Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

If you recently adopted a large breed puppy, get ready for a wonderful rollercoaster fun ride as your rambunctious new family member discovers different things with boundless energy and delight. In terms of nutrition, puppyhood is an important life stage to ensure the puppy grows up to be a healthy and happy adult dog. And the best way to give him a great start in life is with a diet that specifically addresses large-breed puppies. Although there is some minor variation, most veterinarians and pet nutritionists consider a puppy a large breed if they’ll be 55-100 lbs when fully grown. If a puppy will weigh over 100 lbs when fully grown they are considered a giant breed (think Great Danes and Newfoundlands). The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines a large breed dog as any dog that weighs over 70 lbs when fully grown. The main difference is that large breed puppy food has less calories as compared to regular puppy food to support their slower growing large breed needs. This is because larger breeds are not considered adult dogs until they are 18-24 months old, explains pet nutritionist Mark Finke, PhD. “The goal of their slower growth is to allow the connective tissue, muscle and bones to grow in proportion with the rest of the puppy.” Finke cautions that “puppy fat” is a misnomer. “Puppy fat is not always cute because in terms of your puppy’s overall health,

Puppies grow quickly, building muscles and bones, developing organs and strengthening vital systems such as their immunity and brain function. During this physical development they are facing important first-time encounters with food and experiences. With so much going on, it’s not uncommon for a new pup to occasionally get a mild upset tummy. Signs of a sensitive stomach in a puppy can include indigestion, diarrhea or loose stools, constipation, excessive gassiness and vomiting. First, ensure there is no serious health issue with your puppy by talking to your veterinarian as signs of digestive upsets can be caused by a variety of things. If everything else is ruled out and your veterinarian agrees there may be a food sensitivity then there are many things you can do to support your puppy’s sensitive stomach, including finding the best puppy food for sensitive stomachs With a new puppy at home, some initial stomach upset can be normal and in fact expected when your pup first comes home. A puppy’s first few days at their new home can be stressful, leading to loose stools for 1-3 days. To help ease them into their new home, it’s best to continue feeding what the breeder or shelter gave you for the first week. Ensure that your pup has plenty of water and rest. Once your pup starts to get settled you can gradually transition them to a new food. I recommend our Wellness Complete Health for Puppies

You already know that protein is essential for your dog wellbeing. But that’s not enough – do you know what kind of protein works best with your pooch and how much protein you should feed him? Let’s break down all of these questions and take a good look at choosing the right protein for you dog. Every day, your dog needs 1 gram of protein per pound of his ideal body weight. What does that mean? Let’s just say that you have a 40-pound dog (which happens to be his ideal body weight). It would mean that your dog will need 40 grams of protein every day. If your dog is overweight, you’ll still need to calculate his protein calculated at his ideal body weight. That means is your dog is carrying a few pounds at 48 lb., but he should weigh 40 lb., he needs 40 grams of protein each day. Depending on your dog’s age, you’ll be looking for a minimum percentage of 18 to 29 protein in his diet. Adult dogs need 18 to 25 percent protein, while a growing puppy needs more protein – 29 percent (which should provide 20 to 25 percent of his dietary calories). When looking at the label, you should see meat listed as the first ingredient. Here are some common, healthy protein sources: Turkey Chicken Fish (Salmon, Whitefish, etc) Lamb/Mutton Duck Venison Beef Rabbit If your dog has allergies, it is

With so many pet food brands, recipes and flavors available, selecting the best dry dog food is tough. One feature that many pet parents have historically used is by determining if a product is a grain free or non grain free dog food. But, what does that mean for the health and wellbeing of dogs? Is one better than the other? Are all grain-free diets the same?  And can a pet parent expect significant differences by feeding one over the other? Before we start, let us get clear on the bigger picture as to what both grain and grain-free ingredients are, carbohydrates.  As a macronutrient, the starch in carbohydrates is a vital source of energy to fuel dogs’ activities. Carbohydrates are a rich source of fiber that support dogs’ digestive health. Carbohydrates nourish good intestinal bacteria and include essential nutrients like protein and key vitamins and minerals. As with most foods, the quality of the carbohydrate ingredient is paramount to its nutritional value. Higher quality ingredients deliver an abundance of nutrition especially when compared with over processed carbohydrates such as flour. Within carbohydrates, different ingredient sources are classified by sub-groups including grains/cereals, legumes and tubers which can also be split into a larger group of grains (cereals) and grain free (everything else but cereals). Grained recipes: can include common cereal sources like wheat, corn, barley, oatmeal, rye and rice. Grain free recipes: include other carbohydrate sources like potato, sweet potato

You want to feed your new pup the best possible diet. But what is the best, most nutritious and scientifically proven diet for puppies that ensures growth and optimal health? When compared to adult dog, puppies need tailored nutrition for growth. What does that mean exactly? I asked an expert – Wellness Pet Food Veterinarian, Dr. Danielle Bernal – what you need to do to ensure that you choose the best food for puppies. Just like you would with food you’re purchasing for your meals, the same goes for puppy food – always check the label. When you’re shopping for food, Bernal says to look for the following on the label: Breed size specification: Nutrition varies for the breed size of the pup (small, medium and large), so a brand that caters to each size needs is key to making sure the bowl is customized for every pup. Made and scientifically proven to support puppies: so you know it is formulated for growth and not maintenance, because an adult has different nutritional needs. Total body health nutrition: while puppy recipes are formulated to support healthy growth and development you want to ensure that their nutrition also enables them to look and feel at their very best by supporting their 5 signs of wellbeing: healthy skin and coat, optimal digestion, healthy energy, immune health and healthy teeth and bones. Quality of the ingredients: You want fresh meat first and concentrated meat meals,

When you go into a pet supply store to look for dog food, you often see the words “kibble” on the packaging, but what is kibble? Simply put, kibble is dog food, specifically dry dog food. Quality kibble is crafted to contain all the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients your dog needs to thrive. And as a dog’s nutritional needs changes, their food must change with them. So, let’s take a closer look at what kibble is made of and how you should be feeding kibble to your pup. Kibble is made from ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nutritional supplementation. Regardless of the top ingredients or flavor on the packaging, all quality kibble is formulated and balanced to meet your pup’s nutritional needs. For example, the Complete Health Lamb & Barley dry food contains high-quality protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are needed for optimal adult health. Quality kibble is formulated to meet a dog’s nutritional requirements, tailored to their breed size, life stage and activity. Delivering the key nutrients that support health and energy, premium brands of kibble also go that step further with added health benefits like probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health, glucosamine & chondroitin for joint health and omega fatty acids for that lustrous skin and coat. These extra enhancements support the total health of our pets so they not only look great but feel great too. How can you find a high-quality kibble?

From soft pâtés to gravy-laden chunks of meat, canned cat food has a particularly delectable appeal for most felines. It’s the literal cat’s meow! Canned cat food is extremely palatable, and the premium texture of the food provides your cat with a scrumptious mealtime experience. A variety of flavors allows you to provide your cat with new meal options throughout the week. If your cat loves lapping up a bowl of canned cat food, you might even find your adorable feline begging for more when mealtime is done, which leads to the question: How many cans of wet cat food per day is the right amount? It’s not always clear since, with the high moisture content of canned cat food, you’ll need to feed your cat more wet food than you would dry kibble. How many cans of cat food per day you feed your cat has a lot to do with the food you choose, as well as the size and age of your cat. Let’s take a look at how many cans of wet cat food is the right amount to contribute to a healthy, happy cat. As you consider how many cans of cat food to feed your cat in a day, it can be helpful to begin by understanding how many calories are in a can of cat food. While the total number of calories in a single can of cat food will vary based on

Every morning and night, you brush your teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Oral health is, after all, a big part of your overall health.  For your canine family member, the same is true. Poor oral health can negatively impact your dog’s overall well-being. However, only 2% of pet parents brush their dog’s teeth. Over the years, this can lead to dental disease and even the loss of teeth.  To help contribute to good oral health, some pet parents turn to dental chews. But do dental chews really work for dogs? And if so, how do dental chews work?  In this article, we’ll uncover the science behind how dental chews work and talk about brushing your dog’s teeth vs. dental chews. With this knowledge, you can take the best possible care of your dog’s teeth.  As a pet parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your dog as healthy as possible. As you explore options for caring for your dog’s oral health, you might wonder if dog dental chews work for dogs and if dog dental chews are effective in reducing plaque and tartar.  The good news is that a simple dog dental chew a day can do wonders for your dog’s oral health. Giving your dog a daily dental chew can help reduce plaque, tartar, and bad breath.  However, just like any dog product on the market, the quality of the dog dental chew will

You grab your dog’s leash from its hook and watch as your furry friend dances in excitement. You pick up a tennis ball, and your pup jumps up in anticipation of a game of fetch. For most dogs, going on a walk or playing a game is the highlight of their day. Dogs are naturally active animals with a desire to stretch their legs and get off the couch. However, over the years, you might notice your dog begins to slow down. Their hips and joints seem to be a little stiffer than before, and leaping up from the ground isn’t as easy as it was when they were young. For many pet parents, this is when they begin to wonder, “What is the best hip and joint supplement for my dog?” We all want to see our pets bounding through life, but 1 in 5 dogs suffer from osteoarthritis and joint pain, prevalent more often in large breeds, overweight dogs, and senior dogs. For these dogs, physical activity may be accompanied with discomfort, reluctance, or even physical restriction. The good news is that for pet parents, there are plenty of options to help your dog regain a spring in their step. With a daily hip and joint supplement, pet parents can feed a tasty reward that dogs love and support their dog’s joint health hip and joint health at the same time. Let’s take a look at how you

What Supplements Should You Give Your Dog? As a pet parent, you want to do your best to ensure that your pup has all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and happy. This might lead you to wonder, “Should I give my dog supplements?” and, if so, “What supplements should I give my dog?” In this guide, we are here to help you understand the role supplements play in a dog’s diet and what type of supplements might be right for your furry family member. Let’s take a look. Home-cooked or raw diets for dogs can end up unbalanced if not done correctly. Those imbalances can potentially lead to longer-term health impacts, making supplements especially important to ensure all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are perfectly balanced for your dog’s wellbeing. But what if you feed your dog commercial kibble or wet pet foods? The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets strict regulations around balancing vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates specific to a dog’s life stage. These regulations ensure that recipes deliver complete and balanced nutrients that meet all the daily needs of our pets and help them thrive. However, even with well-balanced meals, supplements can contribute to the holistic care of your pup. While not all dogs require a supplement to ensure that they receive balanced nutrition, for certain health concerns, some extra support can aid overall wellbeing to ensure every pet is healthy and

Make the most of cooler temperatures by turning on the oven and whipping up these homemade winter dog treats for your four-legged friend(s). The house is going to smell so good—you’re going to want to sample them yourself! You may have noticed that some dog food recipes include ingredients like sweet potatoes. That’s because sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamins C and A. Here are some homemade winter dog treats you can make with this seasonal vegetable. If you have extra squash around, try this butternut squash dog treat recipe. Try these good-for-your-dog sweet potato dog treats recipes. 1 Large sweet potato (about 1 to 1.5 cup) 2 Cups of flour (white or whole wheat) 2 Eggs, beaten 1/3 Cup of peanut butter 6-8 Wellness Old Mother Hubbard Winter Fun P-Nuttier Dog Treats Wash and peel the sweet potato. Boil until it’s tender and soft, about 12 minutes. Drain and let the potato cool. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan or two with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, eggs, peanut butter and mashed sweet potato until completely combined. If it’s too dry add a few teaspoons of water. If the mixture is too wet, add some flour. Roll the dough on a nonstick surface using a rolling pin until it’s ¼” thick. Use a cookie cutter to create winter dog treat shapes that look like bone, or stars or

The holidays are all about giving, sharing, and enjoying as much time as possible with loved ones. Our pets are included in that category! Show your cat or dog how much you love them with these great dog gifts and gifts for cats. Whether you’re looking for holiday stocking stuffer ideas like treats for dogs or cats, want to gift your pet something like a special toy, or have a special human in mind that would go gaga for these gifts for dog lovers and gifts for cat lovers, we’ve got you covered. These holiday gifts are perfect for your favorite four-legged and two-legged loved ones. The best gifts for dogs and cats to give and get. (Yes, it’s okay to send this to a friend and let them know what you want!) Your dogs or cats are sure to love all of these gifts, but we have a feeling the cat treats and dog treats are going to be the biggest hit out of the bunch.  Kittles™ for kitties are available in three delicious flavors, Tiny Tasters please even the pickiest of cats, and CORE® Tiny Tasters™ are perfectly-sized pouches that come in a variety of flavors. These are great gift for cats if you’re traveling for the holidays with your pet. Help your dog keep their smile healthy and bright for holiday kisses with WHIMZEES Brushzees (XS-XL) or add some holiday flare with WHIMZEES Winter Shapes dental chews (S, M).