Live Well
The official Blog of Wellness Natural Pet Food

Winter is here! With it, comes several winter pet safety tips. Because as much as your dog may love the cold and snow, a cold dog isn’t always a happy dog for long. So let’s keep those snow pups safe, happy, and healthy as the days get shorter and the temperatures keep dropping with a few important winter tips for dogs. With all that hair, it’s natural to wonder, “Do dogs get cold?!” But, yes, just like humans, dogs in winter and especially dogs in snow can get chilly. It’s best to avoid shaving your dog’s winter coat (of hair, that is!) for the best possible cold weather pet care. Breeds with shorter coats, no undercoat, and smaller dogs may be even more susceptible to the cold and wind. Because of that, you may want to consider investing in a dog winter coat (the jacket kind) that blocks the wind and helps your dog conserve heat if you plan to spend long periods of time outside. Make sure your pup’s jacket covers their entire back and fits snugly without obstructing their movement for the ultimate winter dog safety. Loose jackets or low-hanging straps can get tangled around your dog’s legs while running or snagged on objects, such as branches, during your walks or winter sports with your dog—so finding the right fit for your pet is important. Another winter dog walking tip: Shorter days can also mean walks might sometimes

We love baking cookies for the holidays and one of our favorite cutout cookies are gingerbread men. They’re pretty easy to make and fun to decorate. For this Christmas cookie recipe for dogs, we’re revising the classic gingerbread men recipe and using it for inspiration to make dog cutout cookies. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that’s generally safe for your dog to eat and it might even help with digestive issues, circulation and arthritis. Mixing a small amount into a Christmas dog recipe is a great way to sneak it in without your dog noticing the strong flavor. For this recipe, you’ll need a mixer, a rolling pin and cookie cutters in the shape of dogs for this dog treat recipe. (Sure, you can make some gingerbread ‘men’ too while you’re at it if you want to give you pup the opportunity to eat them up!) You might even want to set aside a few baked dog Christmas cookies to gift a pet lover in your life. Make these gingerbread dog cutout cookies plain or decorate them with fun Wellness Old Mother Hubbard Winter Fun shapes. 2 1/2 Cups of flour (white or whole wheat) 2 Tablespoons of white flour for the cutting board 1 Tablespoon ground ginger 2 Tablespoons of molasses 1/2 Cup of applesauce, unsweetened 1 Egg 6-8 Wellness Old Mother Hubbard Winter Fun Treats, finely chopped Optional: whole treats & peanut butter for decorating  (make sure the peanut

Exercise is essential for you and your dog’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. While there’s nothing like being outside in the sunshine walking or running, enjoying the fresh air and the sights, there are times where it’s too cold to go outside. Taking your dog outside when it’s too cold can damage their paw pads and their nose (never mind that it’s just unpleasant); however, you want both of you to stay active and in shape. These are eight ways to exercise with your dog when it’s too cold to go outside. Games of fetch can easily be played indoors (just don’t throw your dog’s toy too high). Use your living room or a long hallway—wherever there’s uncluttered space—and roll or toss your dog’s toy. Get your workout, too, by racing him to get the toy first. You’ll both be panting (and you’ll be laughing) within minutes. This exercise is almost like a doggy boot camp. If you have stairs in your house, walk up and down the stairs with your dog. This quad work will be fun as you watch your dog bound up and down. Make it extra challenging by racing your dog (or at least trying to keep up as dogs can be pretty zippy when it comes to climbing stairs). Swap your kettle bell for your dog’s favorite toy during your squat sets. Go to a large living space where you normally might do a DIY workout.

The holidays are a wonderful time to show those who you love best how much you care by giving them a little something extra…by treating them with gifts they normally wouldn’t give themselves. Since your pets can never give themselves something extra, the holidays are a great time to load up their stockings with bonus toys and treats that show them how much you love and value their unconditional love and companionship. Here are a few holiday stocking stuffer ideas for your cat or dog! While some pet parents may be wary to give their pets treats all year as they do add calories to an animal’s diet, the holidays are the perfect time to relax and to spoil your pet (and to stocking-stuffer up on treats to share with your pet throughout the coming year!). Treating your pet in moderation is always a good idea! Pet parents can feel good that their pets are enjoying something nutritious. It’s key to find treats that are tasty and made with healthy ingredients; and if they provide a major benefit to your pet (such as a delicious daily dental chew) then that’s an added bonus. These are some of the most delightful seasonal treats to fill your pet’s stocking with: WHIMZEES® Daily Dental Chews for dogs in seasonal shapes. These festive treats are shaped like holiday trees and snowmen, which make them super fun for your dog’s stocking. Meanwhile, they help clean

Behind every great dog Christmas card photo is often a memorable (hopefully a good one!) story of how that holiday photo came to be. Whether Bingo was feeling naughty or nice that day, odds are it took a lot more than one photo to get THE one. But there are a few tips and tricks you can try the next time you’re trying to get that perfect festive dog image in a few less shots—along with a couple of dog Christmas card photo ideas to get you in the spirit. Consider it our gift to you and yours! 1. Practice Makes Perfect – It’s not a marathon (although it might feel like it…), but it’s helpful to train for the big day. Work on “sit” and “stay” commands, get them used to any festive apparel they’ll be sporting, and even start taking more pictures than usual (if that’s even possible!). And, of course, give treats as rewards to start creating warm and fuzzy associations with the whole idea of Christmas card poses with your dog. When it’s time to snap the actual photo, get them ready, give the command, take the photo, then reward them with a special treat like Old Mother Hubbard® Winter Fun P-Nuttier® Oven-Baked Dog Biscuits. 2. Natural Light Is Your Furry Friend’s Friend – No matter your chosen location, great natural lighting will make for a great outdoor or indoor Christmas portrait with pets. If outdoors,

The holiday season is upon us, and the humans in your life aren’t the only ones who deserve extra cheer. Our furry friends—dogs and cats alike—have been good all year, and they deserve some festive goodies too! If you’re looking for stocking stuffers that will make your pets’ tails wag or whiskers twitch, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore the best treats, toys, and accessories that will make this the happiest season of all for your furry friends. Before diving into our “paw-some” picks, let’s answer the important question: why should we bother with stuffing stockings for our pets? Well, why not? After all, they’re not just companions—they’re family. Plus, with all the fun and excitement of holiday celebrations, your pets should get in on the action too. Not to mention, pets can get a little FOMO (fear of missing out) when they see everyone unwrapping gifts. So, giving Christmas presents for your dog or cat to unwrap (or tear into!) adds to the season’s joy. So, whether it’s Wellness® Soft & Crunchy Puppy Treats, a new toy to chase, an automatic feeder, or a no-pull harness, stocking stuffers for pets are the little presents that show you care. So, let’s make this holiday season extra special with thoughtful, practical, and fun gifts for your furry best friends! Let’s face it—dogs are treat-lovers. Homemade dog treats are always a fun gift idea. For a quick hit, Wellness® Old

Deck the halls with Santa Claws holiday decorations, hang the personalized dog stockings with care, and bring out all the cute cat and dog holiday wrapping paper—because it’s time for the whole family to get in the holiday spirit. And while your favorite four-legged friend would be just as happy to celebrate with the usual love and hugs…and maybe an extra treat or two…why not treat your BFF to something extra with a special holiday present under the tree? From interactive toys to nutritious treats, and all sorts of cat and dog accessories in between, we’ve worked with our team of pet experts to put together a nice list of holiday gifts for dogs and cats that is sure to make every day that much happier. First things first, let’s start with one of the most important times of day: meal time! When it comes to cat or dog holiday presents that can make one of the best times of day even better, we’re all about increasing the enrichment and happiness of your pet so they can join in on the holiday excitement with one of the gift ideas below. Top Dog Gift STARMARK Treat Dispensing Bob-A-Lot™ Dog Toy This safe and adjustable treat or food dispensing toy will keep your pup happily hunting for more all meal time long. It’s big enough to fit their whole meal inside and durable enough to withstand even the most enthusiastic of eaters.

With the majority of the United States currently locked in the throes of Winter, we know all too well how us humans tend to lose our mojo when it comes to getting out and about in this less than desirable weather. However, our dogs, for the most part, are generally unfazed by the elements (extreme weather on either side not withstanding) and are always up for a good time. So let’s do them a solid, get creative and go have some winter fun with our pups! Unless you have a family full of endlessly imaginative kids to occupy your pup’s time with entertaining days of dress up, fort building and long deep heart-to-hearts, I can assure you —your dog is bored. Let’s spice up your dog’s winter with some fun, creative ways to spend time together and beat the winter blues. If you have time to make a road trip this Winter, we have picked out some unique and wonderfully dog-obsessed destinations: Just outside of Winter Park, in Granby, CO, the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center is home to their very own dog-friendly cross country, snow shoe and hiking trails. If you want to explore more, the National Forest is close by where you and your pup can explore for hours on countless dog-friendly trails. Not only do these beautiful cabins come equipped with a dog door and fenced in yard, but the entire 7 acres of Barkwell’s is fenced

‘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

You’re excited to celebrate your first Christmas with your new puppy and are probably already imagining all of the adorable photos you can take of the dog with the tree. But wait, how are you going to keep that tree upright and untouched by your puppy for the duration of the season? And um, what about the concept that a tree is something your dog does her your business on outside and now it’s in the living room—a no-no zone? There are few factors to consider when you have a puppy and are decorating for the holidays with a Christmas Tree. Here are six ways to puppy-proof your Christmas tree. Sure, we love that fresh Christmas tree smell as much as the next person but this could minimize some potential problems, like pine needles on the floor that your pup might want to eat, drinking the water, or even bugs or loose critters in the house that came in on the tree. (Hey, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree housed a baby owl—it could happen!) The novelty of water in this new “bowl” seems appealing to your pup, but it can be dangerous for dogs to drink free Christmas tree water. That stagnant water may be harboring bacteria or, if it was fertilized and that poison is stuck in the sap, it can wind up in the water and make your dog sick. Putting dog gates around the tree can help keep your pup

Game day with friends is always a blast, but it’s even more enjoyable when everyone’s dogs can be a part of the football fun! If you’re hosting the next tailgate for your crew, check out our ideas for dog-friendly activities, natural* dog treats, and dog food swaps that will score you major points with your four-legged guests. 1. Football Fetch Tournament: No matter how many dogs attend your event, a friendly football fetch tournament is easy to execute. Simply mark a starting line, toss a dog-safe football to a marked spot in the grass (a hula hoop works great!), and let each dog race against the clock to fetch the football back to the starting line. The fastest retriever earns bragging rights—and maybe even healthy dog treats, like Wellness® Whimzees® Dog Treats. As a delicious, all-natural way to help reduce plaque and tartar, dogs will love how Whimzees taste, and pet owners will love the bonus of better dental health. Talk about a win-win.2. Furry Fan Parade: Encourage the dogs to show off their game-day spirit with a furry fan parade around the block. Whether they’re decked out in a jersey or just sporting the team colors, this fun event is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces, including the neighbors. Start by planning a route through your yard or tailgate area and to the sidewalk so there’s a clear path for the dogs to strut their stuff! If you

This year, go one step beyond telling your dog thank you around the Thanksgiving table—show them with a gratitude walk, or a walking meditation, before and/or after the big meal. Easy, just walk like your dog. When a dog’s on a walk, they’re on a walk. Mind, body—nose, especially! It’s admirable, really. They don’t have their doggy phones out. They aren’t distracted by anything other than everything currently around them. The sights, sounds, smells (oh, the smells!), the ground beneath their paws. We could all stand to take our dog’s lead when it comes to how we walk. And there’s no better time to start than with our dogs and gratitude on Thanksgiving! 1. Be fully present with your dog. They may not look like the portrait of a peaceful meditating dog with their wildly panting tongue flapping about, but you can be sure your dog is in the moment and experiencing what’s around them in every possible sense. Do the same (with or without your tongue out). 2. Share 3 things you’re grateful for—silently or out loud to your pup. The 3 things can be about your dog, the meditating walk, life in general, or this year’s doggy Thanksgiving day in particular. Mix it up every walk. 3. Tell your dog thank you when you get home. You’ve just shared a pretty special time together, improving the health and happiness of your hearts, bodies, and minds. Not to mention,