Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

What we put into our body is the fuel that feeds us for the entire day. It is the foundation to a healthy life, and this is true for dogs too. When you consider all the activities dogs fit into their busy days, whether chasing balls, following us around the house, running through fields to play, or simply cuddling on the couch after a busy day, it is important to consider proper nutrition for dogs to support their health. High quality food that provides essential nutrients in appropriate amounts can provide the 5 Signs of Wellbeing: optimal energy, a healthy coat, a healthy digestive system, healthy teeth and bones, and immune health. When they are on a high-quality food, you will notice the difference. Your dog will have that extra pep in their step on their daily walk (probably wanting to make them longer!), and a shiny coat will turn the heads of everyone you walk by. They will be excited to eat their food, and you’ll be happy even when you clean up the aftermath. These are the 5 Signs of Wellbeing we want a diet to support. Healthy skin & coat – As the largest organ, the skin provides protection from the world while constantly renewing itself, the coat too provides protection and warmth. A healthy skin and coat with a proper shine requires proper nutrition for our dogs. Hair is 95% protein, and the skin and coat combined require

Preparing and serving your cat their favorite food is a great bonding experience. We get satisfaction when we see them chowing down. However, you can greatly improve your feline’s mealtime catisfaction with a few simple lifestyle changes. Here’s how: Cats like privacy when they eat. The feline equivalent of a tranquil candlelit dinner is a quiet location in the home where they can eat comfortably at their own pace. Consequently, keep food bowls away from passageways and high traffic areas. This will ensure they are not disturbed by other family members and that includes the family dog who may come sniffing around. Obviously, the kitchen is the most appropriate place so, hopefully, there is a little nook that can be turned into a dinner station. Food bowls can be alongside water bowls or a water fountain, but make sure they are not located alongside the litterbox. Keeping them a good distance away from one another will greatly improve your feline’s mealtime catisfaction. Most cats are noisy in the litter box which is a distraction and, of course, from time to time, there are smelly odors that overpower food aromas. This is particularly important because cats rely on their sense of smell before they engage their taste buds at mealtimes. If they are comfortable with the location of their food bowls, it will also stop them taking food out of the bowl and taking it somewhere else to eat – possibly

When you don’t feel like turning on the oven but want to make your pup homemade dog treats, whip up a batch of these no-bake dog treats with peanut butter and oats. These DIY dog treats will make your pup think you’ve opened your own home barkery that they have the pleasure of visiting each day. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber for dogs and also contains omega-6 fatty acids which can help with your pup’s skin health. These no-bake dog treats are ridiculously easy and will satisfy your pup every time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDIotaQ7tng 2/3 Cup rolled oats, make sure they are whole grains 1/2 Cup natural peanut butter 1/4 Cup of water 20-25 Wellness Old Mother Hubbard Training Bitz treats 1. Mix the three ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon. 2. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a portion of the batter and roll it into a ball with your hands. 3. Add a Training Bitz treat, or any other Wellness Old Mother Hubbard treat, to each homemade peanut butter dog treat. 4. Place the balls in a plastic container in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving your dog one to eat. If you pile the balls on top of one another in the container, separate them using Parchment paper or wax paper. NOTE: You could make the no-bake peanut butter dog treat balls smaller or larger, depending on the size of your dog. Make sure to

When you’re looking for the healthiest cat food, it’s easy to first think of only one kind of food for your cat: dry food. Gravy or no gravy, wet food (also known as canned food) is often thought of as a special treat or for a specific diet. But we’ve got news for you and your cat’s daily menu (and, no, your cat didn’t ask us to write this!)—some of the best food for a cat can actually come out of a can or pouch. Yes, it’s true. That juicy canned food that really gets your cat’s motor going makes a lot more run smoothly inside your favorite feline than just a roaring purr. “At 75-80% moisture, wet food acts like a big drink supporting hydration,” explains Dr. Danielle Bernal, D.V.M. and Global Director of Vet Nutrition at Wellness®. All of that moisture in your cat’s meal is not only easy to lap up, but also boosts your cat’s water intake with every bite, adding up to one hydrated kitty no matter how much time they spend at the water bowl. Just like with us humans, hydration is an important part of your cat’s overall wellbeing and, specifically, their urinary tract health. Speaking of health, it’s healthy to crave a little something different at different meals, especially when we’re talking about varying nutritional benefits. Even if your cat’s dry food is complete and balanced, mixing in wet food can be

As temperatures rise during the summer, paying extra attention to your furry friend’s hydration needs is crucial. Dogs and cats, just like humans, require proper hydration to stay healthy and active. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of canine and feline hydration and tips on water safety. How much water do dogs need? In general, dogs need about 1/10 to 1⁄4 cup of water per pound per day. This means a 20-pound dog would need about 2-5 cups of water per day, including the moisture they obtain from their food. Cats need about 1/10 to 1/8 cup of water per pound per day, including the moisture they obtain from their food. This means a 10-pound cat would need about 1-1 & 1⁄4 cups of water per day. The exact amount of water needed by dogs and cats can depend on various factors such as their size, age, activity level, diet, and the climate they live in. Fortunately, healthy dogs and cats will regulate their water intake based on their bodies’ needs as long as water is available. Thus, it is important to ensure that pet water containers are easily accessible to your pets. As temperature rises, animals require increased water intake to stay adequately hydrated. Ample amounts of easily accessible fresh water should always be available at home. When pets are on the go, remember to bring water and containers for them. It is better to offer small, frequent

As pet parents, we want the best for our furry companions. Given our respect for the professional opinion of veterinarians, it is natural to be drawn to diets that carry the “veterinarian recommended” claim. But what does this claim actually mean? According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a brand can make this claim if they have conducted a statistically sound survey of at least 300 veterinarians, and a significant number of the veterinarians surveyed must recommend the product. At Wellness, our priorities include the best pet food ingredients that correspond with a vet recommended diet, as well as following guidelines set by the AAFCO. We diligently research and share experiences to determine the comfiest beds, the groomer that delivers the finest haircuts, and which toys are the most fun. Among these decisions, choosing the right pet food stands as one of the most important. However, the vast selection of pet food options available today often leaves us feeling overwhelmed. Labels and advertising only add to the confusion, as every brand claims to offer the ideal diet or a unique way of feeding our pets. With the abundance of puppy food and kitten food options available in the market today, it’s no wonder we often find ourselves feeling overwhelmed. Veterinarians, the experts in animal health, can help with our quest for clarity. They can help us cut through the noise and focus on the essentials when selecting

The health and appearance of a dog’s skin and coat are important indicators of their overall wellbeing. However, factors such as dryness, itching, dullness, or excessive shedding can often impact a dog’s skin and coat condition. In such cases, the use of a skin and coat supplement can be a beneficial addition to their routine! These pet supplements are specifically formulated to provide essential nutrients, such as omega fatty acids and vitamins, that promote a healthy coat, nourish the skin, and address various skin issues. By incorporating a high-quality skin and coat supplement like Wellness Shine Skin & Coat Support Chews into their daily routine, pet parents can help their furry companions achieve a lustrous, healthy coat and maintain optimal skin health. Here are some instances when using a skin and coat supplement may be recommended: 1. Dry or dull coat: If your dog has a dry or dull coat, first ensure you’re feeding a diet that provides high-quality protein like Wellness® dry dog foods offer. Then for added support, a skin and coat supplement can help improve their coat’s overall health and appearance. These dog and cat supplements often contain essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Wellness Shine skin and coat supplements contain fatty acids supplied through the use of fish oil and flaxseed. 2. Itchy or irritated skin: Pets that experience itching, redness, or irritation on

Nutrition is a key element of your dog’s healthy lifestyle, and knowing your dog is enjoying its meals is the best way to ensure it’s well-fed and nourished. With so many options on the pet food market today, how do you know when you’re making the right choice? Which type of protein can positively affect your dog’s health most significantly? Lamb is a food choice that’s often overlooked for more mainstream choices like beef or chicken, however, lamb offers a wide range of benefits for your furry friend’s well-being. Lamb is a high protein meat source, which is important when your dog’s body uses that protein for a number of applications. Protein helps build and support muscle and other tissue, repair cells, strengthen immunity, and aid in the healthy production of hormones. Lamb is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of “good fats.” These fats are excellent for your dog’s brain, as well as its nervous and cardiovascular systems. Omega-3 fats promote a healthy skin and coat, both in function and appearance. Lamb dog food is also an excellent choice for pups with food allergies, as it is an alternative that is not found in many conventional brands. When choosing a dog food with lamb, you’ll want to look for the same requirements you would use when choosing any other type of pet food. Be sure to get any new selections approved by your veterinarian. The food should

Dry dog food is a great option for many pets. It is easy to transport, does not have an offensive smell, and is not as messy as some other meal choices. It can come in a variety of sizes and is often cheaper if bought in bulk. However, if you want to buy your dog’s food in a larger-sized bag, you may be wondering, how long does dry dog food last once opened? You love to treat your dog like a member of the family, and if their food is anything like ours, it is bound to go stale at some point, right? While keeping your pet’s health and safety as well as your budget in mind, let’s figure out the shelf life of the typical dry dog food. Most dry dog food is sold in bags. As long as the bag is sealed with no holes and not wet, this is the best place to keep the food. Once you open the bag, it is likely best to remove the food to a container that can be sealed tightly to protect the food from air and any pathogens that may be in the environment. This can also keep your nosy pet from helping themselves to a snack when they are not supposed to! A container can be as simple as a plastic tote, or you may choose to explore vacuum-sealed containers designed specifically for pet foods. Another option is

Having a new kitten in your home can be a world of excitement, play, and fun, but it can also be a lot of stress too! Finding the right kitty bed, toys, feeding area, climbing and scratching posts, can be a fun task to make your new kitten family member feel right at home. But what if your little furry friend isn’t eating well? What are some reasons your kitten might not be eating and what can you do to address the problem? Below are 5 reasons your new kitten might not be eating well and what steps you can take to help get them on the right track. This is the most important step. A change, poor, or complete loss of appetite can be a sign of an underlying health issue or issues. Reasons you kitten won’t eat can be numerous such as dental problems, gastrointestinal problems, upper respiratory infections, or parasites to name a few. Have your veterinarian check your kitten’s health first to rule out a medical issue before troubleshooting concerns, that will ensure your kitten has the best chance to thrive in the future. Depending on how old your kitten is they may be eating an appropriate amount or not enough food. Remember that small kittens have a very small stomach, so they may need a high quality, nutrient dense food in a smaller amount to meet their needs. New kittens grow gradually, although at times

The 4th of July is a celebratory time of year when many people across the country celebrate with fireworks. While this can be an exciting and enjoyable experience for us humans, it can be a very stressful and frightening experience for dogs. Dogs have a heightened sense of hearing, so the loud noises from fireworks can be particularly distressing for them. Common signs of stress and anxiety in dogs include excessive barking, destructive chewing or digging, panting, trembling or shaking, pacing or restlessness, avoidance of eye contact, and repetitive behaviors like licking or biting. It is always good to talk to your pet’s veterinarian if your pup is demonstrating any of these behaviors as they will be able to advise you best as to if this is anxieties or potentially something more serious. In mild cases, these anxieties may be addressed with a natural calmative supplementation in conjunction with behavior modification. In cases of severe symptoms or dogs exhibiting harmful behaviors or aggression, additional treatments by a veterinarian or certified canine behavioralist may be in order. One way to help dogs cope with the anxiety of fireworks or other stressful situations is by using calmative supplements and behavioral modification. Calmative supplements like Wellness Calm Support Chews  help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in dogs.. These supplements are made from natural and scientifically proven ingredients and are often less potent than prescription or over-the-counter medications but can still be helpful

Like any member of the family, our dog’s teeth don’t require just any dental care—they deserve the best possible doggie dental care to keep them happy and healthy. The kind that comes with an official seal of approval from a trusted and knowledgeable group of experts with pet health and safety top of mind. So, who is that group and what does their approval look like? VOHC stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Yes, a whole council just for our dog’s teeth! This non-profit consists of an international group of board-certified veterinary dentists. It was founded in 1997 as an objective way to recognize effective products in the reduction of plaque and tartar in dogs and cats. Because, sure, a lot of products can claim to improve your pet’s dental health, but we pet parents want to know the ones that actually make a difference and have the credentials to show for it. First established in the US and now recognized around the world, the VOHC Seal is a way to cut through the clutter of product claims and see right on the package that a product has been tested to do what it says it’ll do—improve our pet’s dental health. In order to get this seal of approval, a company must perform a series of tests designed by the VOHC to demonstrate their product delivers on its oral health benefits and is worthy of being a VOHC-approved product.