Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Pets can sense more than we realize. They know when we are sick, they know when we’ve had a bad day and they know when we need some extra love as we traverse a tough breakup. Heck, they can even sense natural disasters before they happen! But when the world hits pause, and we are told to stay in our homes, we enter uncharted territory. How do we combat the fear of the unknown when we can’t leave our homes? Two words–our pets. Let’s take a moment to turn away from our fears and toward our furry friends. It’s time we realize all the benefits our four-legged family members have to offer. As we approach and experience lockdowns and quarantines from the COVID-19 virus, this new territory can cause our nerves to rattle and our anxiety to rear its ugly head, but this is the time where our pets can shine. Did you know the medical field encourages furry family members based on real data? Scientific research has shown the relationships between pets and their owners decrease anxiety, depression and loneliness and support general wellness. Through a series of testing, scientists have seen pet interactions lower blood pressure and heart rate which reduce feelings of stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels. Animals causing humans joy is literally science! Pets also give their owners purpose by providing a consistent support that establishes routine. When we decide to get a pet,

If you’re like a lot of people currently home and glued to the news during this health crisis, you may feel like there’s not much you can do to help. The good news is that there are things you can do as an animal lover now to help animals in need during this unprecedented time. Many animal shelters across the country have had to shut their doors in recent days to protect against the spread of the virus. First, it is important to know that according to multiple health organizations, animals are not at risk for contracting coronavirus. But they do need our help, now more than ever. These are 5 things you can do right now to ease the burden on local animal shelters, compiled in part by our partner Best Friends Animal Society: First and foremost, foster. It’s one of the biggest needs right now. If you can help even for a short time it will make a huge difference. Visit the Best Friends Animal Society network partner webpage to find an organization near you. If you have the capacity to volunteer for local animal welfare organizations – even if from your home – reach out and see what support they need. Take an additional step and post those needs on your social media channels to spread the word. If you have neighbors who are self-quarantined or otherwise in need of help, make sure they have enough pet

We believe our Holistic Select® cat food features amazing recipes, but unfortunately, there were not enough pet parents who thought the same. As a result, we are discontinuing the Holistic Select cat food line of products. If you currently feed Holistic Select dry or wet cat recipes, we recommend that you try our Wellness® cat food products. The Wellness Complete Health® and Wellness CORE® brands are from the makers of Holistic Select®. Both brands include products that utilize the same holistic approach to support digestion & whole-body health. Wellness Complete Health for Cats: recipes for cats that combine natural, premium proteins to deliver a balanced diet with the nutrients your cat needs for a lifetime of wellbeing, no matter her life stage or unique nutritional needs. Each diet is crafted with pre- & probiotics and fiber for digestive health, antioxidants to support strong immune systems, balanced nutrients for optimal energy and controlled minerals for urinary tract health Wellness CORE for Cats: grain-free selection of natural cat food that is packed with protein. It’s rich in meaty flavor and full of nutrient-dense nutrition. It’s fortified with antioxidants, omega fatty acids and probiotics to make sure his immune system, skin and coat, and gastrointestinal systems stay healthy and strong throughout his long, active life. All the Wellness cat recipes provide an excellent source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids made with natural, wholesome ingredients free from wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products,

Feeding pets a raw diet has been a debate for decades. Logically, a raw diet seems natural for animals since they would eat raw meat in the wild, but domesticated animals are different. Their bodies have changed and adapted over time. They move less during the day, and they don’t have to hunt for their food. While some dog owners feed their dogs raw diets, some pet owners may be surprised to learn that the discussion extends into the cat world as well. Just like dogs, cats have a natural instinct to return to their wild roots, and food is a great way to bridge the evolutionary gap. If you have a picky cat eater, this may be the reason why. Cats want flavor in their food just like us. They crave meaty textures and real flavors instead of artificial fillers. But is a raw diet the right option for your cat? Research shows that a raw cat food diet has both pros and cons, so the answer isn’t so straightforward. Here is a quick list to show some of the benefits and the drawbacks when considering a raw diet for your furry friend. A raw cat food diet offers essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes in a natural way. There are no fillers or artificial ingredients when it comes to eating raw, so your feline friend is getting a good quality food. You never have to worry about looking for

Most kids are picky eaters. Parents search long and hard for alternative food options to satisfy their stubborn child, but what happens when we are having the same issues with our dogs? They can’t verbally communicate with us, so the only message we receive is a refusal to eat. There are a lot of reasons dogs start to forgo their usual meals. Just like humans, if a dog had an upset stomach after eating, it may pair the association to the food refusing to eat it as a safety measure. Anxiety or inconsistent feeding times can also cause refusal to eat. However, the lack of excitement towards their daily meals could also be food boredom or a need for more flavor. Because we can’t get in their heads and know for sure, these behaviors in our pups set off a chain of events leading to a hunt for dog-approved food. Where do we turn to find good dog food for picky eaters? Some dogs simply don’t like kibble, and evolutionarily, it makes sense. Wild animals never eat processed food, so why are we expecting our picky pets to follow suit? A good starting point towards change could be incorporating a different type of dry food into your dog’s diet. A great option is Wellness’ CORE RawRev. Made from high-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw bites of meats like turkey and lamb mixed in, this recipe contains no fillers or artificial ingredients.

Nearly all pet parents agree when it comes to feeding their dog, protein is one of the most important ingredients they need to look for when selecting the best food for their dog. But are all proteins the same? Should you feed a high protein dog food? What is considered high protein? Should you only look at the amounts of raw meat ingredients or is the guaranteed analysis amount of Crude Protein that is more important? And what does protein in a dog’s body get used for? Let’s cut through the confusion: Technically, only 18%. According to the Association of American Feed Controls (AAFCO) who determine the minimum requirements for nutritional adequacy when it comes to formulating canine nutrition, the adult maintenance minimum that dogs need to survive is just 18% Crude Protein and 22.5% Crude Protein for dogs that are growing or reproducing. But providing a diet that exceeds these minimum amounts of Crude Protein is one way of ensuring that dogs don’t just survive, but that they are eating nutrition that truly can make them thrive. There is no hard and fast number when it comes to classifying products as being high protein nutrition but there are a couple points to consider. Firstly, always compare diets by the guaranteed analysis, this is the chart on the back of the pack that tells you what levels are in the finished product. This chart is the best way to compare apples

Give your puppy the best possible start in life by feeding a specially formulated puppy food to meet their growing needs. The best dog food for puppies are formulas that contain essential growth nutrients such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is crucial for brain health, the development of the nervous system as well as key for good eye sight. Puppies actually get DHA from their mother’s milk that is why it’s so important in a puppy recipe as they transition over to real food. DHA in puppy foods can be sourced from fish or fish oil, liver protein or from algae meal. A puppy diet also contains optimum amounts of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bones, muscles and teeth in terms of the AAFCO nutrient profile that supports growth. The best foods for puppies are higher in calories than adult diets to ensure overall healthy growth. That’s why there are different types of puppy diets because, for example, larger breeds grow over a longer period of time and have nutritional requirements related to their growth pattern versus small breeds. Whether your puppy is going to grow up to be a small adult dog or a larger dog, it’s important to always follow the feeding guidelines in order not to overfeed. It’s worth having a nutrition conversation with your veterinarian. At Wellness, we offer a full-time hotline and can offer knowledgeable advice with regard to specific

You are what you eat – and the same goes for your cat! Here’s what you need to look for in your cat’s dry food. When you start your search for a quality dry cat food, you need to first do your research. After all, a quality dry cat food is only as good as its ingredients. Before you start shopping, you should know how important the ingredients are – and that’s why we’re going to talk about the top five healthy cat food ingredients you need to see on the label to know that the recipe you are feeding your cat delivers on the 5 signs of Wellbeing. Cats are obligate carnivores, and as such, a quality dry cat food needs to list a protein as its first ingredient – no exceptions! Not only that, but the protein needs to be named – it shouldn’t just list “meat.” Look for chicken, turkey, lamb, or salmon. When you look at any of Wellness’ cat food recipes, you’ll notice that a high-quality protein is listed right at the top of the ingredient list. This combined with healthy fats and wholesome carbohydrates for a complete and balanced meal helps ensure every cat receives the optimal energy they need to thrive. Essential in supporting your cat’s skin and coat health and other important biological functions, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can be found in fish oil, eggs, and flaxseed. A quality dry cat

Dog dental chews are a great way of helping keep your dog’s teeth clean. With so many products available the following are 6 quick points to consider when next in the dog treat aisle choosing a chew for your dog. Following these tips will ensure you choose a chew that is tasty and safe but one that is the most effective at removing plaque and tartar whilst keeping their breath fresh: Ensure that an edible dental chew contains high-quality natural ingredients to promote the health and wellbeing for your dog as well as keep their teeth clean. The back of a dental chews pack will often highlight if a brand contains non-GMO ingredients as well as show the ingredient list in order of most abundant to the smallest ingredient inclusions. Look for ingredients you recognize like potatoes or chicken Avoid non-specific ingredients like ‘meat meal’ or generic ‘cereals.’ These open ingredient descriptors don’t give you visibility as to the source of that ingredient, meaning they are inferior ingredients. Knowing where your dog’s dental treats are made gives assurance on the level quality and safety involved in making a chew that your dog will eat. At North American and European manufacturing sites, companies must meet very strict industry standards that ensure the highest quality chews are available to your pet. In other markets such as China, these industry controls may be missing and create a chew with lower quality standards. Less

Whether you’ve just adopted a new puppy, or you’ve had your furry tail-wagging friend for years, it can be very upsetting when your four-legged family member stops eating, especially if she usually has a healthy appetite! If your doggo or puppy just isn’t chowing down like she used to, it could be due to a variety of factors, ranging from health conditions to behavioral issues. While most healthy dogs can go a day or two without food, it’s important to monitor your dog’s health and behavior to see if there’s an underlying issue why he won’t eat. If your dog goes more than 48 hours without any food, it’s important to take them to see a vet immediately. 1. Your Dog Could Be Sick or Have Serious Health Issues A lack of appetite could indicate cancer, infections, liver problems or kidney failure, so talk to your vet if you think your dog might be sick. Vaccinations are vital to keeping your dog healthy, but they may cause your dog to temporarily lose her appetite. Did you take your dog somewhere new? If your pup was eating just fine until you went on a trip, her loss in appetite could be due to the stress of traveling and new surroundings. Some dogs may also get motion sickness in cars. Check your dog’s mouth – something might be causing her pain. As your vet to check your pup for broken or loose

There is a good reason that dogs are called man’s (and woman’s) best friend. From the moment you bring your new dog home, he will spend his lifetime striving to be your biggest fan, most ferocious protector, snuggliest couch cuddle partner, and honorary child in your family portraits. And whether it’s a wriggling new puppy that joins your pack or a senior dog celebrating his third act by leaving the animal shelter to become part of your family, your new dog will ultimately end up being your best friend. But bringing a dog into your life isn’t a matter to be taken lightly; you are making a commitment for that dog’s whole life! If it’s your first time looking to adopt a dog, you might need a few pointers on where to start! “Owning a dog is a big responsibility.” We’re sure you’ve heard those words before when you were a kid trying to convince your parents that you were ready for one of the squirmy pups in the box marked “Free Puppies.” But even as an adult, it’s true. A dog takes time and money, and you need to make sure you have enough of both before committing to a new pet. Consider your lifestyle; do you have time to take a dog for a walk a few times a day (or pay someone else to do it for you while you’re at work)? Do you have time to visit

Kittens grow up very fast especially during the first few weeks of their lives. Here’s a timeline of those captivating milestones so you can chart their development as they discover the wonderful world around them—and you. Kittens are born blind and deaf. Eyes are closed and ears are folded at birth. No teeth yet. Around five days, eyes start opening and initially are blue in color. Around five days, ears start to unfold and they can begin to hear sounds. During the newborn kitten stage, kittens are totally reliant on their mother. Keep in mind that if there is no mother cat, kittens require special 24/7 care including being fed a special kitten formula every two hours which is designed to strengthen their immune systems and build healthy bones. Never give a kitten dairy or other milk products that humans consume. Wobbly movements. Kittens start to make wobbly attempts to stand up but remain very close to Mom and each other. First squeaky mewing sounds. The first of 26 baby teeth start to come in. No claw movement. They are still too young to be able to retract their tiny claws. Eyes and ears are properly developed (although eyesight will still be a bit blurry). Kittens begin to move around more. It’s time to begin socializing with them, by introducing kitten toys. Introduce human touch. A mother cat will groom her kittens with her tongue. To get them used to