Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Like any member of the family, our dog’s teeth don’t require just any dental care—they deserve the best possible doggie dental care to keep them happy and healthy. The kind that comes with an official seal of approval from a trusted and knowledgeable group of experts with pet health and safety top of mind. So, who is that group and what does their approval look like? VOHC stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Yes, a whole council just for our dog’s teeth! This non-profit consists of an international group of board-certified veterinary dentists. It was founded in 1997 as an objective way to recognize effective products in the reduction of plaque and tartar in dogs and cats. Because, sure, a lot of products can claim to improve your pet’s dental health, but we pet parents want to know the ones that actually make a difference and have the credentials to show for it. First established in the US and now recognized around the world, the VOHC Seal is a way to cut through the clutter of product claims and see right on the package that a product has been tested to do what it says it’ll do—improve our pet’s dental health. In order to get this seal of approval, a company must perform a series of tests designed by the VOHC to demonstrate their product delivers on its oral health benefits and is worthy of being a VOHC-approved product.

Many theories have been suggested and conversations been had as to why dogs eat grass, but while the question is a simple one, the answer is often far more complex leaving pet parents frequently confused. Topping the list for reasons to be munching on that grass include the suggestion that dogs like to eat grass to help them vomit, especially if they have eaten something that didn’t agree with them. Other reasons include helping eliminate intestinal parasites, a mineral or dietary deficiency, good old boredom, an inherent behavior trait, a reaction to anxiety or simply… because they enjoy the taste of it. A study conducted in 20081 of over 1500 dog parents reported that 68% said their dog was eating grass or some plant material on a daily or weekly basis.  With such a high frequency the study then looked closer at the dog’s behavior before and after consuming that plant material to help understand if there were common behaviors or reasons.  Interestingly, only 8% of pet parents reported that their dog appeared ill before eating the plants, 22% reported their dog regularly vomited afterwards and the diet that the dog was eating (raw food, kibble, wet food or homecooked) appeared to play no role whatsoever as to if a dog was more or less likely to eat plants. Most veterinarians would consider a dog eating grass as a normal canine behavior, but does that mean you should be let them

Here are some tips on how to keep your cat cool in the hot summer weather… Make sure your cat always has access to cool, fresh water. For indoor cats, place several bowls around the house to encourage more drinking and to make it convenient for less mobile cats to easily get to a water bowl. If your cat goes outdoors, place bowls in several shady locations and replace the water several times a day to keep it fresh. For outdoor cats, make sure there are shady locations available. If you have an outdoor enclosure or “catio”, there should be shade available as well as the ability for the cat to easily return back into the house should they get too hot. Even indoor cats need shade. If your cat loves their cat tree or window perch and it sits in a sunny window, close the curtains or provide an alternate elevated location in a spot that doesn’t have sun streaming in. If you keep your cat indoors you are more easily able to control temperature in the environment. If you don’t have A/C , run the ceiling fans or place several standing/box fans around that are safely away from the cat. Just having air circulation can make a difference in temperature and in the comfort of the interior. You may not realize this but cats can easily get sunburned, especially on their ear tips. On very sunny days, the best way

Whether human or dog, getting older is a part of life. Along with cruises and Bingo, a person’s golden years are often marked by achy joints, more doctor’s appointments, and changes in dietary needs. It’s not so different for your canine pal; as dogs enter their senior years, owners must accommodate their pets’ evolving dietary and medical needs. But when is a dog considered a senior? After all, dogs age differently, and your ten-year-old black Labrador might still be as spunky as ever. Just because your dog is aging doesn’t mean it is nearing the end of its lifespan, but making certain changes will certainly help elongate it. Review the following five signs to determine whether it’s time to make some changes. Ask yourself — “When is my dog considered a senior?” The first factor you’ll undoubtedly contemplate is age. A dog’s life is measured in three stages: puppy, adult, and senior. When an adult canine transitions into the senior phase varies depending on its breed. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs and aren’t seniors until around nine years, while medium-sized breeds become seniors at seven years of age. Larger breeds, such as Bernese mountain dogs and Great Danes, qualify as senior citizens as early as five to six years old. As dogs age, their appetite decreases. It can be alarming if Fido suddenly isn’t finishing his kibble bowl, as decreased appetite often foretells illness, but it’s

For many, July 4th includes fireworks, which happens to be where the fun ends and the anxiety begins for pets. While animals may love the camaraderie of July 4th, they do not love the pyrotechnics. Fireworks are known to cause anxiety and fear in pets, and can cause other safety hazards for pets during the summer holiday. Learn what they are and how to avoid them this July 4th. Did you know that more pets get lost on July 4 than any other day of the year? This is because the noise and the shocking light from fireworks can set pets into a panic. They want to escape, and when they do, they can easily bolt away if untethered, pull a lead from an owner’s grasp, or burrow their way out of a backyard. If you have a cat or a dog that might be exposed to fireworks (and thus, a runaway risk), then take these steps. Take a recent photo of your pet. Ensure your pet’s ID tag is on and is visible. Make sure your pet’s enclosure / fencing is secure. If possible, put your pet indoors. Not all pet owners have this option, but if your pet is indoors, then you know he or she cannot runaway; however, even indoors or in a garage or another safe enclosure, your pet can still hear the fireworks and thus get scared (and loud). To keep your pet safe indoors, make sure

Gearing up for summer travel with your pup?? At Wellness Pet we want pet parents to enjoy a life of wellbeing with their furry friends, which includes time spent traveling together. Take a moment to relax and feel prepared with these tips to keep your routine in-check and help you both stay happy and healthy – no matter where you go: 1. Bring a piece of home on the road with you. Make sure to pack your dog’s favorite chew toy, blanket, or bowl as you’re getting ready for your next trip. The familiar scent and sense of comfort will help your dog feel more confident in this new environment and help you both better enjoy your time on the road together. If you’re traveling by car, consider packing your dog’s comfy bed. 2. Treat them well. If you have to leave your dog behind in your hotel room or rental for a period of time, treat them well by filling a Kong with an Old Mother Hubbard® by Wellness treat. And don’t let your dental care routine slide.  Pack one WHIMZEES® by Wellness dental treat for every day you’re traveling to help reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath. 3. Routine & schedule. Maintain a sense of schedule no matter where you go to better enjoy your time with your dog. Try to stick to your usual routine – timing out potty breaks, mealtime and walks as you would at

Summer is upon us, fellow pet lovers, and with summer comes lots of outdoor fun with our pets. However, depending on where you live, the summer heat can present many dangers to your pet. Pet owners can sometimes be oblivious to these dangers, which can result in many health risks for our furry friends. Keep your pet comfortable and safe this summer with these tips on how to beat the heat. With temperatures rising to potentially dangerous levels in the summer months, you have to be conscious of your pet’s safety. In the hot summer months, these are some of the ‘DONTS’ to keep in mind when caring for your pet in the heat. Never leave your pet unattended inside of the car. Honestly, it is never a good idea to leave your pet unattended in a vehicle for any length of time beyond a couple of minutes, but this is especially true in the event of extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. The inside of a car on just a warm day can reach dangerous and fatal temperature levels, and it can happen within minutes! Print out this Humane Society flyer to disperse and help to educate your community. Do not put a muzzle on a dog while they are out in the heat. There is a reason why dogs start panting when they get really hot – it is a natural way of controlling their body temperature. When

Summer is here, so bring on the backyard BBQs, right? There’s nothing like the camaraderie of being outdoors, enjoying fire-grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, of mopping up puddles of BBQ sauce with a slice of white bread, or of eating corn right off the cob. Memories are made watching children and puppy dogs bound through sprinklers at these fun summer events. To ensure every summer BBQ moment you have this summer is magical, make sure you know what the summer BBQ pet do’s & don’ts are. What’s a backyard BBQ without firing up the grill? Let’s be honest…food tastes better when it’s grilled; however, grills pose a danger for cats and dogs. Whether you’re cooking on a gas, propane, or charcoal grill, open flames are dangerous and it’s important to keep the grill monitored at all times. A curious cat can easily burn a paw (or worse) trying to bat a hotdog off the burner. Meanwhile, pouncing pups have been known to become injured (and even to knock over the entire grill) leaping to pull off a nibble while the grill master’s back is turned. Pets and humans alike can sustain injuries when grills are left unattended. The outdoor trashcan collects a lot of rubbish from lighter fluid to bamboo skewers to meat wrappers to matches and everything in between. The lure of an open trashcan is almost too much for any dog to resist; however, your dog can’t differentiate between

Pet holidays have become increasingly popular over the years, with many pet owners eager to celebrate their furry friends in special ways. While there are holidays dedicated to pets of all kinds, dogs and cats, being the most common household pets, tend to get the most attention. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular pet holidays for dogs and cats, and how you can celebrate with your beloved furry friends! National Dress Up Your Pet is a day for pet owners to show off their pets’ personalities by dressing them up in fun and creative outfits. From cute costumes to silly hats, the possibilities are endless and it can also be a great way to bond with your pet and show them some extra love and attention. However, it’s important to remember that not all pets enjoy being dressed up, so it’s crucial to ensure that your pet is comfortable and safe in their outfit. Whether you participate in National Dress Up Your Pet Day or not, it’s always important to prioritize your pet’s well-being and happiness above all else! National Love Your Pet Day is a day to show your pet how much you care. This holiday is not exclusive to dogs and cats, but they certainly benefit from the extra attention. On this day, you can do something special for your pet, like taking them on a long walk, playing with them more than usual,

As a dog owner, you want to make sure your best friend is getting all the nutrition they need to maintain optimum health. However, there are dozens of types of dog food on the market, and trying to figure out which is truly the best for your pet can be overwhelming. How can you choose the “right” one? When it comes to finding the best dog food for your pup, there isn’t a one size fits all solution—each dog has unique dietary needs and preferences. There are also factors that affect you, such as storage needs, convenience, and cost, that you will need to consider. While thinking about these things, you will want to focus on three points concerning food quality to make your final decision: finding a trustworthy brand, that uses high quality, natural ingredients, and is scientifically proven to deliver health benefits your dog’s health. To determine if a brand is trustworthy or not, consider the fact that there is no legal requirement for pet foods to be veterinary or nutritionist formulated or approved. A company that believes in the quality and safety of its product will always go above and beyond the basics when it comes to ensuring that their product is of the highest quality nutrition with an unsurpassed commitment to food safety. Great ways to determine each company’s commitment in these areas include: How long have they been crafting pet nutrition? Do they have in

Correctly feeding your canine companion is an integral part of pet ownership. A proper diet gives your dog the energy they need to live their best life and supports the five signs of wellbeing. However, figuring out how much to feed your pet can be confusing. There are many types of food out there, and dogs vary so much in their individual needs. Read on for some tips to help you navigate this challenge and determine what is appropriate for your beloved pet. Firstly, you will need to start by choosing a food that is designed for your dog’s individual needs. You can find foods specific to your dog’s age, size, weight, allergens, and other such requirements. Pick a quality brand with excellent ingredients. For more guidance on choosing a food, see our article on choosing the best dry food for your dog. Quality foods include label guidelines that have feeding recommendations. This is a great place to start. The guidelines should have different suggestions for various ages and sizes of dogs. The guide may suggest a total amount for daily feeding or an amount to feed per feeding. While these guidelines are a great place to start, it is important to remember that they are a starting point. Every dog is a unique individual. If you notice your pet is gaining weight on the recommended feeding, try reducing the amount fed by 10%. If you see the opposite effect

As pet parents, we all want our cats and dogs to have the best possible nutrition to help them thrive. When fed appropriately, a dog and cat food topper can be a fun way to supplement your pet’s nutrition and give them a variety of flavors and textures to enjoy. But what are toppers, and how can you use them to help supercharge your pet’s kibble? Dog and cat food toppers are additional foods you can add to your pet’s regular diet to enhance its appeal and nutritional value. While complete and balanced offerings are available such as Wellness Bowl Boosters Simply Shreds®, toppers are predominately designed to be a complement to your pet’s main meal rather than a replacement of their meal. A topper can be anything from fresh or frozen meats, vegetables, fruits, or even shelf-stable commercial products. They are also available in a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy the preferences of your dog or cat. Food toppers for dogs and cats can offer several benefits. Adding a topper to your pet’s diet can increase their appetite and make mealtimes more enjoyable for you both! The best dog food toppers, like Wellness Bowl Boosters for dogs, and the best cat food toppers, like Wellness Bowl Boosters for cats, are made with real, healthy ingredients that promote complete and balanced nutrition. This leads to whole health benefits for your cat or dog including a health skin and