Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

It’s a new year and a new decade, and January starts the year off on the right paw as National Train Your Dog Month. Maybe there was a new puppy under your tree this year, eager to learn, or maybe you have an older dog and know that you really can teach an old dog new tricks with enough patience and diligence. Whatever your pooch’s age, breed, temperament, or place within your pack, there are three tricks that every dog should know, and it’s not just about being able to impress your friends. Perhaps the ‘oldest trick in the book’ and the absolute most useful to your dog is the time-honored command ‘Sit.’ Teaching a dog to sit is about much more than asking him to stay in one place (which is important) but it’s about teaching your dog to recognize his place in ranking. Many dog breeds are stubborn or headstrong, and bringing your dog to a seated position reminds him that not only does he need to do what you ask of him, but he needs to stay in that position until you give him further instruction. He should know his place in the routine, and sometimes that means parking it exactly where he is. Sitting allows him to properly greet people or other animals in an unintimidating way, but what’s more, it can even save his life. Live in a big city? A simple ‘sit’ command given

As a pet parent, you know that clean, fresh water is vital to your pet’s health and happiness. Water is essential to all living things, and your pup and feline are no exception! Like most mammals, your pet is made up of 2/3 water. Without adequate water, your pet can become dehydrated or even experience severe health issues, including urinary and kidney problems, or even death. Since you know the importance of water to your pet, you probably already make sure that your furry friend always has something to drink. But are you changing their water enough? Pets need adequate water to ensure proper organ function, joint lubrication and food digestion. Water carries important nutrients to cells of the body. It helps your pet digest his food and absorb the nutrients from his kibble. Water helps your pets move easier by keeping their joints nice and lubricated. Internal tissues and the spinal cord are also cushioned by moisture. Water also helps your pet eliminate wastes through urination and bowel movements. Every important body function requires water. Without enough water, your pet can become ill and dehydrated. Some warning signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, pale and dry gums, and dry skin. Your pet may also seem lethargic or depressed if have no appetite if he isn’t getting enough water. So how much water should your pets drink? A variety of factors, including your animal’s diet, age, environment and health conditions,

Dogs – like people – can have a harder time getting around and doing things dogs do if they are overweight. Studies show that more than half of the dogs in the United States are overweight and at risk of developing debilitating health problems. Maybe it’s time to start your dog on a weight loss plan if they are starting to look a little pudgy or move a little slower. Dogs who maintain a healthy weight live longer, so keep your pup around as long as possible by learning how you can help your dog lose weight below! If you can’t easily feel your pup’s ribs or shoulder blades, he might be overweight. If you can’t see your dog’s waist or there’s a roll of fat at the base of your dog’s tail, it’s time to shed some pounds. As always, consult your vet if you have any questions about your puppy’s health. How can your help your favorite tail-wagging friend drop some pounds? The answers are surprisingly simple. Try the below 6 tips to help keep your puppy trim. Calculate how many calories your dog needs Weight your dog regularly Switch up their treats Give your dog daily exercise Provide the right supplements Feed your dog less carbs and more protein To help your dog lose weight, you need to make sure he’s burning more calories than he’s eating or simply, the calories in need to be less than calories out. If you don’t know

Doggy 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, but that’s not the case. 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 keep your dog’s teeth healthy and their breath fresh: 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 day with special doggie toothpaste (never use human toothpaste). Brushing mechanically removes

Getting a new puppy can be an exciting – and sometimes overwhelming! – experience. But don’t worry. With the right supplies and lots of love, you’ll be the best puppy parent in no time! Below is a new puppy checklist of 20 things your new puppy needs before they come home to live with their forever family. Quality Puppy Chow Puppy Treats Identification Water & Food Bowls Puppy Pads Leash Crate Collar Bedding Shampoo Grooming Brush Ear Cleaning Solution Teeth Cleaning Supplies Dog Nail Trimmer Puppy Gates Puppy Toys Flea & Tick Medication Enzyme Cleaner Anti-Chew Spray A Veterinarian Now that you know what things your new puppy needs, keep reading to see why you need them! Make sure to provide your puppy high-quality food that has the right mix of nutrients specifically formulated for his age, size and development. Wellness Pet Food has an array of yummy wet and dry recipes made just for puppies! Made with premium natural proteins, wholesome whole grains and antioxidants, your puppy will receive the right nutrients he needs as he transitions into adulthood. Keep some healthy treats on hand to reward your pup. Try out these Wellness Soft Puppy Bites, which are formulated without meat by-products, corn, wheat, dairy, artificial colors or flavors. They also come in two great flavors that your puppy will love! Also on your new puppy checklist,yYou’ll want an identification tag with your puppy’s name and your current contact information in case

Cats are often labeled picky eaters. In truth, they are not deliberately being difficult; they have very discerning palates! It’s how the food feels in their mouths and the ease with which they can pick it up that attracts them to certain textures over others. While pâté texture wet food is popular with cats, flaked and shredded textures are also feline favorites. Pet nutritionists, the “feline chefs” tasked with creating nutritionally balanced meals that will appeal in both texture and, of course taste, best describe flaked recipes as the protein presented in long, thin, flat “chipped” pieces of varying sizes in a light broth. Flaked wet cat food has a similar texture to a can of tuna in water—imagine how the fish breaks apart as you separate it with a fork. If your cat is used to eating only wet food, getting your cat to try switching to a flaked recipe is as simple as replacing their current wet food with a flaked option. However, if you usually feed dry food or a combination of wet and dry food, you’ll need to consider the total amount of calories your cat is consuming to ensure you are not overfeeding. When combining wet food with dry, decrease the kibble amount to consider the amount of the flaked recipe you are adding to the meal. Below is a general recommendation from our flaked recipes on the amount to feed your cat per day

With over 250 entries in our Ugly Sweater Photo Contest we are happy to announce our winners! First place takes home ONE YEAR worth of Wellness Pet Food. Runner-ups will receive a special Wellness treat pack!  Read below to check out the winning photos!

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