Taking proper care of pets is a big responsibility. It does not stop with simply giving them the best foods, toys, and creature comforts. You must also pay attention to the obvious signs that indicate your cat is sick or experiencing any discomfort that needs immediate attention. As a responsible pet parent, doing the right thing at the right time and promptly addressing the pet’s distress is important. Here are nine signs that you should never ignore: Changes in your pet’s appetite If your cat is suddenly eating more or has abruptly stopped eating, it is likely experiencing many digestive problems. Even pets have conditions like hyperthyroidism, intestinal parasites, or diabetes that trigger a sudden increase in food consumption. On the other hand, gastrointestinal diseases trigger nausea, food aversion, and fever, leading to a complete dip in consumption. Often, these changes are coupled with excessive water consumption due to the potential symptoms of these conditions that flare up. Changes in physical appearance Cats love to groom themselves; it is one of the most consistent habits among felines. However, if your cat has stopped doing things like licking their fur clean or tidying up in the litter box after doing their business, it could be due to underlying health issues. Excessive matting of the fur and appearing dirty are signs that the cat neglects its hygiene. There is also the case of overgrooming, which happens when cats lick away excess fur in a particular region. Topical skin or painful diseases trigger their self-soothing mechanism of licking to provide comfort. If you notice these abrupt changes in their appearance, it’s best to consult a veterinarian, as these are the first signs your cat is sick. Sudden nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea If your cat feels nauseated or vomits several times throughout the day, it is a severe sign of internal discomfort caused by known disorders.

Cleaning the toilet is perhaps among the most dreaded tasks in every home. However, a clean toilet is essential to maintain hygiene and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other diseases. Today, several useful cleaning products and equipment are available to reduce manual effort and facilitate cleaner toilets. In addition, avoiding certain common toilet cleaning mistakes can help make the process more efficient and less time-consuming while ensuring better hygiene. Not knowing the different ways to unclog a toilet Unclogging the toilet can be the first step to the toilet-cleaning process. A clogged toilet can cause considerable inconvenience; moreover, at times, certain techniques may not be effective in unclogging the drain. Thus, it is important to understand the various hacks to unclog a toilet. Pouring vinegar or dish soap into the toilet should typically do the trick; however, at times, these techniques may not be effective. In such cases, one should try other methods, such as using a wet or dry vacuum to unclog the drain after emptying the water from the bowl. Using a mixture of cleaning products Every cleaning product has its distinct functions; however, mixing together certain cleaning products can give rise to lethal, corrosive solutions. For example, combining bleach and vinegar produces chlorine gas, which can lead to breathing issues, coughing, and watery eyes. Similarly, a bleach and vinegar solution forms chloramine, which can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Thus, it is crucial to understand the consequences of mixing certain cleaning products and avoid using such solutions while cleaning. Not cleaning the toilet brush The toilet brush can become the breeding ground for bacteria and germs if not cleaned regularly. Thus, it should ideally be cleaned after every use. An effective way to clean the toilet brush is to soak it in a solution comprising hot water and 2-3 bleach pods and leaving it for an hour before rinsing it off.

People usually shower in the morning or right before bed. As it is an everyday activity, one probably does not think too much about showering. After all, it is a pretty simple process. Nevertheless, one needs to follow key steps and avoid lapses to ensure that the skin is completely clean and is not damaged or dry after a shower. So, here are a few common mistakes to avoid while showering: Spending a lot of time in the shower One of the most common causes of dry and itchy skin is taking hot showers for a long time. It may feel relaxing to spend a lot of time in the steam of hot showers. But this can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making the skin unable to lock in enough hydration leading to dryness. So, when taking a hot shower, one should make it as brief as possible. Spending about 5 minutes is more than enough. Showering too often every day For those living in humid climates, taking a shower twice a day can help regulate the body temperature and deal with excessive sweating. Unless one is grimy or sweating, such as after a workout, showering once a day is enough under normal circumstances. Showering too often will have the same side effect as spending too much time in a warm shower. It will strip the skin of its natural oils and damage the natural moisture barrier, causing dryness and itching. In addition, the skin will become more prone to infections. Not replacing loofah or washcloth regularly Loofahs and washcloths are breeding grounds for a lot of germs and bacteria. So it is important to put the washcloth in the laundry after using it about three to four times a week. One should wash them in hot water with liquid soap to get rid of the musty smell, soap buildup, and accumulation of bacteria.

Cars are complex machines that include several components and panels. This is why, cleaning cars can be a deceptively complicated thing to do. Unsurprisingly, people make several common mistakes while washing their cars. These mistakes can somewhat spoil a vehicle’s appearance. Many individuals rely on automobile cleaning professionals to get the job done for them. Nevertheless, if one chooses to clean their cars by themselves, here are some of the common cleaning mistakes to avoid: Washing a car under direct sunlight A common misconception associated with cleaning cars is that doing it under direct sunlight is effective as the heat helps dry the surfaces quickly. However, doing so actually spoils a car’s appearance. When one cleans a car and leaves it under the blazing sun, the water evaporates faster than one can wipe the watermarks off. This leaves the watermarks on the car’s body and, after they dry, the watermarks tend to give the car’s body a flaky appearance. Instead, one can simply wait for the cooler times during the day to clean their vehicle. If possible, one should use the early morning or late evening period to do the job. Also, one should avoid keeping their vehicle out in the sun for too long. A car cover can help in the absence of a shaded parking lot. Washing parts in the wrong order One might wonder what the order of cleaning has to do with the overall washing process. The answer’s quite simple: the tires are the dirtiest components of a car, so washing them last can result in sand and mud getting stuck onto the body, which one may have cleaned first. To avoid double work, people can wash the tires first, followed by a quick rinsing of the overall body with water to get the dirt out.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a term used by healthcare professionals to refer to a group of lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Over time, COPD can cause patients to experience breathing difficulties. While one cannot reverse the lung damage, patients can make certain lifestyle changes to manage the condition and its associated symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms and treatment alternatives of COPD. Symptoms of COPD Generally, the symptoms of COPD do not make an appearance until the condition has progressed significantly, leading to extensive lung damage. Furthermore, the continuation of certain poor habits can make the condition worse over time. Here are some of the signs of COPD mentioned below. Tightness in the chest One of the most common symptoms of COPD, chest tightness, can manifest in different ways across patients. While for some it can be noticed in the form of breathing difficulties, for others it can feel like a weight on the chest. This can increase the risk of pain while breathing. Some of the main causes of the issue are damage to lung’s air sacs, airway obstruction, respiratory infections, and bronchospasms. Wheezing This symptom of COPD is often accompanied by tightness in the chest. One of the best ways to differentiate wheezing from breathing difficulties is to look for a high-pitched whistling-like sound while inhaling or exhaling. Usually, this symptom is brought on by damage to the lungs and airways, where the body part swells and gets clogged by mucus. Some of the main reasons for this symptom are prolonged exposure to dust, polluted air, chemicals, and fumes. Chronic cough Another prevalent symptom associated with COPD is cough. Patients can experience a dry cough or cough accompanied by phlegm or sputum. In most cases of COPD, the cough is brought on by the inflammation and thickening of lung tissue.

The excitement that surfaces during the Black Friday sale isn’t limited to electronic devices like laptops and smartphones. Customers also look forward to festive sales where they can upgrade to or purchase a full-fledged tablet. While one of the primary purposes of a tablet is to own a bigger screen, other features make a tablet worth the price. Here are some deals one could expect on smart tablets at the upcoming Black Friday sale. iOS interface Some users may require a tablet that runs on iOS, which they can find from Apple. Two notable tablets in this regard include: 1. The iPad Air M1  was also among the notable devices that went on sale during Black Friday last year. The tablet was available on Amazon with a decent discount of $50 during the sale. Interested shoppers can keep an eye on the device during this year’s Black Friday sale for a potential discount. The tablet boasts a powerful M1 chip, 5G capabilities, and a liquid Retina display, ensuring exceptional overall performance for productivity and creativity. 2. iOS enthusiasts should also check out the latest iPad Pro series. The previous mega sale saw retailers slash prices by about $200. So, one can look for it when the busiest sale of the year goes live, hoping for better deals. A power chipset, substantial battery life, and powerful speakers are some perks we usually see in the iPad Pro series. Affordable tablets Users can expect and follow a ton of affordable tablet deals for Black Friday this year. Here are two impressive deals from last year. 1.  During last year’s Black Friday sale, Walmart offered the Lenovo Tab M8 at a discounted price of $79 from its original price of $119. As for the features, the tablet comes with 32GB of storage, 3GB of RAM, and Android 11.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme moods, either significantly high or low. The high periods are referred to as mania or hypomania, and the low moods are called depression. However, the moods can sometimes be concurrent, meaning individuals with bipolar disorder may have manic and depressive symptoms at once. The condition is usually difficult to diagnose; however, some signs can detect bipolar disorder early, and treatment can be started accordingly. Types and symptoms Often, the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder overlap with those of other conditions, so it becomes difficult to diagnose it timely, which can delay treatment. However, there are now some criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that help recognize bipolar disorder. There are four types of bipolar disorders, and the symptoms vary according to the type of the condition. These are as follows: 1. Bipolar I This type is diagnosed when the individual experiences manic episodes. The symptoms are as follows: This includes a significant shift in the behavior and mood of the person. These mood changes are often unlike the person’s personality or usual behavior, making it evident that something is wrong. A manic episode is also considered manic when it is present most of the day and nearly daily. So, it is not a once-in-a-while episode, but it happens almost daily and often. These episodes last a week or are so severe that hospital intervention is needed, and then they are recognized as manic episodes. Those dealing with bipolar I disorder also experience depressive episodes. However, according to the criteria, bipolar I is only diagnosed when the abovementioned symptoms are experienced. Other symptoms may overlap and hinder treatment and management therapies. 2. Bipolar II This type of bipolar also has high and low moods; however, depressive episodes are more frequent and likely to be crucial in diagnosing bipolar II.

Gadgets make up a huge part of Black Friday deals during the shopping weekend. Laptops are among the most popular categories, as many brands offer huge discounts on these expensive products. Shoppers are advised to always look out for any sales announcements closer to the sale season, and while there is no update yet on Black Friday 2023 deals, here are last year’s deals to get an idea of what to expect this year. Asus The brand is primarily known for its hardware for gaming and eSports. Hence, laptops are a popular product during the sale season because shoppers, especially gamers, wait all year for exclusive discounts. Some of the popular deals from last year included the following: 1. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 was on sale at Best Buy for $1,399. The original price of the laptop was $1,899, and as it is known to be a beast of a laptop for gaming purposes, it was a big discount for shoppers interested in gaming. It comes with a 14-inch display screen and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which allows for smooth streaming. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU has 16GB of DDR5 RAM. It also has an AMD Radeon RX 6800S GPU for gaming purposes. 2. The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 is a more affordable option, also sold on Best Buy for $369 when the original price was $569. Even though this comes under premium Chrome OS laptops, it is still more affordable than other available options. The 15.6-inch touch display helps with clean and vivid visuals, and it has a 128GB SSD, which is rarely seen in other Chromebooks on the market. Lenovo Some of the popular deals from this brand from last year included the following: 3. With the coupon code “IDEABFNOW,” shoppers could get the Lenovo Slim 7 14, which was on sale on the official website for $927 when the original price was $1,259.

Wearable technology is ever-evolving, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch series is amongst the top ones ruling the market. Samsung’s latest additions of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 have improved the overall smartwatch experience with newly introduced features and functionalities, some of which have remained hidden to users. Here are 15 lesser-known yet highly beneficial Samsung watch hacks that have the potential to revolutionize the way one interacts with one’s smartwatch. Hidden Samsung watch hacks to try 1. Activate hidden “Developer Options” Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 have hidden developer mode that allows users to control a range of systems and parameters. To access this mode, users can navigate to “Settings,” then select “About Watch,” and tap on “Software Version” five times. This action unlocks the “Developer Options” section in Settings, enabling a deeper level of customization and control over various settings, enhancing the overall functionality and user experience of the smartwatch. 2. Adjust watch animation Users can modify the animation speed on their Samsung Watch through the ‘Animator Duration Scale’ in the Developer Options. This setting allows one to make animations appear either faster or slower, according to one’s preference. 3. Transition animation control This setting, found in the hidden developer options, governs the transitions within the smartwatch’s interface. It affects actions like returning to the home screen or switching between app screens. 4. Enhance page switching Through the adjustable ‘Window Animation Scale’ option in the settings, one can alter the speed at which one moves between different pages on one’s watch, providing a more personalized experience for navigation. 5. Stay awake when charging This is another added feature in the newer Galaxy watches. Once activated, the smartwatch screen stays on even when one is charging the device and actively turns it into a desk clock.

The Galaxy Z Fold series is one of the latest examples of Samsung’s unwavering commitment to innovation and user-centric design. With each model, the brand has raised the bar for foldable technology, offering devices that combine style, functionality, and cutting-edge features. As the series continues to evolve, it may just be a glimpse of the future of smartphone design and user experiences. So, here is everything one should know about the Galaxy Z Fold series:  Initial offering The first generation Galaxy Z Fold paved the way for Samsung’s exploration into foldable technology. Featuring a 7.3-inch AMOLED display, it introduced users to a new era of multitasking and immersive experiences. The revolutionary hinge mechanism ensured seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states. While subsequent models have refined and enhanced the concept, the Galaxy Z Fold remains an iconic milestone in the evolution of smartphones. It emerged as a pioneering technology in foldable phones. At the moment, the original Galaxy Z Fold is much more affordable than other models in the series, serving as an entry point into the world of foldable technology. Early models – The Galaxy Z Fold 2 marked a significant leap forward in foldable smartphone design. With a larger, 7.6-inch AMOLED display, it offered users an expansive canvas for multitasking and immersive content consumption. The Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) layer provided enhanced durability, while the Hideaway Hinge allows for flex mode, revolutionizing user interaction. Samsung also considered affordability, offering flexible payment plans and trade-in options to ensure that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 was within reach for diverse buyers. The phone proved even more affordable for enthusiasts with the shopping season deals following its release. – The next model in the series was the Galaxy Z Fold 3, equipped with a 7.6-inch AMOLED display when unfolded. Like other models in the lineup, it provides users with a canvas for productivity, creativity, and entertainment.

Investing in a new pickup truck is a huge and costly decision that requires thorough research and planning, right down from choosing the correct model, brand, and size to knowing about one’s financing options. It is very easy to make mistakes and overlook certain things, making one regret their purchase decision. Here are a few mistakes one needs to avoid when selecting and signing the ownership agreement for a new pickup truck. 1. Failing to consider cabin size Choosing a pickup truck with the wrong cabin size is a major mistake, as it does not serve the purpose. For instance, a small cabin might not be able to seat enough people, or a cabin with too much room can cause someone to tumble or skid sideways at a sharp turn. Multiple pickup truck options are available, including regular cabins, crew cabins, and extended cabin sizes. Depending on their needs, drivers can select if they want a proper, spacious seating option for two people or four people. The thumb rule is to consider the number of passengers frequently traveling in this pickup truck. Of course, selecting a pickup with a smaller cab can help save money, but saving some dollars is not the only goal, especially if it can lead to purchasing another pickup truck because of the wrong selection. 2. Selecting the wrong engine Nowadays, trucks have much more to offer than they did back in the day. The biggest choice in terms of the engine is to select between an eight and a four-cylinder. This is important because the wrong choice could compromise the budget or the towing capacity. Going with a truck engine with a higher capacity also means spending extra, not just for the purchase but also for fuel and maintenance. This is a strict no-no, especially if the driver does not require what the sticker price offers.

Whether new or used, buying a car is a huge investment. With growing inflation, more people than ever have been opting for pre-owned cars, as it can significantly reduce ownership and insurance costs. However, these can come with their issues, such as wear and tear or negligent maintenance. Check out these ten common mistakes people make when buying a used car and easy ways to avoid them for a better experience. Skipping the test drive Many buyers do not take the car out for a test drive before they buy it. While one may do this as a vote of confidence or faith in the dealer, it could lead to potentially expensive repairs in the future. Before buying a used car, it is always a good idea to test drive a few. If possible, work out a deal for a longer test drive, say 30-40 miles, where the car can be tested in different traffic and road conditions. This will help one build a clearer understanding of what the car’s ownership and performance would look like. Leaving financing to the last minute Before heading out to buy a used car, one needs to figure out how they plan on paying for it. This could involve opting for financing in the form of a loan. To negotiate better terms, have a pre-approved financing solution ready. Some dealerships also offer financing, but this may be more expensive than other lenders, such as banks. Shop around to find the best rates that fit within the budget. Shopping based on monthly payments Of course, money is one of the most crucial facets when it comes to buying a car. However, shopping based on monthly payments alone could cost more money in the long run. Check all loan and payment details carefully before finalizing the purchase.