Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Ah, the joys of dog ownership. Collecting little baggies of fun on your daily walks, apologizing to the neighbor for the loud barking your furry friend lets out whenever he sees a (shhh! Don’t say it!) squirrel, and, of course, brushing his teeth. There are many wonderful moments provided by your pooch, but the time spent in doggie dental care might not rank high on your list of favorites. Which is why most owners (gulp) tend to skip it. There are so many questions: “How do you brush dog teeth?” “What do you use for dog teeth cleaner?” The fact of the matter is this: your dog’s overall health depends on the health of his teeth. Just like with humans, poor dental health can cause a wealth of other health problems , including heart, liver and kidney disease. That’s why it’s critical to incorporate dental care into your dog care routine (including brushing your dog’s teeth and offering toys and treats that promote good dental health). It’s also important to schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian. The simple answer is anywhere from $150 to $500 without extractions, which is a pretty big range. While prices will vary from vet to vet, there are a few factors that play into the cost of the procedure, including: Your Dog’s Weight This seems like a simple factor, but a heavier pet will require higher dosages of all medication, including anesthesia, all of

Today, dog food is available in a wide variety of formats, flavors and forms. Since freeze-dried dog food has recently become more popular, many pet parents have questions about this new type of dog food. Here, we’ll break down what freeze-dried dog food is, as well as the benefits and challenges that come along with feeding your dog freeze-dried food. Then we’ll share our recommendation for how to incorporate freeze-dried food into your dog’s diet. First, let’s cover why freeze-dried dog food is becoming popular. Pet parents and nutritionists agree that high quality, proteins like turkey, chicken or salmon, often found in freeze dried foods, deliver excellent nutrition. Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of almost all the tissues in a dog’s body. At a molecular level, dietary protein supplies the amino acids necessary for the body to build hair, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. And to a dog, a protein-rich diet will most always be their top preference, because high-quality meat ingredients deliver a delicious aroma and taste. Freeze-drying is a technique that preserves raw ingredients such as fresh meat to deliver a finished dog food product which is safe, shelf stable and lightweight. Freeze dried dog food is technically raw and full of nutrients. Freeze-dried dog food provides minimally processed nutrition for dogs which appeals to pet parents seeking an alternative to plain kibble. Excelling on taste, freeze dried dog food can be used as

CBD Oil has been the talk of medical journals for years, and in the past few years has popped up frequently in mainstream news as an alternative medical approach to a variety of health issues. As more and more has been discovered about the uses for CBD oil, its use in pet health treatment has gained in popularity, particularly for the treatment of anxiety. CBD Oil for dog’s anxiety is a focus of discussion, and many pet parents are asking the question: will CBD oil help my dog’s anxiety? The topic itself (as with all CBD products) is a complex one, but as with all health treatments, there are pros and cons. Here is everything we know about the benefits and side effects of CBD oil for dogs. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound derived from hemp, and to be classified as CBD, the oil must contain less than 0.3 percent of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the ‘high’ feeling. Because CBD contains less than 0.3 percent THC, there is no psychoactive reaction. Most CBD oil is derived from hemp. It’s important to start by saying that there is not definitive scientific data supporting the use of CBD oil for dogs, but there is a growing amount of anecdotal evidence from pet parents that lends to CBD’s use for pain, particularly neuropathic pain. CBD is also used to help control canine seizures. The use of

Some pet parents add raw dog food as a treat or kibble topper, and others passionately feed it with the belief that raw dog food offers real, natural ingredients that provide unmatched nutrition with a minimally processed advantage. It goes without saying that superior nutrition has been proven to support a long and healthy life for pets and contributes to both their physical and mental wellbeing. That said, what format is truly the best way to feed our dogs? Just like us, dogs are individuals and a diet that might work for your friend’s dog may be completely inappropriate for your dog especially when you consider the unique nutritional requirements that come with breed, size, age and health differences. If you are thinking of changing your dog’s daily diet, a great first step is to always consult with your veterinarian to ensure your dog gets the very best personalized care. This type of diet is based on the combination of raw, uncooked meat (often muscle and organ meat), whole or crushed bones, fruits, vegetables, raw eggs and some dairy which are freshly prepared prior to feeding. When researching the benefits of raw, you quickly find that scientific support if often thin, causing veterinary and medical skepticism but, you will also find anecdotal enthusiasm from fellow raw feeders who convincingly detail the clear health benefits they see in their dog. Think about your dog as having a carnivorous heritage with omnivore

Our cats fill us with pure joy, but some of the ingredients in their food may be filling them with anything but. Cats with sensitive stomachs may have allergies or food intolerances that develop over time from giving them the same foods and ingredients. And some foods may be too rich for kitties who are prone to vomiting after eating. Some breeds of cats are at a higher risk for allergies and sensitivities than others. Your cat may be experiencing a mix of inhalant allergies alongside their food allergies. For instance, Siamese cats or Siamese crosses are genetically at higher risk for developing food allergies. So what does a food allergy in cats look like? Well, food allergies often result in things like over-grooming, chronic itching and other skin issues. Your cat may groom so heavily that they break the skin or even tear their own fur out. A food intolerance looks a little different; it will often result in the regurgitation of the food and/ or having diarrhea. A food intolerance may present with a cat vomiting after eating. (Always seek a veterinarian’s diagnosis if your cat is experiencing new or extreme symptoms of any kind) If you’ve noticed your cat has a sensitive stomach or other potential allergy or intolerance symptoms and you’d like to get to the bottom of it, taking a look at their diet is the first place to start. Let’s get into what are

With the impact of the COVID-19 virus came a wave of lockdown orders and voluntary sheltering in place. Staying inside can feel suffocating, especially for those who live alone or suffer from mental health issues/chronic health illnesses, but there is something we can do to bring joy into our daily lives—get a pet! Pets have been proven to support their owner’s emotional needs, provide purpose and foster stability. Recently, thousands of people have adopted and fostered furry friends across the nation. Shelters are emptying at high rates because people know that pets equal love and support. Maybe you aren’t ready to adopt. A great short-term alternative to adopting is becoming a foster pet parent. Fostering a pet follows the same concept as fostering a child. You will work with a shelter to find a good match and bring home your furry friend for a specific amount of time. The length of stay will depend on various factors, so be sure to work with the shelter to understand the maximum amount of time your pet will stay with you. Fostering is a win-win. Your furry friend gets out of the shelter, and you have a new companion during a stressful and trying time. If you haven’t already and you have the means, consider fostering during this time of need; however, be sure to inquire how long the fostering will last, especially if you know your return to work date. Be open about your time frame

When thinking of all the things a new puppy will need, most pet parents are on top of the essentials – dog bed, bowls, collars, etc. They diligently research the best foods, they book in their vet checks and vaccinations and sign up for puppy training classes. There’s no doubt that this new pair are off with a  great start to what will be a fabulous life together, but alarmingly most pet parents are forgetting to address the number 1 health issue that will affect their young puppy as they age—their teeth! Puppies are born with no teeth and develop sharp puppy teeth after a few weeks. Their permanent teeth grow in at 4-6 months. Not many puppy owners will report to seeing the baby teeth fall out, but every new puppy owner will testify to their new pup’s desire to chew everything in sight during these teething months to help ease their discomfort.  Whilst stocking up on chew toys is a given, the other, more important consideration is establishing a daily tooth cleaning routine with your puppy.   Bacterial plaque starts to accumulate on teeth within 24 hours and if not removed each day this plaque will harden to form tartar. Dental disease progresses from tartar to gum inflammation, bad breath, loosening of the tooth attachments and significant pain. Dental disease affects 80% of adult dogs and 96% of senior dogs.  This graphic shows a healthy dog’s mouth, along with examples

Bad dog breath is something no pet parent wants to face, especially when your dog tries to cover you in kisses. Many pet parents may consider stinky dog breath just a normal reality of having a dog, or are generally unaware of how to get rid of bad dog breath. In fact, bad dog breath can be a key sign that your dog may be suffering from a more serious health concern such as dental disease, diabetes or kidney and liver disease. Here are 5 quick tips on how to get rid of bad dog breath and keep your dog’s teeth healthy: The most common cause of bad dog breath is poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. Your veterinarian is also your dog’s dentist, so ensuring your dog has their annual checkup is key to keeping them healthy. Should there be signs of dental disease, your vet can perform a professional cleaning. During this procedure, your vet will remove plaque and tartar, evaluate and resolve mouth infection and extract any loose or compromised teeth. This will not only have your dog feeling a whole lot better, but it helps reduce the overall bacterial presence that were key contributors to your dog’s bad breath. It takes as little as 24 hours after a professional cleaning for bacteria to start accumulating on teeth as plaque. To help keep this in check, the gold standard technique is to brush your dog’s teeth every

Cats and dogs can be particularly prone to dental disease because they often do not have their teeth cleaned as frequently as their humans do. As a result, your dog often won’t have fresh breath. Dental check-ups should be a part of your pet’s regular health screenings. Brushing your pet’s teeth is something you can do at home to maintain their oral health. How can you help your dog have fresh breath? Next time you’re at the vet, be sure to discuss the condition of your pet’s mouth. Your vet will explain whether getting a professional dental cleaning is recommended to keep your dog’s breath fresh. Regular at-home brushing is recommended for cats and dogs in order to prevent plaque build-up. Plaque can lead to gum disease and, on rare occasions, problems that can spread through the body. If your pets aren’t used to having their teeth brushed, it may take a while for them to warm up to the idea, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can feel better about your pet’s dental health. Pet Toothbrush– Pet toothbrushes have smaller bristles and a smaller head. These dog teeth cleaners can fit on your finger too. This can make it easier for you to control the movement. If your pet has a smaller mouth or sensitive teeth, even a cotton ball with pet toothpaste applied to it will do the trick. Try it a few times and notice

You have been cooped up in the house with your dog for a month and he is bouncing off the walls. You have done everything you can to make sure he is getting enough exercise, but have you done enough to exercise his mind? “Dogs benefit from new learning experiences and challenges, and will look good, feel good, and live longer as a result” says Sharon Elber – Professional Dog Trainer at Wileypup. Psychology Today reports that up to 25% of canines display signs of depression. Turns out that our canine companions are intelligent and social animals that need to exercise their minds just as much as their bodies. If your dog is engaging in anxious, nervous, or even destructive behaviors, try these 5 ways to be sure they are getting the mental workout they need to stay balanced and happy during COVID 19 quarantine: One of the best ways to get your dog thinking without leaving the house is to used positive reinforcement based training to teach your pooch some new tricks. Now that you have some time on your hands, it is a great time to perfect rewards-based training techniques, such as clicker training, to get your dog thinking and build a bond based on trust and joy. Here are a few tips to make training your dog a new trick fun and rewarding for you both: •    Keep sessions positive by ignoring the wrong behavior and rewarding the

Itchy skin is one of the most common signs of a dog food allergy or a food sensitivity causing fixated scratching, attempts to bite the area and even “butt ski” to eradicate an annoying irritation. Selecting a food with a single protein source and limited ingredients can be a good choice in finding a dog food for itchy skin and preventing it from being an ongoing problem. Pets can be allergic to variety of things beyond the food bowl. Environmental inhalants like dust, pollen and mold are very common (especially in spring time). Not to mention parasites such as fleas. It can take just one flea bite to have a significant allergic reaction. “Itchiness and skin upsets can also be sign of more serious underlying medical conditions so always work with your veterinarian first to try and identify what could be causing these issues,” explains Wellness Pet Food veterinarian Dr. Danielle Bernal. “If it is a food allergy, they will be able to recommend both a medical and dietary plan to help them recover.” The immune system produces antibodies that protect against unwanted foreign bodies in the system that may potentially cause certain illnesses or infections. (This is the same for people and pets.)  A food-related allergic reaction occurs when the immune system makes antibodies that identify a protein as harmful, when in fact, it isn’t. This is what veterinary professionals describe as an inappropriate immune reaction to a protein ingredient

There’s no question that cats that have an indoor lifestyle are much safer when protected from outdoor predators, social challenges and diseases. But they need additional mental and physical activities and the right indoor cat food diet specific to their everyday needs to ensure they don’t put on weight and lead happy and healthy lives. Cats are carnivores. But, because they tend to be less active, the best indoor cat food will contain the following ingredients: Very digestible high-quality protein source as the #1 ingredient. Calorie count is lower than standard recipes for weight management. High fiber to aid digestion, control hairballs and help manage a healthy body weight. Plus, prebiotics (chicory root) and probiotics (all the fermentation products listed on the ingredient panel) to help reduce litter box odor. Natural proteins that have the 11 essential amino acids cats require including Taurine, a dietary essential. Taurine deficiency in cats can cause a host of issues such as blindness, cardiomyopathy and heart failure, inadequate immune response and reproductive failure. Rich is essential fatty acids – Omega 3 and Omega 6 keep a cat’s skin and coat healthy. Essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, thiamine riboflavin and pyridoxine for optimum body and immune function. Cats are nibblers and love to come and go to the food bowl. But, it’s important to control their daily allowance by measuring portion sizes and not free-feeding to ensure they don’t overeat. Always use a standard measuring cup. Don’t heap