Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

By Stephanie Du Preez, Great Dog Rescue The start of a new year can mean a fresh slate and a chance to improve the relationship you have with your dog. One great way to do this is by signing your dog up for professional training. If you’ve ever sought professional training for your dog in the past, you may have experienced conflicting perspectives between trainers. It can be overwhelming. Most importantly, know that not all training methods work for all dogs, so it’s important to find a training program that both you and your dog are comfortable with. What works for your friend and their dog might not be the right program for your situation. With that being said, there are some things that every pet parent should research when choosing a dog trainer. Follow these tips to prioritize your dog’s safety and set you up for the best chance of success with dog training: It’s often best to find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and emphasizes communication between you and your dog, nurturing ways in which you and your dog can read one another better. Since dog training is an unregulated industry, when searching for a trainer, it is important to keep in mind that you are your dog’s advocate. If anything makes you uncomfortable, speak up, say no, or step out. It’s okay to walk out of a class for any reason, if an instructor is asking

Most cats are beloved furry members of the family but even though they are adored, they can also leave the human members of the family frustrated and confused by behaviors that don’t seem to make sense. What we label as misbehavior or random behavior is just miscommunication between the cat and human. All behaviors make sense to the cat! Let’s cover a few common cat behaviors that can easily be explained. If your cat likes to hide, it isn’t because he doesn’t like you. If you’ve been trying to get your cat to be more sociable by dragging him out from under the bed, it’s only going to backfire. But, why do cats hide? Being able to have hiding places provides security and allows the cat to feel invisible. If the hiding place gives the cat the opportunity to have his back up against something it also provides extra safety because he’ll feel that no one can sneak up on him from behind. If you set up comfy hiding places such as cave-type beds or boxes turned on their sides, you’ll give your cat a chance to remain hidden while still being in the room with you. As he feels more comfortable and has the choice of whether to engage or not, you may find him spending more time out in the open. You’re probably familiar with the image of a dog rolling over on her back for a good

All you need do to do is look at a U.S. weather map or step outside to learn that nearly the entire country is experiencing uncommonly cold, freezing temperatures. It’s icy in Austin, snowy in Nashville and stormy up and down much of the East Coast. As you scramble to add layers of clothing this season, don’t forget about your pets. It’s a common misconception that because they have fur, dogs will stay warm in winter weather, but that’s not the case. As the mercury drops, frostbite in pets is a real risk. Frostbite is a condition that damages body tissue, is extremely painful and in severe cases can require amputation. It’s also a precursor to hypothermia which can be fatal. You may be thinking that your dog stays inside most of the time anyway. Yet, pups still need exercise and bathroom breaks. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to protecting your pooch from the cold. As you can guess, any weather event entitled a “bomb-cyclone” is a good reason to reduce your dog’s outdoor activities. But even weather less severe can put your dog at risk. It turns out that frostbite can take hold of your dog in less than 30 minutes. Of course, certain breeds are at greater risk than others. Huskies, Samoyeds, and other winter breeds are bred for cold weather so they can withstand colder temps than many short-haired dogs. These dogs are most susceptible to frostbite: Small dogs Puppies Short-haired dogs

If you’re a pet parent who also loves exploring, then you’ve probably thought about or have traveled with your pet. When you do travel with pets—be it in the car, on a plane or elsewhere, safety should always come first. Jan 2 is National Pet Travel Safety Day; we’re celebrating by sharing some of the top pet safety tips to ensure you and your pets stay safe while traveling. Flying with pets can cause pet owners a lot of anxiety; this is because pets of a certain size have to go into the plane’s cargo area, and no one wants to be separated from their companion on a flight. To ensure safe travel, in addition to reviewing the airline’s regulations for traveling with pets, there are additional things you can do when flying with your pet. In the week or so before traveling, make a visit with your vet to ensure your pet’s vaccinations are updated and that she’s in great health. Get a certification. The recommendation from the ASPCA is 10 days for the wellness certificate. Use a well-ventilated USDA-approved shipping crate large enough for your pet to stand, sit, and turn around. Line the crate with bedding for comfort. Depending on the length of the flight, if your pet might get hungry, attach a dry food supply to the outside of the crate, so those attending to your pet can feed her during layovers. Label your pet’s crate with

‘Tis the season for giving and good cheer as well as for decorating our homes with lights, live trees, pretty plants, and more. Though beautiful, these holiday additions can pose significant health threats to pets. Learn what holiday decorations are dangerous by following these holiday safety tips for pets, so you can deck the halls beautifully and worry-free. Central to most homes during the holidays is a Christmas tree, and many like to decorate with a live tree. If you prefer live to faux, here are some dangers your tree may pose for your pet: Tree water: Stagnant tree water breeds bacteria, which, if consumed, could make your pet sick. Tree water can also contain fertilizer or other contaminants harmful to your pet. Lastly, any additives you put in tree water can make your pet sick if consumed. Tree needles: Tree needles and branches can cause blockages that often need surgical intervention if consumed. Tree flocking: Who doesn’t love a white Christmas? Flocking is pretty, but it’s mildly toxic to cat’s and dog’s if consumed. Falling trees: Cat and dog owners should anchor their real or faux tree to the ceiling to prevent their pets from knocking it over. The falling tree can hurt your pet, but spilled water and other debris can make for a tempting snack before you’re able to tidy the wreckage. Never mind that broken ornaments and accessible wiring pose their own problems. Red, white, and pink

As the days start to get colder many dog owners begin to notice that their dog shows signs of slowing down or experience increased difficulty moving around as freely as they would normally do. Whilst these joint and mobility issues can affect dogs of any age and size the most prevalent groups include those who are older, overweight or obese or those from larger breeds. There are many conditions that can present as joint health challenges and left untreated these conditions often exacerbate over time leading to long-term mobility and general health issues that can significantly impact a dog’s quality of life. Affecting 1 in 5 dogs, the most common cause of a mobility issue is osteoarthritis which may affect more than one joint and is highly predisposed in a joint that has been impacted by age, trauma or genetics. Reluctance to stand Difficulty walking and climbing stairs Lameness/limping Stiffness Sudden weight gain Moving slower/low activity level Cautious when walking Change in behavior/hesitant to play Treating and supporting dogs with joint health and mobility issues is exceptionally important. Conditions like osteoarthritis are chronic diseases that become progressive due to its nature of causing degenerative changes to the structure and function of the cartilage within the joint. There are several treatment options available that will vary dependent upon the cause and severity of a dog’s condition as well as most importantly the recommendation from their veterinarian. The treatment choices include pain relief and anti-inflammatories to help them

Chances are, you know your pet needs regular wellness care, good food, and exercise to stay healthy. But did you ever wonder if there was a “Healthy Pet Checklist?” These six items form the basis of good health and will help your pet thrive. Let’s take a quick look: Your pet should have a yearly vet checkup that includes dental cleaning, updated vaccines, and heartworm test. The types of vaccines your dog or cat will vary depending on their age, where you live, and your lifestyle. For example, while the rabies vaccine is recommended everywhere by law for both dogs and cats, your veterinarian may only recommend the Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine if your dog is around other dogs frequently. Your veterinarian will help you set a vaccination schedule that makes sense for your pets. It extends their life expectancy and helps prevent overpopulation. While most pet parents think of spaying and neutering as a responsible way to prevent unwanted litters, you may not realize it also protects against certain types of cancers. For example, spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer in females and neutering helps prevent testicular cancer in males. Veterinarians recommend keeping your dogs and cats on year-round heartworm and flea & tick control. Yes, even if you live in colder areas of the country, ticks can still lurk outside your door just waiting for an opportunity to latch onto Rover when you go out for a

If you’re a cat parent, then you know cats are very good at keeping us guessing. Are they happy, annoyed, secretly plotting our demise? Maybe they’re just sleepy. Cats are very different than dogs and require some important things to keep them at their quirkiest. Here’s what we’ve identified as the pillars of cat happiness, and some tips to ensure your feline is satisfied: Even if your cat is older, he or she still needs mental (and physical) stimulation. You can help by playing with your cat on a regular basis. Like people, cats have their preferences so try out a few different toys to see what your cat prefers. Is it catnip stuffed mice, dangling string, or chasing a laser pointer? via GIPHY When you get your kitty playing, you strengthen your bond, stimulate their brain, and even help them get a bit of exercise. This latter is no small feat since most cats spend around 20 hours a day sleeping and the other four are divided between eating and grooming. Yes, your cat is probably excellent at grooming him or herself. When they aren’t napping, they’re probably grooming. However, you can help loosen dead skin and fur by using a brush or comb on your cat every few days. Not to mention, brushing your cat is a key way to prevent the dreaded hairball. It’s usually best to wait until your kitty is relaxed before you start your brushing.

In September, eight fellow WellPet employees and I had the amazing opportunity to travel directly into hard-hit Houston, Texas, to care for pets displaced by Hurricane Harvey. With only two days of prep time, we packed our bags and made arrangements for our own pets while we’d be away. We had some expectations, but nothing could’ve fully readied us for the experience. In our own words, here’s a recap of our volunteer trip with Best Friends Animal Society: A lot of effort goes into caring for the animals. There were over 400 animals. When we first arrived, there weren’t enough volunteers, and the staff was so excited that we brought a group to help. Right away, we started building dog runs─ either 4 x 4 ft or 4 x 8 ft. for different sized dogs. Working at Wellness Pet Food, pet health is something we talk about every day. The food we make is high quality and helps pets be at their best health. But caring directly for animals in less fortunate situations was a really important experience. – Carly W., WellPet Marketing We met a family on the airplane who lost their home. They had five feet of water in their house. They made it out with their four pets, but so many pets weren’t so lucky. –Emily O., WellPet Research & Development They don’t understand what happened so they end up feeling lost and abandoned. I was thrilled when I

With the point behind social media being to engage with people of like interests, it makes sense that there are countless social media sites and accounts that pet owners can follow to get tips, share photos and videos, and to get information from other pet owners. Catster & Dogster are the Websites for All Things Cats & Dogs Catster and Dogster are two different websites both equally devoted to all things cats and dogs. Sign up for e-mails, ask questions and get answers about your pet, view pet photos, get tips for taking pet photos, watch videos, and more on the sites. Keep up with the latest feline pictures and news on the Catster Facebook and Twitter pages and with canines on the Dogster Facebook and Twitter pages. Twitter’s All a Twitter for Cats & Dogs Speaking of Twitter, the site is great for seeing the cutest, funniest, and cleverest pet photos and videos around. Start following these profiles to stay social with your pet: The essential sites are @dogs for all things dogs and @cats for all things cats. Keep up with the world’s most “memed” cat, Grumpy Cat by following @RealGrumpyCat Check out the cutest rescuers ever, Emergency Pugs @EmergencyPugs Follow professional pooches on @DogsTrust (#dogtrust; #adogisforlife; #dogsatpollingstations) Crossover social media platforms by following Cats of Instagram on Twitter @catsofinstagram Finally, share your own pet tweets with the world using the hashtags #CatsofTwitter or #DogsofTwitter. Pets with Insta-Fame

Cookouts, parades, and fireworks are mainstays of July 4th celebrations but they’re not so fun for your dogs and cats. Since dogs and cats often panic at loud noises – vacuum cleaners, thunder – it should be no surprise that fireworks won’t be fun for them. Yet, every July 4th, well-meaning pet lovers, take their pups to fireworks celebrations or let their pets run loose at home. Many of these animals panic and run. They’ll run through open doors or gates, down the street and get disoriented because of all over town, these mini-explosions are happening. Imagine the nightmare. Many of these animals will end up at a pet shelter, lost and confused. Sadly, only a small percentage will make it back home. This year, the holiday is on a Tuesday which means the celebrations are likely to start days early and it’s a good idea to think about your pet’s safety ahead of time. You might even establish ground rules with your family. Dog and Cat Pet Safety Tips Secure Them Since you know Fluffy and Max are terrified by fireworks, make sure you have a secure location for them in the evenings. Some animals like their crate, if that’s the case, you can put your pet in his or her crate before the fireworks start, put a towel or blanket over the crate for an added feeling of protection, and play some quiet music. If your pet isn’t

50% of senior dogs develop cancer. The number isn’t quite as high for cats but it does happen. Like with people, there are a variety of cancers that can affect your beloved pet and as you probably know, many cancers can be treated if caught early. There are a few symptoms that specifically skew toward cancer which I’ll share in a moment. Unfortunately, the other cancer symptoms can seem a little generic – weight loss, change in energy levels, etc. so don’t panic if your pet shows these signs, but do make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet evaluated. One common cancer for both dogs and cats is lymphoma, this is a cancer of the lymph nodes which are located throughout your pet’s body. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system which works to filter toxic substances out of the body. Individual lymph nodes can swell up to be the size of golf balls so they can be very noticeable. In cats, lymphoma is linked to feline leukemia virus. There’s a vaccination against feline leukemia, which can protect your cat. Mast cell cancer is a type of skin cancer that can create noticeable lesions on your pet’s body. Now, since skin problems is one of those “generic” concerns that can mean all kinds of things, you’ll want a specialist to evaluate your pet. Plus, since this is a kind of cancer with multiple classifications, finding