Think about the last shampoo commercial you saw on TV. The company probably advertised a new formula to give you your shiniest hair ever, right? Shiny hair is a sign of healthy hair, and the same goes for your dog! While each dog’s coat is just as unique as their personalities – some dogs have wiry hair, some are fluffy, and still others are sleek – a shiny, soft, full coat can be a good indicator of your dog’s overall health. 

Your dog’s skin and coat are a huge part of their overall defense against fleas, ticks, and disease. If your dog has healthy skin and a healthy coat, they are better able to fend off pest infestations and stay free from uncomfortable sores and infections. As an added bonus, a healthy coat helps your dog feel good! They’re less likely to experience itchiness and irritation.

Sounds pretty great, right? Here’s the catch: it takes more than just a new shampoo formula to restore the vibrancy and shine to your dog’s coat. Here are a few tips to pamper your pooch and make their coat the very best it can be. 

Focus on Healthy Proteins in the Diet

As we’ve mentioned before, your dog’s diet is the key to their overall health and wellness. Promoting healthy skin and coat starts with a diet that’s rich in wholesome proteins! According to P.L.A.Y., the composition of your dog’s coat is 90% protein. Proteins in gently cooked dog foods are easier for your dog to digest than processed proteins and meat byproducts, so once you switch to a natural food diet, you’ll probably see a noticeable improvement in their coats. 

Speaking of your dog’s diet, including plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can also improve the appearance of their skin and coat. Your dog can get omega-3’s from a variety of sources, like supplements, oils, and even from fresh fish. As always, consult your veterinarian before you make any major changes to your dog’s diet. 

Groom Your Dog Regularly

While it’s not the only thing that makes your dog’s fur pretty, regular grooming and bathing can go a long way in keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy. It comes as no surprise that your dog’s coat will look dull and dingy if they’re left dirty after playing in the mud or having a wrestling session with their best buddies. Regular brushing and “spot cleaning” can help them look their best. 

If your dog suffers from itchy skin, oatmeal based shampoos can help soothe them. You can also apply natural balms and oils to their paws to help reduce irritation from their environments. Finally, brushing not only helps eliminate knots and thick undercoats, but it also helps redistribute their skin’s natural oils so their skin and fur stays moisturized. 

Regularly Apply Flea and Tick Prevention

There’s nothing worse than a flea infestation for everyone in your home. Letting your dog succumb to fleas and ticks can leave them with open sores from all the biting and scratching. These open sores can easily become infected and create greater irritation for your poor pup. Your vet should recommend an appropriate pest control solution for your dog’s weight and breed that protects them and your home from infestation. 

Schedule Time for Regular Exercise

Exercise is another big component of your dog’s overall health and wellness! Regular exercise benefits your dog from head to toe. A long walking session or an afternoon playing fetch at the park gets their heart pumping; in turn, this increased circulation “helps the blood carry necessary nutrients to the skin and other organs,” according to Great Pet Care. Just be sure to brush out their fur if they get dirty during their exercise!

Healthy skin and coat is more than just aesthetically pleasing for your dog – it’s their defense against disease and a good indicator of their overall health. Offering your dog a wholesome diet with real proteins and necessary supplements is a great way to start restoring strength and beauty to their skin and coat. Check out our online store to learn more about our human-grade dog food and treats!

How Dogs Get Into Tummy Troubles

Dogs are inquisitive by nature. Their sensitive snouts guide them to discover most of their information about the world around them, from food and toys to other dogs and human friends. However, that inquisitive nature sometimes means that might seem tasty at first sniff but doesn’t sit right on their stomachs. Some dogs are prone to stomach sensitivity; some dogs get upset stomachs in stressful situations; some dogs just like to put everything in their mouths. No matter your dog’s temperament, you’re likely to encounter an upset stomach at least once in their lifetime.

When you’re monitoring your dog’s upset stomach, a good first place to start is by getting in touch with your veterinarian. Some mild cases of tummy upset will pass on their own, but you need to be mindful of more severe symptoms including:

• Frequent vomiting

• Frequent diarrhea

• Bloody stool

• Total loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Excessive drooling

How to Avoid Tummy Troubles

As is the case with humans, not every tasty-looking morsel our dogs see is good for them to eat. Even some foods that are perfectly healthy for humans can have serious negative consequences for dogs. Make sure your dog doesn’t get the opportunity to eat any of these human foods: 

• Grapes

• Avocado

• Chocolate

• Alcohol

• Onions and Garlic

• Caffeine

Furthermore, non-food items can also cause severe reactions in dogs. If you’re a plant lover, there are certain plants you’ll want to keep out of reach of your pets. Also, some dogs are bad at dropping items instead of swallowing them. Some dogs eat the stuffing or hard parts of their toys; others like to consume socks, dryer sheets, and other such items left in their paths on the floor. If this is the case, you’ll want to work with a trainer to break this habit as it can cause serious discomfort - or worse. 

Foods That Can Soothe a Sick Dog’s Stomach

If you’re nursing your sick dog’s stomach at home, it’s generally recommended to take a short break from their usual diets and give them foods that are gentle and soothing on their stomachs. Here are the best foods to feed your dog while they’re recovering from nausea. 

Bone broth

One of the symptoms of an upset stomach is a loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat. However, you still want your dog to have access to healthy nutrients when they’re not very hungry. A warm bowl of bone broth is enticing, light on the stomach, packed with vitamins and minerals, and provides liquid to help prevent dehydration. Make sure you select a bone broth that’s specifically formulated for dogs, meaning that it doesn’t have herbs, onions, or garlic that may irritate their stomach even more.

Pumpkin

We’ve discussed at length the wonders of pumpkin for your dog, so it should come as no surprise that pumpkin is a big helper for upset stomachs. Pumpkin is full of healthy fiber, which helps to settle upset stomachs. It also has Vitamin A, C, E, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, folate, and so many other nutrients. When choosing pumpkin for your dog, be sure not to get pumpkin pie filling, which is packed with sugars and other additives. Instead, select a can of plain, pure pumpkin puree - or cook your own when it’s in season! 

Rice

Rice is often recommended for humans when they have upset stomachs, too! Plain white rice is low in nutrients, but it’s a good addition to your dog’s meals to keep them sated while they’re recovering from illness. Many veterinarians recommend giving sick dogs multiple small meals throughout the day, so rice is a great option when your dog just wants a little snack to tide them over. 

Plain chicken

We haven’t met a dog that can say no to a little nibble of chicken. Plain, boiled chicken (made without butter, oil, or spices) offers a great incentive for your dog to have a bite if they haven’t eaten all day. The AKC recommends offering small meals of plain chicken and white rice to make sure your dog has protein in their system to keep them energized. Be sure to serve the chicken in deboned, bite-sized pieces so your dog won’t choke if they’re hungry!

Always Check In With Your Veterinarian

As we mentioned before, it’s so important to check in with your veterinarian before you start treating stomach illness at home. You’ll want to let your vet know about your dog’s symptoms and do your best to determine the cause of their illness so they can give you the best plan of action for your dog’s health. If your vet gives you the OK to care for them at home, order a bag of Pawsitively Pure Bone Broth and give them lots of extra comfort and love while they recover.

You Are What You Eat

Here in the United States (and all around the world), dietary health is a hot topic for a huge number of adults. According to Statista, the second-most popular New Year’s resolution for 2022 is healthier eating, with 44% of resolution-setters naming this as their top goal. As they say, “you are what you eat,” and improving your diet is a great way to improve your overall health from head to toe. Whether you realized it or not, the same goes for your dogs. 

Providing your dog with a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to improve his quality of life. But as you search for a healthy diet for your dog, you may wind up with more questions than you had when you started. What exactly is a healthy diet for your dog? What’s the best way to implement a healthy diet? 

What is a healthy diet for your dog? 

The biggest question you need to answer when choosing the right diet for your dog is whether you’ll feed them dry food or wet food. There are benefits to each depending on your lifestyle, but for the most part, fresh, natural, wholesome meals present a healthier option than kibble. Many natural dog foods are appropriate for dogs at any age and life stage and are easy to customize as needed. 

Once you choose between wet (raw or natural) and dry food, it’s time to start reading the label! Choose a food that has ingredients you can see and understand without a lot of extra grains, carbohydrates, and other such fillers. You want to make sure your dog is getting an appropriate amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. The right amount of each nutrient will depend on a number of factors including your dog’s age, breed, weight, activity level, and more.

How a Healthy Diet Can Change Your Dog’s Life

Now that you’ve chosen an appropriate food for your dog’s needs, it’s time to start feeding! In certain aspects, feeding raw or natural food does require a little extra effort on the humans’ part – you’ll have to schedule regular feeding times, measure out portions, and perhaps prepare the food by warming it up (i.e. bone broth). Are the benefits worth the extra effort? 

All signs point to yes, according to any pet parent who’s fed their dogs with Pawsitively Pure. Here are just a few of the reasons why a healthy diet is the key to a healthy dog: 

Keeps gums and teeth healthier

Dogs are notorious for having stinky breath, but it might not be all their fault! Most commercial dry dog foods are made with an abundance of starch and carbohydrates, which both break down into sugar. As we all know from our dentists’ warnings around Halloween, too much sugar can cause tooth decay which leads to bad breath. 

Some experts have argued that crunching on kibble can scrape away some of the buildup around your dog’s teeth and gums, but according to Dog Food Advisor, that scraping action doesn’t remove tartar from the critical zone nearest to your dog’s gums. Prevention is the best method to keep your dog’s teeth healthy, and providing your dog with a diet that’s low in sugar and carbohydrates is a great place to start. 

Boosts the immune system

Speaking of prevention, a healthy immune system is the ultimate prevention against illness and disease. Think about it: how much better do you feel when you stop ordering fast food and start eating fresh fruits and veggies? All the vitamins and minerals found in your dog’s meal help keep their metabolism moving smoothly and help them stay fit and healthy well into their golden years. 

Supports healthy muscle tone

Protein is the foundation on which every cell in your dog’s body is built! That’s why wholesome, complete proteins are such an important part of your dog’s diet. Many commercially produced dry dog foods are made with meat by-products that include bone meal and other “scrap” parts of the protein. Fresh, gently cooked food is made with nothing but the good stuff. 

Protein especially aids the production of healthy muscles, which can in turn help support your dog’s joints. Healthy muscle tone can help your dog stay active and healthy at every stage of their life. It also helps your dog recover from injuries more easily!

Improves digestion

One of the major things pet parents tend to notice after they switch to fresh food is that their dog’s poops are often smaller and less frequent. While this is more convenient for us humans, it’s also a good sign that your dogs are getting the nutrition they need. With a fresh diet, dogs usually have smaller poops because their bodies are more easily able to absorb the nutrients from their food, leaving less waste behind. 

Supplement your dog’s fresh diet with some delicious dog-friendly bone broth and you’ll be giving their digestive system a double dose of support! Bone broth is packed with healthy gelatin, which effectively coats the digestive tract and protects it from injury and disease.

Start Feeding Fresh Today

Many pet parents are hesitant to switch their dog’s diet, especially if their dog has sensitive stomach issues. We’re here to let you know that transitioning to fresh food isn’t as hard as it may seem! As you make the transition, gradually replace your dog’s old food with a portion of their new fresh food until their whole bowl is filled with fresh food. Take it slowly and monitor your dog’s reaction to their new dinner. 

If you have other questions about feeding fresh, we’d love to help! Head over to our website and leave us your questions and feedback on our contact page.

What Feeding Method is Best for Your Dogs?

Successful dog parenting involves a lot of schedules and routines. You probably have set potty times, walk times, and sleep times. But as far as feeding times go, some pet parents stick to a regular feeding schedule, while others leave a bowl out for their dogs to munch on as they please. Which of these methods is best for your dog? 

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. First of all, the type of food you feed your dog determines whether you can leave it out all day or not. Obviously, kibble can stay in the bowl without spoiling while fresh foods need to be eaten when they’re offered. For that reason, pets who eat Pawsitively Pure Dog Food need scheduled feeding times. 

Secondly, the best feeding schedule depends on your availability. If you’re out of your home for work for most of the day, it can be difficult to stick to regimented feeding times. Free-feeding can offer you some peace of mind when you’re away from home since you’ll know your dogs have food when they need it. If you work from home or you have the same schedule every day, scheduled feeding times may work for you. 

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be discussing how to feed your dogs on a schedule and to give them a positive environment in which to enjoy their meals. Scheduled feeding offers a number of health benefits as compared to free-feeding, and it’s the right choice when you have your dog on a raw or gently-cooked diet!

The Benefits of Feeding on a Schedule

According to Dr. Jennifer Coates of PetMD, free feeding is the wrong choice for most dogs. A scheduled meal time can offer all of the following benefits: 

Training Benefits

Dogs love routines. If you start a scheduled feeding routine during puppyhood, you’ll be able to coordinate feeding time and potty time since most puppies tend to need to relieve themselves 10-15 minutes after a meal. This is helpful for pet parents since they’ll be able to take their dogs out before accidents happen, and it’s good for the pets themselves since they’ll learn the right times to relieve themselves. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Weight Control

Dogs who free-feed are more prone to obesity than those on a feeding schedule. In her article, Dr. Coates notes that many dogs tend to continue eating or “snacking” past the point of satiation. Just like humans may reach for a bag of chips when they’re bored, some dogs turn to food as comfort when they’re bored. 

Health Monitoring

A lack of appetite can be a sign of illness. When your dog is good about eating at the same time every day, you’ll be able to tell right away when they’re not in the mood to eat. Sure, you can keep an eye on how much food is left in the bowl when you check, but it’s much easier and safer for your dog if you notice it as soon as it happens. 

How to Create a Feeding Schedule for Your Dogs

When you’re creating your dogs’ feeding schedules, there are a number of factors you should consider. 

How Often Should You Feed?

According to VCA Pet Hospitals, you should feed your pets at least twice a day, for breakfast and for dinner. If you have a puppy at home, you may need to increase that to three times a day since they use lots more energy as they grow and play. Furthermore, as your dog progresses into his senior years, you may find that his feeding needs decrease. Pay close attention to your dogs’ activity levels, their age, and their weight when determining how often to feed.

Where Should You Feed Your Dogs? 

Wherever you decide to feed your dog, you should feed them in the same place every single time. Moving your dog’s food bowls around too often can make them nervous and ruin the routine you’re trying to build. We find it’s best to have a dedicated space in our home where our dogs eat, away from the kitchen but near our living space. Lay down floor mats and give them a nice food and water bowl. 

How Much Should You Put in the Bowl?

For the most part, this answer relates back to the factors you considered when determining how many times per day to feed your dog: their activity levels, their age, and their weight/goal weight. Here at Pawsitively Pure, we’re happy to offer our recommendations for the amount of food you should give your dog at each meal. The most important thing to remember is to feed them the same amount consistently, even if they finish the whole meal. 

Do Treats Count as Feeding? 

Treats should never be used to substitute an entire meal, but treats are an important part of your dog’s complete diet. Keep a tally of how often you treat your dogs during the day; these treats go toward your dogs’ overall calorie count. You should be able to adjust your dog’s feeding needs accordingly. 

Feed Your Dog the Best at Each Meal

For your dog to get the most out of their feeding schedule, you should offer them the most nutritious food available to keep them full during the day. Natural, wholesome foods can help give your dog energy and keep them full for longer. Pawsitively Pure Dog Food offers a complete system of natural dog food, treats, and bone broth to keep your dog satiated and healthy. Head to our online shop to pick your dogs’ favorite flavors today! 

Before you met your first dog, you probably had some preconceived notions about what life with dogs must look like. You may have imagined long walks, lots of kisses, and playing fetch in the park. But for some dogs, whether you throw a ball, a rope, or a frisbee, playing fetch just doesn’t seem to hold their interest. 

First of all, this is totally fine! Just like humans, every dog has a unique personality. Some dogs are active and easy to entertain with some physical activity, while others find more enjoyment from laying in a sunbeam or snoozing on the couch. 

If you have your heart set on getting your dog to play a game of fetch with you, it’s definitely possible to train your dog to enjoy the game. Here are a few reasons why your dog might not instinctively play fetch and how to overcome them: 

Your dog picks up the toy, but doesn’t bring it back

According to the AKC, one of the most common issues dog owners encounter in the quest for fetch is that your dog will chase after the toy but doesn’t bring it back. This can be frustrating for pet parents who wind up spending more time at the park collecting their dogs’ toys than actually playing with them.

Luckily, this is a fairly easy issue to overcome. Your dog already knows how to track the item they’re fetching -- they just need some extra encouragement to return it home. If this is happening for you, keep a second toy or a few treats on hand. Your dog will have an incentive to bring their toy back to where it came from. 

Your dog doesn’t like the toy you’re throwing

Think about your dog’s everyday playtime. We’re sure you’ve identified their favorite kinds of toys and objects to play with. Some dogs prefer durable rope toys that are fun to tug, while others like soft stuffed animals to play with. 

There’s a chance your dog just doesn’t like the kind of toy you chose to play fetch with. Some dogs are just picky like that! Before you give up on playing fetch, try out a variety of different toys and objects to see if one sparks their interest more than others.

Your dog doesn’t know how the game is played

Some dog breeds, like Retrievers and German Shepherds, instinctively play fetch. That’s because they’ve been bred to do so! Over generations, they have been taught to pick up items and return them to their owners -- that’s why Retrievers are called Retrievers. 

Just like with other tricks, you can teach your dog to play fetch with you! Start by encouraging your dog to pick up their favorite toy. Then, move on to teaching your dog to “drop it,” or give the item back to you. Over time, you can show your dog how to retrieve items from longer distances; before you know it, they’ll be a fetch champion. 

April is Active Dog Month, and playing fetch is a wonderful way to include cardiovascular activity in your dog’s daily routine. Exercise -- including mental exercise -- is so important for your dog’s overall health, wellness, and longevity. To help your dog maintain the energy levels they need to play, switch them to an all natural food that supports gut health and weight management. Shop Pawsitively Pure’s line of human grade dog food and treats here.