Itchy, flaky, or inflamed skin can drive both pets and their owners crazy. Skin issues are among the most common reasons for vet visits — and while they might seem minor at first, they can quickly escalate into serious discomfort if left untreated.   Some of the most frequent culprits include allergies (from food, fleas, or the environment), fungal infections, bacterial hot spots, and parasites like fleas or mites. Dogs may scratch or lick excessively, while cats might over-groom or develop bald patches. If you notice redness, bumps, scabs, or any unusual odor, it's a sign your pet’s skin barrier is compromised.   The tricky part? Skin symptoms often look alike, even if the causes are very different. That’s why a proper diagnosis from a vet is crucial. They may run tests to check for infections, allergies, or parasites. Treatment could involve medicated shampoos, anti-fungal or antibiotic creams, oral meds, or dietary changes — depending on the root cause.   Preventing skin issues starts with good hygiene, a nutritious diet, and regular check-ups. Catching a skin condition early often means faster recovery, less stress for your pet, and lower treatment costs.   Tips to Spot and Manage Skin Problems Early: Check your pet’s skin weekly — especially under the legs, belly, and ears. Use a flea preventative all year round, even for indoor pets. Avoid switching foods too often, which can trigger sensitivities. Bathe only as needed — too much washing can dry the skin. If itching or hair loss lasts more than a few days, call your vet.   Conclusion: Don’t Ignore the Scratching A little scratching now and then is normal — but persistent itching or irritated skin is your pet’s way of saying, “I need help.” With early detection and proper care, most skin issues are completely manageable. The key is to act quickly and give your furry friend the comfort they deserve. Providing the best food is one way to maintain healthy skin and fur from within. The latest Nature Bridge Daily Care Hair & Skin is enriched with the best nutrients and proteins to optimally meet your pet's needs. You can find Nature Bridge Daily Care Hair and Skin on the official Nature Bridge Indonesia e-commerce platform.

When you first adopted your cat, you were probably given a recommendation for a particular type of food or had a preferred brand you opted for right away. However, after months or even years of providing your pet with the same food, there may come a day when you feel the need to change your cat’s food type. In general, changing your cat’s food regularly isn’t necessary. As long as your pet is getting all the nutrients they need to live a happy and healthy life, you could feed them the same thing forever! That being said, there are a few instances in which switching your cat to a different food is a good idea. If a change in diet is necessary for your kitty, make sure to consult your veterinarian and conduct the switch gradually for the best and safest results. Reasons to change your cat’s food Once your vet has approved a cat food for your furry friend, you don’t need to change it on a regular basis. However, certain health concerns may require you to seek out a new type of food that will meet your cat’s needs. Recalls One of the most important, yet somewhat uncommon, reasons to change your cat’s food is a health and safety recall. Once you hear about a recall and double-check that your cat’s food is included, you’ll want to remove your cat’s access to the food immediately, watch them for signs of illness and start feeding them a similar type of food that is safe right away. Life stage Another key reason to start feeding your cat a new type of food is that they have entered a new life stage. Most pet manufacturers sell food specific to a particular age group, such as kittens, adult cats and seniors. These food types may be fortified with certain nutrients; for example, kitten food has extra protein to help your kitten grow, while senior food may include special nutrients to help with age-related illnesses. When your cat enters a new stage of life (from kitten to adult and from adult to senior), you should choose a new type of food that is most appropriate for their age. Speak with your veterinarian to identify the best food for your pet’s specific needs. Allergies Although they aren’t very common, cats can develop food allergies that are triggered by particular cat food ingredients. If your cat begins experiencing itchy, inflamed skin or vomiting and diarrhea, they may be sensitive or allergic to their food. Feline food allergies can be triggered by a wide variety of ingredients, so you’ll want to work with your vet to identify the specific allergen through an elimination diet. During this process, your cat will need to be put on an entirely different diet. Specific health conditions If your cat develops a health condition over the course of their life, there may be a type of food that is more appropriate for their healthcare needs. These types of foods can vary, including everything from weight-management foods to help obese cats to foods fortified with urinary-health ingredients to assist with urinary tract diseases. Other specially formulated foods may help ease discomfort from arthritis, increase fiber to help with digestion and much more. Similarly, if your pet’s current food doesn’t appear to be meeting their nutritional needs, you may want to switch to a higher-quality cat food that offers better ingredients and additional nutrients. Regardless of the reason you’re switching your cat’s food, you should always consult your cat’s veterinarian before doing so to ensure the new food will be appropriate for your cat at their current stage of life and state of health. If you need recommendations for a new pet food, your vet should be able to answer questions and point you in the right direction. How to successfully transition your cat to the new food Once you’ve identified a new food for your furry friend and your vet has given their approval on its safety, you may be tempted to pull your cat off the old food and give them the new food immediately. However, this is a big mistake! Switching your cat’s food too quickly can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea and vomiting. It’s very important to switch your cat over to their new food gradually, unless making an abrupt change is absolutely necessary (as is the case when food has been recalled). The change to the new food should occur over the course of at least seven days, during which you should alter the percentage of old food versus new food slightly each day. On day one, use a mix of mostly old food with a little bit of new food. On each subsequent day, take out a little more of the previous food while adding in more and more of the new food until your cat is eating all-new food every day. Once you complete the switch successfully, monitor your cat for a few weeks to ensure he or she does not show any changes in behavior, health or appearance. If they do, speak with your vet about finding a new food that will be better for them. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/  

Stress and anxiety are easy to spot in dogs. They become afflicted with tummy troubles and the insatiable urge to chew up the entire house. Despite these warning signs, pet parents commonly misbelieve that stress doesn’t affect their dog’s physical health. But diarrhea isn’t the only problem—anxious pups are more likely to contract diseases and suffer from malnutrition. Your fur baby doesn’t have to go through life in a constant state of stress. It’s never too late to reverse chronic stress and anxiety and their damaging effects. Take a moment to learn the health consequences associated with canine stress and what you can do to prevent them. Health problems in stressed pups The impact of stress goes far beyond panting, pacing and barking. Over time, chronic stress can lead to negative effects on your dog’s body. Here are the most common health problems seen in stressed and anxious dogs. Upset stomach: Stress and anxiety often cause recurring diarrhea, vomiting and constipation in dogs. Elevated stress hormone levels stimulate the nervous system, especially along the gastrointestinal tract. These overly stimulated nerves trigger intestinal spasms, which leads to stomach pain and runny stool. Stressed dogs frequently vomit because adrenaline slows digestion and forces food to sit in the stomach for too long. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, a serious condition that requires immediate medical help. Weakened immunity: Much like in humans, stress weakens your pup’s immune system. Cortisol, a type of stress hormone, reduces the number of antibodies circulating in the bloodstream. Antibodies are crucial for fighting off bacterial and viral infections. With fewer antibodies in their system, your pup may get sick more often. Stress can also drain your dog’s energy, which makes cells more vulnerable to parasites and toxins. Loss of appetite: When a dog becomes stressed, their body funnels nutrients to systems that will help the dog survive a dangerous event. This is why anxiety is often associated with high blood pressure, panting and a rapid heartbeat. As your pup enters this fight-or-flight response, the body pulls blood away from systems that aren’t necessary during a stressful situation. Digestion will slow down and make your pup lose their appetite. Loss of appetite can lead to nutritional deficiencies and extreme weight loss over time. Health emergencies: Stressed and anxious dogs often develop bad behaviors like chewing on furniture and hazardous objects. They need an outlet for all that nervous energy, and the TV remote just so happens to be within reach. This destructive chewing habit may cause dogs to swallow string, buttons, rocks and other inedible items that can block the wind pipe or digestive tract. These blockages require an emergency trip to the vet for proper removal. Proven ways to reduce stress in dogs Pet parents have the power to prevent stress and the resulting health consequences. A few small changes to your dog’s routine can make huge strides toward a relatively stress-free life. Here are some healthy habits to try with your anxious pup. Create a stress-relief tool kit: Many stressful situations are unavoidable. You can’t always predict when strangers, fireworks or construction will appear right outside your window. In these scenarios, the best thing you can do is provide temporary stress relief. Pheromone plug-ins and collars emit synthetic chemicals designed to comfort anxious pups. You can mask stressful sounds with a white noise machine or calming instrumental music. Some dogs have a favorite toy they like to carry around that helps them feel safe. Stick to a consistent routine: Change is very stressful for dogs, whether you have a new family member or simply bought a different fabric softener. Help your dog cope with the change by keeping their routine as consistent as possible. Pet parents should walk, feed and play with their pups at the same times each day. A consistent routine gives anxious dogs something to latch onto during times of uncertainty. Provide physical and mental stimulation: Exercise is a very effective stress reliever for dogs. Moving their bodies releases feel-good endorphins that alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. Play time burns off excessive energy and helps restore a calm state of mind. Mental exercise is equally important because it distracts anxious pups from the stressful event. Puzzle toys and training sessions can also stave off boredom, which is often a precursor to stress. Every dog will experience stress at some point in their life. Pet parents must be able to recognize when the occasional stressor turns into a recurring problem. If your dog has chronic stress or anxiety, look for ways to bring happiness back into their daily routine. Reducing stress positively affects the mind and body for overall wellness. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/