Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

After a year-long lockdown, it’s quite a transition for pets when the home is suddenly quiet and empty. Yes, pets can suffer from “empty nest syndrome” too. Consequently, as you head back to work and general activities, it’s important to monitor pets for signs of stress and anxiety. It’s easier to remedy fretful signs when they are recognized early. •    Watch for destructive behaviors around the home – chewing your favorite shoes, couch pillows, gnawing on the dining room chair legs •    Excessive Panting •     Attempts to break out of a crate where a pet normally feels safe and secure should not be ignored •    Pacing, especially in front of the door you’ve just exited, or at a window that gives a view of your departure •    Vomiting and changes in appetite •    Whining and incessant barking Cats don’t display their feelings as outwardly as dogs do. So, often their anxiety and depression flies under the radar and their people don’t really notice. But being left alone again can be a very anxious time for a cat too. •    If your cat is a greeter, but suddenly fails to show up at the door, this could be a sign of depression. •    Hiding and sleeping more are also signs of depression and anxiety. •    Reduced appetite and sometimes a complete loss of appetite. •    Excessive grooming, pulling out chunks of fur until their skin is raw. Thankfully, advances in

Cats are unlike many pets. They know what they want, and they will surely let us know if we can help them obtain those desires. Overall, cats aren’t so different from us. Just like people, if a cat has an upset belly, constipation, diarrhea, or eats food with too many chemicals and additives, that cat won’t be feeling her best, and she will definitely let us know. Cats are no different from us when it comes to the importance of good nutrition and eating food that is free from artificial ingredients. They may not have human bodies, but they need good foods rich with nutrients to help them stay healthy and happy. So, how can you tell if your cat is happy and isn’t being affected by an unhappy belly situation? Luckily for us, cats are amazing communicators! They can communicate through body language and vocalizations, so let me help you decode your cat! Check out the 5 signs that your cat is experiencing good digestive health. When we don’t feel good, we tend to slouch, we don’t like to be around a lot of people, and we may choose to forgo conversation. When we are feeling good, these behaviors cease. Our cats have similar behaviors when it comes to good and bad digestive health. See the list below for positive traits that inform us our cats are feeling healthy and well. Cats communicate a lot with their tails because

It certainly tugs at our heartstrings to think about our pets missing us (and us missing them) when we return to work. Pets are creatures of habit. If you’re going back to work soon, now is the time to start adapting your lockdown routine to a new schedule so your pets can change their habits too. This will help make the transition as successful as possible for you both. Pets have certainly benefitted from having their favorite humans around 24/7 enjoying additional quality time, fun and games. But they also thrive on a routine and can even enjoy the independence that comes with some alone time. The key is to start making changes slowly. •    Set your alarm for the time you’d normally start getting ready to leave for work. Shower, dress and feed your pet before starting your workday at home. •    The next step would be to get ready and actually walk out the door. Initially, leave for just ten minutes. Extend the outings a few minutes each day. •    Consider placing your pets in another room of the home on their own for a while, even when you’re home. Do it at random times. This will stop them distracting on those Zoom calls and simultaneously introduce them to a subtle change without you. •    If you previously walked your dog in the mornings before going to work, start doing that again. The benefit of early morning exercise

2020 was quite the year. It pushed us all to our emotional limits with stress, uncertainty, and health. Each day, we waited to see what would happen next in terms of COVID updates, political changes, and social justice initiatives. However, one thing that kept us grounded in these difficult times were our pets! As we stayed home, wondering what each day would bring, we had our furry friends to offer unconditional love and support. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and quarantine life is alleviating in many areas, this is a great time to reflect on just how much our pets do for us, especially when it comes to our mental health. Let’s take a look at all the ways our pets support minds, health, and well-being. The blanket label of mental health engulfs all aspects of our lives. From work to home and back again, it impacts our emotional and physical needs in various ways. But coming home to a pet can significantly shift our day and our well-being in more ways than one. Did you know there are actual physiological benefits to having a pet at home? Stress Reducers: Being around animals has been scientifically proven to foster positive mental health. Research has shown that pets can lower blood pressure and heart rates which means our stress levels decrease. We’ve learned cats purr for various reasons, but one is to show a sense of calm which transfers

During the surge of the COVID-19 virus in March of 2020, many people prepared to hunker down for an unknown period of time. This meant buying stores of food, finding new forms of entertainment, and for some, it meant heading to their local shelter and adopting a furry friend. Shelters all over the country were emptied for the first time in decades, which gave us all a feeling of joy. Most shelters couldn’t keep up with the demand of folks looking to bring home a dog. While this was great news at the time, this narrative has taken a different turn, as some local shelters are now finding themselves with more dogs than they originally had last spring. People who adopted last year have surrendered their dogs back to the shelters, with most of the pups being a year old or less. When looking at the reports across the country, it seems most pet parents who are surrendering their puppies are first-time dog parents. Upon their return, shelters are noticing the majority of puppies haven’t been trained or cared for in the ways a developing puppy needs. Without support in place for proper training, feeding, and healthcare, it can be hard to accomplish those tasks as the puppy ages, which is making it difficult for shelters to find these precious pups new homes. It seems most of these first-time pet parents either didn’t know how to properly care for a

As you are getting ready to return to the office, it’s helpful to consider comfort, action and distraction toys, puzzles and games to keep dogs engaged until they hear the key in the door announcing you’re home again. To stock the toy box with both mentally and physically stimulating fun stuff, here’s what you need to know before you go shopping. Comfort toys are typically soft, plush cuddly toys. They come in all shapes and sizes and are a doggie essential as they provide a level of security and comfort for our pups. Toy size doesn’t matter in relation to your pooch; many little dogs love big fluffy cuddly things for company. Place your dog’s comfort toy in a bed or another place where they like to curl up for a snooze. Because comfort toys usually have squeakers and crinkly materials included in the design, many pooches instead treat them as prey toys and they will enjoy carrying them around, shaking and attempting to subdue them. Even the toughest comfort toy won’t last forever. And if you don’t like cleaning up mounds of stuffing, consider “flatties” plush comfort toys which are stuffing-free. These toys are usually made from very durable non-toxic rubber materials that dogs can hold between their paws or play with as they are designed to roll or wobble. Stuff them with treats or a dollop of peanut butter, and be rest-assured your dog will be busy for

Small dog owners unite! These little rascals are a big deal because not only are they undeniably adorable, they’re also easier to own. Small dogs are favored by many because they tend to be easier to bathe, walk, feed, and care for than their larger (though equally lovable) counterparts. Among the small dog breeds, a few stand out. These are (in no particular order) the top 10 most easy-going, popular small dog breeds (and why people love them so much). Chihuahuas are fun, playful, and loyal little dogs. They are energetic and very affectionate. In spite of this, Chihuahuas don’t need a ton of exercise. What’s more, they also travel well and have a long lifespan, which means they are companions you can truly bond with. Oh, they are also adorable (for proof of this, check out Tuna Melts My Heart on Instagram). Small and fluffy, Maltese dogs consistently top “most popular” small dog breed lists. They’re known for being smart and easy to train (such as the registered therapy Maltese pups that are the stars of the Coco the Maltese Instagram account). Maltese dogs are also friendly with strangers, children, and other animals (they’re very peaceful). Further, they don’t shed much, which makes them a great choice for those who suffer with allergies. Another popular and easygoing small dog breed is the Dachshund. They are very good natured and get along well with others as evidenced by two of

You may only think about your dog or cat’s digestive system when something is wrong. Maybe they’re vomiting or have a sensitivity to a certain food. But understanding what makes your pet’s digestive system unique will help you better anticipate their health needs. Plus, some of these facts make for great conversation starters! A dog’s digestive tract is about 6 times his body length and a meal typically takes 7-10 hours to pass through his body. That’s why it’s important to provide high quality nutrition that helps promote a healthy digestive tract. Cats love to groom and as they lick their coat, big wads of hair get swallowed and form hairballs. Hairballs can obstruct the flow of food and in extreme cases may require surgical removal, or if you’re lucky, just some puke all over your nice new rug. A dog’s jaw can only move up and down unlike a human jaw that can move up and down, side-to-side and in a rounded motion. Cat and dog teeth are designed to rip, shred and crush dense objects consistent with their wolf and wild cat-like ancestors. Your dog uses his front teeth to grab food and then pulls his food to the back of the mouth where molars grind up the food into smaller chunks. Some large, deep-chested dogs like Great Danes can suffer a potential fatal upset called bloat, because they cannot burp. Often seen when these dogs eat too quickly, their

Whole pieces of freeze-dried meat are one of the products made daily in our Farm Fresh Kitchens.We’re so proud to share that our Minnesota-based Farm Fresh Kitchens manufacturing facility has earned the grade “A” certification by the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety. The certification is a testament to our hardworking team, commitment to quality and strategic facility investments. The BRC’s globally recognized standards set the benchmark for manufacturing practices and assure that our products and recipes are safe, legal and of high quality. As a rigorous third-party accreditation, companies must execute exceptional, ethical and safe practices to earn a high BRC certification. “Accountability is central to all that we do as a team of pet parents who are driven to craft only the best food for our pets, so they can live longer, healthier and happier lives. Our high marks from the BRC shows this commitment, and we’re incredibly proud of our Farm Fresh Kitchens team for creating an environment where quality and food safety are the top priorities,” says Colm Geraghty, global vice president of Operations at WellPet. “We set the bar high, and our team’s careful oversight and unwavering devotion to quality is a common thread across all that we do.” The A grade accreditation enables pet parents, customers and partners to place the utmost trust and confidence in our pet food and treats. According to the BRC, the Global Standard for Food Safety focuses

When it comes to keeping a cat healthy and happy, focusing on their digestive health is fundamental to their wellbeing. The digestive system not only helps digest and absorb nutrients essential to their daily health, but it is also home to trillions of microorganisms, known as “beneficial” bacteria, or the microbiome. With a balanced microbiome the digestive system can help support a cat’s immune system, optimize their digestion, promote a lustrous skin and coat and support their health for a lifetime of wellbeing. Ensuring the optimal health of your cat’s digestive system is not only beneficial to your cat’s wellbeing; it is also an attribute from a recent survey showing 78% of pet parents want that from the nutrition they feed their cat. So how should cat parents support the digestive health of their cat? What attributes of their cat’s health do they need to particularly consider? The major difference with our felines is that cats, unlike dogs, are classified as true obligate carnivores. Cats are unique in more ways than one and that is especially true when it comes to their nutritional requirements and digestive health. The major difference with our felines is that cats, unlike dogs, are classified as true obligate carnivores. This means cats require certain nutrients which are only found in animal tissue, such as the amino acid taurine and fatty acid arachidonic acid. To meet these specific nutritional needs your cats must consume a diet rich in meat

Digestive health is a key factor that all cat parents should consider when it comes to promoting their cat’s wellbeing. By digesting and absorbing the goodness from their food, your cat can take in all the nutrients needed to stay in top condition. And, with an optimal balance of their gut bacteria or microbiome, your cat can obtain additional health benefits that include everything from optimal digestibility to immune health and skin & coat to body condition. Your cat’s digestive health affects almost every aspect of their health and happiness. It’s the secret to helping every cat achieve a lifetime of wellbeing! Your cat may love their food but, in some cases, her food may simply not always agree with her. Common signs that may suggest your cat is not digesting their food properly include loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, less energy, increased numbers of hairballs, increased itching or other skin problems including a dull coat. If your cat begins suffering from digestive issues, your first step is to always talk with your veterinarian.  They can give your cat a full health check to ensure there are no underlying health problems that first need to be addressed. Once the vet has given your cat the “all clear,” it may be time to switch her to a premium brand that is focused on delivering both high quality nutrition as well as digestive health benefits. But where do you start? Look at the

Dental disease is the number one health issue affecting dogs, making it something that all pet parents should be actively thinking about and supporting with daily at home dental care.  But what actually is dental disease and what is the difference between dog plaque vs tartar? Plaque:Plaque is a soft substance that consists of food, saliva and bacteria mixed together. It coats your dog’s teeth like a film, and will build up quickly unless it is removed. Plaque can be scraped away with a simple toothbrush, dental chew or some chemicals can kill the bacteria in plaque. Tartar (calculus):Tartar is plaque that has hardened. This process can take as little as 48 hours. Tartar is much more difficult to remove and can be seen as a yellow or brown staining on teeth, especially on their molars and premolar teeth (the hard to reach ones at their back of their mouth!). The first sign of dental disease is the gradual build-up of plaque, a bacterial film that sticks to the surface of your dog’s teeth. When this plaque continues to build up it will become a harder substance, tartar, which can accumulate to the surface (that you can see of your dog’s teeth), and it can extend under the gum line where you cannot see. Once attached, it will attract white blood cells, which can then appear as inflammation or a red and swollen appearance to the gum line. It is this