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Gluten-free Dog Food: All you need to know

Dogs have evolved in parallel to humans, and over the thousands of years we’ve owned man’s best friend, their body has changed to live alongside us.

But not only have our dogs changed with us, but how we look after ourselves influences our furry friends too.

Recently the rise of keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets has gone from little-known food regimes to big business. In tandem with this, grain-free and gluten-free diets have become popular for our pets because how we view human health and nutrition influences what we think is healthy for our furry friends too.

But is a gluten-free diet necessary for dogs or even beneficial for our furry friends? Here’s the low-down of what gluten-free dog food is and guidance on whether or not it’s good for your dog.

Gluten-free dog food: What you need to know

What is gluten-free dog food?

Gluten is a sticky protein found in some grains and cereals, including wheat and barley.

Gluten-free dog food is one that’s made using a recipe that avoids these gluten-containing grains.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that gluten-free food is free from all grains because many grains, including rice, are actually gluten-free.

Grain-free dog food vs gluten-free dog food

Grains is an umbrella term for all the different cereals we humans grow including wheat, rice, barley, oats, rye, corn, spelt, quinoa, and a few others.

Although some people use grain-free and gluten-free interchangeably, it’s not correct because many grains don’t contain gluten. So, some grains like wheat, barley and rye include gluten, but grains such as brown rice don’t.

That means grain-free food should also be gluten-free, but gluten-free dog food is not necessarily grain-free.

Meanwhile, “cereal-free” is basically interchangeable with “grain-free”.

Grain-free dog food was launched in the mid to late 1990s because many dogs were suffering from allergies.

Most dog allergies are caused by proteins, and the most common tend to be chicken, beef, lamb, and wheat. Since gluten is a kind of protein, it’s possible that your dog could develop an allergy to it, the same as any other ingredient.

Gluten-free is a much more recent phenomenon, partly because of the prevalence of grain-free diets and the rise of gluten-free diets in humans. Anytime humans follow a food trend, it often reflects on how we feed our pets.

Grain-free and gluten-free doesn’t mean low carbohydrate

Many owners opt for grain-free and gluten-free dog food to try and lower the number of cereals and carbohydrates their dog is eating.

Traditional kibble is high in carbohydrates because the dough needs a high starch content to bind together. Some recipes of dog food might use “fillers” and create food with a high amount of carbohydrates and lower amounts of protein because this is typically the cheapest way to make dog food.

However, this imbalance of high carbs to low protein is true of many poor-quality dog foods, not just those with grain and gluten in.

For example, a grain or gluten-free dog food could bulk their protein levels with pea protein and bulk out the food with high amounts of carbohydrates from potatoes or legumes. That’s why the quality of ingredients is the most important factor in finding the best dog food.

Grain-free and gluten-free food can still be high in carbohydrates, it will just be provided by alternative ingredients like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and legumes.

Additionally, many grain-free and gluten-free dog food recipes are still kibble, which means they’re probably high in carbs still and they might not be the best quality diet for your dog.

Although it’s recommended that dogs eat less carbs than what’s in many kibble recipes, they still need some carbohydrates in their diet to be healthy and active.

Do dogs need carbohydrates?

Dogs are omnivores, just like humans, and they are at their happiest and healthiest when they eat a balanced diet which includes plenty of protein, some carbs, and lots of vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables.

Not all carbohydrates are made equal though. Complex carbs like brown rice are slow-releasing, long-lasting, and more nutritious than simple ones, like sugar. Meanwhile, simple carbs can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, hyperactivity, and lethargy when energy levels dip.

Complex carbohydrates have a host of benefits including:

· They help your dog to feel full.

· They provide many important nutrients.

· They provide long-lasting energy so your dog’s active all day.

· They provide slow-releasing energy, so there are fewer blood sugar spikes or hyperactive episodes.

· They aid digestion and keep bowel movements regular.

Although simple carbohydrates aren’t bad, they’re the ones we usually associate with “fillers” and junk food because they provide little nutrition other than glucose and short-lived energy.

The sugars in some simple carbs can lead to tooth decay and hyperactivity, and if a dog eats too many for an extended period of time, it could put them at risk of diabetes.

Is gluten bad for dogs: Do dogs need gluten-free food?

Although millions of humans have celiac disease and require a gluten-free diet, dogs aren’t affected by celiac disease.

In fact, only two breeds of dog are known to have inherited gluten sensitivities (although this is still very rare even within those breeds).

Some Irish Setters can inherit a condition called ‘gluten-sensitive enteropathy’, which is similar to celiac disease in humans.

A small number of Border Terrier can suffer from canine epileptoid cramping syndrome, which studies have found is affected by gluten. These terriers can see improvements in their condition if fed a gluten-free diet.

As well as the small group of these breeds with inherited gluten sensitivities, individual dogs could develop gluten sensitivity. However, gluten sensitivity in dogs is extremely rare, and your dog is far more likely to be allergic to chicken or beef.

Do dogs need to be gluten-free?

In general, there’s no necessity to avoid gluten for dogs. It’s actually far more important to make sure your dog is eating a balanced diet with high-quality ingredients.

That being said, following a gluten-free diet would mean no wheat in your dog’s food, which is one of the cheaper grains and it isn’t as nutritious as complex carbohydrates.

Complex carbs like brown rice are nutritious, provide dietary fibre, are very easy for dogs to digest, and they’re fantastic for keeping a dog’s digestive tract healthy and bowel movements regular.

If your dog does have a sensitivity or an allergy, knowing exactly what goes into their food or a tailored diet will help to manage their condition and avoid flare-ups.

Signs and symptoms of a gluten sensitivity

The signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity in dogs are similar to the symptoms of any dietary allergy or intolerance. These include:

● Vomiting after meals

● Diarrhoea

● Flatulence

● Loss of appetite

● Weight loss

● Poor coat condition

● Itchy, sensitive skin

● Dermatitis

● Chronic or repeated ear infections

As stated, these symptoms are generic and true to almost any allergy or intolerance, not just a gluten sensitivity.

If you notice your dog is suffering from these symptoms, you must talk to your vet. They can help you figure out if there’s anything in the environment causing your dog’s symptoms and guide you through an elimination diet to see if any foods are triggering your dog’s upset. Don’t just assume that their symptoms are caused by gluten or grains.

What’s best for your dog?

The most important thing to look for in dog food is that it provides complete nutrition and uses high-quality natural ingredients.

Many vets and nutritionists will advise that high-quality ingredients matter more than whether or not a food is grain-free or gluten-free. But it happens that all Pure Pet Food recipes are gluten-free anyway, using high-quality, natural ingredients, like meat, fruit and plenty of vibrant vegetables. Some Pure recipes include a little helping of brown rice to provide a complex carbohydrate, fibre and to keep the dinners balanced.

Although brown rice is gluten-free anyway, Pure also make grain-free recipes too if your pup is a little sensitive to grains. After all, each tasty recipe is tailored to your dog’s individual needs to make sure they’re getting the best nutrition possible.

So, if your dog is sensitive to grains, not just gluten, your recipes will be grain-free and include plenty of complex carbohydrates from fruit and veggies instead to ensure everything is balanced.

And if your pooch has any other allergies or sensitivities, the recipes can be tailored further to suit their needs and avoid any triggering ingredients.

Recap: Do dogs need gluten-free dog food?

Grains and gluten aren’t bad for dogs, and they can provide a lot of nutritional value. But just like any ingredient in your dog’s dinner, the quality of the grains and gluten in their food can vary, and they could be imbalanced in low-quality or budget dog foods.

Complex carbohydrates are great for your dog, providing long-lasting energy, fibre, and nutrients. However, simple carbs (and too many carbs in general) can contribute to weight gain and obesity, having a negative impact on your dog’s overall health.

It’s always a good idea to know exactly what goes into your dog’s food, and to pick food that includes only the best, natural, tasty ingredients so your dog gets complete, delicious nutrition every single day. Pure Pet Food is packed with real, natural ingredients, no hidden nasties or weird surprises. It’s just wholesome, honest food.

Your dog’s Pure dinners will also be tailored to their individual needs and only use a few ingredients, like chicken, brown rice, and carrots. That means you’ll always know exactly what your pooch is eating and you can easily avoid any allergens while providing a healthy, balanced diet for your dog that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

 

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Technology

Technology has changed our day to day lives. Now, you can get to play your favourite aussie online casino games in the comfort of your own home. But, at times, having too much attachment to technology can ruin our lives. It is important that we learn how to maintain healthy relationships with technology. Here are some tips on maintaining a healthy relationship with technology.

Do Not Be Over Reliant On Technology

It is very easy to become over-reliant on technology. You may find yourself spending more time on social media than interacting with people face-to-face. This could lead to loneliness and isolation. If this happens, it is best to take a break from technology. Do not be afraid to go out into nature or spend quality time with family and friends.

Set Boundaries With Your Technology Use

You should set boundaries with your use of technology. For example, if you are going to be using your phone during dinner, then do not allow others to interrupt you. Set aside specific hours when you will use technology. Also, make sure that you have enough space to work without being distracted by other devices.

Learn How To Manage Your Time With Technology

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed with technology, try setting priorities. Learn to manage your time so that you can focus on what really matters. Make sure that you block off time for leisure activities like reading books or playing board games.

Create A Balance Between Work And Play

Technology is an integral part of our daily life especial for bestusacasinosites casino industry. However, sometimes, we need to step away from technology and reconnect with ourselves. Take breaks from technology every now and then. Try to create a balance between work and play.

Technology is here to stay. So, it is important that we learn to keep a healthy relationship with technology, especially as we grow older. We must remember that technology does not replace human interaction. Instead, it helps us connect

The Ultimate Low Cost Airlines

It’s no secret that flying has become very expensive lately. In addition to paying high prices for tickets, travellers must now pay for airport fees (such as security checks) and fuel surcharges. The result is that airfares have risen dramatically since 2010.

This means that traveling by air is no longer affordable for everyone. If you want to travel cheaply, then you’ll have to take the bus or train instead. That said, air travel is quite efficient. As such, we give you this round up of the cheapest airline services available.

Norwegian Airlines

Norwegian offers a lot of great deals, including some good low cost airlines in Europe. Not only are their planes extremely comfortable but they also offer an excellent range of food options on-board . This will save you money in both the long and short term for real money casinos . Plus, if you do have an issue with your equipment – from clothes to luggage – they’re quite generous when it comes to refunds. All in all, this makes them one of our favourite low-cost airlines

Primera Air

They offer some really cheap routes and fares, especially for the price conscious traveller. Another advantage is that these flights usually come with seat upgrades which can be useful for those planning to fly back home at a later date. These seats also come with free drinks, snacks, and even on-board Wi-Fi for those who would like to play live real-money eSports, surf the internet or just stream shows.

Eurowings

They’ve been operating for over 20 years now and have a massive network across most European countries. While they may not be offering any fantastic deals right now, they’ve got a few interesting promotions going on. For example, from 1st January until 31st December 2012, they’re offering a 25% off discount on all return flights.

AirAsia

AirAsia is another good choice for budget fliers. They offer several cheap flights each day at discounted rates. You can check out their website to find out what they’re currently offering.Did know you can play australia casino games while traveling .

Conclusion

So there you have it. We hope you enjoyed reading about the best low cost airlines around the world. We think that there is something here for nearly everybody and we hope that at least one of the suggestions is something you might consider using yourself.

Tips on Getting Your Finances Sorted Out for Your New Business

At some time, most healthy firms will require business funding. Startups must cope with start-up costs, while existing enterprises must fund expansion and working capital. It is extremely typical to decide to take on some form of debt, but financing alternatives vary depending on the type of AU Online Casino business you have. Its age, position, performance, market potential, team, and so on are all critical factors. As a result, you should modify your fundraising search and strategy. Let’s go over how to do a financing search and describe some typical alternatives.

Business Specifics

The funding forecast is heavily influenced by the details of the firm. Many existing firms, for example, have access to normal business loans from a traditional bank that startups do not. Furthermore, high-tech, high-growth startups have access to investment capital that stable, established enterprises with moderate growth do not have.

Get a Top Notch Business Plan

Strategic planning will not necessarily persuade investors to back your venture. Yes, a well-written and persuasive best online casino uk business plan (and pitch) describe your company to funders; nevertheless, they are investing in your company, not simply a plan. Usually, you must have a team in place and have made significant progress towards idea verification.

As a result, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort before you can attract investors. Nobody puts money into ideas or plans. There are a few exceptions where investors know the entrepreneur well and are willing to invest in them at an early stage. In such instance, they are putting their money into the entrepreneur rather than the idea.

Look Into Venture Capitalism

The venture capital industry is commonly misunderstood. Many startups argue that venture capital firms are unwilling to invest in innovative or riskier projects. But, venture capitalists are business individuals who are in charge of investing other people’s money. Companies have a mandate to minimize risk as much as feasible. They should not assume more risk than is absolutely required to achieve the risk/return ratios that their capital sources need.

Three main things to consider when starting a business

How far would you go to earn extra cash? What if you could start earning $10 per hour working from home? That’s exactly what you can achieve if you take advantage of the new gig economy. How far would you go to earn extra cash? What if you could start earning $10 per hour working from home? That’s exactly what you can achieve if you take advantage of the new gig economy. There are three main things you should consider before starting a business—legal obligations, tax implications, and financial viability. Startups must also create and manage a marketing strategy. This guide covers each topic in detail, giving you valuable insights into the gig economy. Let’s see in the article below the three main things to consider when starting a business.

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

Starting your own business comes with legal responsibilities that may not be clear until you get started on your venture. One such example is forming an entity for your new casinos online business. An S-Corporation (a form of corporation created under US federal law, with some state variations) will shield shareholders from personal liability for all debts or lawsuits incurred by the company. However, it’s important to note that this is only true for the business itself; employees may still face individual liabilities (such as student loans).

TAX INCOME STATUS

Business income is taxed differently than regular wages or salaries. In general, any amount made above normal expenses and fixed costs (like rent, payroll taxes, utilities, etc.) is subject to taxation. The way earnings are calculated depends on the type of business; an online music store might have different requirements than a freelance writer does. Taxes vary based on where the business is incorporated too– sole proprietorships and partnerships have their own set of rules, while C corps follow the same guidelines as other businesses.

FINANCIAL VIABILITY

It seems like common sense that running a business requires money. But actually, having enough cash coming in without going broke along the way? That’s a whole ‘another story. When you’re just getting off the ground, it helps to plan out how much capital you’ll need upfront, especially if you don’t have access to outside financing. For instance, a website design startup could require between $1,000 and $2,000 to cover design fees, domain name registration, hosting, software, social media services, and more, depending on how many hours you expect to spend. After launch, you’ll want at least a $5,000 per month operating budget. Anything less and you won’t have enough time to devote to growing your audience. So, figure those numbers into your game plan right away.

In conclusion, there are various factors to take into consideration when deciding to start a business, and we’ve provided these tips here to help you make the best decision possible. Don’t forget to play the australian casino games as well.

THE BEST ROMANTIC MOVIES OF 2020

Romantic movies are enjoyed by almost everyone just like australia online casino games. They take us through a journey filled with heartening feelings. On top of that, they give us some hope to love and be loved. If you are one of those people who enjoy watching romantic movies here is a list of some of the best romantic movies of 2020.

The Broken Hearts Gallery

Date of release – 11 September 2020

Starring – Geraldine Viswanathan, Dacre Montgomery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Suki Waterhouse, and Molly Gordon

In this movie, Geraldine plays a girl in her 20s called Lucy. After being dumped sets to create a gallery where people can leave things from their past relationships. She is helped by a cute guy and her best friends to achieve this.

Words on Bathroom Walls

Date of release: 21 August 2020

Starring – Walton Goggins, AnnaSophia Robb, Andy Garcia, Charlie Plummer, and Taylor Russell

This movie features a young boy who has a mental illness. After being diagnosed he transfers to a catholic school from a public school. At this catholic school he meets a girl who is unique in a very way, they connect and have a relationship like no other.

Valley Girl

Date of release – 8 May 2020

Starring – Jessica Rothe, Ashleigh Murray, Josh Whitehouse, Mea Whitman, and Jessie Ennis,

This movie has a 1983 setup and tells a story about a teen from San Fernando Valley finding love on other tracks. It features amazing costumes and makeup did you know you can play gambling360 online casino games while you wearing these amazing costumes.

The Thing about Harry

Date of release – 15 February 2020

Starring: Jake Borelli, Peter Paige, Niko Terho, Japhet Balaban, and Britt Baron

This movie is about two people who meet again and spend the night together in a hotel catching up and wondering if they could be more than just friends.

Then came you

Date of release – 2 October 2020

Starring: Kathie Lee Gifford, Craig Ferguson, Ford Kiernan, Elizabeth Hurley, and Phyllida Law

A currently widowed lady by the name of Annabelle goes on a trip around the world for memories she shared with her husband. However, on her first destination, she meets a handsome man starting a new spark altogether.

10 Top Tips for Throwing The Perfect Garden Party

Now that the sun is here to stay, it’s the perfect time to throw a dream garden party for your nearest and dearest. Bringing your friends over for a summer soiree is something that we can all look forward to, but it still requires some work to set the right tone. With that in mind, here are ten top tips for throwing the perfect garden party this summer.

Prepare the right food

The right food is integral to any successful garden party. Start by thinking about your guest list, and be sure to cater to all tastes and dietary requirements. Make sure you also cover all bases as far as sweet and savory are concerned to guarantee everyone in attendance has something to nibble on.

Think about the weather

The weather is unpredictable at the best of times, so preparing yourself for the worst is important. Keep some umbrellas close to hand and make sure there is enough shelter in the garden for your guests.

Perfect your playlist

There’s no doubt that music can make or break a party, so putting together the right playlist can seem a little daunting. The best thing to do is to figure out what vibe you’re going for in advance before compiling a playlist for the party. You should also add a couple of backup options so you can spice things up if people aren’t sold on your initial suggestions.

Add some comfy seating

Having somewhere in the garden where your guests can put their feet up and sink into a comfy sofa makes a world of difference. Add cushions to your outdoor furniture and provide the perfect space for your guests to chill out around the fire.

Show off your summer style

You hardly need an excuse to dress up for your own garden party. A floating floral dress is a perfect way to rock those summer vibes, and you can round things off with matching shoes and accessories to nail a dream summer outfit that will help you feel relaxed as you host your friends and family.

Let there be light

Lighting makes a huge difference to the atmosphere at any event, and your summer garden party is no exception. Whether you opt for some quaint fairy lights or some colorful party lights, make sure you plan ahead and choose the perfect lighting for the occasion.

Keep the cocktails coming

The best way to round off any garden party setup is to launch your very own cocktail bar. Whether you hire a barman to really impress your friends or practice your own cocktail skills beforehand, a tiki bar setup will make your summer soiree even more memorable.

Play some games

Whether the kids are around or if your garden party is an adults-only affair, playing some games throughout the day will crank things up a notch. Jenga is a great party game, and you can’t go wrong with a pack of cards, particularly where drinking is involved!

Embrace different colors

Summer is all about vibrant colors and fresh blooms. So, to complement the stunning natural world around you, add a splash of color to your garden with the right decor, and your garden will look spectacular as you host your friends this summer.

Enjoy it!

Some people get overly stressed when throwing a garden party, but it’s important to remember to enjoy yourself. After all, what’s the point in going to all of this hassle if you’re not able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the company of your loved ones?

 

3 Things To Teach Your Kids About Keeping Your Home Swimming Pool Clean

If you have a swimming pool at home and little kids who love to swim, you might have noticed that your pool tends to get dirtier when they swim in it than when other people swim in it. Because kids seem to just naturally attract dirt, grime, and stickiness, it’s important that you take steps to keep this at bay in order to keep from having to hire out swimming pool services more often than you otherwise would have to.

To show you how this can be done, here are three things to teach your kids about keeping your home swimming pool clean.

Clean Around The Pool Before Opening It

When your kids are ready to jump in the pool, the cover will first need to be taken off. But before they proceed with this, consider making it a rule to ensure that the area around the pool is cleaned first.

As the cover comes off of the pool, if there is dirt or leaves or other debris right around the pool, it can easily get blown into the pool by the wind or brought into the pool with your kids when they jump in. But by taking a few minutes to sweep away any debris from around the pool before taking the cover off, a lot of these items can be kept out of the pool completely.

Add Pool Cleaning To Your Kids’ Chores

If your kids are going to be spending time in your family pool, they should also have some of the responsibility of keeping it clean.

For families that already have chores that their kids are responsible for, consider adding some pool cleaning chores to their list over the summer. These pool-related chores can include things like making sure all pool toys are out of the pool at the end of the day, skimming off any leaves that may have fallen in before they jump into the pool, and cleaning the tiles or running the pool vacuum each week to help keep pool maintenance within healthy bounds.

Always Cover The Pool When It’s Not Being Used

Another rule that you should give your kids about using your family pool is that the cover should be put on the pool whenever the pool isn’t being used.

This rule is wise for two reasons. The first is that the pool will remain cleaner if it’s covered more often. This will make it more enjoyable to swim in due to both cleanliness and a more consistent temperature. And secondly, children and pets will be less likely to venture toward the pool when the cover is on. This will help to keep everyone in your home and neighborhood safe from water hazards.

If you want your kids to take some responsibility for the care and maintenance of your home swimming pool, consider using the tips mentioned above to help this be done.

 

How to Trade Bull Flag and Bear Flag Pattern on Financial Markets

Using technical analysis while trading in financial markets is crucial for your strategy. In this article we show you ins and out of bear and bull flag patterns and how to use them in trading.

A strong continuation pattern that represents a brief pause in an uptrend. The formation resembles a flag on a pole where the pole forms following a sharp rise in the asset price. The flag can be a horizontal rectangle or a descending channel that represents a consolidation in price and a reduction in volume. When volume begins to rise, traders can expect a sharp price breakout resembling the length of the previous mast.

The psychology behind the formation of the Bull Flag is that after a strong rally, the bears step in to try to drive the price down, but are squeezed out of position by the bulls. The price then rises rapidly and the upward trend continues.

A bear flag pattern is the same formation just reversed and is a powerful signal for a continuation of a downtrend.

How to Trade the Bull Flag

Mark the low and high of the uptrend (mast) and identify the upper and lower boundaries of the consolidation channel (flag).

If the price retracement is above 50% of the mast, then the formation may not be a flag.

Keep an eye on the volume. If volume is rising rapidly, enter a long position either at the bottom of the flag or at the top of the flag in anticipation of a breakout.

The break must be similar to the length of the previous mast.

Bullish pennants are continuation patterns very similar to bullish flags. The difference being that the consolidation period looks like a pennant or triangle at the end of the mast, not a rectangular channel (Bull Flag).

A bearish pennant is the same formation just reversed and is a powerful signal for a continuation of a downtrend.

How to trade the bullish flag

You can trade bullish and bearish pennants in the same way as flag patterns. Conservative traders should wait for confirmation of the direction of the breakout first, as it could go either way.

Falling wedge

The falling wedge is a bullish chart pattern formed by two converging downward sloping trend lines. The two trend lines slant at different angles giving the appearance of a wedge. Bears begin to lose momentum as bulls step in to slow the pace of price decline. The formation occurs during a downtrend and is usually a strong indication of an uptrend reversal.

The opposite of the Falling Wedge is a Rising Wedge which is typically seen in downtrends.

How to trade the falling wedge

Identify the downtrend by marking the lower highs and lower lows with trend lines.

Keep an eye on the volume. If volume is rising rapidly, enter a long position in anticipation of a breakout or wait for confirmation of the breakout.

Place your stop loss and profit targets based on previous resistance levels or based on your own risk/reward ratio.

Unfortunately, there is no trading crystal ball or foolproof way to predict the market 100% of the time. Fortunately, as traders, our job is not to be right all the time. We just have to be right more often than not and not lose more than we win. We do this by using technical analysis to read charts and strict trade management.

The market reflects human nature. We are creatures of habit so the market is a creature of repetition. Learning to spot these repeating patterns can help traders understand market sentiment and see potential breakouts.

 

Best Social Games to Play Online

Socialization is a vital part of life. It is only through interactions that we gradually become able to see ourselves through the eyes of others and discover how to navigate the world properly. It is how culture gets learned, and it represents an engrained emotional need that all people share. By definition, socialization is the process with which people establish a profound relationship with one another and grasp how to conform to rules that benefit everyone living in the same community. Today, the latter applies to the planet as a whole.

Thankfully, technology has made interconnecting with one another more accessible than ever. Nowadays, people do not even have to leave their homes to have meaningful conversations with those they hold dear or total strangers. They can also partake in fun activities with others from the palm of their hands. That is so thanks to the miracle of the internet and smartphones. Many have opted for such entertainment in the past two years, and below, we rattle off five quality picks that anyone looking to bond with friends while enjoying a good time should try.

Words with Friends 2

Developed by Newtoy, Words with Friends is a multiplayer word game that takes its inspiration from Scrabble. Its initial version hit Google Play in 2009, but it was a cross-platform product also available on Facebook for Windows phones, Kindle Fire, and Nook Tablets. Its rules more or less mimicked those of two-player Scrabble with a few nuanced differences, such as the point distribution system used and the arrangement of premium squares. It quickly became the most popular mobile game in the US. In September 2017, the sequel, simply titled Words with Friends 2, came out, and it represented a dramatic improvement compared to its predecessor. It lets players engage in lightning duels and participate in solo challenges.

Online Bingo

Bingo is a globally popular gambling option that people enjoy in vast halls with dozens of other players. The goal of bingo is for gamblers to form various patterns on printed cards from balls drawn by a machine. In the UK, 90-ball bingo is the standard, while the 75-ball version is the norm in the US. Online, for-fun app variations can get found on Google Play and the Apple Store. But online bingo can also get played in top paying casinos on the internet. The fun-credit versions feature video chat options, while the real money ones have text-based communication. Both supply a decent amount of social fun for those willing to interact.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens was a Kickstarter project that drew global interest and morphed into a worldwide phenomenon. It is a strategic card game where the aim is to avoid, at all costs, getting blown up by exploding kittens. Each round starts with players drawing cards from a deck facing down. When someone picks an exploding kitten, that person must exit the session unless they have a defuse card. Two to five people can play this game simultaneously, and physical versions are available at stores like Target. Online, Google Play and the Apple store host its digital iteration, where in-app purchases can run users up to $1.99. Think of this game as a kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette.

Clue: The Classic Mystery Game

Also known as Cluedo, Clue is a murder mystery game devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a British board game designer, in 1943. The original version could be played with three to six players, and the rights for this legendary product are now in the hands of the toy company Hasbro. Now, a variation of Clue is on Google Play, the Apple Store, and Steam, thanks to Marmalade Game Studio. Hence, it is an option for mobile and desktop gamers alike. It allows for worldwide multiplayer detective action or local fun via private rooms where players can invite friends and family members. There are ten themes in this game, and users who do not wish to look at ads can choose to spring for a premium version. It offers hassle-free investigations.

Mario Kart Tour

Owners of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System likely remember playing the first entry in the Mario Kart Series. The same holds for PlayStation One gamers. However, the franchise is not exclusive to old-school video game fanatics only. Its latest release – Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for the Switch console, sold over 164 million copies, becoming a massive hit in most markets. Well, lovers of Mario racing action can enjoy a smartphone version of this series released by its native developer, the Nintendo Company. It allows players to race against up to six friends in multiplayer sessions that can feature customizable rules that include karts speeds and the number of item slots.