Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

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

There are several reasons why pet parents may prefer a dog food without chicken for their adored fur kids. Primarily, it could be that their pooch is allergic to chicken. Secondly, there’s no question that dogs, like people, have their food favorites and may prefer another tasty protein flavor instead. And, this taps directly into the growing trend of rotating menu options and offering dogs a greater variety in the food bowl. After all, dinner time is a great bonding experience with your pooch. And while we know that selecting the right taste and texture for mealtime enjoyment is important, here are some other reasons to consider a dog food without chicken: Some recipes offer more protein that others and could be a better choice for high-energy dogs that have a very active lifestyle. Some menu options may offer higher levels of glucosamine and chondroitin than others, a good option for dogs with joint issues. A recipe with higher levels of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids could be worth considering for a dog with skin and coat issues. Here are four dog foods without chicken, all offering high-quality protein sources: Pet nutritionists consider lamb to be a popular protein choice for pets that are allergic to chicken or other commonly used protein sources. It is rich in high-quality, digestible protein, and often suggested as a meal for high-energy and very active dogs. Lamb has a high myoglobin content, making

Whether you work from home or are currently transitioning to a home-based work environment due to the current pandemic, there is a lot to consider when it comes to our pets. It may seem silly but interacting with our pets should be on the list of items to consider when creating a home office because spending more time at home can warrant behavior changes and disruption at mealtime for our furry friends. If you aren’t home all day, you’re probably unaware of what your pet’s routine is like (unless you spy on them with a pet cam). Because you aren’t there, they have to fend for themselves. This is why behavior disruption can take place when you spend more time with your pets. If you start to work from home, your pet will look to you for attention, affection and food. And the more you’re around, the more they will seek to gain. These behaviors may seem harmless at first, but it’s important to ensure you react to them appropriately by keeping their health and wellness a top priority. This will keep you from overfeeding your dog or cat. When humans are home more, a common issue tends to be overfeeding. Overfeeding can occur in two ways: mealtime and treats. When it comes to mealtime, you want to stick to a routine that works for everyone involved. If you don’t have a set work schedule at home, create one. The

Are you frustrated with your pup because of bad behavior? Are they restless, chewing things they shouldn’t, pawing for attention or digging holes in your yard? While these behaviors may seem like typical puppy play, you could be dealing with a case of doggy boredom. Doggy boredom occurs when your pup has too much energy. Essentially, it means your pup isn’t getting enough stimulation, and that physical energy is building up inside of them with no form of release. Dogs can also grow bored of a monotonous routine, just like we can. They are smarter than they sometimes let on. Here are a few ways to shake up your pup’s routine and get them back on track to good behavior and a happy way of life. The simple answer here is play with your dog! Dogs are a bundle of joy and want to spend as much time with you as they can. Play tug of war, play a game of fetch or invent a game of your own. Roll on the ground, run around the yard, and see the world from your dog’s perspective. A little playtime is good for you and your pup! Take a walk! It seems simple, but more often than not, our pups simply need more exercise. Think of your dog as a growing child. They have a ton of energy and need a way to release it. Add more walking time into your routine

If you are new to working from home with pets, you may be feeling mixed emotions about your new gig, but working from home can be quite beneficial, especially if you have a furry friend! Think about it. You have the comforts of home, you can dress in your pajamas, and you have your favorite being in the entire universe next to you while you get paid to work, but, and there is always a but, how do you effectively work from home with a pet? Here are some ways to get yourself into a new working routine when you have pets at home to keep you company… When it comes to a home office, some of us may have more options than others. If possible, try to separate yourself from your pets to ensure you have a functional workspace. Go into a room and use a door as a barrier. This will set a clear message that you are unavailable to play or cuddle. If a separate room isn’t possible, try using a space that is higher up, such as a table or countertop, so your pet cannot disrupt your papers, computer or other materials. If you have a needy pet, you may have to set some work-from-home boundaries. Just like you normally leave the house for the day, head to your “home office” and shut the door, physically separating you from your pet. If this isn’t possible, set