Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

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

With over 500 submissions, the competition was surely tough for the Wellness CORE RawRev Photo Contest! We asked pet parents to share a fun photo of how they keep their dogs and cats active in celebration of the CORE RawRev Takeover! Pets that are always on the move, need more protein and CORE RawRev allows you to add raw meat easily and safely with 100% freeze- dried meat pieces to every meal. Combined with the same CORE kibble you know and love this savory, nutrient-rich meal supports strong lean muscle, healthy skin and shiny coats! Lets meet the winners!

At Wellness, we’re driven each day to deliver uncompromising nutrition for the pets that depend on us. Let’s take Wellness CORE, for example. Wellness CORE, our high-protein recipes for dogs and cats, has become a tried-and-true approach to premium natural nutrition for pets. Wellness CORE offers high-protein, meat-rich formulas with lowered carbohydrates. Start feeding one of our Wellness CORE foods, and you’ll notice your pet will likely develop strong, lean muscle mass, a silky, lustrous coat, and an improved level of energy to share in all of life’s experiences with you. And to take that great nutrition one step further, now there’s Wellness CORE RawRev, formulas that give pet parents the opportunity to feed one of the most innovative advancements in the pet food category. With CORE RawRev we started with our CORE kibble and added 100% freeze-dried raw meat pieces. These pieces are evenly dispersed throughout the bag to ensure every meal contains the savory goodness of raw meat with the scoop and serve safety and convenience that you know and love. Wellness CORE RawRev’s range stands out from other brands. Why? We use just 100% raw meat, diced and then freeze dried. With similar products, the inclusions are a mix of ingredients, there’s some meat, but with added fillers and binders. By using just freeze dried meat in CORE RawRev, we’re delivering key protein nutrients such as incremental amino acids and vitamins, with an incomparable taste. For your dog or

Photo by Andrew Muse You don’t have to be a full-time adventurer in order to want to keep your active pet healthy. An active lifestyle means different things for different pet parents. However, there are some things we can agree on, like how many things there are to consider when choosing a diet for your pet that you’ll feel confident about feeding. What are the best ingredients to feed your pet? What about the flavor options? Then, there’s your pet’s lifestage, breed size and even unique nutritional restrictions like allergies or medical challenges to consider. It can all start to feel pretty overwhelming. Well, one important place to start when evaluating options is by looking at protein and exploring options for high protein cat food and dog food. Dietary protein is a nutrient that is vital to every dog and cat’s wellbeing.  Essential for growth and for the maintenance of almost all the tissues in their body, protein is highly digestible and naturally supplies all the amino acids necessary for a dog or cat to build hair, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. And on a molecular level, protein is key to the creation of enzymes that put into motion many metabolic reactions needed for day to day life, the hormones that act as the body’s chemical messengers and antibodies that comprise the immune system. Making sure there is enough good protein in your pets’ diet is of the upmost importance to

Being the loving pet parent that you are, there is no doubt you love and cuddle your dog every day! However it’s time to pull out all of the stops and indulge your dog for National Spoil Your Dog Day. We came up with ten puppy-approved ideas on how to spoil your dog silly! While normally we wouldn’t suggest extra treats, by National Spoil Your Dog Day is only one day, so throw a few extra treats your dog’s way. If they are healthy treats that your dog loves, then you won’t feel as guilty pulling them out a few extra times and will be able to enjoy the moment as your dog leaps and barks for joy. Dogs love and benefit from massages just as much as people by improving circulation. Spoil and pamper your dog by watching a YouTube video (or three or four) and learning how to relax you pup! If you have a playful pup, then there is no time like National Spoil Your Dog Day than to visit the pet store and to let your dog find a new toy that makes them want to run, jump and flip for joy. Time is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone you love. Call the office and clear your afternoon then go pick up your dog for a long, impromptu afternoon of all of your favorite things whether it is dining out, strolling the sidewalk, visiting the park or

Whoever said money can’t buy love never paid an adoption fee! I am so grateful for the Blue Ridge Humane Society who saved Japhy from a hoarding situation. He lived there for several months when my fiancé and I came by looking for a border collie I found online. He was sitting quietly on a cot in the very last kennel when we locked eyes and I fell in love instantly and even more so, loved that his tail wagged in circles like a propeller! We adopted him a little over six years ago and while I knew that we were quite possibly saving his life, it is him that has changed us beyond anything I ever imagined possible. From the moment our eyes connected at the shelter I knew that he was special. His happiness is contagious and his love for the outdoors fuels mine. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, as long as we are together. Japhy enjoys many things, but he’s happiest outside on the trail.Hiking allows us both to get some exercise while reinforcing the bond we share. My favorite part of hiking with him is that he brings me deeper into the adventure. Recently, we were walking through a wilderness area on an old logging road. As we were passing through a large meadow, I was distracted by the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But I noticed Japhy’s stance

Summertime marks the season of adventures; warm temperatures, longer days, and the great outdoors just waiting to be explored! And for those of us with dogs, we plan on spending all of that time outside with our furry family members in tow. Naturally, the beach is a popular choice for beating the heat! But just as there are precautions we must take to ensure we are protected during our time in the sun, there are things our four-legged beach buddies need to stay cool and calm, too! Here is a list of 10  things we make sure to check off when hitting the beach with our furry pack members! While fun memories and romping around in the waves await, it’s important to be prepared so you can keep your dog safe. Not only do we make sure we have what we need to care for our pups, but we want to ensure we are respectful of the environment and others around us, too. •    ID & RABIES TAGS: Make sure your dog has his collar on, with a proper I.D. attached. In the event you are separated, you’ll want to be certain that your dog has proper identification so you can quickly be reunited. In many states, is against the law to not have your dog up-to-date on their rabies vaccination, so be sure that the tag you received upon vaccination (with the license number) is secured to their collar as

For nearly 100 years, Wellness Pet Food has been crafting natural pet food that balances the nutritious and delicious! That’s why we believe we have a recipe and flavor perfect for each individual pup. Bring more love into mealtime with Wellness dry dog food recipes whether you choose a dry dog food with or without grains or one of our limited ingredient diets. Today, we’re covering Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food: Our Complete Health dry dog food with grains for dogs combine natural, premium proteins to deliver a balanced diet full of the nutrients your dog needs for a lifetime of wellbeing, no matter her breed size, life stage or unique nutritional needs. Each recipe is crafted with antioxidants to support strong immune systems, wholesome grains and balanced nutrients for optimal energy. Lamb & Barley Whitefish & Sweet Potato Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Healthy Weight Senior Puppy Large Breed Puppy Large Breed: Chicken & Brown Rice Small Breed Puppy Small Breed: Turkey & Oatmeal Small Breed: Whitefish, Salmon & Peas Small Breed Healthy Weight  Small Breed Senior Toy Breed Today, many pet parents have pets with sensitive stomachs, skin issues or ingredient sensitivities. Complete Health’s variety of protein options and ingredients offer solutions to help your pet live a long and healthy life. My Aussie was raised on Wellness puppy food. This Lamb and Barley kibble he has been on since he turned 1 year old. He loves it

The American Humane Association estimates that over 10 million dogs and cats get stolen or lost a year and that one in three pets get lost at some point in their life. Lost pets that end up in a shelter only have about a twenty-two percent chance of being reunited with their owners, unless they have some form of identification. July is Lost Pet Prevention Month. Take the time this July to become aware of methods for identifying your pet in case they get lost or stolen, then help spread the word on how pet owners can prevent losing their pets. One of the most technologically advanced methods of ID-ing your pet is microchipping. A microchip is a small computer chip that serves as an identifier for your pet. Microchips are relatively non-invasive to install, and they can help shelters and vets identify your pet (and to thus reunite you) if your pet has one. Importantly, if your pet is stolen, then a microchip serves as proof positive that the pet in question is yours and not the thief’s. As microchipping technology advances, there will be further benefits to microchipping your pet. Presently, though, note that microchips are not: GPS trackers; at present, microchips cannot help you locate your pet unless they have been found by someone with a scanner. A way for people to access your personal information. A repository of your pet’s medical history; though, microchips can help

Pets are like people — we say and hear this all of the time, but do we really believe it? If you don’t believe that pets are truly like people, then now is the time to start. Not only do pets need good nutrition and fitness like human friends, but they also need good mental and emotional healthcare, too.There are three types of anxiety pets typically experience: general fear, separation anxiety, and anxiety due to aging and health concerns. By understanding that pet stress and anxiety is real and where it comes from, you help your pet feel safe and calm! It’s impossible to control pet stress and anxiety if you don’t recognize the symptoms of when your pet is stressed or anxious. Common signs a pet is suffering from stress or anxiety include: Fidgeting or restlessness Repetitive behavior Pacing Atypical destructive behavior Panting and / or drooling Regressive bathroom habits  While many of these symptoms may be linked to other health problems, they are also indicative of stress and anxiety and should be discussed with a veterinarian. When you do notice signs of stress and anxiety in your dog or cat, consult your veterinarian. Then, figure out the source of the stress. Is there a new person at home? New work hours? New job? New pet? Whatever the issue, figure out what is new and when the issues started, so you can address them. In some instances, it’s possible to address

Feeding your cat. Sounds pretty basic, right? Well, there are some things cat parents can do that may influence how successful the mealtime routine is for their cats. What you feed your cat, when you feed, how food is offered and even where the feeding station is located are all contributing factors to whether kitty gives it a paws up or a paws down. Here’s my list of 10 tips to help you create a mealtime environment that follows your cat’s natural instincts and desires. Tip 1: Start with the Right Food Feed a high-quality, natural food that’s appropriate for your cat’s life stage and health. It’s also important to feed the right amount of food based on stage of life, health and physical activity level. Wellness recently introduced new Complete Health Grain Free dry recipes for cats which may be a good option. If you’re unsure of how much food your cat should be eating, talk to your veterinarian. Tip 2: Create a Comfortable Feeding Station Create a feeding area that takes your cat’s natural instincts and preferences into consideration. Avoid the mistake of placing the feeding station close to the litter box. It may seem tempting to create a convenient “cat area” but a cat’s natural survival instinct is to eliminate away from the nest in order to avoid attracting predators. If you place the food bowl close to the litter box it may cause stress when it’s time