Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

While brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the most effective things that pet owners can do to maintain their pet’s oral health at home, we know how hard it is to try to brush your dog’s teeth, never mind daily. With 80% of adult dogs suffering from some form of dental disease, it is important to look for alternate options like treats for bad dog breath. Dental treats and chews, if properly designed, have the potential, alongside regular dental cleanings, to keep plaque and tartar buildup to a minimum and help you and your dog stay ahead of dental disease.   A dental chew is a supplementary treat for bad dog breath that is designed to help improve the health of your dog’s teeth, gums and overall dental hygiene. As a completely digestible treat, dental chews work by mechanically scraping their teeth as they chew like the action of a toothbrush. Best of all, unlike the difficulties of brushing, chewing is something dogs love to do. It is a species-specific natural behavior for them, it is done for fun, to alleviate boredom, and to relieve anxiety, with the added benefit of helping clean their teeth! Whilst the gold standard for at home care is always brushing your dog’s teeth, VOHC accepted dental chews are scientifically proven to help reduce plaque, reduce tartar, freshen breath and help gum health. Walk into any pet specialty store and you will see the wide variety

Talk to any cat parent and they will often testify as to their cat’s finicky eating habits, especially their likes and dislikes. Paying attention to your cat’s bowl not only gives you insight into how they are feeling overall, but it also enables you to monitor their wellbeing. Should a cat stop eating for any reason, it can quickly become a serious health issue. A refusal to eat is a concern for all pet parents, but for cats, this situation is especially dangerous. When an animal does not eat enough nutrition to obtain all the calories they need, their body instead relies on utilizing its fat reserves as fuel. Should a cat stop eating for a period, rapid weight loss will commence. During this process, their body activates the liver to converts the stored fat into energy and relies on sufficient supplies of protein to help them achieve this. With a cat who has stopped eating, their body’s protein supplies are quickly exhausted resulting in their liver becoming overwhelmed by all the fat. This results in a dangerous condition known as hepatic lipidosis, which can lead to liver failure. There are a variety of reasons that impact how, when, and what a cat eats. A complete loss of appetite, however, can often indicate a potential underlying illness. If you notice your cat’s eating behaviors change, you should consult with your local veterinarian right away to determine the cause of the

Not all cat foods are created equal. Here’s what you need to know if your cat has a sensitive stomach. These days, you need to know what is going into your cat’s bowl. There are so many cat foods on the market; some are made with low-quality ingredients that trigger digestive issues such as a sensitive stomach. For cats with sensitive stomachs, this could be cause by a problem with your feline’s diet. Although it’s normal for your cat to hack up the occasional hairball, vomiting, regurgitating undigested food, or experiencing frequent diarrhea can signal a deeper issue. If you think your cat has a sensitive stomach, look for these symptoms: Vomiting or regurgitation Diarrhea or constipation Changes in stool Increased thirst Unexplained weight loss Changes in coat appearance Recurrent skin problems These symptoms can either be acute or chronic. In the case of acute digestive issues, these symptoms will come on suddenly, while chronic issues develop over time. Acute digestive upset may be because of a change in diet, infection, intestinal disease, or stress. You’re more likely to see chronic digestive problems due to food allergies or sensitive stomach. The first step you should take, if you believe your cat has a sensitive stomach, is to contact your veterinarian. Your vet can run tests to rule out any underlying medical problems and offer treatment options. If your cat’s issues are food-related, the next step is to transition her onto

Mealtime for your cat may be very straightforward – you offer the food and your cat is right there to eat it, or you offer food and kitty nibbles at will throughout the day. In some households though, especially where there are multiple cats, mealtime may be a little more complex and requires finesse to make sure everything remains peaceful and happy. If you’ve been wondering what your cat’s body language means when she’s around food, here are some clues to help you better understand what might be going on. Let’s start with an easy one. Your cat takes great comfort in familiar routines so her internal clock lets her know when it’s about to become mealtime. Even though you may never be late in offering food at the same time every day, she may still sit there in anticipation. If you have a rescued cat who previously had to hunt for meals, she may always retain concern over whether there’s enough food. This can also be the behavior of a cat who is put on a weight reduction regimen. Sometimes a cat will sit by the food bowl and meow as it gets closer to mealtime. Every time you walk into the kitchen you may be greeted by a vocal reminder. Unless you free-feed by leaving dry food available, make sure to take food bowls up in-between meals. Just leave fresh water available. To ensure you don’t reinforce constant

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