Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

As a cat parent, one of the most important things you can do to contribute to the long-term health of your feline family member is to schedule a cat wellness exam with your vet at least once a year. During a wellness exam, your vet will help diagnose any potential health concerns and assist you in keeping your cat up-to-date on important preventive healthcare. Before you schedule your next cat wellness exam, you might wonder how much a wellness exam for a cat costs. Cat wellness exam costs can vary depending on the services your vet provides. However, we can tell you the average cost of a cat wellness exam is $45–$55 for the basic physical. From here, additional tests and services can range from $25 to $300. Therefore, the total bill for your cat wellness exam will depend on your cat’s specific needs. In this guide, we’ll talk about what to expect from a wellness exam, the typical services included, and where you should go to get a wellness exam for your cat. Part of the reason it is hard to define the exact cost of a cat wellness exam is that the services included will depend on your cat’s specific needs. During a cat wellness exam, your vet may offer any of the following services: A physical exam: Your cat’s vet visit will include a basic physical examination. During this exam, your vet will inspect your cat for

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting experience. With their playful antics, adorable bean toes, and endearingly tiny meows, kittens deliver immense joy to their families. However, if you are a first-time kitten owner, you might also feel a little overwhelmed by the prospect of caring for such a small furry being. Feeling uncertain is a natural part of becoming a new pet parent, which is why we are here to help. In this first-time kitten owner guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare for your new kitten and offer tips on helping your kitten transition to its new home. By using the following first-time kitten owner checklist as your guide, you’ll be ready to welcome your kitten home in no time. Before you bring your kitten home, it’s helpful to gather all the supplies you’ll need. Having these supplies on hand ahead of time will help make it easier to settle your kitten into its new home right away. The following is a checklist of first-time kitten owner supplies to use as your buying guide: A Bed: As your kitten settles into your home, it will need a cozy place to sleep. A soft bed can help your kitten feel secure and safe. Food & Water Bowls: Start with small bowls, which will be easier for your kitten to eat from. A Litter Box & Litter: Be sure to choose a small litter box that is

Providing your cat with canned food can be a wonderful way to contribute to its health. With numerous recipes and styles available, canned cat food has numerous benefits for your feline family member. For starters, the high moisture content can help ensure that your cat stays hydrated. Plus, the tasty recipes can encourage your cat to clean its dish. In fact, for the pickiest cats, canned foods are often the best solution to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. However, when picking out canned cat food, there are lots of options on the market. This can leave you wondering, what is the best canned cat food for your cat? The reality is the best canned cat food for your feline family member depends a lot on its age, dietary needs, and any underlying health conditions. For example, kittens need a higher amount of protein and calories to support their growth than senior cats do. Similarly, an older cat might need a specialized diet that promotes digestion or one that supports healthy joints. We’ll take a look at the best canned cat food in four key categories: Canned Cat Food For Kittens  Canned Cat Food For Senior Cats Canned Cat Food for Indoor Cats Canned Cat Food For Weight Loss Remember, before making any big changes to your cat’s diet, always be sure to consult with your vet. Your vet can help you discover what nutrition will help contribute

Pets have a unique way of lifting your mood. A wag of your pup’s tail or the snuggle of your cat’s head against your leg can put a smile on your face and a special warmth in your heart, no matter how your day has been going. For this reason, many people enthusiastically welcome pets into the workplace. In fact, in a survey conducted by Wellness® Natural Pet Food, nearly 60% of respondents felt that they would get to know their colleagues better if pets were present at work, 75% said pets would help diffuse stress at work, and nearly half of dog parents indicated that “pet perks” are an important consideration when taking a job. Let’s take a look at what makes a company pet-friendly and why pets are a beneficial part of the workday. Being a pet-friendly company is about more than simply declaring your love for furry family members. It is all about the benefits you offer to back up this claim. While these might differ from business to business, a truly pet-friendly employer should at least offer a few of the following. Bring your pet to work policies: This is the big must-have to be considered a pet-friendly company. Whether it is allowing dogs in the office on a specific day each month or allowing employees to bring their pets to work every day, having pets in the workplace is top on the list of paw-tastic

Whether you are booking a flight with your dog or considering taking a road trip with your cat, you might need to consider acquiring a pet health certificate. In many travel scenarios, a pet health certificate is a requirement in order for you and your pet to enter a new location. Without this certificate, you might be denied boarding on a plane or entrance to another state. What is a pet health certificate for dogs and cats? A pet health certificate for dogs and cats is an official document from a licensed, accredited veterinarian that certifies the health of your pet. Also called a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or a pet travel certificate, this documentation ensures that pets traveling between locations do not spread infectious illnesses. The certificate indicates that your pet is disease-free and includes other important details about your pet. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about pet health certificates covering the following important topics: What is a health certificate for a cat?  What is a health certificate for a dog?  When do you need a pet health certificate?  How do I get a pet health certificate?  If you are a feline parent, you might wonder, what is a health certificate for a cat? A health certificate for a cat is an official document that a veterinarian issues indicating that your cat is disease-free and up to date on important vaccines and

You pop open the lid on a fresh can of cat food, pour the contents into the cat dish, and set it out for your kitty’s enjoyment. After happily munching on a few bites, your cat gets distracted and saunters off. Now you’re left wondering, how long can I let wet cat food sit out? Is it OK to leave the wet cat food in the dish for later? In this guide, we’ll help you learn more about how long you should leave your feline family member’s wet food out and what you can do to preserve food that’s already been opened. If your cat has only eaten a portion of its bowl of wet food, you are left wondering, “Can wet cat food sit out?” Ideally, wet cat food should never be left sitting in a dish for more than one to two hours. Why should you put away your cat’s wet food after an hour or two? Does wet cat food go bad if left out? The answer is that when left out, cat food can quickly grow bacteria. This bacteria can be harmful and can lead to digestive issues for your cat. Not only that, but when you leave wet cat food out, it will congeal into an unappealing texture, and your cat may not eat it anyway. Another option you might consider when your kitty leaves a portion of its food untouched is to simply cover

While Wellness Bowl Boosters Freshly®  is no longer available, Wellness offers a lineup of Bowl Boosters®  to keep mealtime exciting for your pup! Wellness® Bowl Boosters® for dogs are an easy way to add a boost of flavor and protein to your pup’s meal – just sprinkle on top or mix right in! Crafted using only premium, all natural ingredients – Wellness Toppers are great for puppies, adults and aging dogs. Mix & Match all of our recipes to make every mealtime special. Hi there, I’m Jeremy – known as ScheckEats on TikTok! I recently teamed up with Wellness Pet Company to announce the launch of Wellness Bowl Boosters Freshly, a new line of recipes expertly crafted to deliver health benefits that pet parents can see. If you know me…you know I love food (it’s my career, after all). And Maude (my 9 year old rescue dog) doesn’t fall far from the tree! She is obsessed with the Freshly line of Bowl Boosters and her favorite way to enjoy the topper is served mixed with her kibble for a bowl supercharged with nutrition. When I first adopted Maude, she was very skinny, had low energy and her coat was dull. After getting on a consistent feeding pattern with Wellness Bowl Boosters Freshly, she has a pep in her step, a shiny coat, and is acting like a puppy again. She doesn’t miss a beat now and I’ve found that our relationship

Bad breath in dogs is both unpleasant and—worse—can be indicative of oral health problems. The cause of bad dog breath can most often be attributed to poor oral hygiene, and your furry friend’s stinky breath can be addressed with oral health care and delicious dog dental chews. Bad dog breath is—as noted—not very pleasant. We love our dogs, but if your dog’s slobbery kisses have gone from sweet to putrid, it might be time to examine the cause behind your canine companion’s bad breath woes. Bad dog breath has a couple of causes: Poor oral hygiene: Gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections can be causal in bad breath in dogs. And while dogs whose care involves regular brushing and dental chews can still experience bad breath, foul-smelling breath can be reflective of poor oral health. Neglecting a dog’s oral healthcare can lead to far more serious conditions. Disease: Though far less common, bad dog breath could be caused by kidney or liver disease, so if you maintain impeccable oral care with your dog with regular teeth brushing and a daily dental chew but still have a problem with bad dog breath, check with your veterinarian. Most often, bad dog breath is just a reflection of the need for more attention to oral hygiene. Proper oral healthcare can be the addressed with: Teeth brushing. Your dog’s bad breath can be improved with regular teeth brushing. Brushing your dog’s teeth is a great practice for keeping your

You know how important it is to give your dog a wholesome dental chew each day. It helps keep their teeth strong and healthy and reduces plaque and tartar, which in turn can even have long-term health benefits—like improved heart health and reduction of inflammation which could make issues like diabetes even worse. But what about the best time to give a dog dental chew? And what are some best practices when giving your dog a dental chew or an occupy chew? Dr. Danielle Bernal, our resident veterinarian at Wellness Pet Company, weighs in on some ideal times of day pet parents should give a dog dental chew and safety tips to keep in mind with these types of dog treats. Give the dog a dental chew at the same time you complete a regular habit so you never forget. (Although something tells us your pup will remind you when it’s time for their dental chew each day). Some ideas for the best time to give a dog dental chew include: When you brush your teeth in the morning or night When you make coffee or tea in the morning After your dog’s daily walk When you clean up the kitchen after dinner at night After your dog’s dinner In general, there is no set guidance about the best time to give dog a dental chew, says Dr. Danielle. “The main thing is whatever times works best for the pet parent so that they

If you’re training a new puppy with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “lie down,” or are working on house training them, a dog treat for training can be a useful tool in this process. Want to work on behavior modification with an older dog? Need to teach an older dog new tricks? (Yes! It can be done.) Delicious dog training treats can help them stay engaged and motivated during the training process. When you’re pondering what to look for in a dog treat for training, some questions are probably going through your head. How big should the dog training treat be? What ingredients should I look for in a training treat? How often can I give my dog a training treat? Here, we’re tackling common dog training treat FAQs with Dr. Danielle Bernal, our resident veterinarian at Wellness Pet Company. Common questions you might have about dog training treat ingredients and amounts. You want a treat that will be a “high-value” factor for the dog and cause him or her to have enthusiasm about the treat. “Typically we’ve noticed that dogs are more motivated with a training treat that has a higher meat content and a softer texture reward,” says Dr. Danielle. Having different textures and flavors of training treats can drive overall enthusiasm for the dog. That’s because different flavors will all smell different and support treating enthusiasm. Keep ‘em guessing about whether the next treat they’re going to try to catch in their mouths is

Walking your dog is a great way to get up and active, enjoy the fresh air, and explore the world. But even seasoned dog parents know it takes serious preparation and training to do it right. Here are some tips to help you have one of the best-behaved dogs in the park. When it comes to taking your dog out in public, whether on a walk for some exercise or a trip to the store, a leash is an essential tool that helps protect you and your dog, as well as others around you. Dogs don’t understand everything about the world around them. When taking them out in public they look to you, their owner, to keep them safe. Aside from you giving verbal guidance and assurance during the walk, a leash is like the cherry on top. Consider all of the dangers an unleashed dog could stumble upon. A dog without a leash could too easily wander into traffic and risk injuring itself or someone else. A dog without a leash could get lost and wander too far from home. They could encounter another animal who may not be friendly and in turn, that animal could lash out. Even less obvious issues like your dog eating unsafe plants and items can be prevented with the use of a leash. At the end of the day, a well-trained dog on a leash is safer for everyone and is even required

Many are surprised to learn that cats (and dogs) become seniors when they’re roughly 7 human years old. Even though this is considered “senior”, there are many cats that live 12-20 years. It’s usually only in their later or last years that older cats become truly fragile and incapable of performing basic care and maintenance. Learn how to recognize when your senior cat is an “older” cat and how to take care of older senior cats. All animals naturally dehydrate with age and with the progression of a day. Older cats are more likely to become dehydrated because they’re not as likely to have access to water sources throughout the day. Many cats will leap onto counters and drink from faucets or cups or dishes laid out for them, but as they age, they can’t do this. A big part of caring for them is making sure your cat has plentiful access to water and to make sure they’re drinking it. Kidney disease and constipation are natural consequences of dehydration. Your cat’s oral health can quickly get away from you especially if you don’t already have a care protocol. Your cat’s oral health is important because once teeth and gums become infected with plaque and tartar, then they develop gum disease, and infections can quickly spread. What’s more is that your cat can lose their teeth, which creates an increasing challenge in getting nutrients to your ailing and aging cat.