Just in time for allergy season, a recent FDA warning describes a new side effect for those who take Zyrtec or Xyzal long-term. This is what you should know.

All in all, the mattress is a great choice for those who like a plush sleep experience. “I would highly recommend it, especially if you’re interested in switching to an eco-friendly bed—it’s an amazing alternative to a regular mattress!” Gore says. “I noticed that I tossed and turned less throughout the night while snoozing on this mattress because my body locked into position once I dozed off.”For Firmer-Leaning SleepersMy Green Mattress Natural Escape MattressUpsidesSupportive designShips in a box for streamlined deliveryDownsidesWhite-glove delivery is not an optionSpecsOrganic certifications: GOTS and GOLS certified organic, GreenGuard Gold certifiedMattress type: InnerspringHeight: 11 inchesFirmness: Medium-firmWarranty: Free shipping and returns, 20-year warranty, 120-night sleep trial periodWhen contributor Kristi Kellogg was asked if she would recommend this bed to a friend, her answer was simple: “Ab-so-lutely.” This straightforward response comes after an incredibly streamlined delivery and setup process. “The mattress showed up in a box that was as tall as me, and I was able to push it into my garage without event,” she says.The mattress itself consists of layers of organic latex and wool, plus cotton quilting, which unfurl out of the packaging into a supportive sleep surface. The medium-firm mattress is also just as comfortable as typical firm mattresses, according to Kellogg. “I feel super supported, and haven’t experienced any back pain sleeping on it,” she says. If you prefer a more pillowy experience, she also notes that My Green Mattress sells plush mattress toppers that give you an extra two inches of softness and pressure point relief.Best for a Range of SleepersAvocado Green MattressUpsidesIt has the most organic certifications in this listBoasts over 15,000 five-star reviewsHas a classic firm feelDownsidesThe medium and plush firmness levels cost extraSpecsOrganic certifications: GreenGuard Gold certified, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, FSC Pure Talalay latex certified, GOTS certified organic wool and cotton, climate neutral certifiedMattress type: Latex hybridHeight: 11 inchesFirmness: Firm, medium, plush optionsWarranty: 25-year warranty, one-year sleep trialAvocado is one of the most popular mattress brands out there, and with over 15,000 five-star reviews for its flagship “Green” model, it was only a matter of time before we put it to the test ourselves. Designed for back and stomach sleepers, contributor Katy Olson has it in her space and loves that it’s “firm, but not overly firm.” While she has the standard firmness level, you can also choose between medium feel for a pillow top layer or plush for a pressure-relieving support layer. Plus, she says the high-quality materials have even helped relieve some of her nightly sneezing from allergies. It consists of GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex, GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton, plus nearly 1,379 individually wrapped support coils. This combination is designed to target seven ergonomic zones that prop your body up while you snooze.For Side SleepersHappsy Organic MattressUpsidesGreat for people who need more supportIncludes four support and soft layersDownsidesLight alfalfa smell upon mattress unboxing, according to our testerOnly two firmness options offered, and may be too firm for certain types of sleepersSpecsOrganic certifications: GOTS certifiedMattress type: HybridHeight: 10 inchesFirmness: Medium-firm and plush-firm optionsWarranty: Free shipping and returns, 20-year warranty, 120-night sleep trialJust like the other bed-in-a-box experience noted above, Kellogg was “shocked and delighted by how easy it was to remove the rolled up, compressed mattress and then watch as it unrolled and sprung to life.” Kellogg says it’s an “undeniably firm” bed that “still has ample cushioning to keep it comfortable” for any sleeping position—especially side sleepers who could use some soft support.She loves her Happsy bed for its use of eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and wool backed by a 100% GOTS organic certification. “Additionally, they are free of the glue and adhesives that are typically found in between a mattress’ comfort layers and coil systems.”More AD-Approved Organic MattressesBirch Natural MattressUpsidesStrong edge supportSoft yet supportive designDownsidesIt has a limited lifetime warrantySpecsOrganic certifications: Fair Trade, GreenGuard Gold, GOLS certifiedMattress type: HybridHeight: 11 inchesFirmness: Medium-firmWarranty: Limited lifetime warranty, 100-night sleep trialEven stripped of its bedding, this mattress makes a great first impression on design alone. “The details in the color and materials made it stand out right out of the box,” says senior digital design editor Zoë Sessums. “It’s firm, but doesn’t feel stiff, and soft without making you sink—to me, it’s Goldilocks perfection.” For context, on a firmness scale of one to 10 on the site, it ranks at about a seven. It’s also designed with cradling comfort in mind. The mattress cover is made with organic cotton, which has a soft and stretchy design as well as a breathable feel. For those who like to sit on the side of the bed, this mattress also has two reinforced side edges for extra edge support.Parachute Eco MattressUpsidesAmple giveStylish constructionDownsidesShort sleep trialSpecsOrganic certifications: While the site doesn’t note specific certifications, the brand claimsthat the bed is made from 100% certified organic cotton, tempered steel, and pure New Zealand woolMattress type: HybridHeight: 12 inchesFirmness: Medium-firmWarranty: 90-day sleep trial, 10-year warranty, and free white-glove delivery and returnsFrom duvet covers to sheet sets, Parachute Home is one of the best places to buy bedding for more reasons than one—starting with its mattress. Like the airy linens the brand is known for, this mattress is breathable from its internal steel pocketed coils—which contains five times as many as a standard bed. It also boasts additional layers of pure New Zealand wool and cotton. Contributor Kristen Flanagan has the bed in her space and considers it just right for her sleep preferences: Not too firm, but not too soft, good motion isolation, and very intentionally made.Although it has a firm design, the actual feel of the mattress took Flanagan by surprise. “There is plenty of give, but you don’t sink into it or leave an imprint. My back feels very supported. The hand-tufting makes the top soft but not too mushy,” she says, adding that its balanced support converted her into a medium-firm mattress person.Coyuchi Natural REM MattressUpsidesGreat for use with or without a box springDownsidesLow-lying heightSpecsOrganic certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton and wool and GOLS certified organic latexMattress type: HybridHeight: 11 inchesFirmness: Medium-firmWarranty: 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty, free shipping and returnsSenior commerce editor Nashia Baker sings this hybrid mattress’ praises for its combination of contouring comfort and support. While we’re used to resting on Coyuchi’s soft bed sheets, this mattress is great for its plush hand feel. And despite being the retailer’s first-ever mattress, the bed excels at accommodating all sleep positions, Baker says. As a self-proclaimed combination sleeper, she understands the woes of side, back, and stomach sleepers alike, but praises the blend of materials (like organic wool, latex, cotton, and coils) for keeping her cozy and propped up during sleep. “This bed has just enough give to feel comforting and support from the coils to maintain its shape, which I have a strong feeling will last for many years to come,” she affirms.Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury Hybrid MattressUpsidesIncludes cushy planted-based foamStrong cooling technologyHandcrafted in the U.S.DownsidesLess ideal for those looking for back supportSpecsOrganic certifications: GOTS certified organic wool and cotton, CertiPUR-US certified cooling gel memory foam with BioFoam, natural silk fibersMattress type: Memory foamHeight: 14 inchesFirmness: Medium-softWarranty: 25-year warranty, one-year sleep trialIf you like soft mattresses made of memory foam, this Brentwood bed is a great pick. Contributor Nick Mafi loves this bed for its cradling comfort and the brand ’s manufacturing practices. “Brentwood Home has been around since 1987 and I love that they handcraft their mattresses in their own GOLS-certified factory just outside of Los Angeles,” he says. “By making their products in the US, Brentwood Home can ensure that their environmental, labor, and social responsibility standards are being met.”Mafi notes that its cooling technology is top-notch, as the blend of foam and thousands of individually pocketed coils provide ample airflow to keep him from sweating. Just keep in mind that it’s a true medium-soft mattress, so it’s most ideal for those who are looking for a plush feel like stomach sleepers. “This mattress wouldn’t be a good fit for someone who needs a huge amount of back support,” Mafi says. “It is on the softer side, so I sink in a little (which I personally find super luxurious!).”How We TestedNot to be redundant if you’re a regular AD Shopping reader, but our editors are serious about their beauty rest. We’ve put on Sleep Week for the last five years to prove it—highlighting our team’s favorite sleep must-haves for catching Z’s. Since a mattress is the core of any bedroom, we routinely test beds throughout the year by sussing out the industry’s best and sleeping on them like any reader would in their home. Our editors and contributors slept on the organic mattresses in this list for at least a month (our standard testing period) to give you their thorough reviews on how it affected their sleep.Comfort: From soft beds to mattresses designed for side sleepers, our editors pay close attention to how well they sleep on all of their beds—and this organic mattress story is no different. Our team of writers and contributors noted key callouts like firmness levels, edge support, and motion transfer to assess how easily they were able to fall and stay asleep.Materials: We prioritized beds on this list with certified organic latex, wool, and cotton. For hybrid models, we looked for steel pocketed coils as part of the build. In addition, we looked at the care labels and certifications to ensure there weren’t harmful chemicals or substances like flame retardants or fiberglass included.Temperature Regulation: Another important factor is breathability on the beds. Whether you’re a hot sleeper or just want a bed to keep you cool when summer comes around, most of the beds are naturally temperature-regulating from materials like organic latex. That aside, many hybrid mattresses are already well-ventilated due to the coils at their base that improve airflow.Sleep Trial Period: To get a real feel for the bed before fully committing, most mattress brands offer a sleep trial starting around 100 days with some even reaching up to a year.

Care management platform DexCare is applying artificial intelligence (AI) in an innovative way to fix health care access issues. Its AI-driven platform helps health systems overcome rising costs, limited capacity, and fragmented digital infrastructure. As Americans face worsening health outcomes and soaring costs, DexCare Co-founder Derek Streat sees opportunity in the crisis and is leading a push to apply AI and machine learning (ML) to health care’s toughest operational challenges — from overcrowded emergency rooms to disconnected digital systems. No stranger to using AI to solve health care issues, Streat is guiding DexCare as it leverages AI and ML to confront the industry’s most persistent pain points: spiraling costs, resource constraints, and the impossible task of doing more with less. Its platform helps liberate data silos to orchestrate care better and deliver a “shoppable” experience. The combination unlocks patient access to care and optimizes health care resources. DexCare enables health systems to see 40% more patients with existing clinical resources. Streat readily admits that some advanced companies use AI to enhance clinical and medical research. However, advanced AI tools such as conversational generative AI are less common in the health care access space. DexCare addresses that service gap. “Access is broken, and our fundamental belief is that there haven’t been enough solutions to balance patient, provider, and health system needs and objectives,” he told TechNewsWorld. Improving Patient Access With Predictive AI Achieving that balance depends on the underlying information drawn from health care providers’ neural networks, ML models, classification systems, and advancements in generative AI. These elements build on one another. Derek Streat, Co-founder of DexCare With the goal of a better customer experience (CX), DexCare’s platform helps care providers optimize the algorithm so everyone benefits. The focus is on ensuring patients get what matches their intent and motivations while respecting the providers’ capacity and needs, explained Streat. He describes the platform’s technology as a foundational pyramid based on data that AI optimizes and manages. Those components ensure high-fidelity outcome predictions for recommended care options. “It could be a doctor in a clinic or a nurse in a virtual care system,” he suggested. “I’m not talking about clinical outcomes. I’m talking about what you’re looking for.” Ultimately, that managed balance will not burn out all your providers. It will make this a sustainable business line for the health system. From Providence Prototype to Scalable Solution Streat defined DexCare as an access optimization company. He shared that the platform originated from a ground-floor build within the Providence Health System. After four years of development and validation, he launched the technology for broader use across the health care industry. “It’s well tested and very effective in what it does. That allowed us to have something scalable across organizations as well. Our expansion makes health care more discoverable to consumers and patients and more sustainable for medical providers and the health systems we serve,” he said. Digital Marquee for Consumers, Service Management for Providers DexCare’s AI works on multiple levels. It provides health care system or medical facility services as a contact center. That part attracts and curates audiences, consumers, and patients. Its digital assets could be websites, landing pages, or screening kiosks. Another part of the platform intelligently navigates patients to the safest and best care option. This process engages the accumulated data and automatically allocates the health system’s resources. “It manages schedules and available staff and facilities and automatically allocates them when and where they can be most productively employed,” explained Streat. The platform excels at load balancing. It uses AI to rationalize all those components. The decision engine uses AI to ensure that the selected resources and needed services match so the medical treatment can be done most efficiently and effectively to accommodate the patient and the organization. How DexCare Integrates With CRM Platforms According to Streat, DexCare is not customer relationship management software. Instead, the platform is a tie-in that infuses its AI tools and data services that blend with other platforms such as Salesforce and Oracle. “We make it as flexible as we can. It is pretty scalable to the point where now we can touch about 20% of the U.S. population through our health system partners,” he offered. Patients do not realize they are interacting with the DexCare-powered experience console under the brands Kaiser, Providence, and SSM Health, some of the DexCare platform’s health systems users. The platform is flexible and adapts to the needs of various health agencies. For instance, fulfillment technologies book appointments and supply synchronous virtual solutions. “Whatever the modality or setting is, we can either connect with whatever you’re using as a health system, or you can use your own underlying pieces as well,” said Streat. He noted that the intelligent data acquisition built into the DexCare platform accesses the electronic medical record (EMR), which includes patients’ demographics, medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, immunization records, lab results, and treatment plans. “The application programming interface [API] gives us real-time availability, allows us to predict a certain provider’s capacity, and maintains EMR as a source of truth,” said Streat. AI’s Long-Term Role in Health Care Access Health care management by conversational generative AI provides insights into where organizations struggle, need to adjust their operations, or reassign staff to manage patient flow. That all takes place on the platform’s back end. According to Streat, the front-end value proposition is pretty simple. It helps get 20% to 30% more patients into the health system. Organizations generate nine times the initial visit value in downstream revenue for additional services, Streat said. He assured that the other part of the value proposition is a lower marginal cost of delivering each visit. That results from matching resources with patients in a way that allows balancing the load across the organization’s network. “That depends on the specific use case, but we find up to a 40% additional capacity within the health system without hiring additional resources,” he said. How? That is where the underlying AI data comes into play. It helps practitioners make more informed decisions about which patients should be matched with which providers. “Not everybody needs to see an expensive doctor in a clinic,” Streat contended. “Sometimes, a nurse in a virtual visit or educational information will be just fine.” Despite all the financial metrics, patients want medical treatment and to move on, which is really what the game is here, he surmised. Why Generative AI Lags in Health Care Streat lamented the rapidly developing sophistication of generative AI, which includes conversational interfaces, analytical capability, and predictive mastery. These technologies are being applied throughout other industries and businesses, but are not yet widely adopted in health care systems. He indicated that part of that lag is that health care access needs are different and not as suited for conversational AI solutions hastily layered onto legacy systems. Ultimately, changing health care requires delivering things at scale. “Within a health system, its infrastructure, and the plumbing required to respect the systems of records, it’s just a different world,” he said. Streat sees AI making it possible for us to move away from searching through a long list of doctors online to booking through a robot operator with a pleasant accent. “We will focus on the back-end intelligence and continue to apply it to these lower-friction ways for people to interact with the health system. That’s incredibly exciting to me,” he concluded.

Multiple previous studies indicate mouth taping isn't very helpful, and may actually be dangerous. Credit: Deposit Photos Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. One of social media’s most recent alleged health hacks is “mouth taping.” Countless TikTok accounts and wellness articles are touting the supposed benefits of attaching an adhesive strip of tape over your lips before turning in for the night. Promised results include improved sleep quality, an end to snoring, better oral health, and somehow even a strengthened jawline. It probably doesn’t take much pause before a few questions spring to mind. What if your snoring is particularly bad? What if you deal with sleep apnea? What if you simply aren’t thrilled at the thought of sealing your mouth shut before falling unconscious for hours at a time?  Researchers at Western University in Canada recently reviewed 10 previously published studies that examined mouth taping as far back as 1999. Their resulting paper published on May 21 in PLOS One lays out what may be a pretty predicable conclusion: Please don’t try mouth taping at home without consulting an actual medical professional. Terrible TikTok advice There are many reasons why you may involuntarily switch from breathing through your nose to your mouth when asleep. Simple congestion from a cold or allergies is often enough to block nasal passages, while a deviated septum coupled with other health factors may result in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Depending on the individual, relief often comes from any combination of medication, exercise, dieting, or medical devices like a CPAP machine. But in recent months, various media outlets and social media accounts have suggested taping your mouth closed before going to bed as a quick and easy workaround. The implied logic here is that if your respiratory system no longer has your mouth as an option, it’ll simply make sure your nose can pick up the slack. This, if you can believe it, is not how things work. “Mouth taping is a contemporary practice that is often celebrity-endorsed, but is not necessarily scientifically accurate,” the study’s authors explained in a statement. “Many people are not appropriate for mouth taping, and in some cases it can lead to risk of serious health harm.” Scant evidence and an asphyxiation risk To reinforce their warning with actual science, researchers reviewed 10 studies on mouth taping’s efficacy that collectively involved a group of 213 patients. Out of those 10 investigations, just two suggested that a small subset of people with mild obstructive apnea may see “some slight improvement” in their sleep.  Meanwhile, other studies didn’t determine any evidence to support taping your mouth for reducing sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, or apnea. Nearly half of the reviewed studies also included discussions regarding the possibly serious risks of asphyxiation. “There was explicit discussion in four out of ten of the studies indicating that oral occlusion either through taping, sealing, or chin strapping could pose a serious risk of asphyxiation in the presence of nasal obstruction or regurgitation,” the authors write. This danger could be especially serious for people dealing with any number of common respiratory troubles, including sinonasal disease, enlarged tonsils, hay fever, chronic rhinitis, or a deviated septum. Mouth taping isn’t necessarily terrible across the board, however. The reviewers note there appears to be a “very specific use-case scenario” for people with mild obstructive sleep apnea. In those cases, blocking the mouthway “may improve” their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), a common medical measurement that tallies disruptive sleep events per hour.  But in general, it’s clear that taping your mouth based on the advice of total strangers online is not a great idea.“It seems that there is a potentially serious risk of harm for individuals indiscriminately practicing this trend,” the paper’s authors conclude while cautioning that, “Further studies are required to elucidate any clinical benefit this practice may have.” If you are suffering from poor sleep, excessive snoring, or dry mouth due to sleep issues, the best remedy remains consulting with a qualified medical professional—preferably one who isn’t looking to boost their follower count.

Ah, sleep. Everybody needs it and nobody gets enough of it. Doing so is great for all aspects of our wellbeing -- from heart health and focus to diet and mood. Experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night, but everyone is different. Even with seven hours of sleep, waking up well-rested is not guaranteed. Sleep trackers and wearables can help determine how you've actually slept throughout the night. Also: I test sleep trackers for a living: 5 tips I've learned about getting better sleep While not perfect, sleep trackers can measure heart rate, skin temperature, and time spent in each sleep phase. ZDNET has thoroughly tested sleep trackers to find the best options based on features, affordability, and availability. Whether you're in the market for a sleep tracker that's a smart ring or a smartwatch, we've gone hands-on with them all. What's the best sleep tracker right now?We found that the Oura Ring 4 is the best sleep tracker on the market for its comfortable, lightweight fit, impressive battery life, and discreet build, which makes it ideal for sleeping. Plus, it provides a wealth of sleep data through the app. The only downside is it comes with a $70 annual subscription if you want to access the full breadth and depth of your data. If you'd like to avoid that, go for the Galaxy Ring instead, which costs around the same without a subscription. I also recommend the Whoop 5.0, as well as the Apple Watch Series 10, if you'd rather wear a fitness band or watch to bed. Read on to explore the most popular options, as well as some lesser-known choices, to help you find the best sleep tracker for a better night's sleep. Sort by All The best sleep trackers of 2025 Show less View now at Best Buy Why we like it: The Oura Ring is the best sleep tracker for a few reasons. It's discreet and far more comfortable to wear to bed compared to a health band or smartwatch. Oura's data capture is accurate, with its sleep staging algorithm matching the performance of a polysomnography sleep lab test. The objective sleep and readiness scores it provides after I wake up often are in line with how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. It also isn't hardcore about getting perfect sleep, which allows for normal people who may be working later, raising kids, or experiencing health conditions to use the smart ring and not feel disheartened. One night, I received a sleep score of 68. The ring notified me that this was below my typical range but told me that it's normal to have nights like these, "so be gentle with yourself." Then it prompted me to reflect on the influencing factors of my poor and reminded me "it's about progress, not perfection." Another reason the smart ring is my favorite sleep and health tracker is because it takes your daily biometrics to paint a fuller, long-term picture of your health through features like Resilience and Cardiovascular Age. If I am consistent with my sleep, I see how it translates into "Solid" or "Exceptional" resilience, which further encourages me to keep up the trend. A week of poor sleep takes a year off my Cardiovascular Age of below seven years. This data is great for already active and health-conscious individuals, but it may overwhelm someone who's just getting into health and sleep tracking. Still, if you're ready to learn more about your health in the context of sleep, activity, and stress, the Oura Ring is health-tracking's top dog. Plus, the smart ring can track your meals and pair that data with glucose insights with a Dexcom Stelo CGM. This can tell you right as you're getting sick, as it did for me during one nasty week of spring allergies, through its Symptom Radar feature. Who's it for: This is a sleep tracker for people who want to improve their sleep quality and their overall health. The ring offers both short-term sleep tracking that examines your rest, as well as long-term sleep and health-tracking that paints a holistic picture of wellbeing.Also: The best smart ringsThe ring starts at $350 and comes with a $70 annual subscription. The smart ring is best for people who are willing to pay this high price and who will regularly check and find use in their biometric data. If you get easily overwhelmed looking at your biometric data, the Oura Ring may offer too much information. Who should look elsewhere: If you don't want to be graded on your sleep, readiness, or activity levels every morning, I'd recommend the Apple Watch. The smartwatch doesn't use sleep or readiness scoring mechanisms. Instead, you can check if your wrist temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep duration are within a typical range through the Apple Watch's Vitals app. Android users could look for the Galaxy Ring instead if they want a similar smart ring sleep tracker but don't want to pay the monthly subscription fee. Oura Ring Gen 4 specs: Up to eight days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | Up to 100m water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring | iOS and Android compatible Battery life 8 Additional features 10 Health tracking 10 Comfort and wear 9 App functionality 10 Pros Accurate sleep tracking Data illustration that informs your sleep and activity routines Comfortable build for all-day wear Cons Paid membership required to unlock all data the ring collects Battery life isn't as long as advertised Oura Ring Gen 4 Best sleep tracker overall 4.7 / 5 Score Why we like it: The Oura Ring is the best sleep tracker for a few reasons. It's discreet and far more comfortable to wear to bed compared to a health band or smartwatch. Oura's data capture is accurate, with its sleep staging algorithm matching the performance of a polysomnography sleep lab test. The objective sleep and readiness scores it provides after I wake up often are in line with how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. It also isn't hardcore about getting perfect sleep, which allows for normal people who may be working later, raising kids, or experiencing health conditions to use the smart ring and not feel disheartened. One night, I received a sleep score of 68. The ring notified me that this was below my typical range but told me that it's normal to have nights like these, "so be gentle with yourself." Then it prompted me to reflect on the influencing factors of my poor and reminded me "it's about progress, not perfection." Another reason the smart ring is my favorite sleep and health tracker is because it takes your daily biometrics to paint a fuller, long-term picture of your health through features like Resilience and Cardiovascular Age. If I am consistent with my sleep, I see how it translates into "Solid" or "Exceptional" resilience, which further encourages me to keep up the trend. A week of poor sleep takes a year off my Cardiovascular Age of below seven years. This data is great for already active and health-conscious individuals, but it may overwhelm someone who's just getting into health and sleep tracking. Still, if you're ready to learn more about your health in the context of sleep, activity, and stress, the Oura Ring is health-tracking's top dog. Plus, the smart ring can track your meals and pair that data with glucose insights with a Dexcom Stelo CGM. This can tell you right as you're getting sick, as it did for me during one nasty week of spring allergies, through its Symptom Radar feature. Who's it for: This is a sleep tracker for people who want to improve their sleep quality and their overall health. The ring offers both short-term sleep tracking that examines your rest, as well as long-term sleep and health-tracking that paints a holistic picture of wellbeing.Also: The best smart ringsThe ring starts at $350 and comes with a $70 annual subscription. The smart ring is best for people who are willing to pay this high price and who will regularly check and find use in their biometric data. If you get easily overwhelmed looking at your biometric data, the Oura Ring may offer too much information. Who should look elsewhere: If you don't want to be graded on your sleep, readiness, or activity levels every morning, I'd recommend the Apple Watch. The smartwatch doesn't use sleep or readiness scoring mechanisms. Instead, you can check if your wrist temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep duration are within a typical range through the Apple Watch's Vitals app. Android users could look for the Galaxy Ring instead if they want a similar smart ring sleep tracker but don't want to pay the monthly subscription fee. Oura Ring Gen 4 specs: Up to eight days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | Up to 100m water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring | iOS and Android compatible Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Why we like it: If you want a sleep tracker that will keep your athletic goals in mind, the Whoop is your best bet.Whoop delivers daily sleep and recovery scores, but it also gives you a strain target you're encouraged to meet, based on the night's sleep and morning's readiness. I'm currently following a weight-training and diet regimen, and I've found the strain target invaluable. The Whoop's daily outlook tab summarizes my morning data and then provides me with exercises and durations for hitting my strain target. For example, one morning it prescribed me either a 30-minute run, a 70-minute elliptical session, or a 30-minute weightlifting session to reach my 13.5 strain target. The tracker made these recommendations after it registered my 88% sleep score and 80% recovery score. The Whoop is another reliable, accurate sleep tracker. One study performed by Central Queensland University found that the Whoop was 99.7% accurate in measuring heart rate and 99% accurate in measuring heart rate variability during sleep. Compared to polysomnography, the Whoop also correctly identified sleep and calculated total time spent asleep. The sleep debt feature is also a great way to keep track of your caught-up -- or not-caught-up -- sleep. Whoop tells you once you've reduced or gained sleep debt and encourages more or maintained rest. It also comes packed with graphs displaying weekly averages, your sleep hours versus your sleep need, performance, and consistency. Unlike Oura, which employs separate tabs for daily and weekly sleep data, I enjoy how all my sleep data is available in one place. Also: I wore the Whoop 5.0 -- it gave me the best of Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and moreWho's it for: Whoop just announced its three new annual subscription tiers starting at $200 and going all the way up to $360. At $200, the Whoop One membership is the least feature-rich option with only sleep, strain, and recovery tracking. It also features V02 max and heart rate zone monitoring, alongside hormonal health insights. For $240, Peak has all the aforementioned features, plus Whoop's new Healthspan and Pace of Aging feature, a Health Monitor feature, and stress monitoring. Life is the most expensive tier at $360. This tier adds blood pressure and ECG monitoring, as well as advanced health sensor tech. The Life tier comes with a Whoop MG -- medical grade -- band, while the One and Peak tiers come with the Whoop 5.0 band. In short, it's going to cost you at least $200 a year to use this device. You could buy an older generation Apple Watch for that very price and never have to pay a subscription on it. The ideal customer for the Whoop is someone who is an avid health and fitness junkie, kind of like a more intense Oura user. This person is actively training and refining their athletic performance and also wants to learn more about their body's capacity through features like Healthspan or Pace of Aging. The Whoop will be an effective sleep tracker for people who want to optimize their training regime for a steep price.Who should look elsewhere: The Whoop is the most expensive sleep tracker on this list. If you want a sleep tracker with similar functionalities but a cheaper or nonexistent subscription, I'd recommend the Oura Ring 4. The ring costs $350 and then $70 for an annual subscription that offers full access to all your health data. Some users are even happy with the limited access provided without a subscription. If all this health data is overhwelming, I'd also recommend the Apple Watch Series 10 instead or even an earlier model if you wanted a cheaper sleep tracker. The Apple Watch Series 8 and later include the Vitals app, which is essential for sleep tracking.Whoop 4.0 specs: Up to 14 days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches | IP68 water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate, menstrual tracking | iOS and Android compatible Pros Detailed sleep tracking for athletes Personalized sleep coach Sleep debt feature Cons Annual membership subscription that just got even more expensive Why we like it: If you want a sleep tracker that will keep your athletic goals in mind, the Whoop is your best bet.Whoop delivers daily sleep and recovery scores, but it also gives you a strain target you're encouraged to meet, based on the night's sleep and morning's readiness. I'm currently following a weight-training and diet regimen, and I've found the strain target invaluable. The Whoop's daily outlook tab summarizes my morning data and then provides me with exercises and durations for hitting my strain target. For example, one morning it prescribed me either a 30-minute run, a 70-minute elliptical session, or a 30-minute weightlifting session to reach my 13.5 strain target. The tracker made these recommendations after it registered my 88% sleep score and 80% recovery score. The Whoop is another reliable, accurate sleep tracker. One study performed by Central Queensland University found that the Whoop was 99.7% accurate in measuring heart rate and 99% accurate in measuring heart rate variability during sleep. Compared to polysomnography, the Whoop also correctly identified sleep and calculated total time spent asleep. The sleep debt feature is also a great way to keep track of your caught-up -- or not-caught-up -- sleep. Whoop tells you once you've reduced or gained sleep debt and encourages more or maintained rest. It also comes packed with graphs displaying weekly averages, your sleep hours versus your sleep need, performance, and consistency. Unlike Oura, which employs separate tabs for daily and weekly sleep data, I enjoy how all my sleep data is available in one place. Also: I wore the Whoop 5.0 -- it gave me the best of Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and moreWho's it for: Whoop just announced its three new annual subscription tiers starting at $200 and going all the way up to $360. At $200, the Whoop One membership is the least feature-rich option with only sleep, strain, and recovery tracking. It also features V02 max and heart rate zone monitoring, alongside hormonal health insights. For $240, Peak has all the aforementioned features, plus Whoop's new Healthspan and Pace of Aging feature, a Health Monitor feature, and stress monitoring. Life is the most expensive tier at $360. This tier adds blood pressure and ECG monitoring, as well as advanced health sensor tech. The Life tier comes with a Whoop MG -- medical grade -- band, while the One and Peak tiers come with the Whoop 5.0 band. In short, it's going to cost you at least $200 a year to use this device. You could buy an older generation Apple Watch for that very price and never have to pay a subscription on it. The ideal customer for the Whoop is someone who is an avid health and fitness junkie, kind of like a more intense Oura user. This person is actively training and refining their athletic performance and also wants to learn more about their body's capacity through features like Healthspan or Pace of Aging. The Whoop will be an effective sleep tracker for people who want to optimize their training regime for a steep price.Who should look elsewhere: The Whoop is the most expensive sleep tracker on this list. If you want a sleep tracker with similar functionalities but a cheaper or nonexistent subscription, I'd recommend the Oura Ring 4. The ring costs $350 and then $70 for an annual subscription that offers full access to all your health data. Some users are even happy with the limited access provided without a subscription. If all this health data is overhwelming, I'd also recommend the Apple Watch Series 10 instead or even an earlier model if you wanted a cheaper sleep tracker. The Apple Watch Series 8 and later include the Vitals app, which is essential for sleep tracking.Whoop 4.0 specs: Up to 14 days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches | IP68 water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate, menstrual tracking | iOS and Android compatible Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Walmart Why we like it: The Galaxy Ring is a discreet, comfortable sleep-tracking solution with Samsung Health integrations. If you do own a Galaxy Watch and use it for fitness, your sleep data will be stored in the same place on the app. Out of all the sleep trackers I've tried, the Galaxy Ring provides the highest sleep and energy -- its version of readiness -- ratings. The smart ring is ideal for people who don't want to feel terrible about their rest while they track their sleep. Its battery life is also comparable to the Oura Ring at around seven days. The ring's app doesn't have a lot of the other special touch features that some of its competitors. It keeps the metrics it monitors simple and doesn't stray from sleep, activity, energy, and stress. It's a great smart ring for people who just want to track their sleep on a daily basis and don't need in-depth health insights. Who's it for: The Galaxy Ring is best for Android users who want to keep their data within the Samsung ecosystem. Additionally, it's a great smart ring for those who are intrigued by the Oura Ring -- but not the subscription price tag. Unlike the Oura Ring, whose price increases depending on the ring's finish, every Samsung Galaxy Ring finish costs the same, sweet price of $350. Who should look elsewhere: This smart ring is only available to Android users, since the data is stored on the Samsung Health app. So iOS users should look to the Oura Ring 4 or Ultrahuman Ring Air instead.  Also: Samsung's Galaxy Ring is smarter than my Apple WatchSamsung Galaxy Ring specs: Up to seven days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | Water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring | Android compatible Pros Best smart ring for Android users Sleep and energy tracking that doesn't make you feel bad Great for entry-level health trackers Cons Not as feature-rich as the Oura Ring Why we like it: The Galaxy Ring is a discreet, comfortable sleep-tracking solution with Samsung Health integrations. If you do own a Galaxy Watch and use it for fitness, your sleep data will be stored in the same place on the app. Out of all the sleep trackers I've tried, the Galaxy Ring provides the highest sleep and energy -- its version of readiness -- ratings. The smart ring is ideal for people who don't want to feel terrible about their rest while they track their sleep. Its battery life is also comparable to the Oura Ring at around seven days. The ring's app doesn't have a lot of the other special touch features that some of its competitors. It keeps the metrics it monitors simple and doesn't stray from sleep, activity, energy, and stress. It's a great smart ring for people who just want to track their sleep on a daily basis and don't need in-depth health insights. Who's it for: The Galaxy Ring is best for Android users who want to keep their data within the Samsung ecosystem. Additionally, it's a great smart ring for those who are intrigued by the Oura Ring -- but not the subscription price tag. Unlike the Oura Ring, whose price increases depending on the ring's finish, every Samsung Galaxy Ring finish costs the same, sweet price of $350. Who should look elsewhere: This smart ring is only available to Android users, since the data is stored on the Samsung Health app. So iOS users should look to the Oura Ring 4 or Ultrahuman Ring Air instead.  Also: Samsung's Galaxy Ring is smarter than my Apple WatchSamsung Galaxy Ring specs: Up to seven days battery life | Sleep cycles | Bluetooth | Water resistant | Blood oxygen, skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring | Android compatible Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Why we like it: The Apple Watch Series 10 is the most approachable sleep-tracking option for people who want a general sense that they're hitting their sleep goals. The functions on the Apple Watch aren't going to grade you on how you rested, but it will tell you if key metrics are within normal or abnormal ranges and accurately capture your sleep data. The Apple Watch shows you your time spent awake, in REM, core, and deep sleep, as well as whether your sleep duration has increased or decreased over the past week. The Vitals app is going to be your Apple Watch's best friend if you want some biometric-tracking mechanisms. The smartwatch app displays your sleeping wrist temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep duration on a graph. It will also notify you whether these datapoints are in or out of your typical range. We chose the Apple Watch Series 10 because it is the thinnest and most comfortable smartwatch Apple's produced. This makes it a little easier to sleep with compared to its bulkier counterparts in the Apple Watch lineup. It also comes with several sleep-friendly functionalities, like a bedtime reminder feature that automatically goes into do not disturb at your set bedtime. For those with breathing disturbances, the smartwatch has an FDA-cleared Sleep Apnea Detection feature that can help catch the often-undiagnosed condition.  Who's it for: Apple owners, first and foremost. Unlike the other picks on this list, the Apple Watch has a screen and is your iPhone's personal assistant first and a health tracker second. You can take calls, set timers, send texts, create reminders, and even use it as a de facto wallet. Secondly, it's for people who don't mind the feel of wearing a smartwatch to bed. This might be the most comfortable smartwatch Apple's ever made, but it's still pretty bulky and distracting.The smartwatch is a great solution for people looking for a subscription-free health tracker with medical grade, yet simple and judgement-free, features. Apple updates its firmware regularly and adds new health-minded features every year, so you can get a lot out of keeping this smartwatch around your wrist. Who should look elsewhere: The Apple Watch Series 10 battery life is better than its predecessors, but it's still shorter than the other options on this list. You'll have to charge your smartwatch everyday if you want around-the-clock usage, which may be a deterrent for people. If that's you, I'd recommend the Whoop instead, since it's a similar wrist band form factor but with a 14-day battery life and a wearable charging case.Review: Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Series 10 specs: Up to 18-hour battery life | Sleep cycles and sleep apnea-tracking | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and/or cellular options | 42mm and 46mm models | IP6X dust and water resistant | Blood oxygen, body temperature sensor, EKG, irregular heart rate alerts | iOS only Health & wellness 10 Build quality/durability 9 Advanced features 6 Applications 10 Core functionality 9 Pros Sleep cycle tracking No subscription to track sleep Sleep apnea detection Vitals app Cons Must be paired with iPhone Shorter battery life than other wearables No sleep scores Apple Watch Series 10 Best sleep tracker for iPhone owners 4.4 / 5 Score Why we like it: The Apple Watch Series 10 is the most approachable sleep-tracking option for people who want a general sense that they're hitting their sleep goals. The functions on the Apple Watch aren't going to grade you on how you rested, but it will tell you if key metrics are within normal or abnormal ranges and accurately capture your sleep data. The Apple Watch shows you your time spent awake, in REM, core, and deep sleep, as well as whether your sleep duration has increased or decreased over the past week. The Vitals app is going to be your Apple Watch's best friend if you want some biometric-tracking mechanisms. The smartwatch app displays your sleeping wrist temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep duration on a graph. It will also notify you whether these datapoints are in or out of your typical range. We chose the Apple Watch Series 10 because it is the thinnest and most comfortable smartwatch Apple's produced. This makes it a little easier to sleep with compared to its bulkier counterparts in the Apple Watch lineup. It also comes with several sleep-friendly functionalities, like a bedtime reminder feature that automatically goes into do not disturb at your set bedtime. For those with breathing disturbances, the smartwatch has an FDA-cleared Sleep Apnea Detection feature that can help catch the often-undiagnosed condition.  Who's it for: Apple owners, first and foremost. Unlike the other picks on this list, the Apple Watch has a screen and is your iPhone's personal assistant first and a health tracker second. You can take calls, set timers, send texts, create reminders, and even use it as a de facto wallet. Secondly, it's for people who don't mind the feel of wearing a smartwatch to bed. This might be the most comfortable smartwatch Apple's ever made, but it's still pretty bulky and distracting.The smartwatch is a great solution for people looking for a subscription-free health tracker with medical grade, yet simple and judgement-free, features. Apple updates its firmware regularly and adds new health-minded features every year, so you can get a lot out of keeping this smartwatch around your wrist. Who should look elsewhere: The Apple Watch Series 10 battery life is better than its predecessors, but it's still shorter than the other options on this list. You'll have to charge your smartwatch everyday if you want around-the-clock usage, which may be a deterrent for people. If that's you, I'd recommend the Whoop instead, since it's a similar wrist band form factor but with a 14-day battery life and a wearable charging case.Review: Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Series 10 specs: Up to 18-hour battery life | Sleep cycles and sleep apnea-tracking | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and/or cellular options | 42mm and 46mm models | IP6X dust and water resistant | Blood oxygen, body temperature sensor, EKG, irregular heart rate alerts | iOS only Read More Show Expert Take Show less What are the tariffs in the U.S.?The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.Headphones and wearable devices, which are predominantly manufactured in these regions, are now subject to tariffs as high as 54% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers may see price increases of approximately 20% on these items. Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for headphones and wearables due to these trade policies.Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for longWhat is the best sleep tracker? The best sleep tracker overall is the Oura Ring 4, thanks to its comprehensive features that provide a deeper understanding of the health data behind your sleep score. It is more comfortable to wear than a smartwatch and offers the most detailed summaries and recommendations for your night's sleep.Best sleep trackerCostBattery lifeiOS/AndroidSleep cyclesSubscription needed?Oura Ring 4$350 (plus $70 annual subscription)8 daysiOS and Android✔YesWhoop 5.0 Starts at $200 annually 14 daysiOS and Android✔YesSamsung Galaxy Ring $4007 daysAndroid only✔NoApple Watch Series 10$24918 hoursiOS only✔No Show more Which is the right sleep tracker for you? That depends on your needs. Do you prefer a device with a screen or one without? Are you an athlete looking to combine sleep data with training metrics, or are you casually interested in tracking your nightly sleep score? Do you want to pay a monthly fee to access all your data, or do you want to keep the costs low? We've compiled a list of options to suit a variety of preferences and use cases. Choose this best sleep tracker...If you want...Oura RingThe best sleep tracker overall, with a battery life that lasts nearly a week, comprehensive sleep data, and a discreet form factor.Whoop 4.0The best sleep tracker for athletes who don't want a screen on their wrist. Get insights and recommendations through Whoop's personalized sleep coach and learn how you can recover from your workouts with the right amount of sleep that Whoop calculates for you.Galaxy Ring Any easy-going sleep tracker that won't make you feel bad about your night's sleep. The smart ring is subscription-free and is only compatible with Android devices -- sorry iPhone owners. Apple Watch Series 10The best sleep tracker for Apple users with easy Apple integration, sleep cycle information and sleep apnea detection, and a larger, thinner, and brighter display. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a sleep tracker Poor sleep quality can lead to an increased risk of dementia, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even certain types of cancer. Sleep is vital.To find the best sleep trackers, ZDNET relied on hands-on testing and thorough research into product quality as well as sleep studies on these devices. Additionally, we considered the following factors:Sleep Tracking: Sensors in your sleep tracker can collect a variety of data such as heart rate, heart rate variability, time asleep, sleep stages, and even how much you snore. All of this data is collected and analyzed, and the best sleep trackers present this information clearly.Comfort: If you're wearing a device to bed, it should be comfortable. We've considered smartwatches, bands, and rings that are lightweight, compact, and unobtrusive.Additional features: Some sleep trackers may also provide additional features, like a smart alarm or health and fitness tracking. These insights can help you live a better life during the day, so you sleep better at night. Subscription: To access some features, you may need a subscription. Some subscriptions require a one-time fee, while others may charge an ongoing monthly fee. Be sure to review the terms of the subscription before purchasing. While generally affordable, this is an additional cost that you should factor into the total price.Price: Sleep trackers can be reasonably priced but get expensive as you add extra features. I found that the cost of the best sleep trackers ranges from $80 to $400, depending on the model.User sentiment: We read customer reviews for each product to see what people liked and disliked about each sleep tracker. Show more How did we choose these sleep trackers? We understand how much of an investment any type of personal tech can be. When we select products for our lists, we give them careful consideration. We rigorously test these products for days and weeks, read customer reviews, and evaluate whether they deliver on their value and cost.The ZDNET team is constantly testing and ranking products, swapping out older models for newer ones, and removing products that are no longer competitive. Whether a product costs $30 or $300, we want you to get your money's worth. Show more What is a sleep cycle? A sleep cycle consists of three stages: light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM). Typically, when you first fall asleep, you'll enter either light or deep sleep, likely one after the other, before entering a REM phase.This cycle lasts about 1.5 hours, then repeats in intervals closer to two hours, possibly with a few awake minutes in between, but it always ends with REM sleep. As the night progresses, you'll likely spend less time in deep sleep, while the REM stages become longer.A regular night of sleep should include about 50% light sleep, 20% REM sleep, 20% deep sleep, and 10% awake.  Show more How can I improve my sleep? The National Sleep Foundation recommends improving your sleep by practicing certain habits throughout the day and before bed. Following a consistent bedtime routine -- waking up and going to bed at the same time each day -- is one way to signal to your body to ease into sleep. Dimming the lights a few hours before bed, limiting screen time, and creating a cozy, dark, and cool bedroom environment are all ways to improve your sleep schedule. Regular exercise and limiting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine consumption can also help you stay asleep. Show more How much REM do I need? Nearly a quarter of your sleep should be REM sleep, according to health experts. If you're sleeping eight hours a night, the recommended average, two hours of REM sleep each night is ideal. Show more Are sleep trackers really accurate? If you need your sleep analyzed, doctors will usually order a sleep study, which examines a person's oxygen level, heart rate, breathing, eye movement, and leg movement while simultaneously running an electroencephalogram (EEG).An EEG shows your brainwaves during different stages and cycles of sleep. A wearable smartwatch or fitness tracker on your wrist, however, is far from your brain.The most popular wearables from Fitbit, Apple, Garmin, and Samsung collect a combination of the following measurements: heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), movement, breaths per minute, and skin temperature. Devices that track sleep cycles use an algorithm to estimate your sleep cycles based on the data.A 2017 study compared a polysomnography with the performance of a Fitbit Charge 2 in 35 adults. Researchers found the Fitbit device detected sleep onset with 96% accuracy, but overestimated time spent asleep by nine minutes on average. In the study, the Fitbit detected light sleep with 81% accuracy, deep sleep with only 49% accuracy, and REM sleep with 74% accuracy.A newer study published in April of 2022 compared the performance of the Fitbit Alta HR to results from an EEG conducted simultaneously on 40 college athletes while sleeping. This study found Fitbit data to effectively track sleep onset, time spent asleep, and sleep cycles. Fitbit can be a useful tool for athletes' sleep management.While not 100% accurate, the Fitbit data showed a strong correlation with polysomnography results. Show more What types of sleep trackers are there? There are several types of sleep trackers to choose from. Smartwatches, rings, and under-mattress nearables are the three most popular options.Smartwatches: These can be either smartwatches or wristbands, depending on the level of technology you need. Smartwatches often include smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant and offer a range of features, such as GPS tracking and fitness tracking, in addition to sleep tracking.Rings: This is another wearable sleep tracker but far more basic. It uses sensors along the inside of the ring to collect data and track your sleep. Under mattress or nearables: There are some models, like the Withings Sleep Tracker Pad, that simply slide under your mattress for an unobtrusive solution to sleep trackers. Show more What are the best sleep trackers that don't require a subscription? The Apple Watch Series 10, Samsung Galaxy Ring, Google's Pixel Watch 2, and the Garmin Venu 3S are all impressive smartwatches that offer great sleep-tracking capabilities without a subscription. If you're a casual sleep tracker, I'd recommend the Apple Watch for those in the Apple ecosystem and the Galaxy Ring for Android users. If you're an athlete, I'd suggest the Garmin Venu 3S. Show more Other products we tested  With so many sleep trackers available, there are many alternatives worth considering. Here are our top picks for alternative sleep trackers that we have tested and can recommend.    Wearables Wearables Roundups Robot Vacuums Reviewed & Compared ZDNET Recommends

A cat with seasonal allergies tries to scratch his ear.getty Minnesota resident Mary Tan travels frequently with her outgoing “adventure cat,” Franklin, a rescued orange tabby. But a couple of years ago when she was traveling solo and her sister was pet sitting for her, she received a phone call that changed daily life. “My sister called me and said, ‘I think Franklin has ear mites.’ And I’m like, ‘What? There's no way,'” she said. “I was freaking out.” As soon as Tan got home, she rushed her cat to the veterinarian, who determined Franklin didn’t have ear mites: he had severe allergies. The “black crud” in the cat’s ears turned out to be bacteria and yeast. Tan, a longtime animal foster, adopter and founder of Whisker Media, learned through testing that Franklin is allergic to just about everything outdoors — particularly pollen and grass. Though he’s an indoor cat, he does take leashed walks in the neighborhood with Tan and travels to tradeshows as a brand ambassador and to a nursing home to offer comfort to residents. After about six months of trial-and-error treatments with different medications and dosages, Franklin’s veterinarian referred him to a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. He’s much better, but he doesn’t take leashed walks in the springtime when pollen levels are high, and his condition will need to be carefully managed for the rest of his life.Franklin Delano Tan, who is named after Franklin Delano Roosevelt “because you have to negotiate ... More with him,” suffers from severe seasonal allergies that affect his skin and ears, according to Mary Tan.Mary Tan Tan is committed to doing whatever it takes to help her cat with his severe seasonal allergies because it was “distressing” to see him so uncomfortable and itchy, often scratching his ears until they turned red. “I had to do something. My pets are my children,” she said. “I’ve never encountered anything like this.” A Veterinarian’s Perspective On Seasonal Allergies In Cats Cats can have mild to severe symptoms from season allergies — just like humans, according to Gary Richter, DVM, owner of Holistic Veterinary Care and Rehabilitation Center in Oakland, California and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide. “With cats, it's either skin or it can also be respiratory,” he said. “Just like with people, cats can be very sensitive in their respiratory tracts. So coughing, wheezing, even asthma, things of that nature.” Cats can react to the common allergens that affect humans, such as pollen, mold and dust, he noted. When allergies affect feline skin, symptoms include scratching at their face and ears, scabs on their skin and fur loss. “Cats being cats, they do a lot of grooming,” he said. “So sometimes what will happen is cats will start overgrooming and licking off fur. It can manifest in any number of ways."Cats fastidiously groom themselves, but they can overdo it when they are itchy from seasonal ... More allergies.getty Prevention Tips For Seasonal Allergies Dr. Richter’s top tip for helping cats with seasonal allergies — and to boost their overall health and longevity — is to keep them indoors. “Statistically speaking, cats live dramatically longer if they’re indoors than if they’re going outside,” he said. “It’s safer for the cat, it’s safer for the environment because cats are sort of relentless predators, so they’re always hunting things like birds and other small animals. It’s not impossible for a cat to have seasonal allergies indoors, but clearly their exposure is going to be dramatically lower if they’re not outside in the grass.” Indoor cats can also benefit from homes that run the air conditioner instead of opening windows. Dr. Richter recommends regularly changing or cleaning the filters in the air conditioner and possibly investing in a HEPA air purifier to help decrease exposure to dust and pollen. Additionally, he feels good nutrition can bolster a cat’s immune system. His preference is to feed pets whole foods, though he noted people concerned about bird flu in cats should avoid feeing them raw poultry. Treatment Options For Cats With Seasonal AllergiesKittens and cats can develop seasonal allergies to common allergens like grass and pollen.getty Treatment options run for cats with seasonal allergies run the gamut depending on the severity of symptoms, according to Dr. Richter. On the mild end of the spectrum, he suggests trying fish oil supplements and natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, such as quercetin and astaxanthin and herbal extracts like nettle extract. (Dr. Richter formulated a combination product called Feline Renew with omega fats and antioxidants.) Zimox, an over-the-counter enzymatic product, can help with some skin and ear infections without the potential side effects of pharmaceutical antibiotics and antifungals, he noted. “My preference as an integrative and holistic doctor is always to try and avoid the really strong immunomodulating immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals if we can get away with it,” he said. But if natural approaches don’t work, he “absolutely” recommends calling your veterinarian. Treatment for more serious allergies includes oral and injectable medications and medicated shampoos. Seeking Help For Seasonal Allergies Based on personal experience, Rachel Geller, Ed.D., founder of the nonprofit All Cats All the Time, recommends calling your veterinarian as soon as you notice any unusual symptoms in cats. Several years ago, she was concerned when her rescue cat, Sosil (a Yiddish word for “sweet"), appeared to have scabs on her face. She initially assumed the Maine Coon mix had tussled with one of her other cats. But when Sosil didn’t seem to be getting better, veterinary testing revealed she didn’t have a skin infection or cancer, but allergies.Sosil experiences severe seasonal allergies marked by itchy skin and lesions. “It’ll be raw, it’ll ... More be a little bloody, the fur will be gone,” says Dr. Rachel Geller. “You can see her skin, but the skin will be red and raw.”Dr. Rachel Geller Prescription food for cats with sensitive skin and stomachs kept symptoms at bay for a couple of years, but one dry winter, “these allergies reared their ugly head again,” according to Dr. Geller. “She will get these skin allergies and it can range from some raw lesions on her face to really bad lesions around her mouth and nose and even on her gums,” she said. “It can very easily become infected, which has happened before. Then it spreads.” During allergy flares, Sosil rubs her face on table corners to try to scratch the itchiness. So now at the first sign of any redness or rawness, Dr. Geller takes her cat straight to the animal hospital for a shot of steroids and the antibiotic injection Convenia. Sosil suffered abuse in her former home and mistrusted people when Dr. Geller adopted her six years ago, but she’s transformed into “the sweetest, wonderful cat" who is now part of the family. So Dr. Geller does whatever she can to help the 12-year-old cat — just as she would for any beloved family member. “She’s worth every penny,” she said. “I would do anything for this little baby to keep her healthy and happy. That’s what we sign up for.”