Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Bad breath in dogs is both unpleasant and—worse—can be indicative of oral health problems. The cause of bad dog breath can most often be attributed to poor oral hygiene, and your furry friend’s stinky breath can be addressed with oral health care and delicious dog dental chews. Bad dog breath is—as noted—not very pleasant. We love our dogs, but if your dog’s slobbery kisses have gone from sweet to putrid, it might be time to examine the cause behind your canine companion’s bad breath woes. Bad dog breath has a couple of causes: Poor oral hygiene: Gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections can be causal in bad breath in dogs. And while dogs whose care involves regular brushing and dental chews can still experience bad breath, foul-smelling breath can be reflective of poor oral health. Neglecting a dog’s oral healthcare can lead to far more serious conditions. Disease: Though far less common, bad dog breath could be caused by kidney or liver disease, so if you maintain impeccable oral care with your dog with regular teeth brushing and a daily dental chew but still have a problem with bad dog breath, check with your veterinarian. Most often, bad dog breath is just a reflection of the need for more attention to oral hygiene. Proper oral healthcare can be the addressed with: Teeth brushing. Your dog’s bad breath can be improved with regular teeth brushing. Brushing your dog’s teeth is a great practice for keeping your

If you’re training a new puppy with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “lie down,” or are working on house training them, a dog treat for training can be a useful tool in this process. Want to work on behavior modification with an older dog? Need to teach an older dog new tricks? (Yes! It can be done.) Delicious dog training treats can help them stay engaged and motivated during the training process. When you’re pondering what to look for in a dog treat for training, some questions are probably going through your head. How big should the dog training treat be? What ingredients should I look for in a training treat? How often can I give my dog a training treat? Here, we’re tackling common dog training treat FAQs with Dr. Danielle Bernal, our resident veterinarian at Wellness Pet Company. Common questions you might have about dog training treat ingredients and amounts. You want a treat that will be a “high-value” factor for the dog and cause him or her to have enthusiasm about the treat. “Typically we’ve noticed that dogs are more motivated with a training treat that has a higher meat content and a softer texture reward,” says Dr. Danielle. Having different textures and flavors of training treats can drive overall enthusiasm for the dog. That’s because different flavors will all smell different and support treating enthusiasm. Keep ‘em guessing about whether the next treat they’re going to try to catch in their mouths is

Walking your dog is a great way to get up and active, enjoy the fresh air, and explore the world. But even seasoned dog parents know it takes serious preparation and training to do it right. Here are some tips to help you have one of the best-behaved dogs in the park. When it comes to taking your dog out in public, whether on a walk for some exercise or a trip to the store, a leash is an essential tool that helps protect you and your dog, as well as others around you. Dogs don’t understand everything about the world around them. When taking them out in public they look to you, their owner, to keep them safe. Aside from you giving verbal guidance and assurance during the walk, a leash is like the cherry on top. Consider all of the dangers an unleashed dog could stumble upon. A dog without a leash could too easily wander into traffic and risk injuring itself or someone else. A dog without a leash could get lost and wander too far from home. They could encounter another animal who may not be friendly and in turn, that animal could lash out. Even less obvious issues like your dog eating unsafe plants and items can be prevented with the use of a leash. At the end of the day, a well-trained dog on a leash is safer for everyone and is even required

Many are surprised to learn that cats (and dogs) become seniors when they’re roughly 7 human years old. Even though this is considered “senior”, there are many cats that live 12-20 years. It’s usually only in their later or last years that older cats become truly fragile and incapable of performing basic care and maintenance. Learn how to recognize when your senior cat is an “older” cat and how to take care of older senior cats. All animals naturally dehydrate with age and with the progression of a day. Older cats are more likely to become dehydrated because they’re not as likely to have access to water sources throughout the day. Many cats will leap onto counters and drink from faucets or cups or dishes laid out for them, but as they age, they can’t do this. A big part of caring for them is making sure your cat has plentiful access to water and to make sure they’re drinking it. Kidney disease and constipation are natural consequences of dehydration. Your cat’s oral health can quickly get away from you especially if you don’t already have a care protocol. Your cat’s oral health is important because once teeth and gums become infected with plaque and tartar, then they develop gum disease, and infections can quickly spread. What’s more is that your cat can lose their teeth, which creates an increasing challenge in getting nutrients to your ailing and aging cat.

In The Great Dog Biscuit Guide, we covered an overview of what ingredients your dog’s treats should and shouldn’t include. But researching all the options takes time, effort, and knowledge that even the best dog parents don’t always have. That’s where we come in. In the list below, you can find some of the best and healthiest dog treats around, hand-selected from Wellness Pet Food for all ages and lifestyles. Let’s get started! Available in five delicious flavors, these dog training treats are delicious, grain-free, all natural, soft dog treats made in the USA with the finest globally-sourced ingredients, including high quality proteins and whole fruits & vegetables. These crave worthy treats perfect for small breeds are packed with great flavor from premium ingredients along with flaxseed to promote a healthy, shiny coat.  Treat your dog with a mini-bite sized snack with Wellness® CORE Tiny Trainers Lamb & Apple Tender Treats – a grain free, all natural treat packed with lamb and apples! Puppies need the best doggie treats to support their growth, activity, and developing brains. These Lamb & Salmon Happy Puppy Treats from Good Dog by Wellness are carefully crafted with your pup’s needs in mind. With a first ingredient of lamb, plenty of protein and DHA, and a soft and chewy texture perfect for little puppy teeth, your growing puppy will love this lamb & salmon recipe. Older dogs or those with joint problems may need some

Most dogs love eating human snacks and table scraps. If your dog is food-motivated, you may have found yourself wondering about healthy snacks you can give them on a regular basis. Let’s talk about how we’re defining “healthy” dog snacks, what human snacks your dog should or shouldn’t eat, and other ways to keep your beloved pet healthy, happy, and thriving. Healthy dog snacks can have many different qualities. For example, you should aim to give your dog snacks with wholesome, nutritious, easily digestible ingredients. Some healthy snacks may even support digestive, skin and coat, and joint health! However, foods that are safe for your dog may not necessarily be healthy. For example, while dogs can technically eat cheese, this fatty and salty treat is not a healthy snack for dogs on a diet. Even one ounce of cheese can add about 100 calories to your dog’s daily diet, meaning a 20-pound dog should only eat 1/3 ounce of cheese as their only treat for the day. Similarly, plain nut butters are usually dog-safe, but tend to be high in calories and oil. If you’re giving your dog a nut butter snack, it’s especially important to choose as natural a brand as possible. Make sure it does not contain any xylitol, which can be highly toxic to dogs. If your pet needs to shed a few pounds, you should also avoid other high-calorie snacks like baked goods, sausages, jerky, or

As pet parents, we all wish our beloved cats could live forever and always fill our days with the content purrs, gentle rubs, and happy faces. As our cats get older, one way to ensuring they live at their healthiest is to recognize their changing needs with the right care and customized nutrition to ensure your cat enjoys a lifetime of wellbeing. At the age of 7-8 years onwards, most cats will start to transition into a more mature age category.  While this doesn’t mean your cat has suddenly become the equivalent of an 80- or 90-year-old human, it is easiest to think of this age as them being in their 50’s and 60’s. While still spritely and active, they also are starting to experience mild aging changes, and supporting these subtle changes with age-appropriate nutrition and extra care is a keyway to truly ensuring they enjoy a lifetime of wellbeing together with you. From 10-14 years onwards, you may start to see more signs of aging such as body composition changes, a lowered appetite, less activity, coat changes, mobility issues and even hearing loss or a decreased visual acuity. At this stage your cat would be moving from the mature life stage to that of a true senior, or golden oldie as we like to call them! Aging pets have reduced activity levels, a decrease in lean muscle mass, and an increase in the proportion of body fat. Some

Dehydration happens when there’s excessive fluid loss, but it’s not just about losing water. Dehydration results in being low on electrolytes, which are the essential minerals needed for organ function. Cats may become dehydrated for many reasons, with the most common being: Overheating Fever Illness Diarrhea Vomiting Metabolic disorders (such as kidney disease and diabetes) Some cats whose diets are comprised of dry food only, may not bet getting enough water as well. Since dry food has a very low moisture content (about 10%) as opposed to wet food (70-80%). There are a number of possible symptoms but here are five of the most common. Low energy. Even though cats are known for sleeping a lot, a dehydrated cat may appear listless. It’s crucial to pay attention to any change in your cat’s typical activity level. You know your cat – use that knowledge. Loss of appetite. It’s common for a cat to reject food because of feeling queasy and may even start vomiting. This can lead to even more severe dehydration. Panting. If your cat is panting it indicates overheating, pain or other underlying medical concern. Panting is not normal in cats. Pale, sticky gums/thick saliva. Normally, gums should be moist and pink, and the cat’s saliva is thin. When dehydrated, the saliva is thick and rope-like. The gums are also pale, dry, and tacky. If you gently press on the gums in a hydrated cat, a small white

People who claim cats don’t show expression have just not spent time observing the many ways felines have mastered the art of communication. In addition to vocalization, visual marking, and scent communication, cats use body language. If you observe the way they express emotion through body posture, along with eye and ear movement, you’ll learn so much about what’s going on in those furry heads. Tail position is another valuable body language indicator that can provide insight into a cat’s mood. Here are general tips about some tail positions and movements. Note: when trying to interpret tail position communication, also take total body language into consideration as well as the immediate circumstances. The descriptions below are to be viewed as general. A tail held upright while walking or standing indicates confidence and a willingness to interact. If the cat also gives a little flick of the tail tip, consider that an extra happy greeting. The tip of the upright tail resembles a question mark. This is a friendly hello, as if the cat is saying I’m glad you’re home. A tail lowered to the ground indicates fear, uncertainty, and possible aggression. This is a signal letting you know it’s best not to interact. A cat will also have a lowered tail position when hunting or about to pounce. The tail is held even with the spine or slightly lower but the look is very soft. The tail usually sits in

If your dog suffers from food allergies or intolerances, you’re probably wondering, “What can I do for my itching and irritated fur friend?” We know, it’s ruff to watch your pup itching instead of enjoying a hearty game of fetch. Luckily, there are dog foods out there that are specifically designed to combat allergies. As a pet parent, you’ll want to find food for dogs with allergies that don’t contain symptom-inducing ingredients while providing optimal nutrition. Symptoms of food allergies and intolerances vary from dog to dog, but the most common ones include: Itchiness Red, irritated skin Rashes Flatulence Vomiting Diarrhea Anaphylaxis (rare) Food allergies come from the dog’s immune system overreacting to proteins and other molecules in the food, such as additives, coloring, and preservatives. Allergies can develop as a dog gets older, usually from prolonged exposure and contact. Common allergens include: Beef Dairy Wheat Chicken Corn Eggs Soy Food intolerance is different from a food allergy in that the dog’s immune system isn’t reacting to the food. Instead, the digestive system cannot break down foods. For example, lactose intolerance is a food intolerance where humans don’t produce the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, a milk sugar. Dogs can have the same intolerances to proteins and carbohydrates in their food. Beef Dairy Wheat Egg Chicken Soy While food intolerances are much more common than allergies, many of the symptoms and the causes overlap (notice the above two lists are

Many people assume cats can’t be trained. Not true! Cats are very trainable and can be highly motivated when using appropriate, positive, cat-friendly techniques. The best time to start training is when your cat is a kitten. Begin the process when you first bring your kitten home because she’s ready to learn. There are many things you’ll need to teach her, but here are six basic lessons. Your kitten is small and easy to hold now, but when she’s grown, you’ll need to pick her up and hold her for any number of reasons, such as medicating, nail trims, or safety. If you start training her now to accept being touched and held, it will pay off as she matures. Do several short training sessions per day where you pet your kitten and touch different body parts such as ears, tail, and paws. Touch her along the mouth and gently rub the teeth. Make training positive and don’t create frustration by trying to do long sessions. Many cats don’t get seen by the veterinarian often enough because cat parents dread the carrier battle. Being able to get your cat easily and safely into a carrier lowers her stress during travel, reduces your risk of being injured, and can save valuable time in an emergency. Teach your kitten to become comfortable with the carrier. Start by leaving the carrier out with the door open. A hard plastic kennel-style carrier typically works

Considering feeding a vegetarian diet to your dog or wanting the choice of providing them with their version of meatless Monday dinner plans? Vegetarianism has become increasingly popular in the human food world in the past 20 years, while historically, pet parents have been cautious to entertain a vegetarian option for their dog. But today, carefully balanced and scientifically proven plant-based options are becoming more readily available, making the importance of understanding what they are all about so key for pet parents. Vegetarian dog foods are crafted to contain no meat protein ingredients. Instead, they are designed with an abundance of plant-based ingredients such as legumes or potatoes and potentially other animal-based products, such as protein-rich eggs. While dogs, in general, can be classified as an omnivore (meaning they can do well living meat-free) it is especially important to ensure that when it comes to vegetarian recipes that they are carefully balanced by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to deliver the correct proportions of nutrients. To deliver the protein-rich nutrition that a dog needs, in addition to the potential inclusion of whole eggs, plant-based dog foods will often use legumes or potatoes as the main protein source which contain rich sources of protein as well as dietary fiber for digestive health and an abundance of vitamins and minerals for wellbeing. PROS: With ample research and careful preparation of meals, it is possible to get dogs all the nutrients they need without