Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

One of the best feelings in the world is being able to include your pup in the activities you’re passionate about. For me, that’s bringing my dog Kicker snowboarding through fresh powder. Snowboarding has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid and now it’s how I make a living. Kicker has been charging through the snow with me basically since the second I brought him home as a puppy. If you want to see pure happiness just watch one of my edits of Kicker and I shredding through freshly fallen snow in the backcountry. That being said, it’s important to properly prepare for your pup’s safety before heading out in the backcountry with them. The number one priority is your dog’s well being. That means, that they are happy, warm, hydrated, and not in dangerous terrain. If you aren’t in control when skiing or snowboarding and don’t have experience in the backcountry with avalanche terrain it’s not a good idea to add your pup to that equation. •    Make sure you’re on terrain in your ability level.Start simple on a smaller slope going slow, especially if you’re with a puppy. Puppies shouldn’t overexert themselves so, unless you must, only go for a very short day or be prepared to carry your dog (if it’s well within your ability level). Kicker personally loved to be zipped into my jacket as a puppy when we were out

Koda and I have spent the last three years moving around the country in search of our next adventure. Koda has lived in four homes across three states! Like most millennials, I’ve lived in mostly apartments and have had to adjust to living in a small space with a dog. Since moving back to Washington, we’ve found ourselves out exploring more than ever! Always on the move, we have seriously downsized our belongings and living quarters – we now live in a tiny house! Living in a small studio-style home with a big dog like Koda can seem intimidating, and has definitely taken some adjusting, but we’re figuring out how to live in a tiny home with a big dog. Not only is Koda big, but he also is full of energy. My biggest tip for living with a big dog in a small space is prioritizing getting out and exploring every opportunity you get! Taking Koda out into the mountains or to the beach on the weekends allows him to stretch his legs, get some exercise, and (most importantly) wear himself out! We don’t have a lot of extra room in our tiny home, but one thing we made sure to include is a space for Koda to play.All of his toys and bed get their own little corner. This gives Koda his own space to do whatever he wants and helps him feel not so cooped up! We

As we approach the winter season, the days will get shorter and the temperatures will get colder. Cats might be resourceful, but they still need shelter when the temperatures drop. When the temperatures get really cold, cats can suffer from frostbite or hypothermia. Their fur coats sometimes simply aren’t enough to keep them warm. Building an outdoor cat house for kitties can keep your feline friends safe and warm during the coldest part of the year. You might want to build an outdoor cat house for your indoor/outdoor cat when she chooses to leave your home. What about the stray and feral cats that hang out around your house? It’s important for cat parents to take care of the animals in their community. While your cat can stay warm and snug inside your home, community cats may not have a place to escape the harsh cold of the winter. Show the stray cats in your community some love this year by providing them with some winter cat houses to keep them warm and comfy during the winter months. Thinking of building a shelter? 1. Cats need to feel secure, so make sure you place the feral cat house in a safe area away from other animals and car and foot traffic.  2. Also put the outdoor cat winter shelter in a place away from the wind – this will help keep your community cats warm and snug as the temperatures

Dog breed DNA tests are all the rage these days. Using simple, at-home test kits, people are able to discover where they are from and who they are related to. Did you know that the same kind of kits exist for your pup? While many people use DNA tests to discover who they are, pet owners may also want to learn who their pets are! A multitude of companies now sell dog breed DNA-testing kits to help you discover just what kind of dog you have. You might be trying to think of a special way that you can celebrate your unique dog and how special he is to you. Perhaps buying a dog breed DNA test would be a great way to learn more about your favorite canine companion. Your dog is a part of your family and knowing where he comes from can strengthen that bond! Continue reading for more information to see if dog breed DNA testing is right for you and your tail-wagging best friend. Do you consider your dog to be a mixed breed or “mutt”? Do you ever wonder about what kind of dog you have? Are you curious about what mix of breeds makes your dog so unique? Well, you don’t have to be curious anymore! Dog DNA tests are definitely a great way to discover your dog’s family tree. In addition to breed identification, dog DNA tests can also screen for ancestry,

It’s important that dog owners everywhere take a moment to recognize the signs of diabetes in dogs. Diabetes is a condition that happens when glucose, a type of sugar and the main source of energy for the body, does not break down as it should. Glucose levels are mainly controlled by insulin, a hormone that is made by the pancreas. When someone (person or dog) has diabetes, there is not enough glucose, and what results is a sort of metabolic starvation that triggers the body to break down fat and muscle tissue, which the liver converts into sugar. While diabetes in dogs can occur at any age, they are typically diagnosed between 7-10 years of age, and for whatever reason, it occurs in female dogs two times as much as male dogs. Certain breeds are also at risk including: Poodles, Bichons Frises, Pugs, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Puli, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Australian Terriers, Fox Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and Beagles. However, obesity is one of the most common risk factors. Of course, as with any disease, condition or disorder, earlier detection is always better, so it’s important to know the signs of diabetes in your dog. If left untreated, it can lead to dehydration, cataracts, malnutrition, increasing weakness in the legs (neuropathy), ketoacidosis, and death. But how do you know if your dog has diabetes? 1. Excessive Thirst – Is your dog suddenly showing a new interest in his water bowl, perhaps you notice after refilling

Cats may have nine lives, and our pooches may live their life a little more quickly in dog years, but there is no softer spot in our hearts than that held by our beloved senior pets. November is all about senior pets, making it the perfect opportunity for sending some love to our older pet companions! Here are six must-know tips for caring for senior pets. From puppy- or kittenhood to senior years, the annual examination is an important part of pet health, most important in your pet’s mature years. It’s a common thought that seven of a dog’s years are comparable to one year of human life, but in fact that formula is a little more complex. The American Veterinary Association explains that 15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dog’s life, the second year for a dog equals about nine years for a human, and every year after that equates to approximately five years for a dog. And because pet’s years are not the same as humans, it’s all the more important to make sure to keep the regular checkup, each and every year. Let’s put it this way; it’s like your 75-year-old grandmother not going to the doctor for five years! For almost every type of animal (humans included), the condition of the teeth can be a powerful indicator of the overall condition of the body, and daily dental care and regular dental checkups can prevent

What is WSAVA? WSAVA, or the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, is comprised of over 200,000 veterinarians across 113 member associations. This association advances the health and welfare of companion animals through building an educated and collaborative global community of veterinary peers. As one of its activities, WSAVA encourages its veterinarians and pet parents to be mindful of the food they feed their pets, as well have a general understanding of the company that makes their pet food by asking several questions. The WSAVA Global Nutrition Council provides clear recommendations for selecting pet foods: Employ a qualified nutritionist with PHD in animal nutrition Formulated to AAFCO recommendations Undertaken AAFCO feeding trials Produced in USA Strict quality controls in place All dry recipes complete and balanced to life stage Nutrient analysis available for recipes on website Extensive product research undertaken Now that you know what the necessary requirements are for a pet food brand to be considered WSAVA compliant, we’ll walk you through how each requirement is evaluated, and how Wellness Pet Food meets those requirements: Do you employ a full-time qualified nutritionist? Who formulates your foods and what are his/her credentials? We have worked very closely with a Ph.D. Animal Nutritionist who either formulates or reviews our diets. He has spent more than 25 years formulating diets for dogs and cats and our relationship with him goes back more than fifteen years. In addition, he has published numerous peer-reviewed articles

Every November 15 marks America Recycles Day, the holiday created by Keep America Beautiful to celebrate recycling with education, events and activities. An annual opportunity to observe ways we can reduce our impacts and motivate others to do their part, it’s also a time to create new habits we can use to live greener every day. What does this have to do with our pets? Protecting the planet helps our communities and families, which pets are very much a part of! Because domesticated animals are kept (by us, their humans) outside of nature’s regenerative, circular system, the food they eat and the waste they create is not readily renewed or absorbed. Knowing this, it is up to us to make better choices and actively offset our pets’ impacts to make them friendlier to the planet. One way to lighten their pawprint is to recycle the products and packaging produced by keeping them fed and healthy. Wellness Natural Pet Food makes it easy for pet owners to recycle flexible plastics packaging for free through their network of local recycling solutions, powered by TerraCycle. Just visit the Wellness Pet Food Recycling Program page on TerraCycle.com and search your zip code on the map to find the drop-off point nearest you. Another positive aspect of recycling through TerraCycle’s national recycling programs is the more you recycle, the more points you can earn in exchange for a cash donation to your favorite environmental nonprofit or

National Black Cat Day is October 27. The reason we need such special recognition days is because black cats have been so misunderstood and maligned throughout history. So, on this day, here’s a chance to think about some of the ways in which black cats make the best pets. It’s a chance to educate and spread the word about how wonderful black cats are. 1.  Let’s start with the absolute outward beauty of the coat. Black cats look sophisticated. If the cat is kept healthy and fed excellent quality food, the black coat should be sleek, shiny and simply gorgeous. A black cat always looks as if they are ready for a formal night out on the town. 2.  In addition to the black cat’s elegance, they also look like a little panther gracefully roaming around. It’s as if you have a little piece of the wild in your home. A black cat walking or running through the house is the picture of grace, stealth, mystery and beauty. 3.    The expressive eyes of a black cat are striking against the black fur. The amount of melanin is what gives the black cat’s eyes a golden color. Some black cats have green eyes as well. Those beautiful eyes are perfectly framed by the sleek, black fur. When a black cat is looking at you, it’s hard to resist the expression in those magnificently highlighted eyes. 4.    Research suggests that the genetic mutation

This past month the entire Wellness organization celebrated Global Service Day! Over 250 Wellies’ spent their time at local shelters and other animal rescue organizations around the world. Teams were spread out all over the U.S , Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Canada. We’d like to thank all of the organizations who let us spend the day with them. If looking to adopt a new pet, check out the list below. Lowell Humane Society, Lowell, MA Salem Animal Rescue League, Salem, NH Cape Ann Animal Aid, Gloucester, MA MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Methuen, MA Animal Rescue League of NH, Bedford, NH Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem, MA Paws, Wakefield, MA Operation Delta Dog, Hollis, NH Great Dog Rescue of NE, Woburn, MA Albuquerque Best Friends Best Friends LA Burlington Humane Society California Animal Shelter Carver-Scott Humane Society, Minnesota Feline Café of Ottawa Greenville North Carolina Humane Society Humane Society of St. Joseph County, Indiana Hunter T Cronin Cat Room Best Friends, Kanab Utah PAWS, Chicago IL Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary Salt Lake City Best Friends Shamroq Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute Rescue of Queensland, Australia South Bend Animal Rescue The Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Singapore West Australian Dingo Association, Australia We know that every home is better with a pet, and so we are so happy to have had a chance to spend time working with a Best Friends Animal Society partner shelter that helps homeless pets find a forever

October 29th is a special day. This is the day we celebrate National Cat Day. If you share your life with cats, you most likely believe every day is National Cat Day (or should be), but this special day gives people a chance to educate others about how wonderful cats are. It’s also a day to celebrate what it means to be a cat person. Cats can make 100 different vocal sounds, as well as having quite an extensive body language. They also rely heavily on scent communication. The cat person loves the cat for the soft purr heard during times of closeness, but also loves that same cat for the unrelenting meow at 5 a.m. in the morning when kitty thinks breakfast is overdue. Stealth and speed combine to create beauty in motion. Whether the cat is stalking prey or just walking through a room, the gait is pure poetry. A cat person loves the cat for how beautiful and silent his movements can be and marvels at how a 6 pound cat can also sound like a team of horses galloping down the hallway when chasing a toy. A cat person appreciates the beauty of a ballet and the pratfalls of a comedy. Many people think cats are low maintenance and that it’s responsible for their appeal for cat people. That is not accurate at all. While cats don’t need to be walked and can be left alone

You’ve heard the comments about how often pet parents end up choosing a pup that looks like them, but what about Brews & Breeds? This Oktoberfest, we’re having a little fun with beer and pooch pairings! First, find your favorite beer, and see which pup’s personality matches it! A bit more hoppy than your average lager and pleasantly lighter than a generic pale ale, a pilsner is, put simply, a refreshing beer with rich German roots. You enjoy a brew that has a bit more hop than the average beer, but still remains light and easy to drink – meaning you enjoy a hardworking companion that offers energy when needed yet often remains tame. A German Shepherd is the perfect mix of spirit and calmness, just like your pilsner! Known for its crisp, light taste and smooth, mellow flavor, lagers are one of the less bitter, more subdued brews in the beer world. You like things low maintenance, no frills or fuss – your perfect breed is a Bernese Mountain Dog. These large-breed canines play into the name of a lager itself, but more importantly, they are the easygoing, well-balanced pooch perfect for your lifestyle. When they aren’t sleeping, they’re up for a relaxing cuddle or a hangout on the couch—while you sip your brew. Intentionally acidic to pack a punch, sour ales have a distinctive, zippy flavor. Available in an array of shades from golden to amber, this beer looks as good as