Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Note: Rotational feeding is not recommended for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. Some animals with food allergies can be predisposed to developing further allergies. There are many ways to add variety to your pet’s mealtimes. Rotational feeding for dogs can add variety through flavor (ex. chicken, lamb, salmon or pork), texture (ex. kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, air-dried) and nutrients (ex. Amino acids, minerals, fatty acids). For some pet parents, adding variety means mixing kibble and wet food together in the bowl, while for other pet parents it might mean feeding kibble for breakfast and wet food for dinner. Others may choose to only feed dry kibble, but rotate flavors with each new bag that they purchase. Any of these combinations is acceptable – they all add variety! Don’t let your pet become food bored. Rotational feeding can help maintain and increase your pets interest in eating. Also, while a complete and balanced dog food guarantees that your dog will get sufficient nutrients; rotating foods allows your dog to consume ingredients that could be richer in certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids than others, contributing to an overall increase in health and wellbeing. When starting a rotational feeding program, pet parents should look for recipes that have similar fat content, fiber content, and ingredients to minimize risks of indigestion.  When rotating from one product to another, be sure to follow the feeding guidelines for each product to ensure your pet is getting their daily

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare wrote that “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” which is true…while names don’t shape the person, there are some names that fit the personality. For example, Romeo and Barbarella don’t have the same ring. When it comes to naming people and pets, finding the right name to fit the individual character is truly an art. Here are some things to consider when naming your pet. Getting a new cat or dog is very exciting, but before you dive right into selecting a name, keep these important tips in mind: Select a one or two-syllable name; anything longer will be hard for your pet to recognize. Don’t pick a name that sounds like a command. For example, Kit sounds like sit or Jay sounds like stay. Only consider names that you’ll feel comfortable calling out when your pet is outside or at the park. Next, there’s the inspiration for finding names. Some pet parents look at baby name books for ideas. You can do that as well as: Watching your pet’s personality for a while to see what name fits. It’s okay if your pet doesn’t have a name for a few days. It’s worth the wait to get the right one. See what pets are named on movies and books. This could help you decide what to or what not to name your pet. Consider the popularity of the name Marley

A customized burger is built around a high-quality piece of meat. Even with an array of fresh toppings, a burger isn’t going to be delicious unless the meat is juicy, tender and fresh. Similarly, a customized meal for your dog starts with a high-quality kibble recipe, crafted specifically for your dog’s age, size and nutritional needs. A premium, balanced kibble begins with a high-quality protein source as the first ingredient, such as turkey, fish, duck or lamb. This protein should then be balanced with a thoughtful combination of nutrient-dense ingredients that result in optimized levels of carbohydrates, protein, fats, omega-fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals. Look for kibble options without corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or colors to ensure the food is free of fillers. It’s important to look at your dog’s lifestyle in order to gauge his activity level and, hence, that he is getting the right diet to fuel his energy needs. A dog with a very active lifestyle that goes on long walks, hikes and generally has a very active social life will need to  consume more calories than a dog that doesn’t get much activity beyond daily walks. You may find that you need to feed your sedentary dog something like CORE Reduced Fat recipe in order to maintain a healthy body condition. A dog’s dietary needs change from puppyhood to his adult years, and again in his golden senior years. Chose a diet that

When it comes to feline nutrition, cats are described as obligate carnivores. This means that meat (as well as poultry or fish) is an essential ingredient as cats rely on nutrients found only in animal products as a part of their daily diet to maintain overall health. Cats in the wild are skilled hunters and very adept at stalking, pouncing and capturing prey to feed themselves. Hence, freshly-caught raw protein sources are recognized as the mainstay of the feline ancestral diet. And, because domestic cats are distant relatives of the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) the biological need for meat remains crucial in a domestic cat’s diet too. We all want to give our cats the best nutrition available so that they not only enjoy their food but maintain good health with lots of energy as well as their fabulous, furry good looks. Pet parents have plenty of options for nutritionally-balanced, high-protein, grain-free wet and dry food varieties that give our cats the essential ingredients they need; however, there are some unique benefits to incorporating raw meat into a cat’s meal rotation. Raw meat retains additional minerals and vitamins that may not be available once the meat is cooked. Also, raw meat offers an aroma and texture that many cats find irresistible. We may be well-aware of the benefits of a cat’s ancestral diet, but freshly-caught raw prey isn’t usually on the menu! For anyone leading a busy life, trying

The decision to get a shelter cat is exciting but it can also seem overwhelming. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’ll be providing a forever home, but you may also be concerned with how to pick the right cat. Being impulsive when it comes to choosing a shelter cat may work out but to increase the chances of being the right home for the right cat, my recommendation is to be well-prepared. Here are my 10 tips. There are advantages to both but it’s important to look at the time you can take for training. A kitten will require more supervision and training. The house will may also need to be kitten-proofed as an inquisitive young kitten will want to explore just about everything. If you’re hoping for a cat with a certain temperament, then an adult cat may be the best choice. What is your family life like? Is it chaotic and busy or relaxed and calm? If your family life is very busy, think about whether you’d have time for the addition of a cat. Do you have children in the home? What are their expectations? If your children are very young, a kitten may not be the best choice because they are easily injured. Do you live alone and spend little time at home? Consider adopting two cats so they can keep each other company. You may find a pair of cats at the shelter who

World Pet Memorial Day is on June 9 and is a time for pet owners who have lost a beloved pet to remember, to honor, to celebrate and to reflect on the life of a departed pet. Social media is one of the most popular ways to honor one’s pet on World Pet Memorial Day. Here are some things you can do. Post a favorite picture or series of pictures of your pet on social media. Consider making a photo album of your pet starting from the time he was small or from when your journey together began. Share stories about your pet on social media or on your website. A favorite moment or experience is a great way to remember the love you shared with a pet who has passed. Create a website for your pet. This is a place for you to share pictures, quotes, videos, and longer stories about your pet. Not only does creating a designated page for your pet give you more quality time reflecting on your life together but reading it also could help other pet owners who’ve lost pets. To help others find your online tributes, make sure to use the hashtag #worldpetmemorialday, so other pet lovers and mourners can share in the joy your pet brought and in your shared grief. You can also create a unique hashtag for your pet. In addition to honoring your pet online, there are many special things

While it might feel like those playful kitten and puppy years will last forever, most cats and dogs are considered seniors by the time they are six and seven years old. The senior years are when health problems can start. By being aware of what they are and how to maintain health in your senior pet, you can keep your senior pet feeling, looking, and acting young and spry for years to come. When it comes to pet health care, being proactive is one of the best things you can do. Regular vet visits – Don’t miss those annual wellness checks; your vet is trained to catch early signs of health problems and to make recommendations regarding the best diet and dietary supplements for your pet’s breed, condition, and age. Monitoring your pet’s hygiene – As your pet ages, you will not only want to help with regular hygiene, which includes bathing and brushing, teeth brushing, ear cleanings, gum inspections, eye inspection, parasite checks, and the like, but you will also want to inspect your pet for signs of trouble, for lumps, for dry skin, for missing teeth, etc. Daily exercise – A plethora of health problems set in when animals become sedentary. As a pet naturally ages and as his health naturally declines, exercise can become more of a challenge. By never ceasing a fitness regimen, it can be easier to maintain physical health in an aging or senior

TerraCycle is an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. Wellness Natural Pet Food is the first U.S.-based pet food brand to make its packaging nationally recyclable through a partnership with TerraCycle. So far, the partnership has resulted in 80,000 pet food bags diverted from landfills. Raising a pet is a lot like growing a garden. They both require close attention, proper watering and feeding, and the care that comes with understanding their needs. But while they have their similarities, pets and gardens don’t always get along. Pets around the world have been known to stomp on and relieve themselves in gardens. Sometimes, they’ll eat the plants in it, which not only destroys the space, but can make them sick. Before you resolve to keep the two separate, know that with a bit of help, pets and plants can live harmoniously in the same yard. Here’s a short list of tips for the two-fold goal of raising a pet-friendly garden, along with a garden-friendly pet: A well-trained pet is a good starting point for a peaceful plant garden. Especially if the garden is established as a no-go area, an obedient pet is much less likely to be destructive, and will listen to commands. Creating garden borders can help to keep your pet out. Simple solutions include a small wooden fence, pieces of driftwood, or chicken wire, depending on the pet and plants that need

Alicia is responsible for front office operations at WellPet, ensuring excellent customer service to visitors and employees, and is a corporate culture advocate. Here, she talks about her passion for volunteering at pet rescues and shares some helpful tips for those who are interested in helping animals but might not know where to start. Growing up, my family frequented the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen, MA to make donations of treats and newspapers – with the added benefit of being able to cuddle the animals available for adoption.  For a place that provided me with such joy, it only made sense for me to give back to their shelter.  I now volunteer at 3 local shelters (MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Salem Animal Rescue League and Lowell Humane Society) that provide a welcoming environment to small and large animals alike while they are waiting to find their forever home. I am part of the outreach teams at these three shelters and assist at on-site and community events.  Goals of the outreach teams are to educate the public about the shelters, raise much-needed funds, and to find homes for the animals.   It always brings me happiness to watch someone interact with an animal for the first time and to see them leave the shelter with a new family member. There tends to be a stigma that an animal at a shelter has something “wrong” with it, but there are many

I’ve grown up with dogs my whole life, and I knew that one of the first things I was going to do once I was on my own was get a puppy. However, the thought of having this overwhelming responsibility was definitely daunting, and I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to bring a puppy into my life. A few days later, Koda, a blue eyed Weimaraner came into my life, and our adventure began. The first thing I learned as a new pet parent was that there’s never going to be a “right” time to get your first dog, and that those first few months are something you’ll never regret or forget. There was a steep learning curve and I found myself scouring blogs just like the Live Well blog by Wellness Pet Food, trying to learn as much as I could about food, vaccines, exercise, and training so I could properly take care of my new best friend. I’ll be the first to admit, my situation is pretty unique. As a professional athlete, I’m home from practice by lunch time most days which allows Koda and I to explore every afternoon, and living in the Pacific Northwest caters to our need for adventure. In his first year Koda’s been to five national parks, visited six states, ran in the Pacific Ocean, camped atop several mountains, and has probably chewed over 1,000 sticks. My schedule also allowed

We’re excited to formally introduce you to Wellness Natural Pet Food veterinarian, Dr. Danielle Bernal. Dr. Danielle travels across the United States and other countries where Wellness is sold. In each place she visits, she educates pet parents on the role that premium, natural nutrition plays in pets’ health and longevity. We were able to catch up with Dr. Danielle for an interview. Keep reading to get to know Dr. Danielle: I grew up in Sydney, Australia on a hobby farm with a backyard full of pets. Having always wanted to be a veterinarian, I completed my Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Sydney before working at an equine and small animal clinic. I absolutely adored the life of a veterinarian. Each day was different with unique challenges. Whilst it could be exhausting, it was also so very rewarding. My role at WellPet is to educate our customers, consumers and internal sales and marketing teams about the importance of natural pet nutrition and how our WellPet brands are crafted to support the optimal health and wellbeing of dogs and cats around the world. When I am not helping WellPet customers choose the best products for their pets, I am often found on the sidelines of my 3 young boys’ sporting activities be that surfing, track and field, swimming or football. And my husband and I adore travelling, triathlons and taking our Border Collie Megs down to the

National Kids and Pets Day is on April 26th. It’s both a day to celebrate the bond children and pets share but also a day to remember safety where our pets and children are concerned. It is important to remember that small children as well as pets may not know their limitations and should not be left alone. Supervision is essential to prevent injury. 1. Chores teach responsibility. Giving your children age appropriate tasks for your four legged family member helps build their self-confidence and is a perfect opportunity to reinforce their independence.  As parents, we know enthusiasm can dwindle when it comes to any chore so don’t be afraid to pull out the sticker chart to help! 2. Live an active life. Walking a dog is a fabulous hands-on experience for kids who love pets. With parental accompaniment to ensure their safety, a daily walk can be a rewarding time together with the added benefit of getting some fresh air and exercise for the whole family. 3. Companionship beyond the physical. Pets can fulfill so many psychological needs for children. The unconditional love and affection that pets give children not only boosts their self-esteem but it also helps them make emotional connections of their own. Studies of school-age children in fact have shown those with a pet, tended to be more empathetic and altruistic than those children without a pet, making dogs the perfect teachers of kindness. 4. Understanding