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10 of the Best Foods Your Puppy Can Eat

Posted on by Above1 Support
puppy eating food

Give your puppy the best possible start in life by feeding a specially formulated puppy food to meet their growing needs.

What Is A Puppy Diet?

The best food for puppies are formulas that contain essential growth nutrients such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is crucial for brain health, the development of the nervous system as well as key for good eye sight. Puppies actually get DHA from their mother’s milk that is why it’s so important in a puppy recipe as they transition over to real food. DHA in puppy foods can be sourced from fish or fish oil, liver protein or from algae meal. 

A puppy diet also contains optimum amounts of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bones, muscles and teeth in terms of the AAFCO nutrient profile that supports growth. The best foods for puppies are higher in calories than adult diets to ensure overall healthy growth. That’s why there are different types of puppy diets because, for example, larger breeds grow over a longer period of time and have nutritional requirements related to their growth pattern versus small breeds. 

Whether your puppy is going to grow up to be a small adult dog or a larger dog, it’s important to always follow the feeding guidelines in order not to overfeed. It’s worth having a nutrition conversation with your veterinarian. At Wellness, we offer a full-time hotline and can offer knowledgeable advice with regard to specific puppy nutrition questions. Contact Us at 800-225-0904, Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm ET.

Best Food for Puppies

Fortunately, when it comes to the best premium, natural recipes for puppies, there are options crafted to meet a growing pup’s needs in grained or grain free formulas. They also take into consideration kibble size and wet textures suitable for puppies. 
 

Best High Protein Food for Puppies

    • Wellness CORE RawRev Puppy dry food: This high-protein kibble, available in both grain-free and grained varieties, is a savory, nutrient-rich meal packed with everything a puppy needs to thrive. It contains bite size freeze-dried pieces of 100% turkey. Apart from turkey as the main protein ingredient, this recipe contains turkey liver and turkey hearts plus ground flaxseed, spinach, broccoli, carrots, parsley, apples, blueberries and taurine, (essential for a healthy immune system and good heart health).

 

  • Wellness CORE Puppy: This recipe has chicken as the main protein ingredient along with Chicken Meal and Turkey Meal. Available in both grain-free and grained options, the recipe excels with high amounts of DHA obtained from salmon oil. The spinach in this recipe is an excellent source of magnesium and iron and it contains a medley of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and kale and fruits like apples and blueberries which are all rich in vitamins and minerals for your growing puppy.

Best Natural, Balanced Food for Puppies

  • Wellness Complete Health Puppy: Deboned Chicken, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe: This is an excellent option for pet parents looking to add whole grains to their puppy’s diet. Apart from oatmeal, it contains ground barley, a popular ancient grain in pet food. Salmon oil is the key ingredient for providing high levels of DHA and tomatoes provide a source of vitamin C and carotenoid lycopene, an essential antioxidant for a growing puppy.
  • Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Puppy: This chicken recipe has the same high-protein, balanced nutritional profile as the Complete Healthy Puppy (above) but it is grain free. Thus, pet parents have this option without comprising their puppies overall nutritional needs.

Best Breed Size Specific Food for Puppies

  • Wellness CORE Small Breed Puppy: It’s important to feed a diet that has been specially formulated to take your dog’s growth pattern and final size as an adult into account. Typically, small breeds grow to adulthood in 12 months. This CORE Small Breed Puppy diet is a grain-free, protein-rich food formulated to ensure that bones and muscles develop proportionally to their size. Further, it has high levels of DHA to support cognitive development, guaranteed levels of calcium for strong bones and omega fatty acids for a shiny coat. The kibble is sized for smaller jaws and teeth to make certain the food is properly chewed.
  • Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal Recipe. The best food for a large breed puppy is one specially formulated to consider that larger breeds are not adult dogs until they are 18-24 months old. Consequently, a large breed puppy food has less calories compared to regular puppy food to take this longer growth period into account. Nevertheless, the key nutritional focus remains with high levels of DHA from salmon oil to support healthy brain development, guaranteed levels of calcium & phosphorus for bone & muscle development and vitamins & minerals to support a healthy immune system. This large breed recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult).
  • Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy: Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe. This recipe considers the extended growth period for larger breeds. Apart from deboned chicken as the main protein ingredient, this recipe features healthy grains such as ground brown rice, oatmeal, barley and oats. Like all puppy recipes, it has high levels of DHA obtained from salmon oil to support brain health and eyesight. Veggies include carrots, an excellent source of beta carotene, that further protects against cataracts and heart disease.

Best Wet Food for Puppies

  • Wellness Just for Puppy Wet Food: This recipe is a smooth, easy-to eat pâté formula. Like the puppy kibble recipes, it’s designed for a puppy’s optimal development and contains all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants puppies need to thrive. The protein comes from chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver and salmon. It contains ground barley as a healthy grain plus sweet potatoes, pea protein, carrots, apples, pears and bananas. The Wellness Just for Puppy Wet Food is designed as a stand-alone food. But it can be served as part of a wet and dry combo diet as along as the portions are adjusted according to the guidelines on the website. 

Best Treats for Puppies

  • Wellness Puppy Bites Soft Lamb & Salmon Treats. Tasty, healthy treats are an important part of a puppy’s socialization and reward-based training. These soft treats are all natural, grain-free and bite-sized. They’re a nutritious reward that contains DHA along with no meat by-products, corn, wheat, dairy, artificial colors or flavors.
  • The Wellness Puppy Bites Crunchy Chicken & Carrots are also grain free and packed with healthy ingredients such as broccoli, cranberries, apples, blueberries, sweet potatoes and bananas. Consequently, pet parents can choose between a soft or crunchy texture and proteins flavors such as Soft Lamb & Salmon or Crunchy Chicken & Carrots.
  • Wellness CORE Puppy Bites: Beef & Turkey Recipe. These tasty treats are enhanced with a tantalizing natural smoke flavor. Healthy, natural ingredients include DHA. These soft treats are irresistible to all puppies no matter their size.

With all puppy diets, feeding the correct amounts is key to raising a healthy puppy to become a strong, energetic adult dog. Extra weight during puppyhood puts a strain on growing bones! Check the guidelines for feeding amounts and keep re-checking because feeding amounts change frequently as the puppy grows.

When it comes to treats, they need to be considered as part of a puppy’s daily calorie allowance and not an added extra. That means that the calorie content of the treats should not amount to more than 10 percent of your pooch’s total daily caloric allowance. 

Puppyhood is the ultimate in doggy fun time. And meal time is a special bonding experience. Do you have a puppy that enjoys one of the Wellness puppy recipes or is rewarded with yummy Wellness treats? Please share your photos with us by tagging #wellnesspetfood and @wellnesspetfood for a chance to be featured on our website or social pages!

Top 5 Healthy Cat Food Ingredients [Checklist]

Posted on by Above1 Support
Wellness Complete Health Natural Healthy Cat food copyrighted

You are what you eat – and the same goes for your cat! Here’s what you need to look for in your cat’s dry food. 
When you start your search for a quality dry cat food, you need to first do your research. After all, a quality dry cat food is only as good as its ingredients. Before you start shopping, you should know how important the ingredients are – and that’s why we’re going to talk about the top five healthy cat food ingredients you need to see on the label. 

✔ Protein as the First Ingredient

Cats are obligate carnivores, and as such, a quality dry cat food needs to list a protein as its first ingredient – no exceptions! Not only that, but the protein needs to be named – it shouldn’t just list “meat.” Look for chicken, turkey, lamb, or salmon. When you look at any of Wellness’ cat food recipes, you’ll notice that a high-quality protein is listed right at the top of the ingredient list. 

✔ Omega 3s and 6s

Essential in supporting your cat’s immune system and other important biological functions, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can be found in fish oil, eggs, and flaxseed. A quality dry cat food includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which will also help give your cat smooth skin and a gorgeous coat.

✔ Vitamins and Minerals

A robust list of vitamins and minerals should be a part of a quality dry cat food. Not only do they provide a complete and balanced diet, but they support a healthy immune system and promote a shiny, healthy coat. On the list of ingredients, look for water-soluble vitamins B12 and C, plus minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc.

✔ Healthy Fats

On top of Omega 3 and 6, other healthy fats are essential in a quality dry cat food, especially when it comes to storing energy. Did you know that cats need 20 to 24 percent fat in their food? That means that both protein and fat need to be relatively high to ensure a healthy diet. 

✔ Probiotics

You should also look for guaranteed levels of probiotics to support digestion. This is the “friendly bacteria” that reside in your cat’s digestive tract. Probiotics promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which is important for complete digestion and absorption of nutrients. As well, probiotics help keep your cat’s immune system strong, making them a must-have ingredient for cats with digestive disorders.

What a Cat Food “Shouldn’t” Have

Just as important as what’s in your cat’s food is what isn’t in it – ingredients that could make your kitty sick.

✗Chemicals and Preservatives

Chemical preservatives such as Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) are used to preserve dry cat food, but they’re are being looked at as the cause of certain cancers. 

✗ Food Dyes

Food dyes are often added to foods to make them more appealing to humans – but offer no benefits to cats. Certain food dyes, such as Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 and 6, have been proven to cause allergic-type reactions and behavior problems. You may have heard about caramel color, which contains 4-methylimidazole (4-MIE), an animal carcinogen. 

✗ Carbohydrate Fillers

When a cat food includes fillers, they can make up about 50 percent of the bag. And carbs just aren’t good for cats, especially seniors and overweight cats.  Manufacturers often use wheat gluten or corn meal as a filler, as it’s a less expensive alternative to meat protein and whole grain/grain-free sources.

✗ Rendered Fat

Who would think that rendered fat is a flavor enhancer – yuck! It’s true – rendered animal fat can be added to kibble, but can lead to a host of problems, as it can introduce microorganisms (Salmonella) and toxins. 

Which Dental Chews Are Right for Your Dog?

Posted on by Above1 Support
WHIMZEES Dog dental Chews

Dog dental chews are a great way of helping keep your dog’s teeth clean. With so many products available the following are 6 quick points to consider when next in the dog treat aisle choosing a chew for your dog. Following these tips will ensure you choose a chew that is tasty and safe but one that is the most effective at removing plaque and tartar whilst keeping their breath fresh:

1. Look at the ingredients:

  • Ensure that an edible dental chew contains high-quality natural ingredients to promote the health and wellbeing for your dog as well as keep their teeth clean. The back of a dental chews pack will often highlight if a brand contains non-GMO ingredients as well as show the ingredient list in order of most abundant to the smallest ingredient inclusions. 
  • Look for ingredients you recognize like potatoes or chicken
  • Avoid non-specific ingredients like ‘meat meal’ or generic ‘cereals.’ These open ingredient descriptors don’t give you visibility as to the source of that ingredient, meaning they are inferior ingredients.

2. Where is it made? 

Knowing where your dog’s dental treats are made gives assurance on the level quality and safety involved in making a chew that your dog will eat. At North American and European manufacturing sites, companies must meet very strict industry standards that ensure the highest quality chews are available to your pet. In other markets such as China, these industry controls may be missing and create a chew with lower quality standards.

3. Have Sensitivities? Avoid common allergens:

Less is more. Some dogs suffer with sensitivities to certain foods or they may occasionally get an upset tummy after eating certain products. For these dogs it’s helpful to choose a product with limited ingredients (LID) or a short ingredient list. LID chews don’t include potential allergen ingredients like beef, dairy, chicken wheat and soy. A grain-free, vegetarian dental chew is often a great solution for food-sensitive dogs. 

4. Scientifically proven:

The overall efficacy of dental chews varies. Look for a chew proven to promote dental health, such as one with the Veterinary Oral Heath Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance.The VOHC ensures products that make the list have met their high scientific standards for proving reduction of plaque and tartar. WHIMZEES Dental Chews have undertaken substantial scientific studies and have been accepted for both VOHC Plaque and VOHC Tartar reductions making it a leading dental chews for dogs.

5. Right size chew:

Why? Choosing the proper size dog dental chew ensures the chew has the correct amount of calories for your dog. Dog dental chews should also match your dog’s mouth size. This ensures optimal cleaning and minimizes the chance of your dog swallowing a large piece that could cause stomach upset. 

6. Daily use is key to success:

Plaque can accumulate in as little as 24 hours so just like us, it’s important to support your dog’s teeth with a dental chew every day to keep their teeth healthy. A chew that tastes great and comes in a larger value bag is a great way of ensuring your dog looks forward to his daily dental chew as well as be the most economical solution. 

5 Ways to Prevent Dental Disease in Your Dog

Posted on by Above1 Support

When thinking of all the things a new puppy will need, most pet parents are on top of the essentials – dog bed, bowls, collars, etc. They diligently research the best foods, they book in their vet checks and vaccinations and sign up for puppy training classes. There’s no doubt that this new pair are off with a  great start to what will be a fabulous life together, but alarmingly most pet parents are forgetting to address the number 1 health issue that will affect their young puppy as he ages—his teeth!

Puppy and Dog Oral Health- Importance of Establishing a Routine

  • Puppies are born with no teeth and develop sharp puppy teeth after a few weeks.
  • Their permanent teeth grow in at 4-6 months. Not many puppy owners will report to seeing the baby teeth fall out, but every new puppy owner will testify to their new pup’s desire to chew everything in sight during these teething months to help ease their discomfort. 
  • Whilst stocking up on chew toys is a given, the other, more important consideration is establishing a daily tooth cleaning routine with your puppy.  
  • Bacterial plaque starts to accumulate on teeth within 24 hours and if not removed each day this plaque will harden to form tartar.
  • Dental disease progresses from tartar to gum inflammation, bad breath, loosening of the tooth attachments and significant pain.

Dental disease affects 80% of adult dogs and 96% of senior dogs.  

This graphic shows a healthy dog’s mouth, along with examples of what early and advanced dental disease looks like in dogs.

To ensure your new puppy is not going to end up with poor dental health as an adult, the best thing a new pet parent can do is start cleaning their dog’s teeth at 3 months old, or as soon as adult teeth start to come in. So how do you do it? Here are 5 tips and tricks to make daily dental time a breeze:

1. Start brushing their teeth from when you first bring your new puppy home

In the first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life they are learning so much about the world around them. Getting them used to having you open their mouth and brush their teeth at this age will ensure they are more  tolerant of it as they age.

2. Brush the right way

There are several different brushes or finger brushes available, but the most important factor is to ensure that in time, you are able to brush all your ’s teeth both front and back on both the inside and outside of each tooth.

  • Start by rubbing your finger around their mouth
  • Move to a finger brush
  • Progress to a toothbrush to help reach the back teeth.
  • Use dog-specific toothpaste for safety and a flavor your puppy will like. Human toothpaste is not safe for dogs.

3. Incorporate a way for your dog to clean his own teeth

This pup is enjoying a WHIMZEES Brushzees dental treat while cleaning his teeth.


Whilst brushing your puppy’s teeth is the gold standard technique for keeping his teeth clean, we know it’s one of the least favorite parts of owning a dog for most pet parents.

In fact, only 2% of pet parents brush their dog’s teeth each day.

To help combat dental disease, an alternative to brushing is letting the dog do all the work with a dog dental chew. Scientifically-proven and VOHC accepted dental chews are a great way to look after their teeth each day while giving them a treat they love. The other important thing when it comes to puppies is to ensure the dental chew you give is suitable for puppies as young as 3 months. This is key to make sure the chews are the right amount of calories, and a safe texture and size to suit their developing mouths. 

Once your puppy has reached nine months, you can switch to an adult dog dental chew that is the right size for your dog based on their weight. WHIMZEES All Natural Daily Dental Treats are made with non-GMO ingredients, are vegetarian and grain-free. WHIMZEES are proven to be twice as effective as leading dental health chews.

4. Make sure it is daily

Plaque can accumulate in as little as 24 hours so just like us it is important to support your dog’s teeth with a dental chew every day to keep their teeth healthy. A chew that tastes great and comes in a daily value bag is a great way of ensuring your dog looks forward to his daily dental chew as well as be the most economical solution.

5. Don’t delay!

Puppy AgeHuman Age
3 months4 years
4 months5 years
5 months6 years
6 months7.5 years
7 months9 years
8 months10 years
9 months11 years
10 months12.5 years
11 months14 years
12 months15 years

A puppy grows so much in his first year that by the time he has his first birthday it is the equivalent of 15 human years! Hence just starting to clean his teeth a few months later in his life can quickly become the equivalent of starting to brush his teeth only when he is a teenager. That’s why it’s best to start your puppy’s oral health care routine at 3 months old.

Five Winter Activities for You and Your Dog

Posted on by Above1 Support
josh & koda

Winter can seem like a long and boring season for your pup and it is often hard to think of new ways to engage with your pet during these cold months! Here are five of Koda’s favorite things to do in the wintertime!

core

Take a (Short) Hike!

Koda always gets stir crazy staying inside all day and doesn’t have enough fur to keep him warm enough to be outside all day, so taking short day-hikes are our favorite way to get outside and let him run around! We are fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest where we can find countless trails so close to us. Getting out of the house and exploring even for just an hour or two in the wintertime is not only good for your pet, but for you too!

yellow

Stay In!
It can be tough to get outside in the wintertime, especially when it starts to snow. If you get snowed in or just want to stay cozy inside, there’s still plenty of fun to be had with your dog! On days we stay in, Koda and I like to practice tricks, snuggle up with some fuzzy blankets, or do an at-home workout! Winter is also the perfect time to practice baking some homemade treats or a puppuccino!

cozy

ball

Sledding
Koda has to be involved in absolutely everything we do so this year when we went sledding, Koda hopped right on with me! He loved every minute of it – he had so much fun chasing us up the hills and then riding the sled with us on the way down!

sled

Have a Snow Day!
Koda loves playing in the snow, but the roads can get nasty in the winter, making it hard to get out of town. We’ve invented several games out in the snow with him that you can play right in your backyard! One of Koda’s favorite snow day activities is catching snowballs filled with wellness treats!

snow

treat

Errands 
If the weather doesn’t allow you to go exploring but your pup needs to get out of the house, taking them with you on quick errands is a great way to expend some of that pent up energy! Koda loves going with us on our trips into town. We try to include a stop that he can come into the store with us. I think Koda likes to run errands so much because he knows we’re going to stop into a pet store to pick up a toy or a bag of his favorite Wellness Treats!

errand

store

Staying active year-round is so important for your dog’s health and these are just a few of the many ways to have fun with your dog in the wintertime! We hope you and your dog have as much fun with these activities as Koda and I do!


koda

Is Your Dog Not Eating? 10 Signs It’s a Bigger Problem

Posted on by Above1 Support
dog

Your dog’s reduced appetite could be pointing toward more serious issues

Whether you’ve just adopted a new puppy, or you’ve had your furry tail-wagging friend for years, it can be very upsetting when your four-legged family member stops eating, especially if she usually has a healthy appetite! If your doggo or puppy just isn’t chowing down like she used to, it could be due to a variety of factors, ranging from health conditions to behavioral issues. While most healthy dogs can go a day or two without food, it’s important to monitor your dog’s health and behavior to see if there’s an underlying issue why he won’t eat. If your dog goes more than 48 hours without any food, it’s important to take them to see a vet immediately. 

Reasons why your dog might not be eating

1. Your doggo could be sick or have serious health issues.
2. Recent vaccinations may be to blame for your dog’s reduced appetite.
3. Travel and new surroundings can make your pup turn her snout up at the food bowl.
4. Her mouth could be hurting.
5. Your dog might have eaten something dangerous.
6. Your pup could be suffering from an injury. 
7. Aging could be responsible for the change in your dog’s eating habits. 
8. Your pup could be stressed out or depressed.
9. You might be feeding your dog too many treats.
10. Your dog simply doesn’t like the food you’re providing her with.


1. Your doggo could be sick or have serious health issues. A lack of appetite could indicate cancer, infections, liver problems or kidney failure, so talk to your vet if you think your dog might be sick. 


2. Recent vaccinations may be to blame for your dog’s reduced appetite. Vaccinations are vital to keeping your dog healthy, but they may cause your dog to temporarily lose her appetite.


3. Travel and new surroundings can make your pup turn her snout up at the food bowl. Did you take your dog somewhere new? If your pup was eating just fine until you went on a trip, her loss in appetite could be due to the stress of traveling and new surroundings. Some dogs may also get motion sickness in cars. 


4. Her mouth could be hurting. Check your dog’s mouth – something might be causing her pain. As your vet to check your pup for broken or loose teeth, gingivitis or an oral tumor. 


5. Your dog might have eaten something dangerous. Your dog may have eaten something that upset her tummy, such as bugs and insects or toxic human food. 


6. Your pup could be suffering from an injury. Pain medication and pain from injury can cause your pup to lose interest in her food bowl.
7. Aging could be responsible for the change in your dog’s eating habits. As dogs get older, their appetite may decrease. Physical changes and diseases associated with aging can cause a decrease in appetite. Older dogs may stop eating as much simply because they’re not moving around as much as they did when they were a puppy.


8. Your pup could be stressed out or depressed. If your puppy suffers from stress or anxiety, mental health issues may be to blame for food left in the bowl. If your dog is in new surroundings or around other animals, she might not want to touch her food. 


9. You might be feeding your dog too many treats. Dogs love their treats, but they can also have too much of a good thing! Too many treats can mean your dog isn’t hungry at dinner time. No matter how good of a dog she is, make sure to monitor your pup’s treat intake.


10. Your dog simply doesn’t like the food you’re providing her with. Some dogs are just picky and won’t eat their food because they simply don’t like it. Try switching to a new food, such as Wellness CORE RawRev, which can get picky dogs excited for mealtime.

 

Since loss of appetite in pups can indicate serious illness or injury, make sure you consult your vet regarding your dog’s health and well-being if she stops eating. 


Keeping your dog happy and healthy is important to you, and we understand you only want to give your pet the very best. Keep your pets looking and feeling their best when you treat them to Wellness Pet Food. When you give your pups Wellness Pet Food, you can be sure that their health and happiness are taken care of, since our food and treats are made with natural ingredients and crafted with your pet’s wellbeing at heart.

Looking to Adopt a Dog? Here’s Where to Start!

Posted on by Above1 Support

There is a good reason that dogs are called man’s (and woman’s) best friend. From the moment you bring your new dog home, he will spend his lifetime striving to be your biggest fan, most ferocious protector, snuggliest couch cuddle partner, and honorary child in your family portraits. And whether it’s a wriggling new puppy that joins your pack or a senior dog celebrating his third act by leaving the animal shelter to become part of your family, your new dog will ultimately end up being your best friend. But bringing a dog into your life isn’t a matter to be taken lightly; you are making a commitment for that dog’s whole life! If it’s your first time adopting a dog, you might need a few pointers on where to start!

Make sure you’re truly ready.

“Owning a dog is a big responsibility.” We’re sure you’ve heard those words before when you were a kid trying to convince your parents that you were ready for one of the squirmy pups in the box marked “Free Puppies.” But even as an adult, it’s true. A dog takes time and money, and you need to make sure you have enough of both before committing to a new pet.

Consider your lifestyle; do you have time to take a dog for a walk a few times a day (or pay someone else to do it for you while you’re at work)? Do you have time to visit the dog park on weekends, to throw a ball with your pooch in the yard, or to simply sit petting your dog regularly? And for the financial side, do you have the funds for required and recommended vaccinations, quality food, boarding fees when you’re out of town, extra cash for travel fare when flying with your dog? Deciding to bring home a new dog is a long term decision, a lifelong decision for your dog, so make sure you are truly ready and capable.

Do your research and choose wisely.

It is said that some people look like their dogs, and while that may not always be the case, it is unquestionably true that there are certain breeds for certain people. Do you have an active lifestyle? Choose a sporting dog, or working dog, who have lots of energy and need an equal amount of time for exercise. Do you have an allergy to dog hair or dander? Look for a hypoallergenic breed that doesn’t shed. Have a small apartment and not a big yard for running? Consider a toy breed, who can get their exercise by throwing a ball in your living room.

Have small children? Consider more patient, cuddly breeds, like the Golden Retriever, known for being true family dogs. But beyond researching the breed, once you have found the dog you think is for you, research that particular dog. Sure, new puppies don’t have much history, but that sweet, earnest face peering at you from behind the sign marked ‘Mixed Breed, Approx. 5 Years Old’ at the animal shelter?

That dog has a past, and while you may never know everything there is to know about where he’s from or what he’s experienced, you can spend some time with him before bringing him home. Some rescue dogs will require extra love, attention, medical care, training, or therapy, but they will be worth every moment. But be fair to yourself and the dog by knowing as much as you can before saying ‘yes,’ so that you can be as prepared as possible.

Prepare your house and family.

Sure dogs are going to chew and have accidents in the house before they are housebroken, but since you know that, you can’t completely fault your animal if something irreplaceable is damaged, or if your new rug now requires a $150 cleaning to remove some, ahem, stinky stains.

Prepare your home for your dog’s arrival by removing or securing dangerous objects (poisonous plants, small choking hazards, exposed electrical cords, household cleaning supplies and chemicals), storing precious items that cannot be replaced, and creating barriers to keep your pooch contained to safe, dog-friendly zones, using dog gates or closed doors.

Also, prepare your family, especially if you have small children, by explaining your new dog’s needs and boundaries and giving everyone a chance to commit to their part in the care of your dog, including walking, bathing, feeding, and of course, showering with love and affection.

Stock up on the right supplies.

Just like any member of your family, your new dog will have basic needs, including food, water and shelter, and the choices you make for these items can contribute heavily to your dog’s overall quality of life. Make sure there is constant access to water (unless recommended otherwise by your vet) and changing that water frequently is a must.

Quality food is imperative, and choosing a diet based on your specific dog’s breed and health requirements is easy when you know where to look (hint, hint). Of course, Wellness Pet Food offers delicious food for cats and dogs, and quality ingredients are at the basis of everything we do. Lower quality dog food made with fillers and byproducts? That’s like going through a drive-through every single day for fast food. Would you do that for yourself? Of course not!

So give your dog a better life with better food. And finally shelter; will your pooch live indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, make sure he is in a secure area with a tall enough fence or enclosure and can easily access his own space out of the elements, one that will stay warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer.

Spend Some QT

Finally, make sure you can spend a good amount of quality time with your new dog when you bring him home. Plan his arrival around a weekend, a school vacation, or even take a few days off work. Give some thoughtful planning to how you will spend your first days together, making sure he knows that he is safe and loved. And, of course, now is a good time to get started on tricks! Even old dogs can learn a few tricks, too. Most of all, enjoy your new friend. Because, as they say, dogs may not be our whole lives, but they do make our lives whole.

Visit our Wellness Foundation partner Best Friends Animal Society to search adoptable pets in your area. #RaisedWithLove
 

 

Kitten Development Milestones: Newborn to One Year Old [Checklist]

Posted on by Above1 Support
fluffy kitten

Kittens grow up very fast especially during the first few weeks of their lives. Here’s a timeline of those captivating milestones so you can chart their development as they discover the wonderful world around them—and you.

Here’s what to expect:

Newborn Kittens

  • Kittens are born blind and deaf. 
  • Eyes are closed and ears are folded at birth.
  • No teeth yet.
  • Around five days, eyes start opening and initially are blue in color.
  • Around five days, ears start to unfold and they can begin to hear sounds.

During the newborn kitten stage, kittens are totally reliant on their mother. Keep in mind that if there is no mother cat, kittens require special 24/7 care including being fed a special kitten formula every two hours which is designed to strengthen their immune systems and build healthy bones. Never give a kitten dairy or other milk products that humans consume.

Two Week Old Kitten

  • Wobbly movements. Kittens start to make wobbly attempts to stand up but remain very close to Mom and each other. 
  • First squeaky mewing sounds. 
  • The first of 26 baby teeth start to come in.
  • No claw movement. They are still too young to be able to retract their tiny claws.

Three Week Old Kitten

  • Eyes and ears are properly developed (although eyesight will still be a bit blurry).
  • Kittens begin to move around more. It’s time to begin socializing with them, by introducing kitten toys. 
  • Introduce human touch. A mother cat will groom her kittens with her tongue. To get them used to being groomed by people, brush gently with a very soft toothbrush which replicates the feeling of a mother’s tongue.

Four Week Old Kitten

  • Kittens are no longer considered neonatal.
  • Appearance resembles fluffy baby versions of a full-grown cat.
  • Kittens begin to explore their surroundings.
  • Start to interact and socialize with them. Play time is a great way for kittens to build confidence around people. But don’t over crowd them. Toddlers and young children should be allowed to look but not touch. Kittens are very delicate.
  • Ready to eat their first kitten dinner. Introduce them to very small amounts of soft food. Wellness® Complete Health™ Pâté Kitten Recipe that has been formulated to provide the extra energy kittens need in the form of calories, fat and protein to fuel their new exploratory adventures.  
  • Feed mom extra calories. In fact, Because the AAFCO nutrient profile is the same for growth and reproduction, you can feed the mother cat the same kitten recipe as she needs strength and energy to feed a litter of kittens! You can’t overfeed the mother cat given the amount of milk she is producing to feed a litter. Take advice from your veterinarian regarding her diet to ensure she remains healthy.
  • Feed them alongside their Mom. This a great way to interact with them and still allow them to be close to Mom. Put the food on a flat bowl or large plate so everyone can gather around. Gently stroke the kittens so they know to stay put and eat. 
  • Kittens can be cleaned with a warm, damp paper towel. 
  • Introduce a low-profile litter box. Instinctively kittens know what to do in the litter box but will need help getting in and out! 

Six Week Old Kitten

  • Eyes are fully developed and focused.
  • Kittens will start exploring short distances. 
  • Kittens start enjoying interacting with each other and their mother, practicing their pounce and play skills.
  • Signs of your kitten’s individual personality starts to develop. Little kitten. Big personality!
  • Baby teeth start to come in. Kittens teethe and will appreciate a special kitten teething toy. Keep it cool in the refrigerator when not in use.

Eight Week Old Kitten

  • Kittens are weaned
  • Earliest window for spaying and neutering (if the kitten weighs two pounds or more).
  • Ready to be adopted into their forever homes.
  • They will now only be eating a specially formulated kitten recipe or one suitable for all life stages. It’s a good idea to offer both wet and dry foods so that they get used to eating both. 
Gray kitten with wet and dry kitten food

Cloe loves a combo of  Wellness Complete Health Grain Free dry food for kittens and wet food. Photo via @trucking_tzus 

  • Feed small meals three times a day. Reference the feeding guidelines.However, if they seem hungry increase the amount. It’s difficult to overfeed a kitten at this age since they are growing so rapidly. 
  • Socialize your kitten. Get them used to being around people, but start slow. Not too many people at once.
  • Introduce a grooming routine. By stroking them and playing very gently with their feet you are also priming them for a grooming routine (and mani-pedis) when they are older.

Ten Week Old Kitten 

  • All 26 baby teeth are in.
  • They are now able to retract their claws. 
  • The eyes are now a permanent color.  
  • Personality with a capital P! Kittens develop distinctive and individual personality traits. They are all very curious, but some will be bold and others shy. 

Sleeps less and plays more.

Twelve Week Old Kitten

  • They need supervision. At this age, kittens are raring to go and will play fast and furiously, testing their abilities to climb and pounce, and then collapse to nap, recharge and start again. 
  • Confine them to one room when they are home alone. This is for their own safety. Remove heavy objects from shelves that could harm them if they fall during boisterous play.
  • Reduce the amount of times fed daily to 2, while still referencing the food’s feeding guidelines.

Four Month Kitten

  • This is an intense growing period for kittens. They expend boundless energy and will enjoy small toys to bat about. 
  • Their appetite continues to increase. Stick to the guidelines on the recipe and be careful not to overfeed.
  • Begin leash training if desired. If you are planning to take her safely outdoors, consider purchasing a special kitten harness and 6-foot leash combo.  

Five Month Kitten

  • Their relative growth rate starts to slow as they approach six months.
  • Young kittens can still reproduce! If you acquired a kitten from a friend and not from a shelter or rescue group, it is now imperative to ensure she has been spayed or neutered by the time she is five months old. According to research done by an organization called Marian’s Dream that runs a nationwide program called Feline Fix by Five, research has shown that if a cat is spayed before the age of five months, this can greatly reduce unplanned and unwanted kitten litters because young kittens can go into heat and thus, this greatly helps reduce the homeless cat population.
  • Kitten vaccinations should now be complete.

Six Month Kitten

  • Meet your fully-grown baby cat. Kittens are considered fully grown around six months of age. However, certain large breed cats can continue growing up to one year. 

Nine Month Kitten

  • Revisit dietary requirements. While kittens need a higher calorie food as they are growing, feeding such a formula after a young cat is fully grown can result in obesity. 
  • Check with the vet. Each kitten is an individual so it’s best is to ask your veterinarian about nutrition their specific nutrition requirements.
  • The adult teeth are in. This is often when veterinarians suggest changing from a kitten food.

One-Year-Old Kitten/Cat

  • At 12 months, physiologically, a kitten is now a fully-grown cat. 
  • Get ready for a teenage temperament. In terms of temperament and actions, a one-year-old cat is the feline version of a human teenager!

A Final Word on Kittenhood

If you are adopting and can afford it, two kittens are better than one. Cats love same-species companionship, especially if you adopt littermates. It means twice the fun and twice the love and they are less likely to be lonely when they are home alone.

If you recently adopted a kitten, please share photos of your fur baby’s magic milestones by tagging us with #wellnesspetfood and @wellnesspetfood for a chance to be featured on our website and social pages.

7 Tips for Helping Your Dog Lose Weight 

Posted on by Above1 Support
weight

Keep your pup healthy by helping him maintain a healthy weight 

Dogs – like people – can have a harder time getting around and doing things dogs do if they are overweight. Studies show that more than half of the dogs in the United States are overweight and at risk of developing debilitating health problems. Since January is Weight Loss Awareness month, maybe it’s time to start your dog on a weight loss regimen if they are starting to look a little pudgy or move a little slower. Dogs who maintain a healthy weight live longer, so keep your pup around as long as possible by helping him maintain a healthy weight.

Is your dog overweight?

If you can’t easily feel your pup’s ribs or shoulder blades, he might be overweight. If you can’t see your dog’s waist or there’s a roll of fat at the base of your dog’s tail, it’s time to shed some pounds. As always, consult your vet if you have any questions about your puppy’s health.

Helping your dog lose weight

How can your help your favorite tail-wagging friend drop some pounds? The answers are surprisingly simple. 
Try the below 7 tips to help keep your puppy trim.
1. Calculate how many calories your pup needs
2. Regularly weigh your dog
4. Switch up the treats
5. Give your pup daily exercise
6. Provide your pet with the right supplements
7. Give your dog less carbs and more protein
 

Keep reading to see how those 7 tips can help your dog shed some pounds and live a long, healthy life. 


1. Calculate how many calories your pup needs. To help your dog lose weight, you need to make sure he’s burning more calories than he’s eating or simply, the calories in need to be less than calories out. If you don’t know how many calories your pup needs, then you won’t know how much to feed him. You can ask your vet for advice on how many calories to feed your dog. You can also calculate your pup’s calories needs with this simple formula: divide your pet’s weight by 2.2 and multiply times 30. Add 70 to that number, and you should have a good starting point on how much to feed your dog. Once you know how many calories to feed your dog, determine how much food your dog needs, and make sure you’re measuring his meals. 

2. Regularly weigh your dog. Keep tabs on your dog’s weight loss by weighing him regularly. A small dog can be weighed on a baby scale, or take your large pup to the vet’s office every couple of weeks to use the walk-on scale.

4. Switch up the treats. Dogs love their treats, but too many unhealthy treats can make the scale tip in the wrong direction. Treat your dogs to healthy treats from Wellness Pet Food, or give him veggies such as baby carrots, celery, broccoli and green beans. You can also offer your pup bananas or ice cubes.

5. Give your pup daily exercise. Make sure your dog has a long and healthy life by providing adequate exercise. Just a 20-30 minute walk is enough to boost your dog’s immune system and improve cardiovascular health.

6. Provide your pet with the right supplements. Supplements such as daily omega-3 fatty acid and l-carnitine can aid pet’s weight loss efforts and help prevent disease. Talk to your vet to find the right supplements for your furry four-legged friend.

7. Give your dog less carbs and more protein. Dogs thrive on a high protein diet, and most pups don’t need to eat carbs. Look at food labels and talk to your vet. Sometimes just switching your pet’s diet to include more protein and less carbohydrates will help him lose weight.

It’s the responsibility of every dog parent to ensure that their puppy stays at a healthy weight. Provide your dog with the right amount food, take him for daily walks, and treat him to lots of love to help him live a long, healthy and happy live.

Provide your pup with the right nutrition when you treat him to Wellness Pet Food. We have a complete line of dry food, wet food, treats and mixers – including Complete Health Healthy Weight – to make sure that you’re dog is getting what he needs. When you give your pups and felines Wellness Pet Food combines natural, premium proteins and wholesome whole grains to deliver a balanced diet full of the nutrients your dog need for a lifetime wellbeing. 
 

 

 

About This Page

Pet Type:

DOG

Topic:

Health & Nutrition

Date:

08/01/2020

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