Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

It should come as no surprise that pets, like people, feel pain; however, unlike people, pets can’t articulate what hurts and where. They can’t say, “Wow, my paws are really hurting after that walk in the snow; I think I have frostbite!” or “My stomach has stabbing pain all of a sudden!” Instead, they tell us through gestures. Pets express pain for multiple maladies including: External pains, which could include cuts, burns, scrapes, bruises, aches, fleas, ticks, bites, etc. Internal pains, which could stem from virus, infection, poisoning, upset stomach, disease, toothache / gum disease, joint pain, arthritis, etc. Take the time to learn how to recognize pain in your pets, so you can get the proper help for them. Eating habits are one way you can recognize pet pain. Pets that are in pain will: Choose not to eat Drink more or less Show less interest in food Regurgitation Excessive or diminished thirst and dietary habits are associated with a number of pain-causing issues. Some could be more obvious; changes in dietary habits with dry food in combination with other signs of pain (like drooling) could indicate oral health issues. Pets tell us they’re in pain with mood changes. When pets suddenly act depressed, fussy, moody, snippy, grumpy, or agitated, they are telling us they’re in pain. Pets might also become more aggressive or combative. You will recognize pain in your pets through mood changes when the attitude or behavior

Even though dogs look super cute in Halloween costumes, Halloween is a busy time full of unpredictable circumstances. Because of the flurry of activity and the atypical outfits, behaviors, and crowds that come on Halloween night, it’s important to know how to keep your dog safe whether you’re taking your pup with you to trick-or-treat or you’re leaving them home or you’re staying home with your dog. Your dog needs to feel safe on Halloween regardless of whether they’re coming with you or they’re staying at home with or without you. Crowds on the streets and the constant ringing and pounding on the door can send your dog into sensory overload. A few ways to keep your dog feeling safe are: Use a leash and only take your dog out if your dog is very comfortable with crowds. Make sure your dog has an ID even if they are chipped (chipping is very affordable and can help your dog be identified if lost). Keep your dog away from the door on Halloween; frightened dogs might make a break for it when trick-or-treaters come knocking. Give your dog anti-anxiety treats or medication before things get going especially if they are predisposed to getting upset when people come to the door. Turn your light off and do not invite trick-or-treaters to the house or to knock on the door or ring the bell if you’re not going to be home. Some people will

Ask anyone who has ever been a pet parent, and they will tell you that their pet was more than “just a pet;” their pet was a member of the family, and their loss was as heartbreaking an experience as any. People mourn their pets for years after they are gone, and while death is an inevitable part of life, we have several pet memorial ideas to commemorate your pet so that you always feel close to them. September 13 is National Pet Memorial Day. If you have a pet or have lost a pet, these are truly meaningful ways to honor your precious pet family members. While it may seem obvious to some to have a proper burial for a beloved pet, how to do it isn’t always clear. What’s too much? What is enough? What you should always do when having a service for your pet is to do what feels right for you. You may want to invite friends to be by your side, or you might want to have family share memories of your pet. A ritual like a memorial service gives you closure. You will always love and miss your pet, but by having a memorial service, you acknowledge the sad truth of their passing and give yourself permission to grieve their loss. Another way to commemorate your pet is to have a piece of custom jewelry made. Tasteful charm bracelets and necklaces with your pet’s

September is Pet Sitter Education Month; it was created by the Pet Sitter’s International (PSI) group to educate pet sitters and caretakers about providing safe and exceptional services to pets and to pet parents. Pet education month is a time when pet sitters and caretakers learn about new resources, take pet sitting courses, learn about how to care for pets during a pandemic and with ever-evolving COVID guidelines, update their knowledge with pet first-aid and CRPR, medication administration, and more. Each pet a caretaker cares for is different as is each family. As professional pet sitters and caretakers learn about how best to care for your pet in new and highly-relevant ways, it’s important for you to know how to find the right pet sitter for your pets and to ensure they have everything they need when they are hired to care for your pet. It’s needless to say that your pet is very important to you, so it’s probably reasonable to assume that you wouldn’t let just anyone care for your pet; just like you wouldn’t let just anyone perform your heart surgery. No doubt, you’ve heard the horror stories of pet parents getting a friend or a neighbor or the teenager down the street to come feed, walk, and care for their pets while they’re away only to return home to a house destroyed or to a hungry pet or an overloaded litter box or worse. Thus, you want

There are few things more fun than being a first time dog owner (or first time dog parent, as we like to say). Of course, there are also few things more intimidating—how do you make sure the needs of a pet that doesn’t speak your language are being met? If you’re a first time dog owner, you’re likely excited and a bit nervous. You want to do what’s best for your dog; you want your dog to be well-fed; you want them to walk on a leash and play with you in the park like those beautiful movie dogs (that level of happiness and joy is attainable and not relegated to limelight fiction), but as you look at your precious new dog without a clue what to do other than to pet it and say nice things, you realize you might be out of your depth. It’s okay. No first time dog owner dives in and aces all of the many challenges of doggy parenthood, but with this first time dog owner guide, you’ll certainly have a leg-up toward nailing being a first time dog owner. Since it was mentioned already, feeding schedules are important parts of having a dog. While some new pet parents believe it’s okay to just dump food in the bowl and keep the thing full, it’s not recommended. (It’s okay if you’ve been doing this; pencils have erasers for a reason.) Medium-sized dogs (i.e., not toy or

You’ve likely been there; you’ve been told your pet’s life-saving health care will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. In that moment, you’ll be wishing there was some kind of alternative. With multiple accessible health insurance options, there are alternatives, but just because insurance options are there, does that mean pet insurance is worth it? What are the costs? What are the benefits? First, it’s important to understand what pet insurance is. Pet insurance is the same as people insurance. The patient pays a monthly premium as well as a deductible to cover routine and unexcepted healthcare costs. Coverage and costs are contingent on the company, the breed of pet, and the age and health of the pet. Other variables may factor in. Provided, though, that should you choose to get pet insurance that you make payments in a timely fashion and maintain your part of the bargain with your provider, when and if you are in dire straits with your pet, your insurance will cover the financial burden that is often a painful moment of division for some pet parents in which they must choose financial ruin or their pet (a decision no one should have to make). Because no pet parent should be in the predicament of making an often untenable financial sacrifice or saying goodbye to their pet—their family—pet insurance is an option. Of course, the monthly costs of pet insurance are an important consideration. As noted, the

You’ve seen it before: you’re munching on your snack, while your pup zeros in on you with wide eyes and a sweet, innocent face. It’s hard to say no! There are many human foods dogs can safely eat, but some human foods are toxic to dogs. Keep your dog happy and healthy by learning they can and cannot eat, as well as how often you should give your dog human food (hint, it’s all about moderation). Yes, strawberries are safe for dogs to eat. And yes, dogs can eat pears–just don’t give them the seeds as those can be toxic. See below for our full list of dog-safe human foods. Carrots Apples White rice Plain popcorn Milk Cheese Yogurt Fish (ex: tuna, salmon, or shrimp) Chicken, plain, boiled, and unseasoned Pork, plain, cooked, unseasoned Turkey, plain, boiled, and unseasoned Unsalted peanut butter Berries (blueberries, strawberries, black berries) Bananas Pineapple Green peas Sweet potatoes (cooked) Cucumbers Watermelon Green beans Plain bread Oatmeal Eggs Corn Pumpkin Coconut Cashews Importantly, dogs should only eat many of these human foods in limited quantities. For example, salty foods like peanut butter can do harm if dogs eat too much. Likewise, excessive quantities of some milks, yogurts, or cheeses are not beneficial; rotten apples can actually poison dogs. Meanwhile, white rice in excess can dangerously elevate your dog’s blood sugar levels. That said, on the above list of human foods dogs can eat, several of the foods provide much-needed vitamins and

Becoming a first-time dog parent is a fun and exciting experience, but it’s also one that gives you a lot to think about. After all, as you may already be aware, different dog breeds have different personalities. Different dog breeds have different activity levels, different engagement styles, different mature sizes, just to name a few. When searching for your first dog, look for a dog that fits your activity level, your living style (ex: do you work from home, go to the office, take lots of trips, etc.?), your family composition, and your living arrangements. For example, you wouldn’t want to get a large, super-active dog if you dislike going outside and live in a small residence. Likewise, you may not want a lapdog if you envision being up, out, and around town with your new four-legged BFF. Thus, the best dog breeds for first time parents are those that are friendly, easy-going, and easy to care for. The rest, such as their size and activity level, is a matter of personal preference, but rest assured that all of these dogs have strong reputations as being the best dog breeds for first time dog parents. Petite, smart, and playful, the Papillon is a toy breed that is known for being friendly, perky, and happy. They can comfortably live in any environment. Because of their size, they can get lots of exercise and entertainment indoors. Likewise, they are just as happy

If we learned anything from the story of the city mouse and the country mouse, it’s that these two living environments are as vastly different for animals as they are for humans. And, just like with humans, some dog breeds are much more adaptable for city life than their country-loving counterparts. By understanding what city conditions are like for dogs, you can determine which dog breed is best for your bright lights, city life. What is City Life Like for Dogs? To begin, city life for dogs often means that you’ve got smaller living accommodations. While dogs of all sizes can do well in apartments and more generally confined living quarters, not all large nor all small breeds can be happy and healthy in a smaller dwelling. A big variable is the dog’s energy level. Dogs that are lower-maintenance and that don’t need to race around in large spaces tend to do better in cities. These are dog breeds that enjoy hanging out and cuddling on the couch and that don’t need a lot of big space to exercise. Finally, dogs that live in cities will do a lot of walking on concrete and in the company of other dogs, humans, and lots of dirt and allergens. It’s important that dogs not have fur that drags dirty city streets. Further, it’s also important that dogs are not too nervous around people or animals and that they are trainable. Trainable dogs can learn

Dog bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus is a potentially deadly condition that occurs in upward of 60,000 dogs a year. Bloat is entirely manageable if dog owners know what to look out for and if they know to seek help upon first seeing signs of bloating in their dog. Learning the signs of bloating in dogs, the potential causes for bloat, and those high-risk dog breeds most prone to bloat can help you better protect your dog. You can further protect your dog by learning what decreases the risk for bloating. If yours is one of the dogs that bloat, then you can also take preventative measures. Signs of bloating are signs generally associated with discomfort or agitation in your dog. An immediate sign is a swollen or distended abdomen. Additional signs include: Pain at the swelling site A hollow sound at the swelling site (when gently tapped) Pacing and restlessness Appearances of distress Dry heaving Excess drooling Panting / rapid breathing Collapse (as the gas-filled stomach presses on the abdomen’s large veins, your dog’s ability to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body is compromised) Bloat occurs when air or gas is trapped in the abdomen. Sometimes, the situation resolves itself; however, in instances where bloat progresses into gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), the entrance and exit of your dog’s stomach have become twisted. Emergency surgery within a few hours of GDV occurring in order to save your dog’s life. Importantly, it is impossible

Many of us learned from Tom and Jerry that cats and dogs are mortal enemies; however, while certain cat and dog breeds are less inclined to be buddy-buddy, there are plenty of dog breeds who enjoy the company of felines. If you’re a cat parent looking to add a dog to your family or a dog parent who would like a cat, read this to learn about what kind of dog you should get or if getting a cat is a good idea for your furry family. Golden Retrievers and cats make great companions (remember Shadow and Sassy from Homeward Bound?). Golden Retrievers are fun, playful, intelligent dogs. They are outgoing and very friendly. While they love to play big and get lots of exercise, they also like to cuddle. They are kind, good-natured, companionable friends with cats (and other dogs, too), which means if you’re a cat parent, a Golden Retriever would be a lovely addition to the family. Likewise, if you have a Golden Retriever, you wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feeling by bringing a cat into the home. Labrador Retrievers, like Golden Retrievers, are playful, fun-loving, and easy going. While they also have a lot of energy best burned off outdoors, they are intelligent and empathetic dogs that are eager to please. Labrador Retrievers just want to make friends with the people and the pets—cats and dogs alike—around them. Sweet, smart, and friendly, Beagles are great with cats. Beagles

Puppies can be a lot like babies. They can’t be left alone, they can’t feed themselves, and they need support when it comes to growing up. When it comes to raising a pup, there are a few key details you need to know before making the commitment. Check out the first time puppy owner tips below to help you on your journey of first time puppy parenting. Food: Choosing a pet food at any stage of a dog’s life can take some time, especially as a first-time dog owner. Making the right choice based on your pup’s needs is key. But you don’t have to go it alone! Reaching out to the professionals is the best option. Work with your shelter and/or vet to decide the right diet for your dog. Housebreaking: Like babies, pups need to learn when and where to go, and this process takes time. There will be accidents, but the more time and patience you have with your pup in their early years, the quicker they will learn and respect the inside of your home. Make sure you are home to let them out or train them early with puppy pads. Repetition is key when it comes to training. The more consistent you are, the quicker they will catch on! Toys and More: Puppies love to chew. On everything. So, with that in mind, it’s important to prepare (or “puppy proof”) your home. Move anything you don’t want to