural pet products. Natural pet foods and treats are made from organic ingredients of human-grade quality, meaning your pet won't be eating anything you wouldn't eat. Natural grooming products are made from organic materials that are safe to use, and will keep pets from getting rashes and irritations. Natural toys, collars, and leashes are biodegradable, recyclable, and have a low impact on the environment. These five natural pet products are tested and approved by pet owners and animal experts for their high-quality ingredients, safety, and enjoyability. Wellness Pet Food Wellness offers lines of all-natural dog and cat foods that are made ...